"Grandpa, please don't get angry. And don't scold him, either."
"It's not what you think between me and Mr. Xie." Seeing how badly Xie Huaichu was getting told off, Jiang Li quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"I'm a rare books restorer. Mr. Xie happened to need me to restore an old medical text today, that's all."
After hearing Jiang Li's explanation, Xie Zhenguo couldn't hide the disappointment on his face."Girl, you're not lying to Grandpa, are you?"
Jiang Li shook her head. "No, I'm not."
"Then do you dislike this brat?" Xie Zhenguo went quiet for a moment, then asked a question that left Jiang Li completely speechless.
"…"
They had only met today. She barely knew him—how could she possibly dislike him?
If anything, she was a little interested… mainly because of how attractive his hands were when he drew.
But she couldn't possibly say that out loud.
The old man looked like he'd tie her up and drag her home to marry his grandson if he had the chance.
If she admitted she liked his grandson's hands, who knows what the old guy might do?
"Grandpa." Xie Huaichu frowned slightly, his cool voice soft but firm. "You're scaring her."
"Is it really appropriate to ask a girl you've only met once something like that?"
"I'm just trying to find you a wife, you brat." Xie Zhenguo knew he was in the wrong and looked a little guilty—but he still made sure to snap back.
"I can handle my own affairs." Xie Huaichu glanced at the old man's sulky, stubborn expression and tried to be as tactful as possible."There's no need to worry."
"Handle it? Then how about bringing me a granddaughter-in-law already, huh? Let me hold a little great-grandson to play with!"
"You walk around with that deadpan face all day, cold as an ice block, like some kind of robot—how am I supposed to be at ease?"
"…"
Xie Huaichu had a headache.
Beside him, Jiang Li felt equally awkward.
She quietly tried to inch away, step by step, hoping to fade out of sight and slip away unnoticed.
Unfortunately, the heavens weren't on her side.
She had just taken one step when Xie Huaichu grabbed her arm.
Startled, Jiang Li looked up at him, blinking in confusion. "What are you doing?"
"Where are you going?" Xie Huaichu cast her a sidelong glance, his tone chilly.
When he arrived earlier, he'd seen the two punks knocked out cold on the ground.
They'd been beaten badly—and the only ones present besides them were Grandpa and her.
Could it be… she saved his grandfather?
She looked so delicate and frail. Could she really have taken down two grown men?
"I'm going home," Jiang Li muttered, trying to shake off his hand—but it was no use.
She frowned, her eyes suddenly turning red with frustration."You're hurting me!"
"Let go of her, you brat!"
Xie Zhenguo shouted, thwacking his grandson with his cane.
"She risked her life to save me, and this is how you repay her?!"
"No wonder you can't get a girlfriend—you've got zero emotional intelligence!"
Xie Huaichu, now suffering both physically and emotionally: "…"
He took a deep breath and finally let go of her arm, though suspicion still lingered in his eyes."If you saved Grandpa, you deserve a reward."
"What do you want?"
Jiang Li rubbed her arm and, seeing the doubt in his gaze, felt her temper flare.
"I don't want anything."
"It's every citizen's duty to do the right thing."
"Don't assume everyone is as calculating as you."
At her words, Xie Huaichu narrowed his eyes, his expression still cold and unreadable.
Smart girl—she picked up on the hidden meaning behind his words.
He reached into the pocket of his suit, pulled out his wallet, and handed her a black card.
"There's no limit on this card. Consider it your reward for saving my grandfather."
Jiang Li's face flushed bright red with anger.
She snatched the card and smacked it hard against his chest.
"Thanks, but no thanks!"
"Keep your money!"
"Goodbye!"
And with that, she spun around and stormed off.
Xie Zhenguo gave his grandson another whack with his cane, fuming.
"You idiot! Are you out of your mind?!"
"Look how mad you made that poor girl! Go after her, now!"
"Grandpa." Xie Huaichu replied patiently, "Did you already forget what happened last time?"
Not long ago, Xie Zhenguo had been tricked by a kid who pretended to need help getting home.
The moment they arrived, the old man was taken hostage.
Though he was eventually rescued, it scared the entire Xie family half to death.
And yet, the old man still refused to be followed by bodyguards—acting like a carefree old rascal.
At the slightest chance, he'd sneak out to "have fun" on his own.
Xie Huaichu's suspicions stemmed from his concern that Xie Zhenguo might get into trouble again.
Xie Zhenguo pursed his lips. "I trust the little girl isn't a fraud."
"Doubao has a recording function. It captured everything that happened just now. You can take a look for yourself!"
Xie Huaichu had intended to do just that.
However, just as he turned to search for Doubao, his whole demeanor visibly tensed.
"Help! Help! Unknown object attacking!"
"Help! Help! Unknown object attacking!"
Not far away, Mango was enthusiastically lying on top of Doubao.
The dog's paws were pawing at this, pressing down on that, and occasionally licking here and there. It seemed to really like this new friend, Doubao.
"Alert! Alert! Strange smell! Strange smell!"
"Stinky! So stinky!"
"Help! Help me!"
"Mango." Jiang Li stepped forward, grabbing the dog's leash, and scolded it coldly. "Do you want a beating?"
"Don't you know this is very rude?"
"Let go of him right now."
"Woof... woof..." Mango, after being reprimanded, reluctantly got off of Doubao, its head drooping as it walked back to Jiang Li's side.
The big head nuzzled her ankle like it was trying to win her favor.
Jiang Li crouched down and rubbed its head. "No more next time, got it?"
"Woof..." Mango obediently responded.
Jiang Li tugged on the leash, holding Doubao's mechanical hand, and walked toward Xie Zhenguo.
"Sorry, Grandpa Xie. Mango's a little mischievous."
Xie Zhenguo smiled warmly at her. "It's fine, it's fine."
He looked at the golden retriever and smiled like a child. "It's named Mango, huh? How awesome."
Jiang Li chuckled, glancing at Mango. "Mango, say hi to Grandpa Xie."
Mango raised its front paw and extended it toward Xie Zhenguo's hand.
"Oh! Is it going to shake hands with me?" Watching the dog with such intelligence, Xie Zhenguo's playful side kicked in.
He was about to reach out and shake Mango's paw when Xie Huaichu stopped him.
"Grandpa, no." Xie Huaichu merely stopped him with words but didn't move from his spot.
In fact, it seemed like he deliberately took a step back.
Jiang Li was about to scold him again, but upon seeing the look in his eyes, a suspicion arose in her heart.
Could it be… he's afraid of dogs?
With that thought, Jiang Li held the leash and, step by step, began walking towards Xie Huaichu, leading Mango along.
"Don't move." Xie Huaichu subconsciously clenched his fist at his side, his expression growing more unnatural by the second.
"Why not?" Jiang Li deliberately teased him, continuing to move closer.
"This isn't your house. I'll go wherever I want."
"Jiang Li."
Seeing the dog about to reach him, Xie Huaichu's heart started racing wildly.
He clenched his fist tightly, gritting his teeth as he muttered two words through clenched jaws, his face as dark as soot.