"Since that's the case, then consider this my show of sincerity," Xiao Yanzhi said, looking at the slightly flushed tips of her ears with a meaningful look. "Next time you say thank you, be more proactive."
Jiang Li's eyelashes fluttered.
He pinched her cheek contentedly, then turned around and opened the door.
"Let's go."
Before the wind and rain outside could rush in, he had already closed the door for her, making sure not a single wisp of cold wind could reach her.
Jiang Li's mind went completely blank. She silently sat back down at the table and took her temperature.
36.5℃. A normal temperature.
How strange. She had already recovered from the fever, but why did she still feel dizzy and her legs so weak?
Before Xiao Yanzhi showed up, she thought her day was dull and gloomy. But now, although the rain outside still hadn't stopped, she felt as if the dark clouds had dispersed a lot.
It was as if a corner of the dark sky had been lifted, and a ray of light had shone through.
The rain had been falling intermittently all night and finally seemed to be letting up at dawn.
...
The next day.
Jiang Li opened her eyes and reached for her phone. After checking the time, she first sent Sheng Jingxi a list of the ingredients she needed and told him he must arrive before eleven o'clock.
The other person grumbled, saying that it was such a hassle just for a meal.
Jiang Li ignored him. After sending the message, she then opened the chat window with Xiao Yanzhi.
She originally wanted to ask him when he would come over, but before she could send the message, the words "typing..." appeared on the top of the screen.
Soon, the other person sent a message first.
[Xiao Yanzhi: Are you awake?]
Jiang Li had no choice but to silently delete the message she had just typed and replied with a simple "Yes."
[Xiao Yanzhi: What time should I come over?]
Jiang Li thought for a moment. Since he was just coming over for a meal and she didn't expect him to help, she replied, [Anytime is fine.]
The other person quickly replied again.
[Xiao Yanzhi: Can I come in now?]
Now?
A premonition welled up in Jiang Li's heart. She quickly got out of bed, put on her slippers, and ran to the window.
Outside the villa's wall, there was a long black Maybach parked.
She scratched her head blankly and looked down at her phone. The other person had already called.
"Good morning."
Although she had already had a premonition, when she actually heard the man's voice on the other end of the phone, she still gave a little start.
"...Good...good morning," she said, her heart pounding inexplicably. "Are you already at the door?"
"Yeah," the other person seemed to be smiling, and he sounded in a good mood. "Is it too early?"
"...A little bit."
After Jiang Li said that, a thought flashed through her mind. Maybe he hadn't left last night and had been waiting outside the whole night.
This thought was proven wrong when she opened the door to let him in.
Because he was wearing a different set of clothes.
Instead of the very formal business suit he had worn yesterday, he was now wearing a white sweater and khaki pants, looking very casual.
Thank goodness. He hadn't waited outside all night.
He changed his shoes at the entrance and politely sat down on the sofa, motioning for her to go ahead and do her own thing without worrying about him.
In fact, there was nothing to worry about.
Apart from Jiang Li, he was the one who was most familiar with this villa.
But out of courtesy, Jiang Li poured him a glass of water and then went into the bathroom to wash up. Thinking that she would be cooking later, she tied her hair into a neat ponytail.
When she came out, the man was reclining on the sofa with his eyes closed. He only opened them and looked at her when he heard the sound.
"Didn't sleep well?" Jiang Li asked casually when she saw his slightly lazy expression.
Xiao Yanzhi sat up straight, picked up the glass of water on the table, and took a sip. "Yeah, I didn't sleep very well in the car."
"...You really stayed outside all night last night."
Xiao Yanzhi found Jiang Li's shocked expression a little funny. "I just thought it would be too much trouble to go back and forth."
Jiang Li suddenly felt a little guilty.
"You could have come later. You didn't have to wait here. And..."
She originally wanted to say that if that was the case, she should have let him stay the night, since there were other empty guest rooms in the villa.
Xiao Yanzhi glanced at her sideways, his expression calm. "I didn't want to leave. Besides, you didn't ask me to stay last night."
Jiang Li: "..."
He was being unreasonable.
Jiang Li looked at him, wanting to ask how he had changed his clothes if he hadn't gone back.
"I asked Xue An to bring them over," he said as if he had guessed what she was thinking. "I was afraid you would dislike me if I wore yesterday's clothes."
She hadn't said a word, but he had explained all her doubts clearly.
He was really considerate.
It was only eight o'clock in the morning. Jiang Li felt really bad and told him that he could go to a room and take a nap.
It was just a simple little get-together, but he had made such a big deal out of it, which made her feel really nervous.
Xiao Yanzhi didn't decline much. He really needed a good rest. He just casually went into a guest room and lay down to sleep.
Although the sound insulation in the room was very good, Jiang Li still moved quietly, trying not to make too much noise.
At a little after eleven o'clock, Sheng Jingxi swaggered in.
As soon as he entered the door, he shouted loudly without any restraint, "Xiaolili, come and see what good things big brother has brought you..."
"Shh!" Jiang Li seriously put her index finger in front of her lips. "Keep your voice down. Don't shout."
Sheng Jingxi immediately shut up. Looking very mysterious, he whispered, "What's going on? Is there a man hiding in the house?"
Jiang Li: "..."
She was just about to say no, but Sheng Jingxi had already looked down and seen the extra pair of men's shoes on the entrance rug. With a knowing look on his face, he smiled and said, "Don't explain. Big brother understands."
...You understand nothing.
Xiao Yanzhi took a short nap. When he woke up and looked at his watch, he was surprised to find that it was already eleven o'clock.
He sat up on the bed, straightened his wrinkled clothes, and opened the door to leave the bedroom.
Sheng Jingxi happened to look up and meet his eyes. He immediately smiled and greeted him, "Hey, buddy, you're awake. How did you two sleep last night?"
Xiao Yanzhi: "..."
Jiang Li: "..."
Jiang Li was both ashamed and angry. She glared at Sheng Jingxi fiercely. "Shut up."
Sheng Jingxi put his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'll shut up. Big brother will do whatever you say."
Only then did Jiang Li pick up the things and walk into the kitchen.
Although that comment had already passed, Xiao Yanzhi still felt quite shocked.
On the surface, he remained calm, but inside, his heart was in turmoil.
Sheng Jingxi's magnanimity was not only shocking but also made him feel a deep sense of respect.
As a fellow suitor, he really was not as unrestrained as Sheng Jingxi.
He felt ashamed of himself.
After taking a nap, Xiao Yanzhi felt refreshed and his fatigue had lessened. He got up and went into the kitchen to help Jiang Li. The two of them worked together very naturally and in sync.
"Hand me a plate," Jiang Li said.
Xiao Yanzhi bent down to get a plate. As he handed it to her, their hands accidentally touched.