Chapter 44: Another Admirer Appears

Xu Jiaojiao looked at the man who came to open the door, unable to suppress the amazement in her eyes. The character descriptions in this book were so good! Every man was a handsome one, all the handsome men she had never seen in her life appeared in the story.

Xie Zhi squeezed her wrist lightly, and Xu Jiaojiao let out a small cry of pain. When she saw his emotionless eyes, she felt a rare sense of guilt, like a wife caught by her husband after cheating.

Shen Guanqi smiled slightly, opening the courtyard door and focusing his gaze on the girl. He clicked his tongue, “The clothes look good, and so do you.”

Xie Zhi’s voice was calm as he said, “Guanqi, this is your sister-in-law, just call her sister-in-law.”

Shen Guanqi’s indifferent eyes shifted, and his expression immediately soured. “Xie Zhi, you’re married?”

“Why didn’t you invite me to the wedding banquet?”

“We haven’t had the wedding yet.”

“Oh, so you’re not married yet. That means I still have a chance,” Shen Guanqi said with a smile, his gaze gentle as he looked at Xu Jiaojiao, his tone carrying an unmistakable meaning of intent.

Xie Zhi’s lips curled into a faint smile, thinking to himself how these flies always appeared around his wife. He was annoyed and wanted to marry Jiaojiao as soon as possible.

Xu Jiaojiao keenly felt the tension between the two men and sneaked a few glances, but eventually gave up, deciding it was better to just mind her own business.

Shen Guanqi invited them to sit on the sofa and thoughtfully fetched a bottle of soda for Xu Jiaojiao from the fridge. He then sat down next to her, smiling, “What’s your name? I’m Shen Guanqi.”

She looked at Xie Zhi, who seemed unhappy, and shifted closer to him, politely replying, “I’m Xu Jiaojiao.”

“Xu Jiaojiao.” He repeated her name, his indifferent gaze flickering for a moment, seeming to light up. “Such a beautiful name. There’s water in the kitchen, help yourself.”

“Jiaojiao, your name is really nice, just like you. So fragrant! How about I buy you some perfume?” Shen Guanqi was very interested in the girl, and they ended up sitting closer and closer, with Xu Jiaojiao almost resting against Xie Zhi’s leg, but the man showed no signs of holding back.

Xie Zhi’s cold voice broke the moment, “Shen Guanqi, move away.”

He pulled Xu Jiaojiao into his arms, his heart full of frustration. These people just kept appearing around his wife, and he clearly saw the admiration in Jiaojiao’s eyes.

Ever since Xu Jiaojiao had shifted her affections from Sheng Jie to him, Xie Zhi had defined her as someone who would love at first sight. So, naturally, he was wary of someone like Shen Guanqi, who seemed so flirtatious.

“Xie Zhi, isn’t Jiaojiao free to make friends?” Shen Guanqi asked with a smile.

“Jiaojiao, can I be friends with you?” Shen Guanqi’s tone was teasing, clearly attempting to provoke Xie Zhi.

Xie Zhi shot a cold glance at Shen Guanqi, his displeasure evident, though Xu Jiaojiao smiled and reassured him. “It’s okay, really.”

“Can I call you Guanqi?” Xu Jiaojiao asked.

“Of course, Jiaojiao. Xie Zhi’s temper is so bad. Does being in a relationship mean you have to get married? I don’t think so,” Shen Guanqi replied with a smile.

Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes brightened. “You think so too?”

“Of course, just enjoy love,” he replied with a smile, a look of victory in his eyes as he glanced at Xie Zhi. It was clear that he and Jiaojiao had plenty of common ground.

“Jiaojiao, let me buy you some perfume, and also a lipstick in a nice shade of bean paste.”

“No need, Guanqi. I’ll take Jiaojiao to the department store and buy it for her,” Xie Zhi interjected calmly, his previously smiling face turning serious.

Xu Jiaojiao quietly sipped the soda that Shen Guanqi had given her. It was icy and sweet, a pleasant feeling that made her eyes squint in delight. She didn’t even realize how attractive she looked at that moment.

Her pinkish cheeks, hands holding the glass with delicate fingers, her eyes slightly squinted, and her fair skin—it was all incredibly alluring.

Both men were staring at her, and Xie Zhi immediately regretted letting her wear this outfit, but then he stopped himself. He knew he shouldn’t restrict Jiaojiao’s wardrobe, just protect her.

Shen Guanqi, with his pale skin flushed with a hint of red, smiled. “Jiaojiao, you’re so beautiful.”

Even though he had been abruptly woken up, his anger evaporated the moment he saw Jiaojiao. All he wanted was to stay by her side.

He regretted not going to the countryside; if he had met Jiaojiao there, things might have been different.

Shen Guanqi’s envious gaze at Xie Zhi was evident as he sighed deeply.

Although the atmosphere between the three of them was awkward, they managed to carry on the conversation until Mr. Hu returned.

“Jiaojiao, Xie Zhi, what brings you here?” Mr. Hu asked with a smile.

The two quickly stood up, leaving Shen Guanqi lounging on the sofa, his arm resting lazily on the side of Jiaojiao’s seat, making it look like he was loosely holding her.

“Uncle Hu, Jiaojiao and I just came early, wanted to follow you for a bit, feel more at ease.”

Mr. Hu nodded with a smile. “Guanqi, you haven’t met Jiaojiao, right? She speaks English so well. Guanqi, come with us.”

Shen Guanqi laughed lightly and teasingly said, “Really? Jiaojiao has so many surprises I didn’t know about.”

Xu Jiaojiao laughed awkwardly, finding his words and gestures overly suggestive.

“Guanqi, go change. You can’t go around dressed like this. Look decent, at least,” Mr. Hu said.

Shen Guanqi gave a helpless look at his father and then softened his gaze as he turned towards Jiaojiao. She watched as he slipped into a pair of slippers and went upstairs.

Curious, she asked, “Uncle Hu, why doesn’t Guanqi share your last name?”

“That child’s been weak since childhood, so we decided to let him take his mother’s surname for his health,” Mr. Hu explained calmly.

Xu Jiaojiao pondered the name “Guanqi” in her mind, and then murmured, “Guanqi doesn’t speak, truly a gentleman. That’s a nice name.”

Xie Zhi clearly heard the poetry and seemed surprised. Mr. Hu, also hearing it, laughed and said, “Jiaojiao, Xiao Jing is wrong. See, there’s nothing uncultured about you.”

Xu Jiaojiao felt the intense gazes of both men on her, and she felt a bit flustered. Just then, Shen Guanqi had already changed clothes and came back down quickly.

He looked cold and unapproachable, but when he smiled, it was like a clingy little dog. Wearing a warm white outfit, he seemed even gentler, though his tone still carried some provocation.

“Do you think this looks good?” he asked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of challenge.

Shen Guanqi gave a smug look to Xie Zhi, even though he was speaking to Jiaojiao. His eyes challenged Xie Zhi. “Does Jiaojiao think I look good in this outfit?”