“Wanli, I can’t accept what’s inside.” Qiao Ling patted her head, her gentle voice tinged with seriousness. “Put it away and take a breather. Doctor Lu will be here soon.”
“But…” Yu Wanli wanted to persuade her further, but knowing Qiao Ling’s unwavering nature, she realized it was futile. For now, she would keep the “gift” meant for her.
Nine o’clock.
Lu Jiang arrived punctually, carrying an exquisitely decorated paper box in his hand. Placing it on the table, he said in a soft voice, “Miss Qiao, these are the supplements Mr. Xie asked me to bring.”
“Mm, thanks.” Qiao Ling propped her cheek on her hand, leaning lazily against the sofa, a hint of weariness in her brow. “Wanli is taking a shower. Please have a seat, Doctor Lu.”
Lu Jiang replied, “Yes.”
An old movie played on the living room television. Qiao Ling and Chi Nian, both looking utterly relaxed, lounged on either side of the sofa, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Not long after.
Yu Wanli emerged from her shower, dressed in cartoon-themed pajamas. Her damp, long hair was wrapped in a towel, and her fair, pretty face was flushed with a rosy glow from the steam.
Lu Jiang, seated upright on the sofa, glanced at her, then quickly averted his gaze.
Yu Wanli sat down beside him and naturally extended her arm, waiting for him to tend to her wound. Turning her head, she suddenly said to Qiao Ling with great seriousness, “Darling, let’s buy a Rolls-Royce!”
“…” Qiao Ling rubbed her forehead, shifting her gaze to Yu Wanli. After a moment of silence, her red lips parted slightly. “Alright.”
Chi Nian, “???”
“Lingling! You’re spoiling her!”
Yu Wanli glared at him, tilting her chin up and letting out a smug hum.
Beside them, Lu Jiang suddenly spoke up, “Miss Yu, the injury on your arm…”
“I accidentally hurt it. Please treat it as well.” Yu Wanli replied casually, already mentally planning which Rolls-Royce model to buy.
Hearing Lu Jiang’s words, Qiao Ling glanced at Yu Wanli’s forearm. From her angle, she could see a small bruise.
This was the injury Aunt Luo had caused at the hospital that day…
But from Lu Jiang’s direct view, hidden within the bruise were two deep, distinct cuts.
This was clearly… self-harm.
He furrowed his brows, suppressing the words in his heart, and quickly yet carefully treated the wound.
Before leaving, Lu Jiang found an excuse to get Yu Wanli’s contact information, then applied medicine to Chi Nian’s injuries before hurrying off.
The three of them didn’t linger in the living room for long. Soon after, they each returned to their rooms to rest.
The moon was bright, the stars sparse.
In the dead of night, the pitch-black living room suddenly lit up.
Chi Nian, with his messy bird’s nest hair and clutching a bulging black backpack, squinted his mismatched phoenix eyes and picked up a sticky note from the bar counter. With a resentful expression, he scribbled two lines in a hurried, gritted-teeth manner:
「Third Brother is heading out first! See you at the Devil’s Special Training Camp!」
「Breakfast for the next two days is already prepared. Just heat it up in the microwave.」
Damn it!
One day, he would… he would rebel against Zhou Jinyue’s oppressive tyranny!
Calling someone in the middle of the night when they’re sleeping the soundest! Ruining their sweet dreams!
Only someone like the Young Master could do something so utterly heartless!
That damn demon!
Muttering curses under his breath, Chi Nian closed the living room door and jabbed repeatedly at the elevator button.
Early morning.Dawn was breaking, the morning light splendid.
The morning glow filled the entire living room, the ornate crystal chandelier refracting sparkling dots of light onto the oil paintings on the walls. Rose-tailed fish of various colors, like water fairies, danced freely in the large aquarium embedded in the wall.
The young girl stepped into the living room over the mottled light spots, her graceful figure outlined by the golden rays. Her fresh, enchanting face, free of makeup, was indescribably beautiful.
Qiao Ling raised her arms, casually tying her loose curls into a high ponytail, put on her earphones, glanced at the sticky note on the bar counter, and a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips.
In the park downstairs, there weren’t many people out for a morning run. After running five kilometers, Qiao Ling was about to head home when she suddenly heard a hoarse yet excited shout from behind:
“Hey, hey, hey! That girl running! Don’t go! Don’t leave!”
At this moment, the only girl running here was Qiao Ling. Wiping the sweat from her chin, she turned to see an elderly man, not exactly familiar, excitedly jogging toward her.
The old man was dressed in white morning exercise attire, holding a fan in his hand, still fanning himself as he ran.
A moment later.
The old man reached Qiao Ling, asking warmly with a smile, “Little girl, remember me?”
Without waiting for her answer, he continued, “Early this spring, in the red pavilion, you played a game of chess with me! Still have an impression?”
Qiao Ling nodded, “I remember.”
After a pause.
She called out, “Grandpa Zisang.”
“Yes, yes, yes! That’s me!” Zisang Huazang leaned closer, fanning her with his fan, and said with a grin, “Little girl, I’ve been wandering around the park every day these past few days looking for you. If I hadn’t been sharp-eyed today, I would’ve missed you again.”
Qiao Ling asked, “Do you need something from me?”
“Yes!” Zisang Huazang slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “Something big!”
Qiao Ling raised an eyebrow and said calmly, “Go ahead.”
“It’s like this, Grandpa has an old friend whose grandson just returned from abroad. That young man is so handsome, he’s one in a million! I…”
Zisang Huazang had only spoken halfway, just about to get to the main point, when Qiao Ling’s clear, pleasant voice chimed in.
“I understand what you mean, Grandpa Zisang. I appreciate your kindness.”
The rest of the words, Qiao Ling didn’t need to say; Zisang Huazang could understand.
He pursed his lips, his eyes widening in surprise. After a moment, he recovered and sighed regretfully, “Alright then. Though it’s a pity, Grandpa still wants to tell you—”
Qiao Ling didn’t think he was about to offer some words of blessing. Sure enough, the next second, she heard The Old Master passionately exclaim:
“There are millions of men in the world, if one doesn’t work out, just change!”
“Girl! If your boyfriend isn’t good enough, just swap him out quickly! A pretty girl like you shouldn’t have her heart broken by some worthless man!”
Hearing this.
Qiao Ling couldn’t help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile and nodded, “You’re right.”
“Well then, since you agree with what Grandpa said, how about leaving your contact info for me?”
“When there’s time, Grandpa will invite you for a game of chess!”
Qiao Ling extended her hand toward him, “Give me your phone.”
“Sure, sure!” Zisang Huazang chuckled, pulling out his phone and handing it to her.
Qiao Ling saved her phone number. Drenched in sweat, she didn’t linger any longer. Returning the phone to him, she said, “I’ll head back now.””Go on back~” Zisang Huazang waved with a smile. After he had walked away, he lowered his head to glance at his phone contacts, his expression turning to surprise.
Qiao Ling.
So this girl is the daughter Qiao Hai raised?
What a coincidence!
At that moment, Qiao Ling, who was heading home, received a call from Yu Wanli.