Chapter 12: Am I That Old?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Qi Shenbai took a bite and paused. He looked at Xu Jiaojiao and asked, “Are you very good at cooking?” Whether it was the noodles he had tasted previously or the crab roe buns and millet porridge today, they were all delicious. They were not at all inferior to the work of the chef he had hired at a high price.

“Back when I used to live in the countryside, there was an old man next door who was a chef. He said that his ancestors used to cook for the emperor! When I had nothing to do, I would lean against his wall and watch him cook,” Xu Jiaojiao said.

Qi Shenbai raised his eyebrows and did not say anything else. He ate quietly.

Just as Qi Shenbai was about to pick up a crab roe bun, Xu Jiaojiao could not help but remind him, “Mr. Qi, there’s a little too much gravy in the crab roe bun, and it might be a little hot. Be careful when you eat it, lest you spill it on your clothes.”

Qi Shenbai looked at Xu Jiaojiao and suddenly asked, “Am I that old?”

“Huh?” Xu Jiaojiao could not follow his train of thought.

“Your brother and I are friends. Logically speaking, you should also call me brother.” Qi Shenbai said.

Qi Shenbai was seven years older than Xu Jiaojiao, but Xu Jiaojiao kept addressing him as Mr. Qi and ‘sir’, making him sound like he was in his seventies or eighties.

Xu Jiaojiao choked. She did not expect that a respectful title would make Qi Shenbai unhappy. She pursed her pink lips and explained seriously, “I’m just expressing my respect for you. After all, you…”

She paused for a moment and did not continue. Qi Shenbai was the head of the Qi family and was in charge of the entire Qi Group. In fact, she could even say he controlled the economic lifeline of Luo City. No one in Luo City would dare to disrespect Qi Shenbai, least of all her! Besides, she was now living under his roof and troubling him every day. Of course, she had to be more careful around him.

Qi Shenbai seemed to know what Xu Jiaojiao was trying to say. His thin lips parted slightly as he said, “You don’t have to be careful when you live here. Otherwise, if your brother finds out, he might think that I’m bullying you.” At the same time, he was also a little puzzled as to why that annoying Xu Zhengyang would have such an obedient little sister.

When he mentioned Xu Zhengyang, a smile appeared on Xu Jiaojiao’s face and she said sweetly, “That won’t happen. I told my brother that you’ve been very good to me, sir. You…”

Qi Shenbai glanced over, and Xu Jiaojiao suddenly fell silent. Then, she reacted and quickly changed her words. “I’ll tell my brother that you’re a really nice guy.”

Qi Shenbai did not reply. It would be strange if Xu Zhengyang believed him.

After breakfast, Qi Shenbai had to go to the office and Xu Jiaojiao had to go to school. When he saw the drawing board on Xu Jiaojiao’s back, Qi Shenbai suddenly asked, “How do you usually go to school?” There was no subway near the villa, and the nearest bus stop was several kilometers away.

“I take the bus first, then the subway,” Xu Jiaojiao replied naturally, as if it was normal for her to go through so much trouble.

“There’s a car in the garage. You can choose one.” Qi Shenbai’s tone was very matter-of-fact, talking about his cars as though they were toys. Unfortunately, Xu Jiaojiao could not make use of his generosity.

She awkwardly touched her nose and said, “Thank you, but I don’t know how to drive.” Even if she did know how to drive, she would not drive Qi Shenbai’s car. She was already bothering him too much by living in his house. If she helped herself to his car, even she would look down on herself!

Qi Shenbai was silent for a moment before he said, “Get in.” It was fine if he did not know before, but if he let her continue as usual now that he knew that Xu Jiaojiao had to walk a few kilometers to catch a bus, he was certain that Xu Zhengyang, with his fiery temper, would accuse him of bullying his sister.

“Huh?” Xu Jiaojiao was stunned for a moment before she reacted and quickly refused. “No need, no need. It’s very convenient for me to take the bus.” Unfortunately, before she could finish speaking, Qi Shenbai had already gotten into the car.

Xu Jiaojiao slowly shut her mouth. The driver was still waiting next to her, and she did not want to waste any more time, so she had no choice but to sit in the car.

After Qi Shenbai got into the car, he picked up the iPad beside him and looked at his work documents. He did not say a word, not even glancing at Xu Jiaojiao from the corner of his eye.

Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of Luo City University. Xu Jiaojiao thanked him and was about to get out of the car when Qi Shenbai asked, “When will school be over?”

Xu Jiaojiao did not know why he was asking this, but she still answered honestly, “Four in the afternoon.”

Qi Shenbai nodded and did not say anything else. Xu Jiaojiao got out of the car in confusion. When she closed the car door, she politely said, “Goodbye, Mr. Qi.”

Qi Shenbai did not react and continued to look down at his iPad. Xu Jiaojiao did not react either. She carried her school bag and ran into the school.

By four o’clock in the afternoon, the sun was already setting in the west. The moment the bell rang, the students in the classrooms became restless and rushed out one by one.