"Yang Zai?"
First meeting and he's already calling her that affectionately? Meanwhile, with him it was always "Mr. Xie."
Talk about double standards.
The waiter brought the dishes out one by one.
Xie Zhenguo warmly called out to Jiang Li, "Girl, come, have a taste."
"I didn't know what you liked, so I just ordered a bit of everything."
"If there's anything you don't like, we can switch it out."
Seeing the table full of food, Jiang Li felt a little embarrassed. "Grandpa, I'm not picky. This is already more than enough."
"Good, good! Then eat up."
"You brat, what are you, a statue? Hurry and get some food for Jiang Li!" Xie Zhenguo glared at Xie Huaichu and barked the order.
"Grandpa, I can serve myself," Jiang Li said helplessly, trying to rein in his enthusiasm.
Xie Huaichu picked up his chopsticks and, with elegant movements, placed a few pieces of meat and vegetables onto her plate.
"Don't waste Grandpa's kindness."
"…"
Jiang Li lowered her head, quietly eating her rice, wishing she could dig a hole and disappear.
This meal, to be honest, had her feeling overwhelmed by the attention.
After dinner, Xie Huaichu drove the three of them back.
Jiang Li sat in the passenger seat, with Xie Zhenguo and Lu Ziyang in the back.
Lu Ziyang was a natural chatterbox. "Sis, which university did you graduate from?"
"Nan'en University in Yun City. Why?"
Jiang Li turned to look at him, asking instinctively.
"No way! That's the school I'm hoping to apply to too!" Lu Ziyang beamed with excitement—only for his expression to fall the next second, like a deflated balloon.
"But I'm terrible at studying… probably no chance."
"Don't say that. You have to believe in yourself," Jiang Li encouraged him sincerely.
"Sis, can you be my tutor then?"
The sudden request caught Jiang Li off guard. "Me?"
"Yeah!" Lu Ziyang's gloomy face instantly brightened. "You're so pretty and smart."
"If you were my tutor, I'd totally level up!"
Jiang Li: "…"
What was she supposed to say to that?
"Sis, say yes, okay?" Lu Ziyang leaned forward, clinging to her arm like a spoiled child.
"Please? Pretty please?"
"Let go." Xie Huaichu's cold voice cut through the air inside the car.
His eyes were equally frosty—just one look, and Lu Ziyang immediately let go, shrinking back like a kid who'd been caught doing something wrong.
"Don't scare him like that," Jiang Li gave Xie Huaichu a playful glare, sticking up for Lu Ziyang.
"Can't let a brat get too spoiled."
The car arrived at the old Xie residence. Lu Ziyang helped the old man out of the car.
"Grandpa, you go rest. I'll head back now," Jiang Li said sweetly, bidding farewell.
Her gaze landed on Lu Ziyang.
Seeing the boy huddled up like a quail made her chuckle softly.
"Ziyang, if you don't mind, I can come over on Sundays to tutor you."
"Really, Sis?!" Lu Ziyang lit up like fireworks, his head snapping up to look at her.
His eyes sparkled with pure joy.
"Mm, really."
"Wow! You're the best! I totally love you!" Lu Ziyang practically danced with joy, unable to contain his excitement.
"Go help Grandpa inside," Xie Huaichu said darkly, shooting him a look.
Lu Ziyang immediately wiped the grin off his face and obediently helped Xie Zhenguo inside.
In the grand living room, the two collapsed into the massive sofa.
"Grandpa, big bro's scary," Lu Ziyang shivered a little at the memory of Xie Huaichu's glare, rubbing his arms.
Xie Zhenguo wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with lingering fear, "That brat really is scary."
"I was seriously afraid he was going to blow up and beat you up just now."
"But at least you were smart enough to get Jiang Li to agree to be your tutor."
At that, a sly smile appeared on Xie Zhenguo's face.
"Now they'll have more chances to see each other."
"I don't believe that brat can stay unmoved."
Lu Ziyang perked up and quickly tried to take credit. "Grandpa, if they end up together, I'll be the hero of the story! You better give me a big red envelope!"
"Don't worry. Forget a red envelope—I'll get you a sports car."
"Grandpa, you're the coolest! I love you!" Lu Ziyang hugged him tightly and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
"You silly boy," Xie Zhenguo chuckled indulgently, his eyes full of affection.
At Bihui Scholar's Residence
Jiang Li stepped out of the car. "Thanks for the ride."
"It's nothing," Xie Huaichu replied coolly. "You don't need to take Ziyang's words too seriously."
He was referring to the tutoring.
"I gave my word, and I won't go back on it," Jiang Li said, tilting her head at him. Her upturned eyes sparkled with a teasing smile.
"What? Worried I'll be a bad influence on your little brother?"
"No." Xie Huaichu looked at her quietly, that strange feeling in his chest resurfacing and spreading again.
The next second, he reached out, wrapped an arm around Jiang Li's slender waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
"W-What are you doing?" Jiang Li hadn't expected him to move so suddenly. Shocked, her cheeks flushed a deep red, and her heart started pounding wildly. She could barely get her words out.
Xie Huaichu didn't answer. He simply tilted his head and slowly leaned in.
The distance between them grew shorter and shorter.
In her panic, Jiang Li stepped down hard on his foot.
"Ah—" Xie Huaichu let go of her in pain, his brows tightening.
"Jiang Li," he gritted her name through clenched teeth.
"I'm tired. Goodnight!" she tossed the words over her shoulder and fled in a hurry.
As the pain in his foot eased, Xie Huaichu leaned against the car, a little dazed.
He looked up at the misty sky above.
Thinking back to what he'd just done, a wave of frustration washed over him.
Damn it. He had actually wanted to kiss Jiang Li just now.
He wasn't the kind of man who acted on impulse or was easily swayed by desire.
So why—why now—was he losing control like this?
Another bright and sunny day.
Haicheng. St. Ann's Hospital. Doctor's Office.
Xie Huaichu removed his silver-rimmed glasses and reached up to massage his temples.
His patience thinning, he glanced with clear displeasure at the man sprawled out on the distant couch, legs crossed, playing on his phone.
"How much longer are you planning to freeload here?"
Shao Moye lazily lifted his eyelids and shot back, "Freeload? I came all this way just to keep you company, man."
"Hah." Xie Huaichu let out a cold, disdainful chuckle. "Spare me."
Shao Moye snapped his phone shut and strolled over, standing before him with a smirk on his face.
"Doctor Xie, I think I've been feeling... weak lately. Dizzy. Lightheaded. Maybe you should check me out?"
"No cure for kidney deficiency," Xie Huaichu replied coolly, not even bothering to look up.
Shao Moye: "…"
God, could this guy be any duller?
"I've put together a little gathering tonight at Halfwake. Come by and chill for a bit."
"Not going."
Xie Huaichu shut him down without hesitation.
"Tch." Shao Moye clicked his tongue and leaned forward, bracing both hands against the edge of the desk.
He moved in closer, voice dropping just enough to tease.
"Huaichu, you live like a monk every damn day. Isn't it boring?"
"You've never even held a pretty girl's hand—doesn't it itch a little?"
"Every night, you go home to that massive, empty villa all alone. Don't you ever feel… lonely?"
"Got too much time on your hands?"
Xie Huaichu slowly lifted his gaze, sharp and cold.
That look alone was enough to shut anyone up.