Chapter 1, The Fallen Prince's Palace

... ...

Chen Xiao quickly prepared the hamburger and sandwich in his hands, and then brought up cup after cup of soda

It is completely naked!

Just as I had caught my breath, I heard the doorbell ring outside

I do not know why the lovely female shop assistant seemed increasingly displeased with the female customers today. Upon seeing two female customers who were no older than fourteen or fifteen, she could hardly suppress her urge to stare at them with longing, which inevitably stirred up anger within her.

He was originally considered a wealthy scion, as his family was well-off while his parents were alive. They lived in a villa and owned luxury cars, and he wore international brand clothing. From a young age, he was exceptionally intelligent, likely inheriting the genius genes of his scientifically inclined parents. He played the piano beautifully and, at the age of fourteen, dared to drive a sports car on the highway, reaching speeds of two hundred kilometers per hour. By the age of fifteen, he had hacked into a foreign portal website using a computer. Before the devastating news of his parents reached him at sixteen, he had already begun learning karate, preparing for advanced levels.

It later became increasingly silent, no longer fond of speaking

... ...

... ... Yes," Chen Xiao replied

The girl looked at Chen Xiao in silence, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment. After a moment's thought, she took the initiative to say: "Hey, it's the weekend today. Business is slow, so we might be able to finish early. I heard that there’s a big sale at the market on West Street today. How about we go check it out after work? Didn't you mention wanting to buy an MP4?"

Chen Xiao is eighteen years old this year. Because his mother’s surname is Xiao, his parents originally intended to name him Chen Xiao. However, it is said that a fortune teller later indicated that he lacked water in his five elements, so they changed the character "Xiao" to the more elegant "Xiao".

A three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment, measuring one hundred square meters. For an average family, this area is not considered small. During a time of financial difficulty, Chen Xiao had contemplated living in one of the bedrooms while renting out the other two to supplement her income.

Chen Xiao has a tall and slender figure, with an upright posture. His face features delicate and refined features, and although he does not like to speak, his smile possesses a charm that can make young girls squeal with excitement. His handsome appearance surpasses that of the popular flower boys seen on television, and he is a student at a prestigious school, exuding an extraordinary aura. He embodies the type of "prince charming" that many naive young girls are currently enamored with.

Who will send me a refrigerator? Or will it be sent from abroad? ... Air-freighting such a large refrigerator from abroad, the shipping cost is almost as high as the price of the refrigerator itself

Soon after, debt collectors came to the house. They confiscated all of Chen Xiao's private luxury cars, villas, and other properties. Later, Chen Xiao learned that his parents had initially encountered disagreements with the partners of a research institution regarding their research direction. They insisted on continuing their research at all costs, even going so far as to mortgage their house and cars to the bank for the sake of that research funding.

... ...

However, even during the most difficult times, Chen Xiao never engaged in any wrongdoing: in fact, there was once an acquaintance who was a hacker and wanted to involve him in some "business" activities: forging and cracking credit cards

Although it is referred to as an "old house," it is actually quite new in terms of its age

Fortunately, Chen Xiao has been familiar with English since childhood, as both of his parents work abroad.

However, he soon dismissed this thought. He was aware of his own temperament; having grown up without his parents by his side, he was slightly more reclusive than his peers and did not like others intruding on his space. Especially after the death of his parents, he became even less talkative. If he were to find a roommate, it could be troublesome if they did not get along. Later, as he gradually earned money from his job and his life became problem-free, he simply stopped thinking about this issue.

but rather a "PS"

Clang!

He attends school during the day and seeks part-time work at night. He has worked in a computer company as a technician, played the piano in a hotel, and even worked as a packer in a supermarket. Although he is young and finding a job is challenging, he is sharp-minded and sincere in his work—combined with his handsome and likable appearance, he gradually manages to support himself

"The manager is not here—uh, also, when he asked about you just now, I told him you went to deliver food." Chen Xiao glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, then took out a takeout order from his pocket: "Here, show this to the manager later, but don't betray me."

Chen Xiao listened, pondered for a moment, and calmly shook his head: "No, I still have work to attend to"

Otherwise, based on the tuition standards of the most expensive and prestigious aristocratic school in this city, it is not something that Chen Xiao can afford solely through part-time work

Since childhood, Chen Xiao's father and mother were rarely by his side. It seems that both parents were engaged in some form of scientific research work. It is hard to imagine how his father, who always wore a serious and cold expression, resembling a mad scientist from a comic, managed to win over his beautiful mother.

"Yiyi? Have you taken on another job?" The cute girl widened her eyes

... ...

He then received the tragic news: the research institution where his parents worked had experienced a significant scientific accident during a research project, and both of his parents perished in that incident, dying in the laboratory

Wow, look at him, he is looking over here at us!

However, this is not the most important thing

"Um, tutoring." Chen Xiao seemed reluctant to elaborate, simply providing a brief response before lowering her head to continue her work

Upon opening the door, I saw several Caucasian men in uniforms standing at the entrance

Thank you, I will introduce some beautiful girls to you another day. The girl giggled, took the uniform, and ran to the "staff room" at the back to change into her work clothes. She came out and stood behind the counter with Chen Xiao. She had a refreshing ponytail, and her face, untouched by cosmetics, further revealed the unique youthful aura characteristic of girls her age

Since Chen Xiao started working part-time at this small fast-food restaurant, it quickly seemed that the female students in the vicinity all knew that a handsome young male staff member had arrived here

Leaving Chen Xiao alone, staring in astonishment at such a large creature before him

The parents both appear to be quite wealthy, and the North American research institution seems to offer very generous compensation, so Chen Xiao has never lacked money to spend since childhood. However, with two workaholic parents, they hardly ever see each other throughout the year

The girl blinked and said, "Last time you mentioned you liked this one. My memory is quite good!" Upon seeing Chen Xiao's expression, she quickly added, "You mustn't say you don't want it! I was late this morning because I remembered I forgot to bring it when I was leaving, so I turned back halfway to get it."

Chen Xiao was stunned

Chen Xiao. "That lovely female clerk called out to him, standing behind the counter and looking at Chen Xiao with her eyes slightly squinted and a sweet smile—her eyes were not large, but when she smiled, they curved slightly, adding a touch of cuteness and charm: 'Hey, today is your birthday, right?' After saying this, she lowered her voice: 'I peeked at the employee register.'

The person who entered took off their hat, revealing a charming face, with rosy cheeks and a smile, each cheek adorned with a shallow dimple. While the girl's features could only be described as delicate, not particularly stunning, it was her smile and the adorable dimples that added a touch of charm to her appearance

Taking a deep breath and trying to regain focus, Chen Xiao quickly picked it up and opened it, only to see several lines of English on the letterhead inside

... ...

Although the relationship between his parents and Chen Xiao is not particularly deep, he firmly remembers this point

( Hmph! A group of infatuated individuals! )

Since he started working here, the proportion of young women among the customers in the store has increased geometrically. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there are always small groups of girls specifically coming to see Chen Xiao sitting in the dining area. These girls each buy a meal but do not take it away; with a cup of cola and a sandwich in hand, they can linger in the store for more than half an hour. Some even rest their chins on their hands, elbows propped on the table, their gazes fixed on the busy Chen Xiao behind the counter like tracking devices.

Due to work commitments, Chen Xiao's parents have been constantly traveling between the local area and abroad. This was especially true when Chen Xiao was three years old, as her parents joined a research institution in North America as key researchers for an unspecified project

With a courteous greeting, Chen Xiao, dressed in a fast-food uniform behind the counter, quickly bowed and displayed a professional smile to the incoming customers. His complexion was fair, and his features were handsome, yet there was a hint of pallor in his face, giving him a slightly delicate appearance

Speaking of which, it is rare for an eighteen-year-old boy like him to possess such a calm and composed demeanor

The following signature is the English word "Three"

What is even more infuriating is that...! ... with such a long counter, clearly there are two sales clerks, myself and Chen Xiao, yet those young girls would rather wait in line than stand in front of Chen Xiao's sales counter!

Ultimately, due to their exceptional abilities, they decided to invest in that research institution and became partners. Transitioning from employees to business owners, the couple found their time to be more precious than gold; as two workaholics, they had little time left to care for their children

As long as the address is correct. Are you outside right now? Please return home immediately and be sure to collect that item—it's very important

Observing the girl with a hint of shyness in her eyes, after being watched by so many young girls in the store for several months, how could he still be unaware of this colleague's feelings?

The scissors fell to the ground and bounced twice. Chen Xiao instinctively took a few steps back, staring in astonishment at the "refrigerator" in front of him

He sighed inwardly but ultimately did not have the heart to tell the girl his original plan: he intended to resign from this fast-food restaurant by the end of the month. This was because he had just found a new job as a tutor, which was certainly better than working here every day while being scrutinized by a group of young girls.

PS? Which company's abbreviation is this

At noon, Chen Xiao finished work, changed back into casual clothes, and greeted the manager before leaving

He instinctively took a step back, but his foot stumbled upon the disassembled pair of plastic shells, and suddenly he saw a letter floating out from inside.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao no longer declined, thought for a moment, nodded in acceptance, and smiled sincerely: "Thank you"

As soon as Chen Xiao stepped out of the store and pushed his bicycle from behind, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. Upon checking, the caller ID displayed a series of unfamiliar numbers. Although he did not recognize them, Chen Xiao noticed that the area code at the beginning was actually from abroad

Moreover, the other party spoke standard English

In the midst of misfortune, there was a stroke of luck; before their passing, my parents had paid the exorbitant tuition fees for several years in one go for the prestigious school that Chen Xiao attended.

After a moment of hesitation, he pressed the answer button

However, Chen Xiao does not care—he has become accustomed to being discussed, especially after the incident that occurred two years ago

The gift box in hand is not large, but the wrapping paper is somewhat unevenly wrapped, clearly not done by a gift company, but rather by this colleague's own hands

The appearance of these individuals in the uniforms resembles that of employees from ordinary international courier companies, with the only difference being that the insignias on their uniforms are not those of the familiar companies such as "DHL," "TNT," or "FedEx" that Chen Xiao is accustomed to.

It is hard to imagine how a wealthy young man, who grew up without worries about food and clothing, managed to endure such circumstances. Perhaps it was the unyielding spirit inherited from his parents, akin to that of a scientific genius.

Thus, Chen Xiao has attended boarding schools from a young age. In order to preserve the "traditional values of the Chinese people," his parents kept him in the country and did not take him to North America, hiring a nanny to take care of his daily needs. As a result, Chen Xiao has been accustomed to independent living since childhood—by the age of nine, he was already able to cook fried rice and make tomato and egg soup by himself

He knew what the girls were discussing. In fact, Chen Xiao had a keen sense of hearing since childhood, and amidst the hustle and bustle, he could still hear the two girls sitting closest to the counter whispering about things like "the fallen prince..."

May I ask if you have received that item

On that day, he was at school when he saw his aunt, who took care of him at home, running to the school with swollen red eyes to take him back.

The voice on the phone is very noisy, as if there are sounds of cars around the person speaking on the other end.

Chen Xiao was momentarily taken aback. The girl glanced at the manager, who was not paying attention, and quietly took out a box wrapped in gift paper from her pocket, handing it to him with a squint and a smile, saying: "Happy Birthday."

Originally a wealthy scion, he suddenly became a poor man overnight. Fortunately, his parents had transferred the old residence, where the family lived before their wealth, into Chen Xiao's name early on, which prevented it from being seized by the bank

Moreover, behind these several men, in the stairwell, there is something approximately the height of a person, its size seemingly that of a refrigerator, wrapped in a hard shell and plastic material—could it be a refrigerator

Chen Xiao's old residence is the former home of her parents when they were young and newly married

Today is the weekend, and both schools and companies are on holiday. Naturally, the sales of breakfast at the fast-food restaurant in the morning were affected. However, by 9:30, the business in the store improved instead.

The most important thing is: there is a person in this freezer

Thank you. Chen Xiao's expression was somewhat unnatural

I regret to disturb you in the end. The package I am sending contains the most precious legacy left by your parents. I have taken care of 'Ya Ya' on their behalf for two years, but now I can no longer continue this responsibility. Reluctantly, I am transferring 'Ya Ya' to you, as per your parents' wishes during their lifetime, when I can no longer carry out this duty. I believe you will take good care of this most valuable legacy left by your parents.

Well, I will return something to her when her birthday comes.

At that time, he had only a week's worth of living expenses in his pocket, yet he resolutely refused such temptation

Are there people in this world who would have such a name

After speaking, she gently said in a soft voice: "If you feel embarrassed... in a few days it will be my birthday, and you can just give me a gift then."

After careful calculation, starting from the age of four, with more than three hundred sixty days each year, one could see their parents at most four times. This situation continued until Chen Xiao turned sixteen

The girl stuck out her tongue and made a cute face, saying, "I’m not afraid! I know you will definitely help me find an excuse..." Although she said she wasn't afraid, she instinctively glanced cautiously towards the back of the store.

At that time, for a boy of his age, encountering such a devastating piece of news and blow would likely cause nine out of ten to collapse. However, Chen Xiao had been accustomed to living independently since childhood, and his ability to endure was remarkably strong, allowing him to withstand it all on his own.

Through the glass, it seems that a faint chill still lingers in this freezer

Wow, it's him... the fallen scion of a wealthy family!

His movements are swift yet orderly, his fingers gentle and agile, and his expression remains as calm as water, even when faced with numerous customers at the counter. To him, his demeanor is always so nonchalant—of course, in the eyes of those young girls, this is a display of "coolness".

Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow and turned to walk into the backstage area, leaving a group of young girls sighing in disappointment

The girl in the refrigerator, with her arms crossed over her chest, her slender and straight long legs together, that graceful and delicate body... unexpectedly...

Moments later, Chen Xiao slapped his forehead and said, "Find the scissors, open the package!"

Well, how should I put it? In a certain sense, this is indeed a "refrigerator," or perhaps more accurately, a "freezer."

The other party hung up at this point

More than eighty percent of the guests are small groups of young girls, ranging in age from twelve to twenty-two. It appears that the vast majority are students, who, despite being able to sleep in at home on weekends, come here so early to have breakfast.

"What is it? What thing?" Chen Xiao felt somewhat confused, wondering if she had mistaken the person.

More importantly

"You are Chen Xiao, and your address is XX Street, XX, City K, correct?" The person on the other end of the phone seemed very tense and somewhat anxious.

Several delivery personnel brought the "refrigerator" equipped with transport wheels into the room, and then politely took their leave

He rode his bike all the way home, changed his shoes, washed his face, and drank some water—it's May, and the temperature in this southern city is quite high. After riding back, he had sweated a lot, and he was almost able to forget that strange phone call he had just received

In a flurry of activity, after opening the tightly sealed packaging, Chen Xiao caught sight of the contents inside...

The only thing that made Chen Xiao feel somewhat emotional was the aunt who had always taken care of her in the past. A kind and gentle woman in her forties, she had worked as a part-time maid in Chen Xiao's home for many years. After Chen Xiao's family fell into hardship, this aunt was reluctant to part with her, even contemplating the idea of adopting Chen Xiao. Despite having no blood relation to Chen Xiao, this woman, who earned a modest income as a maid and had her own children to support in their education, possessed such kindness that it was enough to move Chen Xiao deeply.

In order to make a living, Chen Xiao, who lost his source of income, began working to earn money

After Chen Xiao used the compensation to arrange her parents' funeral, she silently moved back to the old house, which was bare and empty.

He thought for a moment, and in accordance with etiquette, opened the box in person, only to find a new compact MP4 inside

Mr. Chen Xiao?" one of them spoke politely. After seeing Mr. Chen nod, he took out a form: "We have been entrusted to deliver a package to you. Please show your identification and then sign for it.

Compared to those relatives, this aunt was regarded by Chen Xiao as her only close person. However, Chen Xiao resolutely refused to go home with her and insisted on returning alone to live in the old residence

The object inside has a metal base, while the outer shell is made of transparent glass. The glass is clearly reinforced and thickened

The female clerk puffed her cheeks, looking at a couple standing in front of her in line: a man and a woman, clearly a couple judging by their affectionate demeanor. The clerk rolled her eyes and deliberately smiled sweetly: "May I ask what you two siblings would like to eat?"

... ...

... yes, so handsome and stylish ...

Chen Xiao could vaguely sense that the girl sitting in the shop was secretly observing her while biting on a straw. Moreover, some other girls were looking at her and whispering to each other, seemingly discussing something.

Is this Mr. Chen Xiao? A stranger woman's voice, which sounds like it is not young anymore

After the incident, an investigation was conducted, determining it to be an accident. The research institution involved disbanded as a result of this incident and is said to have gone bankrupt and disappeared. The parents had invested all their assets into shares of that research institution, and as a result of the accident, they lost their lives, leading to the institution's bankruptcy and dissolution, which naturally caused all their assets to be lost as well. Poor Chen Xiao, a sixteen-year-old child, received only a sum of compensation.

Chen Xiao has already become accustomed to all of this

Generally speaking, girls in this world tend to enjoy gossip

The Prince in Distress

In his youth, he experienced the vicissitudes of life. When his family was well-off, all the relatives were very warm towards him. However, after his downfall, those relatives seemed to avoid him as if he were a plague. Uncles and other relatives, in particular, disappeared completely after the funeral.

Chen Xiao did not speak much to her, but put on his work gloves and carefully began slicing the bread, starting to make sandwiches

Upon witnessing this scene, the lovely female shop assistant had already grown accustomed to it, letting out a sigh—these girls were all here for Chen Xiao

The address is correct, but may I ask who you are

Chen Xiao clearly recognized the visitor, straightened up, and sighed: "You are late again. Are you not afraid of the manager deducting your salary?"

Finally, your parents are the greatest scientists I have ever encountered in my life

Nine o'clock in the morning

Welcome

The more I think about it, the angrier I become

For instance, since this fast-food restaurant hired him, it has attracted female students from several nearby schools to dine there, causing the manager to secretly chuckle countless times. Chen Xiao even vaguely realizes that many of his personal stories have been deliberately leaked by that unscrupulous manager to these female students, in order to spark conversation.

He was momentarily taken aback and glanced at the girl in front of him

Ding-dong—the shop door was pushed open, and the doorbell rang

Her long eyelashes cast a shadow over her eyelids, as if she were lost in a sweet slumber. With a petite and upright nose and soft, delicate lips, even in her closed-eyed sleep, she exudes a breathtaking beauty

Because, when he was young, his father told him: "In this world, one must act righteously and walk straight! If you commit a wrongdoing, even if you are not caught by others, you cannot escape your own conscience"

Without the luxury sports car, Chen Xiao rides a bicycle to school and work. Without the grand mansion, living in an apartment is equally comforting. Without the opportunity to frequent high-end hotels, Chen Xiao still enjoys delicious food at roadside stalls.

Chen Xiao furrowed his brows and thought for a moment, but could not come up with anything. In any case, he had to go home to change clothes before heading to the interview for the tutoring job in the afternoon. So he decided not to think any further, hopped on his bicycle, and hurried home.

Feeling somewhat bewildered, Chen Xiao took out the identification documents. The other party verified them without any discrepancies, and Chen Xiao, somewhat puzzled, signed the form

A girl who appeared to be no older than herself, with long, light golden hair, her eyes tightly closed. The contours of her features were unexpectedly exquisite, unlike anything she had ever seen before. Her fair skin seemed as if it could be broken with a gentle touch, showing no signs of stiffness even while in the freezer

Mr. Chen Xiao

As a result, the business of the fast food restaurant is improving increasingly, and the manager is naturally reaping substantial profits

You are ... ...

Chen Xiao had no intention of relying on these people—he was already sixteen years old at that time, which, according to the law, made him an adult. Moreover, he had been on his own all these years and was too indifferent to care about the expressions of those relatives.

Bang

Wishing you good luck

Chen Xiao couldn't help but smile wryly to herself

Three

A table full of little girls with stars in their eyes