Chapter 3

Ever since then, Ryan and I had a sort of understanding.

He cooked my meals, so I sometimes helped him film or edit his videos.

Then, a few days ago, he sent me a video of himself eating ice cream, shirtless with his abs on full display, asking if I was tempted.

That short, five-second clip really got my heart racing.

Without thinking, I fired back a 23-second voice message.

The next second, he burst through my door.

Right away, he pointed a finger at my face, a look of utter defeat on his face, and shouted, "Couldn't you help yourself? You sent a 23-second voice message, you big dummy, just to ask me what flavor the blue ice cream was and if it was any good?!"

I lowered my head, feeling completely wronged, and didn't dare talk back at first.

After he calmed down, I just had to ask again. "So… what did it taste like?"”

Ryan: ...

"I mean, even without showing his face, he’s totally giving off that charming college guy vibe. Flash those abs a little, take a bite of that ice cream, and we’ll go viral for sure!"

I was hyping him up to the max, and it got Ryan grinning from ear to ear.

"So if this one blows up, will you be my sugar daddy?"

I was so dazzled by the idea that the bold question just slipped out.

I've seen way too many clips of besties getting rich and then spoiling their own friends rotten. And my bestie... well, let's just say the odds of her getting rich aren't looking great.

The way I see it, if my bestie can't do it, a childhood friend paying my bills would work too. I'm not picky.

I had a gorgeous smile on my face, but Ryan just sat there looking at me with total disgust.

"How about you just start editing my video instead..."

My dreams shattered. I muttered an "Okay," grabbed the laptop, and started my overtime work.

Through the frosted glass door, I leaned back on the sofa and watched the busy figure in the kitchen. This kind of life suddenly didn't seem so bad.

Ryan was really giving off serious husband material vibes.

The video frames on my laptop slid by, one by one. A face with delicate features, just a slight raise of his eyebrows could steal your breath. Smooth muscle lines, with a few dewy beads of sweat on his skin.

In his long, slender fingers with distinct knuckles, he held two halves of a split blue ice cream bar.

Just a casual glance from him gave space for endless daydreams.

"Holy crap! Who wouldn't be tempted by this?"

Without hesitating, I forwarded the video to my bestie. "How can someone have both boyish charm and husband vibes at the same time?"

My bestie replied instantly: No way! Lily, are you feasting your eyes on this every day?

Bestie: Who's the new college guy you've got wrapped around your finger?

I was just about to type out a torrent of bragging when a familiar scent of mint came from behind me.

I turned around, trembling, and sure enough, I met that handsome face.

I pressed my lips together. The embarrassment and shame of getting caught instantly washed over me, but I had no choice but to flash a fake smile and say, "Look! He's getting compliments!"

Ryan snatched my phone right out of my hand and said, stone-faced, "Dinner's ready."

To ease the awkwardness, I brought up his latest video again while eating. "Honestly, I really think we could blow up this time!"

"With my taste and your body, it's an absolute killer combo!"

Ryan didn't say a word. He just quietly placed a rib into my bowl. "You're eating the food I cook while eyeing my body?"