Ruan Xingchen rubbed her aching ears, frowning in dissatisfaction.
"Xiaobai, you scared me!"
"You're the one who scared me!" Lu Xiaobai felt like she was about to explode. She had been trying so hard to stop her uncle—that old cow—from entertaining such absurd thoughts of "eating tender grass." Yet here was her best friend, completely fearless, even boldly declaring she'd "take him down" instead.
At this point, she was starting to feel like she was meddling in something she shouldn't.
But still—she couldn't just watch her only best friend walk straight into trouble.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Lu Xiaobai spoke earnestly,
"Ruan Luoli, listen to me. The world is big. There are plenty of men better than my uncle… well, maybe not that many, but still, they exist, okay?"
Ruan Xingchen frowned slightly.
"So what exactly are you trying to say?"
"My uncle isn't suitable for you."
"Oh."
"..."
"Xiaobai, I'm going to cook noodles. Talk later tonight."
Before Lu Xiaobai could respond, she hung up.
Outside the kitchen, the man leaning against the wall slowly curved his lips into a faint smile.
After the heavy rain eased into a light drizzle, Ruan Xingchen finished washing the clothes and stepped onto the balcony, gazing into the distance. She took a deep breath.
Thinking about it, that time when his underwear had blown down and hit her face, it must have come from this direction. That meant their balconies were aligned…
Did that mean she could use a rope to climb down?
She hurried back to the living room and sat cross-legged across the coffee table, staring at Lu Jingyuan with wide eyes as he ate his noodles.
Lu Jingyuan paused mid-bite and glanced at her.
"What? Want some?"
"I don't," she shook her head. "You eat."
Being stared at like that while eating was unsettling, especially when the gaze was impossible to ignore.
He set down his chopsticks.
"Say what you want to say."
"Uncle, do you have a rope?"
"What do you need a rope for?"
"To climb down from the balcony."
"..."
Lu Jingyuan said nothing, just looked at her.
She stared back expectantly.
They locked eyes across the table in silence.
After a long moment, Lu Jingyuan withdrew his gaze, expressionless, picked up his chopsticks, and continued eating.
Ruan Xingchen's face fell in disappointment.
Guess he didn't have one.
That night, dinner was simple fried rice.
After cleaning up, Ruan Xingchen curled up on the sofa with a pillow, watching a melodramatic TV drama.
When Lu Jingyuan came out of the shower, he suddenly heard a sharp scream.
Turning toward the sound, he saw Ruan Xingchen blushing furiously, pointing at him.
"U-uncle, you exhibitionist! Pervert!"
He paused, then realized—he had forgotten there was a girl in the house and had come out wearing only a towel, as usual.
Looking at her again, she stared at him like he was some kind of criminal.
He couldn't help but twitch his lips. Then suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
He walked toward her.
"Ahhh! Don't come closer!" she screamed again, waving a pillow defensively.
Instead of stopping, he sat down beside her, leaning in close to her ear.
"What are you afraid of, hmm?"
"What am I afraid of?!" she snapped. "I'm afraid I'll get a stye!"
He raised a brow.
"Who told you looking at a man's body gives you a stye?"
"Xiaobai said so."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Then let me tell you—she lied. Why don't you take a closer look?"
He grabbed the pillow and tossed it aside, then pulled her into his arms and onto his lap.
"Damn it, Lu!" she exploded. "If you keep touching me, I'll—"
"You'll what?" he asked with a low chuckle.
"I'll…" She froze.
Because she suddenly realized—she couldn't beat him.
"You'll…" he leaned closer, voice low and teasing,
"take me?"
Her eyes widened in shock.
How did he know?! Did he hear her call earlier?!
This man was definitely a pervert!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She struggled, but the more she moved, the tighter his grip became.
"Uncle… you can't bully little girls…" she muttered, on the verge of tears.
"Alright. I won't," he said softly, holding her tighter.
"Just don't move. Let me hold you for a bit."
"What if I don't let you?"
"Then I'll kiss you."
"..."
She immediately froze.
So Xiaobai was right—she shouldn't have stayed.
He really would bully her.
The night was slightly chilly, but his body was warm.
Wearing only his oversized shirt, she lay in his arms and soon drifted off to sleep.
Listening to her steady breathing, Lu Jingyuan opened his eyes—clear and awake.
Looking at the girl in his arms, he sighed softly.
"Your guard is way too low…"
He tightened his arms, carried her to the bedroom, and gently placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket.
Then he left.
Back in the living room, he poured himself a glass of red wine.
After years, he had never expected to fall for someone again.
And not just anyone—
But a girl twelve years younger than him.
The next morning, Ruan Xingchen woke up in an unfamiliar place and shot upright in panic.
Then memories came flooding back.
She rushed out and saw Lu Jingyuan curled up on the sofa.
Her heart softened.
Sure, he was a bad, perverted uncle…
But he was also really good to her.