Seriously, sir? You can even pursue a professor?

"Aunt Ruan, aren't you bullying an honest person?" Tang Zheng stood in the pool, expressing his dissatisfaction with her behavior.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him, said nothing, and got up to leave.

She didn't see the honest man in him at all.

Tang Zheng glanced at her departing figure and then splashed around in the pool.

Xiao Qiao, you must strive to become stronger.

Ruan Hongzhuang stopped at the doorway, turned around and looked at Tang Zheng, who was splashing around in the water in a somewhat comical way, "Be careful, don't drown."

Tang Zheng glanced at her, then instantly intensified his thrashing, reaching out a hand to her, "Help! Aunt Ruan! I'm drowning!"

Ruan Hongzhuang ignored him, pushed open the door, and went inside.

"Sigh, in the end, it was all for naught."

Tang Zheng stopped what he was doing, stood up from the water that only reached his waist, and rubbed his knee, which he had accidentally bumped.

I don't know who designed it, couldn't they have made this pool a little deeper?

When Ruan Hongzhuang came out again, she had changed her swimsuit into a light beige cotton and linen long dress, and her long hair fell naturally over her shoulders. She looked less sexy in her swimsuit and more gentle and quiet.

Holding a book in her hand, she sat down on a recliner on the east side of the courtyard, sunlight filtering through the bamboo leaves and casting dappled shadows on her.

She placed the book on her lap, opened it, and began to read quietly. A gentle breeze from the mountains stirred the hair at her temples, and the combination of the steaming hot spring water and the lush green bamboo grove in the courtyard created a scene as beautiful as a tranquil painting.

Tang Zheng continued to struggle, glancing over there twice.

Well, I've practiced enough, it's time to take a break.

He climbed ashore, went back to the house, changed into clean clothes, took a book, and returned to the courtyard.

He came to Ruan Hongzhuang's side and sat down on another recliner next to her.

Ruan Hongzhuang seemed to be immersed in the world of the book and did not react to Tang Zheng's approach.

Tang Zheng's gaze swept over his handsome profile, then he opened the book and began to read.

The courtyard was filled only with the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind, and the occasional faint chirping of birds in the distance. The air was filled with the scent of grass, trees, and hot springs, so tranquil that it softened one's heart.

After an unknown amount of time, Ruan Hongzhuang closed the book, placed it on the wooden table beside her, slid down to find a more comfortable position, and closed her eyes.

"I'm going to sleep for a while." Her voice was tinged with weariness, like a feather warmed by the sun, light and airy. "Don't make a sound."

"Oh," Tang Zheng replied, glanced at her, and got up to leave.

A short while later, Tang Zheng returned to her side with a blanket.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on her. Her light beige cotton-linen dress covered her graceful figure, the hem bunching up into soft pleats at her ankles.

Her skin was so fair it was almost translucent in the sunlight, revealing extremely fine downy hairs on her cheeks, which were tinged with a pale gold by the sunlight.

Her nose was straight and delicate, its lines clearly defined by the light and shadow. Her lips were a natural pale pink, and now they were slightly pursed, giving her a softer look than usual, with a few strands of hair being blown by the wind, gently brushing against her cheeks and neck.

She fell asleep quite quickly.

Tang Zheng glanced at her, unfolded the blanket, gently covered her with it, and then returned to the recliner next to him to continue reading.

A bird's chirp rang out from not far away, and Ruan Hongzhuang's eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she had been startled.

Time passed by unnoticed. Tang Zheng closed the book and stretched lazily, feeling a bit sleepy.

His gaze fell on Ruan Hongzhuang, who was fast asleep beside him. Her fair, lotus-root-like arm had somehow slipped out from under the blanket and hung quietly through the gap in the armrest of the recliner.

Tang Zheng reached out and gently grasped the drooping little hand, preparing to put it back.

Her small hands were slightly cool, like jade bathed in moonlight.

Tang Zheng gently held her hand, feeling its cool and soft texture, and looked at her sleeping face.

"Aunt Ruan, your hands are too cold. Let me warm them up for you, and then I'll put them back in a bit," he said softly.

Tang Zheng looked at her peaceful sleeping face and said, "Silence means you agree."

He held her hand in his palm, as if holding a fragile piece of porcelain. Her hand slowly warmed in his palm, starting from her fingertips, little by little, the jade-like coolness faded away, and was tinged with the warmth of his palm.

Just then, her fingers twitched slightly in his palm.

Tang Zheng looked up at her.

Ruan Hongzhuang kept her eyes closed, her face calm, her breathing long and even. The sunlight painted soft shadows on her face, her long eyelashes covering her face, showing no signs of being awake.

"It's still a bit cold. I'll warm it up a little longer before putting it back," Tang Zheng whispered.

Time slips away silently...

The little hands in my hands had become warm, and even a little sweaty.

"It's still a bit chilly, let me warm up a little longer."

Just then, the wooden door to the courtyard creaked open, and Tang Rui walked in humming a light tune, her face flushed and relaxed after a spa treatment. As soon as she entered, she exclaimed, "This spa is so comfortable! It's such a shame that you didn't go, Hongzhuang!"

Tang Zheng was startled and was about to let go of the little hand in his hand, but before he could let go, the little hand in his hand was like a nimble fish, suddenly slipping out of his grasp and silently retracting under the blanket. The movement was so fast that it was almost an illusion.

Tang Zheng's hand was still half-clenched, suspended in mid-air. He paused for a moment, then subconsciously turned his head to look at the recliner next to him.

Ruan Hongzhuang lay there quietly, covered with a blanket. Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes were peacefully covering her, and her breathing was even and long. Her chest rose and fell slightly with her breath, as if she were immersed in a deep sleep and unaware of everything around her.

It seemed that the incredibly swift withdrawal just now was merely a hallucination caused by his nervousness.

Before he could think too much, Tang Zheng noticed Tang Rui walking towards him. He quickly withdrew his hand from the air, casually placed it on his knee, and adjusted his posture to make himself look more natural.

"You're back, sis." Tang Zheng greeted her softly. "Aunt Ruan is asleep, so please keep your voice down."

Ruan Hongzhuang, standing next to her, trembled almost imperceptibly with her eyelashes, but her breathing remained steady.

Tang Rui walked over, glanced at the sleeping Ruan Hongzhuang, then at the book on Tang Zheng's lap, and whispered a compliment, "Young man, you're quite diligent. Keep it up." She reached out and gently patted Tang Zheng's shoulder.

Tang Zheng stretched his wrists, which had become slightly stiff from holding the same position for so long, nodded, and whispered, "Definitely."

Just then, Ruan Hongzhuang, who was next to her, seemed to be awakened by the conversation between the two. Her eyelashes trembled a few times, and then, slowly, with a sense of confusion as she woke up, she opened her eyes.

Her eyes, just opening, were misty with a thin layer of water. Her gaze was unfocused, falling on the swaying bamboo leaves above her head. After a few seconds of blankness, she blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, dispelling the mist and gradually clearing her eyes.

She first looked at the sky, then slowly turned her neck, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard, and finally landing on Tang Rui standing to the side.

"You're awake, Hongzhuang?" Tang Rui looked over and asked.

"Mmm." She hummed softly, her voice a little hoarse, with the gentle softness unique to someone just waking up, and asked quite naturally, "What time is it?"

"It's almost five o'clock, Hongzhuang, are you hungry? Let's go get something to eat."

"Mmm." Ruan Hongzhuang responded, sat up, and stretched lazily. The blanket slipped down to her waist with her movement, revealing her perfect body curves. "I'm going to the restroom first."

After she finished speaking, she lifted the blanket, stood up, and the light beige skirt slid down like water with her movements, swaying gently.

She seemed to still have the languor of someone just waking up, and her pace was a little slower than usual as she walked straight to the bathroom inside the villa, leaving behind a slender and upright figure.

Tang Zheng watched her departing figure, his heart filled with shock.

Holy crap! Best Actress!

The next second, Tang Zheng smiled, a genuine joy from the bottom of his heart.

"What are you laughing at?" Tang Rui glanced at him and asked with some confusion.

"It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered something happy," Tang Zheng replied, looking at her.

"What's so exciting?" Tang Rui asked curiously.

"I won't tell you," Tang Zheng said, raising his arm and stretching lazily.

Then, before he could even stretch halfway through, his ear was grabbed. "Speak!"

"Ouch... Sis, let go! You've pulled my ear so hard, how am I ever going to find a wife now?"

"Stop giving me that nonsense. Are you secretly plotting something here? Tell me the truth right now."

"I'm innocent! What bad intentions could I possibly have?"

While Tang Zheng was joking around with his sister, Ruan Hongzhuang stood in front of the sink, looked at herself in the mirror, raised her hand to tuck the slightly messy strands of hair behind her ear, and lingered on her hand for a moment.

"You bastard, stop right there!"

In the courtyard, Tang Zheng was being chased by his older sister.

"Sister, put down the broom and I'll stop." Tang Zheng turned his head to look at the broom in her hand, and ran even faster.

At this moment, Ruan Hongzhuang pushed open the door and came out. She had washed her face and changed into simple casual clothes. A few strands of her hair were slightly damp and clung to the fair skin of her neck. Her features were clearer than before.

Tang Zheng's eyes lit up, and he darted behind her, hiding. "Help, Aunt Ruan!"

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at Tang Zheng, who was charging towards them, took a step to the side, and said calmly:

"Just kill him, it'll save you the trouble."

Tang Zheng glanced at her. "Heartless woman, I've been warming your hands for so long for nothing."

If there's a next time, the time will be halved.

Five minutes later, the three of them left the courtyard and walked side by side toward the self-service restaurant. Along the way, there were lush green bamboo groves, and the evening breeze carried the fragrance of grass and trees.

Tang Rui walked in the middle, chattering about her spa experience. Ruan Hongzhuang occasionally responded softly. Tang Zheng admired the scenery along the way, glancing at Ruan Hongzhuang on the other side from time to time.

Just then, the bushes nearby rustled.

Tang Rui stopped talking, and the three of them looked over at the same time.

A white blob emerged from under the bushes, first a small head, then a round body, and finally a fluffy long tail.

It was a white cat, chubby, and clean; it was clearly well cared for.

It stood in the middle of the path, tilting its head to look at them, its amber eyes sparkling in the twilight like two small, melting toffee candies.

"Oh dear!" Tang Rui's voice instantly rose eight octaves, "Kitten!"

She crouched down, reached out her hand, and said in a soft voice, as if coaxing a child, "Mimi, come here, come here..."

The white cat glanced at her for two seconds, then took its short legs and slowly walked over.

But instead of going to Tang Rui, she went to Ruan Hongzhuang.

It stopped at Ruan Hongzhuang's feet, raised its head, and gently meowed. The sound was soft and delicate, like cotton candy melting in hot water.

Tang Rui remained squatting in the same spot, her hand hovering in mid-air, a hint of jealousy in her voice. "Why doesn't it come to me?"

"Maybe you're a tigress, and it's afraid of you," Tang Zheng said.

Tang Rui glared at him. "Are you asking for trouble again?"

Ruan Hongzhuang looked down at it, but didn't move.

The white cat wasn't in a hurry. It rubbed against her feet, its tail held high with a small tuft of white fur curling slightly at the tip.

Ruan Hongzhuang squatted down, reached out, and stroked the kitten's head.

The white cat squinted its eyes and nuzzled its head into her palm.

Then it tipped over.

It lay on its back, its soft, white belly exposed, its two front paws curled up in front of its chest, and its tail still swishing across the ground.

Tang Rui clutched her chest: "It...it turned belly up to me..."

"Is it possible that it wasn't translated for you?" Tang Zheng thought to himself, looking at his older sister who seemed to have been tamed by a cute creature.

Tang Zheng's gaze shifted to Ruan Hongzhuang beside him.

The white cat rolled around in her palm, rubbing its head against her wrist and scratching at her fingertips with its paws.

She let it frolic, the light and shadow of the bamboo forest falling on her shoulders. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes drooping down, and the corners of her lips curved into a slight smile.

Tang Zheng looked at her and suddenly remembered many years ago, when he was still very young. In his memory, it was an autumn day, and the ginkgo leaves in the neighborhood were falling and turning the ground golden.

She squatted by the flower bed, holding a roasted chicken leg that she had just taken a bite of, with an orange and white stray cat squatting in front of her.

She was wearing a blue and white school uniform, with her hair in a ponytail, and her eyes crinkled when she smiled.

She held the chicken leg to the cat's mouth, her voice as soft as if she were coaxing a child.

"Mimi, tell me who is the most beautiful woman in the world?"

Mimi remained silent, only focusing on eating the chicken leg.

"It's so well-behaved, it lets you touch it." Tang Rui's voice pulled Tang Zheng back from his memories.

"I'm good too, I'll let you pet me too." Tang Zheng squatted down and reached out to touch the kitten's soft belly.

Tang Rui glanced at him and said with disdain, "With your lousy hair, I feel prickly even touching you."

"I didn't ask you to touch me," Tang Zheng said, glancing at Ruan Hongzhuang beside him.

The evening breeze ruffled the strands of hair at her temples, revealing a soft and beautiful profile that gradually overlapped with the image of the girl in her memory, wearing a school uniform and crouching under a ginkgo tree feeding cats…

He was young then, and all he thought was that this older sister was really pretty, with her eyes crinkling when she smiled, and she was also very funny.