After days of working with Li Yan on the traffic lights, Si Chengxun finally stepped into the workshop again—only to hear a few apprentices whispering excitedly.
Something about a little girl… one who hovered around Lin Lie all day.
His interest stirred. He walked over and asked casually,
"Who is this girl, that she can get close to Lin Lie?"
Ever since Gu Xingyu left, Lin Lie wore an icy face almost constantly—cold, distant, impossible to approach. Aside from Si Chengxun himself, who would dare draw near? And yet now a bold young woman had appeared, and somehow Lin Lie tolerated her at his side.
Naturally, Si Chengxun was curious.
The apprentices snapped to attention the moment they saw him.
"Your Highness."
Si Chengxun lifted a hand, tone mild but inquisitive.
"At ease. Tell me—who is she?"
They answered over one another.
"That's Miss Ding—Ding Yuxuan. She's been obsessed with mechanisms since she was little."
"Her father was a craftsman too, but Ding—Ding likes tinkering with strange inventions more than anything."
Tang Jun chuckled and added, "I only met her after entering the workshop, but now we're good friends. She calls me 'Ah-Tang,' and I call her 'Ding-Ding.'"
Si Chengxun's brows rose slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Such a childish nickname sounded hilariously out of place in a stern workshop—yet it also carried a warmth and ease that felt… disarming. The corner of his lips curved, and he thought to himself:
If they can call her that so naturally, she must be blunt, straightforward—someone who doesn't stand on ceremony.
I really should see what this 'Ding-Ding' has that makes Lin Lie make an exception.
He kept his tone casual.
"Where is she now?"
"Most likely in the back forge," an apprentice answered quickly. "Grinding parts with Master Lin."
Si Chengxun's eyes brightened. He smoothed his sleeve as if it were nothing, though his curiosity was obvious.
"I was meaning to look at the new parts anyway. Take me there."
The back forge blazed hot. Hammers rang—clean, bright strikes that echoed through the air.
Ding Yuxuan and Lin Lie were utterly absorbed, eyes fixed only on the component in hand and the sketches beside it, completely unaware of the attention gathering around them.
Usually Ding Yuxuan was loud and fearless, but right now her expression was as serious as Lin Lie's—focused, intent. Her fingers moved quickly, precisely, aligning tiny pieces with astonishing dexterity. Lin Lie remained steady and calm, passing the correct tool without a word, or bracing the mechanism at crucial moments.
Back and forth, silent and seamless—
they worked like partners who'd done this for years, not two people who'd only recently met.
In the firelight, that concentration and unspoken coordination was strangely compelling. Apprentices nearby slowed, then stopped, gradually drifting closer, staring as if drawn by some invisible force.
Si Chengxun stood beyond the crowd with his hands behind his back, gaze resting quietly on the pair.
Lin Lie was notoriously cold and solitary, unwilling to spare outsiders even a single extra sentence—yet here he was, cooperating with this girl without any visible resistance. A thoughtful glint crossed Si Chengxun's eyes.
This Ding Yuxuan… really is unusual.
Someone who can make Lin Lie lower his guard is not common.
He didn't interrupt. He simply let the subtle atmosphere deepen.
When the mechanism clicked into place—ka-da—and began to run smoothly, Ding Yuxuan's eyes lit up. She straightened with an excited grin.
"See?" She wiped the thin sweat at her brow, pleased with herself. "I told you it had to be adjusted like this!"
Under the glow, her expression was open and bright—proud in a way that still carried a boyish, youthful spirit.
Lin Lie swept her with a cool glance. He didn't praise her, but he didn't deny her either. The sharp chill around his brows seemed to loosen, just a fraction.
Watching from outside the crowd, Si Chengxun couldn't help a quiet chuckle.
Bold, capable… no wonder Lin Lie allows her near.
Tang Jun clapped loudly.
"Ding-Ding, you're amazing!"
Ding Yuxuan tossed her sleeve with a smug smile.
"Of course I am! This little thing? How could it stump me?"
The apprentices cheered and laughed, their eyes full of admiration.
Lin Lie stood to the side, still stern-faced—yet a faint, nearly invisible note of approval flickered in his gaze.
Si Chengxun watched, lips curving into a meaningful smile.
This girl wasn't just skilled—she was well-liked. That only made him more intrigued.
Just as Ding Yuxuan lifted a hand to wipe her sweat again, her peripheral vision caught a refined, noble silhouette beyond the crowd.
She froze.
Only then did she realize—
that was Prince Si Chengxun.
"Huh?" Her eyes went wide, her smugness instantly stiffening into panic. Her hand was still midair.
In a single heartbeat, her easy confidence evaporated, replaced by flustered embarrassment.
Tang Jun leaned in and whispered, "Ding-Ding… His Highness has been here the whole time…"
Ding Yuxuan's ears turned red. She rushed into a clumsy bow.
"Y-Your Highness?!"
Si Chengxun looked at her startled expression, the smile in his eyes deepening. He raised a hand lightly.
"No need. I'm only here to see the new parts."
Then, as if speaking offhandedly, he added,
"Mm. I heard just now… they call you Ding-Ding?"
Ding Yuxuan's heart jumped, heat rushing straight to her ears.
"T-that's… just a nickname between companions. Your Highness should call me by my full name…"
Si Chengxun's smile was half-amused, half-teasing. He deliberately slowed his tone.
"Ding-Ding… it does suit you."
The moment the name left his lips, Ding Yuxuan wanted to sink into the floor.
Lin Lie's brows pulled together. He shot Si Chengxun a cold glance, his voice calm but edged with pressure.
"If Your Highness wishes to see the parts, I will present them. There is no need to waste words on a workshop apprentice."
Si Chengxun remained perfectly unbothered, lips lifting slightly.
"I don't understand parts anyway. Technical matters like that—I trust you. But…" He paused, gaze sliding meaningfully between Lin Lie and Ding Yuxuan. "I just saw how well you two coordinated. From today on, let her remain by your side and assist you."
"Really?!" Ding Yuxuan's eyes sparkled, so bright she nearly bounced on the spot. To her, learning at Lin Lie's side was a dream beyond price.
Lin Lie's expression darkened immediately.
"Your Highness—no. I'm used to working alone. I don't like being disturbed."
Inwardly, he was already scowling: I can barely escape this little sparrow on ordinary days. If not for arguing over right and wrong just now, I would never have let her get that close.
Si Chengxun watched Lin Lie's cold face and—unfortunately for Lin Lie—refused to let it go.
"Is that so?" His tone carried lazy amusement. "Yet I clearly saw you working together as if you'd shared a forge for years."
He lifted a hand, as if finalizing a trivial decision.
"Then it's settled."
Straightening his sleeve, he turned to leave, voice light and effortless.
"I still need to inspect the streets. I won't disturb you."
And with that, he walked out—leaving behind a room full of quiet, suspended tension.
Si Chengxun's footsteps faded, but the atmosphere inside the workshop remained hanging in the air.
Ding Yuxuan was still glowing with excitement, practically ready to rush Lin Lie.
"This is great! The prince approved it—now I can learn from you every day!"
Lin Lie's gaze was ice.
"Don't celebrate too soon. I don't need you."
Ding Yuxuan blinked once—then grinned again, utterly unfazed.
"Doesn't matter! The order came from His Highness. You can't kick me out!"
Lin Lie's brow twitched. His fingers tightened without him noticing.
"Troublesome."
"Troublesome? Who's troublesome?" Ding Yuxuan dusted her hands and laughed openly. "With me here, you won't have to work alone until midnight. Relax—I'm super capable!"
Lin Lie didn't bother responding. He turned back to inspect the parts, his face darker than before.
Nearby, apprentices exchanged looks, struggling to hold back their laughter.
Looks like Miss Ding is determined to stick to Master Lin like glue.
Outside, Si Chengxun strode away, sleeves lifting with the breeze, posture relaxed and elegant.
But just as he reached the courtyard, he stopped.
On a whim, he turned slightly and looked back through the half-closed door.
Inside, Ding Yuxuan was beaming, chattering animatedly at Lin Lie's side, eyes full of anticipation; Lin Lie was cold and rigid, looking as if he might throw her out at any moment.
One blazing hot, one frozen cold—
the contrast was almost comical.
Si Chengxun watched for a moment, then slowly curved his lips, meaningfully.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Then he turned away again, hands behind his back, and walked on—unhurried, utterly pleased with himself.