512: PROTECTING AZALEA

PROTECTING AZALEA

YU JIAO opened the box and what she saw was a white silk handkerchief.  At the corner of it was an embroidery of a purplish flower.  The embroidery was so alive and intricate that it almost looked like there was real flower there.  If she's not wrong, this flower was called, azalea.1

She touched it and was surprised to feel that it was very soft to the touch.  As if she was holding cotton or something.  It's not only soft but very smooth as well.  It's really good and comfortable to the touch.

She was actually thinking that if the souvenir was too expensive, she would return it no matter what.  But just like what Luo Ren had said earlier, it seemed that it really didn't cost that much.  Which was fine by her. 

She didn't know much about handkerchiefs.  But she really liked this one.  It's beautiful and comfortable at the same time.  Even if she accepted this, she was sure that she wouldn't feel awkward at all. 

"Thank you, Brother Ren," she said with a small smile.  "I- I really like it."

Luo Ren's hanging heart finally was put down when he heard that.  He was worried that Yu Jiao might not like his gift.  After all, it was just a handkerchief.  But only he knew that it was not just that. 

The way the azalea was embroidered at the corner of the handkerchief was called Shu embroidery.  It was one of the oldest embroidery techniques in the world and most commonly found in Chengdu.  It was not as cheap as Yu Jiao thought it was.  Especially since Luo Ren specifically asked a well-known embroidery master to do it.     

He did not just pick the azalea flower.  Of course, it had something to do with Yu Jiao.  The character 'Jiao' in her name meant delicate and fragile.  So, when he thought of something that could be embroidered on the handkerchief, he chose azalea.  Which meant 'fragility' in the language of flowers.

Luo Ren honestly couldn't understand why her parents would name Yu Jiao that way.  After all, most would want to name their children after something that meant strength.  But maybe they were thinking that their child would one day find someone who would protect and love their delicate little flower.  And so, it wouldn't matter even if they named her that way.

Well, he did think that the word 'fragile' fitted Yu Jiao all too well.  But not because she's weak or anything like that.  No.  Once you get to know her, you could immediately see the hidden strength beneath.  It was just because that soft side of her pulled on people's desire to protect. 

He felt that the moment he first laid his eyes on her.  And it only grew stronger as time passed by.

It's not that kind of suffocating protection where he wanted to just isolate her from everything that might hurt her.  It's the kind where his protection wouldn't be a shackle to her growth as a person. 

"I'm happy you like it," he said as a response, smiling gently at her.

Yu Jiao was momentarily captivated by that smile.  It's like flowers just bloomed and starry glitters appeared around the other.  She had to blink a couple of times to make sure that she was indeed having hallucinations. 

She quickly gazed down.  What was that?  Was she finally turning crazy?  No, maybe she needed a new prescription glasses.  Yes, that was definitely it.

As she said that to convince herself, she completely ignored the rapid beating of her heart. Thinking that it didn't matter anyway.

It didn't take long for Luo Yan and Luo Jin to return.  Of course, they saw what just happened from where they were hiding.  Luo Yan was all smiles while Luo Jin was looking at his eldest brother like the other was an alien.

Although they didn't hear what the two talked about, the atmosphere around them was enough to know that Luo Ren had succeeded in his goal.  That's why Luo Jin couldn't help but give his brother a weird look. 

After all, this was the first time he had seen him like this.  Smiling and being surrounded by such a warm pink atmosphere.  It's almost like he was announcing to everyone that he had special feelings for the girl standing before him.  If he was not desensitized by his show of love during lunch, he might be having goosebumps right now.

"Sorry, we didn't take that long, right?" Luo Yan said, looking all apologetic.

But deep inside, he actually wanted to give his brother and Yu Jiao more time.  Who knows when the two would meet again like this?  But if they continued to hide there, not only Yu Jiao would doubt that there must be something amiss, the three of them would also be late for the afternoon class.

He glanced at Yu Jiao and saw the other holding a box protectively.  That's probably the souvenir his brother gave her.  Judging from her expression and the way she was holding that box, she definitely liked the gift. 

Now, he couldn't help but wonder what it was.  He wanted to ask but not now.  Maybe later.  And he had to do it very stealthily in a way that wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable.  He didn't want Yu Jiao to start being awkward around Luo Ren especially when things were barely starting between the two.

"No, Yan Yan is just in time," Luo Ren said, rubbing his brother's hair.  "You three should go back to school now."

He walked the three to the car where Uncle Chu was waiting.  Luo Jin hopped to the passenger's seat while Luo Yan sat on the back seat.  Luo Ren kept the door of the backseat opened for Yu Jiao and waited for the other to come in.

"Brother Ren, thank you for lunch.  And- and also for the souvenir.  I- I will take good care of it," Yu Jiao said before rushing inside the car.

Luo Ren was transfixed at his position.  Because he saw Yu Jiao's ear tips turning red when she said that.  Showing her shyness.  It was not until the car moved and disappeared from his sight that he smiled.

[How cute.]

Then he took out his phone and called his assistant.  "Go and give me all the information you can find about the Mo family."

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