Chapter 39: Boys Are Precious Too

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Boys Are Precious Too

Xiao Ran skillfully scooped the girl up into his arms and carried her, step by step, up the stairs.

Once they reached her bedroom, he carefully placed her on the bed.

He turned around, his voice comforting. "Get some rest. Just sleep. That’s what you need most right now."

The girl nodded obediently, looking at Xiao Ran with an impossibly sweet expression. "Mm, thank you, Brother Xiao Ran."

Her words made Xiao Ran a little embarrassed.

"Don’t be silly. You called me brother, so of course I’d do this. It’s what I should do."

With that, he turned and went downstairs.

...

Back in his study, Xiao Ran continued to revise the manuscript according to the requirements.

After all, they had agreed on two days, and this was already the second day.

Upstairs in the bedroom, the girl, her mind heavy with thoughts, rolled over on the soft bed.

Then she hugged the pink Hello Kitty plush to her chest, her mind uncontrollably replaying what had just happened.

Her angry sister, and her former brother-in-law who had stood in front of her, protecting her.

In truth, his kindness toward her didn’t stop there.

Scene after scene from the past surfaced in her mind.

Him, smiling as he told her, ’Your cooking is really amazing.’

Him, patiently teaching her how to ride an electric scooter.

Him, sincerely encouraging her to do what she truly wanted to do.

Him, waking her up in the morning.

The worried look in his eyes when he saw she was hurt; the thumping in her heart when he carried her upstairs on his back.

And that strange dream.

Every time she recalled these moments, her heart would grow warm, her pulse would quicken, and a secret smile would creep onto her lips.

It was a nervous yet exhilarating feeling she had never experienced before.

At this moment, even a girl who had never been in a relationship would finally understand. ’This... this might not be familial affection...’

The girl, finally realizing something was off about her feelings, couldn’t help but blush.

She was startled by her own bold thoughts.

’Oh my god, how could I be like this!’

’Brother Xiao Ran has always treated me like a little sister.’

’If he found out I actually had designs on him...’

Just the thought of it made the girl burn with shame.

The innocent girl was now in a complete panic.

After all, it was the first time she had ever felt this way about someone, a feeling that made her both thrilled and anxious.

But the moment she remembered this person was Xiao Ran, who saw her as a sister, she felt ashamed and awkward.

She even felt a sense of guilt.

"I’m doomed!"

The girl slapped her fair little hand against her forehead, a look of utter despair on her face.

...

Downstairs, however, Xiao Ran had no idea what kind of inner turmoil the girl was going through.

After two hours of hard work, he finally finished all the manuscript pages Liu Min had requested.

Looking at the finished manuscript, Xiao Ran let out a sigh of relief. He leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed. He took a couple of sips from the water glass on his desk before unhurriedly picking up his phone to call Liu Min.

Liu Min had just gotten out of the shower. She was wearing a camisole and lounge shorts, sitting on her bed and diligently applying body lotion.

Question: Why do older women still look so young?

Answer: Maintenance, of course!~

Just like Liu Min, who not only practiced yoga consistently all year round...

...but also considered body lotion a daily necessity.

Especially on areas prone to darkening, like her knees and elbows—those could absolutely not be neglected!

She had to ensure her skin was moisturized at all times to keep it soft and supple.

She was carefully applying the iris-scented body lotion to her knees when, without warning, her phone on the bed began to ring.

She quickly turned to the side and picked up her phone.

Seeing it was a call from Xiao Ran, she answered without hesitation.

She spoke cheerfully into the phone, "Teacher Xiao, good afternoon."

"Sister Liu, I’ve just finished the manuscript. Let me know when you’re free."

Since tomorrow was Monday and he had to work, Xiao Ran was actually quite anxious to get it done.

Hearing this, Liu Min giggled. "I’m free anytime."

She then glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. The large digits on the electronic display read 3:03 PM.

She hesitated for a moment, her tone negotiable. "How about this? Four o’clock... I’ll come pick you up at four. How does that sound?"

At 29, a woman like her was an expert at fostering goodwill.

After all, there was no law that said only boys could pick up girls.

Besides, boys can be treasures, too.~

"I couldn’t possibly impose. I can make my own way there."

"No, no, I’ll pick you up. It’s settled. Besides, our director wants to meet you and hear your opinions. If you don’t mind, I can invite them along, and we can all have dinner together tonight. How about that?"

Liu Min’s voice was full of anticipation.

Xiao Ran thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright then. I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Liu."

’After all, having dinner with a director is a rare opportunity.’

"You’re being too polite!"

’How could serving such a talented and handsome man be a bother?’

’This is clearly my good fortune!’

The two were still talking when a sudden knock at the door made Xiao Ran pause.

’It couldn’t be Yan Li, back again, could it?’

He quickly said into the phone, "Well, Sister Liu, I’ll see you in a bit. Someone’s at the door, let me go check."

"Okay, okay, you go ahead."

After hanging up, Xiao Ran walked to the door, feeling puzzled.

"Who is it?"

’He had already decided that if it was Yan Li, he would just slam the door shut.’

"Hello, I’m from Jindong Express," a gentle male voice came from outside.

Hearing it was a delivery, Xiao Ran opened the door.

"Hello, is Yan Xici a member of your family? I have a package for her. Please sign for it."

The voice traveled from downstairs to the upper floor. Hearing that her package had arrived, the girl instantly sat up.

’The seat cushion I bought for my brother-in-law on Jindong yesterday is already here?!’

’It didn’t come earlier, it didn’t come later, but it just had to arrive now when my leg is injured!’

’Isn’t this just making things difficult for me?’

Yan Xici slowly lowered her two long legs off the bed, slipped on her slippers, and hurried toward the top of the stairs.

Before she could even start down, she heard Xiao Ran say coolly, "Yes. I’ll sign for her."

This was followed by a "thank you" and the sound of the door closing.

Even though the girl was usually carefree and outgoing, now that she realized she liked Xiao Ran, a subconscious shyness and embarrassment made her uncharacteristically reserved.

She had already decided not to let Xiao Ran carry her downstairs on his back again.

’It’s just too intimate.’

She grabbed the stairway railing with one hand, braced her other, fully extended arm against the wall, and began hopping down one stair at a time on her good leg.

Xiao Ran had been about to put the package on the table and go back to his room, but hearing the THUMP, THUMP, THUMP from upstairs, he instinctively paused. ’Looks like she wasn’t asleep after all.’