“The first problem—aren’t you two sitting way too far apart?”
Though Felyn and Daiyi were both on the sofa, the space between them was… enormous. At least wide enough to fit Adeline, Viloti, and Zervanie side by side.
“Are you two really convincing like this? I feel like the moment your father walks in, he’ll know it’s all fake.”
Bernice rubbed her forehead and urged the two to sit closer.
“And hold hands! What couple doesn’t hold hands?”
Under her direction, Felyn took Daiyi’s hand. Her skin was soft, delicate, and a little cool to the touch—slippery smooth, surprisingly comfortable to hold.
Both of them were, in a sense, not particularly shy people. So things like hand-holding or even hugging didn’t really make them flustered.
“Is this close enough?”
Daiyi was already sitting right next to him. Felyn could smell the faint fragrance of her freshly washed hair.
He glanced at her profile. That perfect, divine face, framed by her hairstyle, looked even more harmonious—so beautiful it made one want to reach out and touch it.
Daiyi’s skin was flawless, on par with Princess Dorothy’s, completely free of blemishes.
“Perfect, Felyn. That slightly creepy look on your face right now—that’s exactly how someone in love should look.”
“I do not look creepy!”
Bernice stopped teasing and got serious as she stepped fully into the role of examiner.
“All right, let’s begin. Miss Daiyi, since you claim to like Felyn, please list his preferences.”
“Girls.”
Felyn had been waiting for her to elaborate, but after that single word, Daiyi said nothing else.
“…That’s it? Just girls? You think that’s all I like? Not even a little more detail?”
“Is it not accurate? You want something more specific? Then fine—girls in maid outfits, preferably ones who cling to you while calling you ‘Big Brother.’”
“Damn it… she’s absolutely right!”
Felyn awkwardly licked his lips and tried to argue, “I mean, yeah, but isn’t ‘girls’ a little too broad? I like other things too, like—uh…”
He suddenly couldn’t think of anything else.
“What do I like…?”
Between working and sleeping every day, even with money, he didn’t have the time or energy to pursue hobbies. Before long, his greatest joy became crawling into bed and passing out.
How pathetic. I was a corporate slave before transmigrating, and I’m still one now. What’s the point of reincarnating if I’m just going to keep suffering?
“You like darker-colored clothes. You like staring out the window on rainy days. You like spicy food. And before bed, you always drink a glass of hot milk.”
Daiyi listed these things quietly, without looking at him. It was like she was muttering to herself.
“You spin your coffee cup once before setting it down. You always put on your left shoe first. When reading, you subconsciously bite your lip. And when you’re in a good mood, you sometimes shout randomly and scare me…”
Felyn stared in surprise as Daiyi recited little quirks even he hadn’t noticed.
He always thought she just cared about her research, occasionally chatting or joking with him. He never expected that she had been watching him so closely this whole time.
“Isn’t it normal for lovers to pay attention to each other’s habits?”
Noticing the look in his eyes, Daiyi shyly turned her head away. Her dark green eyes flicked to the side as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate ear.
Felyn took in the full image of her in that moment. Somehow, the distance between them felt even shorter.
“If you tell your father all that, he’s much more likely to believe we’re a real couple,” Felyn said.
“But… if my father finds out my boyfriend is a playboy who flirts with every girl he meets, he’ll be furious. Which actually works in our favor, doesn’t it?”
“Please, no! If that happens, your dad’s going to punch me into the next life. I’m begging you, do not say that to him!”
Felyn panicked. He knew better than to provoke Daiyi’s father.
“Then promise me one thing, Felyn.”
She turned to him, biting her lip and gazing into his eyes.
“What is it? If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”
“Out of all the girls in your life… will I be the one you love the most? If you say I’m the one you love the most, I promise I won’t tell my father about the rest.”
Felyn froze.
What kind of question was that?
What kind of man do you think I am?!
His heart skipped a beat—something Daiyi caught immediately. Her lips curved upward in a triumphant smile.
“Did my little confession move your heart, darling? Could it be you’ve actually fallen for me?”
With a graceful motion, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Her emerald eyes sparkled with the gleam of a victor.
Damn it!
She played me again! This woman is infuriating!
Felyn’s face flushed red. He never expected he’d be the one getting teased like this.
Bernice, watching this scene unfold, began to question her very existence in the room.
She quickly spoke up, breaking the tension.
“All right, next question. Felyn, why do you like Daiyi?”
He’d been waiting for that. And now that Daiyi had just messed with him, it was the perfect moment for payback.
“If it’s Daiyi’s father asking, to make myself look worse, I’d say: Of course—it’s because she’s pretty and rich.”
He paused, then added, “But if you were asking me privately…”
His fingers traced small circles in Daiyi’s palm.
“I don’t know anything about her background or her past. But for some reason… I’ve always felt she’s different. It’s hard to stay true to yourself, especially when everyone around you doubts and criticizes your every move. It’s really hard. But Daiyi always held firm. She trusted her instincts, ignored everyone’s objections, and pushed forward anyway. I really admire that. She dares to stand against the whole world—and she hasn’t given up. That kind of woman… I can’t think of any word other than ‘goddess’ to describe her.”
Daiyi’s body tensed slightly. His words struck something deep inside her.
She slowly turned her head and looked at their hands clasped together, her lashes fluttering.
A soft pink blush crept up her ears. She quickly turned away, letting her hair fall to hide her face, her fingers curling faintly against Felyn’s palm.
“…Hey, you two.”
Bernice couldn’t take it anymore.
“At this rate, you’ll be making out in five seconds. How about shouting each other’s names while you kiss? Go all in!”
“That’s messed up! You’re clearly abusing your authority here! No way would Daiyi’s father ask something like that!” Felyn glared, “Who would even say that?! Bernice, you’re just here to stir chaos!”
“…Right, Daiyi?”
He turned to her, hoping for backup.
But Daiyi stayed quiet, eyes glued to the space between the floorboards.
Wait—no way…
“My father… he is a bit eccentric. So… he actually might.”
She leaned in slowly—so close Felyn could count every one of her eyelashes.
Her breath brushed against his cheek. In this moment, his entire world shrank to just her.
She tilted her head slightly, drawing even closer, and parted her lips just a little.
The air seemed to buzz with tension. Felyn held his breath, his gaze fixed on her soft lips.
(End of Chapter)