Yushui Bay.
Having just finished a shower, Xie Huaichu changed into a set of black homewear.
Holding a cup of coffee, he walked to the sofa in the living room and sat down.
On the marble-crafted coffee table was a laptop.
He uploaded the road control data from the afternoon and the footage copied from the Bean Bag onto the computer.
After watching all the videos, Xie Huaichu leaned back, his expression dark and unreadable.
According to the road control footage, Xie Zhenguo had passed by Jiang Li's small jeep with the Bean Bag.
Bean Bag's appearance caused many people around to glance over.
Even Mango, who was locked inside the jeep, was similarly intrigued.
It lay on the car window, its eyes following the Bean Bag's every movement.
Its dark, shiny eyes were filled with curiosity.
Just as Xie Zhenguo was about to walk away, the two blonde men approached.
They had almost reached Jiang Li's car, but then, they suddenly exchanged a look.
Following that, they turned around and stealthily followed Xie Zhenguo.
Seeing this, Mango began to jump anxiously inside the car, clearly distressed.
But since it couldn't get out, its eyes showed intense anxiety.
It wasn't until Jiang Li appeared and opened the car door that Mango rushed out.
Then came the footage from the Bean Bag.
The alley was too remote to have surveillance cameras.
From the Bean Bag's footage, it was clear that the two blonde men were harassing Jiang Li.
They said many inappropriate things, which led Jiang Li to take action.
Xie Huaichu repeatedly watched the video of Jiang Li taking action, his gaze growing deeper.
The little girl was delicate and weak, yet her skill was impressive, which really surprised him.
As for that call to him, it wasn't made by Grandpa himself; it was triggered by the Bean Bag's danger alarm system.
The system automatically called the emergency contacts for help.
Thinking about the misunderstanding he had earlier that day, Xie Huaichu glanced at the phone lying next to him.
He opened the messages and found Jiang Li's WeChat, then typed a message.
[Miss Jiang, do you have time tomorrow?]
[I'd like to apologize for today's events.]
Jiang Li replied about twenty minutes later: [No need.]
[As long as Mr. Xie understands the truth, that's enough.]
Looking at her reply, Xie Huaichu's eyes darkened, and after a moment of contemplation, he typed another message.
[Miss Jiang, your skills are impressive.]
Jiang Li: [Thanks for the compliment. I think I'm pretty awesome too.]
Xie Huaichu: "..."
Afterward, he didn't reply.
He simply sat there quietly, not knowing what he was thinking.
The next evening, Jiang Li came back from walking Mango and found a black Maybach parked outside the study.
She glanced at it, assuming it was probably a relative of her neighbor, and didn't pay it much mind.
However, just as she was about to step through the gate, Xie Huaichu's voice came from behind.
"Miss Jiang."
Xie Huaichu had intended to get out of the car.
But when his eyes landed on Mango next to Jiang Li, he immediately retracted his foot.
He firmly closed the car door, rolled down the window, and called out to her, who had not yet stopped walking.
Jiang Li turned around, surprised by his appearance. "Mr. Xie, what's this about?"
"To express gratitude," Xie Huaichu said briefly.
Jiang Li tugged at the dog leash in her hand. "I told you last night, no need."
"It's my grandfather's order." Xie Huaichu's voice was as cool as the autumn wind, chilly and unyielding.
"You can tell Grandpa there's no need to bother. It's just a small favor."
"I believe that if it were anyone else, they wouldn't have stood by either," Jiang Li said, a bit helpless in her persuasion.
"Grandpa has already made a reservation and is waiting for you." Xie Huaichu ignored her words, continuing to mention the old man.
Jiang Li: "..."
It seemed that this meal was unavoidable.
"Then please wait a moment, I'll go change clothes."
"Mm." Seeing that Jiang Li accepted, Xie Huaichu's expression softened, and his tone also became gentler.
That morning, he had deliberately called Grandpa to tell him that he had misunderstood Jiang Li yesterday.
He had planned to ask her out for an in-person apology, but she had refused.
Grandpa had immediately criticized him for being foolish.
He then ordered him to come and personally pick her up in the evening.
Since he had to express gratitude, he needed to show sincerity.
Just as Xie Huaichu was lost in thought, Jiang Li reappeared before him.
The young girl wore a white, shawl-style qipao with a long coat over it.
Her long hair fell behind her, with a pearl hairpin on one side.
She was bare-faced, but still beautiful enough to captivate anyone's attention.
Xie Huaichu instinctively narrowed his eyes. His heartbeat quickened and grew stronger.
Jiang Li walked towards the back seat, reaching for the car door when Xie Huaichu's cool voice interrupted.
"Am I the driver?"
Jiang Li: "..."
Such high demands.
She walked silently to the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
The Maybach drove steadily down the road.
Jiang Li's gaze wandered, eventually landing on Xie Huaichu's hand, which was holding the steering wheel.
That hand truly made her happy; she really wanted to touch it.
As she stared, her gaze slowly moved up, eventually settling on Xie Huaichu's face.
Tsk, this guy really is the darling of the heavens.
Not only are his hands good-looking, but his face is even more exceptional. It's no exaggeration to say he's more handsome than Pan An.
"I wonder if there's something on my face that's making Miss Jiang stare at me so intently?"
At a red light, Xie Huaichu pulled up the handbrake, glanced at her with a faint look, and spoke.
"Handsome, dashing, beautiful," Jiang Li generously complimented him.
Xie Huaichu: "…"
"Miss Jiang, do you flatter all men like this?"
As the green light came on, Xie Huaichu started the car again, a hint of coldness in his brows.
"Not really," Jiang Li lifted her hand to adjust her long hair, a mischievous smile curving her lips.
"I only say sweet things to people I'm interested in."
Xie Huaichu twitched the corner of his mouth: "…"
This girl's mouth.
Little did he know, the corners of his own lips had already subtly curled upward, and the displeasure in his eyes had dissipated.
At the Four Seasons Cloud Top five-star hotel.
Jiang Li followed Xie Huaichu's lead straight to the top floor.
Xie Zhenguo had already been waiting in the private room, sitting next to a young man.
He had a delicate, refined appearance, tall and slender. His slightly messy, parted hair made him look even younger.
"Grandpa Xie," Jiang Li greeted politely.
"Jiang girl, come, come, sit by Grandpa," Xie Zhenguo waved at her, smiling happily.
Xie Huaichu stepped ahead of Jiang Li and pulled out the chair for her, signaling with his eyes.
"Thank you," Jiang Li smiled and sat down, her eyes gentle.
Xie Huaichu sat beside her without saying another word.
"Hello, Sister Jiang," the young man next to Xie Zhenguo greeted Jiang Li with a bright smile and a wave.
"My name is Lu Ziyang, very nice to meet you." The young man was friendly and unreserved, showing no sign of shyness.
He spoke with ease, exuding elegance and humility.
"I heard Grandpa mention a beautiful sister who saved him, so I came to see for myself."
"And indeed, you are as beautiful as a fairy from a painting."
Jiang Li: "…"
This kid was clearly destined for great things.
At such a young age, he already had such remarkable grace. Truly impressive.
Far better than some boring people.
"Thank you for the compliment, Ziyang. You're handsome as well!"
Upon hearing their exchange of compliments, Xie Huaichu narrowed his eyes slightly.