The Way He Looked When He Was Jealous

"Do you like it, baby?"

"..."

Nan Xingyu raised her eyes and looked into his dark pupils.

"You tattooed my name on your body. Aren't you afraid your future wife will get jealous?"

Xi Jin was silent for a few seconds, then said in a low voice, "Your name is etched here. Do you think I'd marry someone else?"

His gaze was so earnest it made her heart flutter uneasily.

She turned her face away.

Xi Jin gripped her chin between his thumb and forefinger, making her look at him.

"Nan Xingyu, don't even think about running away. I won't give you the chance."

His Adam's apple bobbed. "In this life, you're the only one I'll have."

"..."

Nan Xingyu's heart trembled slightly.

This deep affection seemed like a promise.

In truth, it was a declaration of confinement in disguise.

Inside the restaurant.

Jiang Yuexi handed her the admission notice. "With someone that frightening after you, you should hurry and leave, even though I really can't bear to see you go."

Nan Xingyu took the document envelope.

She hadn't told Jiang Yuexi that the person was Xi Jin.

She had only said she was afraid of dragging Jiang Yuexi into it, so she couldn't reveal who the person was.

"Thank you, Yuexi."

"Silly."

Jiang Yuexi took her hand. "Girls should help girls, of course. Besides, it was no trouble at all for me. I'm really happy I could help you."

Nan Xingyu looked at the girl's fresh, pretty face. She was warmhearted and kind.

If Xi Jin's marriage alliance was with her, that seemed pretty good too.

Nan Xingyu put the documents away. "Yuexi, could you keep my transfer a secret from Piaopiao and the others for now?"

Jiang Yuexi said, "Don't worry, I understand."

A black SUV was parked outside the restaurant.

Jiang Yuexi opened the door and got in.

Song Shuchen asked, "Did you give it to her?"

"Mm."

Jiang Yuexi fastened her seat belt. "Uncle, why wouldn't you let me tell her you asked your classmate overseas to help arrange her transfer?"

Song Shuchen started the car. "I'm not close to her. If she knew it was me, she'd have reservations."

"Uncle."

Jiang Yuexi grinned. "If you're not close, why are you helping her so much? You even helped her pick your alma mater."

Song Shuchen pushed away her head as she leaned closer. "You were the one who asked me. How did you turn around and start questioning me?"

Jiang Yuexi thought something was off with him. She'd never seen him be so helpful before.

"Uncle, do you really not have even the tiniest bit of interest in her?"

Winter break arrived quietly.

Across the Peking University campus, the rumble of suitcase wheels rose and fell.

Lin Piaopiao suggested getting together before they parted, and the dorm instantly grew lively.

Jiang Yuexi said, "How about spending a couple of days at a resort? My uncle owns it, so we can stay for free."

Li Ziyan said, "We're always taking advantage of your uncle. I'm a little embarrassed."

Jiang Yuexi glanced at Nan Xingyu, who was quietly reading at her desk.

She was planning how to create an opportunity for her uncle.

She smiled and waved a hand. "It's nothing. The most important thing is that everyone has fun."

The group quickly agreed.

Nan Xingyu, immersed in her book, was suddenly pulled to her feet. Before she could figure out what was happening, she was bundled into Jiang Yuexi's Porsche 911.

The car had just driven out of the university gates.

Xi Jin sent a message: [It's break, baby. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?]

Nan Xingyu kept her screen out of the others' sight.

She stared at the words "you'd like to."

It was rare for him to ask her opinion.

Let's see how long he can keep up the act.

Nan Xingyu replied: [I've already agreed to go out with my roommates.]

She deliberately didn't say where.

Let's see if he can stop himself from asking where I'm going.

Unexpectedly.

Xi Jin replied: [Have fun. Let me know when you're done, and I'll come pick you up, okay?]

Okay??

Nan Xingyu froze again for a few seconds.

I'm imagining it. Imagining it.

He definitely won't change.

Act.

Keep acting.

So she replied: [Yuexi has a car. She'll drive us.]

An hour later.

The car arrived at Cloudtop Manor resort.

A narrow mountain path wound ahead.

Every step revealed a new view.

Lin Piaopiao excitedly asked Nan Xingyu to take pictures.

Jiang Yuexi suddenly received a message. Her eyes curved into a smile. "You guys take pictures first. I'm going to meet someone."

Li Ziyan teased, "You're smiling so happily. Could it be someone you have a crush on?"

Jiang Yuexi said shyly, "Don't talk nonsense. When he gets here, you're not allowed to say anything silly."

The three exchanged knowing looks.

Nan Xingyu held up her phone and stepped backward to frame a shot, suddenly bumping into a "human wall."

Nan Xingyu stumbled, and an arm caught her firmly around the waist. She looked up and saw a pair of dark brown eyes.

It was Song Shuchen.

She quickly recovered and stepped back a few paces to keep her distance from him.

"Hello."

Song Shuchen smiled gently. "Long time no see."

"..."

Nan Xingyu wore a short white down jacket and a furry cat-ear hat, making her look sweet and adorable.

She looked up hesitantly. "Hello, Uncle."

Song Shuchen froze for a moment, amusement in his voice. "What did you call me?"

"..."

Nan Xingyu wondered if she was being a little too familiar, so she changed her form of address:

"Big Brother."

Her voice was clear and sweet.

"..."

Song Shuchen looked at the girl's slightly flushed face, his Adam's apple bobbing. "May I call you... Xiaoyu?"

"..."

Nan Xingyu was stunned.

In front of them, Lin Piaopiao stretched out her arms with her back to them and called, "Xingyu, are you ready?"

Interrupted, Nan Xingyu answered and ran over. "Wait, I haven't taken it yet."

Song Shuchen stood where he was, watching the girl in the setting sun.

The lingering fragrance on the hand that had just supported her drifted away in the wind.

He spoke quietly to the person beside him. After that person left, he couldn't help lingering to watch the girl taking pictures.

The orange glow of the setting sun gilded her in gold.

She looked warm all over.

He couldn't resist taking out his phone and secretly capturing her profile, then quietly left.

Xi Jin, approaching from a distance, happened to see the scene.

Jiang Yuexi was walking beside him.

She hadn't expected him to actually come. Ever since the day of the basketball game, she had felt a little awkward every time she saw Xi Jin.

"We're staying here tonight."

Jiang Yuexi looked at him and asked expectantly, "Can you?"

Xi Jin's brows drew together slightly, his gaze following Song Shuchen as he left. He hadn't heard what she had just said and asked:

"Why is he here?"

"..."

Jiang Yuexi followed his gaze. "My uncle? He owns this resort."

Xi Jin looked visibly displeased. "Are you two close?"

Why was he everywhere?

"..."

Jiang Yuexi heard the note of accusation in his voice.

She couldn't help imagining things.

Could he be jealous?

Impossible.

Impossible.

But then she remembered that he had taken the initiative to message her today, asking where she was having fun, and had come straight to find her.

Could he have started to like her?

She explained, "My uncle is only nine years older than me. We lived together at Grandma's when we were little, so we really are close, like brother and sister."

Xi Jin said nothing more.

But it was written all over his face.

I don't like this person.

Jiang Yuexi couldn't stop the corners of her mouth from lifting. Afraid he would see, she looked away and lowered her head.

The way he looked when he was jealous.

It was strangely cute.

Meanwhile, Nan Xingyu was focused on taking pictures of her roommate.

She didn't notice the icy gaze not far away at all.

Night deepened over the resort.

An unseen contest.

Had only just begun.