"You'll compensate me?" she lifted an eyebrow. She was in need of money to survive so it was a very enticing offer.

"Yes. Just name your price."

"One million yuan."

"Deal."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What if I'm waiting for my boyfriend?"

"I've been watching you ever since you came inside. You're alone and you didn't bother checking your phone. That means you're not waiting for someone either." He answered, his eyes still fixed on the entrance.

"Can you stop acting suspicious and look at me instead of looking at the door?" she sneered before she opened her phone. "Here's my bank account number."

"What are you doing?"

"I don't trust you." She knew how this man would soon turn into a cold-hearted money-grubber who would kill those who stand in his way just to protect the female lead. Why would she trust someone like that? With that in mind, she said, "Send me half now. You can pay me the other half after this night passes."

He looked at her smiling face as irritation flashed in his eyes. "Alright." Seeing the reasoning behind her words, he immediately grabbed his own phone and started transferring the money. "You sure are lucky. You're the only woman by herself in this Ramen House. Everyone else has their own partners. Ah, why must you be the only one without one?" He started grumbling. "People pay to be with me while you want me to pay to be with you for less than an hour."

"Eh?" seeing the successful transfer, a childish grin gradually bloomed on her face. "You know… I am quite expensive too." She raised her chin. "And— can you tell me your name again?" She knew his screen name was Mo Li. However, that was not his real name.

"Why do you care?" he eyed the door again.

"Mo Li are two last names. It's awkward." She shrugged. "Why are you hiding in this place anyway? You should already know that nearby is a university, some people might recognize you." She looked at the counter and realized that they were already preparing her order. "Oh… the ramen here should be good."

He only glared at her in response. "Li is not a surname, it means power."

"Really? I thought it meant beautiful."

"It can also be written that way." He answered. Again, his eyes darted to the door. "If a person wearing black comes through that door, you have to pretend as if we are lovers."

"Oh. So… like… I should hug you?"

"Why would you hug me?"

"Lovers hug!" she reasoned. So far, this man did not show any signs of his dark self surfacing even when she tried to provoke him. She immediately wondered about what exactly are the things that will happen in the future that would cause such a drastic change in this man's personality. How did it turn this cute, innocent little boy into a cold, domineering CEO who would rival the male lead in this world?

"We are not lovers!"

"I never said we are. The thing is, you've already paid me. I just wanted to take this job seriously. Oh well…" She shrugged. "Move a little. My ramen is coming." She looked at the attendant coming her way. Smiling, she rubbed her palms together, her eyes brimming with excitement. Just looking at the steam puffing out from the steaming hot ramen made her stomach grumble. "Thank you." She thanked the attendant after the latter put the ramen on the table.

"Is there anything else?" the attendant said as she avoided looking at the man sitting beside Li Yue. The man's head was tilted towards Li Yue so she could only see half of his face. However, judging from Li Yue's beauty alone, the man seemed to be deeply smitten by the young miss' beauty. The attendant smiled.

'They even ordered only one serving. They must be planning to share their food. How cute.' The attendant thought.

"No. Thank you." Li Yue beamed a smile. She did not miss the admiration in the attendant's eyes. She then turned towards Mo Li who was staring at her. "It will be awkward for you to stare at me like that while I eat."

"Then… feed me."

"Excuse me?"

"Feed me. That way it'll be believable."

Li Yue was about to rebut when she noticed several men wearing black approaching the restaurant. Without having any second thoughts, Li Yue grabbed the back of his head and pulled him towards her.

Their lips locked.

For a few seconds, Mo Li froze, his eyes widened in surprise.

"They're here." She managed to whisper before she tangled her arms around his neck. Her words seemed to wake him up from his stupor as he bit her lower lip and his hand made its way to her small waist. To be honest, she was not expecting him to move or even respond. At best, she thought maybe he would move his head a little like they do on TV.

However, what she got wasn't slow, soft nor was it comforting. It was hot and fiery. She felt his hand grab her hips as his tongue pressed into the seam of her lips. It was her turn to be surprised. Her eyes flew open before she pulled away, taking shallow, rapid breaths. "They left." She uttered.

"Hmmm." He looked at the entrance before sighing. "Yeah…"

"Where's my money?" those were the only words she could utter in front of him. Li Yue decided that being awkward around this man would not be a good idea. This man was, after all, the villain and she was sure this would not be the last time they see each other.

"Wow! You still want your money after that kiss?" he leaned closer. "That kiss was worth a million yuan."

"Huh? You mean that sloppy kiss?."

"What did you say?" Frowning, his ears turned scarlet.

"I said— "

"I heard you the first time!" He snarled and opened his phone. "I've already transferred the money!"

"Oh! Great!" In Yin City, a million Yuan was not considered a large sum. But, it will be enough to cover her food and rent for the next few months as she tries to find a job online. The thought of having money to spend seemed to make her forget the awkward incident earlier as she turned towards her ramen and started nonchalantly slurping it without even asking Mo Li if he wanted some.

"Ehem…" he cleared his throat.

"Oh!? You're still here?" she asked. "You should probably go now." She said without looking at him.

"Are you really going to eat all of that without even asking me if I wanted some?"

"Hm?" she stared at the irritation written on his face. "If you want one…. Then why don't you buy your own?"

"This lady— " Mo Li really wanted to slap his own face in irritation. Throughout his whole life, he had never met someone this…. obnoxious!