Ruan Xingchen glanced at the pair of hands wrapped around her waist and resisted the urge to shove the person behind her straight into the fridge.
"Uncle, are you in heat or something? Why do you feel the need to hug any girl you see?"
Just like the fierce tomcat next door when she was little—once it was in heat, it would pounce on any female cat it saw and cling tightly without letting go.
Lu Jingyuan's lips twitched slightly. He leaned in, brushing his cheek against her ear, his deep voice low and husky.
"Let's eat out tonight."
Ruan Xingchen tilted her head to look at him. As she turned, her cheek lightly brushed against his lips. The soft, smooth touch stirred something in him, though she remained completely unaware.
"Why go out to eat?" she asked, puzzled.
He didn't explain. He just hugged her a little tighter, then turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Ruan Xingchen opened the fridge, took a look, and pouted.
She'd bought so many ingredients—what a waste.
…
Close to six o'clock, Lu Jingyuan shut his laptop and rubbed his temples. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the cup of tea on the coffee table and couldn't help but smile.
After changing into more casual clothes, he stepped out of the bedroom just as Ruan Xingchen came out of the bathroom.
Seeing him, she paused.
"Uncle, are we going out now?"
"Mm." He responded softly. As he passed by her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the door.
"Do you prefer Chinese food or Western?"
"Chinese," she answered instinctively, then added, "Are you treating?"
He looked wealthy and particular about his lifestyle—definitely not the type to eat at cheap roadside stalls. If he suggested splitting the bill, she absolutely wouldn't go.
Lu Jingyuan raised an eyebrow.
"Of course."
From the second time they met, he already knew she was frugal. And when he went out with a girl, he would never let her pay.
…
He drove her to a bustling pedestrian street near the city center. After parking, they walked in together.
Looking at the crowd, Ruan Xingchen sighed.
"So you come to places like this too?"
She had thought a man his age wouldn't enjoy such crowded areas.
Lu Jingyuan took her hand gently.
"Stay close."
As the crowd thickened, he went from holding her hand to half-embracing her, shielding her from people brushing past. By the time they reached their destination, she hadn't been bumped into once.
Ruan Xingchen looked up at his profile, something unfamiliar stirring in her chest.
So this is what it's like to go out with a man…
When she used to go out with Lu Xiaobai, they'd always get jostled around in crowds. Now, with him, she felt completely protected.
…
After dinner, he paid while she waited outside.
When he came out, he saw her standing quietly at the entrance—hands folded, looking obedient, though her bright eyes darted curiously around.
A faint smile crossed his eyes. He walked over and held out his hand.
She hesitated for a moment before placing her hand into his palm.
His hand was large and warm, completely enveloping hers.
It felt… safe.
…
Later, they passed a boutique. He went in alone and came out shortly after.
"What did you buy?" she asked curiously.
"A measuring tape."
"Huh?"
He didn't explain.
…
That night, back home, Lu Jingyuan received a call.
"Jingyuan, my goddess saw you with a girl at the pedestrian street. That must be the little one, right?"
"Mm."
"Nice, you already got her?"
"No."
"I knew it," Wei Yuanxiao sighed.
Then his tone turned serious.
"I heard this afternoon… she got divorced."
Lu Jingyuan's expression remained calm.
"It has nothing to do with me."
…
Later that night, Ruan Xingchen called Lu Xiaobai back.
"By the way," Lu Xiaobai said, "my grandma's sick. I'm at the hospital. I won't be at school tomorrow."
Then she lowered her voice.
"My uncle didn't do anything to you last night, right?"
"What counts as 'doing something'?"
"Touching you, undressing you, sleeping with you!"
Ruan Xingchen's face darkened.
"You're so dirty-minded."
"Please, you're worse when watching those videos Shu Qing sends," Lu Xiaobai snorted.
"Be honest—did he do anything inappropriate?"
"No."
"Huh?" Lu Xiaobai sounded surprised.
"You're so cute and soft, and he didn't make a move? Could it be… my uncle isn't capable?"
"…."
"Forget it. I'll ask when I get back. Bye."
…
The next morning.
Lu Jingyuan waited downstairs for a while but didn't see Ruan Xingchen. His brows furrowed.
He pulled out his phone and scrolled to her contact: "Super cute Ruan Xingchen."
His lips twitched.
He dialed.
Meanwhile, Ruan Xingchen, still in bed, had decided to skip school. She wrapped herself in her blanket and called her teacher, planning to fake being sick.
No one answered.
Just then, another call came in.
Thinking it was her teacher, she immediately pulled the blanket over her head and answered weakly:
"Teacher… I'm Ruan Xingchen… I'm sick… my chest hurts… I want to take the day off…"
On the other end, the man listened quietly. Hearing her soft, breathy voice claiming she was unwell, a sudden heat surged through him.
After a moment of silence, he said hoarsely:
"Wait there."
Then he opened the car door and stepped out.