Chapter 135: Do You Want to See Qi Shenbai?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lu Zhuo smiled and walked over to pick up the painting. He glanced at her and said, “Jiaojiao, I really like this gift.”
“If you like it, then take it with you.” Xu Jiaojiao did not even raise her head. Her tone was extremely cold.
Lu Zhuo did not leave with the painting. Instead, he stood beside her and looked at her. Previously, he did not realize that she was so focused and alluring when she was drawing seriously.
Her skin was fair and delicate, and her sparkling eyes were fixed on the drawing board. Her focused look added a hint of charm to her.
As Lu Zhuo watched, his throat moved unconsciously.
Xu Jiaojiao noticed that he had not left yet, so she frowned and said, “Do you still have something to say? If there’s nothing else, can you leave now? Having someone nearby will affect my train of thought.”
Lu Zhuo came back to his senses and met her clear eyes. He smiled gently and said, “Alright, 1’11 leave first. I’ll visit you another day.”
With that, he picked up his painting and turned to leave the studio. As he closed the door, he could not help but look back.
Xu Jiaojiao used the end of the paintbrush in her hand to scratch the tip of her nose. She felt that he was really strange.
During the New Year’s Eve dinner, the Xu Family sat together happily. Old Madam Xu could not stay up late due to her old age. Not long after the New Year’s Eve dinner, she gave Xu Zhengyang and Xu Jiaojiao their New Year’s money and went back to her room to sleep.
Aunt Xia was preparing breakfast for tomorrow morning, and Xu Zhiming was sitting with his wife in front of the television watching a skit.
Xu Jiaojiao was watching the Spring Festival Gala with her parents when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Xu Zhengyang, who was about to sneak out of the house. She deliberately shouted, “Brother, where are you going during the New Year?”
Xu Zhengyang paused in the act of turning the doorknob. He turned around and glared at Xu Jiaojiao with a fake smile.
Xu Jiao jiao stuck out her tongue innocently.
Tian Fanghua asked worriedly, “That’s right. Why are you going out so late at night?”
“I’ve already made plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve with my friends,” Xu Zhengyang replied. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Mom, 1 also want to go out for some fresh air with Big Brother,” Xu Jiaojiao said in a sweet voice.
“Forget it. It’s so cold outside. Besides, 1 don’t know where your brother is going.” Tian Fanghua was worried about leaving her daughter to her unreliable son.
Xu Jiaojiao pouted. “Mommy, I’m begging you. Let me go.”
Tian Fanghua still wanted to say something, but Xu Zhiming interrupted her. “Go, put on more clothes and come back early.”
Then, he looked at Xu Zhengyang. “Take good care of your sister. If she loses even a strand of hair, you can stay out forever.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely wear a lot of clothes.” Xu Jiaojiao quickly got up and went upstairs to change her clothes. When she reached the stairs, she did not forget to remind Xu Zhengyang, “Just wait for me for five minutes. Don’t run away on your own.”
Xu Zhengyang secretly gritted his teeth. “You’d better hurry up. I won’t wait for you if you’re late.”
Five minutes later, Xu Jiaojiao came downstairs on time, wearing a red down jacket, a hat, and a scarf.
The corner of Xu Zhengyang’s mouth twitched. “Do you know what you look like now? You look like a red steamed bun.”
“It’s so cold outside.” Xu Jiaojiao glared at him threateningly. “Say that again if you dare. This is the dress Mom bought for me. What if 1 tell her what you just said?”
Xu Zhengyang quickly grabbed the hood of her down jacket and pulled it out. “Mom, we’ll get going first.”
It was the new year. He did not want to be scolded today.
Tian Fanghua followed them to the entrance worriedly. “Take good care of your sister. Don’t drive if you’re drinking. Don’t come back too late.”
“Okay, okay. 1 heard you loud and clear.” Xu Zhengyang stuffed the red steamed bun into the front passenger seat and replied perfunctorily before getting into the driver’s seat.
Tian Fanghua looked at his rash behavior and shook her head. “I’m really worried about letting Zhengyang take Jiaojiao out.”
Xu Zhiming walked over and patted her shoulder. “The children have grown up. As parents, we have to learn to let go.”
“Sigh, but when 1 think about the past, 1 can’t help but worry…”
After meeting her husband’s eyes, she swallowed the rest of her words.
“The past is the past. Don’t let your imagination run wild.”
Tian Fanghua nodded. Although she said that, it was easier said than done to let go. She was just afraid that Jiaojiao would fall sick again one day…
As Xu Zhengyang drove, he glanced sideways at the bun on the passenger seat. “You insisted on following me. Is it because you wanted to see Qi Shenbai?!” “What nonsense are you spouting, Big Brother? 1 just want to accompany you.” A trace of guilt flashed across Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by flattery.
“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Qi Shenbai won’t be coming out tonight. Those old men at home are enough for him to deal with for a while.”
“Oh.” Xu Jiaojiao lowered her eyes. It would be a lie to say that she was not disappointed.
Xu Zhengyang could not bear to see her look like that. He frowned and said, “If you want to see him, call him and ask him to come out. He wouldn’t dare to refuse..”