Han Jingnian remained silent, sitting upright on the sofa, his eyes locked onto Han Zhijin’s phone screen. 

Han Zhijin, fully immersed in the game, was oblivious to the impending doom and continued speaking excitedly, “Wan’an, hide here and don’t move. Wait a moment. Three, two, one, can you see it? Luban is coming, hurry, attack…” 

Before Han Zhijin could finish, Han Jingnian’s cold voice interrupted him once more, “Han Zhijin, last Wednesday, at three o’clock in the afternoon, where were you?” 

“I was at the office…” Han Zhijin responded and then went back to tapping the screen. “How about that? Wan’an, are you happy? I helped you secure another kill…” 

Xia Wan’an was about to reply to Han Zhijin when Han Jingnian, who had been nonchalantly listening, casually chimed in, “Is that so? Today, when I was on the phone with Mr. Chen from WY, he mentioned that last Wednesday at three o’clock in the afternoon, he seemed to have seen you at the golf course in the southern suburbs…” 

“Isn’t Wednesday afternoon a workday?” Grandma spoke up. 

“Han Zhijin?” Even though her tone was gentle, there was an underlying air of hostility in Lu Yangui’s voice. 

Startled, Han Zhijin’s hands trembled, and he instinctively exited the game. He turned to Han Jingnian with a pleading look, “Uncle, Mr. Chen must have been mistaken, right?” 

Han Jingnian didn’t say a word. 

“Um…” Han Zhijin smacked his forehead heavily. Then, he spoke again, “I remember now, Uncle, that project is scheduled for this week, not last week! The project details are on my computer; wait for me, I’ll go find it now…” 

With that, Han Zhijin abandoned Xia Wan’an, who was still waiting for his protection in the game, and rushed to the study, clutching his computer. He emphasized once more, “Uncle, last Wednesday, Mr. Chen must have been mistaken for sure!” 

Watching his fleeing nephew, Han Jingnian calmly picked up his phone, glanced at the unread messages, and then finally spoke unhurriedly, “Hmm, later Mr. Chen also mentioned that the person he saw looked a lot like you.” 

Lu Yangui’s complexion finally improved. 

The old lady, seeing that it was all just a misunderstanding, continued watching TV. 

Han Jingnian took a glance at Xia Wan’an, who was the only one left playing games, and said, “I’m going to the study to take a look.” 

Then, he got up and left. 

… 

Study. 

Han Jingnian sat in front of the computer, staring expressionlessly at the project plan that Han Zhijin had retrieved. 

Han Zhijin, standing by like a student in detention, hung his head and waited. 

Twenty minutes later, Han Jingnian finally spoke, “Start over.” 

Han Zhijin was dumbfounded. “Uncle, I think I can make some changes to salvage this project plan.” 

“If you can’t finish it, don’t have dinner tonight!” Han Jingnian seemed uninterested in discussing the matter any further. He pushed the mouse away and stood up, as if ready to leave. 

Han Zhijin wasn’t ready to give up and pleaded with a pitiful tone, “Uncle…” 

“If you say one more word, I’ll tell your mother about the time you skipped work last Friday afternoon to go drinking with friends!” 

Han Zhijin pursed his lips, lowered his head, and reluctantly said, “I understand. Can I redo it now?” 

Han Jingnian didn’t respond to him. He tidied his clothes and headed towards the door. 

Just as he reached the door, it was pushed open by Xia Wan’an. 

The two of them bumped into each other head-on, both freezing in surprise. 

Subsequently, they just stood there, gazing at each other, their movements stalled, with no reaction whatsoever. 

“Little Aunt, is there something you need?” Han Zhijin, who heard the commotion, wasn’t aware of the tension between Han Jingnian and Xia Wan’an. He stretched his neck toward the doorway and greeted her. 

Xia Wan’an regained her composure, avoiding Han Jingnian’s unrelenting gaze on her. She spoke, “Grandma and Aunt Lu asked me to call both of you for dinner.” 

Han Zhijin disappointedly responded with an “Oh,” and added, “Aunt, uncle, you go ahead for dinner. I’ll stay here to finish the project.” 

Xia Wan’an, who had no idea what had transpired in the study just moments ago, furrowed her brows and disagreed with Han Zhijin’s decision, “You can always finish the project after dinner! There’s no reason to work on an empty stomach. Even if the boss keeps employees at the office for overtime, they still get a meal. I refuse to believe that in today’s society, there are people heartless enough to prevent others from eating until they finish their work!” 

Han Zhijin glanced unconsciously at Han Jingnian and felt awkward and anxious. “…” 

Little Aunt, in today’s society, there really are people as heartless as you describe, and that person is none other than my Uncle, who is currently standing right there! 

“Alright, Han Zhijin, stop pretending here. I know exactly what kind of person you are. Even if you pretend for a hundred years, you’re not the diligent and hardworking type. Finish up quickly and don’t keep Grandma and Aunt Lu waiting!” Hearing Aunt Lu’s voice calling her from not far away in the dining room, Xia Wan’an didn’t wait for Han Zhijin to respond and urged him to go. 

Han Zhijin didn’t dare to move and could only timidly shift his gaze to Han Jingnian, seeking his guidance. “Uncle, I…” 

Xia Wan’an, after hearing Han Zhijin call for Han Jingnian’s help, cast a puzzled glance in his direction. 

Just as her gaze passed over his face, without saying a word or showing any reaction, Han Jingnian spoke, “I suggested the same thing earlier, letting him finish the project after eating, but he wouldn’t listen.” 

Xia Wan’an was surprised that Han Jingnian had taken the initiative to speak to her, and he had even spoken so many words. She was momentarily taken aback. 

Equally bewildered was Han Zhijin, who had choked on his words when trying to explain. “…” Could someone please explain what kind of magic trick his uncle had just pulled? He had clearly not said that, and it was only due to intimidation and coercion from him that he hadn’t gone to dinner! 

Thinking about it, Han Zhijin couldn’t accept it and muttered under his breath, “Uncle, you…”