Chapter 2: Uncle, This is Your Home?

After returning to school and packing her things, Willow Avery took a taxi to the address her father had given her.

Magnolia Estates—a high-end apartment complex located in the heart of Riverford, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

Arrangements had been made in advance, so the security guard let her in after a brief inquiry.

Building 9, Unit 1002.

Willow confirmed the address, entered the passcode, and pushed the door open.

The interior was a sleek, minimalist style of black, white, and grey—clean to the point of being spotless.

The air held a lingering, fresh bitterness of herbal medicine. It wasn't overpowering, suggesting it wasn't due to illness but rather a simple preference.

Combined with his status as an "Uncle"...

Willow guessed he must be a rigid, middle-aged man.

Since the owner wasn't home, she didn't dare move around much and sat obediently on the sofa to wait.

However, the faint scent of herbs in her nostrils felt oddly familiar.

It felt as though she had smelled it somewhere before.

Beep—

Just as she was thinking, the sound of the electronic lock echoed.

Willow quickly gathered her thoughts and stood up, trotting to the door. She bowed to her elder and greeted him: "Uncle."

One second, two seconds.

There was no response.

Willow clenched her hands nervously.

Had she offended this uncle by sitting on the sofa just now?

Just as her spine was about to turn stiff, the handmade leather shoes in her line of sight finally shifted an inch.

Then, a deep, low voice followed: "Willow?"

Willow breathed a private sigh of relief.

She straightened up and said with a smile, "Yes, Uncle, I—"

As she saw the face of the person in front of her, the smile froze on her face. Her almond-shaped eyes widened in terror.

"Uncle Julian? This is your home?"

How could it be such a coincidence?!

"Mm."

A flash of surprise flickered through Julian Kingston's eyes before he took the suitcase she had left at the entryway and headed toward the guest room next to the master bedroom.

"You'll stay in this room. If there's anything you're uncomfortable with, you can tell me."

Willow followed him into the room, nodding mechanically, clearly not yet recovered from her panic.

At that moment, the absurd incident from the hospital earlier today involuntarily flashed through her mind, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on her palms.

When she looked up again, the man in the casual white shirt was closing in on her.

"Un... Uncle Julian?"

Willow’s heart instantly leaped into her throat.

Was he planning to settle the score right now?

Subconsciously stepping back a few paces, her back was forced against the wall.

The man was tall and broad, completely blocking the light coming in from the window.

It was just like one night, when he had done the same, lifting her leg with a touch that was far from gentle...

"Don't..."

Before she could finish her protest, the man had already grabbed her hand and pressed his fingers against her pulse.

He quickly frowned. "You haven't taken your medicine, and you haven't rested."

It was a statement of fact, carrying the faint, underlying authority of an elder.

Willow blinked. It turned out she had been overthinking...

"I'll take it in a bit," she whispered, guiltily pulling her hand back. She lowered her face, which was already flushed deep red, as if she could hide the filthy scenes she had just inexplicably imagined.

Julian looked down at the girl before him.

Her hair was tied in a bun, tucked low, revealing her slender, white neck.

She was wearing long sleeves and long pants, looking every bit the good girl.

On the day of their accident, he had offered to take responsibility, but she had rejected him with righteous sternness.

She probably... really disliked him.

He pondered for a moment, turned to walk out, and quickly returned with a glass of water. "Did you bring your medicine?"

Overwhelmed by the attention, Willow hurriedly took the water. "Thank you, Uncle Julian."

"Mm. If you have any requests, just say them," Julian paused, then added, "I am your uncle."

It was as if the awkwardness between them had never happened, leaving only the simple relationship of an elder looking after a junior.

Willow didn't dare look at him and nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Julian said nothing more, turning to leave and closing the door behind him.

Willow obediently took her medicine. Only when she heard his footsteps fade into the distance did she dare let out a long breath of relief.

But the thought of living under the same roof as him for the next four years made her feel utterly broken.

After all, what happened between them was a one-night stand.

And they were "uncle and niece."

No, she couldn't stay.

Run—she had to run right now.

Carefully peering through the crack in the door, she could vaguely hear the sound of water coming from the bathroom.

Uncle Julian was showering.

Willow gripped the handle of her suitcase, lightened her steps, and crept toward the entryway like a thief, then slipped out the door with the speed of a professional.

The movement was fluid and without hesitation.

...

After Julian finished his shower, he thought of Willow. He went into the walk-in closet, changed into a fresh shirt, and properly fastened the top button.

Grandpa Sterling happened to call. "Julian, has Willa arrived? I've been thinking and I'm still not at ease. With your 'don't-bother-me' personality, you'll definitely bully the poor girl. How about you drive her to the old estate? I'll have Liu look after her more."

Listening to the phone, Julian walked toward the living area.

Passing the guest room, he noticed the door was half-open and glanced in out of the corner of his eye.

The room was empty, save for the glass sitting on the nightstand.

On the other end, Grandpa Sterling was still talking incessantly. "Julian, are you even listening to me?"

"Mm."

Julian responded indifferently, his gaze gradually darkening. After a long silence, he finally said, "She’s not that much trouble."