Chapter 157: The Allure of Uniforms

"Are you really going to go through with this? Don't say I didn't warn you, Boss!"

"The maid outfit is already bought, and it’s a custom-made one at that!"

Since things had reached this point, if he didn't present the outfit to his boss, wouldn't he be wasting all his 'filial piety'?

Do it! It had to be done!

"Boss, you're being foolish. Aren't you afraid I'll just get you a cutout version instead?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Yu scurried into the ice rink, not daring to slow down even for a second, fearing he might lose his head if he lingered!

Ji Ya watched his retreating figure, a realization dawning on her.

"This kid..."

No wonder he kept mentioning 'The Emperor's New Clothes'! So that was it!

She had specifically taken the time to read that story yesterday, and the result left her stunned. Lin Yu actually wanted her to wear nothing at all?

Fine, fine, fine! It really was a trap!

Just as Lin Yu finished paying, Ji Ya had already sprinted a hundred meters to catch up. She grabbed him by the ear, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger.

"How dare you? You actually wanted me to go without clothes? I’m definitely going to teach you a lesson!"

Lin Yu let out a startled sound. *Wait, Boss, you only just realized my intentions?*

"I was just joking! Boss, don't be angry!"

"You'd better be!"

"You have to trust me. Am I the kind of bad guy who would lie to you?"

Ji Ya gave him a skeptical look. *It’s not just that you look like one, you ARE one!*

Feeling a touch of disdain, she didn't dwell on the topic further and pulled him toward the indoor rink.

"Don't pull any stunts. My eyes are like a precision scale. If you're looking to die, just say so, and I’ll be happy to send you on your way!"

Lin Yu shivered. *Boss is so fierce! No, wait, she’s so well-endowed!*

...

"Safety first, competition second, friendship first."

Following the same instructions and rules, Lin Yu and Ji Ya put on their protective gear and entered the rink.

As the staff cleared the ice and the gates opened, Ji Ya leaned forward and sprinted, crossing the starting line instantly. Lin Yu followed close behind, controlling his distance. He didn't make a move to pass, but it was clear he was waiting for an opportunity.

At a turn, Ji Ya leaned her body, her hand grazing the ice, and executed a perfect side-bend through the corner. Lin Yu stayed glued to her, suddenly accelerating and leaning his body forward to reduce wind resistance.

In an instant, he hit top speed, rushing past her like a gust of wind.

It wasn't enough just to overtake her; once he had gained some distance, he kept accelerating, not forgetting to look back and give Ji Ya a provocative gesture.

He waved his hand in the air.

*Bye-bye now!*

Ji Ya gritted her teeth in frustration. This kid was really asking for it! Just like last time, he feigned weakness at the start, only to suddenly pull ahead—and this time, he was even taunting her!

Thinking of the bet, she felt a wave of panic. Was she really going to have to wear some bizarre outfit?

Under the dual pressure of competitiveness and anxiety, the female CEO quickly adjusted her mindset. She tweaked her posture and boosted her speed.

But even with her best efforts, he remained a distance ahead. She bit her lip, looking for a chance, but after several turns, she still couldn't catch up. Instead, she watched his back drift further away, nearly falling several times in her desperate attempts to close the gap.

She was incredibly frustrated, yet there was nothing she could do.

Lin Yu crossed the finish line first, securing the win. He stood at the end, looking back at Ji Ya with a cheeky grin.

"Boss, I made it all the way to the end!"

Ji Ya, who had just arrived and hadn't even had a chance to catch her breath, flushed crimson at his words. She stopped in her tracks and turned to run!

"Boss, where are you going?"

Lin Yu slid over on his skates, blocking her path with a smirk.

"We had a deal; you can't go back on your word."

Ji Ya looked up at him, wondering why his smile seemed so mischievous. A sense of foreboding washed over her—the kid must have prepared the 'Emperor's New Clothes' for sure!

Yes! That had to be it!

Still, she kept a calm expression on her face. A woman with her level of drive never admits defeat!

"Hmph, give me one more chance, and I will definitely beat you!"

*Another chance? Let's settle this bet first!*

He took her hand and led her to the rest area. After having some tea, they headed to the duo skating rink. They had a blast playing all day, only leaving the rink as evening approached, still feeling like they hadn't had enough.

Lin Yu drove as usual, handing her a bottle of water as she got into the car.

"Hungry?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go get something to eat!"

Indeed. Their spirits were high after a day of fun, but once they left the rink, hunger set in. Now, she just wanted something delicious to fill her stomach.

Work fatigue was more of a mental torture, while the fatigue after a day of play was physical. After working up a good sweat, she just wanted to replenish her energy.

"There's a snack street nearby that's very popular with college students."

Lin Yu checked the local food recommendations and started the car, heading toward their destination.

"Every morning, the first thing I do is cheer myself up~"

"Every time I eat an extra grain of rice, I have to say sorry~"

"Magic mirror, magic mirror, look at me, where are my collarbones?"

"Beauty, I want beauty, I want to become a heartthrob!"

"To get a slim waist, I hold my breath every day~"

"To wear a bikini, I eat grass like a salad fanatic~"

"Naturally beautiful and hard to give up, but sadly I never get tired of eating~"

"Beauty, I want beauty, I want to become a heartthrob~"

"..."

Ji Ya looked at him in silence. *Hmm...*

Based on her years of experience as a talent agency boss, this kid had definitely lost his mind.

As an artist, not managing his figure and still dreaming of becoming a heartthrob!?

And this song—it didn't sound like something a guy should be singing, right?! Heartthrob... *ahem*.

...

Still... the song was actually quite catchy.

She couldn't help but bob her head, moving her body to the rhythm. It was actually pretty fun.

"Is this song a new release?"

After a moment of thought, Ji Ya asked softly.

Lin Yu fell silent for a moment. He didn't even know what he was singing; the lyrics just popped into his head, and he hummed them out.

Could you say it was subconscious?

"If I remember correctly, it's something I thought of recently..."

"Calories!"

Ji Ya paused, then burst into laughter. It sounded like a song title for girls, but hearing him sing it had a unique charm.

"It's good, I like it. Encore~"

...

Upon arriving at the snack street, Lin Yu was an old hand. Having delivered food in his past life, he knew exactly where to go the moment he stepped onto the street.

There were many stalls, but his eyes were like a precision scale; at a glance, he knew which ones were clean and which were delicious. Most importantly, he knew where it was safe to sit. He found a corner table, and was immediately noticed by a few young ladies at the neighboring table.