Chapter 185: She Doesn’t Want to Return to the Shen Family Anymore
Chapter 185: She Doesn’t Want to Return to the Shen Family Anymore
Nie Chenglang pretended to think for a few more minutes before he suddenly realized, “Oh, I got it. It’s the white rabbit (spit) right?”
“I knew it, Mr. Nie, you’re really intelligent and talented. Thumbs up for you!” Xu Chaomu said, propping her chin and looking at him.
She changed her posture frequently, with a gentle smile always on her face.
Nie Chenglang found her chin-propping look extremely adorable, and without meaning to, his hand still reached out and touched her hair.
She looked beautiful when she smiled, not at all like when he first saw her with tears all over her face and sorrow in her eyes.
“Finished talking, can we go to sleep now?” Nie Chenglang said.
“Nope.” Xu Chaomu shook her little head like a rattle drum, “Not sleeping without a reward.”
“How old are you? Still needing a reward to sleep, just go to bed, I’ll turn off the lights for you.”
“Mr. Nie, you’re so stingy.”
“Hm? What reward do you want, then?”
Xu Chaomu touched her belly and smiled innocently, “I’m hungry.”
“You’re really hopeless, I shouldn’t have picked you up.” Nie Chenglang shook his head helplessly, but his smile was very gentle.
That gentleness was like the ocean, capable of making one drown in it, unable to extricate oneself.
Rings of halo shone upon his face as he stood up, and the tall figure intended to walk towards the doorway.
Xu Chaomu watched him like a child who had done something naughty, looking like she had gotten away with mischief.
“Mr. Nie, are you going to find me something to eat? Mr. Nie, you’re really kind. I’m going to present you with a banner of honor,” Xu Chaomu babbled on.
“Where is there anything to eat? I’ll go make you some supper.”
After saying that, Nie Chenglang opened the door and walked out.
Outside, there was still a drizzle, pitter-pattering, like a mournful violin playing continuously.
The ground was wet with rain, and there was moss on the steps.
Even though this place was remote and simple, it felt even more like a paradise, uninvolved with the outside world’s contention. As if all the mundane troubles had nothing to do with it, the tranquility, remoteness, and ethereality here composed a stunningly beautiful picture.
The land was open and flat, with neat houses around, good fields and lovely ponds, bamboo and mulberry trees included. The paths interwove, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard from afar.
Nie Chenglang took an umbrella at the door, his steps steady, slowly merging into the rain.
Xu Chaomu gazed at his silhouette, feeling somewhat dazed.
Soon, Nie Chenglang disappeared into the rain curtain.
He really went to the kitchen to make Xu Chaomu something to eat. There wasn’t much to work with here, so he made a bowl of noodles for her.
Xu Chaomu sat on the bed in a daze, Nie Chenglang’s laptop on his desk, and she started to play games out of boredom.
When Nie Chenglang came in, she was engrossed in the game, and curious, he leaned over to look.
“…” Nie Chenglang was at his wits’ end.
Minesweeper.
“Lost again…” Xu Chaomu said, disheartened.
“Here, eat up the noodles, or you’ll start complaining about being hungry again,” Nie Chenglang handed her the chopsticks.
“I’ll eat after I win a round.” Xu Chaomu became stubborn, like pulling ten bulls back wouldn’t work.
“Eat!” Nie Chenglang insisted, putting the chopsticks in her hand.
“No no, let me win a round first.”
“Then I’m going to dump it,” Nie Chenglang said, rising to his feet.
“Hey, don’t dump it, I’ll eat!”
Xu Chaomu climbed down from the chair and grabbed the bowl from his hand.
“I’ll eat the noodles, and you win a round for me. Why can’t I win, when I’m clearly so smart…”
“With that IQ of yours…” Nie Chenglang gave her a disdainful look.
Afterward, Nie Chenglang casually clicked a few times, thoughtfully pondering.
Soon, he finished a round and won.
Xu Chaomu stared with her mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time.
“How did you play that, teach me, Mr. Nie, please teach me!” Xu Chaomu leaned in to look at the computer.
“Watch carefully, click this one, look, then this one…” Nie Chenglang started to teach her, “Even a five-year-old can play this. Does that mean your IQ is worrying?”
Xu Chaomu felt challenged and reached to snatch his mouse, “I might know something you don’t.”
“Then tell me, what do you know?”
“I know how to fight.”
Nie Chenglang was caught between laughter and tears.
Her small hand brushed against Nie Chenglang’s large one as she grabbed the mouse, and she didn’t notice anything, but Nie Chenglang pulled back his right hand, feeling an unusual sensation sweep through his chest.
“Mr. Nie, if I don’t win this round, you’re the dummy.”
Nie Chenglang’s thoughts were drifting, so he responded with a faint “Hmm” from his throat.
Xu Chaomu smirked slyly; he had taken the bait.
And as it turned out, her IQ really was worrying—she didn’t win.
She shrugged her shoulders and glanced at Nie Chenglang, “Mr. Nie, you’re the dummy.”
Having said that, she rolled over to eat her noodles.
One has to admit, the noodles were very fragrant, and she ate them with great satisfaction.
“Hmm?” Nie Chenglang was slow to react. By the time he caught on, Xu Chaomu was already giggling at him.
“You called me a dummy, go stand in the corner as a punishment tomorrow!”
“Mr. Nie, your IQ is worrying,” Xu Chaomu mimicked his tone.
“You’re so mischievous and capable of anything,” Nie Chenglang looked at her with both exasperation and amusement.
Soon, Xu Chaomu finished her bowl of noodles. Blinking, she asked Nie Chenglang, “Mr. Nie, are you hungry?”
“What if I say I am?” Nie Chenglang looked at the empty bowl she had eaten clean.
“Even if you are, there’s none left.” Xu Chaomu smiled wickedly and shrugged her shoulders.
Nie Chenglang had never seen such a mischievous ghost of a girl before.
“So now can you go to sleep?” Nie Chenglang looked at her.
“Hmm… almost.”
“You’re harder to coax than those little kids,” Nie Chenglang expressed helplessly.
Having said that, Nie Chenglang stood up, took his clothes, and spread her quilt for her.
“Sleep tight, and I’ll wake you up tomorrow. No sleeping in,” Nie Chenglang told her as he turned off the light.
The room instantly plunged into darkness, and then there was the sound of Nie Chenglang closing the door.
Outside the window, the rain drizzled, the sound tapping rhythmically on the eaves, creating a ‘thunk-thunk’ noise on the tiles.
Xu Chaomu felt secure; this was where she grew up, where she had her most carefree childhood.
She liked days like this, without troubles, without sorrows.
Clutching the quilt, which carried a clean scent just like Nie Chenglang’s fruity fragrance, she felt content.
Here, it was lovely.
It couldn’t compare to the Shen Family villa, nor to their luxurious clothes and gourmet food, but given the choice, she didn’t want to return to the Shen Family anymore.
The next day, the rain had stopped early on, and the sun slanted in from over the eaves.
Xu Chaomu couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so soundly and so late. She slept deeply until the door was knocked on.
“Madam, Madam, Madam Xu, wake up; the sun’s shining on your bum!”
A bunch of little brats knocked on Xu Chaomu’s door energetically.
Xu Chaomu turned over, ignoring them.