Chapter 469: Do You Look Down on Me?

By four in the afternoon, Zhao Nuan Yang had finished tidying up and was ready to go home.

But then he saw the pastries on the desk. He hadn’t eaten them yet. ’Might as well wait a bit!’

As if on cue, just a few minutes after Zhao Nuan Yang had picked up a book, Pan Ling’er appeared at his office door. Seeing the spotless, immaculate office, Pan Ling’er didn’t dare to step inside.

"Since you’re here, come on in." Zhao Nuan Yang put down his book and turned to look at the conflicted expression on Pan Ling’er’s face at the door.

’This girl’s expressions are so rich. What could she be thinking?’

There’s a saying: "Never try to guess a girl’s mind; you’ll never figure it out no matter how hard you try."

Zhao Nuan Yang just didn’t understand this saying. By the time he did, he would find himself in way too deep.

"Hehe, your office is so clean, I almost feel bad coming in," Pan Ling’er said with a laugh. Despite her words, the thought of pastries and tea was enough for her to brazenly step inside, an enamel mug held in a hand behind her back.

Zhao Nuan Yang took out the floral tea he had brought, placed some in his and Pan Ling’er’s enamel mugs, and poured in freshly boiled water to steep it. He then opened the box of pastries, set it on the desk, and said, "Time to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea!"

Pan Ling’er looked excitedly at the floral tea on the desk. A faint steam was rising from it, and as she drew closer, she could smell a light, fresh fragrance—the scent of chrysanthemum.

"This is chrysanthemum tea my sister made herself. It can help clear internal heat. If you add some wolfberries, it’s also good for your eyesight." Zhao Nuan Yang also picked up his enamel mug, took a gentle sip, and spoke slowly to Pan Ling’er.

When Pan Ling’er picked up her enamel mug, she saw several chrysanthemum flowers in the hot water slowly unfurling their petals. They looked like graceful little fairies swaying with the movement of her hand.

"The fragrance is wonderful. Your sister Nuanyue is amazing." Through her time with Zhao Nuan Yang, Pan Ling’er had learned that his father had passed away early and his mother had remarried, leaving Zhao Nuan Yang to rely on his older and younger sisters.

The life they had now was something they had achieved through their own relentless efforts.

This was the very thing Pan Ling’er valued most.

Hardworking and ambitious, kind and diligent.

A person like that could build a good life for themselves no matter the circumstances. She admired that kind of attitude and way of life.

"Yeah, my sister is really amazing. She knows how to do a lot of things," Zhao Nuan Yang said proudly. "I noticed that your skin has gotten a bit dark from being in the sun on your patrols every day. When I come back to work next year, if you’re still around, I’ll give you a bottle of face mask my sister makes. It can make your skin fair and soft."

Hearing Zhao Nuan Yang say her skin was dark made Pan Ling’er a little sad. She raised her hands to cover her face.

"My brothers—you’ve met them—they’re all very tan. My parents’ skin isn’t fair either, so my skin isn’t just from the sun. I was born this way. Do you... do you think I’m ugly?"

Pan Ling’er felt a pang of inadequacy, especially when she thought about how Zhao Nuan Yang’s sisters both had fair, supple skin. Even Zhao Nuan Yang himself, standing right in front of her, had such fair, smooth skin. She had once overheard Li and Wu discussing him, saying he was the classic "pretty boy" from a novel—classically handsome, with a face like crowned jade.

Back then, Pan Ling’er had refuted them in her heart. ’Zhao Nuan Yang is not one of those ungrateful, incompetent pretty boys who are all style and no substance!’

Pan Ling’er lowered her head, not daring to look Zhao Nuan Yang in the eyes.

’Things were going so well,’ he thought. ’I meant it as a kind gesture! I just wanted to give Pan Ling’er some face masks to help her skin, I wasn’t saying she’s unattractive!’

’Oh, man. I guess what my sister said isn’t always true. Maybe not all girls care about their looks.’

"I don’t think you’re unattractive at all! You have big eyes, a cute round nose, a round face, and a round mouth... it’s a very nice look. My sister even praised you at home, saying you’re a blessed, pretty, and kind girl." Zhao Nuan Yang was completely baffled, looking at Pan Ling’er in confusion. "What’s wrong? Did I say something abrupt that made you feel awkward?"

Hearing Zhao Nuan Yang say she wasn’t ugly, and that she was a blessed, pretty, and kind girl, Pan Ling’er’s heart felt a little bit comforted.

"It’s nothing, really. You’re right, my skin is a bit dark. I was just afraid you’d think I’m unattractive and wouldn’t want to be friends with me anymore!" Pan Ling’er didn’t hide her true feelings. She then looked at Zhao Nuan Yang with a hopeful expression, her heart pounding with uncertainty.

"HAHA..." Hearing Pan Ling’er’s amusing words, Zhao Nuan Yang suddenly burst into hearty laughter. "You’re really something else, to have a thought like that! When I, Zhao Nuan Yang, make friends, I never look at their appearance. I only look at what’s in their heart. You’re good to me and want to be my friend, so of course, I’m happy to be good to you and be your friend, too."

"Really?" Pan Ling’er asked, pleasantly surprised. She might have had some confidence in her looks in front of other people, but in front of Zhao Nuan Yang and his family, she felt inadequate.

"Of course, it’s true! I’ve already finished my tasks for the day and handed everything in. Dean Xin told me I can take my holiday now and come back to work on the sixth day of the new year. I guess you’ll be getting a break soon, too. When you have time, you should come over to my house to hang out. I’ve given you the address before, do you still have it?"

"Mhm, I have your address. I’ve been meaning to visit your home, but I haven’t had the time. Once I’m done with my work here, I should be getting my new year’s holiday. I’ll definitely pay a visit then."

"Great! I’ll be waiting for you at home, then. Little Red Carp has been talking about you nonstop." Zhao Nuan Yang smiled. As he sipped his tea and ate the pastries, his elegant movements were like a beautiful scene in themselves.

A feast for the eyes, utterly captivating.

Pan Ling’er was used to being around her cousins, with their rough and boisterous manners. She had rarely encountered such an elegant, noble-looking young man.

Perhaps it was also because the Pan family was so protective that Pan Ling’er didn’t have many opportunities to interact with other men.

Then she had the rare chance to meet Zhao Nuan Yang, and she saw his noble character and his graceful movements. On top of that, his extraordinary Martial Arts skills left Pan Ling’er completely starstruck.

’How can there be such a perfect man in this world?’

None of the brothers in her family could compare to Zhao Nuan Yang.

If her dozen or so brothers knew what Pan Ling’er was thinking right now, they would be heartbroken. Moreover, they would loudly complain, "A daughter’s loyalty is always to outsiders!" She wasn’t even with the guy yet, and she was already taking his side and looking down on her own brothers.