Can't Hide My Love for You - Chapter 53

“Yixin, what’s wrong?” Li Wenjing asked with concern. “You don’t seem like you’re in the right headspace.”

“It’s nothing,” Cheng Yixin smiled. “How long until the livestream starts?”

“Seven o’clock sharp.” Li Wenjing checked her watch. “Ten minutes. The makeup artist is coming over for a touch-up.”

The livestream was held in one of the company’s dedicated studios. With over a dozen staff members in the room, it truly felt like the busy atmosphere of a top-tier sales broadcast.

Cheng Yixin reviewed the script and then handed her phone to Li Wenjing. “If Chi Yi calls later, pick it up for me. Just tell her I’m livestreaming.”

The broadcast was expected to last until nine—two hours in total. The first hour was for interacting with the audience, while the second hour focused on selling the oranges.

Cheng Yixin didn’t mention that the oranges were grown by a fan, nor did she mention the owner’s critical illness or desperate need for money. She simply presented it as a rural assistance project, explaining that the market was down this year and she was helping farmers sell their stagnant stock. During the stream, she ate the fruit on camera and strongly recommended her fans try them.

“But please, everyone, buy according to your own situation! These oranges work out to about 8 yuan per jin (approx. 500g). Each order starts at 5 jin and is divided into small, medium, and large fruit. Because of packaging and logistics costs, the unit price is slightly higher than at the supermarket, but the taste is excellent. Our staff has tried them too—they’re juicy and great for juicing.”

“Students, please don’t skip meals to buy these. You need to eat well to grow healthy. Only buy them if it’s within your budget and won’t affect your quality of life. Don’t force yourself.”

The comments section began to flood with messages from people saying they hadn’t planned on buying anything but were moved by her words. A notification flashed briefly showing one user had purchased 200 orders, but it was quickly buried by new sales.

She suspected her own team might be “padding” the orders, but given the current momentum, padding wasn’t even necessary. Her heartfelt advice to “buy rationally” had actually gone viral, drawing in many passersby who decided to place an order after watching for a few minutes. Many stated they were neutral before but were now fans of her charitable actions.

The original plan was a three-day event to sell 30,000 orders. Unexpectedly, the inventory was cleared out in a single night. Sales easily surpassed one million yuan, far exceeding their expectations.

After the stream ended, everyone was ecstatic.

“Yixin, your selling power is insane. It’s almost at the level of idol fans buying digital albums.”

“You can’t eat digital albums, though,” Cheng Yixin laughed. “By selling oranges, the buyers get delicious fruit and the seller gets life-saving money. It’s a win-win!”

As Cheng Yixin stretched, Chi Yi—who had been watching from off-camera—walked over. “Hard work. You were amazing; you sold out so quickly.”

“Hehe.” Cheng Yixin was in a great mood. she rested her hands on Chi Yi’s shoulders as she stretched. “I saw someone place 200 orders earlier. That wasn’t you, was it?”

“It’s orange season. I bought some to give to the company employees,” Chi Yi said, then turned to the staff packing up equipment. “Everyone, hard work today. I’ve ordered food and milk tea; it’s in the lounge. Make sure to eat after you’re done.”

“Hooray!” the staff cheered. “Whenever President Chi comes, there’s good food! President Chi, you should come every day.”

“Have some dignity!” Cheng Yixin teased. “A few bites of food and you’ve been bought!”

The two returned to the lounge. Having eaten before the broadcast, Cheng Yixin wasn’t hungry. She looked at Chi Yi. “Did you eat dinner?”

“I did,” Chi Yi replied. “Are you hungry?”

“No, I was just worried you were.” Cheng Yixin headed toward the dressing room. “Wait for me, I’m going to change.”

In the quiet of the changing room, her mind drifted back to Lu Qing’s words from the afternoon. She pulled on her clothes and leaned against the wall, staring at the floor for a long time. She looked up at the bright ceiling light and exhaled a long, slow breath. Her chest felt tight, a feeling that made her very uncomfortable.

When she emerged, Chi Yi was sitting on the sofa replying to messages.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

As they left the company, the night air was heavy with dew, and there were few cars on the road. On the drive home, the car stereo played soothing music.

“What made you think of selling for fruit farmers? I thought CCTV had a rural assistance program,” Chi Yi said, starting a conversation.

Regarding Liu Min, Cheng Yixin had only mentioned the private message before; she hadn’t told Chi Yi the real reason for this livestream. To the public, she said it was for rural assistance to protect Liu Min’s family from harassment, but there was no need to hide the truth from Chi Yi.

“Remember the fan I told you about?”

Chi Yi thought for a second. “The one with the sick family member?”

“Yes. His father’s situation is very bad, and the hospital is still owed money. I wanted to help him sell the oranges to recoup some funds.”

“So you used ‘rural assistance’ as a cover because you didn’t want to cause trouble for his family?”

“Exactly,” Cheng Yixin said. “It’s a private matter and shouldn’t be blasted online. People would call it ‘selling misery,’ and I didn’t want people to buy impulsively out of pity, only for the oranges to rot.”

Cheng Yixin spoke seriously, her eyes catching the Safety Amulet on Chi Yi’s car keys. She opened her mouth to say something, but different words came out: “It’s still early. Want to go sit somewhere for a while?”

“Sure. Where would you like to go?”

They arrived at the members-only bar. As soon as they stepped inside and saw the familiar blue lighting at the bar, Cheng Yixin was reminded of the first time they were here. She looked at Chi Yi. Who would have thought that three months later, they would be a real couple?

The bar wasn’t crowded. They sat on high stools near a corner. Since Chi Yi had to drive, she ordered a non-alcoholic mocktail, while Cheng Yixin ordered a Mojito. When the bartender brought the drink, a slice of lime and green mint leaves floated on the surface. She took a sip—it was icy and refreshing, the rum and soda water flowing into her heart.

“I was actually here a few days ago,” Chi Yi said suddenly. “Coincidentally, I sat in this exact spot.”

Cheng Yixin turned her head. Chi Yi was looking back at her, her expression open and frank.

“Is that so?” she said.

“Yeah. Wasn’t I helping my uncle contact Huang Xinxi about the public welfare film?” Chi Yi volunteered the information. “She was very busy, and that afternoon was her only opening. She was nearby for other business, so she asked to meet here.”

“A meeting at a bar?” Cheng Yixin didn’t realize her tone had become slightly interrogative.

Chi Yi pointed toward the door. “This place is members-only. It’s more private than a coffee shop, which avoids being photographed and having rumors spread online.”

The bartender brought Chi Yi’s drink and smiled. “Miss Chi, doing business today as well?” He was teasing her for not ordering alcohol again.

Chi Yi smiled. “I have to drive this beautiful lady home.”

After the bartender left, their small corner of the bar became a private space again. Chi Yi continued, “Huang Xinxi was in a rush that day. We talked for less than twenty minutes. She said she’d check her schedule and gave me an answer that night.”

Cheng Yixin fell into thought. She took several sips of her drink as they moved on to other topics. After finishing the glass, it was time to go home. In the passenger seat, she watched the scenery blur past, her reflection in the window showing a distracted face.

Chi Yi sensed something was wrong and was about to ask when Cheng Yixin’s phone rang.

“Mom.” Cheng Yixin’s voice regained its energy. Even without the speakerphone, the voice from the other end was clear in the quiet car.

“I saw your livestream tonight! Why are you selling oranges? A shop owner on our street has relatives who grow oranges; they sent us a box the other day and they were delicious! If you like them, I’ll buy a few boxes and mail them to you.”

“No need!” Cheng Yixin said quickly. “Those oranges were for a rural aid project. They were going to rot on the trees if they didn’t get sold, so I helped out.”

“Oh, are they really that good?”

“They are. The ones I ate on the stream were sent by the orchard owner. They’re thin-skinned, sweet, and very juicy.”

“That’s good. I bought a box myself to try. If they’re good, I’ll buy more for gifts.”

They chatted about home life for the rest of the drive. They arrived at the Junshan neighborhood just as Cheng Yixin’s mother had to go.

“Talking to your mom sounds so happy,” Chi Yi said, her tone a bit “sour” with playful jealousy.

“Of course! Since we can’t see each other often,” Cheng Yixin laughed. “Wait, is someone jealous? Surely you aren’t jealous of my own mother?”

“I’m not,” Chi Yi said. She unbuckled her seatbelt and looked at her. “We’re home.”

Cheng Yixin got out and said goodnight, preparing to head inside.

“Yixin,” Chi Yi called out.

“Yes?”

Chi Yi paused. “I’ll walk you in.”

“Okay.” Cheng Yixin reached out, and Chi Yi stepped forward to take her hand.

As they walked toward the door, Cheng Yixin remained preoccupied. She had something to say but didn’t know how to start. She scanned her fingerprint and opened the door, stepping into the entryway to change her shoes.

Just as she straightened up, Chi Yi leaned in, bracing her hands against the shoe cabinet, pinning Yixin between her body and the furniture.

“?” Cheng Yixin blinked.

“Is something on your mind?” Chi Yi asked directly.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Is it something you can tell me?”

Cheng Yixin hesitated for half a second before nodding. Her hand unconsciously brushed the handle of a cabinet door. “I don’t know how to say it.”

“You can take your time. It doesn’t have to be logical. Just say what you’re thinking, and I’ll help you sort it out.”

“…” Cheng Yixin took a deep breath and looked Chi Yi straight in the eyes.

“I want to meet Huang Xinxi.”