I froze.
My whole body felt paralyzed, my heart pounded, and my face flushed. I mumbled,
"I… I know… you don't need to worry…"
I took a step back, trying to create distance, clearing my throat to salvage what little dignity I had left:
"I… I've said it… you… you can leave! I can manage myself, I don't need to bother you!"
My hand quickly pushed Kình Uyên out of the room… not just anyone, but the feeling of fear and embarrassment. The door closed, and I covered my face, exhaling sharply:
"Oh my God… what did I just say…?"
Outside, Kình Uyên stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed. His eyes were cold and sharp, neither smiling nor speaking, just silently observing. The feeling of being scrutinized made my heart race even more.
A thought crept into his mind: "That kid is already so flustered… how interesting. I wonder how many more layers of awkwardness lie ahead…"
I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to calm myself: "It was just an accident… don't think about it anymore…" But my heart still raced, my face flushed whenever I remembered Jing Yuan's gaze.
Fifteen minutes later, the door creaked open.
I cautiously peeked out, my hair disheveled, my cheeks flushed. As soon as he saw me, he raised an eyebrow, his voice low but still tinged with coldness:
"Oh… the young master has come out. This way."
He stepped forward to lead the way, but I scoffed softly, my voice hesitant:
"I… I can go by myself."
I tried to quickly walk past him, avoiding his gaze, my heart still pounding. He said nothing, only followed behind, his gait unhurried, his cold eyes still following my back. The feeling of being watched by a predator, every move I made, made me so tense I didn't dare stop walking.
My heart raced: "Why is he acting so strange today... like... he's planning something with me..." But then I shook my head, telling myself not to think about it anymore.
In the dining room.
As soon as I arrived, I glanced around, my voice low:
"Mom... Mom? Where's Dad?"
Her voice rang out, gentle:
"A Xiang, you're here? Sit down. Your father is away on business today, he won't be having breakfast at home."
"Yes..." I mumbled, sitting down. My mother gently picked up food for me, her eyes kind:
"A Xiang, eat this, I cooked your favorite dish. And this one, you often eat this too…"
I fumbled with my chopsticks, glancing at the mountain of food piled high on the plate:
"Oh… Mom, you… you've already put so much on me… let me eat it myself…"
My mother smiled softly, finally stopping.
A moment later, I looked up when I heard my mother say:
"A Xiang, after you finish eating, go sit outside."
I was slightly puzzled: "What for?"
My mother's chopsticks paused in mid-air, her eyes showing a hint of emotion. Her voice was still gentle, tinged with affection:
"Ah… A Shen said he wanted to invite you to play today."
I froze, muttering: "Mom… you said Wu Shen… he wants to invite me… to play?"
My mother nodded happily, and I intended to refuse, but seeing her expectant and hopeful expression, the words of refusal choked in my throat. I reluctantly said,
"Then… I'll go with… Wu Shen…"
My mother smiled contentedly, nodded, put down her chopsticks, and stood up:
"I have some work to do. Remember to wait for A Shen outside after you finish eating."
Without waiting for my reply, she left the room. I sighed, feeling both helpless and touched by my parents' love, but mixed with a touch of… guilt?
Behind me, where I didn't notice, Jing Yuan stood silently, his deep eyes filled with a hint of contempt, thinking to himself:
"If you love your son so much… then I'll let him see your true face soon…"
He walked out of the dining room, his gait cold, his mind still racing with calculations:
"It's only just begun… the best part of the drama is yet to come…"