Chapter 3 - Chapter 3If I didn’t have you

Lu Shihuan had just finished making breakfast downstairs. He picked up a glass of hot milk and was about to head upstairs when he heard Ye Jialan's panicked shrieks coming from the bedroom above.He lifted his sexy thin lips in a helpless smile, quickened his pace, and reached the bedroom door in a few strides.Squeak...Pushing open the door, he saw Ye Jialan with her hair sticking up like a bird's nest, barefoot and wearing a Hello Kitty cartoon nightgown, jumping and yelling wildly on the bed."Ah, I'm doomed! I completely forgot what Brother Qi told me last night!"After leaving the cinema last night, in the car on the way back, Tang Qichen had specifically reminded her that there would be a press conference for the film's leading cast at nine o'clock this morning.But she'd been so excited that she'd forgotten all about it as soon as she fell asleep.Lu Shihuan seemed long accustomed to Ye Jialan's scatterbrainedness. He calmly placed the milk on the dressing table without a trace of surprise.What? You're asking why he didn't put it on the nightstand?Well, let's just say you've never seen how many bed sheets and phone screens Ye Jialan has ruined because of that exact mistake...In short, from past experience, Lu Shihuan had drawn the conclusion that the dressing table was far safer than the nightstand."Easy, baby. Don't panic. What time is the press conference?"Lu Shihuan's voice, which seemed to possess a magical soothing power, instantly quieted Ye Jialan down.Her big, bright eyes blinked a few times, then she parted her pink, tempting lips."Hmm, I think it's at nine o'clock."Nine o'clock!Lu Shihuan raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. It was exactly seven in the morning, meaning Ye Jialan still had one hour and twenty minutes to wash up, get dressed, and eat breakfast.Having sorted out all the steps, Lu Shihuan affectionately ruffled her messy hair."Good girl, you've got plenty of time. Go wash up first, and I'll pick out the outfit for the press conference."This was Ye Jialan's first time attending a press conference since entering the entertainment industry. Her outfit needed to strike a balance—not too flashy, but not too plain either.Ye Jialan obediently went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face.Meanwhile, Lu Shihuan opened her wardrobe. Almost every piece of clothing inside was a designer piece. After rummaging through, he picked out a light blue dress.He then paired it with a matching pair of light blue high heels.Just as he finished choosing the outfit, Ye Jialan walked out of the bathroom right on cue.Tiny droplets of water slid down her smooth cheeks and disappeared into the nape of her neck."Look at you—you didn't even dry your face properly!" Ye Jialan pouted, looked up at Lu Shihuan, stretched out her hands, and naturally wrapped them around his waist."Liuliu... What if one day you're not by my side anymore? Will I be completely useless at everything?"Lu Shihuan's back stiffened, and his expression turned a little solemn. He turned around and pulled Ye Jialan tightly into his arms.He whispered a promise in her ear, "Don't worry, baby. That day will never, ever come.""You said it—you can't lie to me!""I won't. Now come on, drink your milk. I just called Yang Xi; she should be here in ten minutes."Yang Xi was Lu Shihuan's subordinate, as well as the makeup artist and bodyguard he'd assigned to stay by Ye Jialan's side to protect her at all times.And of course, besides Yang Xi, there were other hidden bodyguards watching over Ye Jialan in the shadows where no one else could see them."Wow, you called Sister Yang Xi? Liuliu, you're the best!"Ye Jialan's eyes sparkled with delight. She tiptoed and pressed a kiss on Lu Shihuan's lips, then let go of him and walked over to the dressing table.She picked up the warm glass of milk and drank it in one go.Then she stuck out her tongue playfully and licked the corner of her mouth.Just then, the doorbell rang downstairs. Lu Shihuan checked the time—it must be Yang Xi."I'll go down to open the door. You get changed and do your makeup first. Yang Xi will drive you there directly.""Okay, go, go!"As she spoke, Ye Jialan even gave Lu Shihuan a little push. Her ears were flushed bright red with shyness, making Lu Shihuan chuckle."Silly girl. There's not an inch of you I haven't seen before. Now you're getting shy?"Ye Jialan let out a shy squeak, then stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his to hush him."Don't say things like that! That was all when we were kids—it doesn't count now, okay? Besides, haven't you heard the Chinese saying that a girl changes fast from childhood to adulthood?"Because of Lu Shihuan, Ye Jialan had moved to America with him when she was four years old, and she'd stayed there for sixteen years.After moving to America, Lu Shihuan, who was eight years older than her, had taken on the responsibility of taking care of her."Alright, I'll stop teasing you. If we mess around any longer, we'll be late."With that said, Lu Shihuan turned around and went downstairs.Outside the villa, Yang Xi stood waiting patiently at the door, dressed in a casual suit with a large makeup case slung over her shoulder.A minute later, the door opened.Yang Xi looked up. Her eyes, hidden behind black-rimmed glasses, lit up when she saw Lu Shihuan. She immediately straightened her posture and greeted him respectfully, "Sir. How is Miss Ye?""She's upstairs. Go on in. Drive her to the press conference later, and remember to report to me promptly if anything happens.""Yes, sir!"Yang Xi let out a quiet sigh of relief. As expected, this man only ever smiled in front of Ye Jialan. In front of everyone else, he always wore a cold, expressionless face. In Miss An's words, he was a total stone-faced iceberg.Not that she'd ever dare say that out loud, of course.Up in the bedroom, Ye Jialan had just finished getting dressed when Yang Xi walked in.Hearing the footsteps, Ye Jialan turned around and looked at Yang Xi with a bright smile."Sister Yang Xi, you're here! Hurry, help me do my makeup—we'll be late soon!"Yang Xi looked at Ye Jialan with a gentle expression and reassured her, "We won't be late. Besides, you have such a good complexion—just a light makeup will do. Come, sit down!""Okay. Don't make it too obvious—I don't like heavy makeup!"Yang Xi nodded in understanding. She thought to herself that if Ye Jialan hadn't entered the entertainment industry, she probably would never have worn makeup in her life.After all, not everyone could live up to the phrase born with natural beauty.Ye Jialan had a classic heart-shaped face with fair, flawless skin. Yang Xi didn't want to cover up her natural features too much, so she just applied a light layer of foundation to even out her skin tone, then swiped on some peach-scented lip gloss.She pulled out a simple yet elegant necklace inlaid with a sapphire from the jewelry box and fastened it around Ye Jialan's neck."All done!"Ye Jialan stood up and twirled around a few times.She nodded in satisfaction and said anxiously, "We're running out of time! Sister Yang Xi, let's go!"Ye Jialan walked downstairs in her high heels and saw Lu Shihuan standing by the living room window, seemingly on a phone call.Too rushed to say a proper goodbye, she gave him a casual wave. "Liuliu, I'm off!"Lu Shihuan pulled the phone away from his ear and called out to her, "Alright, take your time!"Outside the villa, Yang Xi's car was a pink Volkswagen sports car. Ye Jialan habitually got into the back seat, then started urging Yang Xi to hurry up.As for why she never sat in the front passenger seat? Well, Liuliu had told her that she was only allowed to sit in the front seat of his car. In any other car—whether driven by a man or a woman—she had to sit in the back.Truly, this man's possessiveness was off the charts!