Chapter 222 - Chapter 222: My Uncle Seems to Be Interested in You (2)
Chapter 222: My Uncle Seems to Be Interested in You (2)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Yuan Xudong hesitated, thinking of using the excuse of work to decline her request.
But before he could say anything, Uncle Fu, beaming with joy, stuck his head out and said, “Young Master Xudong, you should go. Work is already done, and Miss Xiaoxi has asked for your company. There might be something important.”
Yuan Xudong’s temples throbbed with irritation. This meddlesome man…
Seeing Uncle Fu lightened the atmosphere, Ye Xiaoxi relaxed and greeted him with a smile, “Uncle Fu, how have you been lately?”
“Thanks to Miss’s blessings, I’ve been quite well,” Uncle Fu replied.
He had decided to let go of any concerns about Yuan Xudong marrying Ye Xiaoxi.
Strengthening their relationship would have its benefits, especially since Miss Xiaoxi was a genuinely kind-hearted person.
Seeing them chat happily, Yuan Xudong coldly remarked, “Aren’t there matters to attend to? Why waste time here?”
With that said, he took the lead and walked away.
Ye Xiaoxi waved to Uncle Fu and said, “1’11 be going now.”
“Alright,” Uncle Fu replied with a friendly smile.
Ye Xiaoxi led Yuan Xudong to her bedroom, opened the door, and said to Jiang Yining, “Yining, I’ve brought my uncle.”
“What do you want us to do?” Yuan Xudong, surprised to find Jiang Yining present, asked in a softer tone.
Jiang Yining stood up and said, “We’d like you to join us in practicing a dance. It’s quite simple and won’t take up too much of your time.”
Yuan Xudong raised an eyebrow. Had he been summoned for such a trivial matter?
“I’ve already arranged for a dance instructor, who is more professional,” Jiang Yining continued, “But Xiaoxi is a bit shy. Dancing with a stranger would make her nervous. She’s more familiar with you.”
Jiang Yining didn’t give him a chance to refuse and locked the door, blocking any escape routes for Yuan Xudong.
She pushed him to stand opposite Ye Xiaoxi and played the dance music for them.
“Here’s how you should dance,” Jiang Yining gave them on-site instructions, occasionally using a teaching stick to correct their movements.
Yuan Xudong’s amber eyes revealed a hint of restraint.
Ye Xiaoxi, although initially nervous, gradually adapted.
He was her lifesaver, and she felt an inexplicable sense of security around him. She relaxed as they continued practicing.
After they had practiced in slow motion several times, Jiang Yining said, “Now, try dancing it through.”
Yuan Xudong stayed silent but followed Jiang Yining’s instructions, leading Ye Xiaoxi in a full dance.
Ye Xiaoxi followed his lead, and the dance became much smoother than before.
However, before she could fully enjoy the progress, she tripped again, stepping on Yuan Xudong’s foot, and her body lurched toward him.
Instinctively, Yuan Xudong caught her.
Ye Xiaoxi, in his arms, caught a familiar scent and felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.
“Are you alright?” Jiang Yining asked with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Ye Xiaoxi stabilized herself and looked up at Yuan Xudong, her heart filled with a strange emotion.
Yuan Xudong calmly said, “No need to hurry. Let’s try it again.”
“Okay.”
They practiced continuously for about two hours.
Ye Xiaoxi’s dance steps gradually became more stable, and she made fewer mistakes.
Yuan Xudong said, “That’s enough for today. You can practice by yourself for a while.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Ye Xiaoxi said with deep gratitude. Since entering the Yuan family, many people had greeted her with smiles and flattery, but she knew they were doing it for her grandfather’s sake.
Only Yuan Xudong was different. He appeared stern and aloof, often refusing her requests verbally, but he always ended up helping her.
He was like a second family member to her, apart from her grandfather.
“Don’t mention it,” Yuan Xudong looked at Jiang Yining and said, “Miss Jiang, 1 appreciate your care for my niece. When you have time, 1’11 invite you for tea.”
“I’m Xiaoxi’s friend, there is really no need for that,” Jiang Yining gently distanced herself.
Yuan Xudong nodded and then walked toward the door.
Thinking about how Jiang Yining had locked the door earlier, Ye Xiaoxi quickly rushed to unlock it for him.
Yuan Xudong calmly left the room.
After Yuan Xudong had walked away, Ye Xiaoxi turned to Jiang Yining and said, “Yining, it seems like my uncle really likes you.”
Although she had only spent a short time with Yuan Xudong, she knew that he was usually cold and distant towards everyone, including her grandfather.
But today, he seemed to treat Jiang Yining differently.
“I guess I’m quite likable. Almost everyone who meets me tends to like me,” Jiang Yining ran her fingers through her hair, smiling faintly. “But you should remind your uncle that while he may like me, there’s no future in loving me.” “You’re so self-absorbed!” Ye Xiaoxi picked up a pillow and playfully threw it at her.
Jiang Yining caught the pillow and said, “I call this self-confidence.”
“Alright, since everyone finds Yining so charming and delightful, are you satisfied now?” Ye Xiaoxi compromised.
Jiang Yining nodded.
The two of them chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, it was already past five o’clock. Jiang Yining didn’t want to stay for dinner at the Yuan family’s residence, so she decided to leave.
Ye Xiaoxi escorted her to the door. As they walked through a corridor, they coincidentally ran into Elizabeth Qianqian.
The smile on Ye Xiaoxi’s face visibly stiffened.
Elizabeth Qianqian raised an eyebrow, quickened her pace, and approached them.
Jiang Yining noticed Ye Xiaoxi’s unease and furrowed her brows slightly.
The three of them eventually met in the middle of the corridor.
Elizabeth Qianqian stared coldly at Ye Xiaoxi and said, “Thank you for letting me use your room. I’ve been sleeping very comfortably these past few days. I heard that Mr. Yuan is hosting a banquet this weekend to celebrate your return to the Yuan family. I wonder if 1 have the honor of attending?”
“You’re a guest in our house, so of course you’re welcome to attend,” Ye Xiaoxi replied politely.
“Oh, thank you,” Elizabeth Qianqian responded with words of gratitude, but there was no hint of appreciation in her eyes. Instead, she deliberately taunted, “By the way, I just remembered that you’ve recently returned to the Yuan family, and you might not be familiar with social etiquette. Would you like me to personally teach you? I come from a noble background, and all our etiquette is of the highest standard. You should consider it an honor to be taught by me..”