"I had to go out of my way to squeeze out one more spot for you, and you're complaining after getting the better end of the deal!" Jin Kela cursed as he left the room.
Stanley, who was cleaning the living room, saw this and asked curiously, "Ah Jin, what's wrong with Xiao Xuan?"
"Nothing, Lily. I've got a lot to keep me busy over the next couple of days, so I'll have to trouble you to look after the two of them." Unlike how he acted outside, when no one else was around, Jin Kela used a much more affectionate nickname for Stanley, and his tone was remarkably soft.
At the mention of Shen Xuan and Luo Xiaoxue, the elderly woman smiled fondly. "You don't need to tell me; I'll take good care of those two children."
Old Man Jin habitually reached out and gently placed his hand on her head.
Just then, however, Jin Kela suddenly felt as though someone was watching him from behind. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of a small head peeking out from the corner, a pair of big eyes darting around as they openly observed the scene.
Who else could it be but Luo Xiaoxue.
Jin Kela gave a dry cough, quickly pulled back his hand, and strode out the door.
Mother Stanley remained completely calm, smiling kindly. "Xiao Xue, go see your big brother Shen Xuan."
Hearing this, the young girl's cheeks flushed slightly, making her look even sweeter and more adorable.
"Got it, Grandma! You remember to drink the chicken soup simmering in the kitchen." With that, she carefully carried the bowl of chicken soup toward Shen Xuan's room.
Mother Stanley smiled and shook her head. Watching the girl's retreating figure, she seemed to see her own younger self, who had once so bravely pursued love—even though that certain clueless fellow hadn't figured it out until they were old.
***
"Old Man Jin is truly a ruthless capitalist; no, I reckon even real capitalists would weep if they met him." Shen Xuan muttered to himself in his room. His flat tone carried no real malice, sounding more like he was simply complaining for the sake of it.
Anyway, money meant nothing to him either way.
*Knock, knock, knock...*
"Shen Xuan, I'm coming in."
A light, pleasant, girlish voice drifted in from outside.
Yet the latter half of that sentence suddenly conjured an evil image in Shen Xuan's mind—some weird uncle with drool dripping from the corner of his mouth slowly closing in on his prey, flashing a wicked grin as he said: *Little uncle is coming in for you now...*
Shen Xuan quickly shook the image out of his head.
Fortunately, it was just the Luo girl speaking. If it had been any male creature, he probably would have already opened the door and unleashed a bolt of lightning.
"It's little sister Xiao Xue. Come on in, the door's unlocked."
The girl, wearing a cute white dress, pushed the door open and sat down on the edge of the bed holding the chicken soup.
Shen Xuan sat up, stared at Luo Xiaoxue's face for a few seconds, and then asked in confusion, "Why is your face so red?"
"Huh? N-nothing, it was probably just hot in the kitchen..." The little girl hurriedly made up an excuse, then lifted the porcelain bowl to change the subject. "Must be hungry, right? This chicken soup was just simmered."
Shen Xuan was about to raise his hand to take the bowl, but Luo Xiaoxue had already taken the spoon herself, gently blowing on the hot soup before bringing it right to his lips.
*This girl has had a change of heart.*
*Looks like my act actually worked.*
Shen Xuan thought to himself, not about to refuse her kindness.
"How does it taste?" The girl looked at him full of anticipation, her clear, bright eyes seeming to speak for themselves.
Shen Xuan nodded. "Very good."
Hearing this answer, Luo Xiaoxue felt a sweet warmth bloom in her chest. As she continued feeding him, she added casually, "Grandpa went out again just now, and he looked kind of angry."
"Old Man Jin's temper has been eccentric for more than just a day or two."
Shen Xuan didn't care in the least. He took another sip of the soup, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Xiao Xue, aren't you going to have some?"
Xiao Xue'er froze slightly, looking down at the spoon. Her pretty face grew a little hot before she cast a stealthy glance at him.
Did he say that on purpose?
He certainly didn't look like he did, though.
Luo Xiaoxue felt as if some invisible force was pushing her, urging her to bring the spoon to her own lips.
But wouldn't that be too... embarrassing?
Two seconds later—
*Gulp.*
Though the little girl's heart was entirely conflicted, her actions were completely honest as she swallowed the spoonful of chicken soup in one go.
As soon as she finished, she shoved the entire bowl right into Shen Xuan's hands, lowering her head to avoid meeting his gaze as she stammered, "I—I suddenly remembered I have some things to do, drink it yourself!"
With that, Luo Xiaoxue scurried out of the room, once again leaving a certain someone utterly baffled...