CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: SEEKING A HUG WHEN VULNERABLE

Ningwan’s heart felt empty, as if something was missing.

At this moment, looking into Zhan Hanjue’s concerned eyes, her vulnerability was uncontrollable, and she instinctively reached out her arms to embrace him.

Zhan Hanjue didn’t expect her to initiate a hug, and he was momentarily taken aback.

However, seeing her fragile figure leaning against his shoulder, her body slightly trembling, his heart softened uncontrollably.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here."

The man gently kissed her on the hair near her ear, holding her tightly in his arms.

The warmth of the embrace brought much comfort to Ningwan.

Gradually, the painful traces from the dream became fainter and fainter.

"It’s okay, I just had a dream."

After a long time, Ningwan pushed the man away, softly explaining.

Zhan Hanjue brushed the stray hair behind her ear: "So you cry in your dreams."

Ningwan, embarrassed, quietly explained, "It’s not that I cry in my dreams; it’s because I had a bad dream."

"What kind of bad dream could make you cry?" Zhan Hanjue asked.

Ningwan thought for a moment and shook her head: "I can’t remember, I’ve been having this dream since I was little, but once I wake up, I can’t recall a thing."

It’s truly a bizarre and dreadful situation—why does everything feel so real and intense in the dream, yet once you wake up, you remember nothing?

"If you can’t remember, it means it’s not important. Don’t dwell on it," Zhan Hanjue said.

Ningwan noticed the time and it was already late, suddenly she thought of Jin Yingzi.

She quickly got up and said, "Jin Yingzi is still at our house, it’s so late, we need to get the driver to send her back to the dormitory."

Afterward, she got out of bed and hurried to find Jin Yingzi.

But she was informed by He: "Miss Jin has gone to Old Mrs. Zhan’s place."

Ningwan was surprised, why would Jin Yingzi go to Old Mrs. Zhan’s place?

She went to Old Mrs. Zhan’s courtyard to look, and indeed, as soon as she entered the house, she saw Jin Yingzi giving Old Mrs. Zhan a massage.

"This young lady, her massage skills are quite good," Old Mrs. Zhan praised with a smile.

Jin Yingzi blushed, saying softly, "I’m glad you like it, I’ll give you a few more massages."

"Yingzi." Ningwan walked in.

Seeing her, Jin Yingzi became a bit flustered and hurriedly withdrew her hands from Old Mrs. Zhan.

"Ningwan, I’m sorry, I..."

"Ningwan, you’re here. Your classmate is quite impressive, her massage skills are even better than my professional masseurs," Old Mrs. Zhan complimented.

Ningwan smiled and said to Jin Yingzi, "I didn’t know you could give massages, how did you end up here with Grandma?"

Jin Yingzi lowered her head, blushing as she softly explained, "I’m sorry, I got lost and accidentally came here. It just so happened that Grandma said her legs were in pain, so I gave her a massage. I used to massage my mom a lot at home."

"Ningwan, don’t scare the poor girl. She seems quite pitiful, speaking so softly," Old Mrs. Zhan said with pity.

Ningwan smiled and said, "Grandma, I’m not a tiger, why would I scare her? Yingzi, if Grandma likes your massages, it’ll be hard on you to give her a few. I’ll have the driver take you back later, or the school dormitory will be closed."

"Okay," Jin Yingzi nodded.

She continued to massage Old Mrs. Zhan for a while, and after ensuring she was comfortably asleep, she left with Ningwan.

"Ningwan, are you upset?" Jin Yingzi timidly asked.

Ningwan smiled and said, "Why would I be upset? Grandma really likes you, it’s a good thing. You can come over and visit often."

Jin Yingzi sighed in relief and looked gratefully at her, "Ningwan, you’re really nice."

"Of course I am," Ningwan said confidently, curling her lips.

Zhan Hanjue walked over.

Seeing Zhan Hanjue, Jin Yingzi couldn’t help but stop in her tracks. Not daring to approach, she retreated two steps.

It seemed she was very afraid of him, not even daring to lift her head when she saw him.

However, Zhan Hanjue didn’t mind her.

He came over and took Ningwan’s hand, asking her, "I’ve been looking all over for you, where did you go?"

Ningwan said, "Went to Grandma’s side, Jin Yingzi was giving Grandma a massage, and Grandma really liked it."

Zhan Hanjue then looked at Jin Yingzi, but only gave her a cursory glance: "Hmm, thank you."

Jin Yingzi kept her head low, saying in fear, "Mr. Zhan, you’re too kind."

She was visibly trembling.

Zhan Hanjue frowned unpleasantly, was he that scary?

"Housekeeper Wu, arrange a car to take Miss Jin back to school," Ningwan called over the housekeeper.

Housekeeper Wu agreed and took Jin Yingzi away.

After Jin Yingzi left, Ningwan teased, "Yingzi seems quite afraid of you, next time don’t show up in front of her to scare her."

Zhan Hanjue was despondent, "I’m not a man-eating tiger, why would she be afraid of me?"

"She’s just a timid girl, not everyone is as brave as I am," Ningwan playfully winked at him.

Zhan Hanjue, drawn to her vibrant demeanor, couldn’t help but pull her into his arms, involuntarily planting a kiss on her cheek.

This was in the courtyard.

Ningwan blushed, quickly pushing him away: "Aren’t you worried about being seen?"

"Why should I be worried? I’m kissing my wife," Zhan Hanjue said.

Ningwan curled her lips.

But soon, Zhan Hanjue released her: "Go change into a dress, we’re going out in a while."

"Going out so late?" Ningwan was surprised.

Zhan Hanjue said, "There’s a business banquet, I need to show up. We’ll be back soon, it won’t delay your rest."

Ningwan’s routine was very healthy, she insisted on sleeping and waking up early as a good habit.

"Wait for me, I’ll go change," Ningwan said as she returned to her room.

Since Zhan Hanjue rarely asked her to accompany him, she couldn’t refuse.

Although she really didn’t like going out, especially being in the spotlight.

She found a dress to put on, and soon after, had He do a simple makeup for her.

While doing her makeup, He complimented: "Young Madam is beautiful, you barely need any makeup to look stunning."

"You have a sweet mouth," Ningwan said with a smile.

He quickly replied, "I’m not just sweet-talking, I’m speaking the truth."

After finishing her makeup, Ningwan looked at herself in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance, then went out to find Zhan Hanjue.

Zhan Hanjue was waiting for her in the living room.

Seeing her in a light green long dress, graceful and elegant, she seemed even more fresh and refined with her inherent poise. The waist-tight design was just right, outlining her waistline and further showcasing her perfect figure.

Her already slightly wavy hair now hung loose and voluminous, with only a simple crown adorning her head.

Like a princess straight out of a fairy tale, or a fairy accidentally descending from the heavens.

Her beauty was captivating and enchanting!

"Suddenly, I don’t feel like taking you out."

The man gazed at her deeply, murmuring in a low voice.