Envy from my older cousin

A "sweet scent" permeated the bright room!

From time to time, He Li would lean close to Miao Xiaoyu's ear and whisper something, causing her to cover her mouth and burst into repeated, soft laughter.

Wu Gang, sitting nearby, was already used to it.

Under the relentless assault of He Li and Miao Xiaoyu's constant, elaborate public displays of affection over the past half month, his heart had turned to stone. He sat there typing on his keyboard, like an old monk in meditation, oblivious to his surroundings.

However, when he inadvertently glanced out the window... he thought he saw someone peeking outside.

"Brother Li, I think someone is peeking outside!"

Wu Gang turned his head and said this, and He Li froze for a moment.

Peeking? Who is it? Could it be Liu Yuyan?

Possibly. That woman is crazy. Now that she knows the studio's location, she might very well come here.

But He Li couldn't be bothered to deal with her.

"Ignore her, let's focus on our work!"

He Li replied, and Wu Gang nodded.

Miao Xiaoyu saw the two whispering and grew curious.

"What is it?" she asked, tilting her head and putting down her paintbrush.

He Li shook his head, "Nothing much, just someone peeking."

"Just ignore her!" he said, returning his attention to his computer screen to continue writing code. Hearing this, Miao Xiaoyu seemed to realize something and subtly glanced out the window.

She saw a familiar figure... "Older Female Cousin? Why did she come here?"

"I told her not to come out casually."

"And why is she here now? Right, she mentioned before that she wanted to meet He Li and vet him for me..."

Thinking of this, Miao Xiaoyu felt both shy and anxious.

She was worried Yu Jianxin might mess things up for her.

But she couldn't possibly keep an eye on Yu Jianxin all the time to stop her.

After much thought, she secretly leaned close to He Li.

"Um... He Li, I need to tell you something!"

She spoke softly, her face slightly flushed. He Li turned slightly, keeping an eye on the flickering text on his screen while listening intently.

Miao Xiaoyu said gently, "I didn't tell you, but my distant Older Female Cousin came to visit me a couple of days ago. She seems to... seems to have slightly misunderstood the nature of our relationship."

"If she comes to find you later,"

"please don't take it to heart if she says anything unpleasant."

Hearing this, He Li stopped what he was doing and turned his head.

"What are you thinking?" He Li smiled at her.

"Am I the type of person who gets angry easily?"

"Don't worry, I won't care about anything she says."

Saying this, He Li leaned in closer and asked with a soft smile, "Do you think this counts as meeting each other's family now?" He seemed to have a hidden meaning, and Miao Xiaoyu froze before quickly lowering her head.

Her delicate little ears turned bright red.

"What are you talking about..." she muttered softly.

Yet her small face blossomed into a smile.

Seeing her adorable look, He Li couldn't help but reach out and pat her head, making the shy Miao Xiaoyu feel both flustered and overjoyed.

"He Li patted my head? Hehe~"

"This... this is the first time he's ever patted my head."

"Liu Yuyan didn't even get this kind of treatment, right?"

"Oh yeah, Liu Yuyan never let him pat her head before."

"Hehehe, then I'm the first one..."

The more Miao Xiaoyu thought about it, the happier she became.

At that moment, He Li withdrew his hand and added, "Actually, I'm quite curious what your Older Female Cousin intends to do. If she really comes to vet me for you, I certainly won't let her down."

With that, He Li turned back and continued working.

Hearing his words, Miao Xiaoyu's heart was filled with sweetness.

She understood the meaning behind He Li's words!

He wouldn't let Older Female Cousin down; he would earn her approval as her future cousin-in-law, which would completely put her mind at ease. Didn't this count as his indirect admission that he had feelings for her, Miao Xiaoyu?

As Miao Xiaoyu thought this, she looked at He Li's profile, and the expression in her beautiful eyes grew even gentler.

They say a man is most handsome when he is serious.

But He Li was already incredibly handsome... when he was serious, he captivated Miao Xiaoyu, causing her to stare in a daze.

She rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the desk, quietly watching him.

Outside, a feeling of envy grew in Yu Jianxin's heart.

He Li and Miao Xiaoyu whispering to each other looked exactly like the couples in love on TV exchanging sweet nothings, especially with Miao Xiaoyu displaying such a shy and endearing appearance... Yu Jianxin had filmed many TV dramas herself.

Many of them contained romance plots.

But those were, in the end, merely staged performances.

That's why Yu Jianxin never felt anything about them.

However, seeing the genuine affection between He Li and Miao Xiaoyu now, she had to admit that the warm and sweet sight of the two of them made her, a "single dog" who had been single for over twenty years, incredibly envious.

Although she had countless admirers.

Yu Jianxin knew very well that those people were merely attracted to her looks or were interested in her powerful background.

Yu Jianxin would never fall for people like that.

Especially after comparing it to the relationship between He Li and Miao Xiaoyu... she felt that if her future relationships weren't this sweet,

it would only prove that she and her partner were incompatible!

"Such genuinely sweet love!"

"I wonder when I'll get to experience that myself."

Shaking her head, Yu Jianxin, who had just been force-fed a mouthful of "dog food" (PDA), worried that if she kept peeking, she might be stuffed to death. She reluctantly glanced at the couple inside and prepared to leave for now.

As for talking to He Li, she would have to find a suitable opportunity when Miao Xiaoyu wasn't around... He Li was quite busy for the next two days.

Because the plants vs. zombies test version was about to be released.

Although there were very few levels due to time constraints.

But for a strategy tower defense game like this, the creation of subsequent levels and new characters wasn't a major issue. That's why He Li rushed to create a test version, hoping to quickly check for any significant problems.

If there were no major issues, they could invest more funds and proceed directly with creating and launching the official version.

Relying on his experience and memories from his previous life.

Finally, on the afternoon of this Friday... the test version was basically complete.

All he needed was one more operation tomorrow to package it for installation and testing.

As for today? He had promised to take Miao Xiaoyu to see a movie.

Miao Xiaoyu had arrived early to wait for him.

She carried a small handbag, her face beaming with happiness.

Going to the movies with her beloved was something she could only fantasize about in the past. But now, it had become reality. Her beloved He Li had eyes for her and was willing to spend time with her.

Thinking about this, Miao Xiaoyu felt like she was floating as she walked.

He Li looked at her joyful expression, his eyes full of doting affection.

This little girl is so easy to please!

Just accompanying her to a movie made her ecstatic.

"Oh right, your Auntie's birthday is in a few days, isn't it?"

Miao Xiaoyu suddenly asked while they were walking.

He Li snapped out of his thoughts and nodded, "Yes."

"Then... can I go celebrate Auntie's birthday?"

Miao Xiaoyu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked shyly.

He Li smiled and nodded, "Of course you can."

"My mother will be very happy if you go."

"But even if you hadn't asked, I was planning to invite you anyway."

"How about this..." He paused, then continued, "In a few days, after the test version is finished testing, come with me to pick out a gift for my mother. She really likes you, so she'll definitely love any gift you choose."

"Okay!" Miao Xiaoyu quickly nodded.

She was a little excited to be able to pick out a gift for Mother He, as this meant He Li's family truly intended to accept her.

But she was also a little conflicted.

What should she pick out for Auntie then?

Although she understood He Li, she didn't understand Mother He.

At least she wasn't quite sure what she liked... What if she chose something Mother He didn't like? Suddenly, Miao Xiaoyu was both happy and worried, furrowing her small brows.

Perhaps she was too lost in thought and wasn't paying attention to the road.

She accidentally missed a step and nearly fell.

Fortunately, He Li was quick and wrapped his arms around her... With her soft, fragrant body in his embrace, He Li's mind began to wander.

Miao Xiaoyu snapped awake too, her heart pounding wildly...