160: Chapter 160 I Am the Gift

Chen Fan leaned back on the sofa and began to size up the surroundings.

It was a one-bedroom, one-living room, one-bathroom apartment, estimated to be about forty square meters.

It would be impossible for a family of three to live here, but it was just right for a girl living alone like Qiao Linlin.

Although the space was small, it was decorated very warmly—the sofa was covered with light-colored cushions, and the throw pillows were arranged neatly; the coffee table was covered with a floral tablecloth, on which sat a plate of sliced fruit; a small potted pothos plant sat on the TV stand, and postcards and some of her own photos were stuck on the wall. They looked like they had been taken at school, and her smile was very bright.

Soon, Qiao Linlin came out of the kitchen carrying dishes. There were five dishes and one soup—steamed sea bass, braised pork ribs, steamed scallops with vermicelli and garlic, shrimp with scrambled eggs, blanched bok choy, and a pot of matsutake chicken soup.

The sea bass was topped with shredded scallions and ginger, the braised pork ribs were a glossy red, the vermicelli on the scallops was evenly spread, the minced garlic was fried to a golden brown, the bok choy was vibrant green and fresh, and the chicken soup was clear, with the aroma of matsutake mushrooms mingling with the savory scent of the chicken wafting through the air.

She arranged the dishes one by one, set out the chopsticks and spoons, pushed a bowl of soup in front of Chen Fan, then sat down opposite him, resting her chin in her hands as she looked at him, her eyes bright.

"Boss, try it and see if it suits your taste."

Chen Fan picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of fish into his mouth. The fish was tender, steamed just right, with no fishy smell, and the savory soy sauce blended perfectly with the fresh aroma of the scallions and ginger.

It had to be said that Qiao Linlin's cooking skills were actually quite decent.

For a girl in her twenties, reaching this level of culinary skill was truly not easy.

Qiao Linlin sat across from him, watching him expectantly, waiting for him to speak.

"The taste is not bad, it's quite good."

"That's good, Boss, you should eat more." Qiao Linlin's eyes smiled as she pushed the plate of steamed sea bass toward Chen Fan and placed a piece of pork rib into his bowl.

"Boss, would you like to have some wine?"

"Wine? Just the two of us?"

"Mm."

Chen Fan leaned back in his chair and glanced at her. "You want to drink with me, aren't you afraid that I might misbehave after drinking?"

Qiao Linlin paused for a moment, then laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. "Boss, you're not that kind of person."

"How do you know I'm not that kind of person?"

"Oh, I trust you, Boss."

"Alright then, since you're not afraid, let's have some."

Qiao Linlin got up and took a bottle of red wine from the living room cabinet.

She fumbled with the corkscrew for a few moments, but the cork didn't budge. She tried again from a different angle, but it still wouldn't open. Her hand slipped, and the corkscrew nearly poked her.

Chen Fan reached out, took the bottle and the corkscrew, screwed it into the cork, and pulled with force. With a "pop," the cork was pulled out, clean and efficient.

Qiao Linlin's eyes brightened. She quickly brought over two glasses, poured two half-glasses, pushed one to Chen Fan, and kept one for herself.

"Boss, a toast to you."

Chen Fan picked up his glass and clinked it against hers. The sound of the glasses colliding was crisp and exceptionally clear in the quiet living room.

Qiao Linlin took a sip, and a faint blush appeared on her face; it was unclear whether it was from the alcohol taking effect or the lighting.

The two of them ate and drank like this, chatting idly. The wine in the bottle grew less and less, and Qiao Linlin's face became increasingly flushed and charming, her gaze at Chen Fan becoming more and more seductive.

Chen Fan didn't feel anything; he was still very sober. He saw Qiao Linlin's state, but she was still speaking clearly and didn't look drunk, so he didn't pay it much mind.

The wine was finished, and the food was almost gone. Qiao Linlin started to clear the table, while Chen Fan went to rest on the sofa. Just then, Qiao Linlin walked up to him.

"Boss, I want to give you a gift."

"Why are you suddenly giving me a gift?"

"Oh, it's just a token of my appreciation."

"What kind of gift?"

"You'll know in a moment." Qiao Linlin smiled mysteriously and turned to walk toward the bedroom. Her pace was neither fast nor slow, her slippers making soft sounds on the floor.

Chen Fan sat on the sofa, watching the bedroom door be pushed open and then closed, with rustling sounds coming from inside. He became even more curious—what on earth was the gift?

After two or three minutes, the bedroom door opened.

Qiao Linlin walked out, wearing a black lace camisole nightgown. Thin straps hung on either side of her collarbones, the silk fabric shimmering with a delicate luster under the lights, and the hem of the skirt only reached the base of her thighs.

Below were legs wrapped in black silk stockings, appearing faintly visible in the warm yellow light, outlining the lines from her calves to her ankles.

On her feet was a pair of black high heels with ten-centimeter stilettos, making her legs look even more sculpted.

Chen Fan, who had originally been resting on the sofa, saw this scene and his eyes instantly widened, his desire surging.

Qiao Linlin sat down beside him, and her skirt lifted slightly with the movement.

Her legs, wrapped in silk stockings, were pressed together and tilted to one side, the heels of her shoes tapping lightly on the floor, making soft clicking sounds.

"What is this? Didn't you say you were giving me a gift?" Chen Fan leaned back on the sofa, looking at her.

Qiao Linlin turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes bright, with a thin layer of moisture in them.

"Boss, I am the gift. Do you like it?"

Hearing this, no matter how slow he was, Chen Fan understood what she meant.

He was no saint, nor was he Liuxiahui; naturally, he was interested in Qiao Linlin, who had delivered herself to his doorstep. After all, Qiao Linlin was pretty and had a good figure, and especially in this outfit, she had successfully stirred up his desire.

However, he still restrained himself.

"Have you thought this through? I can't give you anything."

Qiao Linlin paused for a moment, then laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. "Boss, I don't want anything; I just like you."

What she said was half-true and half-false.

Liking Chen Fan was true—he was handsome, rich, had a good personality, and was a rare good boss; in every respect, he was very attractive to her. But she wasn't like what she said, not wanting anything.

She wanted to live in a big house, wanted to drive a car, and didn't want her parents to sell her off for a few hundred thousand.

These were not things she could get just by working hard on her own. And all of this was possible if she became Chen Fan's woman.

As for whether Chen Fan would give them to her, she was confident. He was so generous to his employees; how bad could he be if she became his woman?

As for why she didn't want to become Chen Fan's girlfriend or even wife, Qiao Linlin had fantasized about it, but she knew that was impossible.

Not to mention that Chen Fan already had a girlfriend; even if he didn't, she didn't have any advantages in terms of her conditions.

Her only advantage was her appearance and her body, and given Chen Fan's conditions, the last thing he lacked was the favor of pretty girls.

So she settled for the next best thing and just wanted to become Chen Fan's woman. Even so, she was a little worried—would he actually agree?

She looked at Chen Fan with burning eyes, though her heart was incomparably anxious.

And Chen Fan, upon hearing her confirmed reply, was indeed stunned. He hadn't expected that Qiao Linlin would really actively offer herself to him.

This gave Chen Fan, who had never even dated in his previous life and had only had one girlfriend in this life, a huge sense of unreality.

Seeing Chen Fan still unmoved, Qiao Linlin gritted her teeth, took his hand, and placed it on her thigh.

The feel of the silk stockings was smooth and warm, bringing Chen Fan back to his senses. Looking at Qiao Linlin, whose eyes were swirling with emotion, his throat moved.

Since Qiao Linlin had actively offered herself, and he was neither Liuxiahui nor a saint, he certainly wouldn't refuse.

He immediately stood up and swept her up into his arms.

Qiao Linlin was startled at first, then she smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

She reached out to wrap her arms around his neck, her fingers lightly tracing the back of his neck, her high heels dangling from her toes.