Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lu Zhuo smiled and walked over to pick up the painting. He glanced at her and said, âJiaojiao, I really like this gift.â
âIf you like it, then take it with you.â Xu Jiaojiao did not even raise her head. Her tone was extremely cold.
Lu Zhuo did not leave with the painting. Instead, he stood beside her and looked at her. Previously, he did not realize that she was so focused and alluring when she was drawing seriously.
Her skin was fair and delicate, and her sparkling eyes were fixed on the drawing board. Her focused look added a hint of charm to her.
As Lu Zhuo watched, his throat moved unconsciously.
Xu Jiaojiao noticed that he had not left yet, so she frowned and said, âDo you still have something to say? If thereâs nothing else, can you leave now? Having someone nearby will affect my train of thought.â
Lu Zhuo came back to his senses and met her clear eyes. He smiled gently and said, âAlright, 1â11 leave first. Iâll visit you another day.â
With that, he picked up his painting and turned to leave the studio. As he closed the door, he could not help but look back.
Xu Jiaojiao used the end of the paintbrush in her hand to scratch the tip of her nose. She felt that he was really strange.
During the New Yearâs Eve dinner, the Xu Family sat together happily. Old Madam Xu could not stay up late due to her old age. Not long after the New Yearâs Eve dinner, she gave Xu Zhengyang and Xu Jiaojiao their New Yearâs money and went back to her room to sleep.
Aunt Xia was preparing breakfast for tomorrow morning, and Xu Zhiming was sitting with his wife in front of the television watching a skit.
Xu Jiaojiao was watching the Spring Festival Gala with her parents when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Xu Zhengyang, who was about to sneak out of the house. She deliberately shouted, âBrother, where are you going during the New Year?â
Xu Zhengyang paused in the act of turning the doorknob. He turned around and glared at Xu Jiaojiao with a fake smile.
Xu Jiao jiao stuck out her tongue innocently.
Tian Fanghua asked worriedly, âThatâs right. Why are you going out so late at night?â
âIâve already made plans to celebrate New Yearâs Eve with my friends,â Xu Zhengyang replied. âIâll be back soon.â
âMom, 1 also want to go out for some fresh air with Big Brother,â Xu Jiaojiao said in a sweet voice.
âForget it. Itâs so cold outside. Besides, 1 donât know where your brother is going.â Tian Fanghua was worried about leaving her daughter to her unreliable son.
Xu Jiaojiao pouted. âMommy, Iâm begging you. Let me go.â
Tian Fanghua still wanted to say something, but Xu Zhiming interrupted her. âGo, put on more clothes and come back early.â
Then, he looked at Xu Zhengyang. âTake good care of your sister. If she loses even a strand of hair, you can stay out forever.â
âDonât worry, Iâll definitely wear a lot of clothes.â Xu Jiaojiao quickly got up and went upstairs to change her clothes. When she reached the stairs, she did not forget to remind Xu Zhengyang, âJust wait for me for five minutes. Donât run away on your own.â
Xu Zhengyang secretly gritted his teeth. âYouâd better hurry up. I wonât wait for you if youâre late.â
Five minutes later, Xu Jiaojiao came downstairs on time, wearing a red down jacket, a hat, and a scarf.
The corner of Xu Zhengyangâs mouth twitched. âDo you know what you look like now? You look like a red steamed bun.â
âItâs so cold outside.â Xu Jiaojiao glared at him threateningly. âSay that again if you dare. This is the dress Mom bought for me. What if 1 tell her what you just said?â
Xu Zhengyang quickly grabbed the hood of her down jacket and pulled it out. âMom, weâll get going first.â
It was the new year. He did not want to be scolded today.
Tian Fanghua followed them to the entrance worriedly. âTake good care of your sister. Donât drive if youâre drinking. Donât come back too late.â
âOkay, okay. 1 heard you loud and clear.â Xu Zhengyang stuffed the red steamed bun into the front passenger seat and replied perfunctorily before getting into the driverâs seat.
Tian Fanghua looked at his rash behavior and shook her head. âIâm really worried about letting Zhengyang take Jiaojiao out.â
Xu Zhiming walked over and patted her shoulder. âThe children have grown up. As parents, we have to learn to let go.â
âSigh, but when 1 think about the past, 1 canât help but worryâ¦â
After meeting her husbandâs eyes, she swallowed the rest of her words.
âThe past is the past. Donât let your imagination run wild.â
Tian Fanghua nodded. Although she said that, it was easier said than done to let go. She was just afraid that Jiaojiao would fall sick again one dayâ¦
As Xu Zhengyang drove, he glanced sideways at the bun on the passenger seat. âYou insisted on following me. Is it because you wanted to see Qi Shenbai?!â âWhat nonsense are you spouting, Big Brother? 1 just want to accompany you.â A trace of guilt flashed across Xu Jiaojiaoâs eyes, but it was quickly replaced by flattery.
âIâm afraid youâll be disappointed. Qi Shenbai wonât be coming out tonight. Those old men at home are enough for him to deal with for a while.â
âOh.â Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes. It would be a lie to say that she was not disappointed.
Xu Zhengyang could not bear to see her look like that. He frowned and said, âIf you want to see him, call him and ask him to come out. He wouldnât dare to refuse..â