Chapter 43: I Want to Charge a Fee

For the sake of money, Xu An’an fed Jiang Li his noodles and medicine, tending to him like a nursemaid. There was no other way—this was how one should treat a benefactor.

Xu An’an planned to leave once Jiang Li fell asleep, but he stubbornly remained wide awake.

“Go to sleep already,” she urged.

“Eat and sleep? Do you take me for a pig?” Jiang Li raised his hand as if to rap her on the head. “I give you ten million, and you can’t even use your brain to come up with something to amuse me?”

Xu An’an’s lips twitched. Damn man, all you do after a meal is create trouble for me!

“Why don’t you just tell me, Second Master, how would you like to be entertained? After all, with your injured ribs, even if I were to sit on top, I doubt it would bring you pleasure—more likely pain.”

Yet as Xu An’an spoke, she smiled with enchanting charm, her cool, almond-shaped eyes gleaming mischievously, making her seem both aloof and alluring.

Jiang Li was practically fuming.

“You’d better remember what you’ve said today. I’ll repay you double in the future.”

“…Let’s just watch a movie!” Xu An’an realized that whenever she bantered with Jiang Li, she always came off worse. She decided to end today’s ‘battle’ here.

She grabbed the remote, turned on the projector, and casually selected an art film. Art films were supposed to be good for putting people to sleep. Usually, their essence was obscure and hard to grasp.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door. Xu An’an glanced at Jiang Li, then went to answer it. It was Assistant Wang, delivering some ointment.

“Assistant Wang, weren’t you away on a business trip?”

Assistant Wang hadn’t expected to find Xu An’an still with Jiang Li. His earlier comment had been a well-meaning lie, hoping to leave the two together to foster some intimacy—after all, as a good subordinate, he understood what Second Master truly wanted.

“Ahem, there’s been a change of plans. Please give this medicine to Second Master.”

Xu An’an sensed something was off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it, so she let it be, closed the door, and handed the ointment to Jiang Li. “Here, your medicine.”

“Come here. Sit down.” Jiang Li patted the space beside him.

Xu An’an misunderstood, thinking Jiang Li wanted her to sit on his lap. Her cheeks flushed scarlet. “Second Master, are you joking? Do you really want to? What about your injured body?”

“There’s so much nonsense in that head of yours.” Black lines seemed to appear on Jiang Li’s handsome face. He patted the seat again. “Sit here, not on me. Or is that what you want?”

Realizing her mistake, Xu An’an felt awkward and quickly sat down beside him.

“And now?” she asked.

“Bring your face closer,” Jiang Li said, taking the ointment from her hand.

So he wanted to apply medicine to her face! Xu An’an was a little flattered and quickly shook her head. “No, no, I can manage. How could I trouble Second Master with such a small thing?”

Jiang Li stared at her for a few seconds, then, his face darkening, tossed the ointment back at her.

Xu An’an caught it with a smile. As she twisted off the cap, a clean medicinal fragrance wafted out, fresh and soothing—it must have been expensive.

Ring ring ring!

Jiang Li’s phone rang. He reached for it, but Xu An’an beat him to it. The corners of his lips lifted—at least she was thoughtful enough to hand him his phone.

But to his surprise, Xu An’an answered it herself.

“It’s Bai Anhao—he must be looking for me. My own phone isn’t even on yet!”

Jiang Li’s face darkened further, and he withdrew his hand. “I’m charging you for this.”

Xu An’an shot him a glare. Rich people really were stingier.

“Fine, fine, I’ll give you ten yuan later.”

With Jiang Li dealt with, Xu An’an deliberately turned her back to him as she took the call. “Yes, this is Xu An’an… No, no, this isn’t my new number, just a stranger’s phone I borrowed. He happens to still be here.”

Stranger?

Jiang Li’s phoenix-shaped eyes narrowed, a wicked glint appearing. He reached out and grabbed—

“Ah!” Xu An’an yelped in surprise, turning to glare at him in disbelief. Yet he refused to let go, grasping her like she was a handful of cotton.

Her teeth ground in frustration as she covered the phone and lowered her voice. “Let go.”

“This is your phone bill,” Jiang Li said maliciously. “The longer your call, the longer I’ll keep this up. You’d better think carefully.”

Xu An’an’s face flushed cherry red, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She bit her lip, angry and helpless, forced to endure and not make any odd sounds.

“Ahem, sorry, I just saw a mouse… ah!” Jiang Li kneaded harder.

Finally, he let go, deciding to deal with Xu An’an later—she still hadn’t hung up, even now. What was so great about this Bai Anhao?

“Was it a big mouse?” Bai Anhao sounded concerned.

Xu An’an steadied her breath. “It’s gone now.”

“That’s good. Do you need me to recommend a professional pest control team? I live in the suburbs, so I used to see mice in the house all the time, but after hiring professionals, I hardly see any now,” Bai Anhao offered warmly.

Xu An’an glanced at Jiang Li, who was staring intently at the screen, the cold white light making his face look even more severe.

Honestly, she was the one who had a right to be angry!

“Thank you.”

“I called to let you know everything’s been taken care of. As for those fans, they’ll be held responsible for their actions.”

“But it’s still related to me. I’ll go to the magazine office tomorrow and explain everything to the editor.”

Bai Anhao wanted to tell her there was no need—he knew perfectly well that his superior’s decision was not something a subordinate like Xu An’an could change. But if he stopped her, she wouldn’t let it go.

“All right, I’ll wait for your call.”

“I’ll come see you in person tomorrow to apologize.”

Jiang Li, who seemed to be watching the movie, immediately turned to glare at Xu An’an, his gaze fierce—so he’d come calling in person, would he!

Xu An’an found the whole thing baffling.

She hung up. “That was five minutes. I’ll give you fifty yuan, okay?”

“Are you close with this Bai Anhao?”

“I’m his fan.” Xu An’an began recommending Bai Anhao’s latest book to Jiang Li. “I haven’t read it yet, but the title sounds interesting—‘The One Who Waits for Love’.”

Jiang Li sneered, “The one who waits for love? Is he talking about himself?”

“Anyone could be the one who waits for love, couldn’t they? Aren’t you, Second Master? Even though you’re surrounded by women, they’re just passing by, while you keep waiting for someone.” Xu An’an spoke eloquently.

Jiang Li tapped her on the forehead in response.

Xu An’an rubbed her forehead, annoyed. “Even if I’m right, there’s no need to get so upset!”

Jiang Li lifted his gaze, looking at the shell pendant on the table, as if countless memories were flashing before his eyes.

“You really don’t understand anything.”