Seeing this, Qu Xiujie’s heart ached. He actually did not know that this girl whom he had met by accident had given him such a strong feeling. Although he had quarreled and scolded Mao Nana during the days he spent with her, it did not affect his desire to protect this little lass.

  However, under his tough exterior, he was unwilling to reveal it easily because he knew that once he did, Mao Nana would not be able to control her feelings. It was also because of this that Qu Xiujie became more strict with her.

  The deeper the love, the harder it was to say it. Qu Xiujie did not expect to meet such a girl who would stick to him in his remaining time.

  Her beautiful brows, exquisite face, and long legs were all attracting his attention. Her energy, liveliness and youth were like a ray of light that attracted Qu Xiujie’s heart.

  “Why would I blame you? I just feel bad for you. I feel bad for a silly girl like you. You’re at such a young age, yet you’re already making your own living. Many girls are like you when they’re your age and still rely on their family’s finances to enjoy life outside. You, on the other hand, have already made a name for yourself. Shouldn’t a girl like you make others feel bad?”


  Zhang Manhua pursed her lips and smiled. Her eyes were gentle and calm.

  “Thank you, Sister Manhua. I was afraid that you guys would despise me.”


  Mao Nana wiped the tears off her face and smiled. Her white teeth flashed right before Qu Xiujie.

  “Stop crying, you look ugly.”


  Qu Xiujie stood behind Zhang Manhua and looked at her. His voice was gentle.

  “Oh.”


  Mao Nana kept quiet and looked at Qu Xiujie with deep affection. As there were still tears in her eyes, she looked so pitiful. From her line of sight, Qu Xiujie seemed to have two shadows but no matter which shadow it was, it was her favorite Qu Xiujie.

  After lunch, Zhang Manhua arranged for Mao Nana and Qu Xiujie to plant some osmanthus saplings in the backyard of the house. Her motive was to cultivate a new relationship between the two of them so that they would not quarrel and scold each other every time they saw each other.

  As someone who had been through this before, Zhang Manhua naturally knew the meaning behind Qu Xiujie’s actions. After all, liking someone could not be hidden. However, Zhang Manhua realized that Mao Nana did not know why Qu Xiujie was bullying her.

  “Are you stupid? The pit you dug is too small. This osmanthus tree won’t survive.”


  Qu Xiujie brought the tools and saplings to the backyard. He initially wanted to be separated from Mao Nana and plant his own osmanthus tree. There were a total of four saplings and if they were split evenly, it would only be two saplings per person.

  However, to Qu Xiujie’s disappointment, Mao Nana did not know how to plant trees and was about to ruin the sapling.

  “You didn’t tell me how big this pit should be.”


  Mao Nana squatted at the side. There were still traces of dust on her face, but it made one feel pity for her. A desire to protect her grew in Qu Xiujie’s heart until it was swallowed by all his rationality.

  “Stand aside, I’ll plant it for you to see.”


  Qu Xiujie stood up with the shovel and pulled Mao Nana to stand behind him. “Look carefully. This pit is about the size of the roots under this osmanthus tree. Look carefully……”


  As Qu Xiujie spoke, he demonstrated to Mao Nana. In the end, it was Qu Xiujie who planted four osmanthus trees by himself. It was not that Mao Nana had not done it before, but Qu Xiujie felt that she did not have the strength and the pit she dug was too small. The pits could not even fit on of her legs, let alone the osmanthus tree saplings.

  In the end, Qu Xiujie could only plant them himself.

  After planting all the osmanthus saplings, Mao Nana squatted beside the sapling and watered them one by one. The shadow of her squatting on the ground was near Qu Xiujie’s feet as the sun set. It appeared as though he was stepping on her head.

  “Come here.”


  Qu Xiujie said as he looked at Mao Nana who was squatting on the ground.

  Mao Nana turned around curiously and saw that Qu Xiujie was only looking at her shadow. She quickly shifted her position and Qu Xiujie stepped on her again. “You still want to run, right? But I can still step on you.”


  Mao Nana did not say anything and shifted her position again. This time, the position was very big and Qu Xiujie had to take two to three steps before he could reach her shadow. Qu Xiujie looked up and saw the beautiful side profile of Mao Nana as she patiently watered the osmanthus sapling.

  The fine hair on the tip of her nose was very lovable. The fringe on her forehead was wispy, making her look like a beautiful Korean drama girl who had just stepped out of a drama. She was wearing a khaki-colored long sweater. Although it covered most of her body, it could not cover her long legs.

  A pair of fair and long legs.

  “Mao Nana.”


  Qu Xiujie suddenly shouted.

  “Hm?”


  Mao Nana raised her head and the watering can in her hand was dripping with water. The green leaves on the osmanthus sapling were dripping with water. She looked up and her pretty almond-shaped eyes struck Qu Xiujie’s heart.

  “What’s the matter?”


  Mao Nana continued asking as she looked at Qu Xiujie’s beautiful eyes.

  “Don’t wear short skirts anymore.”


  “Why?”


  “Because it’s cold now. You should wear long pants.”


  “Oh, okay.”


  Mao Nana turned around and felt happy. This Qu Xiujie always used different ways to say that he actually cared about her. Although she was unwilling to admit it, she knew that this dumb uncle clearly cared about her.

  The two of them fell into silence again. Mao Nana squatted down and watered the four trees before standing up.

  Her vision turned dark and her limbs became numb.

  Just as Mao Nana thought that she was going to fall to the ground, she fell into a warm embrace. It was very strong and muscular, a body that was different from his age.

  “Uncle, you……”


  Mao Nana regained her senses from the surprise. She had fallen into Qu Xiujie’s arms. Before she could show any surprise, Qu Xiujie asked impatiently, “Are you done lying down? If you are done lying down, get up. I don’t want to support you. If my sister sees this, who knows what will happen to us.”


  Qu Xiujie remained silent but his lukewarm attitude had a new definition in Mao Nana’s eyes.