His otherwise ordinary features became unexpectedly vivid because of the touch of rosy color on his cupid’s bow. Even the icy aura surrounding him softened.
Lu Zhixing slowly rolled the candy over his tongue, licking it bit by bit.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and deep within them flickered unmistakable satisfaction.
After finishing the candy, he stood up.
His tall, slender figure moved with effortless grace, calm and unhurried.
He first adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, ensuring the metal cufflinks sat perfectly in place. Then he straightened his upturned collar. The tightly buttoned neckline occasionally revealed a glimpse of pale skin.
Only after the warmth had completely faded from his cheeks did he open the door and step outside.
His wife disliked people who were untidy or disheveled.
He had to remain composed at all times, carefully maintaining both his appearance and his attire, never allowing himself to appear anything less than his best.
Meanwhile, Wen Lan stared absentmindedly at the clichéd, melodramatic television drama playing across from her.
Her husband and daughter had gone upstairs not long ago and still hadn’t come back down.
To be honest, she felt relieved.
She truly had no idea how to interact with either her husband or her child.
At least…
Not yet.
Pressing her lips together, Wen Lan’s amber eyes appeared especially cool and distant.
Uncle Xiao walked over carrying a fruit platter.
After glancing at the mistress, who was intently watching the television, he thought for a moment before placing a plate of strawberries in front of her.
His mistress might appear cold and aloof on the outside, but she had always loved eating strawberries, something that, in this world, was generally considered a favorite treat among delicate young men.
“Master, go ahead and eat. These strawberries were just picked from our own orchard.”
The short, kindly man looked at Wen Lan with a warm smile.
Pressing her lips together, Wen Lan quietly replied, “Thank you.”
Uncle Xiao looked at her in surprise before beaming.
“No need to thank me. Just eat plenty.”
The master’s condition really does seem much better lately, he thought.
Wen Lan ate the strawberries one by one, her expression unconsciously softening. She lowered her head, her long curled lashes concealing every trace of emotion in her eyes.
“Oh, right, Master.”
Uncle Xiao bent down slightly toward Wen Lan, smiling as he spoke.
Wen Lan looked up at the amiable man with a puzzled expression.
Seeing the curiosity on her face, Uncle Xiao deliberately lowered his voice even further. His slightly aged voice sounded softly beside her ear.
“Let me tell you a little secret.”
Wen Lan’s eyelashes trembled gently, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly.
“What is it?”
She looked even more innocent than before. If one looked closely, the icy fragments in her eyes resembled rippling spring water, gentle and soft.
Uncle Xiao’s heart filled with even greater affection for her, and his voice became increasingly doting.
“Little Miss likes strawberries too, just like you.”
Wen Lan hadn’t expected that answer.
She was momentarily at a loss, but quickly concealed it, picking up a plump, bright red strawberry and placing it into her mouth.
“Master, you could bring these strawberries to Little Miss. She’d be so happy.”
Then, worried that his mistress might not understand such a complicated suggestion, he thought for a moment before adding,
“You can play with Little Miss. You two can be friends.”
The way Uncle Xiao spoke, as though coaxing a small child, made Wen Lan feel so awkward that she simply fell silent, pretending to concentrate on the television.
Only after Uncle Xiao had left did Wen Lan turn her attention back to the bowl of strawberries in front of her.
For once, she found herself hesitating.
Earlier, her principal husband had carried their daughter upstairs for a nap.
That little bundle named Wen Wu was probably asleep by now.
But…
What if she wasn’t?
Children loved to play and were full of energy. Perhaps she hadn’t fallen asleep at all.
A whirlwind of thoughts passed through Wen Lan’s mind.
In the end, she stood up, carrying the glass bowl of strawberries.
She told herself that she would only take a look.
If the little girl was asleep, she would simply leave the strawberries on the small table.
If she wasn’t asleep…
Wen Lan suddenly felt nervous.
This was bad.
She had absolutely no experience interacting with children.
After hesitating again and again, she finally walked to the light blue door.
Standing quietly outside, she listened carefully.
There wasn’t a sound from inside.
The little girl was probably asleep.
For a moment, Wen Lan couldn’t quite describe what she was feeling.
Part of her felt relieved.
Another part felt oddly disappointed.
Quietly turning the doorknob, she stepped inside.
There lay Wen Wu, fast asleep in her little bed.
Wen Lan stood there, gazing intently at the child’s features, so strikingly similar to her own.
She stared for a long time, gradually becoming lost in thought.
“…She really does look so much like me.”
She murmured the words unconsciously.
Noticing the little girl’s eyelids twitch slightly, Wen Lan immediately came back to her senses and quietly placed the bowl of strawberries on the small table beside the bed.
Just as she was about to slip out unnoticed, she suddenly sensed someone watching her from the doorway.
Startled, she turned around.
Her principal husband was standing quietly in the shadows, looking at her.