Chapter Fifty-Seven: You’re Not Allowed to Be Mean to Me

Her thoughts returned, and just as she was about to step outside, a low, deep voice sounded in her ear, “Jiujiu, what are you thinking about?” He had been standing there for a long time, watching her expression shift from surprise to happiness, then to sorrow. He couldn’t fathom what the young girl was thinking, or why she was sad in the end. Was it because she had accidentally discovered what he had secretly done for her? Was she unwilling to accept it, or was it something else?

The girl spun around abruptly to look at him. He stood at the doorway, expressionless, his eyes slightly lowered, revealing nothing of his emotions.

How long has he been standing there? How much did he see? She wanted to quietly ask the system, but there was no response… it had vanished again, who knew where.

“Uncle Tingye~”

“What were you thinking about?”

She was just about to use her usual coyness to muddle through, but the man seemed unwilling to let the question go, pressing her for an answer.

The girl trotted over, took his large hand, and squinted her eyes, beaming, “If I hadn’t looked, I wouldn’t have known it. Turns out, Uncle Tingye cares about me so much. Jiujiu is so happy.”

Mu Tingye regarded the smiling girl beneath him with an indifferent gaze. For the first time, he felt a deep sense of helplessness—what was he supposed to do with her?

His eyes swept over her slender figure, and he frowned. “Why did you come out dressed like this? What if you catch a cold?”

Without waiting for her reply, he suddenly picked her up. Watching her wrap her arms around his neck in confusion yet with reliance, a faint smile lifted the corners of his lips. What she said next filled him with an indescribable joy.

“Because as soon as I woke up, I wanted to see Uncle Tingye. I thought you might be in the study, so…” Her beautiful eyes glanced over his handsome face before her, her tone soft and innocent in explanation.

“Oh? Why did you want to see me?” As he asked, a hint of depth flickered through the man’s eyes.

“Ah, just… just wanted to see you. Jiujiu doesn’t know why…” Her voice was hesitant, tinged with confusion.

She truly didn’t know. Mu Tingye saw the bewilderment and wonder reflected in the girl’s watery eyes, her face dazed and blank.

If she hadn’t thought it through, then she was following her heart. Was it as he imagined? Uncertainty unsettled him. Usually so composed, he now found his emotions in disarray over just a few words. He felt as though he had fallen thoroughly into her hands.

The person in his arms was as light as a kitten.

Mu Tingye frowned again. What did this little one eat at school? She hadn’t gained any weight at all—how could such a frail body withstand pain like that?

He couldn’t help but ask, “What do you eat at school?”

“Ah?” The girl looked up suddenly, her delicate lashes trembling like the thinnest wings. Her starry eyes blinked obediently as he set her down on the bed and pulled the quilt around her, leaving only two clear, limpid eyes shining with a soft glow. Guilt, fear, and nervousness mingled in their depths.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Tingye. Yesterday, I ate with Qianqian at the snack street outside the school. I didn’t expect…” Her voice faded to a mere whisper, so soft it was almost inaudible, as her gaze dropped, not daring to meet the man’s stern, intimidating stare.

What caught Mu Tingye’s attention first was the name “Qianqian.” Good, at least it was a girl. But when he heard “snack street outside the school,” his expression changed. Getting bolder by the year—the food out there was anything but sanitary, no wonder she ended up in such pain.

Though his mind was racing, his face remained impassive, his gaze as cold as ever, chilling to the bone.

“I know I was wrong.”

The girl bit her pale lips, her dewy, grape-like eyes darting up at him before quickly dropping as she whispered her apology, slender fingers twisting nervously.

A sense of grievance crept into her heart. She hadn’t meant for this to happen.

Mu Tingye met her fair face, and could see her eyes beginning to glisten with tears, her little nose twitching, and her mouth pouting high. See, he hadn’t even said anything yet, and she was already aggrieved. What was he to do with her?

A trace of helplessness flitted across his dark eyes. He reached out his slender, jade-white fingers, gently wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes, then caressed her soft cheek, finally lifting her delicate chin so her clear pupils were filled only with his image.

“Don’t be naughty again, understand?”

“Mm, Jiujiu understands.” Her fragile lashes quivered, full of innocence, making her jade-like face seem all the more delicate and pitiful. Such a gentle, plaintive look struck again and again at the man’s once impenetrable heart, softening it over and over.

“Uncle will worry about you.” For the first time, the man who never showed his feelings let slip his true emotions, his deep voice as melodious as music from the heavens.

Instinctively, the girl looked into his eyes again, astonishment and delight brimming in her watery gaze. Her lips pursed as she dove into his arms, nuzzling against him like a spoiled child, her voice sweet with grievance, “Uncle Tingye, don’t be fierce with me. I’m scared.”

He gave a short laugh. Fierce with you—could I ever bear it?

When your radiant, star-like eyes fall into mine, all the defenses I built in my heart collapse in an instant. I don’t know when it began, but you have come to occupy the softest place in my heart. No matter what, I can’t let anyone hurt you—not even myself.

“Alright, I won’t be fierce.” His broad hand landed on her head, gently ruffling her hair, which was as soft as its owner. He couldn’t get enough of it.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through the girl’s mind—she still hadn’t changed her sanitary pad. Her cheeks flamed as she quickly slipped from his embrace and pushed at him with her hands. “Uncle Tingye, you… you need to go out for a moment.”

Mu Tingye had just been enjoying the warm moment; losing the softness in his arms was already displeasing enough, but now the little one was trying to chase him out, making him even more annoyed. He didn’t budge, only looked at her with a deep, steady gaze.

She knew it wasn’t good to send him away, but with uncle here, it really wasn’t convenient. She could only explain in a low voice, “Uncle, I… I need to go to the bathroom.”

Shyness filled her delicate eyes, and she looked away, radiating a subtle allure.

Hearing “bathroom,” Mu Tingye immediately understood. The sharp lines of his face flushed imperceptibly, though his expression remained as calm as ever. “Alright, I’ll go out.” His tone was light, and if not for the redness of his ears, one would never guess at his inner turmoil.

****

Monday, in the study.

“Uncle Tingye, I want to go back to class tomorrow.” The girl gazed hopefully at the man beside her, who was busy with work, a hint of helplessness flickering in her watery eyes. These past few days, Uncle Tingye hadn’t gone to the office, staying close by her side almost every moment, even personally supervising her as she drank one nourishing soup after another—she was starting to feel she’d gained weight.

Although she too was reluctant to return to school, she couldn’t help but think of Cheng Yanran, not to mention Lin Yuexin who was waiting to pounce.

The man frowned. It was only the third day and she wanted to go back to class already? Besides, what was the point of those childish lessons? Wouldn’t it be better to just rest at home?