Chapter 27

The video incident had truly infuriated Shen Xiao. He had Secretary Du investigate that very day, and by that evening, all reposts of the video online were swiftly deleted, though any downloads or saved copies were beyond their control.
As for the video on the campus forum, Secretary Du used a civilized approach: he logged into Shen Yu’s student account, communicated directly with the moderators, and soon had it completely removed.
Shen Yu thought that after this incident, Shen Xiao might come home and have another episode directed at her.
But surprisingly, there was none. This time, he had actually let her off so easily!
Shen Yu considered all sorts of possibilities and ultimately attributed it to her injured foot. Shen Xiao must have taken pity on her because she was hurt and decided to go easy on her.
After that, their interactions remained calm and peaceful.
However, Shen Yu couldn't stop thinking about Bai Muqing's invitation to Shen Xiao.
That woman Bai Muqing really latches on and doesn't let go once she sets her sights on someone! Shen Xiao's attitude toward her was clearly lukewarm, yet she persisted. Aren't white lotus hearts supposed to be fragile??
Earlier in the car, when she saw Bai Muqing's WeChat message inviting Shen Xiao to dinner the next evening, Shen Yu had been very concerned. After all, Bai Muqing was the one who would drag Shen Xiao into the abyss, the chief culprit and her number one enemy in her plan to change Shen Xiao's fate.
Shen Xiao hadn't agreed or refused on the spot, so Shen Yu didn't know if he had contacted Bai Muqing about it afterward.
Shen Yu wanted to know, and the curiosity was eating her up.
It would be best if Shen Xiao hadn't agreed. But if he had accepted the date, what could she do to stop it??
After dinner, Shen Yu obediently sat on the sofa, waiting for Uncle Li to change her bandage. Although Uncle Li was a 60-year-old man, he was very skilled with his hands. It felt like he was the only capable person in the house.
She wondered what Uncle Li had been through in the past and why he had remained single and stayed with the Shen family for so many years.
When Uncle Li came over with the medical kit, Shen Yu asked quietly, "Uncle Li, didn't my brother ask you to wash cherries or anything tonight?"
After finishing dinner, Shen Xiao had gone straight back to the second floor without even bothering to say another word to her. Shen Yu felt that he was probably still angry but couldn't bully her now that she was half-disabled, so he simply treated her as invisible.
Shen Yu suddenly realized that she might now be the person who understood Shen Xiao the best.
Uncle Li brought over a small stool and sat in front of her, placing her injured foot on the coffee table. He put on his reading glasses before starting to unwrap the bandage, then leisurely replied to her question, "Isn't it good that he's not bothering you?"
Shen Yu smiled slyly, "I just think he's acting a bit unusual today."
Uncle Li chuckled too and said, "You scared him yesterday. He probably won't dare bully you again for a while."
Shen Yu thought for a moment and said, "Then, Uncle Li, could you wash some fruit for me later? I'll take it to my brother."
Uncle Li widened his eyes disapprovingly, "Are you asking for trouble by going to him?"
"You just said he wouldn't dare bully me recently, didn't you?"
"You... your courage is growing by the day," Uncle Li shook his head with a smile, then sped up his work. "This wound isn't too serious. We won't wrap it in bandages tomorrow or the day after, just use a band-aid. Letting it breathe will help it heal faster."
Shen Yu shook her head repeatedly upon hearing this and said, "No, no, you have to wrap it for a few more days at least!"
Uncle Li was puzzled, "How come you're getting addicted to being bandaged?"
Shen Yu grinned mysteriously, her eyes curving playfully, "It's just useful, so let me keep it wrapped until it's better!"
Uncle Li froze, his hands pausing for a few seconds, and he sighed with emotion, "Miss, I've often thought before how wonderful it would be if you could laugh heartily and cry freely someday. Seeing you like this now makes me really happy, you've finally learned not to be so hard on yourself."
Shen Yu felt a bit embarrassed by Uncle Li's words, thinking to herself, That young lady who used to be so hard on herself is gone. The one in front of you now is a fake!
After his emotional moment, Uncle Li started worrying about her wound again, saying, "By the way, what about bathing? The wound mustn't get wet."
Shen Yu replied, "I'll sit in the bathtub and just prop my foot out!"
Uncle Li thought that sounded a bit tricky, "Remember to wrap it in a bag."
After tending to the wound, Uncle Li got up and went to the kitchen, returning shortly with half a pomelo. "The young master likes this," he said.
Shen Yu nodded, not really caring what Uncle Li brought, she just wanted an excuse to knock on the door.
Uncle Li helped her to the second floor and let her hop on one foot to find Shen Xiao. The door to Shen Xiao's room was slightly ajar, with no light inside, but a sliver of light seeped out from the slightly open study door.
Holding the half pomelo, she carefully hopped to the study door, took a deep breath, and knocked.
"Come in," Shen Xiao responded curtly from inside.
Pushing open the heavy door, Shen Yu first scanned the room. The study was spacious, with bookshelves covering three walls and a floor-to-ceiling window on the other. A desk was placed in front of the innermost bookshelf, adorned with antique writing tools.
In the center of the study was a set of leather sofas, and Shen Xiao was currently lying semi-reclined on the longer one, reading.
Seeing her enter, Shen Xiao frowned and said, "Hopping around so cheerfully, are you planning to walk like that from now on?"
Shen Yu twitched her lips and stepped forward, saying, "I brought you some fruit! This pomelo today is plump and juicy, sweet and tangy, it's really delicious!"
Shen Xiao tossed his book aside, stretched, and sat up straight. He then took the pomelo, peeled off a piece of the flesh, and tasted it. "Not bad," he said.
Then he turned to her and said, "Sit down. I'll feed you."
Shen Yu: “…”
Why is this man so obsessed with feeding me?? Despite her inner complaints, remembering her purpose for coming in, she obediently sat down beside him.
Shen Xiao divided the half pomelo into several segments, peeled off the outer skin, and finally extracted the flesh. His skilled movements showed he must eat this often.
Shen Yu waited for a while, and when he finished peeling, she reached out to take it. But he wouldn't let her, insisting she lift her chin and open her mouth. Then he stuffed a large piece of pomelo flesh into her mouth. Since the piece was so big, Shen Yu's cheeks puffed out completely, and as she chewed, her whole face puffed in and out, making her look even more like a hamster.
Shen Xiao couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, feeling that life was full of fun.
Shen Yu really wanted to roll her eyes but managed to hold back. While eating her pomelo, she mumbled, "Bro, are you going on a date with Bai Muqing tomorrow night?"
Shen Xiao peeled off a piece and popped it into his own mouth, chewing before replying, "What's it to you?"
Shen Yu pouted, "What's wrong with asking?"
Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow, "Nothing's wrong, but I don't feel like telling you."
Shen Yu frowned, "Oh, come on, what harm is there in saying? Do you really like Bai Muqing that much? There are so many popular celebrities out there, she's not the only one!"
Shen Xiao tilted his head and continued peeling the pomelo to feed her, saying, "You don't like her?"
Shen Yu blinked and seized the opportunity to complain, "Her sister always bullies me, so of course I don't like her."
Shen Xiao shot her a sidelong glance and remarked, "You have the nerve to say that? I've never seen anyone as foolish as you. Don't you know how to fight back?"
After a moment's thought, he added, "If you can't fight back, don't you at least know how to find someone to help you?"
Shen Yu covered her mouth and giggled, "Mm, I get it now."
Feeling the topic had been derailed, she asked again, "So, are you still going to have dinner with Bai Muqing?"
Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow and said in a playboy-like tone, "Having a beautiful woman accompany me for a meal is pretty nice."
Shen Yu huffed, "You could have any beautiful woman you want, why does it have to be her?"
Shen Xiao glared at her, too lazy to continue the conversation.
Shen Yu guessed he must have already made plans with Bai Muqing, which explained his attitude. Anxious, she decided to change tactics and suddenly cooed sweetly, "Bro~~~~"
Shen Xiao's eyelid twitched, "What's wrong with you??"
Shen Yu: “…”
Wasn't he the one who was always acting crazy?!
Even though she was being brushed off, she braced herself and continued, "I want to go too."
Shen Xiao set down the pomelo in his hand, pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands, and said strangely, "We're going on a date, what are you going to do?"
Shen Yu thought to herself, "A date? If this date goes on, you might lose your life!" But on her face, she flashed a bright, innocent smile and said, "When you go out with her, it's definitely for a fancy meal. I want to eat too!"
Shen Xiao narrowed his eyes, "Why should I take you just because you want to go??"
Shen Yu: “…”
"Am I not your sister?? Shouldn't siblings get along and support each other?"
"Sorry, you were just picked out of the garbage."
"..."
Why was this guy so stubborn?! So annoying! She had just started planning to sabotage things, and already she was hitting such a big obstacle, how was she supposed to handle things from here?
She couldn't help but complain, "Why are you like this? I'm injured, can't you cut me some slack?"
Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow and grinned, "Sure, but you have to butter me up first. If I'm happy, I'll take you along."
Shen Yu: “…”
Trying to please a lunatic feels harder than scaling the heavens!
After some thought, Shen Yu said hesitantly, "How about... I perform a one-legged dance for you?"
Shen Xiao immediately perked up with interest and said, "Then dance for me first. If it's good, I'll treat you to a feast."
Shen Yu's eyes lit up. She snapped her fingers and said, "Deal!"
With that, she eagerly stood up, ready to showcase her skills.
Shen Xiao glanced at her skeptically and asked, "Are you sure you can do it?"
Shen Yu replied, "Just watch me!"
After a moment's thought, she picked up her phone and found an upbeat background track. Then, hopping on one foot to the coffee table, she struck a preparatory pose and announced, "Please enjoy: The One-Legged Robot Dance."
As the rhythm kicked in, Shen Yu began to sway stiffly to the music, looking exactly like a rusty robot.
Shen Xiao lounged half-sprawled on the sofa, holding an unlit cigarette between his lips. His gaze was fixed intently on her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
As the music built to its climax, Shen Yu jumped and danced with increasing energy, soon breaking into a sweat. When the final note faded, she collapsed onto the carpet, panting heavily and drenched in sweat. This body really wasn't used to such intense exercise!
Clap, clap, clap... Shen Xiao applauded with a laugh, praising her cheerfully, "Not bad, not bad."
Shen Yu lifted her head weakly and asked, "So, will you take me?"
Shen Xiao said, "Although I don't have plans with Bai Muqing tomorrow night, since you're so eager for a feast, I can take you out alone."
Shen Yu: “…”
So all that effort she just put in was completely wasted?
He never had plans with Bai Muqing in the first place!