Chapter 23
Do I Look Like an Animal to You?
Qi Shenbai was smart enough to understand what Xu Jiaojiao meant. “Xu Zhengyang wants you to feel like you’re needed.”
Xu Jiaojiao nodded. “He always uses money as an excuse and asks me for money in various ways, but he also buys all sorts of things for me.” The branded bags, clothes, and pocket money in her wardrobe were all given to her by Xu Zhengyang.
Qi Shenbai did not say anything, but there was a deeper look in his eyes as he looked at Xu Jiaojiao.
Xu Jiaojiao said, “Although my brother looks unreliable, he’s actually a very good person. He even said that you’re his mentor and his best friend.”
Qi Shenbai did not believe that Xu Zhengyang would praise him in front of Xu Jiaojiao. “He never badmouthed me in front of you?”
Xu Jiaojiao paused. She recalled how Xu Zhengyang had called Qi Shenbai an “old dog” and “slave driver”. She smiled guiltily and shook her head.
Qi Shenbai did not expose her lie. After a moment of silence, he asked in a low voice, “You’ve never blamed them?” She had been sent away at birth and raised by her aged grandmother. She had never enjoyed the warmth of a family or the love of her parents.
The smile on Xu Jiaojiao’s face froze. She lowered her head and pursed her lips before she said uncertainly, “I think I did, once.”
Qi Shenbai raised his eyebrows, feeling that this answer was strange.
Xu Jiaojiao pursed her lips. “I’ve forgotten some things. I don’t remember if I blamed them, but I don’t blame them at all now. They must have their own reasons. After all, which parent wouldn’t want their child?” A warm smile bloomed on her cute face. “And I think I’m doing very well now. I’m very happy every day.”
Qi Shenbai looked at her beaming smile, but his heart felt as if it had been struck by a blunt object. She thought all parents loved their children, but that was not always the case. There were some people who even abandoned their children or hated them to the core.
…
The car stopped at the entrance of Qingshui Villa, but Qi Shenbai did not get out of the car. He watched as the butler brought Xu Jiaojiao into the house. When he retracted his gaze, a cold glint flashed across his eyes. He asked Pei Yan, “How’s the investigation going?”
Pei Yan replied respectfully, “The truck driver’s background is completely clear. There’s nothing unusual in his recent bank transactions. It really looks like an accident.”
Qi Shenbai pursed his lips. How many “accidents” had there been over the past few years? Pei Yan seemed to know what he was thinking. He hesitated for a moment and said, “It might not have been their doing. Perhaps…”
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, Qi Shenbai interrupted him. “Tell Cang Xing to protect Jiaojiao.”
Cang Xing was the driver that Xu Jiaojiao had accused of looking scary. He was a veteran with good driving skills and even better combat skills.
Pei Yan hesitated. “Mr. Qi, if you’re worried about getting Miss Xu involved, you can send her back to the Xu family. Cang Xing has been by your side for many years, and he has always protected you…” Before he could finish speaking, Qi Shenbai looked up at him. Pei Yan fell silent and could not help but ask, “Mr. Qi, are you no longer averse to women? Or is Miss Qi the only…”
Qi Shenbai: “Do I look like a monster to you?”
Pei Yan fell silent.
Qi Shenbai felt that only monsters would lust over a girl seven years younger than them!
…
Qi Shenbai returned to the company to settle some matters. When he returned to Qingshui Villa, it was already late at night. The car stopped, and he strode into the house. He originally thought that the house would be silent as usual, aside from the butler who was waiting for him. Unexpectedly, when he entered the house, he did not see the butler. Instead, a bright voice reached his eardrums. “Mr. Qi, you’re back.”
Qi Shenbai was surprised to see Xu Jiaojiao walking out of the kitchen. “You aren’t sleeping yet?”
Xu Jiaojiao shook her head. “I’m waiting for you to come back for dinner.”
“Waiting for me?”
“That’s right. I promised you this morning that I would make you dinner as an apology. Have you forgotten?” After Xu Jiaojiao said that, she thought of something. “It’s already so late. You haven’t eaten, have you? If you have, I’ll cook again tomorrow.”
She turned around and headed to the kitchen, but Qi Shenbai stopped her. “I haven’t had dinner.”
Xu Jiao’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great. I won’t have to throw away the food I made.”
Xu Jiaojiao knew that Qi Shenbai did not like sweet things and was focused on training his body, so when she was cooking, she specially made something light. Even so, it still tasted very good. It was a simple three dishes and a soup. There were meat and vegetables, and the entire meal was nutritious.
When Qi Shenbai saw that Xu Jiaojiao had only brought out a pair of chopsticks and one bowl, he raised his eyebrows slightly. “You’re not eating?”
Xu Jiaojiao smiled embarrassedly. “I was too hungry at night, so I ate in advance.”