The little girl shouted while running out from the yard with a stick in her hand, warily eyeing Xu Musen.


    "Let go of my sister right now!"


    Xu Musen was baffled, and the stick in the little girl''s hand... it seemed to be huali wood!


    Though not thick, that stick was worth a good sum of money; you''re using that to chase off bad guys?


    Isn''t that like using meat buns to beat dogs?


    Phew!


    "Nuannuan, don''t be rash."


    At that moment, a kind voice called out.


    An elderlydy with white hair, looking full of vigor, holding a huali stick as a cane, walked out.


    "You must be the friend Nuannuan made at school, right? I''ve heard all about today''s events, thank you for looking after Nuannuan at school."


    The old woman, with a kind face, looked Xu Musen up and down and nodded with a smile.


    "You''re too kind. Nuannuan and I are friends; it''s only right to do so," Xu Musen said modestly, feeling without a doubt that this affable olddy was definitely no ordinary person.


    An Nuannuan, hearing the exchange between Xu Musen and her grandmother, seemed quite pleased.


    This was, after all, the first time a friend hade to her home.


    Meanwhile, her younger sister stood by, blinking her big, sparkling eyes, watching her sister so affectionately close to this unfamiliar boy, with feelings of jealousy apparent in her nce.


    "You''ve had a long journey,e inside and have a cup of tea."


    The elderlydy invited, and Xu Musen couldn''t refuse, so he entered amidst the little girl''s somewhat scowling expression.


    Xu Musen pondered whether this little girl was perhaps overly protective of her sister, her jealous looks somewhat reminiscent of Yao Mingyue''s.


    Such a little imp.


    After entering the yard, Xu Musen marveled at how the vi was almost like a small manor.


    Turning a corner, he indeed saw vegetable greenhouses and numerous fruit trees and realized that An Nuannuan''s ims of homegrown fruit were true.


    The location might not be in the city center, but the property prices weren''t cheap either; such arge area was not attainable for the average person.


    The decorations and arrangements in the yard also seemed quite grand; if ced in an ordinary household, they would be treasured in the living room.


    This was truly a bona fide richdy.


    Once they reached the living room, the maid brewed some tea.


    Xu Musen gently set An Nuannuan down on the chair from his back.


    The olddy watched as Xu Musen instinctively also straightened An Nuannuan''s arm with a thoughtful gesture, and took another long look at him.


    "Sister!"


    As soon as An Nuannuan had settled, the little girl pounced into her arms, her small head nuzzling against her chest as if to reacquaint herself with her sister''s scent.


    "My granddaughter has grown up with me and her grandfather from a young age; there might be some disconnect with the younger generation nowadays. She hasn''t been causing you trouble at school, has she?" the olddy asked Xu Musen with a warm smile.


    "No trouble at all. Nuannuan is a great person, and I enjoy spending time with her," Xu Musen replied, looking at An Nuannuan. With no malice and easy to tease, where could you find such a good person?


    As An Nuannuan listened to his words and his sunny smile, she felt... her cheeks were still a bit warm.


    The little girl snorted, "A man''s mouth..."


    At that moment, the maid came over to change An Nuannuan''s clothes and try the new wheelchair.


    An Nuannuan first nced at Xu Musen.


    "Nuannuan, Grandma will have a chat with your friend for a bit; you go ahead," the grandmother said, affectionately patting An Nuannuan''s head.


    Xu Musen nodded in agreement, and then An Nuannuan followed the maid out of the room.


    Now, only the olddy and Xu Musen were left in the living room.


    The olddy asked with a smile, "I heard from Xiao Xiang that you met Nuannuan when you were setting up a stall in the square. Are you involved in some business now?"


    Xu Musen nodded, "Yes, at that time, I thought Nuannuan''s family wasn''t well-off and that she needed to take a part-time job. I just happened to need some illustrations, so we coborated. But I never expected that Nuannuan was just experiencing life..."


    Xu Musen said this and couldn''t help butugh at himself with a bit of self-deprecation. He had intended to help the poor, only to find out that he was the one who was truly penniless.


    The kind olddy smiled and said, "We''re all average families, but I still thank you. You''re a good-hearted child.


    Nuannuan''s body and temperament have always made it difficult for her to connect with others. I was always worried that she would be alone throughout high school."


    "You worry too much. Actually, Nuannuan is quite adorable; she just... has some ideas different from the average person. I think such a character is genuinely sincere and rare. Being with Nuannuan is quitefortable."


    Listening to his words, the olddy''s smile grew even wider, "Speaking of which, I heard you say you run a stall at night and also do some business. You''re so young; do you need a lot of money?"


    Xu Musen smiled, "Well, no one wouldin about having too much money. It''s always good for a man to start nning for his future early on."


    Hearing his words, the olddy appreciated his sincerity and thoughts even more.


    "That little game you made, Nuannuan also showed it to us. It''s quite good. I see you''re just starting out. If you need help, we can offer some as a way of thanking you for looking after Nuannuan."


    The olddy looked at Xu Musen; although her body was somewhat bent, her eyes still shone with wisdom.


    A favor from someone of her stature was not a simple matter.


    Xu Musen certainly needed money at the moment, but he didn''t want to take this sum.


    He shook his head, looked at the elderly woman, and spoke with a smile, "I appreciate your kindness, but my willingness to take care of Nuannuan is because she and I are friends, nothing more.


    I really do want to make money, but I never make money off my friends. However, making a fortune together with friends is a different story."


    Xu Musen''s words were delivered with neither servility nor arrogance, and were extraordinarily sincere.


    The olddy watched him for a long while, then smiled meaningfully, "It seems I''m the one who''s be muddled with age. I''m relieved that Nuannuan has a friend like you. Stay for dinner with us today."


    Xu Musen shook his head, "A meal is already prepared at home, and since Nuannuan is back, I''m relieved. I won''t impose today."


    As he was speaking, Xu Musen saw in the corner of the living room, An Nuannuan had already changed her clothes ande out.


    She was wearing a casual dress, her hair tied up, and her fair skin shone resplendent under the sunset''s glow.


    Her stunning face seemed to be tinged with the setting sun''s hue, and those dazed eyes were now reflecting Xu Musen''s silhouette.


    She must have heard a part of the conversation, pushing her new wheelchair over to Xu Musen.


    "Xu Musen... thank you."


    Her words were still devoid of much emotion, yet her voice was exceptionally soft.


    "We''re friends; no thanks are needed," he replied.


    Seeing her like this, Xu Musen couldn''t help but gently touch her head.


    However, he felt the gaze of jealousy from the stairs, where Xiao Xiang peeked out, watching the hand Xu Musen ced on her sister''s head.


    When it was time to say goodbye, An Nuannuan apanied him to the front door.


    "Xu Musen, are you going to the stall tomorrow?"


    Hope filled An Nuannuan''s eyes.


    Her gaze was like that of a little dog at home, eagerly waiting for you to take her out for a walk.


    Xu Musen thought for a moment, then his eyes brightened as he responded, "Sure, I actually do need some help with something."


    ...


    Upstairs, the olddy and Aunt Xiao Xiang, who had just returned, stood on the balcony watching the two waving goodbye to each other.


    "Did the resultse out?" the olddy asked.


    "The fingerprintparison is done. It belongs to a ssmate of Nuannuan''s named Lv Hong. The reason seems to be... the jealousy of young people. He wanted Xu Musen to misunderstand that girl named Yao Mingyue, so he could take the opportunity to step in, which inadvertently implicated Nuannuan. Look..."


    Aunt Xiao Xiang said this with anger yet helplessness, and also found it a bit amusing.


    "Inform the school to take the appropriate action," the olddy responded, then turned her focus to the departing figure of Xu Musen, "What do you think of this young man?"


    Aunt Xiao Xiang hesitated.


    "At his age, to have such a calm mind and insight ismendable, but..."


    "But what?"


    "It''s just that... when he massaged Nuannuan''s legs the past few days, Nuannuan said... I''m not asfortable as that boy..."


    The cane in the olddy''s hand trembled slightly.