Ruan Xingchen stumbled slightly backward from the impact, but a pair of large hands suddenly pressed against her shoulders, steadying her.
"Sorry…" she said, lifting her head.
The moment she saw who it was, her face instantly fell."Uncle, why is it you?"
A trace of displeasure flashed across Lu Jingyuan's eyes, his voice lowering."You don't want to see me?"
"Of course not."Ruan Xingchen forced a smile and walked into the elevator with him."Uncle, did you just get back too?"
But she hadn't seen him earlier.
Lu Jingyuan pressed the buttons for the 11th and 12th floors."Came down to throw out the trash."
"Oh." She nodded and said nothing more.
Watching the floor numbers climb, Lu Jingyuan suddenly asked,"Just got out of school?"
"No." She shook her head."I went out to eat with a friend."
Lu Jingyuan nodded slightly, then asked casually,"Boyfriend?"
Ruan Xingchen's face flushed red. She muttered softly,"Not my boyfriend."
"Hm?"
"He's just a fiancé my mom arranged eighteen years ago."
"..."
Lu Jingyuan looked at her deeply, at the shy smile on her face, but said nothing.
The elevator stopped at the 11th floor. Ruan Xingchen stepped out, but Lu Jingyuan called out from behind:
"What about that part-time job? Have you thought about it?"
If he hadn't mentioned it, she would've completely forgotten.
After thinking for a moment, she waved at him.
Lu Jingyuan stepped out of the elevator without hesitation.
Standing so close made her a little embarrassed. She took a small step back to create some distance, then looked up at him again.
"Uncle, you still haven't told me what the job actually is."
Lu Jingyuan raised an eyebrow."What can you do?"
What can I do?
Ruan Xingchen paused, then seriously began counting on her fingers."I can do laundry, cook, clean, sing… and I can play the violin…"
She hesitated, then quickly added,"Though I'm not very good at it."
Lu Jingyuan was a little surprised.
He hadn't expected that this little girl, who was terrible at studying, could actually play the violin.
A faint smile flickered in his eyes."Perfect. I need a housekeeper."
"Huh?"Ruan Xingchen's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open.
A housekeeper?Did he mean… her?
But she had never done that before.
"Cleaning, laundry, and cooking dinner occasionally when I'm not working late or attending dinners."His voice softened, almost coaxing."Ten thousand a month. Flexible hours. Do well and you'll get a raise."
Her eyes instantly lit up.
That actually sounded… really good.
Seeing her expression, Lu Jingyuan knew he didn't need to say more.
"It's late. You've got school tomorrow. Go get some rest."
Ruan Xingchen nodded obediently."Goodnight, Uncle."
Lu Jingyuan stood there, watching until she went inside. Then he glanced at the elevator display and headed straight for the stairwell.
Back in her apartment, Ruan Xingchen stuck to her usual habit and immediately took out her phone to call Lu Xiaobai.
The phone rang for a long time with no answer.
She guessed Xiaobai was probably in the shower, so she gave up and decided to talk to her at school tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingyuan unlocked his door, changed his shoes, and walked straight into the kitchen.
He poured himself a glass of water, but just as he was about to drink, he suddenly remembered something.
He took out his phone.
There were over thirty unread messages in a WeChat group called "Indecent Men's Club."
He scrolled straight to the top.
Black Sesame Tangyuan:Breaking news! Lu Jingyuan the uncle is shameless—he's got his eyes on an underage loli!
"..."
Lu Jingyuan suddenly had the urge to kick someone.
He skimmed through the rest, then typed calmly:
Tangyuan Boss:@Black Sesame TangyuanYou should change your name to Loudspeaker Tangyuan.