Ever since seeing him, she couldn't get him out of her head.
Fang Xinxin was absolutely sure—she'd fallen for him!
Holding back her excitement, she waited patiently for him to walk to the elevator. Then she quietly stepped out of the emergency staircase, pretending she'd just come back outside. Stopping by the elevator, she feigned surprise. Huh? Aren't you the uncle who drove my cousin to school this morning?
The elevator chimed and reached the first floor. Lu Jingyuan stepped inside.
Fang Xinxin quickly followed him in.
He stayed silent, acting like she wasn't even there. Refusing to give up, she forced a bright smile. Hello uncle. I'm Ruan Xingchen's cousin, Fang Xinxin.
Still no response—his eyes were closed, as if he hadn't heard a word.
Soon the elevator reached the twelfth floor. Lu Jingyuan walked out, and Fang Xinxin followed.
Hearing the elevator, Lu Bai ran out from the apartment. Seeing the man and girl walk out together, she froze, then glared fiercely at Lu Jingyuan. I never thought you'd be a jerk!
Without letting him speak, she rushed back inside.
Lu Jingyuan frowned, his expression turning cold. He walked in right away.
Fang Xinxin was stunned. Did this man have another woman besides Ruan Xingchen?
Before she could figure it out, the door shut tightly.
She stamped her foot, stared at the closed door a few more times, then went back to the elevator.
…
Inside the apartment, Lu Bai rushed to the kitchen and grabbed Ruan Xingchen, talking a mile a minute. Xingchen! I saw your uncle with another girl—
Lu Bai!
A cold warning cut her off mid-sentence. Before she could finish, Lu Bai was dragged out of the kitchen.
All Ruan Xingchen heard was with another girl. Her mind instantly filled with jealous thoughts.
Had he held her hand? Hugged her? Kissed her?
The more she imagined, the sadder and angrier she got.
Mean old pervert uncle! She wasn't talking to him anymore!
Completely unaware he'd upset the little girl, Lu Jingyuan dropped Lu Bai roughly onto the living room floor and stared down at her coldly. Spread more lies, and I'll tell your mother.
I'm not lying! Lu Bai stood up angrily. You're too old for childish tricks like telling my mom on me!
Lu Jingyuan's gaze turned sharp. Falling for your cousin's uncle—that's mature?
Lu Bai's eyes widened. She pointed at him trembling. Don't you dare!
If he told anyone, she'd drag him down with her!
Try me. Lu Jingyuan scoffed, sat on the sofa, and picked up her textbooks.
Somehow, he'd managed to anger both girls in one go.
At dinner, both girls stared stubbornly away from him, refusing to glance over.
Lu Jingyuan rubbed his temples helplessly.
After eating, Lu Bai left quickly after saying goodbye to Ruan Xingchen.
Ruan Xingchen tried leaving too—but Lu Jingyuan wouldn't let her. Before she could step far, he lifted her into his arms.
She squirmed silently, refusing to make a sound.
Sitting down with her on the sofa, he held her tight so she couldn't escape. Don't believe everything Lu Bai says.
Annoyed, she snapped. Don't talk bad about Bai Bai!
Then he asked calmly. What are you throwing a tantrum about?
She stayed quiet.
Because Bai Bai said she saw me with another girl?
Ruan Xingchen's face hardened. It's none of my business.
His expression turned colder. Say that again.
Scared by his tone, she shrank back—but still pouted stubbornly.
He'd admitted it, and now he was yelling at her. Bai Bai was right—he really wasn't a good man.
They stayed in an awkward standoff.
After staring at her for a long time, Lu Jingyuan let her go. He pulled the Chinese textbook from the pile and tossed it into her arms. Memorize the first lesson, then you can go home.
She stared at him in disbelief. Making her study at night?
She threw the book down. No!
Calmly, he picked up her phone and unplugged the landline. If you don't memorize it, stay here all night. He added softly, with obvious threat. Alone with me—I can't promise what I'll do.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she had no choice. She picked the book back up, miserable.
Tomorrow she'd quit her job—no more cooking or cleaning for him.
Sitting on the floor, she mumbled the lesson quietly, tears filling her eyes with every line.
Leaning back on the sofa, Lu Jingyuan watched her trembling shoulders, holding back a smile. He'd never seen anyone cry while memorizing text.
Sighing softly, he walked to the bedroom.
Thinking he'd left, she closed the book to run—only to see him come back out. She quickly opened it again.
He noticed her trick. Walking past, he flipped her book right-side up and handed it back.
Embarrassed, she buried her face in the pages.
Suddenly, something soft was tied to her twin tails. She reached up—but his deep voice came from behind. Still trying to run home?
She pulled her hands back and kept reading.
She hated studying, but she wasn't stupid—her memory was actually pretty good.
By nearly eleven, she'd memorized the whole lesson.
Pouting, she handed him the book. I'm done.
Without waiting for his reply, she recited it word for word.
When she finished, he gave her phone back and stood up. I'll walk you down.
Don't bother.
Still mad, she ran straight for the door.
In the end, he insisted on walking her to the eleventh floor and watched her go inside before heading back up.
Fang Xinxin was already asleep when Ruan Xingchen got home. Luckily, the living room wasn't messy like last time.
After showering, she looked in the mirror and saw two pink bow ribbons tied neatly in her hair, with tiny shiny crystals on the ends.
She untied them—they were delicate satin ribbons.
She hadn't thought the old man was this good with his hands.
Even after their fight, Lu Jingyuan waited for her outside the building the next morning. She'd planned to ignore him—but instead ran over and hopped into the car.
Without a word, she shoved the ribbons into his hands and turned her back.
Amused, he unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and tied the ribbons back into cute bows on her twin tails.
Looking at the car mirror, she smiled happily.
At school, she showed them off to Lu Bai right away. Aren't my ribbons pretty?
Pretty. Lu Bai frowned—it looked familiar. Then she remembered seeing them in her uncle's car. So he'd bought them just to coax the little girl.
That old man is really scary.
After bragging, Ruan Xingchen complained about last night's punishment.
Surprisingly, Lu Bai nodded. Finally someone can fix your lazy self.
Ruan Xingchen's eyes widened. Are you betraying me?
Lu Bai tapped her head. If I betrayed you, I'd steal those ribbons first!
Holding her head defensively, Ruan Xingchen glared fiercely, ready to fight for them.
…
After school, Lu Bai walked home with her.
Don't you have evening study?
I asked the teacher for leave.
Lu Bai really went all out for her best friend—sacrificing her own time just to make her study harder.
They were about to enter the elevator when a voice stopped them.
Cousin, wait for me!