After finishing the conversation with Meng Zhiqing, Shen Xiying calmed down completely. After scrolling through a few low-fat recipe videos, she found it utterly boring.
A few more messages popped up in the family group chat.
Shen Xiying tapped in to take a look.
Shen Jieyu and Xu Wan’s messages were flooding the group like two little sparrows.
Chirping away.
All they were asking was when she’d come back to visit.
How could she forget her parents just because she got married?
Shen Xiying smiled helplessly, ran a hand through her hair, and sent a voice message: “I’ll come back tomorrow.”
[Shen Jieyu: Finally willing to send a message?]
[Shen Jieyu: I thought you’d gone and found yourself another dad, too busy to care about your real one.]
[Xu Wan: Watch your mouth.]
[Xu Wan: Xixi, is Shang Ruzhou coming back with you tomorrow?]
Xixi was her nickname.
Shen Xiying’s name came from a line in Jiao Shi Yi Lin, Volume Two: “Joy fills my house; all wishes shall be granted.”
Because of Shen Xiying’s arrival, the whole family became happier and more joyful.
Her birth was like a gift from heaven to Shen Jieyu and Xu Wan.
They both hoped Shen Xiying would have a smooth life, with every wish coming true.
So they chose the characters “Xi Ying” (Joy Abundant).
But it looked a bit rustic.
So they changed the character “Xi” (Joy) to “Xi” (Brook), naming her Xiying.
And her nickname became Xixi.
Shen Xiying looked at Xu Wan’s message, thought for two seconds, then replied: “I’m not sure either. He’s pretty busy. I’ll ask him in a bit.”
“If he can’t make it, I’ll go by myself.”
[Shen Jieyu: If he doesn’t want to come, then he doesn’t have to. Our Xixi is a super invincible precious treasure /heart /heart]
[Xu Wan: Your dad’s a bit cheesy with his words, but he’s not wrong.]
[Xu Wan: If he doesn’t come, then he doesn’t come. Xixi, don’t sell yourself short. If you’re not happy, come home. Mom and Dad are your backbone.]
Shen Xiying laughed and sent a voice message: “I know, I’ll ask him once he’s done with work.”
So Shen Xiying waited until her eyelids were about to droop shut before Shang Ruzhou finally walked out of the study and into the bedroom.
Shen Xiying raised a hand and rubbed her face. Once she was awake, she looked at him and asked, her voice a little slurred: “Shang Ruzhou, are you coming home with me tomorrow?”
Her tone was drowsy and fuzzy, her words not clearly enunciated. Shang Ruzhou didn’t catch it.
“What did you say?” Shang Ruzhou asked again.
“I said, are you busy tomorrow? Do you want to come home with me?”
Shen Xiying repeated herself.
“I’ll go with you.” Shang Ruzhou answered.
“Okay.” Shen Xiying nodded in satisfaction.
Then, feeling a bit cheerful, she hugged her phone and typed on it, muttering to herself: “That’s more like it. Not bad, not bad.”
Going home together, going home together.
Woohoo! Shen Xiying was thrilled.
The room was very quiet. Her voice wasn’t loud or soft, but it was especially clear.
It landed by his ears, crystal distinct.
Shang Ruzhou couldn’t help but glance sideways.
Shen Xiying was curled up in bed, her brows gently arched with a smile, her eyes bright as she tapped away at her phone, as if holding a rare treasure.
Shang Ruzhou looked for two seconds before looking away.
The corner of his mouth curved unconsciously.
Then he picked up his towel and walked into the bathroom.
The next day, Shen Xiying was woken up by her alarm.
After turning it off, she got out of bed at a leisurely pace.
After washing up, she walked out of the room.
Shang Ruzhou was sitting on the sofa, holding a tablet, his fingertip lightly swiping across the screen.
Probably reading emails.
Shen Xiying sent a message to Xu Wan and Shen Jieyu to let them know, then casually ate a few bites of breakfast.
On the way back to the Shen residence, Shang Ruzhou and Shen Xiying sat in the back seat.
A low-key black car was following behind them.
Shen Xiying glanced back a few times, and finally couldn’t help but ask: “Shang Ruzhou, is that car behind us yours too?”
Shang Ruzhou was frowning at his emails.
Hearing Shen Xiying’s words, he looked up, glanced back, and hummed in acknowledgment: “Mm.”
Shen Xiying was about to ask, but Shang Ruzhou, as if knowing what she wanted to ask, continued in a calm tone: “That’s where the gifts for your parents are.”
Shen Xiying was stunned for a moment, then asked: “When did you prepare those?”
“From last night, when you told me.”
Shang Ruzhou answered in a steady tone.
After speaking, he turned his attention back to the tablet in his hand.
Shen Xiying still hadn’t fully processed it. Her heart gave a sudden thump.
She blinked, her palms feeling a little tingly.
She carefully rubbed them with her fingers, wanting to say something, but in the end, she pressed her lips together.
And said nothing.
When they arrived at the Shen residence, Shen Jieyu and Xu Wan were already waiting outside.
The Shen estate was very large, and they had specially set aside a shaded area.
It was because Xu Wan couldn’t stand the heat.
As soon as Shen Xiying got out of the car, Xu Wan and Shen Jieyu stepped forward, holding her shoulders and looking her over from left to right.
Shen Jieyu looked at Shen Xiying seriously for a moment, then let out a sigh. “It’s only been three days, and you’ve already lost weight.”
Shen Xiying: “…”
Shen Xiying: “I haven’t lost weight.”
Xu Wan looked at Shen Xiying, gently touching her face, with a thousand questions she wanted to ask her.
It wasn’t until Shen Xiying said softly, “Mom, Dad, Shang Ruzhou is right behind me.”
“Oh, oh.” Shen Jieyu snapped back to attention and looked behind Shen Xiying.
Shang Ruzhou had already gotten out of the car.
People were already carrying things from the other car into the Shen residence.
Shen Jieyu watched for two seconds, then averted his gaze. A hint of a smile crept onto his face as he said amiably, “Young Shang, it’s enough that you came. There’s no need to be so polite.”
Shang Ruzhou smiled faintly and said in a calm tone, “Coming to see my father-in-law and mother-in-law, I naturally cannot be careless.”
“I heard that you enjoy drinking tea and occasionally go fishing, so I brought some tea leaves and a fishing rod. I hope you won’t mind.”
His words were polite and respectful.
Yet none of that could be felt from the aura surrounding him.
Perhaps due to his long-standing position of authority, the air about him was one of superiority, aloofness, indifference—even a hint of scrutiny.
This was the first time Shen Jieyu had been this close to Shang Ruzhou.
He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
No wonder Shang Ruzhou could take over the vast Shang Corporation at such a young age.
The presence Shang Ruzhou exuded was in no way inferior to anyone Shen Jieyu had ever met.
Even as these thoughts ran through his mind, Shen Jieyu’s expression remained completely unchanged.
Walking into the estate together with Shang Ruzhou, Xu Wan held Shen Xiying’s hand and followed behind.
The servants in the kitchen only began preparing the meal after the guests had arrived.
Shen Jieyu led Shang Ruzhou to the tea room to sit for a while.
Shen Xiying and Xu Wan sat on the sofa outside.
Having not seen Shen Xiying for several days, Xu Wan missed her terribly.
Now that she had hold of Shen Xiying’s hand, she was reluctant to let go.