Zhang Ren noticed that Shi Lian is looking at him. With a grin coming to his face, he extended his sandwich to her, shaking Shi Lian out of her thoughts as she took a small bite of it.

"If you want to have a taste, then you could've said so,

" he commented, making Shi Lian look straight into his eyes.

The moment they locked eyes, what Shi Lian said next made Zhang Ren feel surprised, not expecting the question she asked.

"Zhang Ren… do you really mean it—what you said a while ago?

"

Zhang Ren didn't know how to answer her question. He knew that she was pertaining to what he told her back in the rooftop a while ago, making his lips turn into a tight line as he contemplated for a while.

His silence actually made Shi Lian feel quite nervous. With her taking another small bite of her baozi, she waited expectantly for him to answer, making Zhang Ren feel shy around her—something that's unusual to him.

"Shi Lian,

" he started, the girl, discreetly looking at him from the corner of her eye as she continued eating her snack.

"Do you think that I don't mean the words I say?

"

Shi Lian didn't know how to answer his question. She turned her body to look at him, already finished eating her baozi.

However, she honestly answered his question with a nod, further explaining what she meant.

"Kind of… like the thing that happened between us before in the dining room. You kissed me suddenly in front of my mother and brother. I've been meaning to ask you… but was that just because both of us are acting?

"

Now Zhang Ren understood why Shi Lian is doubting his actions. With a sigh, he shook his head, a small smile appearing on his face as he clarified what he did to Shi Lian.

"You really think that it's all an act, huh,

" he commented, Shi Lian, biting her bottom lip as she felt bad that she saw him that way, but she couldn't help it.

Both of them were in the house to show an act. How could she not think this way that it's all just show?

"Shi Lian,

" Zhang Ren started, putting down his second sandwich for a while as he already finished his first sandwich.

"I don't do things I don't mean,

" he added, making the girl blink her eyes a few times.

"So… you wanted to kiss me, really?

"

Zhang Ren let out a small chuckle. He is not the type of person to lie so he nodded, further asking her a question.

"Yes… and do you know why?

"

Shi Lian shook her head. As Zhang Ren inched in closer to Shi Lian, she froze for a while, not expecting him to approach her.

With him tucking a tendril of her hair behind her ear, he spoke further, making her heart flutter in her chest.

"Like what I told your brother that night… I find you irresistibly cute—I just couldn't help it.

"

Shi Lian blushed. With the red blush appearing on her face, Zhang Ren couldn't help but chuckle, commenting about it.

"Stop that… you're so cute, I might not hold myself back.

"

Shi Lian smiled,

"Hold yourself back from what?

"

Zhang Ren stared straight into her eyes. With him putting his forehead against hers, he answered her, his breath fanning over her lips.

"From liking you more.

"

Shi Lian couldn't help but giggle. With Zhang Ren laughing along with her, he then took a few steps back, already giving them space as he opened his second sandwich and started talking.

"I meant what I said back in the rooftop, Shi Lian,

" he started, talking as he chewed his food, but still coherent for Shi Lian to understand.

"I'm going to pursue you… once I know that I feel better.

"

Shi Lian felt her heart race in her chest once more. With her smiling at what he said, she was actually curious as to what he meant by once he felt better, he would pursue her.

"Zhang Ren… if it's okay to ask… do you mean you feeling better from…

"

Shi Lian didn't finish her sentence. However, it was enough for Zhang Ren to understand what she meant.

With a nod confirming her unsaid question, Shi Lian nodded slowly as well, further talking to the guy beside her.

"Why?

"

Zhang Ren blinked his eyes a few times.

"What do you mean, 'why'? I mean… I can't pursue you if I'm still mopey about the past and still scared about my life when I go back to Country S. With me still doubting myself and with the past still haunting me, then—

"

"Zhang Ren,

" Shi Lian interrupted, surprising him with what she said next.

"Are you saying that you're not worthy for me?

"

"Yes,

" he immediately answered,

"I'm still less of the man I want you to have. You're a great girl, and I promised your brother that I won't ever toy your feelings so I have to improve myself and assure myself that I'm sure of you so it won't seem rushed.

"

Shi Lian felt the sincerity in his words. With her heart beating in her chest, she commented on what he said, making Zhang Ren's heart beat fast, too.

"You're not less of the man that you think that you are. You're the first guy whom I couldn't get out of my mind and who is capable of making my heart race. How could you say that you're not worthy?

"

Zhang Ren didn't know how to answer. With a smile coming to his face, however, he felt happy with what she said, making Shi Lian smile as well as he made a comment about the talk that both of them are having.

"Both of us are too honest with what we're feeling, yeah? When we even just met recently. How amazing.

"

Shi Lian nodded and chuckled in agreement. With Zhang Ren chuckling along with her, he then planted a soft kiss on her cheek, giving her a suggestion that Shi Lian immediately agreed to.

"How about this… the feeling's mutual—but let's take things slow, alright?

"

"Mm… agree.

"

With that, both of them had a light conversation with each other, agreeing that they would both spend Zhang Ren's break time together from now on.