Chapter 26

The next days were packed and had a clear goal in sight. It felt like I finally figured out what I wanted in life. College was the target, and I was all in on becoming a better me. Then, maybe, just maybe, I'd ask him if we could be a thing.

Honestly, my starting point was pretty rough. But I was determined to get into college, so I hit the books hard. No time to wonder if I was smart enough or if studying was my thing. I just dove headfirst into those workbooks.

Every night, my brain was crammed with facts and figures. Jason? Barely had time to think about him.

At first, I'd head home once a week. But as application season loomed, Jason thought I was wasting too much time on the commute. So, he started coming out to the county to see me every week. Sometimes he'd bring Uncle Bear and the crew, other times he'd roll solo.

He always had some excuse, like he was in the area for other stuff and just dropped by. But I knew he came here especially for me.

Maybe he really did like me, but I was not saying it out loud.
During the week of the college entrance exam, Jason said he had some business in the county and would be sticking around for a week. But in fact, he just wanted to be close by and support me through the whole process.

In the call, he was kept saying like, "If you need anything, hit me up anytime.
"Don't stress about the exams. Once they're done, I'll take you hiking.
"If you need cash, just let me know, I'll wire it to you."

He was more on edge than I was, for sure. I was at school, and he was hanging out just outside the city. Knowing he was nearby really calmed my nerves.

The night after the exam, he showed up with a cake and balloons to celebrate our new rental place.

"Wow, this place looks amazing," I said, genuinely surprised. Jason, the tough guy, actually bought balloons for decoration?

"It was all Fatso and the gang. I told them not to go overboard."

"It looks awesome. I'm really happy."

"As long as you're happy," he said, pulling out a box from inside the house. "Congrats on finishing your college entrance exams."

"A gift? What is it?" I started to get excited.
"Open it and see for yourself."

"Oh." I carefully opened the box, and out popped a furry little thing with red eyes.

"It's a rabbit!" I exclaimed, totally surprised.

"A buddy's rabbit had babies, and he insisted I take one, so I brought it back."

"Really? It's so adorable."

"As long as you like it." He had this serious look on his face but then broke into a smile.

"I really like it!" I was so excited, I couldn't help myself and kissed Jason on the cheek.

"Rachel, you..."

"Thank you, uncle."

"You're a girl, can't you be a bit more reserved?"

"It's just a thank-you kiss, why are you making such a big deal out of it?" I said, holding the rabbit. "Always saying you won't accept gifts from others, but if it wasn't for you asking, how could they have given it to you?"

"Uncle, you're really funny, always saying one thing but meaning another. Right, little bunny?"

"Alright, that's it," Jason laughed helplessly.

"You said you would tell me after the college entrance exam, so now, what's your answer?" I looked at him seriously.

"When did you start having such a good memory?"
"Don't change the subject."

He stood up, poured himself a glass of beer, and took a moment to chill.

"So, do you regret it now and want to see my college entrance exam results before you say anything?"

"I don't care about your exam results. They don't matter to me."

"Then what do you mean?"

I mean, he changed houses, kept his friends in check, and even changed his habits... all for me, right? It has to be. I can hardly believe it.

"I thought that after a year, your childish ideas would have changed," he said.

My heart sank. He still thinks I'm childish?

"And then?"

"No 'and then'." He paused, downed the whole glass of beer, and tossed the glass aside. He came over, hugged me against the table, and lowered his head to kiss me.

"Uncle?"

My mind went blank.

"Don't call me that, it makes me sound like a criminal." His fingers tangled in my hair as he deepened the kiss.

Finally, he let go, holding me close and trying to calm down. But my heart was racing like crazy, about to burst out of my chest. My head felt dizzy as I stared blankly at him.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Still want more?"

"Mhmm." I nodded without thinking.

He muttered under his breath, "You little devil, I'll deal with you when you grow up."

He carried me to the bathroom, filled the tub with water, and let me wash up first.

"Good night."

"What about you?"

"Me?" He put his hands on his hips. "I'm going out for a walk to calm down a bit."

"Oh."

I felt like I understood something and dared not look at him. That night, I slept peacefully.

In my dream, there was a vast grassland, bathed in sunshine, and I watched little rabbits grazing. After a while, one of them darted off, and I ran after it. I chased it for a while, finally about to catch it, but another hand caught the little bunny. When I looked up, I saw Jason.

"Chasing rabbits, how interesting," he said as he placed the rabbit in my hands and then reached out to pull me.

So the two of us, along with the rabbit, strolled under the sunny sky until dawn.

When I woke up, the little bunny had somehow jumped onto my bed, its red eyes staring at me.
I happily rubbed its head, carried the bunny outside, and saw Jason in an apron cooking in the kitchen. After not seeing him for so long, it seemed like his culinary skills had leveled up.

"Uncle," I called out to him from behind.

He turned around, then suddenly furrowed his brows. "Where did that habit come from, not wearing shoes?"

He put down what he was holding, picked me up, and carried me to the sofa before letting me down. Then he took out slippers for me to wear.

"Go wash up first, we'll eat later."

"Can I have a kiss?" I clung to his neck.

"Let's eat," he replied coldly.

"After we eat, can I?" I asked again.

"Yes, yes, yes. Seriously, you've got me fed up," he said with annoyance.

He grumbled as he went back to the kitchen and found that the omelet had burnt, so he had to make another one.

After breakfast, I snuggled with him on the sofa for a while. But, after just a short while, he pushed me away again.

"Do you not like me? Why am I always the one taking the initiative?" I looked at him with a complaining expression.
"It's not that I don't like you," he sighed helplessly, "but the man you're in front of, he's 31 years old, hasn't touched a woman in two or three years, and he's ready to go at any time. Do you even understand?"

"Oh, I don't understand," I lied.

"Just keep pretending with me. Can you please stop teasing me so easily?" His gaze lowered slightly.

Following his gaze, I blushed and was so scared that I dared not speak. I quickly got up and slipped away.

At noon, he and I finally went out together to the car repair shop.

"Boss, you're acting weird today."

"Why?" Jason snorted.

"Why is there a pimple on your nose? Your desire seems to be strong lately."

"Boss, how about we introduce you to some girls to quench your sexual desire?"

"It's a mosquito bite, stop making things up," Jason's face turned dark.

I stood beside them and couldn't help but laugh.

As a result, he dragged me into the office to give me a scolding.

"Uncle, they're waiting outside," I reminded him.

"Why are you scared? The one who should be scared is you," he squeezed my chin. "Don't just laugh, tell me, when are you going to help quench your uncle's sexual desire?"
"Ah, I... my birthday is the day after tomorrow," I stuttered.

"You'll be 19 the day after tomorrow?" His smile lit up his face. "Alright, I'll wait patiently again."

"Can we go out now?"

"No, let's collect some interest first," he said, then lowered his head and kissed me.

Midway through the kiss—

"Boss, someone is looking for you!" Uncle Bear suddenly burst in.

I froze and tried to push him away, but I didn't have time. Jason's first reaction was to press my head against his chest, hiding my face, as a means of protection. I buried my head in his chest, almost forgetting to breathe, gripping onto his clothes nervously.

"Boss, Rachel, you guys..." Uncle Bear stammered in shock.

"Get out!" Jason growled softly.

"Okay." Uncle Bear quickly retreated, considerately closing the door behind him.

I was truly frightened, unable to recover for a while.

"It's all your fault, I told you not to be here."

"Anyway, it won't even take a minute for everyone to find out," he looked down and smiled at me, "Let's continue."

Continue? So, half an hour later, he finally pulled me out.