Mu Yijie pressed against Yong Shanling's forehead with one hand and pushed her away. Looking at the little girl rubbing her forehead and staring at him plaintively, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Hurry up and get your luggage."
"Okay!"
Yong Shanling answered crisply. She turned around and fetched a small suitcase from her room. Then she said briskly, "I'm all set!"
"Is that all?" Mu Yijie asked.
Such a small suitcase couldn't hold many clothes. It seemed rather shabby.
But Yong Shanling nodded generously and explained that she had packed a few changes of clothes and a farewell gift from her master. There was nothing else.
Assistant Fang was good at reading people's expressions. Seeing this, he coughed lightly and tentatively said, "Mr. Mu, shall I call someone to buy some suitable clothes for Miss Yong? After all, she's still growing. Her old clothes may not fit anymore."
Mu Yijie glanced at Assistant Fang. The meaningful look in his eyes made Assistant Fang shiver. He quickly forced a flattering smile.
"Alright. You go in person. Don't bother others."
"Yes!" As Assistant Fang walked out, he wondered what Mr. Mu meant. Did he want to keep a mistress? Was this young lady the main one? How should he treat her?
Yong Shanling was the last to step out of the door. She turned back, locked the door with a heavy padlock, and sighed.
Leaving the place where she had lived for more than a decade made her feel a tightness in her chest.
"Lingling, I heard your old master went on a trip?"
"Little Ling'er, are you moving out with that suitcase? A girl should take good care of herself when she's out!"
"Ling'er... this is for you." An old lady with wrinkled face walked over shakily with a walking stick. She stuffed a bag of washed peaches into Yong Shanling's arms and showed her toothless gums as she smiled. "You loved to steal peaches from my garden when you were a kid. Your master spanked you for that..."
"Thank you, Granny Qi!" Yong Shanling's eyes were red. Most of the young people on the old street had gone to the city to make a living. The ones left behind were mostly middle - aged and old people, all of whom had watched her grow up.
Now that Yong Shanling was leaving, they were also reluctant to part with this little joy and treasure of the neighborhood.
Seeing that if they stayed any longer, the little girl would burst into tears, Mu Yijie quickly put his arm around her waist and led her out of the old street step by step.
"Why are you crying? You said you're an adult. Why are you acting like a baby who hasn't been weaned?" he asked in a low voice.
"Uncle, you're so mean!" Yong Shanling glared at him angrily. "I'm really sad and reluctant to leave!"
"... It's not like you'll never see them again. You're still in the same city. I'll give you leave to visit them if you want." Mu Yijie compromised helplessly.
"Really?" Yong Shanling's eyes lit up. Then she said coyly, "But I'm going to be your personal bodyguard. My master said I can't leave my employer, let alone have a vacation..."
Mu Yijie was silent for a moment and then said, "I'm not a workaholic. I need some rest too. How about I come here for a jog on weekends?"
Yong Shanling immediately stopped crying and laughed. She excitedly hugged Mu Yijie tightly and said, "Thank you, Uncle. You're the best to me!"
The little girl's voice was so sweet that it was almost sickening. Mu Yijie said coolly, "You call me Uncle when you're trying to please me, but you turn your back on me when you're angry?"
Yong Shanling immediately widened her innocent almond eyes and shouted, "Which guy is Uncle talking about? Do I know him? If I do, I'll definitely drag him out and beat him up for Uncle!"
Mu Yijie had no way to deal with her coquetry and playfulness. He glanced at her helplessly and said, "Let's go back first. Your room has been prepared in advance."
Yong Shanling was inexperienced. Naturally, she didn't know how luxurious the car she was sitting in was. She just pressed her face against the window and watched the scenery speeding by with great interest.
"Wow, there are so many tall buildings in the city. It's so different from our old street! If you live so high up, can you touch the birds?" she asked excitedly.
"Of course not." Mu Yijie answered her silly questions absent - mindedly while driving.
"That's no fun." Yong Shanling immediately lost interest. "These houses are so small. They're not as spacious as my home. I even planted carrots in the yard. I can't forget to harvest them later, or the neighbor's rabbit will steal them!"
Mu Yijie glanced back for a moment. Frowning, he scolded, "Don't stick your head out of the window."
"Okay..." Yong Shanling was enjoying the view. Reluctantly, she retracted into the car and stuck out her tongue at Mu Yijie's back.
"Do you think I can't see you?" Mu Yijie said coolly, looking at the rear - view mirror.
Yong Shanling quickly sat up straight, pretending nothing had happened. She turned her head and focused on the scenery outside.
After being quiet for a while, she wriggled around and asked curiously, "Uncle, do you usually live in a small house like that? Can we move to a big house?"
"You'll know if you can live in a big house when we get there."
An hour later, the car drove up a gentle mountain road to the middle of the mountain. A three - story villa hidden among the lush ancient trees appeared in front of them.
The carved automatic iron gate slowly opened. On the flat white road, fully - armed security guards were patrolling back and forth with majestic German shepherds.
Yong Shanling opened her mouth slightly. Looking at the approaching European - style villa, her eyes sparkled. "Wow, Uncle, you're really rich!"
When the car stopped, she couldn't wait to jump out of the back seat. She walked around the small fountain in front of the villa and exclaimed in admiration.
Then she saw the columns with reliefs. Suddenly, she covered her eyes shyly.
"Uncle, who made these stone carvings? They even carved people without clothes on! Ahhh, I saw something I shouldn't have!"
Mu Yijie was speechless. He didn't know how to explain European art to this country bumpkin. So he just bluntly changed the subject. "Let's go inside."
The nanny opened the main door, bowed to Mu Yijie, and quietly stepped back.
The interior decoration of the house was magnificent and luxurious, which fully reflected Mu Yijie's taste.
However, Yong Shanling didn't understand modern art. She took a brief look and commented indifferently, "It's all black, white, and gray. It looks so cold!"
"Little fairy, you're finally here!"
Song Yiran rushed down the spiral staircase. He ran straight towards Yong Shanling, but stopped short under his little uncle's murderous gaze. He looked at Yong Shanling eagerly.
"Little fairy, you'll live here from now on. My little uncle is the richest. He'll definitely make you satisfied in every way!"