"Then let me ask you, is Mia disgusted with you?"

Adrian pressed his forehead. ’What on earth did I do wrong to give Grandpa the mistaken impression that I’m... not up to snuff?’

Was it just because he slept in that day, letting Mia get up early?

"No."

He squeezed a single word from between his teeth. Having to constantly admit his own supposed incompetence felt awful.

"Mia is so kind. What other woman would be able to stand it?"

"Grandpa, can we end this conversation? Mia is still waiting outside."

"Fine, fine, I won’t say anymore. No matter what, you have to hold onto Mia for me. She’s the only granddaughter-in-law I’ll accept. I just found out her scumbag ex is Chase Lockwood. His grandmother and I haven’t gotten along for years."

"The granddaughter-in-law she had her eye on is now my granddaughter-in-law. She won’t be able to rest in peace. I’ll always have one up on her, you understand? I don’t care what you do, you must treat Mia well. If you lose her, I’ll kill you."

"I know. I won’t lose her."

Only then did Donovan Preston let Adrian off the hook.

"Why is there only this much food? I’ll go get some more."

"It’s enough, it’s enough! You don’t need to get more."

"Not enough! My granddaughter-in-law is here, we have to bring out the best."

The old man bustled off excitedly.

Mia Kane felt helpless. She looked at Adrian beside her, who was silent, and felt a little confused.

"What’s wrong? What did Grandpa say to you? You don’t look so good."

"That day... I shouldn’t have let you get up early."

"Huh?"

Mia was completely baffled.

Soon, it was time for lunch. By now, they were quite proficient at faking their affection.

Adrian peeled shrimp for her, and Mia placed food on his plate.

After lunch, the old man told them to watch TV or play games—to do whatever made them comfortable.

Mia pulled Adrian into a room to apply his medicine.

It was on his lower back, where he couldn’t reach.

Mia poured the medicinal liquor into her palm, rubbed her hands together until they were warm, then gently covered the bruise and began to slowly massage it with pressure.

"Does it hurt?"

She couldn’t help but ask.

"It doesn’t hurt."

Adrian’s expression was calm, his breathing even.

’But she knew it must hurt. It’s just that men can endure more. Besides, he’s had so many injuries, big and small, that this is nothing to him.’

"You didn’t cry out in pain when you were shot last time, either. You taught me that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Why don’t you practice what you preach?"

Adrian didn’t expect her to remember that and couldn’t help but chuckle. "Men and women are different."

"How are they different?"

"Men... can’t be so fragile."

Mia pouted. "What kind of twisted logic is that? Men can be fragile too, and they can make people’s hearts ache for them."

"Then would your heart ache for me?"

Hearing this, Mia’s heart nearly skipped a beat. ’Why does he always say such ambiguous things? It really messes with your head.’

"Why would I feel sorry for you? I’m sure there are plenty of others who do."

At her words, the light in Adrian’s phoenix eyes dimmed a little.

"Alright, let’s go out."

The two went out, but the old man wouldn’t let them do a thing, telling them to just rest.

Mia found some fashion magazines to read. Suddenly, Adrian moved closer, pulling her into his embrace so her back was pressed against his chest.

His chin rested naturally on her shoulder, his thin lips close to her ear.

"What are you reading? Let me see too."

Mia struggled instinctively.

"Grandpa is watching from the side. We agreed to act lovey-dovey, remember?"

Only then did Mia settle down. Sure enough, Grandpa was brewing tea nearby, and he was looking over at them with a wide grin.

If the two of them were sitting far apart, Grandpa would probably get suspicious.

"How am I supposed to read like this?"

"Why can’t you? You just keep reading."

Mia stiffly turned the pages. Although her eyes were on the magazine, her mind was wandering.

She could clearly feel his heart beating, strong and steady, in his chest.

She could feel his hot breath washing over her ear.

She could feel his lips brushing against her neck, almost there but not quite, raising a ticklish tingle.

"You haven’t turned the page in a while. Is this one really that interesting? Can you tell me about it? I’m a layman, I don’t really get it. What on this page has captured your attention so much?"

His voice was deep and husky, like the rich, mellow tone of a cello.

Mia hurriedly snapped back to reality. "I... I just think the design is really nice, that’s all."

She quickly flipped to the next page.

"I’m a little tired."

Adrian actually wrapped both his arms around her slender waist, then leaned most of his weight against her back.

"I’ll just lean on you and rest my eyes for a bit."

After saying that, he really did lean against her and fall asleep.

Mia didn’t dare to move a muscle, as if she were just a large pillow for Adrian to hug.

Time ticked by, second by second. Her back grew stiff and her waist began to ache, but she still didn’t dare move.

Adrian felt a bit helpless. ’She’s being too good, isn’t she? She used to be such a bold and audacious girl, but now she’s as docile as a kitten.’

"Are you tired?"

"You’re awake?"

"Mhm."

His voice was laced with a bit of laziness.

"The tips of your ears are so red."

Adrian said playfully, then gave her earlobe a gentle bite. "Like a ripe red cherry on a tree. I want to gobble it up in one bite."

Mia felt this was far too intimate. She didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but she always felt like Adrian was constantly teasing her.

’What on earth is he trying to do?’

Mia couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly pushed him away.

"Um, I’m tired of sitting here. I’m going to my room to lie down for a bit."

Blushing, Mia scurried away like a little rabbit fleeing for its life.

"What’s wrong with her?"

"It’s nothing."

Adrian watched her go, his gaze turning intriguing, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a smile.

’I really don’t want to let go anymore.’

After all, how could someone who has tasted warmth be willing to return to a world of cold?

When Mia got back to her room, she quickly splashed her face with cold water, which finally cooled her flushed body.

Just then, her phone rang. It was her grandma.

"Do you want to come over for afternoon tea? Grandma brewed your favorite Ceylon black tea."

"Okay, I’ll be right over."

Mia couldn’t tell if she truly wanted to see her grandma, or if she just wanted to get away from Adrian so she could think more clearly and rationally.

He had a bewitching aura about him, and she was afraid she would make a mistake.

When she got to her grandma’s, she was somewhat absent-minded.

"You’re here with me, but where has your heart flown off to?"

Her grandma teased.

"N-No, it hasn’t."

"Does Adrian treat you well?"

"He’s great."

"That’s good. As long as he didn’t inherit his grandfather’s philandering ways. Otherwise, I would never have approved."

"You have a grudge against Grandpa Donovan?"

"He pursued me back in the day, and I almost agreed. I never expected he was stringing along several other girls at the same time. In a fit of rage, I gave him a good beating."

"Huh?"

Mia was utterly shocked.

She never thought Grandpa Donovan was such a playboy in his youth!

And she never imagined her grandma was so brave as to beat him up.

"You could beat him in a fight?"

"My family used to own a martial arts school, but business soured, so we switched to another trade. Donovan Preston had no idea. He thought I was as frail and delicate as the other girls he dated. I knocked out one of his molars. I still have it as a trophy."

"Grandma, you’re amazing!"

Mia couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up.

Just then, of all people, Chase Lockwood arrived.

"I came to see Grandma."

Chase Lockwood glanced at Mia, his expression complicated.

"Grandma, I’ll be going then."

Mia turned to leave, but Chase Lockwood quickly caught up and grabbed her by the wrist.

"Mia Kane, since you decided to let us be together, then stop trying to get attention in front of Grandma. Vivian said you’ve been deliberately trying to get my attention lately. I didn’t believe her at first, but now I do."

"You debase yourself by being Adrian Preston’s mistress, you had surgery hoping I’d come see you, you tell Grandma not to play matchmaker, yet here you are, eagerly trying to suck up and make your face known. The real reason you’re doing all this hasn’t changed. You still just want me to notice you."

"I’m with Vivian now. Stop wasting your efforts."

Mia: "..."

’Is he out of his mind?’