Chapter Thirty-Nine: Wanting to Live on Campus

Her timid little gestures nearly made Mu Tingye laugh aloud. Thankfully, he had endless patience for her. “Still haven’t made up your mind?”

Startled by the sudden sound of his voice, the girl instinctively straightened her back, placed her hands flat on her lap, and answered obediently, “I—I’ve decided.”

The man pressed his tongue against his cheek and nodded. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

Worried that her hesitation had angered Uncle Tingye, the girl finally stopped wavering. She closed her eyes and, as though accepting her fate, spoke softly, “Uncle Tingye, I want to live on campus.”

As soon as the words left her lips, the atmosphere in the study shifted. The air grew stifling, as though a storm was about to break.

Mu Tingye’s hawk-like gaze locked onto the girl, who sat there as meek as a quail. His voice was cold and severe. “Why?”

“I—I want to live with everyone, to experience college life.” Meeting the man’s sharp eyes, her voice faltered slightly, but she still managed to express her thoughts.

“No.” Mu Tingye refused her without a moment’s hesitation, his tone unyielding.

The girl had always been carefully protected, sheltered to the point of innocence. What if someone bullied her? Besides, he… he wanted to see her every day.

Living alone in the vast villa had never felt lonely before—his life had been nothing but work and sleep. But since the girl had arrived, the villa had begun to feel like a home.

She would wait for him to return from work, dine with him in the evenings, and hold his hand with soft, endearing affection… He cherished these moments, wanted to always be with her. With her around, his days were bright and joyful.

The girl grew anxious and quickly tried to coax him, “Uncle Tingye, I…”

Before she could finish, the man interrupted her without mercy. “There’s no room for negotiation. Be good.”

“No, I want to live on campus.” Her delicate brows drew together, and childish stubbornness flared.

Mu Tingye was taken aback. She had always been gentle and pliant; her sudden burst of temper caught him off guard—though, he had to admit, she was rather adorable like this.

“Jiujiu, living on campus isn’t safe. Be good, don’t make Uncle angry.” His tone softened slightly.

“Uncle Tingye, I really want to stay on campus…” She knew she shouldn’t lose her temper, but her longing was genuine, so she pouted and persisted.

Seeing that he still wanted to argue, she hurried to his side, grabbed his hand, and, eyes rimmed with red, pleaded, “Uncle Tingye, I know you have my best interests at heart, but you’ve protected me so well that I haven’t been able to experience the outside world. I don’t want to be alone. I want to play and sleep with my friends, to fit in, to become one of them. Besides…” She lowered her eyes in grievance, “You’re always so busy, out early and back late, leaving me alone in the empty villa…”

Mu Tingye looked at the dispirited girl, surprise and guilt flickering in his gaze. He hadn’t realized how much he’d neglected her…

So be it. If living on campus made her happy, then so be it. At worst, he’d have a word with the principal—surely nothing serious would happen.

His large hand came to rest on her fluffy hair, gently ruffling it as his calm voice sounded, “Alright, I agree.” After a pause, he continued, “But…”

The girl looked up at him in astonishment. She’d already resigned herself to being refused, never expecting Mu Tingye to give in. It was utterly unexpected.

“What is it?”

“Every Wednesday night, you’ll come home and stay here. I’ll keep you company.”

His gentle voice floated to every corner of the study, stirring the heart.

The girl thought it was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her.

I’ll keep you company.

In her previous life, she had endured so much—mocked, treated as worthless, used by others… Never had anyone stood by her side, so what she craved most was companionship. She never imagined the first person to offer it would be Mu Tingye.

Her eyes reddened further, tears shimmering on the verge of falling.

Mu Tingye, seeing her crestfallen look, assumed she objected even to spending one night at home each week. He sighed inwardly—perhaps it was best not to push her.

“Well then—” He was just about to withdraw his request when the girl suddenly threw herself into his arms, catching him off guard.

A muffled, slightly nasal voice came from his embrace, “Alright, you’ll keep me company.”

Her words snapped Mu Tingye out of his daze. One hand slowly encircled her slender waist, while the other gently patted her head in silent comfort.

The faint, cool fragrance that clung to him gradually filled her senses, intoxicating and tempting her to surrender completely.

She nuzzled her cheek against the soft fabric of his loungewear, her voice a tender murmur, “Uncle Tingye, after I leave, you must remember to eat well and sleep well.”

And also… you mustn’t meet Lin Yuexin, or fall for her again…

The girl finished the thought in her heart.

Ah, how adorable she was—treating him like a child, never mind that he was nearly ten years her senior…

Suddenly, he paused. That’s right—he was almost a decade older than her. Would she one day find him too old?

He had never cared about his age before, but now, for the first time, he found himself troubled by it. Why hadn’t his father waited a few more years to have him?

Lost in his thoughts, Mu Tingye felt a gentle poke at his chest.

Looking down, he saw a small, fair hand prodding him, the neatly trimmed, rosy nails pleasing to the eye.

Following the hand upward, he saw the girl gazing at him, her clear, dewy eyes tinged with dissatisfaction. “Uncle Tingye, you must behave!”

Mu Tingye was at a loss for words. No one had ever told him to “behave.” In the unpredictable world of business, he had always held power over life and death. Everyone greeted him with caution, afraid a single misstep would cost them dearly. Even when he was in the wrong, no one dared utter a word.

Yet here she was, scolding him for not behaving—the first and, he knew, the last to do so.

But when he saw the concern brimming in her eyes, his heart was gently tickled, as if by a feather.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you,” he said, his deep voice lifting. “And no matter what happens at school, you must tell me—no hiding anything, understand?”

“Got it!” Her sweet, lively voice was music to the ears.

As she answered, she slipped out of his warm embrace, pouting at him in a way that made Mu Tingye realize she was still just a newly grown girl, someone who needed to be taught with patience, not rushed.

Even rabbits will bite if driven into a corner.

Having achieved her goal, she saw no reason to linger. “Uncle Tingye, I won’t disturb your work any longer. I’ll head back to my room now.”

With the softness in his arms gone, Mu Tingye immediately felt an emptiness settle in his heart, but there was nothing he could do except watch as she ran off.

Suddenly remembering something, he called out to her just as she had taken a few steps, “Wait,” and handed her a beautifully decorated little box from his desk. “This is the gift I promised you.”

Instead of opening it right away, the girl flashed a bright smile. “Thank you, Uncle Tingye. Good night!” With that, she dashed off, not waiting for his reply.

He was left standing there, lost in the memory of her radiant smile.

She was so sweet—sweet enough to warm even the coldest heart.

Good night!