Although he was scolding, the tone had clearly softened a lot.

Qiao Yongyong was still whimpering, "Brother said, if someone rubs me the wrong way, just wipe them out! No matter who they are! Might is right! After all, I have Brother to protect me!"

It seemed that this young miss had been accustomed to running wild without restraints all her life.

It would take more than a moment to change such ingrained behavior.

In the past, when he was with ISM, the targets he dealt with were mostly people like the Qiao family, who operated outside the law.

He had never imagined that he would deal with these types of people.

Unexpectedly, one day he would become intimate with the kind of people he was least likely to interact with.

He turned around, pulled her cheek towards him, and gazed at her: "So now, let me teach you again, the world is very dangerous, and all kinds of people exist. You are lucky this time, but what if you were caught by people from Dongying? Knowing how to end up at the police station in China might be considered lucky, but if they took private vengeance on you, even if your brother came to save you, your little life would be in jeopardy before he could help! Next time, before you think about wiping someone out, give a heads-up, and use your brain as well as force, got it?"

Her sobs stopped, and she nodded subconsciously, "I understand, Brother Yixiao." She paused, then added, "Next time before I deal with someone, I will tell you first so you can prepare to save me in advance."

He laughed bitterly out of extreme frustration; she was truly incorrigible.

Yet looking at her reddened nose, something in his heart seemed to stir.

Qiao Yongyong’s demeanor at that moment vaguely reminded him of Jiayi in her youth.

As a child, Jiayi started school a few years after him, at the same school.

Just like most kids, Jiayi couldn’t adapt to the new environment initially and wasn’t very interested in school, would daydream during classes, and couldn’t sit still.

Aunt Xia, worried about her daughter, reminded Nie Yixiao to make sure Jiayi behaved well at school and studied diligently, and if not, to scold her on her behalf and report back.

But he never had the heart to scold her and feared telling Aunt Xia would lead to Jiayi’s punishment. He would just pat her head and say, "Let’s let it slide this time, but if you don’t behave next time, I will definitely tell Aunt Xia."

Such indulgence was considered a "reprimand."

He knew that such coddling was not good for Jiayi, but what did it matter?

So what if her behavior was poor or her grades were average?

As long as he did well in school, he would earn a lot of money in the future, keep her well-fed and happy, and let her live a joyful life.

And each time, little Jiayi would be tearfully grateful, nodding obediently like a doll saying, "I understand, Brother Yixiao."

At this moment, Qiao Yongyong bore a striking resemblance to Jiayi back then.

In a daze, Nie Yixiao’s face softened, and seeing her suit jacket slipping off her shoulders a few centimeters, he reached out to pull it back up onto her shoulders.

Qiao Yongyong noticed how his expression became much gentler in an instant, her heart pounding wildly, but couldn’t help but hiss.

A reflexive reaction, she withdrew her arm a bit.

His expression changed, and he lifted her arm to reveal a bruised area on her elbow. As he bent her arm, she let out an even louder cry of pain.

Bending it was obviously difficult.

"What happened?"

Qiao Yongyong bit her lip, "I was rushing downstairs and bumped into something, then you grabbed it just now...."

His face turned cold as frost, and without another word, he carefully placed her arm back inside the jacket, this time with much more gentleness.

Then he started the engine and sped towards Disheng.

*

After the SUV entered Disheng, Qiao Yongyong said, "Brother Yixiao, I can go in by myself."

"So you want Huo Zhenyang to scold you to death? Lie down," Nie Yixiao tapped the steering wheel, tilting back Qiao Yongyong’s seat.

If Huo Zhenyang knew she sneaked out and dared to do such things, he would definitely scold her to death.

Qiao Yongyong slowly lay back in her seat.

The car slowly drove into the Huo Mansion villa, and the servants opened the iron gate:

"Mr. Nie has arrived."

"Let’s have a look. Miss Qiao must be asleep by now."

"She’s long been asleep."

"Hmm. You all can go rest now."

"Okay, Mr. Nie."

After the servants scattered, the courtyard became quiet.

Nie Yixiao opened the car door and led Qiao Yongyong into the villa, heading upstairs.

Passing by the surveillance room, he pushed the door open to see the bodyguard dozing off on the table, indeed snoring away. He glanced back at Qiao Yongyong.

Qiao Yongyong stuck out her tongue: "I just gave him a glass of milk with sleeping pills. He’ll wake up in an hour at most."

He picked up Qiao Yongyong and entered her room, then turned around.

Qiao Yongyong thought he would leave after safely escorting her back, but instead, he opened the glass cabinet, took out the family first aid kit, came over, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Before she could react, Nie Yixiao lifted her arm and rubbed medicinal oil on it, massaging gently and steadily.

His force was even and tender. It stung at first but gradually became comfortable, and the swelling sensation eased.

Qiao Yongyong truly wished the process of applying the medication could last all night.

She knew he was being so kind to her only because she was injured on his behalf, yet she still cherished this process.

Maybe he’s only this good to her when she is hurt or sick...

After applying the oil, Nie Yixiao stood up, looked at Qiao Yongyong, "Don’t get it wet for the next few days, and don’t eat anything spicy." After speaking, he walked out of Qiao Yongyong’s bedroom and closed the door softly.

Cold as ever, but that iceberg seemed to have melted a little.

Qiao Yongyong blinked, curving her lips into a confident smile.

*

On a weekend night, a phone call from Xia Tingxuan invited Jiayi back home for dinner.

After fixing the theatrical costume design at the bridal shop, Jiayi went to her parents’ place.

By the time she arrived, Little Baozi had already been picked up by Daddy in advance and was sitting on the sofa watching TV.

The coffee table in front of him was piled with a bunch of snacks, jerky, chocolate, squid strips, and chips—all loved by children, with Grandpa on the left, Grandma on the right, feeding Little Baozi just like feeding a pet:

"Sweetie, does it taste good?"

"Do you want to change the channel, baby?"

Jiayi couldn’t help but laugh as she entered and saw the exaggerated scene.

Previously, only Mommy spoiled Little Baozi, but now Daddy joined in the spoiling spree.

Chu Yanhan even pampered Little Baozi more than Xia Tingxuan.

Perhaps because Little Baozi is the only third-generation grandchild of the Chu Family, and he must have decided to pass on the family’s legacy in S Country and the title to Little Baozi. He completely put Little Baozi on a pedestal, as if he could pick the moon for him.

Now, Little Baozi simply treats Grandpa and Grandma’s house as heaven, clamoring to stay every weekend.

Jiayi knew her parents wanted to enjoy their grandchild, so she went along with their wishes, letting Little Baozi stay with Mommy for two days each week, and today was no exception.

As Jiayi was changing her shoes, she said, "Don’t you have hands? Can’t you eat by yourself, needing Grandpa and Grandma to feed you?"

Xia Tingxuan defended her precious grandson, "Little Baozi is busy watching TV, and we’re not doing anything, so feeding him is no big deal. Come on, sweetie, have another bite."