Huayu: Starting with Hextech

When Tang Yan heard Lin Xiao say on the receiver that finding a house wasn't going well, her heart skipped a beat, but then, as if injected with a strange courage, it started beating rapidly again.

A bold idea, one that made her blush and her heart race, instantly took hold of her mind.

"Oh? Things aren't going well..."

She made her voice sound concerned, but her mind was racing. "Um... Lin Xiao, I happen to know something that might be helpful!"

"Oh? What news?" Lin Xiao's voice was gentle, tinged with weariness.

"I...I have a friend!"

Tang Yan's speech quickened unconsciously, as if she would lose her courage if she slowed down even a little.

"She's not in the entertainment industry, but she owns an apartment in Shanghai in a great location in Jing'an District, with very convenient transportation! Because of her work, she's often traveling abroad, so the apartment is basically empty. She's looking for a reliable person to help her look after the apartment, and also... um, share the property management fees, utilities, and so on."

She paused, licked her slightly dry lips, and lowered her voice, her tone tentative and cautious:

"Well... you might need to share an apartment. But don't worry! My friend only comes back a few times a year, so it's basically like you'll be living alone! The price is negotiable, definitely much cheaper than market price!"

After saying this, Tang Yan felt her cheeks burning hot, and her palms were sweating as she held her phone.

She waited anxiously for Lin Xiao's response, her heart pounding.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Those two seconds felt like an eternity to Tang Yan.

She began to regret her impulsiveness. What if Lin Xiao felt uncomfortable, or sensed something...?

"Really? That sounds great."

Lin Xiao's voice came through, tinged with gratitude, "Where exactly is it located? When is your friend available? If possible, I'd like to take a look at the house first."

He didn't doubt it! He agreed!

Tang Yan's heart was instantly filled with excitement. She suppressed the cheers that were about to burst from her throat and tried her best to make her tone sound normal:

"Great! I think... um, I'll wrap up filming and head back to Shanghai the day after tomorrow. I'll take you to see it then! My friend gave me the keys and put me in charge!"

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back. Thank you, Tang Yan," Lin Xiao said.

"You're welcome! It was nothing!"

Tang Yan finished speaking quickly and hung up the phone almost as if she were fleeing.

Tang Yan tossed her phone onto the soft hotel bed, then buried herself in the covers, burying her burning cheeks in them and letting out a few suppressed giggles.

She laughed for a while before raising her head, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the ceiling, her lips unable to suppress a smile.

"Very good……"

She whispered to herself, then shyly buried her face back, kicking her legs excitedly in the air.

Tang Yan was full of energy during the filming of her last few scenes in the "Chinese Paladin 3" series, and even the director praised her for "getting better and better".

Only she knew what caused that eagerness and excitement.

……

Two days later, at the entrance of a residential community in the JA district of Shanghai.

Lin Xiao arrived at the address sent by Tang Yan on time.

He was wearing a white shirt and casual pants today, looking clean and neat, and stood out at the entrance of the residential area.

A short while later, a taxi stopped, and Tang Yan climbed out of the car.

She had clearly dressed up carefully; a dress accentuated her fair skin, her hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup. Her dimples appeared naturally the moment she saw Lin Xiao.

"Lin Xiao! Have you been waiting long?"

She jogged over, slightly out of breath, with a bright smile and a hint of barely perceptible nervousness on her face.

"No, I just arrived." Lin Xiao smiled, his gaze sweeping over her. "Did you finish filming smoothly?"

"Successfully!" Tang Yan nodded repeatedly, taking out her access card from her small bag. "Let's go in and look at the house!"

Swipe your card to enter the community and take the elevator up.

Tang Yan calmly introduced the neighborhood environment, mentioning its lush greenery, responsible security, and proximity to the subway, while her eyes would occasionally steal glances at Lin Xiao's profile.

When she reached the door, Tang Yan took out her key, her hand trembling slightly as she opened the door.

The door opened, and a sweet fragrance wafted out.

What comes into view is a living room with exquisite decoration and warm colors.

A beige fabric sofa, a matching carpet, a uniquely designed floor lamp, several abstract decorative paintings hanging on the wall, and vibrant green plants on the balcony.

The entire space is clean and bright, filled with the atmosphere of a young girl's life.

Embroidered cushions casually draped on the sofa, cute dolls placed next to the TV cabinet, and the lingering, unique scent of Tangyan cigarettes in the air…

Lin Xiao glanced around, and his mind was already perfectly clear.

This isn't some "friend's" house; it's clearly Tang Yan's own residence.

"How was it? Not bad, right?"

Tang Yan's voice was tense as she observed Lin Xiao's expression, her heart pounding like a drum.

"Yes, that's very nice, very cozy."

Lin Xiao nodded, his tone natural, his gaze falling on the obvious pink throw pillow on the sofa, "Your friend... has very good taste."

"Yes, yes! She really knows how to enjoy life!"

Tang Yan quickly agreed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt. "Look, these two rooms."

She led Lin Xiao to the bedroom.

The master bedroom was clearly Tang Yan's own room, with a light purple four-piece bedding set on the bed and a dazzling array of skincare and cosmetic products on the dressing table.

The second bedroom is relatively simple, with only a bed, wardrobe, and desk, but the bedding is also a light purple in the same color scheme, which is obviously a matching set.

"This second bedroom is usually unoccupied, but it's fully furnished and clean."

Tang Yan pointed to the second bedroom, trying to make her description sound objective. "My friend said that as long as the room is clean, doesn't bring random people back, and splits the bills on time, that's all that matters. The rent... do you think 2,500 a month is okay?"

She quoted a price far below the market price, and then looked at Lin Xiao somewhat guiltily.

Looking into Tang Yan's big eyes, which were filled with expectation and nervousness, Lin Xiao felt a little amused, yet also touched.

This girl went to great lengths to get him to move in, even her lies were full of holes.

He could, of course, point it out, then politely refuse and find another place to stay.

but……

Why bother?

A quiet, comfortable, well-located, and affordable place to live, and a simple and lovely roommate who clearly has feelings for you—it doesn't seem like a bad thing at all.

"The price is very reasonable."

Lin Xiao smiled and looked at Tang Yan, "Please thank your friend for me. If she has no objections, I'd like to move in as soon as possible."

He agreed! He didn't doubt it!

Tang Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes crinkling into crescents with joy, revealing deep dimples: "That's great! She definitely won't object! So... when is it convenient for you to move? I'll help you!"

"Tomorrow, there's not much stuff," Lin Xiao said.

"Okay! I'll be waiting for you tomorrow!"

……

The next day, Lin Xiao, carrying only a few simple bags, officially checked into this "friend's" apartment.

Chen Chichi was still quite reluctant to part with her, complaining that she was "better to be with a woman than with a friend," but Lin Xiao shut her up with a promise of a big meal.

Tang Yan enthusiastically helped with the tidying up; in fact, Lin Xiao had very few belongings, and everything was settled quickly.

During the process, Tang Yan was like a happy little bird, circling around the room, asking Lin Xiao if he needed this or that appliance, her joy barely concealed.

In the evening, the two had a simple dinner together outside, which served as their "housewarming party".

Back home, Lin Xiao went to his room to organize the books and notes he had brought with him.

Tang Yan sat on the sofa in the living room, pretending to read something with her laptop, but her mind was completely on the closed door to the second bedroom.

After a while, she seemed to suddenly remember something, got up and went to her bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and looked around at a row of pajamas.

Finally, she picked out a soft, slightly sexy light pink silk slip dress.

Her cheeks started to burn again. She took a few deep breaths, picked up her nightgown, and went to the living room.

She looked around, and finally "casually" draped her nightgown over the most conspicuous armrest of the sofa, with a corner of the hem hanging down, gleaming with a delicate, silky sheen under the soft lighting of the living room.

After doing all this, she scurried back to her room like a startled rabbit, closed the door, leaned against it, and clutched her pounding heart.

"He...he should see it, right?"

She murmured to herself, feeling both expectant and shy, along with an unprecedented sweet and exciting feeling of living under the same roof as someone she liked.

The living room quieted down, with only the pale pink silk nightgown lying quietly on the sofa, like a silent yet ambiguous invitation, announcing the official start of a subtle "cohabitation" life.