The next morning, at exactly five o’clock.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the crescent moon on the horizon still held a faint lingering glow.
Su Xiahe woke from her deep sleep, her cheeks flushed with a faint hint of red.
She immediately jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, splashing a handful of water on her face in an attempt to cool herself down.
She was embarrassed by the dream she’d had last night.
In the dream, she had vaguely kissed a man, and when she saw his face clearly, her heart had raced uncontrollably.
The man in the dream seemed to be…
Shen Jin.
At the thought, she splashed another handful of water on her face.
Once she had calmed down, she began to sternly lecture herself.
He helped you so selflessly because of his noble character, because of his spirit of willingness to help others—not a single trace of personal motive involved.
Even if it were a dog, he would have done the same.
You are not his exception.
But what about you?
You had no place to stay, and he kindly let you stay with him. And instead of being grateful, you actually dare to covet him!
You even harbored such filthy thoughts.
Su Xiahe, did all those years of moral education go straight to the dogs?
After this stern self-lecture, she immediately straightened out her improper thoughts.
After washing up, she went downstairs.
No one was downstairs, only the occasional sound coming from the kitchen.
It was Aunt Zhou preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
She walked over: “Aunt Zhou, let me help you.”
Aunt Zhou shook her head: “You’re a guest of the young lady and Dr. Shen, so don’t bother yourself with kitchen work. I can handle it alone.”
Su Xiahe was insistent: “I’m staying here as a guest. If I don’t help out with something, I’ll feel really bad about it.”
Seeing her sincere attitude, Aunt Zhou didn’t refuse again and let her help wash the vegetables.
She thought this girl had a gentle temperament and was very polite—she had formed a good impression of her.
Shen Jin came downstairs with his cane, limping as he walked.
In the living room, Su Xiahe was setting breakfast on the table.
There was both Chinese-style breakfast and Western-style breakfast.
Shen Jin walked to the dining area and glanced at the breakfast on the table: “A-He, did you make breakfast?”
Su Xiahe didn’t dare take the credit and quickly shook her head: “No, no, Aunt Zhou made it. I only helped out on the side.”
Aunt Zhou chimed in with a smile: “Miss Su is very efficient with her hands. The vegetables and dishes were all washed by Miss Su.”
Shen Jin’s gaze unconsciously drifted to Su Xiahe’s hands.
Those slender, fair fingertips—delicate and exquisite. How could they be used for washing vegetables and dishes?
Clearly, they would be far more useful elsewhere… such as tracing over an intimate garment.
“Aunt Zhou,” he turned to look at her, “from now on, don’t let A-He wash vegetables or dishes anymore.”
Aunt Zhou couldn’t guess her employer’s meaning: “Dr. Shen, what do you mean…”
Shen Jin explained gently: “A-He studies the pipa. Her hands are very precious.”
Su Xiahe immediately said: “No, no, it’s really fine.”
She wasn’t some famous master—she wasn’t that delicate.
Aunt Zhou finally understood. She had heard before that there was some piano master who had taken out a huge insurance policy on his hands.
She couldn’t quite understand such behavior, but then again, how could an ordinary person like her fathom the thoughts of the ultra-wealthy?
Aunt Zhou agreed: “Alright, I understand, Dr. Shen.”
“Aunt Zhou,” Shen Jin sat down at the dining table, “please go call my sister and Dongdong down for breakfast.”
“Alright.”
Aunt Zhou went upstairs.
“Sit down.” Shen Jin looked at Su Xiahe.
Su Xiahe was still a bit reserved: “Oh, okay.”
After sitting down, she asked, “How’s your foot?”
Shen Jin said, “It still hurts a bit.”
The girl’s gaze dimmed slightly.
Shen Jin knew—she was feeling guilty again.
“It should be better in a couple of days.” He changed the subject. “Did you sleep well last night?”
Sleep well?
She nodded emphatically: “Mm, I slept very well.”
Speaking of which, it was strange.
She was usually someone who had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, and she wasn’t someone who easily fell into deep sleep.
But last night, she felt she had slept very soundly, without waking up in the middle of the night.
If it were usual, she would always wake up once or twice during the night.
But then again, this was the suburbs—relatively quiet to begin with. The estate was surrounded by lush greenery year-round, and the air was naturally fresh and pleasant.
Add to that the sea of roses downstairs, releasing their intoxicating fragrance.
Such an environment could indeed make one feel at ease.
She had even had such a shameful dream.
At the thought, Su Xiahe couldn’t help but blush.
She quickly changed the subject: “Oh, by the way, thank you for preparing the clothes for me.”
“You’re welcome.”
Shen Tan led Xu Dongdong downstairs as well.
After exchanging greetings, they all sat down to eat breakfast together.
Xu Dongdong’s eyes lit up: “Teacher Su, will you play with me after breakfast? I still have lots of new toys.”
Before Su Xiahe could even open her mouth, Shen Jin spoke up first.
“Teacher Su has other work arrangements later. She can’t play with you. Today you’ll go do your homework by yourself.”
Xu Dongdong immediately threw a tantrum upon hearing that, tossing aside his spoon and starting to act up: “No! I want Teacher Su to play with me. Teacher Su promised me last night!”
Su Xiahe looked over: “Dongdong, be good. Teacher Su needs to help your uncle with some work first. Once that’s done, I’ll play with you, okay?”
Xu Dongdong pouted and shook his head stubbornly: “No! I want Teacher Su to play with me all day. I don’t care, I want Teacher Su to play with me…”
Su Xiahe tried to soothe his little temper: “Our Dongdong isn’t a little kid anymore. We should be obedient, right?”
She was at a loss with the spoiled child in front of her, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
Shen Jin watched Xu Dongdong quietly, saying nothing.
A gentle smile still lingered on his face, but somewhere along the way, a dark undercurrent had begun to stir deep within his eyes.
Noticing the dark undercurrent in Shen Jin’s eyes, Shen Tan immediately frowned and snapped: “Xu Dongdong, eat your food now!”
The suppression from bloodline made Xu Dongdong shut his mouth instantly.
He rubbed his eyes and very reluctantly picked up a shaomai with his chopsticks, stuffing it into his mouth.
As he chewed, golden teardrops silently rolled down his cheeks.
He thought to himself that his mother must be the scariest person in the world.
After breakfast, Shen Tan went to Xu Dongdong’s room.
Xu Dongdong was still sobbing at the table, tears streaming down his face. When he saw Shen Tan come in, he cried even louder.
Between sobs, he murmured: “Mommy is a meanie, the scariest person in the world.”
Shen Tan sat down in front of little Dongdong and said earnestly:
“Dongdong, Mommy has told you many times—when your uncle says something, you listen carefully and don’t make him unhappy. Why do you never listen?”
Xu Dongdong’s nose was running: “Uncle is so good to me. Even if I make him mad, he definitely wouldn’t bear to hit me.”
Hit? If only a beating were all it took.
Shen Tan reminded him seriously: “Anyway, just remember what Mommy told you, understand?”
Xu Dongdong nodded, not quite understanding why.
Dongdong, you have no idea—your uncle is the scariest person in this world.