Chapter 3 Uncle Neighbor Shameless! (2)

In front of others, Richard was extremely serious, even somewhat unapproachable and intimidating, making people uneasy. But when he was with Jasmine, he became such a chatty uncle.

After paying, Richard took her to a renowned restaurant in the city. Jasmine looked at the thick menu and happily ordered several of her favorite dishes.

"What will you have, uncle?"

"Whatever you order, I'll have."

"Oh... Then let me order some more for you. I only ordered for myself just now."

Richard's lips twitched, thinking he must have misheard. How could she eat all those dishes by herself? Unbelievable!

Seeing his baffled look, Jasmine gave him a sidelong glance. She pouted and said:

"Are you criticizing me for eating a lot?"

"No, no... I'm not criticizing. You can eat more, I actually like you plump."

While the server was still standing there, Richard once again showed his rascally side. Jasmine had no choice but to pretend she didn't hear those comments. She turned to the server with a smile and ordered more food for him.

After finishing dinner past seven o'clock, Richard took Jasmine to a nearby park for a walk to cool down before driving her back to the Evans' house.

Jasmine waved goodbye to him before entering the house. Grandfather Evans was sitting in the living room and quickly called her over to talk.

"Back from hanging out with Richard? Did you have fun?"

"It was great. How about you, Grandpa? Did you have fun leaving your granddaughter for someone else?" She playfully retorted.

"You only get smart when you're teasing me." Grandpa pointed at Jasmine and laughed heartily.

She poured a cup of lotus tea and respectfully offered it to Grandfather Evans. The two sat down and chatted for a while, with him telling Jasmine about the activities at the senior citizens' club, then the conversation turned to her and Richard.

"What's wrong with Thompson's boy? From his personality to his career, I like everything about him. Such a capable and virtuous man, what are you hesitating for?"

Jasmine didn't know what to say; she just felt that the age difference between them was too great for a romantic relationship or marriage. Richard was fifteen years older than her! It seemed fine now, but in ten or twenty years, she wasn't sure.

Jasmine wasn't too concerned about appearances, but it was his temperament she was worried about. People say the older you get, the more irritable you become, and that scared her.

Richard would age before her, and obviously, his temper would worsen before hers. Jasmine wasn't foolish enough to endure that!

She shared her thoughts with Grandfather Evans, who flicked her arm in response. He said:

"You silly girl, thinking such absurd things. Look at this old man, nearly seventy this year, do you see me being difficult?"

Jasmine shrugged lightly and quickly made an excuse:

"Who knows. What if my grandpa is different from others? Anyway, I don't like marrying someone much older! It will be hard to please them as they get older."

This morning Jasmine had two Foreign Language classes in the lecture hall. She hurriedly had breakfast with her mother and Grandfather Evans, then got ready to go to school.

Richard, unbeknownst to her, was already waiting at the Evans' gate, offering to drive her to school. Jasmine declined, but her grandfather and mother did not!

They even enthusiastically supported the idea. She didn't know how Richard had managed to make her whole family so fond of him.

"Come on, hurry up, don't make Richard wait!" Her mother urged her. After speaking, she also went to her room to get her coat, preparing to go to the hospital.

Jasmine quickly grabbed three strawberry milk cartons and put them in her backpack before running out to Richard. He thoughtfully helped her buckle up before turning the key to start the car.

Richard was still dressed in his usual familiar black suit. Jasmine watched his focused manner of driving, so intently that she didn't blink.

Richard looked like he was carved from stone! Whether it was the features on his face or his physique, he was mesmerizing to behold.

His deep black eyes and thick, alluring eyebrows. Coupled with a straight nose and thin, pale pink lips, Jasmine found herself unable to look away.

"Better wipe that drool off. It's about to drip down your chin."

She was startled by his comment, instinctively wiping her mouth, though there was no drool. Richard had tricked her, and he was clearly enjoying the moment. She huffed and turned her face away, no longer paying him any attention.

"Why stop looking? Go on, I won't charge you!"

"Enough, I'm bored of it. You should focus on driving." Jasmine fiddled with her fingers, too embarrassed to look directly at Richard while speaking.

He stopped teasing Jasmine. He might act tough, but he knew she was easily embarrassed. Just a little teasing would turn her face bright red.

The car stopped in front of Willowcrest University's gate, but Jasmine didn't hurry out. She took a strawberry milk box from her backpack and handed it to Richard.

"Have this when you're tired at work. Thanks for the ride, old man."

Richard laughed, touched by her sudden care. He half-expected a storm to brew later given the unusual nicety! He wanted to jump for joy, but kept his composure.

"No thanks needed. I was on the way to the Thompson Corporation anyway, so I gave you a ride."

Jasmine wasn't fooled by Richard's lie. To get to the Thompson Corporation, one had to take a different road, yet he claimed it was on the way.

Truth was lie!

Jasmine rearranged the items in her backpack, accidentally letting Richard see the two remaining boxes of strawberry milk. He raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress his curiosity.

"Are you going to drink both boxes yourself? Or... are you bringing them for someone else?"

"What does it have to do with you?" she retorted.

Richard nodded subconsciously, a trace of sadness crossing his face. At this moment, they were just neighbors. He had no right to pry.

Jasmine blinked, puzzled by Richard's sudden silence. Had her earlier words hurt him? Damn it! To think such a strong man could be so fragile!