Chapter 71 - A Gentle Pat

Tang Huaijin, oblivious to Xia Xinya’s sulking expression, asked with a smile, “Yuerou, is there anything you need me to do?”

“Well, how about this? I’ll take your manuscript home tonight and show it to my father. He can arrange a meeting with his friend from Changhe Publishing House. I’ll let you know tomorrow. Does that sound good?” Bai Yuerou nodded gently, noticing Xia Xinya’s apparent displeasure, and gave Tang Huaijin a meaningful glance.

Following her gaze, Tang Huaijin understood and playfully pinched Xia Xinya’s nose, teasing, “What’s up? Feeling grumpy?”

Xia Xinya pouted, muttering, “Who’s grumpy? You think I wanted to help you? You’re so annoying.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to help…” Tang Huaijin explained the situation to Xia Xinya, and seeing her still somewhat skeptical, he chuckled and ruffled her hair, saying, “I know you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You really want to help me inside, don’t worry. I’m lucky to have a friend like you.”

Finally, Xia Xinya seemed a bit satisfied and let out a soft hum, not minding that her carefully styled hair was now a bit tousled. She felt like a proud little cat whose fur had been smoothed, closing her eyes in contentment.

Bai Yuerou glanced at Xia Xinya, who now appeared rather docile, and chuckled softly, saying, “Alright, enough playing around. It’s almost time for class.”

Xia Xinya’s hair was silky smooth, feeling like satin to the touch, even better than petting a cat. Tang Huaijin withdrew his hand with a smile, exchanged a glance with Bai Yuerou, and they both shared a laugh, ready for class.

Feeling the gentle touch leave her, Xia Xinya opened her eyes, a fleeting sense of loss passing through them. She pouted, pulling out a mirror from her small bag, and leaned over the desk to fix her hair that had been messed up.

After morning self-study, Tang Huaijin headed to Shen Yiqiu’s office to pick up the teaching materials. He knocked on the door, and upon hearing Shen Yiqiu’s distinctive voice, he entered.

“Teacher Shen, I’m here to get the handouts for the next class.”

Shen Yiqiu was bent over her desk writing something. Hearing Tang Huaijin’s voice, she quickly looked up and gave him a once-over, responding with a soft acknowledgment.

Teacher Shen shifted back slightly, letting her chair slide out a bit, stretching her legs in a relaxed manner, her shapely legs encased in black stockings briefly catching Tang Huaijin’s gaze.

Noticing Tang Huaijin’s somewhat dazed look, Shen Yiqiu’s eyes flashed with satisfaction before she swiftly retracted her legs, sitting properly in her chair with her hands resting on her thighs, her expression calm as she asked, “Have you sorted everything out?”

Having experienced this many times, Tang Huaijin was used to it and no longer felt awkward. He casually redirected his gaze, replying softly, “Yes, everything’s fine now.”

“That’s good.” Shen Yiqiu nodded, handing him the handouts from her desk, and followed him out of the office. Seeing Tang Huaijin walking ahead again, she frowned slightly and said softly, “Walk behind me.”

Tang Huaijin’s expression froze, obediently following behind Shen Yiqiu, watching her swaying figure with a puzzled look, “Teacher, why did you ask me to walk in front before?”

Shen Yiqiu paused slightly, glanced back at Tang Huaijin, and replied calmly, “Different identities. At school, I’m the teacher.”

At school, you’re the teacher, but weren’t you a teacher during the assessment last time?

Tang Huaijin was full of questions, looking at Shen Yiqiu’s impassive face, but he didn’t voice them.

Since Tang Huaijin had promised Xia Xinya that he would discuss his book with her, he often sought her opinions while writing.

Xia Xinya wasn’t usually fond of reading. During club activities, she would often sneak off to play on her phone. However, when Tang Huaijin asked for her input this time, she surprisingly offered her suggestions with genuine seriousness.

Sometimes, when she didn’t understand the plot, she would even press Tang Huaijin for explanations.

Tang Huaijin would patiently explain while listening to her feedback. Although this slowed down his writing process, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Xia Xinya’s suggestions were quite insightful.

Perhaps it was her pure and straightforward nature that allowed her to view things differently, providing Tang Huaijin with a fresh perspective on his readers’ experience.

Seeing Tang Huaijin deep in thought, Xia Xinya realized her suggestions had been helpful. Her face lit up with a sense of pride, and she subconsciously glanced in Bai Yuerou’s direction, quickly averting her gaze.

Noticing that Bai Yuerou hadn’t caught her glance, Xia Xinya breathed a sigh of relief. She touched her face with a puzzled expression, wondering why she instinctively looked at Rou.

Tang Huaijin, unaware of the complex thoughts running through the young girl’s mind, felt relieved once the book’s publication was on track. He spent the entire day engrossed in his writing.

After school, Tang Huaijin routinely got into the Xia Family’s car. The female bodyguard, who had been with the Xia Family for many years, had grown accustomed to his presence. She had never seen another man in this car before. Seeing Tang Huaijin board, she nodded at him with a slight hint of respect.

Xia Xinya was unusually quiet. When Tang Huaijin naturally took his seat, she didn’t mock him as she might have before. Instead, she sat quietly in the car.

Curious, Tang Huaijin glanced at her and softly asked, “What’s wrong? You’ve been upset since this afternoon. Did someone upset you, Miss Xia?”

Xia Xinya looked up at him, then turned her head away, muttering, “No one…”

Judging by her reluctant response, Tang Huaijin guessed she was referring to him. It was probably still about the morning incident. After being teased for so long, she finally had a chance to get back at him, only for someone else to steal her thunder. With a young girl’s mindset, it was understandable for her to be upset.

Tang Huaijin, in a good mood, didn’t want to argue with her. He reached out and ruffled Xia Xinya’s hair, chuckling, “Alright, it’s just about this morning, isn’t it? You really want to flick my forehead? Go ahead, I won’t resist.”

“Who wants to flick your forehead? I’m not that childish,” Xia Xinya replied, her eyes narrowing contentedly as Tang Huaijin soothed her, though her words remained stubborn.

Who else would be childish if not you… Tang Huaijin thought, amused. But since Xia Xinya had said she didn’t want to flick his forehead, he naturally wouldn’t offer it up. He wasn’t a masochist. Seeing that Xia Xinya, despite her stubbornness, was visibly happier, he withdrew his hand.

Yet, as soon as he did, Xia Xinya’s lips pouted in dissatisfaction.

Tang Huaijin couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction and said, “What’s up? Do you really want me to pat your head?”

Hearing his laughter, Xia Xinya’s face turned crimson. Realizing her expression was too obvious, she glared at him in embarrassment and turned her head away, ignoring him.

Not wanting to upset her further, Tang Huaijin chuckled and gently placed his hand on her head again.

Xia Xinya tilted her head to dodge slightly, but not enough to avoid his hand. Seeing his persistence, she reluctantly allowed him to pat her head, putting on a facade of unwillingness, though a hint of satisfaction flickered in her eyes.

Given the tense relationship between Xia Xinya and her mother, Mrs. Xia, and the fact that Tang Huaijin had never heard her mention her father, he could guess why Xia Xinya enjoyed having her head patted. Despite her close friendship with Bai Yuerou, girls rarely pat each other’s heads, much like boys don’t. This girl probably hadn’t experienced such affection much growing up.

With this thought, Tang Huaijin’s touch became gentler, making Xia Xinya more comfortable, even causing her to let out a soft hum.

Since Tang Huaijin was sitting on the left side and Xia Xinya on the other, there was a distance between them. To pat her head, he had to stretch his arm, which soon grew tired, prompting him to withdraw his hand.

Seeing Xia Xinya glance at him instinctively, Tang Huaijin teased, “Still not enough? Are you part cat? You think it’s easy for me to keep my arm stretched like that?”

“Who, who wants you to pat my head…” Xia Xinya’s cheeks flushed slightly as she retorted, not meaning it.

Tang Huaijin merely rolled his eyes at her and stopped engaging, leaving Xia Xinya a bit disappointed. She enjoyed the feeling of Tang Huaijin patting her head; it gave her a deep sense of security.

Xia Xinya turned to look out the window, biting her lip, and scooted slightly closer to Tang Huaijin. She sneaked a glance at him, and seeing he hadn’t noticed, she moved even closer.

Soon, Xia Xinya was right beside Tang Huaijin, just a fist’s distance away, silently fiddling with her hands.

Sitting so close, she knew Tang Huaijin must have noticed and was likely watching her. This thought made her incredibly shy, as a blush crept up from her neck, casting a delicate pink haze over her charming face.

Tang Huaijin tried hard to suppress his laughter, his lips trembling slightly as he did so. This girl wanted him to pat her head, yet she was too proud to say it outright, resorting to this awkward way of hinting at him. It was endearingly silly.

He reached out and ruffled Xia Xinya’s hair, making her squint her eyes in delight. After a while, his hand stopped moving on her head.

Xinya, having moved closer, relaxed a bit. Feeling the large hand on her head become still, she wriggled slightly in dissatisfaction, almost like a spoiled child.

Huaijin resumed his gentle movements.

Though his face showed no signs of amusement, inside, he was laughing heartily.

Was this considered flirting?

With this stubborn girl’s proud nature, if she ever had someone she liked, confessing would surely be an awkward ordeal.

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Seeing him laugh, Xinya’s face turned visibly red.

Fortunately, the driver had arrived at their destination. Huaijin withdrew his hand, slung his bag over his shoulder, and with a cheerful smile, said to the girl who was about to explode in anger, “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I liked it when my dad patted my head when I was little.”

With that, he quickly opened the car door, stepped out, waved at Xinya, and jogged home.

Inside the car, Xinya sat stunned for a moment before realizing what had happened, her ears burning with embarrassment as she glared at Huaijin’s departing figure.

That jerk, taking advantage of her again.

The female bodyguard in the driver’s seat cautiously glanced at her young lady through the rearview mirror and asked softly, “Miss… should I drive slower next time?”

“No need!” Xinya retorted angrily, but after a moment, added somewhat awkwardly, “For safety, driving a bit slower might be okay…”

Seeing her nod timidly, Xinya snorted lightly and threatened, “Don’t you dare tell anyone about today. If my mom finds out, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“Yes…”