Nie Yixiao’s hand was still wrapped in gauze, and as usual, he was wearing a simple black suit.

As he walked in, his gaze landed on Qiao Yongyong, who was clingingly close to Jiayi on the sofa, and he couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Qiao Yongyong immediately dropped her tablet and rushed over, cooing, "Why did you still come today with your hand injured?"

Although she wanted Nie Yixiao to accompany her, always looking forward to the days when it was his turn to protect her, she still wanted him to rest for a few more days since he scalded his hand while saving her yesterday.

"Hmm, I will come personally every day for the next few days to protect you closely," Nie Yixiao said with an impassive expression.

Yet, Jiayi subconsciously understood something: the Huo family patriarch would be arriving in Yunling next week, and probably Huo Zhenyang had already notified his bodyguards to keep a close watch on Qiao Yongyong to prevent any further incidents, which is why Brother Yixiao would come in person to protect Qiao Yongyong.

Qiao Yongyong was overjoyed: "Does that mean you’ll come every day and stay with me from morning till night?"

"Yes. Miss Qiao, have you finished your breakfast? If so, please go upstairs and back to your room," Nie Yixiao said, worried that she would annoy Jiayi with her chatter.

It was evident that she was clinging to Jiayi.

Being able to spend twenty-four hours with the male god, even if confined to the villa, seemed like a good deal.

Qiao Yongyong’s eyes sparkled with joy: "Are you coming to my room then?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Nie Yixiao was exasperated, suppressing his displeasure: "I’ll be in the adjacent surveillance room."

Qiao Yongyong pouted: "It’s so boring alone in my room, if you won’t come to accompany me in my room, then I’ll stay downstairs and chat with Miss Chu."

Nie Yixiao frowned: "Have you asked others if they are willing to chat with you? Why do you never consider others’ feelings when doing things?"

Qiao Yongyong felt a slight sting in her nose; he was scolding her for Jiayi again, and without even asking, he assumed she was at fault, yet she clenched her little fists and did not offer an explanation.

Jiayi spoke up for Qiao Yongyong: "It’s okay, I promised Miss Qiao to come sit with me for a chat. I’ve got almost nothing to do anyway, I’d practically be growing mold otherwise."

Nie Yixiao’s expression softened slightly, but he still remained indifferent: "Go upstairs first."

Qiao Yongyong turned around silently and went upstairs.

Watching Qiao Yongyong’s retreating figure, Jiayi suddenly felt a tinge of melancholy and gently said: "Brother Yixiao, are you being perhaps a bit too... rough with Miss Qiao? Although she might be overly lively and enthusiastic, she’s actually quite a nice person."

"I don’t think I have any reason to be gentle with her. She’s just someone I’m protecting."

The man’s cold words spilled out, causing Qiao Yongyong, who had just stepped onto the stairway, to shiver, but in the end, she said nothing and hurried away.

Jiayi didn’t say anything more, her gaze shifting to his hand: "Is your hand alright? Have you seen a doctor?"

He revealed the gentle smile that always warmed her: "I’ve seen one. It’s fine, the gauze can be removed in a few days."

Seeing his smile at that moment, she inexplicably felt pained and hesitantly said: "Brother Yixiao, if I move back to Disheng, will you be angry?"

To her, the current Nie Yixiao was like an indispensable family member, just like daddy and mommy.

Without her family’s blessing, no matter what, she wouldn’t be happy.

She and the man in front of her had once harbored romantic feelings for each other.

The most pathetic thing is the change in feelings.

She had to admit, the romantic feelings between her and the man she had wanted to marry since her youth had worn away.

However, on the bright side, it’s only after something has ended that new beginnings can occur.

Nie Yixiao saw the glimmer in her eyes and seemed to guess her thoughts.

Ever since she was little, it’s always been like this, he could almost always guess what’s on her mind.

She feels guilty toward herself and yet she wants the best for herself.

He doesn’t want her to worry about him, not even the slightest bit.

Walking over, he lifted his hand and, out of habit, tucked the strand of hair that had slipped onto her forehead behind her ear: "Tell me, you truly want to come back, truly want to be with him again."

She knew telling the truth would hurt him, but she didn’t want to lie to him either: "Yes."

"That’s enough for me." His hand slipped down, and though his heart twinged slightly, it was as if a weight had been lifted, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

As long as she’s making decisions that she truly wants, as long as she’s happy, he would support her wholeheartedly and unconditionally, continuing to be the brother who has protected her since childhood.

"Go sit on the sofa. I injured my hand, and now you have to injure your foot? You always liked to imitate me as a child." He said teasingly.

Jiayi smiled and returned to the sofa to sit down.

*

In the evening, the driver went to the kindergarten to pick up Zaizai.

Jiayi spent the whole day working on design drafts and felt her eyes swelling a bit, so she rubbed Little Baozi’s head, and it was also about time for dinner.

Just as Auntie Li had placed the meals on the dining table, Huo Zhenyang came back, and as he was taking off his coat, he noticed Jiayi in the living room, playfully messing with Little Baozi.

This little woman isn’t resting quietly in bed as she should be.

Seeing his deep gaze directed at her, Jiayi subconsciously stuck out her tongue, telling Zaizai to sit aside,

He walked over, glanced at the laptop next to her with the graphics software still open, and frowned slightly:

"Is someone from the crew forcing you to rush your work?"

The whole crew knew she used to be the Huo Family’s young madame. Even if the two of them hadn’t remarried yet, they still showed her some respect.

That time at the media dinner, when he kicked out the media executive who tried to get her drunk, the entire crew had been even more cautious around her ever since.

They all knew she had been injured on the island; there was no way the crew would still impose more tasks on her. It must be that she couldn’t stay put herself.

Jiayi shook her head: "No."

"Then why are you in such a rush to work?" He bent down, snapped the computer shut, and handed it to the servant behind him: "Take this upstairs, put it away for now."

Jiayi was taken aback; surely he wasn’t planning to lock away her computer?

All the design drafts for the crew and food ordering software were on that computer.

"You’re not serious, are you?" Jiayi was dumbfounded.

"Do I look like I’m joking?" Huo Zhenyang waved his hand, and seeing the master’s expression, the servant didn’t say another word and quickly carried the laptop upstairs.

"Hey, hey..." Jiayi momentarily forgot about the injury to her foot and stood up ready to grab it back. She put too much force on her foot, causing pain, and her body stumbled forward. Thankfully, he caught her stably, just in time for her to fall into his arms.

He furrowed his brows and held her tight: "Is it really necessary?"

She muttered: "Of course it’s necessary... All my work for the production is on that computer. If you take it away, how am I supposed to get any work done?"

"Aren’t the costumes for the drama nearly complete? During your recovery, let the people from your shop handle the work." His tone was not one of negotiation, but a command.

"It’s nearly complete, but the costumes might need alterations based on changes in the script. I’ve always been the one to handle it, now handing it over to someone else, I don’t feel assured..."