Chapter 14: This Trick Works on Men

Page 1/3

Watching Lan Juanjuan’s figure disappear beyond the gate, Li Tian’er turned and picked up the white shirt from the sofa.

Just moments before, Chen Bo’s white shirt had been draped around Lan Juanjuan, perfectly revealing her long, shapely legs. Though the girl’s looks were nothing extraordinary, her figure was alluring enough. Judging by how love had turned to hate in her eyes for Chen Bo, she might be quite a useful ally.

Li Tian’er wondered if Chen Bo was worried that Lan Juanjuan would linger in his villa, as he still hadn’t returned even though it was already nine at night. He’d called her once, but at the time, Li Tian’er had been bathing Kaikai and hadn’t heard the phone. By the time she noticed the missed call, she was already undressed and about to take her own bath. With a shrug, she flipped the phone face down on the table and walked straight into the bathroom.

Half-reclining in the tub, gazing at the night sky beyond the glass window—a deep, endless blue, speckled with starlight—she sighed.

If only there were scented candles and a bubble bath! She remembered how she used to begin every morning with a refreshing soak, and end every night with a sweet-scented bubble bath, drifting into sleep—a whole other lifetime now!

Click.

The bathroom door opened.

Li Tian’er was lifting a handful of water over herself when she heard the sound. She looked up instinctively.

Chen Bo froze at the sight of Li Tian’er in the tub.

Li Tian’er, startled by his sudden intrusion, hurriedly crossed her arms over her chest.

“Who told you to come in here?”

Chen Bo stared, unblinking, at the beauty in the bathtub, as if he hadn’t heard her words at all.

“Get out, now!”

Fuming, Li Tian’er dared not stand to chase him out—leaving the tub would expose her completely.

“Oh,” Chen Bo managed, lowering his gaze and stepping back. Before closing the door, he couldn’t help but steal one more glance at the beauty before him. Bathed in fragrant steam, she was more alluring than a fairy—utterly irresistible.

When the door finally shut tight, Li Tian’er, flushed with anger and shame, leapt out of the tub, snatched a towel from the rack, and wrapped it around herself. She didn’t even bother to dry her hair, storming out of the bathroom in a fury.

She was less angry at Chen Bo than she was at herself. She never forgot to lock the bathroom door when bathing her child—why had she been so careless with her own privacy?

Partly, she blamed the outdated bathroom lock—no automatic latch.

Clutching the towel tightly at her chest, Li Tian’er hurried toward her bedroom. Rounding the corridor, she looked up and saw Chen Bo waiting at her door.

Page 2/3

Scoundrel!

She cursed inwardly, her steps slowing—she didn’t want him to think she was running into his arms.

Leaning against the doorframe, Chen Bo watched her approach, his face wearing a half-smile, his eyes glazed with intoxicated admiration. The anxiety and worry that had gripped him when his call went unanswered now vanished, replaced by a feeling that the happiness before him was precisely what he’d always longed for.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to just now.”

Li Tian’er shot him a sideways glance and said nothing. That apology was the least she deserved.

He’d seen her, yet any gentleman would have retreated immediately. Instead, Chen Bo had stared at her like a lecher for at least two minutes.

Scum. Absolute scum.

Li Tian’er slipped into her room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Chen Bo’s nose collided with the door, making him grunt in pain. He’d wanted to follow her in and tease Kaikai, but she’d been too quick, shutting him out—and nearly breaking his nose.

He hadn’t expected her to be so fierce!

Rubbing his nose, Chen Bo’s lips curled into a smile, as if he’d discovered a new continent. He began to see this beauty, whom he’d watched grow up, in an entirely new light...

“Tian’er, have you thought about what I said?” Chen Bo tried the door. It was locked. He knocked three times. Inside, Kaikai babbled, but Li Tian’er gave no response.

“I’m serious. I’m hiring an assistant. Come to the company with me tomorrow. All the benefits will be as you asked. You don’t have to worry about Kaikai—I’ve already found a nanny, much better than my Aunt Third. She’s a distant relative of my Second Aunt, very experienced, has looked after four children in the city…”

Unsure how to move her, and worried his voice wouldn’t carry through the thick door, Chen Bo pressed his face close and spoke loudly, veins standing out on his neck.

Still no answer from within.

“Tian’er, please answer me. I’ve been worried about you all day…”

The door opened. Chen Bo straightened up, his face flushed red from shouting, glistening with sweat like a boiled shrimp.

Page 3/3

“Mr. Chen, after I drop Kaikai off tomorrow morning, I’ll come to work. I’d be delighted to work for you.” Li Tian’er smiled sweetly, even winked at him, then closed the door again.

It had been so easy—almost too easy—that Chen Bo could hardly believe it. He stared at the door for several seconds before breaking into a delighted grin and heading back to his room.

They say love grows over time. Soon, he’d be with Li Tian’er twenty-four hours a day, and he was sure she’d fall for him eventually.

Excitement kept Chen Bo awake all night. He took several trips to the balcony for a smoke, went down to the living room for tea, and finally, at dawn, began preparing breakfast. By the time Li Tian’er came downstairs, breakfast was already set out.

“Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Even your little Mulan scooter isn’t safe. Since you’re my assistant now, you’ll be with me. In a few days, I’ll have the driver teach you to drive. You can take the test for your license then. It doesn’t matter if you’re not good at first—you can practice. With me here, you have nothing to worry about.”

To her surprise, Li Tian’er was a little moved by Chen Bo’s thoughtful insistence—but only for a fraction of a second. Then she remembered everything Lan Juanjuan had told her about Chen Bo’s romantic escapades, and she couldn’t bring herself to accept his warmth at face value.

Strangely, when she woke up that morning, her popularity score had increased by one. She thought about it—besides Chen Bo, there was no one else in this house who could have given her that boost.

So Chen Bo was starting to like her—all because he’d glimpsed her body in the bathtub?

Men truly were creatures of the eye!

No matter how much Chen Bo tried to persuade her, Li Tian’er insisted on riding her Mulan scooter. Pushed to his limit, Chen Bo snatched Kaikai from her arms and settled him in his BMW.

“Having me drive you is a company benefit you’re entitled to. If you’re too polite to accept, I can’t help that, but I won’t let Kaikai share the risk of you riding a motorcycle. According to incomplete statistics, eighty percent of first-time motorcycle riders have died. The accident rate for motorcycles is sky-high—”

“Alright, alright, I’ll take your car, okay?”

From ancient times to now, playing hard to get has always worked on men.

“Honestly, you’re impossible! Working for such a domineering boss will be tough, I’m sure.”

Reluctantly, Li Tian’er climbed into the car, tossing a feigned complaint over her shoulder in a soft, melodious voice that made Chen Bo beam with delight.