With his arm around her thin waist, Ji Ziming’s lips curled up as he lovingly looked into her beautiful, moist eyes. “What do you say? You are my woman, so you will naturally stand behind me. With me braving the storm for you and protecting you, what do you have to be afraid of?”


  “I am not. I am just worried—”


  “Worried about what? Worried about Huang Zhian?” His deep-set eyes darkened as he regarded her with them. She could not see through his emotions, but his voice made her less worried.

  “Yes. I am worried about him being imprisoned—whether he is eating well, sleeping well, being bullied, or—”


  “I dare you to say that again!”


  He pinched her chin hard, making her small face turn red. “If you dare say it again, I will make that guy disappear from this world.”


  “You—”


  He did not give her a chance to complete her sentence as he sealed her mouth with his. His nimble tongue ravaged the insides of her mouth as his hands tightly grasped her arms, making her unable to move an inch.

  After a long while, he finally released her and asked in a clear and low voice, “Do you know what you’ve done wrong this time?”


  “You! You’re so tyrannical. Can’t I even joke with you?”


  She nudged her lips and continued in a slightly cutesy way. “Even if that guy likes me, which I doubt, do you really think he will try to fight with you?”


  “Of course, he won’t. I’ve never been afraid of anyone.”


  “Yes, it’s always others who are afraid of you. Who dares to offend you? If they offend you—”


  “There is only one person who dares to offend me; do you know who that person is?” He squinted at her. “That person…… I can’t even do anything to her.”


  “Are you talking about me?”


  “If it’s not you, then who? Me?”


  “You didn’t say it’s me, so how is it my fault?” She pushed him away and walked to the desk before turning to look at him. “Do you think Huang Zhian will be sentenced to life in prison because of this?”


  “That will depend on how useful Red Star is to me.” Ji Ziming took long strides to the sofa and sat down. Looking at the woman standing in front of him, his gaze darkened. “So that will depend on you.”


  “On me?” Are you sure? Does it look like I want to save Huang Zhian?

  No, no, no. That’s not it. I can understand anything, except for him this time; there’s simply no recourse for this.

  Just as the two were discussing that guy’s matter in the office, Qu Jingwan was peacefully taking care of Ji Chi in the hospital ward.

  “Baby, once you recover, shall auntie bring you out to play?” She held the bowl of plain porridge and fed the child one spoonful at a time. A smile slowly spread across her lips as she watched him finish the porridge she made.

  It was hard to tell if this smile was good or bad—a happy or an angry one.

  “Lass, you don’t have to keep taking care of this boy. Your health is important, too. Didn’t you catch a flu recently? You refused to ask Dr. Duanmu to examine you. You worry me too much.”


  “I’m fine, auntie. As long as Baby is fine, I don’t matter. I’m an adult, so a little flu is nothing to me.” She coughed slightly as the hand holding the bowl shook slightly.

  “Aish! You always don’t listen to my advice. Go rest; you hear me? Baby, your auntie worried about you all night and fell ill because of it. Shall we let her go rest for a while? Granny will feed you porridge, instead.”


  Madam Ji took the bowl from the lady and quickly helped her to the bed at the side. She then reassured, “Just rest here properly. I’m still around if anything happens to my grandson. Just rest here; you hear me?”


  “I think I should do it, after all.” She nodded and moved to take the bowl again, but the older woman stopped her.

  “Do what? Just stay there properly. I will have the nurse call a doctor to look at you later. My grandson is confined here, anyway, so if you have to be hospitalized, too, I will just take care of you both.”


  “If I, myself, am hospitalized, what will happen to this child? I am still worried.” Qu Jingwan feigned concern. “Don’t worry; I am truly fine. I can do anything for Baby. A small flu is nothing.”


  “You are just too kind. Even though my grandson isn’t your flesh and blood, you treat him even better than one to their biological son. You put me, his grandma, to shame.”


  “You’re the one who cares about him the most. My concern is nothing; it is at most that of an auntie who likes children.”


  She revealed a look of sorrow. In fact, she actually wished that the boy was her son. The biggest happiness in life was actually to have a child who was this filial.

  “Alright, alright. Let’s stop here. Just rest properly. I will take care of the boy, as well as the other kids.”


  The older woman looked toward her other grandchildren, only to realize that Ran Ran had poured the milk she had brought from home into a cup.

  While pouring the milk, the girl continued speaking in a sweet and cute voice. “Second brother, I tell you: I like this milk the most. I specially brought it from home. Also, big brother brought this cup from home for you to drink the milk. Although you are staying in the hospital, you must know that we are all waiting for you to come home. You must tell me if you want to eat or drink anything. I will have auntie make it for you.”


  The girl put the glass of milk to her brother’s mouth and blinked her large eyes at him. “Get well soon, or else auntie’s flu will not recover easily.”


  “Mhm.” Ji Chi nodded and peered at Qu Jingwan sitting at the side. He then received the glass of milk from his sister and softly said, “I will try to recover fast and go home.”


  “Hurry and drink the milk, then. That way, your body will become better fast.” After seeing him finish the milk in one gulp, the girl could not help but start clapping in joy. “Yay, second brother is amazing!”


  “Ran Ran, be a little softer. Let your brother and auntie rest, okay?” Madam Ji placed her index finger against her lips and signaled her granddaughter to be silent.

  “Mhm-mhm. Okay.” The girl nodded with a smile and covered her mouth with her small hands. Through her hands, her muffled voice sounded. “I will be quieter.”


  She nodded with a smile and let out a small sigh at how obedient and lovable her granddaughter was.