His eyes were full of admiration for himself

Faced with his expectant gaze, Shao Ke fell silent for a few seconds before saying flatly, "Not bad."

Yan Ningke's eyes were full of admiration for himself. "Ha! I knew it. My cooking is absolutely beyond reproach!"

If you think it tastes bad, that must be your problem.

His whole approach was to go easy on himself and hold everyone else to strict standards.

This time, Shao Ke was left speechless. He opened his mouth to say something, then held back and swallowed his words.

Forget it. I can't be bothered to argue with him.

Once Yan Ningke finished showing off, the study's furnishings instantly caught his attention. "My god, is this a library?"

He looked up to see four or five rows of bookshelves behind the desk, every shelf packed full.

Still gaping, he slipped between the shelves, touching things here and there. "Mr. Shao, have you read all these books?"

Shao Ke turned his wheelchair and leaned sideways against the desk. Watching the figure that occasionally flashed through the gaps, he answered in a low voice, "Yes."

"My god!"

Yan Ningke gripped a bookshelf and poked his head out, his eyes brimming with admiration and respect. "That's incredible!"

He turned and looked around, imagining what it would be like if he had to finish all these books...

Eek, how terrifying! A nightmare!

He hastily shook his head, afraid the books might slip inside while he wasn't paying attention.

Like most people, his store of knowledge had probably been at its fullest during his three years of high school.

Thinking of how Shao Ke was only twenty-seven yet had already read so many books, Yan Ningke felt genuine admiration.

With perseverance like that, if he didn't succeed, who would?

At his words, Shao Ke paused. It had never occurred to him that reading could be something so impressive in Yan Ningke's eyes.

Before he was eleven, he had loved reading out of interest and a thirst for knowledge. Then the accident happened, his legs were injured, and his emotions became unstable. Books had become medicine during that dark period.

He needed reading to dispel the malicious thoughts he couldn't suppress, a tool to pass the dull hours.

The books on the shelves behind him seemed to remind him not to forget the beginning of his broken life, while constantly telling him they were his comrades, witnesses who had accompanied him step by step as he made his way out.

"Oh, there are novels here too?"

Yan Ningke's gaze settled on a row of mystery novels. He had assumed someone like this big-shot villain would only read philosophy, academic works, and the like. He hadn't expected his reading to be so wide-ranging.

Shao Ke came out of his daze and nodded slightly. "I read those a long time ago."

For a while, he hadn't been able to get through any books at all. Later, Uncle Zhong told him his father had been particularly fond of this genre, so he had tried hard to settle down and read.

Perhaps harboring certain extravagant hopes, he had slowly begun to relax, no longer keeping himself so tightly wound.

Yan Ningke pulled out a book and came over, his eyes smiling. "Then, may I read this?"

He was good-looking, and his whole face came alive when he smiled. When his lips curved, a shimmering light seemed to ripple in his eyes, making it easy to find oneself unable to look away.

The corners of Shao Ke's eyes curved slightly, as though he were smiling. He deliberately looked Yan Ningke up and down with a teasing air. "Can you understand it?"

Yan Ningke glared fiercely at him. "Don't look down on me!"

I'm a university student too! It's not like I slipped through the cracks of nine-year compulsory education!

Just watch me read this properly!

In the spacious study, one sat at the desk tapping at a keyboard, his expression serious and focused, while the other curled up on the sofa holding a book, looking every bit the reader.

Outside the window, the rain gradually stopped and the dark clouds dispersed. Scattered sunlight fell through gaps in the leaves and branches. Indoors, it was as quiet as before, a little stuffy, with the fragrance of flowers filling the air, carrying a sweet, mellow scent.

When Shao Ke looked over again, the person on the sofa had slumped sideways. Listening closely, he could even hear faint snores.

Remembering the young man's bold declarations before he started reading, a trace of amusement passed through Shao Ke's eyes.

He steered his wheelchair over to the sofa, picked up the thin blanket at the side, and gently draped it over him.

Perhaps sensing something, Yan Ningke made a soft sound, but sleepiness got the better of him and he sank back into deep sleep.

Unlike his lively waking self, Yan Ningke slept deeply. In the soft light, his thick, long lashes trembled faintly, as though he were a carefree youth hidden among lotus flowers.

Shao Ke quietly watched him like this for a long while, then suddenly leaned forward and raised a hand to brush lightly over the young man's lashes.

"Are you... still you?"

Yan Ningke hadn't slept long. When he groggily opened his eyes, he was alone in the study.

He sat up and looked around, confirming that no one was there.

Tsk, Shao Ke really is careless. This place holds so many secrets, yet he actually lets someone stay here alone so easily.

He suspected it was precisely this lack of caution that had given the body's original owner an opening.

"Ah, this family would fall apart without me."

Yan Ningke shook his head and sighed for a good while, then glanced at the book on the coffee table with a bookmark tucked inside. Smiling brightly, he folded the blanket, got up, and ran downstairs.

"Mr. Shao!"

His voice arrived before he did. As soon as he reached the turn in the stairs, he saw Uncle Zhong in the living room, looking at him with a warm smile.

"Long time no see, Mr. Yan."

Yan Ningke thundered down the stairs in delighted surprise. "Uncle Zhong! What brings you here?"

Although they had only met once, he hadn't forgotten that the old man before him was the first person to show him kindness after he came to this world.

Some people were simply like that, with a natural warmth that made others want to draw close to them at first sight.

Excited, Yan Ningke wanted to give him a bear hug to express his friendliness, only for a strong arm to block his path.

"Stand properly."

Shao Ke frowned, lowering his eyes as he spoke sternly.

Yan Ningke pouted, but didn't dare disobey. He could only stay where he was and continue greeting Uncle Zhong.

"What brings you here?"

Uncle Zhong smiled. "I came to bring the young master some things."

His gaze swept over Yan Ningke before he added, "It looks like you've settled in very well, Mr. Yan."

The corners of Yan Ningke's lips lifted slightly. "Have I?"

Uncle Zhong laughed at his response. "Yes. You've put on a little weight since you first arrived."

When he had first received Yan Ningke, his immediate impression had been of frailty, a pale face, and someone so fragile he seemed liable to shatter at the slightest touch.

Now his lips were red, his teeth white, and his complexion rosy. His face had filled out too, and he looked bright and clear.

The young man cupped his cheeks with both hands, delight in his voice. "Really!?"

Before he had even finished speaking, he had already darted over to the full-length mirror by the door. Looking at the pout squeezed out by his hands, Yan Ningke happily wiggled his hips. "There really is a little more flesh!"

Thank goodness. I'm finally not all skin and bones anymore.

Heaven knew that when he first saw this body, he hadn't even dared scrub hard while bathing, afraid he might break it.

Fortunately, he had finally managed to put some weight on.

Come to think of it, he ought to thank his generous benefactor. Eating and drinking well with him every day, he would be doing those expensive ingredients a disservice if he didn't put on weight.

"Mr. Shao!"

Watching him pull faces and make a spectacle of himself, Shao Ke couldn't bear to look. "I know. Come over and make tea."

Yan Ningke pressed his index and middle fingers together and flicked them smartly. "Yes, sir!"

Uncle Zhong watched their back-and-forth with a warm smile.