Chapter 5 — Turns Out You Actually Like Me

He plucked the strings of the guitar and began to sing. His voice was slightly deeper than his usual speaking tone, carrying a faint, husky resonance that quietly wove its way into the ears of everyone listening. Initially, I had thoroughly prepared myself mentally, fully resolved to applaud enthusiastically no matter what atrocious noise came out of his mouth. But in the end, I realized such measures were entirely unnecessary. He sang exceptionally well. By the time the wave of applause erupted around me, I discovered that the corners of my lips had curled upward into a smile without me even realizing it. Stepping down from the stage, Cheng Che walked straight toward me, carrying two glasses of wine in his hands.

How was it? Not completely humiliating, right?

He nudged one of the glasses forward across the table. I offered my applause with the utmost sincerity.

I propose that you just debut directly as a professional singer. I will act as your manager, and whatever money we rake in, we can split fifty-fifty.

Amused by my jab, he placed the remaining glass directly into my hand.

I mixed this one especially for you. It is just a low-alcohol fruit wine, so you should be able to handle a little bit of it.

Now, you are free to wander around and enjoy yourself. But remember, if anyone else offers you a drink, do not just accept it blindly, and do not wander too far out of my sight either.

Furthermore, if you sense that something is even slightly amiss, you must find me immediately. Do you understand?

His sudden, earnest demeanor gently plucked at the strings within my heart once again.

I know, I know.

I hurriedly lowered my head and took a small sip of the wine, pretending to savor it with utmost seriousness. It tasted sweet, accompanied by a refreshing tartness, barely carrying any harsh alcoholic burn at all. It was truly delicious. By the time I lifted my head back up, Cheng Che had already been called away by several people. Holding his wine glass, he chatted and laughed with effortless poise amongst all sorts of guests. My gaze instinctively trailed after him. Then, I spotted Ms. Nguyen Han. She emerged from behind the bar counter carrying a small plate of snacks, crossing paths with Cheng Che right at that moment. The two of them exchanged a few words, prompting Ms. Nguyen Han to burst into laughter, her eyes curving into breathtaking crescents. Cheng Che smiled as well, tilting his head slightly, his posture utterly relaxed and natural. Standing side by side, they genuinely looked like a well-matched pair. Just as a bitter ache began to bloom in my chest, I found myself inexplicably worrying on behalf of my older brother, who was terrified of having his best friend snatch away the apple of his eye. In the blink of an eye, the person clinking glasses with Cheng Che shifted to someone entirely different. How detestable—why on earth was this man so overwhelmingly popular?! I tilted my head back and swallowed half the glass in a single gulp. The moment the alcohol rushed to my head, a profound wave of clarity washed over me. Even if Cheng Che harbored feelings for someone in his heart, he was still undeniably single at this very moment. And since he was single, I had every right to pursue him. The long-standing bond between my brother and that woman had endured for seven or eight years, meaning Cheng Che essentially stood no chance there. Comparatively speaking, my chances were vastly superior. As for right now— Resting my chin in my hands, I comfortably fixed my gaze right back on the man clad in the black button-down shirt. Just looking at him wasn't a crime, after all.

I had made up my mind; I was still going to pursue Cheng Che. However, given that he already possessed a beloved in his heart, I could not launch a direct frontal assault. I had to proceed step by step. I would boil the frog slowly in warm water, allowing him to gradually grow accustomed to my presence in his life. Ever since that unfortunate incident with the fire hydrant, I had fully accepted the harsh reality that my driver's license was basically just a decorative piece of plastic. Yet, this flaw miraculously transformed into the perfect excuse to invite him out. Every single weekend, I would text Cheng Che, asking him to accompany me for driving practice. Without asking too many questions, he agreed every single time. I even brought along a small box of homemade cookies I had baked myself. Though I claimed it was payment for his tutoring services, my true intent was to quietly showcase my feminine charm. Once our practice concluded, Cheng Che would drive me home. Along the journey, we conversed and listened to music together. As a full month slipped by, the array of topics we could discuss expanded endlessly. I even came to discover that this seemingly flawless man possessed a few adorable little quirks of his own.