"I'm hungry." Bo Jingyu took the initiative.
Nervousness washed over Shen Ximan. "Ah? Then I'll go buy something for you. What would you like to eat?"
He looked at her as if she were an idiot. "You've already brought it. Why are you still asking?"
"But I..."
She was afraid that what she made wouldn't suit his taste.
This deep - seated sense of inferiority made Shen Ximan a bit timid.
"Bring it here. Don't make me say it a second time."
Bo Jingyu's tone became distant again, cold and detached.
She hesitated for a while but still slowly took out the thermal lunch box. The moment she opened the lid, it successfully made him freeze.
Tender tofu with sliced pork.
"I can't guarantee that the taste will be exactly the same as your mother's, but... it should be okay."
Shen Ximan explained timidly.
Bo Jingyu picked up the chopsticks with satisfaction and took a bite. The taste was similar, but it wasn't the same as the one from his childhood.
She noticed his subtle expression and was about to take back the lunch box dejectedly. But before her hand could reach out, he grabbed it.
A warm sensation spread from her fingertips.
Shen Ximan's face flushed like a ripe apple.
"Are you hurt?" he asked when he saw the Band - Aid on her ring finger.
"It's okay. Hurry up and eat."
She tried to pull her hand back, but Bo Jingyu held it firmly. She couldn't move at all!
"Leave the cooking to the servants in the future. You are..."
He suddenly stopped in the middle of his sentence.
The second half of the sentence, "You are my wife", shouldn't be said.
Shen Ximan guessed his concerns from his eyes.
"If it doesn't taste good, don't force yourself to eat it."
Bo Jingyu let go of her hand and silently finished eating quickly. While wiping his mouth, he couldn't help but scold, "You forgot to bring the staple food."
An invisible bolt of lightning seemed to strike her on the head.
"Ah... I was in such a hurry coming from Xijiao Sea that I completely forgot about the staple food!"
"The taste of the dish is okay, but to avoid getting unnecessary injuries, don't do this in the future. Go to the nurse's station and get some medicine."
Bo Jingyu's calmness put up a high wall with cracks again.
This kind of gap made Shen Ximan wake up. They were never from the same world. Why did she have to do such things to blend in? It was stupid.
No wonder Xue Xiaoqi didn't even bother to lecture her just now. She must have thought Shen Ximan was hopeless.
He tried his best to suppress the urge to comfort her and pulled his thoughts back.
"I still have work to do. You can go back."
Shen Ximan nodded disappointedly. She packed up her things and left. After she left, he was too anxious to calm down.
"It's me. Send more people to follow her."
Qian Li was exhausted. "Second Master, aren't you confident with so many bodyguards following you? If you're worried, I'll send Second Madam back."
"No. Just follow her. Report to me immediately after she gets home."
"... Yes."
He shook his head with a sigh.
"They clearly love each other deeply but still torture each other. Can't they just make a decision straightforwardly?"
The next day, Grandpa Bo's scolding call came to Bo Jingyu.
"Grandpa."
"You scoundrel!"
He pinched the bridge of his nose and replied patiently, "What's the matter?"
"Where are you? If Bo Yanhai hadn't passed by the company while taking a walk today, I wouldn't have known you weren't at your post."
"I'm handling some business outside."
"I gave you the position to manage the company, not to be a hands - off boss!" He was so angry that he stamped his walking stick on the floor.
"Didn't you already suspend me?"
He said it casually in a faint tone.
Bo Yanhai was stunned and speechless. "You! You're deliberately trying to anger me?!"
"Don't worry. The work is progressing normally. If you don't believe me, you can ask the directors. I have something to do. I'll hang up first."
"Hello? Hello!"
He blushed with anger and gasped. "Rebellious grandson! Rebellious grandson!"
The receptionist laughed awkwardly to ease the situation. "Please calm down."
Bo Yanhai made up his mind. "Call General Manager Li of Juanyi. I want to meet him now. Don't let a single word of this leak!"
He had set his heart on Li Xiaoru as his granddaughter - in - law.
In the eastern suburb mansion, Shen Ximan was lying listlessly on the bed in a daze.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Second Madam, I'm coming in."
Aunt Yang came in quietly with a tray.
The smell of breakfast whetted her appetite. She immediately sat up and sniffed the aroma.
"It smells so good."
"I'm glad you like it. There isn't much sugar in the soy milk."
Shen Ximan took a sip from the cup and was so touched that she wanted to cry. "This is the taste! I haven't had such thick and mellow soy milk for years."
Aunt Yang smiled gently. "You can come and have it whenever you want. Third Miss and I will always be here waiting for you."
Hearing these words, Shen Ximan felt guilty.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Yang, for leaving An Ruo with you."
The busy days had left Shen Ximan with little time to accompany her younger sister.
"What are you talking about? You and Master are both very busy with your work every day. You've been working hard for the future."
She broke the breakfast bun in half. Inside was a soft and smooth red bean filling, steaming hot.
"Try my new product. Third Miss will surely like it."
Aunt Yang distracted Shen Ximan and said with a smile.
She nodded and took a bite.
The dense texture immediately stimulated her taste buds, and her appetite increased.
"Grandma Yang, I'm thirsty..."
An Ruo rubbed her sleepy eyes and came down the stairs. The moment she saw Shen Ximan, she froze.
Tears welled up and fell.
"Sister!"
She quickly put down the bun in her hand and walked towards her.
A warm hug embraced her, as warm as the rising sun.
"I miss you so much, sister. Why haven't you come to see me?"
An Ruo's voice was soft and choking, full of grievances.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Shen Ximan's eyes also turned red. She felt so guilty that she wanted to repent.
"Brother always tells me that as long as I'm obedient and study hard, I can give you a big surprise."
An Ruo bit her lower lip while sobbing. "Did you get the surprise, sister?"
She was stunned.
Bo Jingyu had actually said such things in front of her?
He seemed as cold as an iceberg, but unexpectedly, he was extremely kind to An Ruo, just like a real younger sister.
Shen Ximan stroked her head and kissed her lovingly.
"I'm really surprised! You're really amazing."
A child's efforts need to be praised, especially for a girl like An Ruo who lacks a sense of security. She needs more care.
"When will you and brother come to my birthday party?"
An Ruo got out of her arms and asked expectantly.
"Birthday party?"
Shen Ximan looked at her and then at Aunt Yang in confusion.
"Second Madam, the teacher said she wanted to hold a birthday party for Third Miss. It's set for tomorrow night. What do you think..."
She hesitated to speak.