Chapter 5: Am I Not Fit to Be Seen?

Willow’s already chaotic mind felt like it exploded with a loud buzz at his words.

She hurriedly protested, "Uncle Julian, I'm not... I didn't... don't say such things..."

Julian didn't push her further. He stood up and said, "Since you're awake, go wash up. Breakfast is ready."

Awake... okay...

Willow clutched the blanket tightly. "Uncle Julian, were you calling me for a long time?"

Julian’s tone was flat. "Ten minutes."

Willow buried her face deep into the blanket.

In her dream, it really was Uncle Julian’s voice.

She had even taken it for... taken it for the dirty talk he whispered when they were doing that.

She really deserved to die of shame.

...

By the time Willow sluggishly made her way into the dining room, Julian had already finished his meal and was leaning back in his chair, leisurely flipping through a book.

Seeing her arrive, he didn't look up, only saying, "I didn't know your preferences, so I made a bit of everything."

Looking at the spread of Western and Chinese breakfast items on the table, Willow couldn't help but be surprised. "Uncle Julian, you made this?"

"Mm."

Julian gave a faint response, showing no intention of further conversation.

Willow didn't dare say more and quickly sat down to eat.

To her surprise, his cooking was excellent.

Perhaps because Traditional Medicine emphasized healthy living, he had learned to cook?

He seemed like a very good person.

It was just that... this habit of reading after breakfast was exactly like her grandfather's.

Quite old-fashioned.

Fearing that Julian might be in a hurry, Willow ate very quickly, finishing within five minutes before standing up to clear the plates.

Julian noticed she had only eaten a small piece of a sandwich and a glass of milk. He asked, "Not to your taste?"

"No, it's just that I’m at the dance academy," Willow smiled. "I have to stay in shape."

Stepping on the scale every day was a necessity.

Hearing this, Julian’s gaze fell upon her waist, his eyes darkening slightly.

"Don't worry about cleaning; a part-time cleaner will come by," he put down the book and pointed at his watch. "If we don't leave now, we’ll both be late."

"Oh, okay."

Willow quickly grabbed her bag and followed Julian downstairs.

The drive to school was peaceful, and Willow’s tense body gradually relaxed.

"Uncle Julian, you can just drop me off at the intersection. I’ll walk the rest of the way."

Julian stepped on the brakes and turned his head to look at her. "Willow, am I not fit to be seen?"

"Huh?"

Willow was stunned by his words.

Not fit to be seen...

Isn't that exactly what the situation between them was?

But since Uncle Julian was her elder, she didn't have the courage to tell the truth.

She quickly tried to fix it: "Uncle Julian, don't misunderstand. It’s just my personal preference; I don't like to draw attention."

"Is that so?"

Julian asked calmly, "What will you do in the future?"

Willow turned his words over in her mind before guessing he meant what she would do when there were many people at her dance performances in the future.

She gave a forced smile. "That’s different, Uncle Julian."

Julian gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and unlocked the car doors. "Go on."

"Goodbye, Uncle Julian," Willow jumped out of the car as if granted a royal pardon. "I’ll eat at school for lunch. My class schedule is uncertain, so I’ll take a taxi back later."

Without waiting for the man to answer, she walked quickly toward the school.

Julian kept his hands on the steering wheel for a long time before finally stepping on the gas and driving away.

...

Just as Willow entered the teaching building, she ran into Luna Hayes.

Luna immediately crowded close to her side.

"Willow, why did you move out so suddenly?"

Last night, Willow had only sent a quick message saying she wouldn't be staying at school, without explaining the reason.

"I have a relative here," Willow said somewhat gloomily. "My father wanted me to move into his place."

"The one from last night?" Luna had some recollection. "Is he a Riverford local? The car he was driving seemed like a luxury one, right?"

Willow nodded.

Luna thought for a moment and asked, "He seems quite well-off. Does he have a girlfriend?"

"Probably not?"

Back at the hospital, Uncle Julian had said he didn't.

But as for the details, Willow wasn't sure.

Noticing Luna’s thoughtful expression, she asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing, just asking," Luna quickly changed the subject. "By the way, have you heard?"

She revealed a mysterious smile and began walking backward up the stairs. "There’s a senior coming to guide us today. He’s very handsome... ah!"

"Luna!"

Willow was the first to notice Luna slipping on the stairs. She stepped forward quickly to grab her arm, trying to steady her.

But she had overestimated her own strength. When Luna tumbled toward her, she couldn't hold her ground. She fell back three steps before managing to grab the railing and stabilize herself.

"Willow, are you okay?"

Luna asked urgently once she regained her senses.

"No... it’s just that I think I sprained my ankle."

Willow looked down and tentatively moved her ankle; a sharp, piercing pain shot through her.

"Willow, from today on, you are my best friend," Luna said as she helped her up. "I'll take you to the infirmary."

Sprained ankles were common in dance training, and the infirmary handled it quickly.

The only catch was that she had to stay in bed and rest.

Willow had originally planned to wait until evening to take a taxi back, but she had eaten too much at lunch under Luna’s persuasion and fallen asleep.

In her groggy, half-awake state, she vaguely sensed someone holding her foot.

The touch was warm, gentle, and slightly itchy.