Chapter 4: What’s the Panic?

Willow Avery hadn’t expected this kind of trouble.

She spoke hurriedly, "Don't worry, Uncle Julian. I’ll explain everything clearly to Grandpa Sterling."

"He’s stubborn; he only believes what he sees with his own eyes. Willow, I’m very busy with work every day. These unnecessary troubles should be avoided whenever possible."

The man’s voice was indifferent, yet it carried an underlying sense of pressure.

Hearing this, Willow felt an overwhelming sense of shame.

She truly had only considered herself.

But...

Living together still felt inappropriate.

She wanted to make one last struggle: "Uncle Julian..."

Julian glanced at his watch and interrupted her, his patience seemingly reaching its limit: "Twenty-eight minutes."

Willow: "..."

She didn't dare say another word and hurriedly helped her roommates into the dormitory building.

After settling the three of them, she packed her things as quietly as possible.

Finally, she managed to drag her suitcase back downstairs within the twenty-eight-minute limit.

Julian helped her put the suitcase into the trunk and opened the passenger door for her.

Willow had originally planned to sit in the back, but seeing this, she was forced to sit in the front passenger seat again.

As soon as she touched the seat, a document was handed to her.

She took it subconsciously: "Uncle Julian, what is this?"

"My physical examination report."

Just as Julian finished speaking, Willow’s eyes landed on the section for "Sperm Activity."

The black ink on white paper was exceptionally striking.

Julian caught a glimpse of the young girl’s widened eyes from the corner of his eye and started the car in a leisurely manner. "I knew you were concerned about it, so I brought it along specifically."

"No, Uncle Julian, I wasn't... I wasn't concerned."

Terrified, Willow shook her head frantically.

The paper in her hand felt like a hot potato; she couldn't hold it comfortably, yet she couldn't throw it away. She could only place it on her lap to hide her embarrassment and reached for the seatbelt.

However, the impact of the previous moment was too great, and she couldn't get it to click no matter how hard she tried.

In her flustered state, Julian’s scent suddenly enveloped her.

He took the buckle from her hand and snapped it into the slot with unerring precision.

"What’s the panic?"

The man’s voice was shallow and calm, devoid of any extra emotion, yet it still made Willow’s ears burn bright red.

"I’m—I’m not panicking."

She handed the report back to Julian with both hands: "Uncle Julian, please take this back."

"Mm."

Julian took it and placed it in the armrest box. "Next time you have a request, you can just say it directly."

Willow didn't dare have any more requests.

If there were another even more absurd test, she wouldn't be able to handle it mentally.

Wringing her fingers, she lowered her head and replied: "I don't have any more, Uncle Julian."

...

The car soon arrived at Magnolia Estates.

Julian walked ahead, carrying the suitcase.

Willow followed behind him, cautious and wary.

Lifting her eyelids slightly, she could see the man’s well-built frame.

He exuded a sense of coldness.

Willow considered herself quite good at handling interpersonal relationships usually, but for some reason, she always got tongue-tied in front of Julian.

Especially when the two of them were alone.

Indeed, she should just talk less.

Having made up her mind, Willow silently pushed her suitcase into her room as soon as they entered the apartment.

To her surprise, Julian followed her in, his gaze landing on her lower abdomen: "Is your stomach better?"

Hearing this, Willow subconsciously looked at him.

The lights in the room weren't on; only a sliver of light from the living room filtered in.

The man stood with his back to the light, his handsome, cold face obscured in the shadows.

And he was asking about her body.

Instantly, Willow’s memory was pulled back to that night.

He was like a beast, pulling her along without stopping...

"Uncle Julian," Willow spoke with unsteady breath, her hands clenched as she murmured a reminder, "What we’re doing is wrong."

Julian didn't hear her clearly: "What?"

"Even though we aren't related by blood, this is still... in-cestuous."

She forced those last few syllables out through gritted teeth.

She had never imagined that one day she would have a relationship with her uncle and then have to lecture him about it...

Julian was stunned for a moment, then realizing what the girl meant, a soft chuckle escaped his throat.

"In your eyes, do I look like someone who enjoys forcing people?"

He stepped in front of her. "Who was the one doing the forcing? Do I need to help you remember?"

Willow’s frantic gaze darted around aimlessly.

At first, it was her doing the forcing, but later... later it became him...

While she was lost in her chaotic thoughts, Julian spoke, his voice cool and detached, without a hint of desire. "Stretch out your hand. Follow-up exam."

Willow: "..."

She really wanted to find a piece of tofu and end it all.

She held out her hand, letting Julian take her pulse.

Afterward, he muttered some instructions to her, but she didn't hear a single word.

It wasn't until long after the man had left that she snapped back to reality. She took a change of clothes and went into the guest bathroom to shower.

To her surprise, the counter was already filled with various supplies.

Everything was brand new and unopened, and the packaging was a particularly girly shade of soft pink.

Willow felt it was strangely eerie.

After a quick shower, she turned off the light and curled up under the blankets.

Taking a deep breath, she smelled the faint scent of herbal medicine.

It was exactly the same as the scent on Julian.

As a result, she was so scared that she didn't dare sleep all night. Halfway through, she even went to double-lock the door. She only managed to close her eyes as dawn began to break.

But her dreams were still filled with that familiar face.

Pinning her waist down, he asked her repeatedly: "Willow, are you okay now?"

She was okay.

She was almost unable to breathe.

"Uncle Julian," she could only beg for mercy, "Don't... ah!"

With a dull thud, Willow woke up abruptly.

She had fallen off the bed.

Before she could even climb up, the sound of a key turned outside. A moment later, the door was pushed open, and Julian walked in quickly. He picked her up—blankets and all—and put her back on the bed before asking in a low voice, "Are you alright? Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"

"I..."

Willow found it hard to speak.

She had wrapped herself too tightly in the blanket and had smothered herself.

Julian watched her for a while before suddenly realizing: "Erotic dreams are a normal physiological manifestation. There’s no need to feel ashamed."