The next morning, Jiang Li unusually woke up late.
The reason? She had insomnia.
And the culprit behind her sleepless night—none other than a certain Xie someone.
Jiang Li scratched her messy long hair, glanced toward the sofa not far away, and saw it was empty.
"Hmph, at least you've got some sense," she muttered as she threw off the covers and got out of bed.
She slipped on her fluffy slippers and headed to the bathroom.
Because her right hand was injured, she could only use her left to do everything.
What usually took just a few minutes ended up taking her over half an hour.
After washing up, she changed into a different set of pajamas and elegantly made her way downstairs.
"Grandma, what delicious food are you cooking? It smells amazing!"
She had just reached the first floor when the fragrance from the kitchen hit her nose, and she called out as she walked.
But as soon as she saw who was busy in the kitchen, her smiling face instantly fell.
"What are you still doing here?!"
"Xiao A-Li, don't be rude," Lin Guifang came in through the side door, carrying a large bunch of freshly washed vegetables.
"Xiao Xie got up early to help me prepare breakfast. You should really thank him properly."
Xie Huaichu took the vegetables from Lin Guifang with a soft smile. "Grandma, don't praise me. I didn't do much."
As he spoke, he looked over at Jiang Li. "I'll finish helping Grandma, and then I'll leave."
Jiang Li clenched her fists angrily. This guy looked more and more like a manipulative green tea every time she saw him.
Sure enough, as soon as Lin Guifang heard him say that, she immediately objected.
"Leave? Nonsense! After working all morning, you're not going anywhere until you've had something to eat."
Xie Huaichu gave an awkward shake of his head, his voice low and tinged with grievance. "Forget it, Grandma. I don't want to make A-Li unhappy."
"As long as I'm here, she probably won't even have the appetite to eat."
"Glad you understand." Jiang Li waved a fist at him, muttering coldly under her breath.
Lin Guifang frowned at her. "Xiao A-Li, have you forgotten how I raised you? Just yesterday, Xiao Xie saved you, and now you're treating him like this? How could you be so rude?"
Jiang Li: "…"
When was I ever rude?
This green tea bastard, he's doing it on purpose!
Suppressing her anger, Jiang Li turned to Xie Huaichu and hissed through clenched teeth, "I was rude to you?"
"No," he immediately denied, but his expression was pure and pitiful. "You just don't like me, and that's okay. I don't mind."
Jiang Li: "…"
Where's my knife? I swear I'll kill him.
"Xiao A-Li, look how scared you've made Xiao Xie. Why are you so disobedient?" Lin Guifang sighed, clearly siding with Xie Huaichu.
"Grandma, please don't scold her. It's my fault. I'm just not good enough for A-Li to like me." Xie Huaichu looked completely innocent, his tone full of heartfelt sincerity.
Jiang Li's fists cracked as her knuckles tensed, and her gaze was sharp enough to kill.
Lin Guifang handed her a plate of vegetables. "Take this out, and stop scaring Xiao Xie."
Just as Jiang Li was about to take the plate, Xie Huaichu stepped in and grabbed it first. "Grandma, I'll do it."
Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Li quickly followed. As he put the plate down and turned around, she stepped in to block his path.
"Didn't know you had a talent for acting, Mr. Xie. Truly impressive."
"Thank you for the compliment, Xiao A-Li," Xie Huaichu looked down at her, eyes shimmering with gentle warmth.
Jiang Li: "…"
When did I compliment you?! This man's shamelessness knows no bounds!
"Xie Huaichu, let me warn you—don't think you can use my grandmother to get a read on my feelings."
"There's no chance between us. None. So give it up."
At that, Xie Huaichu narrowed his eyes slightly, then suddenly reached out, pulled her into his arms, and held her tightly.
"Jiang Li, are you really saying you don't feel anything for me?"
"Nothing at all. Let go of me!" she struggled, her face flushed with anger, her eyes burning red.
"I don't believe you." Seeing how much she resisted made Xie Huaichu's chest ache fiercely.
He tightened his arms, drawing her even closer. "Your heart is made of stone."
"Exactly," Jiang Li's voice was icy, her expression cold. "That's the kind of person I am. So you'd better keep your distance and stop provoking me."
Lin Guifang had finished setting the table, and when she noticed the two still hadn't come over, she walked in with a tray—only to be greeted by the sight of them embracing.
"Oh my, oh my. If you're going to hug, can't you do it in your room? You're making this old lady blush."
Jiang Li immediately stomped hard on Xie Huaichu's foot. He let go reflexively in pain, allowing her to escape his grasp.
She glared at Lin Guifang, furious. "Grandma! What nonsense are you talking about?!"
"If you keep taking his side, I'll go on a hunger strike!"
"You little brat," Lin Guifang chuckled, placing the tray down and gently flicking Jiang Li on the forehead.
"I'm not taking anyone's side. But just look at your face—it's darker than a coal miner's."
Jiang Li was speechless: "…"
Lin Guifang turned her attention to Xie Huaichu instead, warmly pulling him over to sit beside Jiang Li. "Xiao Xie, come sit. Eat with A-Li."
"Thank you, Grandma. You sit too." Xie Huaichu's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed a little.
That stomp from Jiang Li had really hurt. The girl's strength was no joke.
Jiang Li shot him a glare and started eating in silence.
After the meal, Xie Huaichu once again volunteered to clean the entire kitchen, earning more praise from Grandma Lin.
Jiang Li sat in a chair in the living room, fuming as she watched that man walk in and out like he belonged here.
"Xiao A-Li, Grandma has to head out for a bit. Take Xiao Xie out for a walk, will you? Don't just stay cooped up inside."
Dressed and ready, Lin Guifang waved goodbye while giving final instructions. "Xiao Xie, I'll leave her to you. Be good, the both of you!"
"I will, Grandma," Xie Huaichu waved back, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Mr. Xie, may I ask when you plan to leave my house?" Jiang Li finally couldn't hold it in and asked through gritted teeth.
"I can leave now," Xie Huaichu said as he walked toward her. He leaned in slightly, voice low, "But you're coming with me."
Jiang Li instinctively leaned back, baffled. "Why?! I'm not your property."
"To get your injury checked," he said as he reached for her left wrist, trying to pull her up.
Jiang Li yanked her hand away, her face full of suspicion. "It's fine. No need to go to the hospital. Just go already."
"You have two choices," Xie Huaichu's lips pressed into a line, his tone turning cold. "Come with me on your own—or I'll carry you."
Jiang Li: "…"
Shameless! All he knows is how to threaten her.
St. Ann's Hospital, Orthopedics Department
Xie Huaichu stayed by Jiang Li's side the entire time, never leaving her for a moment as he watched the doctor take X-rays and run checks on her.
"How is it?" he asked, brows furrowed, directing the question at the doctor seated at his desk, who was scrutinizing the X-rays over and over.
The doctor finally looked up, his tone slow and casual. "The bones are fine."
"It's just some superficial injuries. With a bit of rest, she'll make a full recovery."
"Got it." Xie Huaichu gave a small nod and quietly gathered up the X-rays.
"Thank you," Jiang Li said to the doctor with a polite smile, then turned to head out of the room.
Just as Xie Huaichu was about to follow her, the orthopedic doctor stepped in to block his path.