“So Yawen, about what I promised you before, I’m afraid I can’t…”
“Aunt Xie, would you like to try this traditional massage technique? Apparently, it’s their signature treatment,” Zhuang Yawen was flipping through a brochure and happened to speak at the same time as Xie Yunlan.
She realized afterward that she had interrupted and gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
Xie Yunlan had originally wanted to say that she’d forget about introducing her to Xie Dingyuan, but after being interrupted like that, it became awkward to bring it up again.
“It’s nothing. You mentioned traditional massage just now?”
“Yes, this one—take a look.” She handed over the brochure with a smile, but her heart sank slightly.
She had heard what Xie Yunlan was trying to say, and more or less guessed the rest.
That’s exactly why she cut in—to stop it from being said aloud. Once it was out, there would be no room to recover.
If she still wanted to keep her “reserved and graceful” persona, she absolutely couldn’t push forward. If Xie Yunlan said to drop it, then she could only drop it.
“This looks quite nice,” Xie Yunlan closed the brochure and set it aside. “Let’s give it a try, then.”
Zhuang Yawen nodded right away. “I want to try it too…”
After the massage, the therapist left.
The scent of the aromatherapy oil made Xie Yunlan feel drowsy.
Zhuang Yawen suddenly spoke. “A bowl of black sesame rice balls as a late-night snack would make this moment perfect.”
Xie Yunlan was a bit surprised. “You like black sesame rice balls?”
“Mhm, especially the ones from Juquanlou—fragrant, glutinous, thick filling, thin skin… one bite and your whole mouth is full of sesame aroma.”
“What a coincidence, I like theirs too. Ah, now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m craving them.”
“Haha, my bad, totally my fault. Actually, I’m not bad at cooking. If Aunt Xie doesn’t mind, you could try some of what I make.”
“Oh? You can cook?”
Zhuang Yawen gave a shy smile. “I took some lessons. The black sesame rice balls I learned from an old master chef at Juquanlou.”
“Really…” Xie Yunlan was a bit tempted, but still didn’t invite her to the villa.
Zhuang Yawen’s eyes twinkled. “I booked a suite, and there’s a small kitchen inside. Fully stocked. Why don’t you come over tomorrow morning? I’ll make something simple, and then we can go shopping. Since we’re already here, might as well have some fun. But I don’t have any friends in Linhuai…”
She gave a gentle sigh as she said that.
Of course, Xie Yunlan agreed immediately.
She’d originally been torn about inviting someone to the villa. Now, that concern was gone.
She was increasingly impressed by how thoughtful and comfortable Yawen was to be around.
……
Morning, 6:30 AM.
Xie Dingyuan woke up in his apartment and began his morning routine.
At 7:00, he left right on time.
While waiting for the elevator, he ran into Old Bai, who had just gotten up and stepped out in pajamas to take out the trash.
They stood in the hallway and made eye contact.
Old Bai’s half-yawn froze midair. Mouth agape, he looked ridiculous. Xie Dingyuan glanced once and looked away immediately.
“Professor?” Old Bai shut his mouth and walked over, staring like he’d spotted a rare species. “You… why are you here?”
As he spoke, he glanced toward the apartment at the end of the hallway and suddenly understood.
“You stayed over here last night?”
“Mhm.”
“Heading to the lab already?” Old Bai scratched his head—it was only seven. That’s terrifying.
Then again, not being terrifying wouldn’t be Xie Dingyuan.
Ding—
The elevator arrived.
Xie Dingyuan stepped in without ever answering the lab question.
Old Bai didn’t overthink it. Instead, he felt guilty—was he being too lazy?
He rushed back, cleaned up, changed, and hurried to the lab.
But when he arrived—no one was there.
“Where’s Professor Xie?”
Meanwhile, Xie Dingyuan had already parked outside the Jiang family villa.
At 7:30 sharp, Jiang Fuyue appeared.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” She got in the passenger seat, buckled up.
“I just got here.” In truth, he’d been waiting for 15 minutes.
Jiang Fuyue: “Had breakfast?”
Xie Dingyuan froze.
Before he could answer, a steaming bag of buns was handed to him. “My mom made these. They’re pretty good. Want to try?”
He took them. “…Thank you.”
He had left straight from home and hadn’t eaten. The smell of the buns made his stomach growl, and even he couldn’t help swallowing.
Jiang Fuyue: “Still early. Want to eat first? They’re better hot.”
“…Okay.”
So, Xie Dingyuan sat in the car, eating bun after bun.
Jiang Fuyue handed him a cup with a straw. “Soy milk.”
The buns were dry—he couldn’t really talk. The straw was near his lips, and he instinctively leaned in and sipped.
Jiang Fuyue blinked, then just held it for him, passing it to him occasionally between bites.
But this made Xie Dingyuan awkward.
His gaze wandered, his ears turned red—then he suddenly stiffened.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
He choked.
Jiang Fuyue quickly brought the soy milk closer. “Quick, drink.”
He opened his mouth. But then almost choked again—because a soft hand was patting his back gently.
Jiang Fuyue: “Feeling better?”
Her technique was clumsy, with uneven pressure.
Not her fault—she had only seen her Little Brother get helped like this by Han Yunru before. Doing it herself was a first.
Xie Dingyuan: “I—I’m okay…”
“But why is your face getting redder? Is it stuck?” She kept patting.
Now not just his ears and cheeks—his whole neck was red.
Jiang Fuyue: “?” Did I mess him up by patting?
Xie Dingyuan: “…” If rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath count as issues, then yes, you messed me up.
“I’m fine.” He took a deep breath and composed himself.
She looked at him. He seemed alright. She withdrew her hand but still held the soy milk out. “Want more?”
He jerked his head back like avoiding a plague. “N-No thanks.”
Jiang Fuyue didn’t think much of it. Just grabbed the plastic bag and got out to throw it away.
“Let’s go.”
Xie Dingyuan started the engine, staring straight ahead. He looked normal to her.
But in reality, both his hands were sweaty on the wheel, breathing erratic, heart pounding.
The spot on his back where she’d patted still burned.
—
In the building, the two went to their respective changing rooms.
Xie Dingyuan changed quickly, then rushed to the restroom to splash cold water on his face before finally calming down.
When he reappeared, he was once again the cool, composed, and serious Professor Xie.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fuyue was already at her computer, starting on today’s modeling work.
Completely unaware, totally carefree.
Only Old Bai was suspicious. His gaze darted between them—if he wasn’t mistaken, they’d arrived together again.
Last time they left together, now they came together—how is this “just happened to be on the way”?
So… Professor Xie went to pick her up?
If there’s nothing going on between them, he’d eat his shoes.
What, you think he’s never been in love?
Okay, he hasn’t. Perpetual bachelor.
But he’s watched enough romance dramas and shipped enough couples to know how to sniff out sweet moments!
…..
Back to Xie Yunlan. After breakfast, she had the driver take her to Yawen’s hotel.
It wasn’t right to show up empty-handed, so she picked a bottle of red wine from the villa’s cellar to bring.
When the door opened, a woman in home clothes and a plain apron appeared, makeup-free and with a soft smile.
“Aunt Xie, you’re here. Please come in,” Zhuang Yawen greeted with a bright smile.
Xie Yunlan was surprised. “And you are…?”
“Sorry, I’ve been preparing ingredients since morning. I didn’t even have time for makeup. Hope I didn’t scare you.”
“Not at all! You’re lovely without makeup—look at that glowing skin…”
What surprised her most was how Zhuang Yawen looked exactly like the ideal wife—caring, homey, the kind who’d take good care of her husband.
With Little Nine so busy, having someone like this at home, managing things well, wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
She had originally let go of the idea—but now, she was reconsidering… again.
