Chapter 34

She knew that standing on the mountainside for hours in the wind would give her a cold. And sure enough, she caught one.
Gu An’an struggled to take a breath. One nostril was completely blocked, the other barely letting out a thin stream of air. Since waking up that morning, tears had been streaming down her face alongside her nose. She’d gone through the house’s entire stock of tissues, leaving crumpled, used ones scattered across the floor. The room had been spotless, but the twisted, discarded tissues made it look like a trash heap.
Her head felt heavy, her nose raw and painful from too much wiping.
With great effort, she hauled herself up and headed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
Today was the day to return to the old mansion. She had originally planned to call Grandpa Xie to say she wouldn’t come, just for today. But this morning, the old man, probably waiting all week for her to return for the weekly meal, had called her. In her sleep, she’d heard him say that Madam Xie’s family would be at the mansion for lunch and that she should come early.
Seeing how eagerly he anticipated her arrival, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Her vision blurred from the physiological tears caused by holding back sneezes, but she forced herself to brush her teeth.
From getting up to leaving the house, she sneezed constantly, feeling as if her brain was being shaken around.
Alright, Lu Xingyu, just you wait.
Over at the Xie household, it was a rare lively gathering.
Not only was Madam Xie’s family present, but also several of Xie’s second uncle’s children. Shen Shan’s family was there too. Gu An’an had lived in the old mansion for a long time but had only rarely met the Xie sisters: Xie Wan and Xie Ying.
The two sisters sat with Shen Shan, chatting amicably. Shen Shan maintained her usual elegant, noble demeanor in front of elders.
When she saw Gu An’an approaching, she smiled and waved. “An’an, come sit with us.”
Her tone was friendly, not treating Gu An’an as an outsider.
The Xie sisters exchanged a glance and smiled lightly before resuming their conversation with Shen Shan as if nothing had happened.
It seemed that today’s lunch was really centered around Shen Shan and Lu Xingyu. Xie Wan and Xie Ying treated Shen Shan with the respect due to a distinguished guest. Yet when they lowered themselves to chat, they blended in effortlessly. The occasional coldness toward Gu An’an was simply because they didn’t want to engage with her.
Gu An’an wasn’t naive, she could see that.
She greeted Shen Shan, explaining that she had a cold and didn’t want to spread germs, so she wouldn’t join them.
Shen Shan looked a little disappointed. Honestly, she also found it difficult to converse with the two Xie sisters.
They were truly talented prodigies; their intellect and worldly knowledge were on a different level. Plus, having attended boarding schools abroad, their lifestyles and interests differed greatly.
Shen Shan, used to chatting casually with other superficial rich girls, found the Xie sisters’ highbrow demeanor challenging. She watched Gu An’an walk away with a tinge of regret, anxious for lunch to start so she could make a proper escape afterward.
Gu An’an left the living room and stood in the back garden, hands on her hips for a moment. She felt a sneeze brewing, one she couldn’t quite force out. At times like this, she hated Lu Xingyu.
That scoundrel Lu Xingyu, luckily he was rich. Otherwise, with his attitude, not even a forty-year-old widow in the village would marry him!
“Xiu Yi, do you know where Grandpa Xie is?” she asked, having not seen him in the study. She wandered through the house, catching the live-in housekeeper, Ah Xiu, on her way to bring fruit to the living room.
Ah Xiu was in her forties, from the same hometown as Gu An’an. Her husband and daughter had died in an earthquake. When Grandpa Xie had come to pick up Gu An’an, he’d taken her along out of pity, and Ah Xiu had been assigned to care for both her and Lu Xingyu.
Seeing how miserable Gu An’an looked, barely able to open her eyes, Ah Xiu hurried to fetch cold medicine.
“It’s nothing, just a little cold,” Gu An’an stopped her, glancing around. “Where is Grandpa Xie?”
“In the greenhouse.”
When Grandpa Xie was younger, he had been decisive and ruthless in business. In his old age, he developed a love for gardening. He had built a glass greenhouse in the back garden, personally tending to plants and weeding while he was still strong. Even during his rest periods, he spent two hours daily in the greenhouse. He didn’t resent not seeing wildlife in the city, just the sight of vibrant flowers lifted his spirits.
Gu An’an hugged Ah Xiu and slipped away. The housekeeper reminded her to come by later for the cold medicine.
“Got it!”
At the greenhouse, Gu An’an’s back was no longer straight, her legs weak, and she felt lightheaded. She pushed open the glass door with a few coughs and was about to call out “Grandpa Xie!”
Looking up, she met the eyes of a tall, handsome man crouched beside a cluster of clivia plants.
He held a small trowel, a bucket at his feet. Sunlight streamed through the glass above, scattering like tiny golden shards, draping the greenhouse in a glittering light.
The man stood with his back to a wooden swing chair, wearing a rare casual outfit instead of a suit: a loose black hooded sports jacket, matching sweatpants, sleeves rolled to reveal toned forearms, a sports watch with blue accents. Even farming didn’t seem to satisfy his abundant energy; his fair skin radiated youthful strength.
The clivia’s orange-red flowers gleamed. The greenhouse maintained constant warmth year-round, unaffected by the season.
He scooped dark soil from the bucket and carefully planted it over tiny seedlings in the pot. The plants were small, unidentifiable without close inspection. His movements were practiced, precise, like an experienced gardener.
So Xie Jinxing didn’t just dominate the business world; he could also grow flowers at home.
Truly the perfect male lead.
Their eyes met briefly. Gu An’an stumbled forward slightly.
Xie Jinxing quietly moved the bucket aside, wary of it being kicked over.
Gu An’an noticed a watering can behind the bucket. Xie Jinxing lifted it and sprinkled water over the seedlings, sending a moist scent to her nose. The smell of soil in the big city made her feel a little homesick.
“Uncle, what are you planting?” she asked, glancing around for Grandpa Xie.
“Baby bok choy,” he replied casually, standing and giving her a glance. Noticing her red, tear-stained eyes and tightly pressed lips, he asked, “Sick?”
Gu An’an leaned closer, eyes wide in disbelief, wanting to check the seedlings for herself.
She didn’t answer his question, fixating instead on his words. “You’re planting baby bok choy in the greenhouse?”
“What, is that a problem?” Xie Jinxing asked with absurd calm. “Grandpa wants fresh bok choy. I can make it so he can eat it less than five minutes after picking it. Problem?”
No problem.
Gu An’an was stunned, no, shocked. Her eyes widened, silently screaming: You’ve ruined your image! You’re supposed to be this terrifying, top-tier CEO type, not planting vegetables! Uncle, what are you doing?!
Her throat tightened. “So…you’re really planting baby bok choy in Grandpa’s greenhouse?”
“Can’t I?”
“…You can.” Gu An’an had been living with Grandpa Xie for over five years. She knew how much he treasured the greenhouse. Now, his estranged son, gone for nine years, was back, planting cabbage right next to Grandpa’s beloved clivia.
She couldn’t help but comment: “If Grandpa finds out…he might jump up with his cane and hit you to death.”
Perhaps her description was too vivid, as Xie Jinxing chuckled briefly before hiding it. He nodded, clearly unconcerned about Grandpa’s hypothetical reaction. Pointing at Gu An’an, he asked again, “Did you freeze on the third track last night?”
She remembered pretending to be near death just to sneak in a complaint. Now that her target had changed, she wasn’t sure how to act. Xie Jinxing wasn’t Grandpa Xie, and she worried he wouldn’t entertain her complaints about Lu Xingyu.
Awkwardly, she just stared at him.
He glanced at her lips, dry and peeling, probably dehydrated. He recalled the provocative message she sent the night before, just before ten. His smile faded.
Homosexual?
Never had a girlfriend because he likes men?
Lu Xingyu really was a remarkable nephew.
Hah.
The next second, his hand naturally reached toward her forehead.
The warmth of his palm on her icy forehead left Gu An’an dizzy. This was more shocking than seeing him wreak havoc in Grandpa’s greenhouse earlier. And if she remembered correctly, Xie Jinxing had serious cleanliness obsessions, he usually couldn’t stand any female presence besides the heroine.
Her mind spinning, she had forgotten the original story’s more scandalous events and froze in place.
He felt her forehead and frowned.
A bit warm, probably a fever. Judging by her miserable state, it likely started last night.
He recalled their last meeting. This girl loved looking pretty, no matter the weather. She probably went up the mountain last night without warm clothes.
Xie Jinxing clicked his tongue and, unusually fatherly, said, “If you don’t take care of yourself when you’re young, you’ll end up with old-man leg pain.”
Gu An’an did not like that at all.
Was it her idea to get old-man leg pain?
Was she the one who wanted it?
Nope, it was that scoundrel Lu Xingyu, insisting on taking her for a ride. Bringing her up the mountain at night to freeze in the wind!
“Blame Lu Xingyu, okay?” She had no choice here, Xie Jinxing brought it up himself.
Destiny had dealt her this blow.
“I was in the city’s commercial district, taking photos like a normal person. I had already arranged with Niaoniao and the others to check into the newly opened escape room at 8:05. The one called The Rubik’s Cube, supposedly the number-one Chinese horror experience. Then Lu Xingyu comes swooping down on his motorcycle and blocks me. He dragged me up the mountain! I told him I didn’t want to go, I wasn’t interested, stop touching me, but he wouldn’t listen!”
Just thinking about it made her boil with anger. She almost stomped her feet. “Uncle, do you know what I was wearing? That Moon Rabbit costume. It was Halloween, okay, cosplay, you get it…Moon Rabbit Miss knows what I’m talking about, right?”
She worried Xie Jinxing might not know, since it had been eight years, a veritable Amazonian gap. “It’s fine if you don’t know. Anyway, it was a super-short skirt, fifteen centimeters above the knees. And he, in his puffer jacket, didn’t care what I was wearing. Dragged me around for a ride anyway. Not even a few rounds and my brain was frozen…”
Her resentment ran deep. She had more to say: “And that idiot competitor of his, while riding, kicked me! I told Lu Xingyu he kicked me, and he said I was crazy and irresponsible.”
Xie Jinxing said nothing, just listened.
After a long while, Gu An’an noticed no one was responding, and her voice shrank in embarrassment.
She looked up.
Xie Jinxing’s face showed no impatience. His eyes were fixed on her. If the greenhouse had water, he probably would have calmly poured her a glass. “Hmm, motorcycles are dangerous,” he said.
Gu An’an: “…”
“Considering safety, next time you want a ride, take my car,” he added casually, like it was nothing.
Gu An’an: “Isn’t that…inappropriate? You’re so busy, Uncle.”
“I am busy.” Xie Jinxing couldn’t resist anymore. He reached out and smoothed the stray hairs on her head from when he’d just checked her forehead. “After school, come to Xie Corp. Work overtime.”
Then, you take my car home.
Gu An’an: “…”
The devil speaks, attacking your mind. She didn’t know whether to be grateful for her uncle’s generosity or kick this merciless, work-obsessed capitalist right out of the greenhouse.
Had she just ranted so much…to go work at Xie Corp? Did he even get the subtext, Xie Jinxing?! How can someone get money from others with an attitude like that? Ridiculous!
“Not willing?”
Gu An’an twisted her mouth. This time, truly dry: “…No, I’d be happy to.”
After all, she still had that 100,000-yuan monthly salary Xie Jinxing had handed her.
Seeing her grimace yet endure, he couldn’t help but laugh.
His smile curved his eyes; the golden light in the greenhouse reflected off his face. Bright, mischievous, like a naughty uncle.
Gu An’an felt stifled, only able to sit there and wait for him to finish laughing.
Once satisfied, Xie Jinxing finally said, “Take some medicine and sleep. As for Lu Xingyu, I’ll inform his mother to properly control that runaway horse. Okay, go now.”
She couldn’t stay in the greenhouse for even a second longer.
Her ears burned bright red from his laughter. She hadn’t done anything wrong so why did she feel so guilty?
She fled without looking back.
Xie Jinxing turned leisurely, surveying his baby bok choy. Thinking of the old man’s reaction when he saw it, he smirked mischievously, then turned and left satisfied.
Lunch was in the larger reception hall. The small living room wasn’t enough for so many people.
The hall was specially prepared, and Grandpa Xie finally appeared. He had gone out that morning and just returned. Seeing the guests seated and the Lu and Shen families chatting happily, he asked his assistant where Gu An’an was.
An Shu explained about her severe cold and fever, assuring that the doctor had already seen her and prescribed medicine. She had just taken it and was sleeping.
Gu An’an’s room in the old mansion had never been tidied; Ah Xiu cleaned it daily.
She slept until lunchtime, when they would wake her.
Xie Jinxing, being younger than the adults present, had a presence that commanded attention naturally, fitting right in among the elders.
Madam Xie and the Shen family were collaborating on a luxury brand targeting upper-middle-class consumers. The Lu family provided design and resources; the Shen family handled connections and marketing. Together, they were launching the brand into the domestic market.
With China’s rising living standards, the luxury market was growing rapidly. A huge opportunity awaited.
Madam Xie praised Shen Shan during conversation.
Shen Shan was their only daughter; whatever her flaws, she was inherently pure-hearted. Her spoiled temper didn’t matter, Lu Xingyu wasn’t exactly mild-tempered either.
“To be with Shen Shan, Lu Xingyu is lucky. Childhood friends, finally together, such fate rarely happens outside.”
“Yeah, our families even lived in the same neighborhood. Lu Xingyu played groom for Shan Shan as a kid. Who knew it would really happen?”
“Oh ho ho, it’s all fate,” they said in unison.
They praised each other’s children endlessly. Anyone else might have thought a prince and princess were united in marriage.
Xie Jinxing chuckled at their chatter. When both families paused to drink, he casually said, “Young people should avoid adrenaline-pumping games. If you drive, pick any car in the garage. Midnight mountain roads in motorcycles, better not.”
The statement froze Shen Shan and Lu Xingyu.
Lu Xingyu had been silent, face dark the entire time. Even his mother’s countless warning glances hadn’t stopped his expression from showing his temper.
He’d been searching for Gu An’an, and not finding her, had silently sulked in a corner.
Shen Shan didn’t care about his sulking; Lu Xingyu had always been stubborn. His attitude toward girls (except Su Ruan) was consistently blunt, he only focused on achieving his goals.
One girl smiled, one frowned; the elders remained blissfully unaware.
Madam Xie shot a sharp glance at her younger brother, Xie Jinxing, who didn’t flinch. She could only smile and look away, planning to confiscate Lu Xingyu’s bikes later: “Engagement is soon, time to act like an adult.”
The Shen family knew these kids liked thrills. Shen Shan had just come home excitedly recounting last night’s race.
They considered it harmless, as long as it didn’t interfere with serious matters.
Now that Xie Jinxing had mentioned the danger, they nodded in agreement, mentioning that motorcycles can be risky, while praising Lu Xingyu’s reliability and maturity.
Madam Xie was pleased; harmony returned.
Still, Lu Xingyu’s keys were confiscated, adding to his frustration. He glared several times at his uncle.
Meeting Xie Jinxing’s deep gaze, he dared not move. He reluctantly endured it.
Finally, lunchtime began.
Ah Xiu hurried to wake Gu An’an.
After over an hour of rest and taking her medicine, she felt much better. She washed her face and came out just as the dishes were being served.
The main focus today was Lu Xingyu and Shen Shan. Grandpa Xie glanced at Gu An’an, saw she looked okay, and didn’t specifically call her, he focused on the Shen family.
Gu An’an sat with the younger generation, next to Shen Shan.
Shen Shan’s other side was flanked by the Xie sisters, and further right was Lu Xingyu.
Throughout lunch, Lu Xingyu kept glancing at Gu An’an but maintained decorum.
Gu An’an, still recovering, had to avoid rich, oily, spicy food. Xie Jinxing had the kitchen make a few plain dishes just for her.
But Gu An’an loved spice; bland food was unappetizing.
She poked at her dishes slowly, then stealthily reached toward the braised pork nearby.
“Ah Xiu.”
A low male voice, neither loud nor soft, interrupted.
It wasn’t loud, and being the host, Xie Jinxing commanded attention. He called for the housekeeper, and no one else reacted. Madam Xie glanced at him, then continued talking to the Shen family.
Gu An’an glanced casually.
Across from her, Xie Jinxing hadn’t touched any food. Shen’s family had been talking to him nonstop. Now interrupted, he picked up his wine, took a sip, then said to Ah Xiu, “Crush the cold medicine and bring it to her. Let her dip it in the food.”
Gu An’an: “…”