The man froze at the sudden appearance of the girl.
By the time he reacted, he quickly buckled his belt. “I…”
“Yueyue, are you okay?” Han Heng’s voice rang out, his footsteps drawing nearer.
Xie Dingyuan’s entire body tensed.
Bang!
Jiang Fuyue shut the door and turned to block it. Facing Han Heng, who was approaching, she gave a soft smile.
“What’s going on in here? All that banging—don’t tell me there’s a rat or something?” As he spoke, he tilted his head toward the tightly shut second bedroom.
Jiang Fuyue replied calmly, “There was a problem with the water pipe. I’ve already informed the front desk.”
Han Heng didn’t suspect anything. “Forget it, we’re heading home soon anyway. Oh, did you finish packing?”
“Almost.”
“Alright, then you go pack. I’ll just look around…” As he spoke, he reached for the second bedroom’s door handle.
Jiang Fuyue’s eyelid twitched sharply—she immediately grabbed his arm.
Han Heng froze, but warmth quickly welled up in his chest. Yueyue’s being affectionate!
“Uncle, you’ve worked hard coming all this way. Go have a seat on the sofa. I’ll be done soon.”
As she spoke, she led him to the living room.
Han Heng chuckled as he walked. “No rush, take your time. I’m not in any hurry.”
“Oh? But I heard celebrities are always busy—either heading to a shoot or coming back from one?”
“Pfft, that’s other people. Your uncle’s long past the grind. Now it’s time to enjoy life.”
Jiang Fuyue brought him to the sofa, pressed him down to sit, and stuffed a water cup into his hand.
“Wait here—I’ll finish packing in no time.”
“Told you, no rush! Take your time!”
“Okay—” Jiang Fuyue smiled, turned, and ducked back into the second bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Inside, Xie Dingyuan was fully dressed, though his hair was slightly tousled.
With his tall figure wrapped in a trench coat, just standing there casually made him look like a noble pine or graceful orchid—impeccable and refined.
“I thought you were gone!”
“Is it not a good time for me to leave?”
They both spoke at the same time.
Jiang Fuyue fell briefly silent. “…My uncle’s here.”
Xie Dingyuan murmured, “…Oh.”
“If you don’t want to get beaten up, stay put until we’re gone.”
“…Alright.”
Jiang Fuyue finished her warning and was about to leave when she suddenly paused. “Just in case—remember to lock the door.”
With that, she went to the master bedroom to finish packing.
She checked on Han Heng once—he was still on the sofa, playing with two stuffed toys.
Husky in his left hand, bunny in his right.
Grinning like a satisfied fool.
“Yueyue—”
“What?” Jiang Fuyue paused her movements.
“I think the second bedroom won’t open!”
“Uncle, wait a sec—” Jiang Fuyue quickly shut her suitcase and dashed out.
Han Heng frowned. “What’s with this second bedroom? The door’s totally locked?”
Uh…
“No idea, maybe the lock’s broken.”
“What’s with this hotel? First the pipes break, now the lock? And this is a top-floor suite?! No way, I’m calling to complain—”
He reached for his phone.
Jiang Fuyue quickly stopped him. “Maybe the hotel didn’t want this to happen either. Accidents are unavoidable. Let’s try to be understanding?”
Han Heng suddenly gave her a penetrating look.
Jiang Fuyue’s gaze flickered. “Uncle, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Yueyue! I’m so disappointed in you!”
“?”
“How could you be like this?”
“?”
“So kind, so thoughtful, so tolerant, so generous!”
“……”
“What are you gonna do when you face the cruelty of society and the wickedness of humanity? I’d rather you be cunning and sly at least—you’d be less likely to get bullied!”
Looking at the innocent, harmless girl in front of him, Han Heng was suddenly overwhelmed by a fatherly sort of concern—even though he wasn’t her father.
My girl is the purest flower, the sweetest bird. She’s fragile as glass, too delicate for the world.
She must be cherished, protected, treasured…
“Uh… Uncle, I’m done packing. Let’s go.”
“That fast? Alright, alright—let’s get out of here. I’ll book your hotel next time—never staying here again…”
Their voices faded as they walked away. Only then did Xie Dingyuan unlock the door and step out.
While waiting for the elevator, Han Heng insisted on carrying the suitcase.
“It’s not heavy. I can carry it—”
“This has nothing to do with weight. With me here, how can I let you lift a finger? If the old man found out, he’d flay me alive! Besides, I’d feel bad myself.”
In the end, Jiang Fuyue gave in and handed it over.
“Heh heh…” Han Heng was very pleased.
Ding—
The elevator arrived.
Jiang Fuyue stepped in first. Han Heng followed, but just as he was halfway in, he suddenly stopped.
“Cr*p! I forgot the roses!”
He spun around and ran back.
Jiang Fuyue’s face changed, and she hurried after him—
But it was too late. The charging Uncle Han ran smack into Xie Dingyuan just as he was exiting the room.
They stared at each other. The air froze.
Jiang Fuyue, catching up, immediately slowed down and stayed back.
Now was definitely the time to keep a safe distance…
After a long, tense pause—
Han Heng: “…Who are you?”
Xie Dingyuan lowered his eyes and replied, “Maintenance. Fixing the pipes.”
“Pfft. No offense, but your hotel’s got the slowest service ever. How long’s it been since the issue? What happened to reputation?”
“…Apologies.”
“Forget it. Anyway, I’m never letting my kid stay at this place again. You’ve lost a customer for life!”
Xie Dingyuan: “……”
“Tch! Look at you, all stiff and awkward. Whatever, not your fault I guess.”
With that, Han Heng brushed past him and went into the room.
He found the bouquet and came out beaming. “Here, take it! Almost forgot.”
Jiang Fuyue accepted it, hugging the roses. “Thanks.”
“Huh? Where’d that guy go?”
“He left.”
“That fast?”
“Mhm.”
“Gotta say, that repair guy was pretty good-looking. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before. Weirdly familiar.”
Jiang Fuyue didn’t respond.
Han Heng didn’t press.
The two went back to the elevator. This time, no more drama.
Jiang Fuyue checked out and got into Han Heng’s car.
Meanwhile, across the street, a glint of lens flare—followed by a shutter click.
——
Back at the Han residence, just as they entered—
“Woof!”
The next second, a black blur shot out and skidded to a stop right in front of Jiang Fuyue.
“Woof woof—”
The Rottweiler was already huge, and with Han Ting’s “excessive pampering,” it was even rounder and bulkier. Now, squatting in front of Jiang Fuyue, it looked like a giant meatball.
Han Heng: “Little Mang! Can you act a little more refined? You almost scared Yueyue!”
“Woof~” The dog drooped its head. Fine, whatever.
Jiang Fuyue bent down and gently patted its head, then tried to pull her hand back—only for Little Mang to block her, rubbing against her leg like crazy.
“Whimper~” Dare you pet me again?
Han Heng looked shocked. “What’s up with Little Mang today? He never lets people touch his head. Always snarling. And now with you…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Fuyue gave it another pat—and the dog looked downright blissed out.
Han Heng: “?”
“Whimper~” Sooo good~
“D*mn! Even dogs play double standards now?!”
“Woof—” You’re the one with double standards!
Han Heng jumped back in alarm. Little Mang lunged—but one wave from Jiang Fuyue, and it obediently backed off?
Han Heng stared in disbelief. “Yueyue, what did you do to Little Mang?”
“You don’t know?”
“Uh? How would I?”
“Remember last time I pinched him? You were there.”
“……” That’s it?
“Yueyue’s back!” Han Qishan had been waiting forever. Hearing movement, he tossed aside his newspaper and rushed out. The moment he saw Jiang Fuyue, his face lit up with wrinkles of joy.
“Grandpa.”
“Come, come—I had the housekeeper make some bird’s nest soup for you. Studying’s exhausting! Gotta nourish that brain!”
The old man led Jiang Fuyue inside.
Little Mang wagged his tail and scampered after them.
Han Heng, his biological son, didn’t even get a side glance. He was left sharing rank with the dog.
“Dumb mutt! You sycophantic mutt! You know Yueyue’s the favorite, so you cling to her and suck up! You… you… have no dignity!”
“Woof—” You’re the one with no dignity! One more word and I’ll bite!
Han Heng felt like crying. Even the family dog could bully him now. Damn it!
That afternoon, Han Shen and Han Ke returned for dinner. Even Han Ting showed up—after being threatened by their dad with his allowance.
The family reunion was rather heartwarming.
Han Qishan: “Yueyue, eat this. And this… this one too… This dish is good… Have some soup! Or maybe I’ll get the kitchen to make a few more desserts…”
Jiang Fuyue looked at her overflowing bowls and plates, sweat forming on her brow. “Really, I’m full—can’t eat any more…”
“Can’t fit any more? No problem!” The old man waved. “Aunt Wang, bring another set of bowls and plates! No—bring two!”
Everyone: “……”
