Xia Qiaoxi untied the ribbon and opened the box, revealing a brand new phone inside.
He remembered—she had mentioned never having her own mobile phone.
“Thank you.” Xia Qiaoxi took out the phone.
Its gradient purple back would likely shimmer with dazzling color shifts under sunlight. Below it were several phone cases: cartoonish styles that girls tend to adore, minimalist designs, and ones with classical aesthetics.
Plenty of options.
Tang Yushen was more considerate than she had imagined.
Xia Qiaoxi selected a simple mint-green case, fitted it on, and powered on the device.
Tang Yushen sat beside her, dialing her number from his own phone. “I only inserted the SIM card. Save my number—call me anytime you need anything.”
Under his watchful gaze, Xia Qiaoxi stored his contact under two characters: A Yu.
Dinner was much lighter than lunch, better suited to her palate.
Yet she had little appetite and only ate a small portion.
After finishing, she slipped back to her room.
“Boss, Miss Xia seems rather afraid of you!” Chen Bai walked in carrying flowers, “Leaving you all alone.”
Tang Yushen shot him a cool glance. “She just arrived and isn’t familiar with things yet.”
“Boss, I’ve looked into it! The Xia family not only kept this delicate young lady deeply hidden but also controlled her strictly.”
Tang Yushen had already learned this from her directly.
“The current Mrs. Xia isn’t her biological mother. Her parents divorced when she was three, and her mother never returned. That Mrs. Xia gave birth to a son named Xia Zhao, who’s now 16 and in his second year at Jing City International Bilingual School.”
Chen Bai set down the flowers. “They say the younger brother treats her quite well, which often gets him scolded by his biological mother. The Xia family completely uses Miss Xia as a tool for gaining benefits—they’ve received plenty of advantages from the He family.”
As for matters related to the He family, he had also learned from He Luyi.
He Luyi shared everything he knew.
“Miss Xia is truly pitiful.” Chen Bai stroked the vibrant red rose petals. “Even her close friend is one of Mrs. Xia’s informants.”
Tang Yushen’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the dining table. So, whatever his Xiao Xi’er did would be reported back to the Xia family.
Xiao Xi’er was so pitiful.
So pitiful that he wanted to hold her right now.
No rush—he would sneak in tonight.
“You spent hours buying flowers, only to ruin them.” Tang Yushen stood up. “Give them to the gardener.”
Chen Bai lifted the roses. “Boss, I dug these up myself from a suburban flower field! They’re fresh, really!”
Without looking back, Tang Yushen headed upstairs. He couldn’t hold back any longer—he needed to hold her now.
Arriving at her door, Tang Yushen hesitated for what felt like a century. He was actually growing nervous.
He had woken up beside her just that afternoon, yet now he couldn’t control his racing thoughts and wild imaginations.
Tang Yushen gripped the doorknob, pressed gently—but the door wouldn’t open.
He massaged his forehead in frustration. Locked!
Damn it!
His chances of sneaking in later were ruined!
If only he had been more alert and left her room before Xiao Xi’er woke up.
Then she wouldn’t have been cautious enough to lock the door.
No, no, no.
Tomorrow, he must find a way to break the door’s lock mechanism. Otherwise, when would he ever get to sleep holding Xiao Xi’er?
Argh!
Infuriating!
Tang Yushen leaned down, staring intently at the elegant doorknob. A century ago, Xiao Xi’er had locked him out just like this.
Back then, he had pulled out his gun and fired a shot at the lock—the door swung open instantly.
Xiao Xi’er sat on the bed gazing at him in bewilderment, then burst into frightened tears.
Sobbing pitifully, she accused him of frightening her with a gun and threw herself into his arms crying.
Her pear blossom-drenched appearance, with red-rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks carrying a hint of spring charm, made him utterly captivated.
That night, he remained sleepless throughout.
Xiao Xi’er cried until her voice turned hoarse.
Ah!
Tang Yushen wished he could burn a hole through the door with his stare.
Right now he just wanted to pry the door open!
What was the point of nights if he couldn’t hold Xiao Xi’er, couldn’t sleep with Xiao Xi’er?
This damned door, these endless long nights.
Could Xiao Xi’er be lying in bed playing with her phone?
He had truly lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet.
He’d just give her the phone back tomorrow.
Tang Yushen stroked his chin – if he knocked, would Xiao Xi’er open the door?
To knock or not to knock?
While Tang Yushen’s mind was still deliberating, his hand moved uncontrollably first and knocked.
Xia Qiaoxi sat on the bed playing with her phone. Hearing the knock, she put down her phone and burrowed under the covers pretending not to hear.
If she didn’t open the door, Tang Yushen would probably leave, right?
Sure enough, Tang Yushen only knocked once before stopping.
Xia Qiaoxi held her breath nervously, not daring to make a sound. Tang Yushen appeared to be a gentleman but was actually a scoundrel who would sneak into girls’ rooms and secretly hold them while sleeping.
Demon!
She couldn’t stay at the Tang residence much longer either – she needed to find a way to earn some money and leave.
The next day, when Tang Yushen left, he tried the door again – still locked.
He wanted to go in, wanted to wish Xiao Xi’er good morning, wanted to see her drowsy little face upon waking.
He was going crazy with desire.
He’d come back to keep her company right after today’s meeting.
Tang Yushen left the manor directly without even eating breakfast.
Two hours later, Tang Yushen excitedly returned home.
Xiao Xi’er!
Xiao Xi’er!
Finally he could see his Xiao Xi’er!
“Where is she?” Tang Yushen asked urgently as soon as he entered.
“Miss Xia…” The maid shook her head, “Hasn’t come downstairs yet.”
“Didn’t have breakfast either?” Tang Yushen hurried upstairs anxiously.
How could she sleep this much?
At the He family, He Lu Yishuo didn’t allow sleeping in.
Xia Qiaoxi probably didn’t have the habit of sleeping late.
Why wasn’t she awake yet? It was almost eleven.
Tang Yushen stood at the door, still unable to open it.
“Xia Qiaoxi!”
“Xia Qiaoxi!”
“Open the door!”
Tang Yushen listened for movement inside – it was very quiet.
Too quiet.
Frighteningly quiet.
“Xia Qiaoxi!”
Within two minutes, Chen Hei came running up with tools.
“Hurry!” Tang Yushen clenched his fists, staring nervously at the door.
The lock opened, and Tang Yushen urgently pushed the door open.
“Xia Qiaoxi!”
“Xia…”
The room was brightly lit. On the messy large bed, Xia Qiaoxi’s face was flushed, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her eyes closed restlessly and panickedly as she made whimpering sounds.
Tang Yushen rushed over and held her, “Call the doctor.”
Chen Hei turned and left immediately.
In the room, Tang Yushen touched her forehead – burning hot.
“Xiao Xi’er…”
“Xi’er.”
How could she have gotten a fever when she was perfectly fine?
“Mmm…” Xia Qiaoxi’s eyelids fluttered as she leaned closer into Tang Yushen’s embrace.
She tightly gripped Tang Yushen’s shirt, her shallow breathing turning into heavy pants.
She was very unsettled.
Tang Yushen soothingly stroked her back, “Xiao Xi’er, don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
“Xiao Xi’er…”
Tang Yushen lowered his head, nuzzling her cheek, “Xi’er, baby…”
“Baby, don’t be afraid.”
“Good girl, the doctor will be here soon.”
Xia Qiaoxi gradually calmed down in her daze. Tang Yushen?
He’s back?
“I’m fine…” Xia Qiaoxi said softly.
She supported herself to sit up, rubbing her temples weakly. “I didn’t rest well last night, only fell asleep at dawn. Had a nightmare and panicked in the dream…”
“What kind of dream made you panic like that?” Tang Yushen didn’t believe a single word.
Little Xi’er was lying to him.
“Well…” Xia Qiaoxi hesitated.
It was such a chaotic dream that she couldn’t explain it clearly.
The dream had no beginning, and she didn’t know where to start.
Chen Hei stood at the doorway with the doctor, only entering after seeing Tang Yushen’s expression.
Xia Qiaoxi obediently let the doctor examine her, then went to take a shower after the checkup.
The three stood outside the door. Tang Yushen’s gaze was deep and shadowy. “What’s wrong with her health?”