Chapter 12: Sleeping Together

Julian Kingston was dressed in casual clothes, still carrying the faint scent of traditional Chinese herbs from the hospital.

It was clear he had rushed over directly from work.

He sat down beside Willow Avery and asked indifferently, "Is it convenient for me to join you?"

"You're the uncle, right?" Jace Miller recognized him instantly and stood up formally. "Of course, it's convenient. Hello, I'm Willow's senior."

Feeling that sounded a bit distant, he added, "Willow and I are quite close. Don't worry, Uncle, I'll take good care of her at school."

Only then did Willow snap out of her shock.

Was Uncle Julian worried she would be tricked by a boy?

"Uncle Julian," she leaned in close to him and whispered, "I'm very smart."

Besides, Jace was famous at school; it was highly probable he just wanted her to treat him to a meal.

"Good."

Julian gave a faint smile in response before looking at Jace. "No need to be so formal, classmate. Have a seat."

Jace sat back down, trying hard to find topics to leave a good impression on Willow's elder. "Willow works exceptionally hard at school. I even helped her secure a center position a couple of days ago. I'm sure her performance at the school anniversary will be outstanding. You must remember to come and watch, Uncle."

"Oh, and another thing..."

He rattled on for quite a while, finally looking at Julian expectantly. "Uncle, what do you think of me as a person?"

"Mm."

Julian gave a perfunctory hum and placed some food in Willow's bowl. "Did you go back to sleep after I left?"

Hearing this, Willow couldn't help but stare at the man beside her.

Those words sounded so... ambiguous.

It made it seem as if they were sleeping together.

Yet Julian's expression was so calm it lacked any emotion...

Seeing her dazed, Julian asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Willow smelled his unique scent and lowered her head, not daring to look at him. "I didn't sleep."

After answering, she quickly ate the tofu soup in her bowl, struggling to keep messy thoughts from entering her mind.

While she was swallowing hastily, an object appeared in her line of sight.

A traditional Chinese sachet.

The man's voice followed: "It's filled with herbs to calm the mind and soothe the nerves."

Willow took it. "Thank you..."

"Between us," Julian interrupted her, "there's no need for such words."

"Okay."

Willow clutched the sachet, her heart racing.

She felt as if she were having a hallucination; Uncle Julian's voice seemed much softer than usual.

What was going on?

Did she already have a "filter" on when looking at him?

Sitting opposite them, Jace's mind was reeling.

This was... uncle and niece?

This uncle was way too young.

The way he looked at Willow wasn't quite right either.

The atmosphere between the two sitting together looked more like a couple.

He, instead, felt like the third wheel.

"Willow." Jace thought for a moment and beckoned to her. "I think I just saw an acquaintance from school. Could you come over with me to say hello?"

Willow assumed it was just a senior from her department, so she followed him out of the booth without suspicion.

Julian leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes as he watched their retreating figures walking side by side.

...

They walked to a secluded spot before Jace asked, "Is he really your uncle?"

"Yes." Willow realized by now that Jace hadn't brought her here to say hello; he likely sensed something was off.

Feeling anxious, she asked tentatively, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, just..." Jace didn't know how to put it directly and scratched his head. "He seems exceptionally close to you."

Men and women are different. Even for an uncle and niece—let alone father and daughter—it was unusual to speak so closely.

Yet the two of them...

"You're overthinking it, Senior," Willow forced a smile, her voice sounding very hollow. "Uncle Julian is just very approachable."

A question mark popped up in Jace's head.

Her uncle... approachable?

He clearly looked like he didn't want to deal with Jace at all just now.

"Senior," Willow changed the subject, "go back to the table. I'm going to settle the bill."

Before Jace could speak, she hurried toward the cashier.

"Did I say something wrong?" Jace was frantic. "I'll pay, wait for me..."

In the end, Willow was faster and scanned the code to pay.

A heavy stone finally lifted from her heart. "Senior, now we're even."

"Even? What do you mean?" Jace was frustrated. He had planned to nurture their relationship today, but who knew it would all be ruined. "I was joking before. How about we go see a movie? My treat."

"No thanks, Senior."

Willow walked back to Julian's side.

The man was leaning back, his handsome features showing his usual cold detachment.

He was so handsome it made one's legs feel weak.

"Uncle Julian," she glanced at Jace out of the corner of her eye and spoke deliberately, "I've settled the bill."

Julian understood her meaning instantly.

He took the initiative to say, "I'll take you back."

"Okay," Willow felt as if she'd been granted a royal pardon. Afraid Jace might notice something, she walked quickly out of the restaurant as if something were chasing her.

Suddenly remembering she forgot to say goodbye, she turned back and waved politely. "Goodbye, Senior."

Julian slowed his pace, blocking Jace's path as he tried to follow her.

"She's not dating."

As a fellow man, he understood Jace's attentiveness all too well.

"Uncle," Jace blushed as his intentions were exposed, trying to cover it up. "I just wanted to be friends with Willow."

Julian ignored him. He sent a message to Willow telling her to wait, then ordered a few dishes to go.

When he got back to the car, the young girl looked up nervously.

"Uncle..."