My Wicked Uncle - Chapter 2

After that, my whole body felt wrong whenever I saw Gu Qingyuan, so I started avoiding him.

He planted himself shamelessly in our doorway. “What did I do this time, Your Highness?”

My gaze flicked to his full lips before I jerked it away. “Good dogs don’t block the road.”

His skin was thick enough for anything. He leaned close and murmured into my ear, “Woof. Are we good now? Please don’t bad-mouth me to your mom.”

I told him I had a summer job and was going to be late. After a few steps, I remembered something and turned back. Gu Qingyuan still stood there with his arms folded, smiling at me.

“We’re not making up,” I said. “We were never good in the first place.”

The restaurant was packed during the dinner rush, and one table in particular was a nightmare. Pouring the guest’s wine was not enough. He caught my arm and teased, “You’re this tender and already working as a waiter? Stay beside me and keep my glass filled. I’ll give you a nice tip.”

“Sorry, I have other rooms to cover. Call if you need anything.”

I tried to leave, but he grabbed my hand. The instant that strange touch landed on my skin, nausea surged up my throat. I flung him off as if I had been shocked.

His face went red, then white. He glanced at the other people around the table, lost his temper, and splashed a glass of wine straight into my face.

“What kind of service is this? I spend thousands on a meal here, and some baby-faced waiter dares give me attitude?”

“Get your manager!”

I was still working out what to say when the private-room door opened.

In walked Gu Qingyuan—the man I had sworn I would never make up with.

Our eyes met. Mine immediately darted away from his crimson lips.

The guest turned toward him, and his expression transformed at once. “Mr. Gu! What a coincidence. Are you here entertaining clients too?”

Gu Qingyuan stepped inside. “I thought I heard something happening in here.”

“Nothing important.” The man hurried forward with a smile. “Just a waiter who doesn’t know when someone’s doing him a favor. I’ll complain to the manager later.”

“No, I’m not here for business,” Gu Qingyuan said. “My kid is working here for the experience. I came to check on him.”

The man rushed to flatter him. “No wonder he stands out. If I’m lucky enough to see the young master of your family next time, I’ll be sure to take special care of him.”

Gu Qingyuan smiled. “Hear that? Mr. Zhao says he’ll take care of you. Come here.”

Mr. Zhao’s face stiffened when Gu Qingyuan called me to his side. Gu Qingyuan pretended not to notice. He simply reached out and wiped the wine from my chin.

“How did you get like this, little kitten?”

I was supposed to hate him. But his touch was so gentle that my chest tightened unexpectedly. Even my voice came out soft, almost like a child seeking shelter.

“Someone threw wine at me.”

He knew perfectly well who. “Who would dare?” Then he turned to Mr. Zhao, playing dumb. “Did you see anything?”

“I’ve spoiled this kid rotten since he was little,” Gu Qingyuan went on. “I leave him alone for half a day, and look what happens.”

He looked back at me. “Who did it?”

Before I could answer, Mr. Zhao broke. He snatched up a napkin, bent over, and began dabbing at my clothes.

“I’m so sorry. What a terrible misunderstanding. It’s my fault—I drank too much and failed to recognize you. Truly, my apologies.”

I had never dealt with adults smiling while they threatened each other, much less watched a man so much older than me bow and scrape. I had no idea how to handle any of it, so I instinctively looked at Gu Qingyuan.

His eyes curved with his smile.

“Say something, young master. If you’re still unhappy, somebody’s going to have a very bad day.”

Beads of sweat had appeared on Mr. Zhao’s nose. I pressed my lips together. “It’s fine.”

Gu Qingyuan took me away and suggested I change at his place. “If you go home like this, your mom will worry.”

So it was for Mom.

Still, I accepted the kindness. In his car, I muttered, “Thanks.”

He heard me perfectly well but leaned closer, wickedly determined to tease me. “Hm? What did you say?”

I turned and met his smiling eyes. He was watching me intently from so close that his breath mingled with mine, warm and fragrant. I wet my lips, then whipped my face away.

“I said thank you!”

He burst out laughing and deliberately mussed my hair, making me even more flustered.

It left my nerves in a hopeless tangle.