Jian Dan lifted her gaze, seeing the worry and tension in his eyes. Ashamed of her own baseness yet managing a smile, she said, "Uncle Bo Qin, it’s really nothing serious. I don’t feel unwell either—maybe just a bit sleepy and craving some rest. Today, I had some really delicious pastries downstairs. I asked Sister Wen Xue to prepare some for you. Shall we go have some?"
Bo Qin was still not at ease. "Should we call a doctor to take a look?"
Jian Dan: "...Uncle Bo Qin, you really don’t need to; it’s not that serious."
"If you’re feeling unwell, you must tell me, okay? I’m worried," he insisted.
Although this concern seemed a bit late, Bo Qin still hoped that Jian Dan would share everything with him—he wasn’t a stranger to her.
Jian Dan cooed playfully, with a smile that crinkled her eyes, "Yes, Commander Uncle Bo Qin."
Bo Qin smiled as he took her hand, and they exited the elevator together back to their suite. Sure enough, as Jian Dan had expected, Wen Xue had prepared pastries for them—the same ones she enjoyed in the afternoon. Excited, she eagerly dragged Bo Qin to wash his hands before triumphantly feeding him the pastries.
At that moment, she simply wanted to share with Bo Qin the treats she found delicious, without giving it much thought.
Bo Qin didn’t mind either and accepted the food she brought to his lips. The young girl’s eyes sparkled expectantly, her adorable expression melting his heart. As he swallowed, she immediately asked, "Uncle Bo Qin, is it good? Isn’t it particularly delicious? It’s soft and chewy with such a lovely flavor, right?"
Bo Qin, not wanting to disappoint her, nodded affirmatively, "Mhm, it’s very tasty."
Her delight was childlike. The contentment Jian Dan sought was simple: Bo Qin’s happiness made her day joyful. Bo Qin urged her to take a bath and rest, lest she struggle to rise the next day.
After wishing him goodnight, Jian Dan made her way to the bathroom.
Bo Qin watched her retreating figure for a while and smiled. Still a child—easily cheered up.
However, once she had closed the door, Jian Dan leaned against it, her eyes filled with confusion. She knew her feelings for Bo Qin had changed. She wanted to be close to him but feared he might perceive her emotions and find her repulsive. He had spared no effort in raising her, providing the best for her growth, yet she found herself yearning for him.
Jian Dan didn’t dare to continue the thought. She was scared—scared of morphing into a creature she loathed, scared that Bo Qin would despise her.
When she took longer than half an hour in the shower, Bo Qin, already finished in another bathroom, stood concerned outside her door, knocking, "Jianjian, are you done? Don’t fall asleep in there—it’s too dangerous."
"Uncle Bo Qin, I’ll be right out."
"I’ve warmed a glass of milk for you; it’s on the dining table. Remember to drink it after you come out. I’m off to the study to take care of some business. Go to sleep after you’ve had the milk, okay?"
Bo Qin smiled and turned away.
Hearing his footsteps fade, Jian Dan finally opened the door, her eyes clearly red—a sign of someone who had been crying.
She hurried to the dining table, gulped down the milk, and then entered her room immediately. She was anxious to avoid any chance encounter with Bo Qin, fearing he might notice something amiss.
Bo Qin’s video conference was brief. Upon his return, he saw the empty milk glass on the table and chuckled, shaking his head. He then turned and went to his own room to sleep.
Meanwhile, Zhao Linlin had just finished her bath, stepping out of the bathroom in her bathrobe when she heard the doorbell ring. Puzzled, she approached the front door and peered through the peephole. Seeing the person outside, she hesitated, taking another look.
Just as the person seemed about to ring the doorbell again, she yanked the door open. Hai En, making himself at home, sprawled out on the couch with his hands behind his head, "When are you heading back tomorrow?"
Zhao Linlin turned back to the bathroom to dry her hair. She halted midway when she heard the question, glancing over at Hai En, "What’s it to you?"
Hai En was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Zhao Linlin to ever speak to him . In his presence, she’d always been obliging and eager to please. When had she ever adopted such a tone with him? Was this the Zhao Linlin he knew?
Could she have been shocked into folly tonight?
He had made it clear long ago that they were not compatible.
Zhao Linlin had stubbornly clung to him, and now she was playing hard to get, truly...
"What are you playing at?" he asked, his voice clearly expressing displeasure at her attitude.
Zhao Linlin continued to the bathroom, stopping at the doorway to say, "Hai En, this engagement of ours is making both of us miserable. If you really don’t want to go through with it, then let’s dissolve it. But I will be the one to talk to my family."