Chapter 6: I’ll Take Good Care of You

Combined with the chill of the ice pack, she felt exceptionally uncomfortable.

Willow tried to pull her foot back, but that large hand only gripped her tighter.

Her consciousness slowly cleared.

She felt a slight callous on the fingertips of the person touching her, much like Uncle Julian’s...

Uncle Julian...

As this thought surfaced, Willow snapped her eyes open.

The man before her wore a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was leaning over, seriously and meticulously cradling her foot while applying an ice pack to her ankle.

Willow’s heart beat like a drum, and she struggled to pull her foot away.

"Uncle Julian, I'm okay, you don't have to..."

"You don't want to dance anymore?"

Julian spoke, his voice carrying a hint of coolness.

Willow shook her head, still tentatively shifting her position to make their posture look less ambiguous. "I used to twist my ankle all the time when I first started dancing. I know how serious it is; it’s fine."

Despite her words, Julian showed no intention of letting go.

Only after the ice pack lost its chill did the man speak: "What happened?"

"I was careless on the stairs," Willow said, her entire mind focused on how to get her foot back. "Uncle Julian, that’s enough. It doesn't hurt anymore."

Julian verified the condition before finally withdrawing his hand.

He had originally intended to lecture her, but the girl's eyes were red from just waking up, with a hint of tears lingering in them.

She must have been quite shaken herself.

He walked to her side and crouched down. "Come here, I’ll carry you."

Willow shook her head frantically. "No need, Uncle Julian, I can—"

Julian interrupted her: "Do you want me to carry you in my arms instead?"

Willow: !!

That was even more terrifying.

Given only those two options, it had to be...

She looked at the man's back and carefully leaned against him.

"Alright, Uncle Julian," she said softly.

Julian supported the back of her knees and stood up.

She was so light.

He then strode out of the infirmary.

As soon as they appeared, people immediately began to stare.

Willow could only bury her face in Julian’s shoulder.

She nervously exhaled hot breaths repeatedly.

Julian walked quickly at first, but his steps gradually slowed down.

The girl’s sweet scent drifted toward him, making him feel a bit out of control.

Especially since she was pressed so tightly against his chest.

"Willow," he said, "lift your head."

"Sorry, Uncle Julian," Willow murmured muffledly. "I’m dizzy."

She absolutely could not let anyone she knew see her.

Hearing that she was uncomfortable, Julian steadied his mind and quickly reached the car.

After placing her inside, he grabbed her wrist to check her pulse.

After a moment, he looked at the anxious Willow and uttered three words: "You ate too much."

Willow: "..."

Was it impossible to have any privacy in front of a Traditional Medicine doctor?

"It’s good," Julian leaned over to fasten her seatbelt. "Dancers shouldn't be too thin, either."

"Mm."

Willow nodded randomly.

...

Julian drove to a Chinese pharmacy, stopped to pick up some herbs, and then headed toward Magnolia Estates.

Once home, he went into his study to process the herbs into a medicinal paste, then came out to apply it to Willow.

Looking at the man’s serious expression, Willow felt a surge of emotion.

Just then, Julian turned his head.

Their gazes met.

"Uncle Julian..."

"Mm?"

"You're so good to me. In the future, I will definitely..."

"What?"

"I will take good care of you, like a devoted junior should."

Julian silently tucked her foot into a slipper.

Did he really look that much like an old elder to her?

They didn't actually have that much of an age gap.

Willow acutely sensed that Julian was a bit unhappy.

Had she said something wrong?

Every time she told her grandfather she would be devoted to him, he would be so happy he couldn't stop smiling.

Don't all elders love hearing that?

While she was secretly speculating, Julian handed her his phone. "Add my contact info. Let me know if anything happens from now on."

"Okay."

Willow opened Julian’s WeChat and found that his profile picture was the default gray silhouette.

His name was just "Kingston."

It was... very much like an old person who didn't know how to use a smartphone.

She scanned the code to add him. "Uncle Julian, 'Serene Years' is me."

Julian: "The lotus flower profile picture?"

"Yes."

Willow’s name and profile picture were both strongly recommended by her grandfather, who said they were auspicious. She figured Uncle Julian would like them too?

Finally, there was a moment to establish her positive image.

She cleared her throat and leaned in slightly. "Does it look good?"

Julian subconsciously looked at her.

The girl raised her exquisite face, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. It took a few seconds before he could speak:

"Mm."

Willow was instantly delighted and began to set a nickname for him.

Julian noticed and leaned over to look.

He saw the girl’s lily-white fingers typing on the screen:

"Respectable Uncle Julian."

Julian suddenly felt a bit stifled; he needed to go to the balcony for some fresh air.

When he spoke again, his tone was somewhat cold: "How is the foot?"

"It doesn't hurt much anymore."

Willow held her phone, acutely sensing his displeasure. She asked nervously, "Uncle Julian, how much was that medicine? I’ll transfer the money to you."

Julian frowned. "Willow, do I look like I’m short of that?"

Willow shook her head quickly.

Of course she didn't think he would care about the money; she was just worried he would find her a nuisance.

"Uncle Julian," she thought for a moment, "how about I buy you a gift instead?"

Julian originally wanted to refuse, but seeing the girl's timid expression, he silently acquiesced.

Checking the time, he asked, "What do you want to eat? I’ll make it."

Willow wasn't very hungry, and it was past eight. "I won’t eat, Uncle Julian. Eating after eight makes it easy to gain weight."

Julian gave her slender white ankle a thoughtful glance, then leaned down and picked her up directly.

"Uncle Julian?!"

Willow was startled, her hands waving in the air, not daring to touch his shoulders.

Unexpectedly, the man’s arms suddenly tightened.

A very faint sound of impact echoed in her ears.

Willow was forced against his chest, where she could vaguely hear his steady heartbeat.

Unlike being carried on his back, this posture...

It was too close.

Too intimate.

Her cheeks began to heat up. Stiff with tension, she whispered a reminder: "Uncle Julian, I can walk by myself."

Julian silenced her struggle with one sentence: "I’m a doctor."

Willow: "..."

She couldn't say a single word in rebuttal.

Fortunately, the distance between the living room and the guest room wasn't far. Willow was soon placed on the bed.

The man left two words, "Wait here," and walked out.

With her uncle’s command, Willow didn't dare sleep. She could only lean against the headboard and play with her phone.

Her roommates happened to be chatting in a group.

She thought for a moment and asked:

[What do you usually get as a gift for an elder?]

Roommate: [What does the elder do?]

Willow: [Traditional Medicine doctor.]

Luna Hayes: [An old doctor? Those people focus heavily on health. Go to a Chinese pharmacy and buy some tonic medicine.]

Immediately after, more messages popped up:

[Giving medicine to a doctor? Is that really appropriate?]

[Why wouldn't it be? Luna’s family is quite well-off; she knows much more than we do.]

[Willow, just listen to her.]