Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter
The moment Min stepped out into the light, Saoji froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. It was him—the masked stranger who had caused her to fall and ruined her precious sushi. Rage simmered in her chest, boiling over instantly.
"Grandma!" Saoji shouted, turning toward Ji Chao. "How could you let him stay here without asking me? This guy is clumsy and rude! He made me drop everything—my sushi is probably ruined! I won't have him under this roof!"
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Min's arm, intending to drag him to the gate. But Ji Chao's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"Saoji, stop!" her grandmother warned. "Look at this garden and the shop. I am getting old; I cannot manage this alone anymore. If you think you can handle every single chore by yourself, then fine, he leaves. Can you?"
The silence that followed was heavy. Saoji's grip loosened. She couldn't do it all alone, and they both knew it.
"Go to your room, Min," Ji Chao said softly. "Don't mind her temper."
Fuming, Saoji retreated to her room and slammed the door. An hour passed before a knock echoed through the wood. "Grandma, leave me alone! I'm not talking to you," she snapped.
But when she opened the door, it wasn't her grandmother. It was Min.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed.
"I made dinner," Min replied calmly. "Come eat."
"I'm not eating anything you cooked. Tell Grandma to make something."
"Grandma went out," Min shrugged. "She told me to cook. If you don't come now, I'll finish it all myself. You'll be sleeping on an empty stomach."
Saoji slammed the door in his face. However, two hours later, her stomach betrayed her. Unable to bear the hunger, she crept into the kitchen. To her surprise, a plate was still waiting for her. As she started eating ravenously, Min walked in.
"You—what are you doing here?" she stuttered, face flushing red. Embarrassed, she grabbed the plate and bolted back to her room. Behind her, Min let out a soft, amused chuckle.
Chapter 2: The Beauty Behind the Mask
The afternoon sun painted the garden in golden hues. Saoji moved among the flowers, whispering to them and tending to the plants. She looked peaceful, a stark contrast to her fiery temper earlier.
From the shadows, Min watched her. His gaze wasn't one of a stranger; there was a depth to it, as if he had known and cherished her for a lifetime.
Suddenly, a sharp cry broke the silence. Saoji had stepped on a thorn. As she reached down to pull it out, Min rushed to her side.
"Don't pull it like that, you'll hurt yourself," he warned.
"Who asked for your help? Leave me alone!" Saoji snapped, jerking her foot away. She tried to stand up and walk away defiantly, but her balance gave out. She stumbled forward.
Min's arms caught her instantly, pulling her close to steady her. In the scramble, Saoji's hand caught the strap of Min's mask. With a sharp tug, the fabric fell away.
Time seemed to stop.
The face beneath the mask was breathtakingly handsome—sharp features, soulful eyes, and a grace that left Saoji breathless. She found herself staring, unable to look away. Min, holding her so closely, didn't move either. He looked into her eyes with an intensity that made the world around them disappear.