Chapter 109 Don’t you trust me?

Yuan Yu was still groggy from sleep, her eyes barely open, squinting as if fighting the pull of slumber. She donned a white nightgown that left her pale arms and thighs exposed.

“I’m back,” Lin Xiao said and nodded gently, his eyes filled with tenderness as they met hers.

“Big Brother Lin, are you hungry? I made some noodles. Should I reheat them for you?” Yuan Yu offered, rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes.

“There’s no need,” Lin Xiao said, a serene calm filling him. “I’ve already eaten. You don’t have to wait up for me this late, especially when you have class tomorrow.”

This sense of calm was precisely what Lin Xiao strived to maintain. Everything he did was for the sole purpose of providing Yuan Yu with a tranquil and peaceful environment.

“Okay,” Yuan Yu responded, nodding. Suddenly, her gaze fell on his sleeve. Concern evident in her eyes, she asked, “Big Brother Lin, what happened to your sleeve?”

Lin Xiao looked down, only then did he see that his sleeves were torn, resembling strips of ragged cloth. It must have been the result of the machetes wielded by the members of the Hundred Seat Society.

“It’s nothing major. I accidentally snagged it on a hook,” Lin Xiao reassured her, downplaying the incident. “Now, you should wash up and get some rest. Remember, you have an early class tomorrow.”

But Yuan Yu wasn’t easily convinced. The more Lin Xiao tried to brush it off, the more her concern grew. Holding up his frayed sleeve, she pressed, “Big Brother Lin, are you truly alright?”

“I am, really. It was a minor mishap. I’ll get a new shirt tomorrow,” Lin Xiao said, warmth spreading in his heart. He affectionately ruffled Yuan Yu’s hair, adding, “There’s no need to fret. With my abilities, who could possibly harm me? Go on, wash up and change. Aren’t you feeling chilly in that?”

Yuan Yu became acutely aware of her attire, just a thin, white nightgown with no undergarments. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she wondered how much Lin Xiao might have seen. Hastily, she clasped her arms over her chest and, with a flustered wiggle, dashed into the bathroom.

Lin Xiao shook his head, settling down on the sofa with his eyes closed. He patiently waited for Yuan Yu to finish washing up before he took his turn for a shower.

About twenty minutes later, Yuan Yu emerged from the bathroom, a lovely blush still lingering on her face.

“You should go rest,” Lin Xiao suggested, making his way to the bathroom.

But Yuan Yu’s eyes kept darting to Lin Xiao’s sleeve. It was clear she wanted to say something.

“If there’s something on your mind, speak up.” Holding a fresh set of clothes, Lin Xiao playfully tapped Yuan Yu’s head.

“Big Brother Lin, did your sleeve really get torn by a hook, just by accident?”

“Why the curiosity?”

“You’re a bodyguard. I can’t help but feel that you’re always in danger.” Yuan Yu’s eyes met Lin Xiao’s, her lower lip caught between her teeth. “If something were to happen, I’d want to know. After all, we’re family, aren’t we?”

A pause hung in the air as Lin Xiao considered his response. He couldn’t lie to Yuan Yu, but his work was undoubtedly dangerous. If he recounted today’s conflict with Le Fangyun or the brawl to rescue Su Mengjia, it might only deepen her worries.

“Some things did happen, but can you trust me?” Grasping Yuan Yu’s hand, Lin Xiao searched her eyes.

Her hand felt soft and delicate in his. Its warmth sent her heart racing. With a nod, she whispered, “In this world, I only trust you and Mom.”

“Little Yu, since you have faith in me, I won’t hide things. But right now, there’s no need for you to know everything. Just focus on your studies. Once you’re in university, I promise to answer all your questions. Is that alright?”

She responded with a firm nod, squeezing his hand for reassurance.

Lin Xiao released her hand, giving it a gentle pat. With a hint of a smile, he said, “But today, I have some good news to share.”

“Really? What is it?” Yuan Yu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Lin Xiao pulled out the check he had recently won from the car race and handed it to Yuan Yu, giving her a gentle smile.

“Little Yu, our days of struggle are about to end. We’ve got the funds for your mother’s medical expenses now.”

Yuan Yu inspected the check, confusion evident on her face. “What’s this? There are so many zeros.”

Lin Xiao hadn’t anticipated Yuan Yu’s unfamiliarity with checks. But then again, it made sense. Checks weren’t a commonality, and most ordinary people seldom used them. Not recognizing one, especially for a high school student like Yuan Yu, wasn’t surprising.

So, he clarified, “It’s a check. We can use it to withdraw money from any bank. The string of numbers shows the amount we can take out.”

Upon this revelation, Yuan Yu grasped the value of the check. Her eyes widened in amazement.

“This piece of paper is worth five million?”

The enormity of the amount seemed to shock her. Her rosy lips parted slightly, her expression a mix of astonishment and endearing innocence. Lin Xiao, feeling elated, couldn’t resist pinching Yuan Yu’s cheek playfully.

“Yes, it’s five million. It’ll cover your mother’s treatment and hospital bills. Plus, we’ll be able to improve our living conditions with what’s left.”

“Big Brother Lin, how did you come by such a large sum?” Yuan Yu clutched Lin Xiao’s hand, her face etched with worry.

Her anxiety wasn’t born out of the addition of five million to their lives, rather, it stemmed from its implications. The fact that Lin Xiao had earned such a sum in a few days was unsettling. She couldn’t fathom what he might have done to secure this amount. Given her recent concerns about Lin Xiao’s potentially dangerous endeavors, this sudden windfall unnerved her even more.

Lost in these daunting thoughts, Yuan Yu’s eyes began to glisten with tears.

“Big Brother Lin, even if we’re without money, our current life is fulfilling. I’m already content,” Yuan Yu said, her eyes glistening as she tried to hold back tears. “Mother’s treatment might be pricey, but you have to promise me you won’t put yourself in danger.”

Lin Xiao hadn’t anticipated Yuan Yu’s reaction. She was on the verge of tears, not elated by the sudden fortune. Quickly, he assured, “This money is legitimate. I earned it from a car race. It was completely safe. Where did your mind wander off to?”

“Is that true?” Yuan Yu asked, tears pooling in her eyes as she looked up at him.

“Absolutely. Have I ever lied to you?” Lin Xiao responded, a mix of frustration and amusement evident in his tone. “This was meant to be good news, but it seems to make you more upset.”

“It’s just… when you suddenly produce so much money without explaining, anyone would be concerned,” she defended, wiping her eyes and pouting. “Big Brother Lin, are you sure this money is from a car race?”

“Yes. There was a race at Panlong Mountain just this evening. I participated and came out on top, earning the five million prize,” Lin Xiao briefly recapped the event. He conveniently glossed over the altercation with Le Fangyun and the fact that the race might have been unsanctioned. “What did you think? That I robbed a bank?”

A blush crept onto Yuan Yu’s cheeks.

“I didn’t think that,” she mumbled, although her expression betrayed her words.

Lin Xiao gently ruffled Yuan Yu’s hair, saying, “Next time, come to me with your concerns. No more jumping to conclusions, alright? Don’t you trust me?”

Feeling a rush of guilt, Yuan Yu wrapped her arms around Lin Xiao, resting her head against his chest.

“Big Brother Lin, I’m so sorry for doubting you.”

Lin Xiao soothed, patting her hair, “It’s alright. I understand your worry. Now, off to bed.”

“Alright, Big Brother Lin. And don’t stay up too late yourself. Get some rest,” said Yuan Yu before she retreated from the hall and headed to her room.