Mrs. Zhang Feng discovered that Huo Ling was very strange on this day. When she went out in the morning, Huo Ling was sitting under the big locust tree in the back yard. She didn’t think much about it when she left in the morning but, when she came back that evening, he actually had the gall to be laying down! He was not playing with his mobile phone or reading a book but was looking to one side with fascination and no focus, as if he were struck by lightning.

This was weird!

She knew her son best, and his mind was as hard as iron. Things that could shake him were rare— this was even more so true in the past two years. Ordinary people couldn’t even make him turn his head. What made him look at the sky now?

Mrs. Zhang leaned against the window and looked at her son for a long while, then called Aunt Wang to ask her how long Huo Ling looked like this.

Aunt Wang said mysteriously, “One day!”

Mrs. Zhang was even more surprised: “Has he ever left?”

“No?”

Anyway, she could see Huo Ling under the tree every time she came out and was sent away by him. He sat there for a whole day and didn’t even eat lunch. She brought out some water to give him. Before she even made it over, she heard him say no, and she could only carry things back to the house.

This looked like something was going on.

But what problem could Huo Ling have? What happened in the army?

Just as the sun went down, the lying man jumped up, patted away the grass scraps on his body, and stood straight like a tall poplar.

Mrs. Zhang smiled with satisfaction. Right, this was her son; she didn’t recognize the one just now who looked like he had been thundered.

She pushed open the window: “Huo Ling, have dinner.”

Huo Ling pulled the clothes and strode forward: “Mom, I have something to do to go out. Go ahead and eat without waiting for me.”

Mrs. Zhang looked at Huo Ling going away, anxiously saying, “Don’t you eat any food? What’s so urgent? Then let the kitchen save you some leftovers?”

“No need.” Huo Ling waved his hand and soon disappeared.

Mrs. Zhang felt strange in her heart, thinking about waiting to ask Huo Ling tomorrow if something really happened.

****

Huo Ling drove a Jeep out of the military compound and directly drove to the Capital University. At this time, Jiang Nian had already started school for ten days. The Jiang family left the imperial capital after the arrangements were made and returned to City B. Before leaving, Jiang Laifu also called him specially and asked him to take care of Jiang Nian.

As an upstart with a lot of money, Jiang Laifu naturally had a few friends. Only, his circle of friends was in City B. Although he knew a few people in the capital, they were only casual acquaintances. The person who could make Jiang Laifu rest assured, only his brother!

Huo Ling naturally promised. Even if Jiang Laifu did not find him, he would still look after the little girl. She was so fragile, and it was the first time she left home and came to such a far place. If she were not cared for by relatives and friends, who knew whether she would be afraid? Would she be nervous?

In the past, the care in his heart originated from sympathy and pity, but, recently, something seemed to have changed, and that slight change made him scared.

Just like when he thought that Jiang Nian’s leg was seriously injured, he was nervous and worried and panicked. He had to admit that he didn’t want to see Jiang Nian injured, nor did he want her to be injured.

The car quickly reached the downstairs of the community where Jiang Nian lived, turned off, and stopped in front of the flower bed under the shade of trees.

He didn’t rush upstairs, but froze for a long while holding his forehead, with a wry smile in the corner of his mouth.

****

Huo Ling waited for a while on the roadside. Through the rear-view mirror, he saw Jiang Nian, who came back slowly carrying her schoolbag and holding a parasol. She wore a light blue knee-length skirt and her hair was tied in a tall horsetail. Because of the hot weather, her pale cheeks were stained with a touch of powder, her eyes were drooping, and it was unknown what she was thinking, her expression looked as if something was bothering her.

Jiang Nian inadvertently raised her eyes and saw Huo Ling’s big black jeep at a glance. She was very happy. She walked over and looked at the window. When did Huo Ling come?

Unexpectedly, as soon as she approached, the car window shook and came down first. The handsome and firm silhouette of the man appeared in front of her. She blinked her eyes and saw a faint smile in his eyes.

Jiang Nian said, “Uncle Huo, why are you here?”

Huo Ling said, “I happened to be passing by, thinking of coming to see you today since it’s Friday.”

He pushed the door and got out of the car and took the small school bag on Jiang Nian’s back into his hand: “I thought you had a while to come back. Why do you look unhappy? Is it school?”

Jiang Nian’s mouth flattened, shaking her head and said, “School is all right.”

Huo Ling: “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?? ”

Jiang Nian looked at him, sighed and said,” No, my body is just fine, the students take care of me, learning is also still easy......this world is just really too dangerous. Without my four grand front and back law protectors around..my life is so precious, and I’m naturally nervous.”

Huo Ling was stunned and smiled helplessly. The little girl might be uncomfortable because she was away for the first time. She was at home all the year round and was treated as a princess since childhood. Now when she was out alone, without a familiar family and friends, she would naturally be nervous and worried. This was homesickness.

He couldn’t help feeling distressed, and his face became softer: “If you feel afraid or uncomfortable, call me.”

Jiang Nian nodded. Now only Huo Ling could give her some comfort. If he could be her chief of security, it would be even better, and her sense of security may come back a little bit. But he was very busy, even having tasks to guard big men like national leaders....Although she would also be a big man, that was far into the future..

Jiang Nian said, “Uncle Huo, don’t worry, I’m not so vulnerable. As genius grows, he will always be subjected to various tests of fate. I understand that this little difficulty can’t stop me.”

......She was also very strong.

Huo Ling coughed, concealing the smile on the corner of his mouth, and said, “Go, let’s go upstairs first.”

Jiang Nian: “I’m so hungry, I need to make up.”

Huo Ling smiled: “Okay.”

Auntie had already prepared dinner, frying a few of Jiang Nian’s favorite dishes. The whole house was full of the smell of the food, and it inspired greed. Huo Ling hadn’t eaten for a day, and he didn’t feel hungry at first. When he smelled the fragrance, he suddenly felt empty in his stomach.

He stayed for dinner. Although the food was very light, he had an excellent appetite and ate two bowls of rice and drank a lot of soup.

Jiang Nian was full after eating some, taking a few sips of chicken broth, and secretly glanced at Huo Ling. He was very tall, his eyebrows were sharp, and, when he sat there, he brought his own momentum. The lean yet muscular body could especially give people a sense of security!

Huo Ling was so keen that he could perceive Jiang Nian’s small mouse-like gazes. She would glance at him and take a sip of soup, then glance and sip the soup again. He pretended to be unaware but was inexplicably nervous. After a long while, he could no longer bear Jiang Nian’s sneaky little eyes and smiled and said, “What’s wrong, keep looking at me?”

Jiang Nian looked at him again, sighing.

“It’s nothing.”

Forget it, let’s wait until she becomes a real big man and then Huo Ling will be her chief of security. As a future national pillar, she couldn’t delay the national affairs.

Huo Ling smiled, did not ask again, and said, “Jiang Nian, should I invite for you a personal assistant?”

Jiang Nian yelled, looked at Huo Ling.

“Assistant?”

“Yes. Today I see you came back alone, what if you encounter something on the road? It’s reassuring to have someone to take care of you.”

Huo Ling was really worried that Jiang Nian would have an accident. Even if there were classmates to take care of her, to be honest, the classmates had their own things to do. It was impossible to take care of Jiang Nian all the time, and Jiang Nian was not in good health. Who knew when she would get sick? When she wanted to drink hot water and eat something at school on weekdays, could she still find classmates to help? Even if they kindly helped her, could they help each time? At that time, he was just afraid that her relationship with her classmates would not be good anymore. Still others would think that Jiang Nian was a bad person, and that was so spoiled and impossible to serve.

However, it was different to hire an assistant. Not only was Jiang Nian’s safety guaranteed, but her life would also be a lot easier. What’s more, with someone always watching, he could rest assured.

This was what Huo Ling thought when she saw the little girl coming back in the rearview mirror. Jiang Nian was now alone in the imperial capital, and there was no personal care around him. If there were an accident, what would happen?

Just thinking about it made him feel terrified, so finding a personal assistant was imperative.

Huo Ling saw that Jiang Nian didn’t speak for a while, and then said, “Do you think this is bad? No, your teacher knows your situation, and your classmates should have heard it. Even if you really invite someone to take care of you, they will understand.”

Jiang Nian listened carefully and said,” No, I think a person is too little. After all, for a genius like me on fate’s blacklist, it is necessary to focus on my protection.”

Huo Ling coughed:”..........”:)

After dinner, Jiang Nian contacted her family with WeChat video and, by the way, mentioned Huo Ling’s proposal, which immediately received the joyous approval of the whole family. They all praised that Huo Ling was so smart and capable. Dad Jiang proudly lifted his chin and said he was really happy to make such a good brother!

Yeah, yeah, the whole family nodded and said yes. Mama Jiang rolled her eyes and then told Jiang Nian to say thank you brother Huo. As for the money for the assistant, naturally, they would give it. The most important thing now was to find the right assistant. Of course, it was best if they had some first aid knowledge.

Just knowing there would be someone by Jiang Nian’s side at any time, their hearts were really peaceful. At least they didn’t feel their hearts in their throats as before, wanting to check with Jiang Nian to confirm whether she was well, but worried they would disturb her study. So, in one or two trips, the Jiang family had become dead with worry, and the golden light was almost extinguished.

This suggestion of Huo Ling could be regarded as a solution to their urgent needs, bringing a water hose to a housefire. Really a great man!!!

Yeah, Jiang Nian also lamented that Uncle Huo was really a good person.

Dad Jiang raised his sleeves and wanted to worship Huo Ling1. After all, such a good brother was hard to find in the world; missed this time, where would the next be? He had to cherish it!

This was good, Grandpa Jiang and Grandma Jiang even raised both hands and feet in favor. Indeed, how could he miss this opportunity?

Huo Ling frowned, “Uncle Jiang, Aunt Jiang, this is what I as a younger generation should do. It’s just a little thing, you don’t have to be like this.”

No, no, he was the benefactor of their family. How could it be a little thing? This was a big event!

Huo Ling looked at the Jiang family who was desperately trying to squeeze their faces in front of the camera and couldn’t help but think of the box that the mother Jiang gave him some time ago, saying that they were thankful for his help. The sack-dominated fear..

Huo Ling had a headache. When he finally hung up the video, he felt like he was ten years older.

Jiang Nian smiled widely: “Uncle Huo, why don’t you want to worship with my dad?”

Huo Ling glanced at her: “....No reason, it’s inappropriate to mix generations.”2

Jiang Nian: “How inappropriate? I think it’s quite appropriate.”

Huo Ling scoffed, skillfully evading the question:” Do you want to call Huo Ping uncle? ”

Jiang Nian thought for a while, and said seriously, “Huo Law Protector’s status is unshakable. In my heart, he will always be my Huo Law Protector. You don’t want to affect my relationship with Huo Law Protector.”

Huo Ling:..

His hands itched and he couldn’t help pulling the girl’s ponytail.

A soft tail swept across his palm, itchy.

“Jiang Nian, don’t call me Uncle Huo again.”

“Well? Why’s that?”

“I’m Huo Ping’s cousin. You can call me by name like you do him.”

“Huo Ling?”

The voice of the girl had the softness of the girl, which was even more beautiful.

Hou Ling paused, and said, “Yes.”

Jiang Nian shook her head and said, “No, this is too disrespectful to the elders! You are a good brother my father identified!”

Huo Ling’s face was really dark.

Jiang Nian fluttered and looked at him with a smile.

Huo Ling grinded his teeth, but his eyes softened.

Really a little girl.

****

Out of the Jiang family in the evening, Huo Ling drove to the food court. Zhang Xing had put together a dinner party, and it was not over yet. When Huo Ling arrived, Zhang Xing was already drunk and celebrating a new girlfriend. He ran in for a hug, shouting, “My good brother, why are you here!”

Before approaching, he was kicked back by Huo Ling.

Zhang Xing’s glass heart shattered: “I took my utmost energy to help you find a suitable house. Huo Wu, you didn’t even thank me, and now you turn your face and don’t recognize people?”

Huo Ling had an older brother and a sister, his uncle had two children who were also older than him, so he was ranked fifth in the family. As people who grew up together with Huo Ling, Zhang Xing and the rest were also used to calling him by his ranking.

Everyone in the same room knew Huo Ling. When he came, they naturally came to say hello. The familiar people called ‘Wushao’. Those who were not familiar called him Wu Ye, respectful and polite.3

Huo Ling waved his hands to let them play by themselves, found a place to sit down, poured a glass of wine, and drank it down. His heart that had been jumping all night calmed down with this sip of mellow wine.

He exhaled and rubbed his brows and smiled.

Zhang Xing was shocked: “Huo Wu, are you possessed? No, you look like a Jin Wu Cang Jiao, have you been struck by Cupid’s arrow?”4?Huo Ling glanced at him and said, “Help me again.””

****

After that, Huo Ling would go to Jiang Nian on the weekends. Normally, he would occasionally make a phone call without stepping over the line or contacting her too often. He carefully controlled the distance between them.

Jiang Nian had a much more comfortable life now. With the assistant, she even had a lot of confidence in walking on the road. Although it couldn’t give her the sense of security like the four grand front and back law protectors, it was better than nothing.

Liu Yingying started to move around. It happened that her birthday was on these two days. At first glance, the time was actually on Wednesday. This time was of course very bad, so she simply took a few days in advance and decided to hold her birthday party on Saturday. She called her friends, and Jiang Nian would definitely be coming, and the opportunity would be there.

With such a plan, Liu Yingying called Jiang Nian almost immediately and asked her to come out for dinner on Saturday.

Jiang Nian was not surprised when she received the call. She’d be more surprised if Liu Yingying could really give up troubling her. She asked, “What are you eating?”

Liu Yingying said, “I don’t know yet. I will decide at a later time. A few of my friends are also coming; there will be several people, so you have to ask their thoughts.”

Jiang Nian made a sound and said, “Never mind, you get together, I will not come.”

Liu Yingying choked:” But that day was my birthday party. You are my cousin; wouldn’t it be bad not to come? ”

Jiang Nian said doubtfully, “Why is it bad? I can’t make myself suffer for your birthday every year, should my life be threatened? What if I get sick by then? My life is much more expensive than your birthday! ”

Liu Yingying gritted her teeth: “Then go to eat Chinese food!”

“A gourmet restaurant?”

“....OK.”

The consumption of a gourmet restaurant was still a bit high for college students. The per capita consumption was at least three or four hundred. Liu Yingying invited several people, so the estimated cost would be a few thousand. However, for Liu Yingying’s birthday, Grandpa and Grandma Jiang would give her red envelopes, and Jiang’s money would be generous. It was not unbearable.

Liu Yingying thought of her plan. She could only bear it.

Who knew that on Saturday, when Liu Yingying took her two roommates, two male classmates, and two high school classmates to the restaurant, Jiang Nian also arrived, and she brought a lot of people? Her small tablemate stood in front of her, on the left was an aunt about 50 years old, on the right was an elder sister about 30 years old, and there was a tall black man standing behind!

Liu Yingying planned for seven people, and the maximum amount spent would be 3,000 yuan, but Jiang Nian herself brought so many people.

But with so many people watching, could she say she regretted and ask to change places?

After sitting down in the hall, Liu Yingying did not plan to give Jiang Nian the menu, nor did she intend to give her the opportunity to order food. All her orders were spicy and sour. The only fresh things she ordered were vegetarian dishes or small cabbage that Jiang Nian did not like very much. In addition, the girls ordered a bottle of red wine, and the boys chose beer over Sprite.

When the food was served, a table was full of red and greasy. They ate happily, while lamenting that the food in the gourmet restaurant was delicious, and asked Yingying’s cousin why you didn’t eat it? That is, did she not want to eat with them?

Jiang Nian didn’t eat it, and naturally the ones who came with her didn’t eat either, so she stuck out.

Qi Bin asked if it was unappetizing. This was not the first time he had seen Jiang Nian. He had watched several interview videos in the past. He also knew Jiang Nian’s college entrance examination caused a sensation nationwide. She looked quite small in the camera. With a clean, white and beautiful face and petite posture, it made people feel pity when watching.

He wanted to be close to Jiang Nian, but Jiang Nian had people sitting on both sides. He had to speak to her aloud and said, “Jiang Nian, are you uncomfortable and have no appetite?”

Jiang Nian glanced at him.

“Which one are you?”5

“I, I’m Qi Bin, we added WeChat before, you forgot?”

“Oh, I don’t remember, maybe the cousin’s friends are too many, I don’t know which one you are.”

“..”

Qi Bin’s face stiffened, and he looked at Liu Yingying. Not only Qi Bin, even her classmates were watching her. Liu Yingying was almost choked to death, why Jiang Nian say that?

“Cousin, did you remember correctly? Except Qi Bin, I didn’t introduce others to you?”

Jiang Nian: “Cousin, why out of so many of your friends, you only introduce Qi Bin to me?”

Liu Yingying only felt that the looks falling on her body made her panic. But her purpose today was to make Jiang Nian look good and she didn’t want to mess up the plan. She said, “Aren’t I afraid that you have no friends and you are alone? Let’s eat.”

Jiang Nian was relieved, and said happily,“ Cousin is also thinking for me. Fortunately, I didn’t listen to your words and waste time or where can I get admitted to Capital University now? The genius is originally lonely. You can rest assured that this loneliness is nothing.”

“........!!! ”

Liu Yingying found that no matter how much time passed, Jiang Nian was still her most hated person, there was no one who could top it!

Qi Bin lowered his head and drank a glass of wine, but he was also embarrassed.

A female classmate of Liu Yingying didn’t like such an awkward atmosphere. She said that everyone would have dinner first, and not say anything else on such a happy day.

Yu Cancan’s slow brain circuit felt that something was wrong, especially when the conversation was awkward just now. And Qi Bin’s feeling to her was very evil- he was not a good thing at first glance. Not to mention Jiang Nian’s cousin, Liu Yingying. Even she knew that Jiang Nian’s body was not good, and some things could not be eaten. This was not a pretense. She didn’t even eat the food in the cafeteria, except the occasional porridge and vegetables for breakfast, and ate lunch and dinner at home. She had seen what Jiang Nian ate, and it was plain and light, and she had to drink a bowl of black Chinese medicine every day.

Because of this, no one really said that Jiang Nian was spoiled or difficult to serve, because her vegetarian dishes did not seem to be as delicious as food from the cafeteria. This was simply to spend money to find guilt7, and it was also pitiful.

This pattern day after day, most people would have collapsed, but Jiang Nian did not. She was happy every day, never complained, and her results were still so good, so Yu Cancan particularly admired Jiang Nian and liked her very much.

Not to mention anything else, even she knew that Jiang Nian couldn’t eat some things, and even spicy didn’t work. What did Liu Yingying mean as a cousin? Did she want Jiang Nian to only eat Chinese cabbage?

She glared and wanted to speak; Jiang Nian held the back of her hand.

Little fellow table was very angry, could this be tolerated? Should she flip the table?

“Happy birthday, cousin Yingying.”

Jiang Nian smiled, pulled out her cell phone and started taking pictures, shooting the table of food and, by the way sent it to her circle of friends, a collage of nine images.

Liu Yingying was puzzled for a moment: “What are you doing? ”

Jiang Nian said with a smile,” Taking pictures. Today is such an important day. Although we can’t spend it with our family, we have an internet connection. I want to tell my grandparents that I will celebrate my cousin’s birthday! ”

Liu Yingying panicked. She squeezed her chopsticks and said, “Don’t send it. I’ll post it later. I’m the birthday girl. Of course, it’s most suitable for me to do it.”

Jiang Nian: “But I have already sent a circle of friends! ”

Liu Yingying was anxious: “Then you will delete it!”

Jiang Nian: “Do not delete it. Grandpa, Grandpa, Dad, Aunt and Uncle all praised me. I am not willing to delete it.”

“..”

Liu Yingying was really angered to death. Why was this Jiang Nian so bad? She really was the nemesis of her life!

She almost immediately called the waiter to add food! Must add vegetables! Otherwise, how would she account for it with her family? Her grandfather and grandmother were already biased to Jiang Nian. If they didn’t see anything Jiang Nian liked in this table of dishes, how would they think of her?

Knowing that Jiang Nian was so difficult, she didn’t think about it carefully. She just couldn’t see Jiang Nian proud. Before taking a provincial champion, she was already in the limelight, and many people around her were talking about Jiang Nian, saying she was a genius girl. Later, when she went to the Capital University, even her mother was nagging in her ears every day, asking why, even after repeating a year, she couldn’t do as well as Jiang Nian?

From small to large, she was used to compare with Jiang Nian. Jiang Nian was obviously inferior to her. But who knows when Jiang Nian surpassed her and became the focus of everyone!

She just wasn’t be reconciled.

Xiao Tong’s eyes looked at Jiang Nian brightly. Jiang Nian said, “Order whatever you want to eat, it’s my cousin’s treat.”

Xiao Tong nodded seriously: “Well, then I won’t hold back.”

This meal made Liu Yingying want to vomit blood. What happened to Yu Cancan, was bird’s nest and shark fin appropriate for someone coming to sponge? Not only did she have to face an empty wallet, she also paid close attention to the dynamics of Jiang Nian’s circle of friends. Although her grandparents and uncle had not responded, she was scared in her heart, and she was also cautious about being outed.

Jiang Nian was too lazy to look at her. With Liu Yingying’s poor means, the reason why the plan of her last life was successful was because the original owner trusted her and helped her cover. In fact, as long as the original owner told the family, Mama Jiang would definitely believe her, and Dad Jiang would naturally care about it too. Although Grandpa and Grandma Jiang loved the younger generations and were equally kind, they were not people who didn’t see the truth. They knew the difference between right and wrong. If they knew Liu Yingying’s calculations, could Liu Yingying be better?

Liu Yingying was not thinking about it Jiang Nian, she was waiting for the new food to arrive to send a circle of friends to help her out! Qi Bin didn’t think so; how could he let go of such a rare opportunity?

When Jiang Nian went to the bathroom, his eyes turned, and he naturally followed.

He chased Jiang Nian and told her that he fell in love with her at first sight. If so, could he be given a chance?

In fact, Qi Bin was okay, he could dress up, and he was not harshly treated at home. His looks were naturally not bad. It was no wonder that his last life he cheated Liu Yingying and went to hook up with rich girls.

He prided himself on being affectionate, but Jiang Nian really looked down on him and refused without hesitation: “No.”

“....Why? You give me a chance; I believe you will definitely like me.”

“No, I have no problems with my brain. I can’t like you. Besides, your IQ is so low, do you think you deserve an enduring genius like me? Don’t you feel ashamed? ”

“........? ”

Jiang Nian turned around and left him. Qi Bin was not reconciled, wanted to pull her wrist, but the hand stretched out without even grabbing the edge of Jiang Nian’s clothes, and suddenly an iron arm stretched out from behind, grabbing his wrist, and hurting him. His feet softened and he sat on the ground.

He screamed and looked up and found that the man who caught him was actually the man in black who had always been with Jiang Nian!

It was at this time that another man came over. He was black, awe-inspiring, and extremely natural and familiar standing next to Jiang Nian. The maintenance posture was self-evident at a glance.

Qi Bin was in a state of panic, because the man had a good identity at first glance, and looked at him with a sharp knife glare, which could cut him piece by piece, and he was so scared that he couldn’t say a word.

Jiang Nian was a bit surprised to see Huo Ling: “Uncle Huo, are you also here to eat?”

Huo Ling raised his arm and protected behind Jiang Nian, his thick and hot palm fell on her shoulder, and gently pressed her into his arms.

He looked at the man on the ground: “See your own identity. Not everyone is what you can think of.”

1. Formally acknowledge him as a sword older brother?^

2. He’d be jumping up a generation (from big brother to uncle) by becoming Jiang Nian’s father’s brother.?^

3. I kept these titles in Chinese for 2 reasons: 1- you guys have already seen ‘shao’ and have some familiarity with situations where it’s used and 2-the English translations of the 2 are rather similar and don’t provide much of a distinction without explanation anyway. So, rather than making you think there isn’t a difference, it’s easier to leave the original Chinese where you can see the difference, even if you don’t understand it. For those of you who are curious, ‘Wushao’ translates to ‘fifth young master’ and ‘Wu Ye’ translates to ‘fifth master’. Not much difference, right??^

4. So, this is an idiom based on a story much like the last arc’s ‘Tianluo girl’. Except, unlike that time, I don’t really know this story. Apparently, in this story, a young Emperor who really loves his cousin, Chen Aijiao, tells his father that, if he can marry his cousin, he will make a beautiful house for her to live (‘Jin wu’ = golden house). In short, it means HL looks lovestruck and determined to win his love. This idiom was difficult (read: impossible) to translate as Idk any English equivalent.?^

5. Lit. -->>

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