From that day on, their relationship took a significant turn. At home, Han Chenyu would occasionally make affectionate gestures toward Ling Xiaoyao. Aside from blushing and her heart racing, she didn't stop him. He would cook for her, and she would keep him company in his study while he worked. Occasionally, they visited Madame Leng and Madame Han, filling the entire house with a sweet atmosphere.
An energetic elderly man, around sixty years old with graying hair, stepped out the door.
"Uncle Xiang, I came to see you! This is my wife, Ling Xiaoyao."
"Hello there!"
"Please, just call me Xiaoyao."
"Uncle Xiang, this is a gift for you and the other aunties and uncles. Can you have someone take it inside?"
"Of course!"
Han Chenyu took Ling Xiaoyao inside, and she quickly realized they had come to a nursing home. Given how familiar he seemed with everyone, it was clear he often visited.
"Chenyu, you finally came to see us old folks!"
The elderly residents greeted him warmly, clamoring for him to join them in a game of chess.
"I've been a bit busy lately, so I haven't been able to visit. But today, I brought my wife! This is Ling Xiaoyao."
The group turned to see a petite and beautiful woman standing beside him. "Is this his wife? Not bad at all!"
"Xiaoyao, come dance with us!" Several older ladies pulled her toward the dance floor. Ling Xiaoyao turned to look at Han Chenyu, who smiled encouragingly, and happily joined them for a lively dance. She thought to herself how vibrant and enthusiastic these elderly people were; she truly enjoyed it!
During the festivities, Ling Xiaoyao occasionally glanced toward Han Chenyu, who was focused on a chess match with an elderly gentleman. Others stood nearby, watching, but they seemed to keep their distance, perhaps aware of his mild germaphobia.
Noticing Ling Xiaoyao's gaze, Han Chenyu smiled at her from across the room. She quickly turned her head, blushing furiously. What would she do if he caught her staring?
After lunch, Han Chenyu and Ling Xiaoyao prepared to leave. The elderly residents were reluctant to see them go, sending them off with reminders: "Don't forget to come back soon!"
Ling Xiaoyao waved goodbye from the car until they were out of sight. "Uncle Han, is this nursing home yours?"
"Yeah. They're all elderly folks who are alone. Some were even trusted aides to my father when he was young. Seeing them without anyone to care for them, I decided to create this nursing home to take care of them."
"Wow! You seem so distant with strangers, but I didn't expect you to be so caring. You're even more compassionate than I am with the stray animals I take in!"
"Who says I'm distant? You make it sound like I'm some cold-hearted person."
"SORRY! I meant it as a compliment, haha."
"Thanks."
Ling Xiaoyao fell silent for a moment, quietly admiring his handsome profile. To be honest, she was deeply touched today. She spoke the truth earlier; how could his cool exterior be connected to him spending time at a nursing home playing chess with the elderly? But that was exactly who he was. This man had given her a huge surprise!
"Wow, our Mrs. Han remembers the little people like us! What an honor!"
"Cut it out; you wouldn't be so cheeky if you knew what was good for you."
Ling Xiaoyao shot a sideways glance at Sima Yuyao, who had a knack for saying the most outrageous things.
"Xiaoyao, I think you've changed."
Pei Menglu's keen eyes immediately spotted the difference in her.
"Really… have I?"
"Don't play coy. Is it true that your Mr. Han is spoiling you rotten? Tell us, are you happy after getting married?"
"Hey, you two, could you be a bit less blunt?"
Ling Xiaoyao wished she could sew their mouths shut. There were so many people around; how could they be so shameless?
"Of course we can tell! Just look at how radiant she is; she must be spoiled to the moon!"
Sima Yuyao teased her, making Ling Xiaoyao feel even more embarrassed.
"Okay, okay! I'll tell you. I'm very happy."
Ling Xiaoyao paused slightly, then said seriously to Pei Menglu and Sima Yuyao, "Lulu, Yuyao, he confessed his feelings to me."
"What? Are you saying Han Chenyu likes you?"
"Yeah."
"Then you should celebrate big time! It's quite a face-lift to have Han Chenyu like you!"
Pei Menglu laughed.
"Uncle Han, you're back?"
Ling Xiaoyao, curled up on the sofa reading, quickly stood up to greet Han Chenyu as he walked through the door.
"Xiaoyao, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me 'Uncle.' I'm not that much older than you."
Han Chenyu felt uncomfortable with being called "Uncle," as it made him feel old. He didn't like it one bit, but this woman seemingly enjoyed calling him that for her own amusement.
"I'm twenty, and you're thirty-two. That's a twelve-year difference; calling you Uncle is perfectly appropriate!"
Han Chenyu's expression darkened slightly; this was one point where he had lost to her, and she had seized upon it.
In fact, Ling Xiaoyao was delighted to discover that he had a weakness she could exploit. How could she not take advantage of it after all the threats he had made before?
"Are you reading design books again? When's your exam?"
"In three days."
Ling Xiaoyao was determined to do well on this upcoming entrance exam for graduate school!
"Three days? Tomorrow, I have to go on a business trip to the U.S. for a week."
"What? That long?"
Ling Xiaoyao felt wilted; they were in the midst of a sweet romance, and being apart for a week would be so painful!
"Don't be like that. Work is unavoidable. I promise to call you every day, okay?"
Han Chenyu saw her sulking face and puckered lips and pulled her into an embrace, gently comforting her.
"Alright, but you better keep your promise!"
"I promise, and also, you're moving back to the Leng family home for this week. I'm not comfortable with you being home alone, you understand?"
"Okay."
That evening, Han Chenyu repeatedly tormented himself with thoughts of her. The idea of not seeing her for a week flooded him with longing.
Ling Xiaoyao also hated to see him go because she would miss his cooking for the next week. It made her feel so sad!
The next morning, Ling Xiaoyao reluctantly saw Han Chenyu off. "Uncle, you need to come back quickly, or I'll starve!"
"Am I not as important as food?"
Three black lines appeared on Han Chenyu's forehead; did his presence not matter more than a meal?
"Of course not! I'll miss you too!"
"CEO, it's time. You need to board the plane."
"Alright."
"Xiaoyao, eat well, sleep well, don't interact with other men, and most importantly, think of me, okay?"
"Got it."
Did he not realize there were other people around?
Han Chenyu gently kissed her forehead before letting her go and turning to board the plane.
As the plane slowly became a small dot in the sky until it disappeared, Ling Xiaoyao lowered her head, feeling a lump in her throat. She felt empty inside; it seemed she was already starting to miss him.
Back home, Ling Xiaoyao looked around the once sweet home, now feeling lonely and abandoned. A wave of sadness washed over her as she waited for her father to pick her up, and tears began to fall.
"Daddy!"
"Xiaoyao, why are you crying?"
Seeing her red eyes, Leng Feng became flustered. His usually cheerful daughter was now crying uncontrollably.
"Daddy!"
"Daddy is here to take you home."
"Daddy, I miss Han Chenyu."
"Foolish girl, I thought something terrible had happened. Don't worry; didn't Chenyu say he'd be back in a week?"
"Okay."
"You little girl! Now you have a whole week to spend with your dad and mom. Aren't you happy about that?"
"Daddy, it's not that!"
Ling Xiaoyao quickly wiped her tears away and forced a smile. "Dad, let's go home!"
Seeing his daughter go from tears to smiles, Leng Feng chuckled and nodded, leading her home.
"Miss, you have a phone call."
"Coming!"
Ling Xiaoyao dashed down the stairs and excitedly picked up the phone. "Han Chenyu, why did it take you so long to…"
"Xiaoyao, it's me."
The voice on the other end wasn't Han Chenyu. Ling Xiaoyao felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. That rascal had promised to call every day, and it was already 9 PM. She was going to give him a piece of her mind when he got back!
"Xiaoyao, are you there?"
"Uh, I'm here. Who is this?"
"This is Lu Ru Feng."
Lu Ru Feng's heart sank as he spoke. He knew he shouldn't be reaching out to Ling Xiaoyao anymore, but he couldn't control his feelings. He had liked her since college, but knowing she was a wealthy heiress made him feel unworthy. After graduation, he worked hard and finally established his own company, ready to propose to her, only to learn in the supermarket that she was already married. He couldn't accept it!
"Ah, Senior Lu? Why are you calling me? How did you get my home number?"
"Oh, I got it from one of your friends."
"Okay, Senior Lu, what do you need?"
"Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to meet up and chat."
"But…"
Ling Xiaoyao hesitated; Han Chenyu had specifically told her not to interact with other men while he was away.
"I heard you have your jewelry design entrance exam in two days. I have some ideas I'd like to discuss with you."
"Alright, let's meet at nine tomorrow."
Ling Xiaoyao hung up the phone with excitement. She had been worried about not having anyone to give her advice on her jewelry design. Senior Lu had appeared at just the right moment, and in her excitement, she completely forgot Han Chenyu's warning.