Chuxia’s eyelashes trembled slightly, her expression calm and indifferent.
She said quietly, “After being loved by someone like your brother, I think it would be hard for anyone to truly let go.”
She once read online that in a lifetime, a person will fall in love twice—once with someone who dazzles their youth, and once with someone who warms their years. For her, both existed in Shen Siren.
He had both dazzled her youth and warmed her years. He was the first person to reach out and pull her out of the mud, which made it hard for Chuxia to tell whether what she felt for him was gratitude or love.
But she knew she cared about him very much.
Perhaps first love is always unforgettable.
That was also why, when Lou Fan once suggested she be a substitute for his “first love,” she agreed without hesitation.
Because she was confident enough, she didn’t mind being anyone’s shadow. Moreover, she understood that the joy of regaining something lost was incomparable.
If someone could let her experience even a trace of that first-love feeling again, it would be a blessing.
Thinking of this, Chuxia murmured, “We should all move forward, shouldn’t we?”
Hearing her words, Shen Fuyu froze slightly. When she saw the gentle smile on Chuxia’s lips, she tried to find even a hint of sadness in her eyes as proof that she still loved him—but found nothing.
She realized Chuxia had truly moved on.
Shen Fuyu suddenly felt a sting in her nose, not for anything else—but for her brother.
She hesitated and said, “Maybe… you should try holding on a little longer. About what happened back then…”
Before she could finish, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and nearly screamed internally.
What the hell—speak of the devil.
“Hello…” she answered nervously. A warm but distant voice came through: “Mom said she couldn’t reach you. She told me to ask where you are.”
“Oh… I… I came to visit someone in the hospital today… hehe…”
While speaking, she glanced at Chuxia and suddenly blurted, “Brother!”
Chuxia paused, looking at her.
Shen Fuyu seemed to make a decision and said into the phone, “Brother, come pick me up at the hospital.”
Chuxia’s heart skipped a beat.
The seconds waiting for a reply felt unusually long.
Then Shen Fuyu responded with an “oh” and hung up.
“My brother told me to take a taxi home,” she said, slightly disappointed. “Actually… you two should meet again.”
Chuxia lowered her eyes and shook her head. “Even if we meet, nothing will change.”
A month ago, she had learned Shen Siren was returning to Beijing. She even used Jiang Suizhou to attend a banquet just to see him again.
Two years later, across a sea of people, she saw him surrounded by admiration. He seemed more restrained and mature than before. He still habitually lowered his head when he couldn’t hear others clearly, and when speaking, he looked at people’s eyes to show respect.
At that time, Chuxia stared at his tall figure, emotions surging like waves. Even her fingers holding the wine glass trembled slightly.
Jiang Suizhou quickly noticed her reaction and leaned close, whispering, “Silly girl, take a good look—has the distance between you two shortened even a little?”
Chuxia knew the answer: two years ago she wasn’t qualified to stand beside him, and now she still wasn’t.
At that moment, the elegant man turned around. She was sure his gaze passed through the crowd and landed on her—but he quickly looked away.
If someone asked what hurts most after a breakup, Chuxia would say: it’s not hatred—it’s being ignored.
Later, she drank alone in a corner until she was drunk, telling herself this would be the last time he affected her emotions.
After that… she only vaguely remembered Jiang Suizhou helping her to a resting room.
Now, just thinking that he might be the child’s father gave her a headache.
She said goodbye to Shen Fuyu and asked her not to tell anyone about the pregnancy.
Shen Fuyu nodded seriously. “I know. You’re not supposed to tell anyone in the first three months—it might scare the baby away.”
Chuxia glanced at her strangely, not expecting such superstition, but didn’t bother correcting her.
Before leaving, Shen Fuyu suddenly declared, “I don’t like Sheng Jingshi, and I’m not interested in dating a man you’ve been with, so don’t misunderstand.”
Then she waved goodbye.
That evening, at the Shen residence.
In the large dining room, Shen Fuyu carefully observed everyone’s expressions.
Her father Shen Shenyuan drank a glass of Moutai. Only after he picked up his chopsticks did her mother Wu Yamei begin eating, followed by her and her brother.
Shen Siren sat quietly, expressionless, eating in silence.
The Shen family had strict dining rules, so no one spoke during the meal.
Only after dinner, when desserts and tea were served, could they talk.
“Brother, how did things go with that blind date?” Shen Fuyu asked eagerly.
Everyone looked at Shen Siren.
He calmly took a sip of tea and said, “Not suitable.”
Wu Yamei frowned immediately. “Wasn’t it fine last week? Her family said they were satisfied. What’s not suitable?”
“I am not satisfied,” Shen Siren replied flatly.
The atmosphere froze.
Wu Yamei’s face darkened. “Your taste has always been bad. The Lin family’s daughter is educated, elegant, Ivy League educated—much better than those improper women.”
Shen Siren narrowed his eyes. “Who are you calling improper?”
“You know exactly who!” she snapped. “Last month at that banquet—were you again involved with that woman?”
“Impossible back then, and impossible now. Give up that thought.”
The chair scraped loudly as Shen Siren stood.
His expression was tense, eyes sharp like needles.
Shen Fuyu froze in fear. She had never seen her brother like this—not even during his most emotionally restrained years in politics.
Ever since his breakup with Li Chuxia, he had become like a living dead man—no expression, no emotion, no tone—like a faded shell pushed forward by the tide with no ability to retreat.