Chapter 55: Chapter 55

Chapter 55: I Want It All!

Once again, Su Lin thought of the chance to draw from the Emperor’s Treasure Box, hoping for a more useful skill this time.

Compared to previous rewards, which were somewhat lackluster, the initial newcomer gift was far better. Unfortunately, such generous offerings are typically one-time only.

Xia Shiyu, buried in Su Lin’s chest, sobbed softly.

Su Lin gently patted her head, “Xiaoyu, it’s getting late. Do you still want to celebrate your birthday?”

Stirred by his words, Xia Shiyu released her hold on Su Lin and looked up at him with red eyes.

“It’s just a birthday, no need to be so moved,” Su Lin joked.

Xia Shiyu shook her head, “Su Lin, it’s been so long since anyone celebrated my birthday with me, I almost forgot today was my birthday.”

Su Lin flicked her forehead, smiling, “You didn’t almost forget; you actually forgot. If I hadn’t reminded you, you would have let the day pass without a second thought.”

“Hehe, Su Lin, it’s so good to have you around!”

“Good indeed. You can thank me however you want in the future.”

“Of course, you can ask for any form of gratitude.”

“Well, then… a verbal thanks will suffice!”

“Giggle, Su Lin, you’re so silly. After all you’ve done, a simple ‘thank you’ is enough?”

Su Lin chuckled, “Buckle up, the experienced driver is about to take off.”

“Okay~!”

“Su Lin, aren’t we heading towards your house?”

Su Lin, steering the wheel, replied, “Of course, we’re going to my place. Where else would we celebrate your birthday?”

“I thought we were going for a fancy meal.”

“Hehe, who said fancy meals have to be at restaurants?”

Xia Shiyu thought Su Lin had prepared a meal at home, but to her surprise, the villa was empty, with no one else around. She didn’t voice her doubts and made herself comfortable.

“Hold the cake; I’m going to show off my cooking skills today.”

Realizing Su Lin intended to cook for her, Xia Shiyu was enveloped in immense joy, covering her mouth in disbelief, “Su Lin, are you really going to cook?”

Su Lin nodded, “Of course. Today is your 18th birthday, a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. It has to be meaningful.”

“I want to drink then.”

Remembering previous events at the villa, Su Lin recalled Xia Shiyu’s poor tolerance for alcohol. She was a complete troublemaker when drunk.

“No, absolutely not. You easily get drunk, and I told you, no casual drinking.”

“But I’m safe with you around.”

“Even more reason not to. No alcohol, period.”

“Alright then, I’ll listen to you. Can I have a soft drink?”

“Sure. Place the cake down and come to the kitchen with me. Today, we’ll work as a team. Let’s get dinner ready soon!”

“Okay~!”

Xia Shiyu was initially skeptical of Su Lin’s cooking skills, but she readily agreed to join him in the kitchen. Their collaboration started off a bit awkward but soon became fluid and efficient. She anticipated his needs perfectly.

“Sizzle~~~!!!” As the vegetables and ingredients were all in the pot, Su Lin stirred a few times and a fragrant aroma wafted out.

“Mmm ~!!! It smells so good.” Xia Shiyu sniffed in front of the pot and her face was intoxicated. “Su Lin, your cooking skills are too good. Even this green pepper fried shredded pork can smell so good.”

Su Lin laughed. “This is nothing. If I could cook a porridge until it smells good like you, then that would be amazing.”

“Su Lin, you and I are different.”

Su Lin said seriously, “Xiaoyu, you are wrong. I am the same as you, I have always been the same.”

Before transmigrating, Su Lin was also a poor person. It was just that he was born in a better era and didn’t live as pitifully as Xia Shiyu.

Xia Shiyu looked at Su Lin in a daze and then suddenly hugged him.

“What’s wrong, Xiaoyu?”

“Su Lin, I want to be by your side forever, please don’t ever send me away,” Xia Shiyu said cautiously.

Su Lin paused, putting down his spatula, and gently touched her head, “When did I ever want to send you away? Don’t scare yourself, Xiaoyu.”

“But in the future, you’ll surely marry Xiaowan, and then what about me…”

“You really are a silly girl. Wouldn’t it be nice if the three of us stayed together forever?” Su Lin said seriously, massaging her head.

“Mm-hmm… Okay~!! Eh? Su Lin, what did you just say?” Xia Shiyu, a bit slow to react, asked.

Gently lifting her chin, Su Lin looked into her eyes, “I’m a greedy person. You and Xiaowen, I want both.”

“Wuwu~!!!”

Caught off guard by Su Lin, Xia Shiyu found herself kissing him. They only parted when the sizzling sound from the pan reminded them of the cooking.

“Phew, good thing I reacted quickly, or the food would have burnt,” Su Lin said after releasing her.

Gasping for air, Xia Shiyu stood to one side, her face flushed.

“Xiaoyu, you need more practice with kissing; you even forget to breathe,” Su Lin teased.

Xia Shiyu felt a mix of happiness, apprehension, and sweetness. Hearing Su Lin’s sudden declaration, she blushed and coyly asked, “Su Lin, when you said you wanted both, does that mean you like me too?”

Su Lin turned around and playfully tapped her nose, “With your beauty, cuteness, and understanding nature, how could I not like you?”

“Hehe~! I’m not as great as you say.” Xia Shiyu giggled, covering her face.

“You’re even better than I described.”

“But Xiaowan…”

Su Lin tapped her forehead gently, “When it’s just us, don’t mention other girls, remember?”

“O-Okay~!!”

Su Lin found her dazed expression adorable and pinched her cheek, “You’re so naïve, you’d help even those who trick you.”

“Not true, I would only help you.”

“Hehe~! Let’s clean up and get ready to eat.”

“Okay~!”

Su Lin hadn’t expected Xia Shiyu to be so adorable after reaching maximum favorability. He felt even more affectionate towards her, knowing she lacked confidence when with him and Lin Xiaowan.

Su Lin, young and wealthy, handsome, with great achievements and personality, appeared perfect to Xia Shiyu. Lin Xiaowan, beautiful, well-mannered, from a good family, knowledgeable, gentle, and generous, seemed an ideal match for Su Lin in Xia Shiyu’s eyes.

When Su Lin said he wanted both, her first feeling wasn’t anger, but joy that Su Lin liked her. She always saw the drunken night as an accident, as Su Lin never made intimate moves towards her after that.

If Su Lin knew Xia Shiyu’s thoughts, he would loudly tell her it was not like that at all. It was just a lack of opportunity.

Usually, the three of them stuck together, and with both girls’ favorability not maxed out, Su Lin dared not take any risks. But now it was different, with favorability maxed out.

“You don’t need to compare yourself with others, Xiaoyu. You are great just as you are, and I really like you, you know?”

“Su Lin, you don’t think I’m a burden?”

Su Lin laughed heartily, “A burden like you, I am more than happy to carry.”

“Hehe, Su Lin, you are so nice.”

Su Lin pursed his lips, slightly amused. Could he really be considered a nice person? He definitely wasn’t. Ever since he met Xia Shiyu and Lin Xiaowan, everything had been a scheme.