Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Gentleman Called

Clicking "Agree," the chat window instantly popped up.

Qianxi: Hello, Miss! You finally accepted my request—I thought you didn’t want to add me. So sad!

Jiu Bao: Hehe, how could I not? I secretly peeked at your Moments. So cute!

Qianxi: Wow, even a beauty sneaks a look at others’ photos? The angelic image I had of you just shattered!

Jiu Bao: Haha, so that’s how you see me~

Qianxi: Yes! I liked you from the moment I first saw you—felt my heart skip a beat. I’m not lying.

Jiu Bao: Haha, you’re adorable. I really like you too!

Qianxi: Wow, now I’ll be smiling in my sleep tonight, haha.

Qianxi: By the way, Miss, do you live on campus?

Qianxi’s words reminded the girl—should she board this lifetime?

In her previous life, few cared about her. When she mentioned living at school, the Mu couple gave a few words of concern, Mu Zichen didn’t bother at all, and Mu Tingye… though he was often cold, she could sense his care in his words. Even then, when she was timid and unlikable, kept her distance, he still fulfilled his duty as an elder.

Whenever she thought of Mu Tingye, her gaze softened without her noticing.

Then she recalled—she needed to win over Cheng Yanran too. Boarding would make things easier. Besides, she wanted to see everyone’s reaction when she brought up living at school this time.

She opened the typing box and entered without hesitation.

Jiu Bao: Yes, I do!

The reply came quickly.

Qianxi: Wow, that’s great! I want to live with you!

The girl smiled helplessly—such a cute girl, surely they would live together, and maybe even become good friends…

Jiu Bao: Absolutely! And stop calling me Miss, just call me Jiu Jiu~

Qianxi: Okay, Jiu Jiu. My family calls me Qian Qian, so you can too.

Jiu Bao: Okay, Qian Qian. It’s almost dinner time, I’ll log off now. Bye!

Qianxi: Wow, time flies. I’ll log off too. Bye!

She put away her phone and glanced at the date. Time truly flew by—just five days until school started. She needed to start getting ready, but first, she had to sort out the boarding arrangements.

Well, better wait for Mu Tingye to come home before bringing it up.

She went downstairs for dinner. Since Mu Tingye ate lunch at the office, she was left to dine alone at home.

She used to have the Mu parents and Mu Zichen for company at meals. Eating alone felt a bit unfamiliar now.

After finishing her meal, she wandered around the villa. She hadn’t really explored since arriving—she wondered if Uncle Tingye’s taste in decor had changed.

Halfway through her stroll, Aunt He came looking for her, saying the master was calling.

The girl was surprised—shouldn’t he be working at this hour? Why call home?

She followed Aunt He back to the living room. The phone on the table was still off the hook. She picked it up with slender fingers, her voice gentle, “Hello?”

“Have you eaten?” The deep, magnetic voice came from the other end.

“I have. I was just wandering around the villa,” she replied, her tone melodious and clear.

“Have you taken your medicine?”

Why did he have to bring that up again? Why was the medicine issue so persistent?

“Uncle Tingye, I’m already fine. I really don’t need it anymore…” Her voice was quiet, tinged with a hint of timid pleading.

“Take it now. I’ll have Aunt He supervise you.”

Mu Tingye never listened to excuses like “I’m better now.” Only his approval counted.

Especially since the girl had been weak just yesterday.

What to do when she’s disobedient? He frowned unhappily.

“Alright, I’ll take it. Please don’t be upset, Uncle Tingye.” Her voice was soft, coaxing and cautious.

Though she wasn’t in front of him, Mu Tingye could easily picture her: standing nervously in the living room, slender fingers gripping the phone, eyes lowered, biting her lip in anxious gentleness.

She must look beautiful!

He wanted to see her, wanted to go home now, watch her take her medicine, and… look at her.

A restless feeling surged in Mu Tingye’s chest. He loosened his slightly tight collar. “Mm.”

…

Aunt He approached with a glass of water and medicine, her face blooming with a smile.

The master used to be so busy with work, he never cared about such trivial things as medicine. Did this mean he was starting to care for Miss…?

Aunt He felt she had stumbled upon something momentous. She watched the girl with satisfaction.

Miss’s feelings hadn’t gone to waste; the master was finally responding. She hoped the two would only grow closer.

“Miss, here you go.” She handed the medicine to the girl, watching her take it gently, then stood nearby, excitedly observing their phone conversation.

“Uncle Tingye, I’ve taken the medicine.”

Mu Tingye could hear the note of grievance in her sweet voice. He pinched his brow helplessly and said softly, “Good girl. I’ll bring you a gift tonight.”

Maybe it was because the phone was so close, but his magnetic voice seemed to burrow into her ear, sending tingles across her heart. Her voice softened even more, unconsciously, “What kind of gift?”

Hearing her gentle tone, Mu Tingye suddenly smiled. He felt like a boyfriend coaxing his girlfriend to take medicine with promises of presents. An unknown thought crossed his mind, and his smile froze for a moment before he regained his composure.

“Uncle Tingye?”

What was he doing? He’d gone silent for ages and her arm was getting tired. She pouted in displeasure.

“You’ll know tonight.” His voice was icy, devoid of emotion.

She rubbed her forehead in resignation. “Alright, Uncle Tingye. Get back to work now, I’m hanging up.”

He was acting strangely again—fine one moment, cold the next. She understood him less and less.

“Mm.” His voice sounded even colder.

“Beep beep beep”—the call ended. She set down the phone and sighed inwardly.

The path to winning him over was long. She needed to keep working on her charm!

She turned to go upstairs but saw Aunt He watching her lovingly. Puzzled, she smiled and greeted her.

“Aunt He, is there something you need?”

“Oh, Miss, nothing, nothing. I’ll get back to work.” She headed to the kitchen, her face aglow.

The girl was shy; even if she was secretly delighted, she didn’t want others to see. But Aunt He had caught the sweetness in her smile.

Rubbing her hands in excitement,

If these two were making progress, she could rest easy. When the time was right, she’d give them a little push, haha.

After Aunt He left, the girl smiled at her retreating figure and headed upstairs.

Seven o’clock in the evening.

Mu Tingye was almost home. The girl had been keeping watch by her bedroom window, eyes fixed on the villa’s entrance, ready to dash downstairs the moment she saw his car—playing the role of a devoted hostess awaiting her master’s return.

She refused to believe this wouldn’t tug at Uncle Tingye’s heartstrings.