Chapter 836: Chapter 836

The next morning, Xu Ling'an almost broke her habit and arrived late.

As soon as Xu Ling'an's figure disappeared behind the office door, everyone outside exchanged glances.

"Senior sister actually arrived just on time today!"

"I thought something came up and she wasn't coming."

"I just saw her face a bit red. She usually doesn't wear makeup, so there's no way she used blush. Could she be ill?" The most update n0vels are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾※𝙣𝙚𝙩

"Could she have a fever?"

"A fever? Who has a fever?"

The little junior sister turned her head to look at the junior brother Xiao Bo, who was holding a cute potted plant, "Senior sister might have a fever. She only arrived a few minutes earlier than you today, and she's never been this late. Her face also looks a bit red, like she has a fever."

Xiao Bo quickly looked towards Xu Ling'an's office, "I'll go check!"

"Hey," the junior sister couldn't stop him, watching him stride away, hesitated for a moment, and followed.

Xu Ling'an had just turned on her computer and was wondering whether to order delivery.

She accidentally woke up late today and didn't eat because she was afraid of being late. Now, she's starting to feel a little hungry.

Hearing a knock on the door, she got up to answer it, "Xiao Bo, what's up?"

Xiao Bo's gaze fell on Xu Ling'an's face, and the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

His eyes seemed to bloom like a peach blossom.

He resisted the urge to tuck the slightly messy strand of hair beside her cheek behind her ear, coughed, and found his voice again, "I heard from Xiaohuo that you have a fever? I have medicine with me..."

"Fever?" Xu Ling'an was taken aback, touched her face and forehead reflexively, and shook her head, "That's not true."

"But your face is a bit red..."

"Probably because I ran all the way after getting off the car. It'll get better after catching my breath."

The junior sister who just caught up: "..."

So it was just a misunderstanding among them!

But since she was already there, she couldn't help but curiously ask, "Senior sister, why were you almost late today? Was there something that delayed you on the way?"

"Nothing on the way, I just accidentally woke up late."

"Did you have a bad dream or a sweet dream? No, your complexion looks good, it must have been a sweet dream, hehe!"

What she said brought back the somewhat blurred dream from last night in Xu Ling'an's mind, and she reflexively touched her face again.

It was indeed a bit hot, not only because she had been rushing around.

Seeing her reaction, Xiao Bo developed an uneasy feeling in his heart and quickly handed over the cute potted plant he's been holding, "When I was coming over this morning, I passed by a market stall and the pennywort plant looked pretty good, with a unique shape too. It was just the price of a breakfast, so I bought it for you, senior sister."

He knew very well that if he gave her something expensive, she probably wouldn't accept it.

Something inexpensive yet thoughtful had a better chance of being accepted.

Unexpectedly, Xu Ling'an still pushed it back, "You should keep it. I'm not good with plants, and it'd be a shame if it dies."

Miao Xiaohuo looked at the resolutely refusing senior sister, then at the plant being pushed back and forth, and finally at the little junior brother's suddenly stiff expression, her lively eyes gaining a hint of contemplation.

Is it a case of a suitor dreaming fruitlessly for a disinterested goddess?

Thinking about it, it's not surprising. Senior sister is capable and pretty, it's perfectly normal to like her.

Xiao Bo probably had already been interested for a while, but he was going for the 'developing feelings over time' strategy, so why did he suddenly start giving gifts for a strong advance?

After Xu Ling'an closed the door, Miao Xiaohuo called out to Xiao Bo, who was about to leave, "I haven't tried raising this type of plant before. Can you sell it to me?"

She was afraid that the second time she'll see this plant would be in the trash can in the stairwell!

Xiao Bo was about to just toss it to her but opened a payment code instead, "With the pot and the plant, eighteen!"

Transaction complete.

Miao Xiaohuo touched the round leaves of the newly acquired pennywort, "So, are you planning to pursue senior sister?"

"Why, is it not allowed?"

"Not really, go ahead and good luck."

She just wasn't optimistic about it.

The way senior sister looks at Xiao Bo, it's clearly like looking at a capable junior or a coworker, with none of the looks a woman gives a man.

The road is long and tough, and there might be a door at the end that just won't open!

So, she really couldn't say 'I hope you get what you wish'.

Ever since Miao Xiaohuo saw through his intentions, Xiao Bo decided not to hide it in front of everyone.

Today he'd help with a meal, tomorrow he'd bring back a plush toy from a claw machine, and occasionally find ways to get a ride.

It didn't take long for everyone to notice what was going on.

But there were indeed some who were oblivious.

The project Xu Ling'an had been diligently working on for years was nearing completion, and she had her entire focus on work.

She didn't feel Xiao Bo's obvious and subtle attentiveness, or if she did, it was quickly overshadowed by her work.

People could only watch as Xiao Bo's efforts went to waste, his affections unnoticed.

To be honest, there's a bit of sympathy.

Of all people, why did he have to fall for the senior sister who's notoriously hard to pursue?

Just as Xiao Bo was hesitating whether to pluck up the courage and directly confess his feelings, the project Xu Ling'an was leading finally reached its final testing phase.

The testing required finding people to cooperate, the more the merrier.

The people in their project group's lab were far from enough.

Jiang Lingxi, after knowing Xu Ling'an was busy finding people for testing, simply sent over Jiang Lingxu and her chubby daughter, though the uncle and niece were both more than willing to help.

Jiang Lingxu had just started a two-week leave to relax after the concert, and since he had nothing better to do, why not help family?

Shen Qiangqiang was also tagging along. Ever since watching the concert, she officially became a little fan of her uncle. Seeing her going on about her uncle every day at home, Jiang Lingxi just sent her along to play with her uncle.

The uncle and niece duo swiftly arrived at Xu Ling'an's place, causing a small stir in the lab.

After all, the people they previously managed to get for testing were coaxed with gifts and some pay—oops, they meant invited—and were ordinary folks. But this pair is not only free of charge, they're celebrities!

Don't underestimate little Shen Qiangqiang; she already has her own fanbase—even though Jiang Lingxi hasn't registered her an account yet, she could gain hundreds of thousands of followers in no time if she did.

Although Jiang Lingxu is still far from his sister's fame, after the recent concert he made it to the trending topics for two days. Even if it was towards the end, it's incomparable to the minor past appearances; he's truly starting to gain recognition!

Once the excitement subsided a bit, Xu Ling'an quickly brought the uncle and niece to her office.

"Xiao Xu, do you want water or coffee? Qiangqiang, would you like some juice? I have freshly squeezed mango juice."

It was Jiang Lingxu's first time in Xu Ling'an's office, and he spoke while instinctively glancing around.

Everything was work-related; there was hardly anything personal—except, on the sofa where he was sitting, there were two casually tossed cute little plush toys, and there was an unopened pack of freeze-dried strawberries on the desk.

While he was looking at them, Shen Qiangqiang had already picked up a plush in each hand, "This is Meng Lele, this is Le Mengmeng, they're a pair!"

Xu Ling'an tossed Jiang Lingxu a bottle of mineral water and put a glass of juice in front of Shen Qiangqiang, smiling at what she heard, "These plush toys have names?"

Jiang Lingxu paused as he twisted the bottle cap, "Aren't these your plush toys? You don't even know their names?"

"Who said I bought them? I barely have time for such trinkets. Xiao Bo grabbed them from a claw machine, said he had too many at home and couldn't fit them, so he gave me two."

"And the strawberry freeze-dried..."

"Also from Xiao Bo. He said they're a specialty from his hometown. I thought Qiangqiang might like them, so I took them out for her."

Oh, what a cunning ambition!

Jiang Lingxu gulped down a big mouthful of cold water as he chuckled, "Hehe, wolf in sheep's clothing!"