A girl’s tears come and go quickly, and she’s relatively easy to soothe.
Jing Lüyan simply returned the previous month’s allowance he had withheld, and those shimmering, watery eyes immediately curved into crescents.
Along with a slight, smug curl at the corners of her lips.
Wen Zhuo leaned casually against the arm of the sofa, his gaze sweeping over Jing Lüyan as a hint of playful amusement flickered in his eyes.
He deliberately drew out his words, his voice as smooth and warm as jade: “So, where does my dear plan to display it this time?”
As he spoke, he pointed at the “artwork” in her hand.
Before his words even finished, the girl pulled the artwork closer to herself, her almond-shaped eyes widening slightly as she glared warily at him and Jing Lüyan.
Seeing this, Wen Zhuo exchanged a glance with Jing Lüyan on the sofa—Ha, she’s actually reluctant to part with it now.
“I… I’ll make another one for you both later.”
Jing Nian’an stammered, making empty promises before tucking the artwork protectively against her chest.
After a pause, she suddenly raised a slender, pale finger, tilted her chin slightly, and declared with a haughty tone, “Oh, and I have one more condition.”
Jing Lüyan looked up, his deep eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
The girl announced matter-of-factly, “Starting today, I’m going to study hard—”
She paused, her eyes glinting with a touch of mischief, “And you two are responsible for tutoring me.”
Her tone made it sound as if her willingness to study was some grand favor she was bestowing.
Jing Lüyan frowned slightly, his tone indifferent: “Is the allowance not enough?”
“It’s not about the allowance!” she protested immediately, looking as though she’d been misunderstood.
Beside her, Wen Zhuo reached out and placed his hand on her forehead, his palm warm.
“Hey!” Jing Nian’an swatted his hand away indignantly, her voice both delicate and crisp, “I don’t have a fever!”
Jing Lüyan’s gaze remained calm as he lightly tapped the edge of a document with his fingertip: “And your reason?”
The girl didn’t hold back, stating confidently, “I want to surpass Sheng Ran!”
At these words, Jing Lüyan’s eyes darkened, immediately understanding the implication.
He reached out to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingertip accidentally brushing against the tip of her ear:
“Then rest assured, he won’t score higher than you.”
His tone was so certain it sounded like he was stating a fact.
“Oh, Brother—”
Jing Nian’an suddenly buried her head in his chest, her drawn-out tone sickeningly sweet.
She looked up, her watery almond eyes fixed intently on him: “Do you not love me anymore?!”
The man subtly shifted his hand to block a certain important area, while his palm steadily cradled her fluffy head.
His tone was calm and indulgent: “Of course I love you.”
It’s just… this love might have to pause during tutoring sessions.
Wen Zhuo chuckled softly nearby, his gaze both gentle and teasing.
~
In the study, warm yellow light enveloped two figures, one tall and one petite.
From outside the door, it looked like a heartwarming scene—a handsome man and a delicate girl.
If only one could ignore the tense atmosphere at the moment.
“Jing Nian’an, I’m telling you for the last time, stop asking why!”
Jing Lüyan’s slender fingers pressed against his temple, his knuckles slightly pale.
His voice remained low and steady, but upon closer listening, one could detect a hint of gritted teeth.
“But why, Brother? You always tell me to memorize the formulas, but why?”
The girl sat beside him, swinging her fair, delicate legs, tilting her head as she asked with an innocent expression.
Jing Lüyan took a deep breath, his Adam’s apple bobbing.He set down the fountain pen, the veins on his wrist beneath the black cuff faintly visible:
“There are only two days left until the exam. Remember this first; I’ll explain after the exam.”
“Why, brother? I want to know now.”
She drew out the last syllable, like a cat acting spoiled, a flicker of mischief in her beautiful eyes.
For a moment, Jing Lüyan felt his blood pressure spike, his temples throbbing with irritation.
Turning to look at the girl’s porcelain-doll face under the soft glow of the desk lamp, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with innocence.
Tsk, she always knew how to use that innocent look to provoke him.
He closed his eyes—
Forget it, this was the sister he had raised with his own hands…
At the same time, the study door was gently pushed open.
Wen Zhuo entered carrying a cup of warm milk, his light blue sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the elegant lines of his forearms.
He placed the cup in front of the girl and said gently, “Good girl, you’ve worked hard studying.”
Hmph, Jing Lüyan sneered, “What does she have to work hard for?”
Wen Zhuo raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at Jing Lüyan.
Though his face remained as stern as ever, his words were unexpectedly harsh.
Brother! Jing Nian’an turned her head abruptly, her almond eyes wide open. “Why would you say that about me?”
Again with the “why”…
Jing Lüyan felt a wave of darkness before his eyes, his blood pressure soaring to the top of his head.
He stood up abruptly, his knuckles loosening his tie roughly.
—If he listened to the girl any longer, it wouldn’t be a scene of brotherly affection and sisterly devotion.
He had already made her cry once; Jing Lüyan didn’t want to comfort her a second time.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Wen Zhuo gazing tenderly at the girl, a flicker of something dark passing through his eyes.
The last time he tutored her was when she had just started high school.
And back then, Wen Zhuo hadn’t yet moved into the Jing family’s old residence…
“Brother has an urgent meeting to attend. We’ll continue later, okay?”
Why!
She grabbed his sleeve, her rounded nails scraping against the fabric of his tailored suit.
“Is your sister more important or the meeting more important!”
After saying this, she crossed her arms in a huff, her sharp little gaze sweeping over Jing Lüyan.
If the previous “whys” might have been deliberate, this last one was a genuine protest!
“I’ll teach her.”
Wen Zhuo spoke up at just the right moment, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
Jing Lüyan gave him a deep look, then suddenly nodded. “Fine.”
He ruffled the girl’s hair, then turned and strode quickly toward the office area.
As if afraid someone would change their mind…
Wen Zhuo watched the man’s departing figure, then looked at the bright-eyed girl resting her chin in her hands, suddenly feeling something was off.
Ten minutes later, he finally understood why Jing Lüyan had agreed so readily—
“Jing Nian’an,” his gentle mask cracked, “put down the nail file.”
“Can’t I just trim Dasheng’s nails~”
“…No.”
“Why, brother?”
In an instant, Wen Zhuo’s smile froze completely on his face.
Behind them, Jing Lüyan was in the middle of his meeting.
Since it had just been announced, the employees’ reports were still a bit hesitant.
Hearing the conversation between the two, a faint glimmer flashed in his narrow eyes, and the corner of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.