Hua Rui hadn’t expected Grandpa Tang to take the matter so seriously, and a troubled expression appeared on her face.
Lu Jianshen stepped forward:
“Ruirui, Grandpa Tang has his own principles. Don’t force him. The sugar figurines here are also very nice!”
With that, he nodded toward the old man.
He absolutely did not want his little friend to feel even the slightest bit of discomfort!
If she didn’t want to say something, then she shouldn’t have to!
“Grandpa Tang, he is my fiancé!” Hua Rui’s uniquely clear and sweet voice rang out.
“He is Lu Jianshen. Little Uncle and I got engaged yesterday!” Hua Rui explained clearly once more.
A wave of emotion suddenly surged in Lu Jianshen’s heart. He looked deeply at Hua Rui, who was nearly two heads shorter than him, then raised his gaze to the old man:
“Grandpa Tang, hello!”
The old man beamed with joy: “Just got engaged and already coming to eat sugar figurines together—sweetness upon sweetness!”
Hua Rui’s face flushed with embarrassment: “Grandpa, if you still won’t let us see, we’re leaving, hmph!”
“Alright, alright, alright. You two, follow me!”
It was a small but very clean room.
Shelves of all sizes were filled with various mythological story-themed sugar figurine series, each one lifelike and vivid.
“Little Uncle, look, this series was designed by me!”
Hua Rui pointed to one area—the Tang Palace Beauties series of sugar figurines, each in different poses, exuding grace and elegance.
“Ruirui is quite the little expert!”
Lu Jianshen couldn’t help but stroke her hair, which cascaded like seaweed and carried a faint scent of blue flowers.
The old man watched the perfect couple from a distance, feeling an indescribable emotion in his heart.
He was very familiar with Xie Mingchen, and he understood Xie Mingchen’s thoughts all too well.
“Actually, you can make sugar figurines by hand here,” Hua Rui said, looking at Lu Jianshen.
Unfortunately, his phone rang at that moment—it was his father, Lu Yuanting.
If it had been anyone else, he definitely wouldn’t have answered.
He gave Hua Rui an apologetic look and picked up the call.
“Shenshen, the head of state from a certain country has arrived with his family today. Come back immediately.”
Lu Jianshen frowned: “A bit later, I have something to do!”
Lu Yuanting’s voice deepened: “Do you want the head of state to sit there waiting for you? Hmm?”
“Let me take Ruirui home first!”
He hung up the phone, and an inexplicable irritation suddenly rose in his heart.
He truly wanted to spend more time with his little friend! But so often, he had no choice in the matter.
“Little Uncle, you should go attend to your matters. I’ll have my brother come pick me up!”
“Ruirui, I’m sorry!” Lu Jianshen sighed softly.
“It’s really fine, please don’t mind it!”
“Come on, I’ll take you home!”
Without another word, he insisted on taking Hua Rui back to the car and drove her to the entrance of the Hua family’s old mansion.
“Ruirui, tomorrow, I’ll be flying to Italy.”
He stared into the young girl’s eyes—those beautiful, soft, and adorable deer-like eyes deeply struck his heart!
“But I want to sleep in and don’t want to see you off!” Hua Rui laughed carefreely.
“Will you… share your daily life with Little Uncle?” Lu Jianshen gazed into her eyes.
What he really wanted to ask was: “Will you miss Little Uncle?”
“Just one barbecue meal? That won’t win me over!” The girl teased with a playful smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons, the peach blossom petal between her brows glowing brightly.
“Then, next time I’ll take you to eat something else. We can even eat delicacies from all over the world, as long as you want!”
“Little Uncle, hurry and go. The head of state is waiting for you!” Hua Rui darted to the doorway, stepped inside, and peeked her head out:
“Goodbye! When I’m bored, I might bother Little Uncle!”
Lu Jianshen finally got the answer he wanted!
Upon returning home, Hua Rui was pulled into her mother’s arms for a thorough interrogation.
“Did he hold your hand?”
“No!”
“How rigid! Then what did you do?”
“We just had a meal together!”
“Any details?” Mrs. Hua blinked her big eyes.
“What details? Does accidentally taking a bite of meat he handed over count?” Hua Rui was speechless.
“Oh ho, he even fed you? That counts, absolutely counts!” Mrs. Hua beamed with joy.
“Anything else?”
Hua Rui quickly slipped out of her mother’s embrace:
“You can keep imagining! Oh, right, I still have to make up for my lessons. Have Uncle Driver take me to school!”
…
Yue Jiao went to that Sichuan restaurant by herself.
After thinking it over, she made a decision: “Boss, pack up all the dishes I ordered!”
Carrying the steaming hot food, she went straight to Xie Mingchen’s office.
Through days of observation, she knew Xie Mingchen would definitely return to his office.
About an hour later, after finishing his game, showering, and changing into fresh shorts and a white T-shirt, Xie Mingchen returned.
Seeing Yue Jiao in his office, he was taken aback: “How do you have the key to my office?”
Yue Jiao blushed: “Don’t ask. The food is still hot, hurry up and eat!”
She had secretly made a copy—could she possibly tell him that?
Xie Mingchen looked somewhat awkward: “Teacher Yue, you’re too kind. In the future, there’s no need for this.”
“What’s wrong with colleagues having a meal together? Is it against school rules? Or is it against the law?”
As she spoke, Yue Jiao set out the food: “I’m hungry!”
Xie Mingchen said softly: “Alright! Next time, I’ll treat you!”
“That would be wonderful!” This was exactly what Yue Jiao had hoped for.
The two chatted casually as they ate.
Suddenly, the lock clicked. The door wasn’t locked, just closed.
Xie Mingchen stood up immediately.
He had one key to the office, and there was one other person who also had one.
The door opened, and a stunningly beautiful girl entered carrying a painting easel on her back: “Teacher Xie!”
Seeing the two eating, Hua Rui was momentarily stunned:
“Sorry, sorry, I forgot to knock! How awful!”
She tried to back out, but the man had already walked over and taken her easel:
“Why didn’t you tell me in advance? I would have picked you up!”
As he spoke, he carefully glanced at the girl’s delicate arm carrying the easel.
“It’s not heavy!” Hua Rui looked at him:
“I originally wanted to give Teacher Xie a surprise, but it turned out to be a shock!”
“Are you done with your work?” Xie Mingchen asked casually.
“Mhm! Finished early, so I came to find you for tutoring.”
Finished early? Xie Mingchen’s eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.
He pulled over a chair: “Sit there!”
“Oh.” Hua Rui obediently sat down.
It was the spot next to Xie Mingchen, while Yue Jiao sat across the table.
“I went to play ball, and Teacher Yue brought some food, so we’re eating here together.”
Hua Rui didn’t quite understand, but Yue Jiao knew he was explaining to the young girl.
“Oh, okay. You two hurry up and eat, I’ll play on my phone.” Hua Rui seemed not to mind.
But the man acted as if “facing a great enemy,” getting up to pour water for Hua Rui: “Drink some water!”
“I don’t want to!”
“Then drink half!”
“I really don’t want to!”
The man took her phone: “One-third!”
Although frowning, Hua Rui obediently picked up the water glass and drank.
Xie Mingchen’s face broke into a gentle smile as he handed her phone back to her.
From that moment on, Yue Jiao realized she had completely become invisible.
Even though the young girl had been playing with her phone the whole time, not even lifting her eyelids.
The man beside her had eyes only for her.
Finally, when the meal was over, Xie Mingchen politely stood up:
“Thank you again, Teacher Yue. When you have time, I’ll treat you next time!”
Standing up—it was a clear signal for the guest to leave…