Upon arriving at the neighborhood entrance, the surroundings became much quieter.
The Imperial Woods residential area’s geographical location wasn’t actually as premium as Jing’an Neighborhood’s, but it had the advantage of being far from the bustling city center, offering a peaceful and quiet environment. Like Jing’an Neighborhood, it consisted of large, standalone villas.
The security guards at the booth were familiar with regular residents. When they saw it was him, they let Yang Haoran in without even requiring him to show his access card.
Yang Haoran smiled and greeted Old Man Li in the security booth. It was said that this Old Man Li was the father of one of the homeowners. Having nothing better to do, he had taken on the job of gatekeeper with the property management and had been doing it for over a decade. He still looked remarkably spry and healthy.
Just as Yang Haoran was about to leave, Old Man Li called out from behind him:
“Hey, hey… Little Haoran, let me ask you something.”
Yang Haoran turned back and returned to the security booth, looking at Old Man Li with curiosity.
Old Man Li was dressed in a white casual outfit. Despite being well into his seventies, with half-white hair and a face full of wrinkles, his eyes were sharp and bright as he stared at Yang Haoran and asked, “Little Haoran, is your aunt looking to get into a relationship?”
Yang Haoran was baffled. What aunt? After a moment’s thought, he realized the old man was probably referring to Auntie Shen. Puzzled, he replied, “No, she’s not. Old Man Li, where did you hear that?”
“Just half an hour ago, a young man with a young woman drove up wanting to come in, and I stopped them. Later, he called your aunt, and it was your aunt who came to pick him up and let him in.”
“I was thinking, if your aunt is planning to start a new family, maybe she could consider your Uncle Li. He’s successful in his career and is also a homeowner here. Little Haoran, how about you help me play matchmaker? If it works out, I’ll give you a big red envelope!”
Seeing the hope in the old man’s eyes, Yang Haoran was completely bewildered. What on earth was he talking about?
He knew Uncle Liβa middle-aged man with a square, solemn face who seemed quite charismatic. He was divorced and single, with a son the same age as Yang Haoran. They had played together as children, but later the son was sent abroad to study.
He remembered that this so-called Uncle Li had once pursued Auntie Shen for a while. Unfortunately, it was a case of unrequited affectionβAuntie Shen had rejected him, and he had gradually given up.
“Old Man Li, I’m not really sure. I’ll go and ask about the situation.”
Yang Haoran felt his mood suddenly sour. Who had Auntie Shen brought home? And why hadn’t she said anything to him?
By now, Yang Haoran had gradually stopped being suspicious of Auntie Shen’s loyalty to him. However, if what Old Man Li said was true, it inevitably made him overthink.
After saying this, ignoring Old Man Li’s calls and reminders to help him, Yang Haoran hurried toward Auntie Shen’s house.
The more he thought about it along the way, the more uneasy he became. He had originally come to Auntie Shen’s house to discuss tomorrow’s arrangements with her. But now, suddenly hearing that she had brought a man home, he felt abruptly unsettled.
Trying to comfort himself, Yang Haoran thought he shouldn’t let his imagination run wild. Auntie Shen wouldn’t mess around. Besides, if she really wanted to secretly see another man, she wouldn’t openly bring him home, especially with Shiwen keeping an eye on things.
And what about Shiwen? Why hadn’t he notified him?
The more Yang Haoran thought about it, the stranger it seemed, and he couldn’t help but quicken his pace.
As he approached Auntie Shen’s villa, Yang Haoran spotted a black Land Rover parked far away at the entrance.
When he reached the villa door, Yang Haoran knocked loudly. The urgent knocking shattered the friendly atmosphere inside the villa.
In the luxurious living room, Li Dongze was sitting on the sofa, chatting casually over tea with Shen Qing opposite him. Shen Qing’s beautiful face wore a smile, making Li Dongze’s heart flutter.
The two had been chatting for over ten minutes. Li Dongze felt their conversation was quite engaging and that she likely had a favorable impression of him. Just as he was about to deepen the conversation, the knocking at the door shattered the tranquility.
Shen Qing’s smile froze. She glanced at Tang Wenqian, who was standing nearby, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
Without even looking, Shen Qing knew who it wasβonly one person would knock so loudly.
She was well aware of Little Haoran’s petty jealousy. If Wenqian hadn’t been present, she would have had no way to explain herself.
After Tang Wenqian went to open the door, Li Dongze, noticing the sudden disappearance of Shen Qing’s smile, couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Shen, is something wrong?”
When Tang Wenqian led Yang Haoran inside, Shen Qing turned to Yang Haoran and said with a smile, “It’s nothing. My husband is just back, that’s all!”
Li Dongze followed her gaze and was stunned to see Yang Haoran. What was this little brat doing here? And what did Miss Shen mean by that?
Seeing this scene, Yang Haoran, who had entered with a dark expression, “coincidentally” heard Auntie Shen’s words. Even though he knew she had said it deliberately for his benefit, his mood instantly improved considerably.
Clearly, Auntie Shen was afraid he would overthink things and was making her stance clear to him.
“Xiao Li, what are you doing at my place?”
Yang Haoran sat down right beside Auntie Shen, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, breathed in her faint, elegant scent, and asked nonchalantly.
Li Dongze watched in disbelief as this detestable little brat held Miss Shen and she obediently leaned against his shoulder. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
No matter how composed he usually was, seeing this scene made his composure crack. Why did this little brat have to show up everywhere,ηΊ ηΌ δΈδΌ (jiΕ«chΓ‘n bΓΉxiΕ« -ηΊ ηΌ δΈδΌ: pestering incessantly, refusing to let go), ruining his plans?
“Miss Shen…” Li Dongze looked at Shen Qing and couldn’t help asking, “What is your relationship with Ran… Little Ran…?”
In front of Shen Qing, and with the other party unaware of the background, he simply couldn’t bring himself to call him “Brother Ran,” quickly changing it to “Little Ran” instead.
Yang Haoran originally intended to correct Li Dongze’s form of address for him, but upon hearing the question, he also looked at Auntie Shen. He wanted to hear her answer.
“Xiao Li, this is my husband!”
Shen Qing’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her tone turning cold. “And ‘Little Ran’ is not for you to call.”
After a moment’s thought, she realized Little Haoran must know this person. Judging by the atmosphere, Little Haoran clearly had issues with Li Dongze.
Shen Qing’s attitude was worlds apart from before. Li Dongze’s face instantly darkened, but he quickly forced a smile again: “Miss Shen is right. Brother Ran and I got along quite well before. I’m even Brother Ran’s little brother.”
His humorous closing remark instantly eased the atmosphere that had turned against him. Even Yang Haoran inwardly had to give him credit for his quick witβno wonder he managed to become a manager!
“Oh… Is that so?”
Shen Qing smiled meaninglessly and shot a reproachful glance at Little Haoran. Her charming, coquettish look sent a wave of heat through Yang Haoran’s heart.
Li Dongze watched as Miss Shen’s full, rounded breasts pressed against the little brat’s arm, rubbing against him repeatedly without the slightest attempt to hide it in his presence, and felt his heart grow cold.