"This is… Uncle's…"
Ruan Xingchen's face flushed instantly.
Washing a man's underwear—this was a first in her life. It felt unbelievably embarrassing.
But she was working for him now. It wouldn't be right if she didn't wash it.
Blushing, she tossed the underwear into the bucket and quickly covered it with other clothes, as if that could hide her awkwardness.
Then she grabbed some detergent, carried the bucket to the sink, rolled up her sleeves, and started doing the laundry.
Before getting off work, the boss of a partner company personally called Lu Jingyuan, inviting him out for dinner.
The old gentleman had helped him years ago. Unable to refuse, Lu Jingyuan agreed.
That night, when Lu Jingyuan returned to the apartment, he stared at the numbers changing on the elevator display—and suddenly thought of something.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, he strode out quickly, took out his key, and unlocked the door.
The moment the door opened—
As expected.
A pair of small shoes sat neatly in the entryway.
His gaze flickered.
The living room was dark. When he turned on the lights, he immediately saw the little girl curled up asleep on the sofa.
Then he glanced at the kitchen.
The dishes on the table had long gone cold.
Two dishes and a soup—simple, but clearly prepared with care. It was obvious the girl knew how to manage a household.
And on the balcony, the clothes he had taken off last night were already washed and hung to dry.
Including… that pair of boxers.
Lu Jingyuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
He walked slowly to the sofa and crouched down, looking at the girl, who was still frowning even in her sleep.
"Xingchen," he called softly, testing.
The girl stirred slightly, murmured something, and slowly opened her eyes a crack. Her voice was soft and sleepy.
"Uncle… you're back…"
"Mm."
He reached out and gently brushed the hair away from her forehead. His voice was low and unusually gentle.
"Sorry."
She mumbled something indistinct, then closed her eyes again and drifted back into sleep.
From after school until past eight, she had been busy. Then she waited in the living room for him to come home.
Now she was too exhausted to stay awake.
Lu Jingyuan picked up her keys and phone from the coffee table.
Then, with a slight motion, he lifted her into his arms.
She was small—so small she practically fit entirely in his embrace.
Light.
Soft.
That softness sank straight into his heart.
Looking down at the girl in his arms, his grip unconsciously tightened.
Morning.
Ruan Xingchen sat on her bed, dazed for quite a while after waking up.
Only then did she realize she had somehow returned to her own apartment.
She thought hard, but had no memory of how she got back.
She only remembered waiting for him in his living room… then getting sleepy… then falling asleep.
So…
He must have carried her back.
As usual, his car was waiting downstairs.
After getting in, she immediately asked:
"Uncle, did you carry me back last night?"
Lu Jingyuan's hand on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
"Mm," he answered softly.
Then silence.
Ruan Xingchen quietly ate her egg.
She didn't ask why he hadn't come home.
She didn't blame him for not telling her in advance either.
As they got closer to the school, Lu Jingyuan pressed his lips together, then spoke in a low voice:
"There was a last-minute dinner after work."
Ruan Xingchen paused.
Only then did she realize—
He was explaining.
Explaining why he didn't come back to eat.
But… he didn't actually need to.
Before she could say anything, he took out his phone and handed it to her.
"Dial your number."
"Oh."
She took the phone, opened the dial pad, and entered her number.
Soon, her own phone rang in her pocket.
She took it out, hung up, and saved the unfamiliar number.
Then she glanced at his phone again.
Her eyes rolled mischievously.
Since she'd come this far, she might as well finish the job.
She saved her contact into his phone too.
Name:
"Super Cute and Adorable Ruan Xingchen"
Looking at those words, she felt extremely satisfied.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
After handing the phone back, she suddenly thought of something.
"Uncle, do you use WeChat?"
Lu Jingyuan parked the car.
After a brief silence, he replied softly:
"I do."
"Then… what's your WeChat name?"
"..."