Chapter 26: How Does Ah Li Plan to Reward Me?

"I'm your cousin, so of course, we're not blood-related," Xie Huaichu said with a serious expression.

Lu Ziyang: "…"

"Thanks a lot."

Xie Huaichu ignored him and took out his phone, sending a voice message to a contact named "Jiang Xiaoli." "Are you awake?"

His voice was deep, languid, and soothing, like a gentle breeze in the mountains, making it pleasant to listen to.

Jiang Li had just finished washing up and was about to head downstairs for breakfast when she heard the notification sound on her phone. She opened WeChat.

"I'm just getting ready for breakfast. Have you guys arrived yet?" She replied with a voice message as well.

"Not yet. Take your time, no rush," Xie Huaichu smoothly lied.

Lu Ziyang rolled his eyes helplessly. His brother really...

He was genuinely exhausted, so he covered his head with his jacket and went back to sleep.

When Jiang Li got in the car, he was still deep in his dreams.

In his dream, he had entered university and met a cute, soft girl, but the girl was always crying, and he could never comfort her properly.

"Xiao Yang looks really tired. Did you not sleep well last night?" Jiang Li, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at Lu Ziyang, who was frowning slightly, and asked the person next to her.

Xie Huaichu skillfully started the car, his expression calm. "Mmm, he probably stayed up late playing games again."

Lu Ziyang, now becoming more awake: "…"

How could his brother say such a cold-blooded thing with a straight face?

"Sister." Lu Ziyang was still a bit groggy. Holding his jacket, he slowly sat up, his voice still thick with sleepiness.

"Xiao Yang, did you stay up all night? Staying up late is bad for your health. You can't let yourself go like that anymore."

Lu Ziyang stretched lazily and complained pitifully, "No, it's not like that, Sister. You've been deceived by my brother. It's all his fault."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li looked at the person next to her. "What have you done to him now?"

"I didn't do anything," Xie Huaichu replied, his voice steady as he looked ahead. "I just didn't let him sleep in, and he's holding a grudge."

Lu Ziyang: "…"

"Sister, he's lying!" The young boy glared at the driver, and maybe because Jiang Li was there, his courage grew. "He woke me up from my peaceful sleep and now he's blaming me! You should help me get revenge!"

"Who drags someone out of bed at five or six in the morning?" The boy was getting more and more upset, looking like a pufferfish.

Jiang Li couldn't help but laugh lightly at his cute, angry face. "Alright, if he's so awful, then I'll ignore him for three days. How about that?"

Lu Ziyang clapped his hands in approval. "Yes, yes, Sister is the best!"

Xie Huaichu: "…"

His hand tightened on the steering wheel, his gaze darkening slightly. His voice turned cold. "Lu Ziyang, do you want to be thrown out of this car?"

"Sister, look, he's threatening me!" Lu Ziyang, feeling empowered with Jiang Li backing him up, became more defiant.

Jiang Li leaned her elbow on the car window, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "Mr. Xie, bullying a little kid like this... you're quite capable. What if I throw both of us out instead?"

Xie Huaichu: "…"

Great, now these two three-year-olds had teamed up and were ganging up on him.

The trio arrived in Yun City by noon.

The robot competition was scheduled for the next morning.

The participants had all arrived early. The organizers had arranged for resting places and provided meals, which was very considerate.

Lu Ziyang was lucky. Xie Huaichu had his own apartment here, so he could stay more comfortably.

"Wow, brother, this place is amazing! It even has an outdoor swimming pool."

Xie Huaichu, carrying ingredients he had bought on the way, headed to the kitchen to start cooking.

Looking at the little monkey, he sighed in helplessness. "Lu Ziyang, be quiet and don't dirty my house."

Lu Ziyang pouted, took his things, and found a quiet spot to start tinkering with them.

Jiang Li stood outside the kitchen, watching the man roll up his sleeves and put on an apron, preparing to cook. She asked, "Do you need any help?"

Xie Huaichu looked up, meeting her bright eyes, and a mischievous thought crossed his mind. "Sure."

He set the vegetables aside and said casually, "Can you make yogurt pancakes? Lu Ziyang loves them."

Jiang Li nodded, "No problem, wait for me."

She turned and went to the bathroom to tie her long hair into a high bun, then changed into casual home clothes.

Xie Huaichu was busy making pineapple roasted chicken wings when he noticed her transformation and couldn't help but smile.

The little girl certainly had a sense of ceremony.

The two worked together seamlessly, and before long, they had prepared a whole table of delicious food.

The tempting aromas caught Lu Ziyang's attention, and he quickly rushed out of his room, heading to the dining table.

"I can't believe it, bro, sister, you two are amazing! This cooking is as good as a five-star chef's."

Jiang Li served the rice and handed out chopsticks. Hearing his words, a joyful smile appeared on her face.

"Well, try these dishes and see if they suit your taste."

"Braised pork ribs with chestnuts, crab stick scrambled eggs, and the farmhouse fragrant rice. Sister, are you sure you don't want my brother to try first?"

While speaking, Lu Ziyang looked up at Xie Huaichu. "These dishes are all his favorites."

Jiang Li realized she'd been tricked and shot him a sharp glance. "Xie Huaichu, give me a perfect explanation."

This jerk had clearly said in the kitchen that all these dishes were Lu Ziyang's favorites.

Xie Huaichu remained calm and collected, smiling lightly as he gently pushed Jiang Li into her seat, bending down to whisper in her ear. His magnetic voice was captivating.

"If I didn't say that, Ah Li, would you really have been willing to make them for me?"

Jiang Li clenched her fist, realizing his tactic was too clever.

"Sister, is this yogurt pancake also your creation? It's so delicious!" Lu Ziyang, completely focused on the food, was all smiles as he stuffed his face.

"I wasn't lying, was I? That dish really is his favorite." Xie Huaichu sat beside Jiang Li, laughing softly as he watched her.

Jiang Li bit into a piece of egg and chewed it, then shot him a look. "So what you're saying is, I should give you an award?"

"What reward will Ah Li give me?" Xie Huaichu, unashamed, followed the bait and climbed further.

"How about I reward you with a beating? I guarantee you won't see tomorrow's sun," Jiang Li said through gritted teeth, her fists cracking as she clenched them.

Xie Huaichu: "…"

The little girl was so violent; it seemed like his life was going to be difficult from now on.

In the afternoon, Xie Huaichu went to study at the Medical University, leaving only Jiang Li and Lu Ziyang at home.

With nothing much to do, the two of them decided to drive around and wander outside.

It had been a while since Jiang Li last visited Yun City. As she looked at the familiar city, a flood of emotions surged in her heart.

This was where her dreams began, where she first met Fang Ruan, and where she experienced the most beautiful moments of her youth.

Before she knew it, the car had driven to Nanan University. "Xiao Yang, do you want to go inside and take a look?"

Lu Ziyang immediately nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! I might as well check out the place where I'll be living for the next four years."

The two of them got out of the car and walked side by side toward the campus.

At this time of day, students were strolling around in small groups, and many of them couldn't help but glance at Jiang Li and Lu Ziyang as they passed by.

It was hard not to notice the two of them; they stood out so much.

"Are you Jiang Li, the junior?" A voice filled with excitement and enthusiasm came from beside them. Jiang Li instinctively turned her head.