"Where is Jiang Liren?" Xie Huaichu didn't answer Lu Ziyang's question, but instead asked in return.
His entire demeanor was shrouded in an aura of coldness.
The silver-rimmed glasses were put on at some point, and his deep eyes were hidden behind the lenses.
It made it hard for others to read his emotions or guess his thoughts.
"Big sister said there was something at the studio, so she left first," Lu Ziyang answered honestly.
Xie Zhen Guo took a step forward, his face full of concern.
"Huaichu, what exactly happened between you and Jiang girl?"
"Grandfather sees that Jiang girl has been wronged."
"Jiang girl is obedient, understanding, and pure-hearted. I will not allow you to hurt her."
"Grandfather."
Looking at the serious expression on the elderly man's face, Xie Huaichu pushed up his glasses with one hand. His words were cold but sincere.
"I won't bully her."
The girl had indeed been wronged; it was him who had frightened her.
"Today's events were my fault for not considering everything thoroughly; I was indeed too harsh."
"I will find a chance to talk to her properly and make up for the harm she's suffered."
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhen Guo finally let out a sigh of relief.
"If you say that, then I can rest assured."
"Jiang girl is not an easy child, I originally intended to match you two together."
"But now that I think about it, she also has her own decisions to make."
"If I were to force you two together, it would make things difficult for her."
"So I won't interfere with your matters anymore."
"Grandfather just wants to say, if you truly have romantic feelings for Jiang girl, I hope you can treat her well."
"If you don't like Jiang girl, then don't disturb her anymore and just quietly remain strangers."
Xie Huaichu fell silent, a deep thought in his eyes.
What exactly did he feel for Jiang Li?
He couldn't say for sure, and he couldn't make up his mind.
But every time he faced Jiang Li, he would inexplicably lose control.
He couldn't explain why he felt this way.
All he knew was that deep in his subconscious, he didn't want to see Jiang Li sad or upset.
Especially during the time when Jiang Li's grandmother was ill.
Seeing Jiang Li so helpless, sad, and lonely.
It made him feel uncomfortable.
He couldn't quite explain why he felt that way.
It could even be said that he felt heartache.
He cared for her.
If he could, he wanted to bear all those hardships for her.
"Brother, sister left her coat behind."
Just as Xie Huaichu was lost in thought, Lu Ziyang's voice brought him back to reality.
His gaze shifted slightly, looking at the coat in Lu Ziyang's hand. Xie Huaichu narrowed his eyes.
"I'll take it to her."
He stepped forward to take the coat, handling it carefully in his hands, and turned to leave.
Watching Xie Huaichu's figure gradually disappear, Xie Zhen Guo sighed deeply.
"Xiao Yang, did grandfather make a mistake this time?"
"If I hadn't encouraged Jiang girl to take that bowl of soup to your brother…"
"Wouldn't they have been okay?"
"In the end, it's still this old man who caused the trouble."
"Grandfather."
Lu Ziyang stepped forward to support the elderly man, slowly leading him to the sofa. He comforted him.
"Please don't blame yourself."
"Brother has his own thoughts and ideas, and Jiang sister is a sensible person."
"I believe that their misunderstanding is just temporary, and it will be fine soon."
"Don't worry."
"I hope so." Xie Zhen Guo sighed again, his brows furrowed, filled with worry.
Later, Jiang Li didn't immediately return to Bi Shui Huai Shu Zhai.
Her mood was complicated, and her mind was in a complete mess.
But, the image of Xie Huaichu forcibly kissing her kept replaying in her mind.
It made her extremely agitated, uneasy, and even fearful.
The suppressed emotions deep inside her seemed to have revived.
She drove the small mini jeep aimlessly down the street.
As she drove, the car veered off the main road, heading toward the outskirts.
By coincidence, her car perfectly missed Xie Huaichu's black Maybach across the street.
Hai Cheng Yun Zhong Bridge.
Jiang Li parked the mini jeep by the roadside, got out of the car, and stood at the bridge, feeling the wind.
She was only wearing the floral qipao, and her coat was left behind at the Xie family's old house, which made her more irritated.
After thinking for a moment, she took out her phone and sent a message to Lu Ziyang.
[Yangzi, I thought about it, and I'm afraid I can't continue tutoring you.]
[You're a smart kid, and I believe you will create brilliance in the future.]
[Don't mind what others think, just be bold and be yourself.]
[If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to send it to me, and I'll help you analyze and explain it.]
After sending the message, Jiang Li put her phone back into her bag.
She crossed her arms and stood by the railing, looking at the flowing water below the bridge.
Xie Huaichu was simply too dangerous to her.
His aggressiveness was too strong, and it scared her.
She was indeed grateful to him regarding her grandmother's illness.
But she also clearly understood that it was simply gratitude, not love.
She won't fall for him, nor dare to wish for it.
So, all she can do is to stay as far away from Xie Huaichu as possible.
As the sun set and the night descended, Jiang Li finally drove back to Bi Shui Huai Shu Zhai.
After getting out of the car, while closing the gate, Xie Huaichu appeared out of nowhere, approaching her.
"Jiang Li."
He stopped outside the gate, calling her in a deep voice.
Upon seeing him, Jiang Li instinctively furrowed her brows, her eyes filled with caution and wariness.
The cold and distant gaze she gave him made Xie Huaichu feel a suffocating discomfort in his chest.
But this time, he had learned his lesson and didn't dare act impulsively again.
"Your coat."
He steadied his breath, suppressing the sorrow deep inside, and handed the coat to Jiang Li, speaking slowly.
Jiang Li quickly took the coat, her expression remaining calm.
She didn't spare him another glance, merely responding softly.
"Thank you." With that, she coldly shut the gate, cutting off all connection.
Xie Huaichu stood stunned, staring at the gate that was shut in his face, feeling an even heavier blockage in his chest.
He took out his phone, dialing Shao Moxian's number. "Where are you?"
"At the Half-Wake Club, Room 8. Are you coming?"
The sound on the other end was a bit noisy, as if there were quite a few people around.
Xie Huaichu frowned, a chill filling the air around him. "Clear the place out. I'm coming."
Without waiting for a response, he hung up the phone and strode toward the other end of the alley, disappearing into the darkness.
Back on the other end, after the call was disconnected, Shao Moxian stared at his phone as if it were an alien artifact.
It took him quite a while to process that this call was indeed from his good brother.
He waved his hand, dismissing everyone in the room.
Then, he lazily leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs and placing them on the coffee table.
He held a glass of red wine, slightly tilting the glass.
The deep red liquid swirled as he smirked wickedly.
Soon after, Xie Huaichu entered, the cold air around him filling the room.
"Wow, our usually detached Dr. Xie is actually coming to the bar to find me. This is a rare occasion indeed."
Xie Huaichu, his face cold, didn't respond to his teasing. Instead, he sat down on the sofa beside him.
He grabbed the glass of wine on the coffee table and downed it in one go.
Then, he grabbed the bottle of whiskey and poured himself another full glass, drinking it clean.
Just as he was about to drink again, Shao Moxian quickly stopped him.
"Big bro, are you crazy? That's alcohol, not water."
"Why are you drinking like that? Are you planning to go discuss life with Buddha himself?"