Chapter 21
Chapter 21: An Ambiguous Game of Push and Pull
“Mm.”
Sean opened his eyes to soft light filtering through the gaps in the curtains and spilling into the room.
He blinked and found himself lying on a soft, large bed, the bedding warm and comfortable, as if wrapping his entire body in a gentle ocean.
Sean contentedly turned over, preparing to go back to sleep. However, the moment he turned, his gaze swept over the figure beside him—Cynthia was sleeping quietly next to him.
His pupils contracted sharply, and he instantly became fully awake, staring wide-eyed as his mind went blank.
Wait, what had happened? How did he end up sleeping with Cynthia?
Sean’s gaze involuntarily fell on Cynthia’s face.
Her red hair was scattered messily across the white sheets like a burning flame, perfectly matching her temperament.
This saint’s sleeping face was breathtakingly beautiful. Long eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks, her nostrils rose and fell gently with her breathing, and her lips were slightly parted as if murmuring something in her dreams.
Her skin was white as jade, glowing faintly in the morning light. She looked like a carefully painted oil masterpiece—absolutely stunning.
Sean’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. He instinctively lifted the covers and looked down at himself, discovering that his clothes were neat and tidy, while Cynthia was wearing only thin undergarments.
“Phew…”
He sighed in relief. It seemed they had just fallen asleep after the mental soothing session ended from exhaustion. Nothing inappropriate should have happened.
Even so, Sean still felt nervous.
Cynthia’s personality was changeable—she during mental soothing was completely different from her usual self. If she woke up and returned to her usual cold, proud state, discovering that she had shared a bed with him might make her furious.
Thinking of this, Sean decided to quietly leave her room before Cynthia woke up.
He carefully moved his body, trying to get up from the bed.
However, just as he was about to extract himself, he discovered that Cynthia was tightly hugging one of his arms, like a small cat snuggling against its owner.
Sean’s heartbeat accelerated again. He held his breath and carefully tried to pull his arm from her embrace.
Just as he moved, Cynthia’s body shifted slightly, and she let out a soft hum.
Sean froze instantly, not even daring to breathe. He stared tensely at Cynthia’s face, afraid she would suddenly wake up.
Fortunately, Cynthia just turned over and continued sleeping deeply.
Sean sighed in relief and finally succeeded in extracting his arm.
He tiptoed off the bed, his bare feet stepping on the carpet, trying not to make any sound. He gently pushed open the bedroom door, came to the living room, and quickly arranged the blanket on the sofa, trying to create the illusion that he had spent the night on the sofa.
Just as he finished arranging the sofa, there was a slight sound from the kitchen direction, possibly the wind moving a window.
Sean paused, then realized he should do something to mask his nervousness.
So he walked into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
He opened the refrigerator, which was well-stocked with ingredients. The refrigerators in this world were made by infusing special crystals with ice elemental power and required periodic replacement of the crystals that served as cooling cores.
Sean stared at the cooling stone for a while, as if thinking of something, then skillfully took out ham, eggs, bread, and milk, beginning to fry eggs and toast bread with smooth, natural movements.
Before long, appetizing aromas wafted from the kitchen.
Sean was focused on frying ham when he suddenly felt a gaze watching him from behind.
He instinctively turned around and found Cynthia leaning against the kitchen doorframe, watching him with interest.
At this moment, Cynthia was wearing only a thin, gossamer-like white shirt. The shirt’s material was almost transparent, and he could vaguely see the outline of her undergarments.
Her long hair fell casually over her shoulders, her face still bearing the languid look of just waking up. Her entire being radiated a deadly allure.
“Good morning, Lady Cynthia.”
Sean’s face instantly turned bright red, and he quickly looked away, not daring to look at her again.
“You can cook?”
Cynthia’s voice carried a hint of curiosity, her gaze roaming over Sean’s face as if appreciating his embarrassment.
“Yes, I grew up in an orphanage. If I wanted to fill my stomach, I had to cook for myself.”
Sean nodded, trying to keep his voice calm.
Cynthia hummed softly in acknowledgment. She didn’t say anything more and turned toward the bathroom to bathe and dress.
Sean sighed in relief. Cynthia’s attire just now had been too impactful for him, especially for a young man in the morning—it was deadly temptation.
When Cynthia appeared in the living room again, she had changed into a neat saint’s uniform, her red hair pulled up in a high ponytail. She had completely returned to her usual cool, aloof demeanor.
She walked to the dining table and saw it set with a sumptuous breakfast—fried eggs, ham, toast, milk, and fruit salad, each dish arranged neatly and looking very appetizing.
“You made all of this?”
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her tone revealing a hint of surprise and appreciation for Sean.
“Yes, I hope it suits your taste.”
Sean nodded, somewhat embarrassed. He stood to the side, carefully observing this saint’s reaction.
Cynthia sat down and elegantly picked up her knife and fork, beginning to enjoy breakfast.
Her movements were composed and graceful, savoring each bite carefully.
“It tastes good.”
Cynthia put down her knife and fork and looked up at Sean.
“Why are you still standing there? Sit down and eat together.”
“Yes.”
Sean obediently sat across from Cynthia. Just as he picked up his knife and fork to start breakfast, he noticed Cynthia resting her chin on her hand, looking at him thoughtfully.
“Lady Cynthia, is there something on my face?”
Sean unconsciously touched his face.
“Nothing. I was thinking—from today on, you might as well just move in here.”
Cynthia shook her head, her eyes rolling as if she had made some decision.
“Our mental soothing sessions will be more convenient this way, and you can prepare my meals too.”
“Alright, Lady Cynthia. I’ll do my best.”
Sean was stunned for a moment, then appeared flattered and quickly nodded in agreement.
He couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased—this was a good opportunity to get close to Cynthia’s daily life, and he could use this chance to better understand her weaknesses.
Of course, Sean was also clear that the closer the distance, the greater the risk.
He had to maintain his reason at all times and couldn’t fall into their push-and-pull relationship before Cynthia did.
Because in this game, whoever fell for the other first would lose completely.