“I understand, sorry. Goodbye.” After politely apologizing, Shen Mufan prepared to bid farewell and go for a walk by himself. After all, he wasn’t particularly fond of interacting with strangers. If he hadn’t accidentally bumped into the other person, he wouldn’t have even spoken to them.
However, just as Shen Mufan was about to leave, the other person wasn’t ready to let him go so easily.
“Wait a moment! Are you a resident of this neighborhood, little one?” The man asked gently, his face adorned with a warm, spring-like smile, his eyes carrying a hint of apology for the interruption.
Though unsure of the man’s intentions, Shen Mufan nodded. That said, the man’s voice sounded somewhat familiar. For some reason, hearing it reminded Shen Mufan of the voice of Jing Xing Xing Zhi from the game.
Shen Mufan: …No way… Could it be… this coincidental…?
“Then I suppose you must be very familiar with the neighborhood’s facilities and surroundings?” The man’s eyes sparkled slightly.
After a brief hesitation, Shen Mufan nodded again, swayed by the familiarity of the man’s voice.
In truth, when his parents had initially wanted to buy this property for him, they had thoroughly researched the entire neighborhood and its surroundings, and Shen Mufan was naturally well-informed as well. Later, after moving in, Shen Mufan, unwilling to interact with other residents, had gone a step further to study the comings and goings of the neighbors and every nook and cranny of the area. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Shen Mufan had an exceptionally high level of familiarity with the neighborhood and its vicinity.
“Perfect!” Upon seeing Shen Mufan’s nod, the man broke into a delighted smile, his handsome face radiating warmth, making Shen Mufan’s heart race uncontrollably, as if it might leap out of his chest at any moment.
The man quickly stepped forward and grasped Shen Mufan’s hands, speaking earnestly, “Then, little one, could I trouble you to be my guide? I just moved here today and don’t know the neighborhood or the surrounding area very well. I’ve been hoping to find someone familiar with the place to show me around, but at this hour, it’s hard to come across the right person… Meeting you is truly wonderful!”
Shen Mufan’s cheeks flushed pink. Lost in a momentary daze, he hadn’t managed to avoid the man’s hands in time, and now his own were enveloped in a pair of warm, broad palms, making him reluctant to pull away. Because of this, when the man asked him to be his guide, Shen Mufan hesitated only briefly before agreeing.
Thus, Shen Mufan began leading the man on a tour of the neighborhood.
Since Shen Mufan was walking ahead, he didn’t see the sly, triumphant grin on the man’s face behind him: Fanfan is indeed such a cutie, so adorable! Utterly irresistible!
However, recalling the temperature of Shen Mufan’s hands when he’d held them earlier, the man—who was none other than Xie Jinghong, the one who had encountered Shen Mufan at the private kitchen restaurant, investigated his background, and then meticulously planned to move here specifically to become his neighbor—frowned slightly.
Why were the little cutie’s hands so cold? Though autumn had arrived, the weather wasn’t particularly chilly yet.
Watching the fair-skinned but noticeably slender and frail Shen Mufan walking ahead, Xie Jinghong rubbed his fingers together, already mentally drafting plans to nurture and care for his little cutie’s health.
Xie Jinghong: Hmm… At the very least, I need to fatten Fanfan up a bit—soft and plump, that’s how he’ll feel best to hold! Yes, it’s decided!
Completely oblivious to the thoughts swirling in the mind of the man behind him, Shen Mufan diligently played the role of guide, providing detailed explanations that could be considered textbook-perfect.
Perhaps because the man’s voice reminded him of A’Jing from the game, Shen Mufan found himself growing increasingly attentive. Or perhaps it was because the atmosphere between them somewhat resembled that of his interactions with A’Jing, but the usually reticent Shen Mufan, under Xie Jinghong’s guidance, unwittingly began speaking more and more.
Before they knew it, lunchtime arrived. Xie Jinghong gently extended an invitation: “Thank you so much for today. You’ve worked hard, little one. How about I treat you to lunch as a small token of my gratitude?”
Faced with Xie Jinghong’s sincere gaze, Shen Mufan found himself unable to refuse. Mumbling incoherently and feeling somewhat dazed, he allowed Xie Jinghong to lead him into the car. The vehicle set off toward the restaurant Xie Jinghong had long since reserved, intending to share a meal with Shen Mufan.
In a small, soft voice, Shen Mufan said, “Don’t call me ‘little one.’ I’m twenty-two.” With his delicate, youthful face that seemed capable of dripping water, Shen Mufan often appeared younger than his age. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared, but for some reason, he didn’t want this man to see him as a child. He wanted to be regarded as an equal adult, hence the explanation.
“Oh, so you’re a big friend, then!” Xie Jinghong feigned sudden realization, though his tone still carried a hint of talking to a child.
Sensing this, Shen Mufan pouted slightly, his voice taking on a childish lilt as he protested, “I told you, I’m not a little one!” Unconsciously, the usually gloomy and silent Shen Mufan had begun speaking to Xie Jinghong with a touch of coquetry.
As the once-doted-upon young master of the Shen family, Shen Mufan had retained a certain childish charm even after turning eighteen, his speech often laced with a spoiled sweetness. Later, forced to mature prematurely due to the incident with He Ming, he no longer had anyone to act spoiled with, and gradually, he grew increasingly withdrawn. Now, however, someone had appeared before whom Shen Mufan could freely indulge in his natural coquetry.
Xie Jinghong, on the receiving end of this coquetry, felt his heart melt into a puddle of syrup, overwhelmed by the urge to scoop the adorable Fanfan into his arms for kisses, hugs, and endless pampering.
Fortunately, Xie Jinghong’s rationality prevailed. He was still driving, after all, and now wasn’t the time for antics. If anything were to happen to Fanfan, he’d never forgive himself.
Taking several deep breaths, Xie Jinghong allowed the little figure in his heart to roll around in excitement while maintaining an outwardly calm and composed demeanor, betraying none of the inner turmoil.
Xie Jinghong: “Then may I ask this big friend’s name?”
Shen Mufan fiddled with his fingers. “My name is… Shen Mufan…”
“Oh, Shen Mufan! What a lovely name!” Xie Jinghong subtly tested the waters. “In that case, may I call this adorable big friend ‘Fanfan’?”
Hearing “Fanfan,” Shen Mufan’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced thoughtfully at Xie Jinghong, who was focused on driving. Shen Mufan was actually quite sharp—had he not been, he wouldn’t have managed to stabilize the situation back when circumstances were overwhelmingly against him, with He Ming seizing the upper hand and dangers lurking everywhere. He had exacted his revenge and ensured his own comfortable, leisurely life ever since.
Now, Xie Jinghong, fully aware of Shen Mufan’s intelligence, hadn’t intended to hide much to begin with. Shen Mufan, too, had sensed something, but his deep-seated insecurity kept him from piercing that final layer of pretense.
“Sure. And what’s your name?” As he asked this, Shen Mufan harbored an indescribable anticipation, his heart feeling oddly hollow and unanchored.
Xie Jinghong smiled warmly. “My name is Xie Jinghong. Fanfan can call me A’Jing.”
Instantly, Shen Mufan felt a sense of resolution, as if his drifting heart had finally found solid ground—a place where he could rest and feel secure. He flashed Xie Jinghong a sweet, radiant smile that went straight to Xie Jinghong’s core. “Okay, A’Jing.”
The two exchanged a glance, saying nothing more, yet everything was understood between them.
Xie Jinghong, inwardly delighted, marveled: As expected of his Fanfan—so clever and perceptive!
Meanwhile, the corners of Shen Mufan’s lips curled into a faint smile. This unspoken understanding between them was profound.
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