Chapter 14: House-sit

Luo Yichen asked, “If you don’t have an identity card, you can’t stay in a hotel?”

Qu Ling’er lowered her eyes and nodded. She did not want to trouble people; but she would have to ask Xia Xia for help now.

Luo Yichen saw her hesitation and said, “How about this? I have to go to Beijing tomorrow and will be back in about a week. You can stay at my place for the next few days and house-sit.

“Huh?” Qu Ling’er was confounded.

Luo Yichen took a sip of water and said casually, “I thought you owed me a favor and could repay it by house-sitting for a few days. Can’t you?”

Qu Ling’er shook her head and said, “No, I just feel that staying at your house would impose on you. If the paparazzi take photographs of you, will it affect you?”

Luo Yichen looked at Qu Ling’er and for a moment, did not know how to answer—she was actually worried that it would affect him? Shouldn’t she be worried that it wasn’t safe for a young girl to stay in a man’s house?

“Aren’t you worried about your own safety?” Luo Yichen raised his eyebrows and asked.

Qu Ling’er recalled how she had slapped him yesterday and said embarrassedly, “I’m sorry. I didn’t hit you on purpose yesterday. You are a good person. It’s my fault.”

Hearing her words, Luo Yichen suddenly felt much better. He nodded and said, “You can stay here tonight and sleep in my study.”

Qu Ling’er had not been to the study before and instinctively asked, “Which one is the study?”

“Follow me.” Luo Yichen brought Qu Ling’er to a room opposite the bedroom.

On both sides of the study were bookshelves filled with all kinds of books.

Qu Ling’er was puzzled—there was no bed here. Just then, Luo Yichen pressed a switch. Instantly, the closet opened and a mattress slowly descended—a Murphy bed.

“Get the pillow and duvet from my room and make your bed.” Luo Yichen continued, “This is the first time this bed in the study is used.”

Qu Ling’er suddenly felt a lump in her throat and her eyes reddened. This was the first time someone had treated her so well since she was young.

“I’ll bring you to the other rooms to take a look. Since you’ll be staying here for a few days, you should know the place.” Luo Yichen knew that Qu Ling’er would not explore on her own, so he gave her a tour.

Qu Ling’er nodded and followed Luo Yichen.

Luo Yichen’s house was very spacious—it had four bedrooms, two living rooms, one kitchen, and two bathrooms. After the tour, Luo Yichen asked, “Can you cook?”

“A little,” Qu Ling’er pursed her lips and said. When she lived with her mother, she basically took care of herself. After going to the Qu family, she lived on campus and rarely entered the kitchen when she went home.

“You can use the kitchen. If you need anything, I’ll get someone to buy and send it over,” Luo Yichen said with a nod.

At the mention of shopping, Qu Ling’er suddenly remembered the bags of clothes she had left with the security officer at the guardhouse. “Oh! I went shopping with a classmate and bought some clothes this afternoon. I left them at the guardhouse.”

“You came by this afternoon?” Luo Yichen’s heart skipped a beat.

Qu Ling’er nodded shyly. “I called your cell phone, but your assistant thought I was a sasaeng fan and blocked me. So, I had to come to your house to wait for you. Later, the police station called me—so I left my clothes at the guardhouse—and went to the police station.”

Luo Yichen took out a blanket from the cupboard and a new set of bedsheets, as well as the pillow and duvet she had used before. “Make your bed. I’ll go and get your clothes.”

Before Qu Ling’er could react, Luo Yichen had already left the room. He put on his hat and mask and left.

Qu Ling’er made up the bed. Looking at the neat bed, she was a little dazed. She was living in a man’s house and she still did not know his name—why did she trust him?

Luo Yichen went to the supermarket to buy some snacks before going to the guardhouse.

When the security officer saw Luo Yichen, he chuckled and said, “You’re back? Help your girlfriend carry her things. They’re all here!”

Girlfriend? Luo Yichen was stunned for a moment. Before he could react to this, the security officer had already loaded the pile of shopping bags into his arms. He carried them in his arms and did not say anything except a “thank you”. He carried these things home—unlocked the door with his fingerprint—and placed the things on the shoe cabinet by the door. He was about to close the door when he suddenly saw the fingerprint lock. He turned around and shouted, “Qu Ling’er.”

Qu Ling’er immediately poked her head out of the study. “You’re back.”

“Come here.” Luo Yichen stood at the door and pressed his fingers on the lock.

Qu Ling’er walked over, baffled. “What’s wrong?”