“Xia XiaoXi, you’re here.”
Seeing Xia XiaoXi arrive, Han ShuYi put down his book and stood up, nodding in greeting toward her.
Xia XiaoXi returned the gesture with a polite nod of her own.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the kitchen. Curious, Xia XiaoXi looked over and saw a refined-looking woman wiping her hands with a handkerchief. When the woman noticed Xia XiaoXi, a warm smile appeared on her face.
Having heard that Xia XiaoXi would visit today, Zhou WenLi had prepared an array of dishes to welcome her. She’d even researched Xia XiaoXi online beforehand. But upon meeting her in person, she was still taken aback by her beauty.
“XiaoXi, hello there.” Zhou WenLi walked directly to Xia XiaoXi and took her hand warmly.
Xia XiaoXi was momentarily stunned by the older woman’s friendly and familiar demeanor.
This was, after all, Han ShuYi and Han YunXi’s mother. Yet, she didn’t carry the air of someone unapproachable.
“Come, come, let’s eat first. After lunch, YunXi can take you around for a bit.”
Just as she finished speaking, Han YunXi returned from outside, carrying a backpack and looking rather listless.
Seeing her daughter, Zhou WenLi called out, “YunXi, go upstairs and change. Come down for dinner afterward.”
Han YunXi replied sluggishly, clearly low on energy, but still complied.
At the dining table, Xia XiaoXi began to sense something unusual.
Zhou WenLi kept asking questions about her family, as though conducting a meticulous household investigation.
Meanwhile, Han ShuYi, seated across from her, was quietly observing her every word, as if trying to absorb everything she said.
Suppressing her usual tendency to make sarcastic comments, Xia XiaoXi focused on eating.
“XiaoXi, ShuYi is the student council president. If you need any help at school, feel free to ask him. He’d be happy to help you.” Zhou WenLi placed a piece of sweet and sour pork into Xia XiaoXi’s bowl, to which she nodded in acknowledgment.
Noticing Xia XiaoXi’s reaction, Han ShuYi turned to his mother and said, “Mom, let’s eat first. We can talk later.”
Zhou WenLi couldn’t help but feel more and more pleased with Xia XiaoXi, though she understood that some things couldn’t be rushed.
Ever since Han ShuYi’s engagement with Li Yue was called off, she hadn’t considered arranging any new matches for him. She believed that children should make their own choices.
Han YunXi placed her chopsticks down, leaving half a bowl of rice uneaten. Clearly, she didn’t have much of an appetite.
She stood up and headed toward her room, her movements appearing somewhat off.
Han LiTian’s brows furrowed as he noticed this. He watched his daughter’s retreating figure, his chopsticks gradually slowing.
Xia XiaoXi also took note of this. She recalled Zhou WenLi mentioning that Han YunXi was supposedly her fan, but judging by her behavior, she didn’t seem eager to get close to her.
Was this what Zhou WenLi meant by saying Han YunXi was her fan?
Xia XiaoXi felt a bit helpless.
Suddenly, Han ShuYi’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Would you like to take a walk in the back garden after lunch?”
Xia XiaoXi instinctively looked up, meeting Han ShuYi’s eager gaze. She was momentarily taken aback.
She had never seen this kind of expression in Han ShuYi’s eyes before.
‘Does he have some motive for inviting me?’
Since Han ShuYi’s parents were present, Xia XiaoXi didn’t feel it was appropriate to refuse. Reluctantly, she nodded in agreement.
Zhou WenLi beamed with delight, her heart brimming with joy. Han ShuYi, on the other hand, suppressed his inner excitement, maintaining his usual composed demeanor.
Han LiTian, however, remained worried about Han YunXi and was considering checking on her.
The driver didn’t accompany Xia XiaoXi to the back garden. Zhou WenLi had held him back, asking about Xia XiaoXi’s daily life and habits.
He wasn’t particularly concerned about Xia XiaoXi’s safety here, as he trusted Han ShuYi’s character.
Walking alongside Xia XiaoXi in the garden, Han ShuYi seemed to savor the rare opportunity to spend time with her.
The night was alive with the incessant chirping of cicadas, which grated on Xia XiaoXi’s nerves.
However, Han ShuYi seemed thoroughly pleased with the moment.
This was a good chance to get to know Xia XiaoXi better.
“XiaoXi, you haven’t run into any trouble at school, have you? If you ever need help with your studies, feel free to ask me.”
The sudden use of “XiaoXi” sent a shiver down Xia XiaoXi’s spine, but she maintained her composure and replied with a smile,
“Han ShuYi, um, could you call me something else? I’m not used to people addressing me as ‘XiaoXi.’”
“Oh, my apologies. That was presumptuous of me, Xia XiaoXi.”
Han ShuYi’s expression froze momentarily, but he quickly recovered. He had thought she might accept such a term of endearment. Evidently, she was harder to win over than he had anticipated.
‘She’s definitely on a different level than Li Yue.’
Still, he soon stopped walking and turned to face Xia XiaoXi directly.
“I heard you’re participating in the school’s talent show. I’m sure everyone’s looking forward to seeing you perform. Even YunXi had to put in quite an effort to get tickets.”
“Oh, about that, is YunXi really my fan?”
“She is. She even has your posters in her room. But maybe she’s just not in the best mood today, so it didn’t come across.”
Han ShuYi offered an explanation for Han YunXi’s behavior, though internally he was dissatisfied.
He had no idea why Han YunXi had been so sulky upon returning home. Her open admiration for Xia XiaoXi would have been advantageous for his plans!
“I see,” Xia XiaoXi nodded, but HuMing’s earlier messages still lingered in her mind.
Soon, Han ShuYi continued, “Well, I hope this doesn’t come across as too forward, but during the talent show, after your performance, may I present you with a bouquet of flowers?”
His tone was courteous, with no hint of impropriety.
Xia XiaoXi blinked, her mind seemingly weighing something.
Seeing her fall silent, Han ShuYi felt puzzled.
‘Why is she hesitating?’
“Well... I don’t think it’d be appropriate. After all, you’re the student council president. If you give me flowers, people might start gossiping. How about letting YunXi do it instead?”
Her suggestion was shrewd—it transformed Han ShuYi’s personal gesture into a gesture from the Han family as a whole.
The implications were entirely different.
Han ShuYi’s face stiffened, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
It seemed Xia XiaoXi was wary of him. Had he not appeared sincere enough?
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