Chapter 1636

Xiao Qingqing quickly apologized, "Sorry, Uncle San, I got a little carried away—" But before she could finish her sentence, she watched in surprise as Samuel casually picked up his chopsticks and ate the food she had served him. Her lips parted slightly in astonishment. Didn’t he refuse food served by others? Puzzled, she quietly dismissed the thought and continued with her meal. After dinner, Xiao Qingqing planned to retreat to her room to avoid further awkward interactions with Samuel. Just as she was about to leave, he called her back. He led her to his room and pulled out a crisp white T-shirt from his wardrobe, handing it to her. "Things happened too suddenly today, so I didn’t have time to prepare proper sleepwear. You can wear this for tonight." Xiao Qingqing accepted it with a word of thanks. Back in her room, she looked down at the brand-new T-shirt, an inexplicable smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Who knew Uncle San could be so thoughtful? After her shower, she lay in bed and opened her email to review the day’s project updates. Over an hour later, her phone rang. The caller ID flashed "Mother." The slight warmth in Xiao Qingqing’s mood instantly chilled. She ended the call without hesitation. But soon, the other party called again with relentless persistence. After several consecutive calls, Xiao Qingqing finally picked up in irritation, her tone sharp. "What do you want?" "Qingqing, I just wanted to apologize for what happened at lunch today. I—" "Don’t bother," Xiao Qingqing cut her off coldly. "I’m not interested." "Qingqing, I know what you’re thinking, but—" "What is it you really want?" Xiao Qingqing couldn’t fathom why her mother would call after their explosive argument earlier—unless she needed something. After a brief silence, Mu Lan’s voice came through hesitantly. "Actually... I wanted to ask if there’s any truth to the rumors about you and Third Master." "If you’ve chosen their side, then my life is none of your concern anymore. Don’t interfere." Her voice was icy. "If that’s all, don’t contact me again. Goodbye." Just as she was about to hang up, Mu Lan blurted out urgently, "Wait, Qingqing! Don’t hang up! I—I need to ask you a favor. Could you speak to Third Master for us?" Xiao Qingqing’s eyes narrowed, her teeth clenched. Of course. Her mother never reached out for *her* sake. Fine. She’d humor her—just to see what fresh trouble they’d cooked up now. Mu Lan rushed on, "This afternoon, your uncle’s company suddenly had its resources hijacked by some firm called *Dimensional Otherworld*. The losses are substantial, and the financial strain is unbearable. If this continues, the Su Group won’t survive. Your Uncle Su mentioned that if they could partner with Niren Group on a project, they might pull through. So I thought—" *Dimensional Otherworld?* Xiao Qingqing’s breath caught. So Third Master had quietly stepped in... and crushed them for her? It's too late tonight. First thing tomorrow, she must properly thank Third Uncle in person! "Qingqing, I can see Third Master is very protective of you. A small favor like this shouldn't be difficult for you, right?" Xiao Qingqing snapped back to reality. "You've got the wrong person. I'd be thrilled if the Su family went bankrupt! Don't come to me for things like this again—I don't have the time!" With that, she hung up the phone. To prevent her mother from calling again, she immediately blocked the number. Her mother's cruelty left Xiao Qingqing feeling suffocated and heavy, as if a fire were burning in her chest. She decided to go downstairs for a glass of ice water to cool her anger. But as she passed by Samuel's room, she faintly heard sounds of distress coming from inside. Worried, she knocked immediately. "Third Uncle?" There was no response from within. Her unease grew. She turned the doorknob—it was unlocked. Pushing the door open, the sight that greeted her made her pupils constrict in sudden panic... "Third Uncle!" Xiao Qingqing rushed to the bedside. At that moment, Samuel lay curled up on the bed, trembling uncontrollably in a daze. His forehead was damp with sweat, his face deathly pale, and even his lips had lost their color. Xiao Qingqing reached out and grasped Samuel's arm. What was wrong with him? Was he trapped in a nightmare, or was he sick? She shook him urgently, raising her voice, "Uncle Jing, wake up! You're scaring me!" Her voice trembled with panic as she pulled out her phone, fingers fumbling to dial emergency services. "Don't be afraid, I'm calling an ambulance right now!" Before she could finish, the hand that had been holding his arm was suddenly seized by Samuel. His palm was damp and ice-cold. Xiao Qingqing turned to look at him and saw his eyes barely open into slits, his gaze unfocused. His lips moved weakly, as if muttering something. Leaning closer, she finally made out his words: "No... can't... can't call an ambulance!" Can't? Then what should she do? Gripping his arm tighter, she forced herself to stay calm. "Uncle Jing, how can I help you? Do you need medicine?" Samuel's teeth chattered. "Cold..." Cold? Even though it was already early summer, Xiao Qingqing didn't hesitate. She rushed to turn on the room's air conditioner, cranking the heat to maximum. Then she hurried back, pulling the blanket tightly over him. She rubbed his hands between hers, trying to warm them. "Uncle Jing, is that any better?" Before her words could fully fade, Samuel had already seized her, pulling her abruptly into his embrace with a crushing grip. Xiao Qingqing, caught off guard, found herself trapped within the unyielding circle of his arms. Instinctively, she tried to wriggle free—until she realized just how icy cold his body truly was. Then, she froze. This wasn’t an act. Samuel’s condition was real. Forget propriety. Without hesitation, she pressed herself closer, wrapping her arms around him to share her warmth. The moment she did, his trembling frame suddenly stilled. Even his pained groans gradually quieted. A long while later, sensing his breathing steady, Xiao Qingqing exhaled in relief. Just as she made to pull away, however, his arms reflexively tightened around her. "Don’t go," he murmured hoarsely, his voice laced with pain. "They’re coming... it’s dangerous..." "So cold... stay..." Gently patting his back, she softened her voice. "It’s alright. I’m not leaving. You’re safe now." At her words, his body visibly relaxed—yet his grip remained unyielding. Trapped and unable to move, Xiao Qingqing had no choice but to relent. But confusion gnawed at her. How could someone so domineering and unshakable utter such vulnerable words? She had planned to wait until he fully settled, to slip away once he drifted off. But now... But who would have thought that as she lay there, she ended up dozing off first, curled up in Samuel's arms. When she woke up, the morning sun was already streaming brightly through the windows. The blanket had been kicked aside—the room was simply too warm—and her head now rested on Samuel's arm, her limbs tangled around him like an octopus. To make matters worse, she had been wearing his oversized T-shirt the night before. Though it was long enough to pass as a dress when standing, it had ridden up past her waist while she slept, leaving far too much skin exposed. And with her arms and legs still draped over him... The warmth of their contact was... unsettling.