He took a step closer. Ji'an resisted the urge to step back.
"They said the Third Young Master of the Lin family, Lin Ji'an, was a waste," Xiao Yichen murmured, his eyes scanning her face with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
"They say you have a chaotic root, and you are a haughty, arrogant, and spoiled brat. But..."
He reached out.
Ji'an tensed, raising the rolling pin slightly.
Xiao Yichen stopped. He laughed softly. He reached past her and plucked a leaf from her shoulder.
"But a waste doesn't face down a Princess with a spatula. A spoiled brat doesn't clean a kitchen alone. And a chaotic root..."
He leaned in, his voice a whisper against her ear.
"...doesn't smell like such pure, high-grade spiritual herbs."
Ji'an froze. 'He can smell the basil in my bag?'
"You are interesting, Little Uncle," Xiao Yichen pulled back, twirling the leaf in his fingers. "Very interesting. The rumors were wrong. I hate incorrect rumors."
