Jiang Li looked up at him. “What?” Why would she suddenly move to his place?
Seeing the surprise on her delicate face, Shang Huaizhou cleared his throat lightly, covering his lips with his fist. “That apartment of mine is right across from your troupe, about ten minutes away, and it’s very quiet.” More importantly, it was very spacious—after some renovation, he could even make a large dance studio for her, where she could practice freely. It was also by the river, with a nice view.
Before Jiang Li could respond, Shang Huaizhou’s cool eyes shifted slightly, and he added with a hint of awkwardness, “Of course, it’s just a suggestion.”
The property was from Shen Zhe’s development. Back then, he had kept that unit because it was surrounded by the river on three sides.
Jiang Li knew that the buildings across from the troupe were part of a famous luxury residential area in the city. Even though they were large flats, the prices were higher than many villas.
She shook her head. “Better not. The performance is coming soon, and it’s more convenient to stay at the troupe for training.” Besides, she hadn’t planned to move out—and even if she did, she wouldn’t choose somewhere that expensive.
Shang Huaizhou didn’t continue the topic. He simply said, “Let’s eat first.”
“Alright.” Looks like she couldn’t avoid dinner. She just hoped he wouldn’t take her to a heavy, full-course restaurant.
As they walked out, some people from the troupe greeted her. “Good evening, Teacher Jiang!”
A female colleague glanced between her and Shang Huaizhou with a teasing smile. “Wow, Teacher Jiang, going on a date with your boyfriend?”
How did they get that idea?
“No—it’s not, he’s—” Jiang Li tried to explain but didn’t know how to describe Shang Huaizhou.
Their colleagues’ eyes shifted to their intertwined hands, and they laughed knowingly. “No need to explain. We understand.”
“…”
Only then did Jiang Li realize Shang Huaizhou was still holding her wrist. She tried to pull away, but his grip was strong and showed no sign of loosening.
She felt that he was really acting strange tonight and shot him a resentful look.
As if he didn’t notice, Shang Huaizhou simply nodded to the others in greeting. Amid their soft teasing laughter, he led Jiang Li toward the passenger seat.
Jiang Li sighed. “They just like to joke around. Don’t mind them.”
Shang Huaizhou didn’t answer. A faint smile curved his lips as he opened the car door. “Get in first.”
The restaurant Shang Huaizhou took her to had a nice atmosphere—a refined Western restaurant with a violinist playing live music.
After ordering, Jiang Li focused on the music.
She sighed softly. “I haven’t heard Teacher Zate’s ‘Vina Wonderland’ in years.”
She seemed in a good mood. “I actually have a rare original copy of this piece. Teacher Zate gave it to me.” It was from when she went abroad for a dance competition in high school. She had gotten along well with the famous composer, and over several competitions, they became close friends despite the age difference.
Jiang Li said proudly, “There’s even a part he specially modified for me—it’s only in my personal version.” Just as the violinist reached a high note, Jiang Li couldn’t hide her excitement. “Right here!”
Shang Huaizhou looked at her.
Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table in rhythm, and her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars.
He tried to listen carefully for a while—but didn’t really understand it.
He only knew that, the way she explained it, her voice sounded very pleasant.
He curved his lips slightly and said nothing.
Soon, the dishes began to arrive. The foie gras Jiang Li ordered came first.
Shang Huaizhou cut it for her and pushed the plate toward her.
“Thank you,” Jiang Li said softly.
Although he could be a bit proud and aloof, he was undeniably a gentleman.
Jiang Li took a small bite of the foie gras. “I wonder if that ‘Ma Ji Soup Pot’ near our school is still open?” She remembered the owners—a kind elderly couple who always treated everyone with warm smiles.
“Mm. It’s still open.” Shang Huaizhou cut a small piece of steak and put it into his mouth, chewing slowly.
“Their soup is really amazing.” Even after so many years, she still remembered it clearly. “The crystal duck soup is the one I remember the most.” She liked their place a lot. Later, after she got familiar with the auntie there, even without asking, the auntie would add extra mushroom slices for her.
After the performance, she must go eat there properly.
Otherwise, once they enter semi-closed training again, she won’t have the chance.
While elegantly cutting his steak, Shang Huaizhou replied, “The elderly couple has retired. Their son runs the shop now, but the taste is still the same.”
When he looked up, he saw Jiang Li watching him, her gentle eyes still holding a trace of surprise.
He stopped cutting his steak and looked at her. “Why are you staring at me instead of eating?”
Jiang Li shook her head and popped half a cherry tomato into her mouth. “I just didn’t expect you to know so much.” She remembered he only went there occasionally before—and usually because she dragged him along.
Shang Huaizhou frowned. “Your memory is really bad. My game company is just one street away from there.”
“Your game company is still open?” Didn’t he say small game companies only make money for a few years, and after that it’s not worth the time or effort? Why didn’t he shut it down?
“Mm. I don’t manage it much anymore. Shen Zhe is running it for fun.”
“Oh.” Jiang Li dragged out the sound.
Shang Huaizhou pushed a plate of cut fruit toward her. “Eat some more fruit.”
Jiang Li realized that he really liked making people eat. He was like this when she lived at his house before, and even now, after so many years, he hadn’t changed.
But at least he didn’t force her to eat meat. Fruit was fine.
They had a pleasant dinner, and afterward, Shang Huaizhou drove her back to the troupe.
He didn’t bring up anything important, just took her out for a meal. Thankfully, he didn’t choose a heavy restaurant.
As she got out of the car, he reminded her, “Jiang Li, take your things.”
Shang Huaizhou stepped out of the driver’s seat, opened the back door, bent down, and took a luxury shopping bag, casually putting the handbags inside one by one.
Seeing how carelessly he handled them, Jiang Li felt heartache and quickly said, “Be careful! You’ll damage them.” These bags were so expensive, yet he handled them like groceries.
His hands paused slightly, then he gestured with the bag for her to do it herself.
Jiang Li didn’t hold back—she really cared about the bags.
She carefully placed each one back into its box, just like before.
Shang Huaizhou stood nearby, watching her handle each bag so carefully. A faint smile passed through his usually cold eyes.
Jiang Li happened to glance back and caught him smiling. She frowned. “What are you smiling at?”
He quickly straightened his expression. “Seems I was right—girls really do like bags.”
“They’re so expensive. Of course I like them.” Half a year of her antique shop’s income would probably go into this. It hurt to think about.
Shang Huaizhou chuckled softly.
What’s so funny?
Jiang Li glanced at him again.
After putting everything into the shopping bags, she weighed them in her hand. “Thank you, President Shang, for the meal. And please thank Grandpa Shang for the bags.”
Shang Huaizhou frowned slightly. “I brought the bags back for you. Why aren’t you thanking me?”
Alright.
Still so proud and stubborn.
Jiang Li smiled lightly. “Oh, thank you, President Shang, for specially bringing them to me.”
He seemed barely satisfied and nodded. “Mm. Go in.”
Jiang Li stood there and watched his car slowly drive away before turning back to her apartment.
After taking a shower, the first thing she did was take out all the bags again and start unboxing them.
Halfway through, someone knocked on the door.
“Come in,” she said gently.
Wen Fan walked in and was stunned by the sight—several luxury bags on the table.
Jiang Li sat cross-legged on the floor, still opening them.
Wen Fan walked over and bent down to look. “Teacher Jiang, your spending power is insane. So many bags, and all hard-to-get styles. Where did you even get them? Introduce me.”
“There’s no way I could get so many. I didn’t buy them myself.” She would eventually have to pay, but she didn’t get them on her own.
Without thinking, Wen Fan asked, “President Shang gave them to you?”
“Something like that.” Although it was supposedly Grandpa Shang’s idea, as Shang Huaizhou said, he was the one who brought them.
Wen Fan sat on the sofa and smiled. “I knew it.”
Jiang Li turned to look at her. “Knew what?”
Wen Fan shrugged. “That your relationship isn’t that simple.”
“What’s not simple about it?” If she knew the bags weren’t really from him, she wouldn’t think that way.
Wen Fan raised an eyebrow. “What kind of look is that?”
“No special look. You’re overthinking it.” Jiang Li already understood what she meant.
“Really?” Wen Fan smiled. “Then if I say President Shang is chasing you, you wouldn’t believe it, right?”
Jiang Li suddenly froze mid-unboxing.
Of course not.
Not just disbelief—she completely didn’t believe it.
They had lived under the same roof for three years. How could she not know him?
Someone like Shang Huaizhou, who pursued perfection, would probably choose a future wife who matched him in every way.
Wen Fan smiled lightly. “Why so surprised? You’re so beautiful, and your dancing is amazing. You’re graceful and charming—who wouldn’t like you? So many people are already fascinated by you. Not just people in the troupe—even several leaders have asked about you for their relatives.”
“President Shang is still a man. And he’s the man closest to you, the one who has spent the most time with you. Isn’t it normal for him to like you and want to pursue you?”
Jiang Li sighed. “That’s because you don’t really know Shang Huaizhou. You haven’t seen how he used to bully me.” He was often cold toward her, like she owed him something. Only recently had his attitude improved a tiny bit.
Wen Fan didn’t respond. She suddenly remembered something from two or three years ago. Back then, she hadn’t divorced her ex-husband yet and had attended a banquet with him.
Shang Huaizhou was there too. Her ex-husband brought her over to greet him.
An older businessman cautiously asked Shang Huaizhou about his love life—whether he had someone he liked.
At that time, Shang Huaizhou lightly rubbed the rim of his wine glass with his fingers for a moment, then looked up and said calmly, “Yes.”
The man smiled and asked, “Which family is she from?”
A hint of softness passed through Shang Huaizhou’s cold eyes. He only said, “She’s still in college. When she graduates, we’ll get married.”
Wen Fan snapped back to the present after Jiang Li finished unboxing the last bag. She said, “Jiang Jiang, let’s suppose something. If President Shang really is chasing you, what would you do?”
Jiang Li immediately rejected the idea. “Impossible. That assumption doesn’t even make sense.”
Wen Fan smiled patiently. “Don’t dismiss it so quickly. Just suppose. You don’t have any feelings for him at all?”
The question made Jiang Li’s heart tremble.
She thought back to the years she lived with the Shang family as a child. It seemed she really had liked him a little back then.
But after growing up, those feelings had long disappeared.
Then she suddenly remembered something from half a month ago, at the Shang house. Shang Huaizhou had suddenly leaned close and asked her, “Do you really have to like gentle men?”
At that moment, they had been so close their breaths almost mixed. His voice had been low and intense.
Jiang Li’s breathing tightened, and her heart skipped a beat.
For no reason, she suddenly felt guilty. “Of course not—no, I mean, no!”
“Alright.” Wen Fan didn’t push further. She handed her a document. “Here, the props materials list. Check what’s still missing. There are also a few scene design drafts—confirm those too.”
Jiang Li nodded absentmindedly. “Okay, I’ll check and give it back to you later.”
“No rush. Just bring it to me tomorrow morning. I’m going to sleep. You should rest early too.”
“Okay, good night.”
After Wen Fan left, Jiang Li admired all the bags again, then carefully put each one back exactly as it was.
They looked untouched.
She organized all the bags neatly.
Then her phone rang. It was Shang Huaizhou.
Jiang Li felt puzzled—why was he calling at this hour?
She picked up. “Have you gotten home?”
“No.”
It had been over an hour. Why wasn’t he home yet?
Was there still traffic at this time?
While she was wondering, his deep voice came through the phone. “Jiang Jiang, I didn’t tell you earlier. The old master hasn’t been feeling well.”
Jiang Li’s heart tightened with worry. “What happened to Grandpa Shang? Did a doctor check on him?” Grandpa Shang wasn’t as physically strong as her own grandfather, who had a military background. After everything that had happened in her family, even her grandfather’s health had declined with age.
And her grandmother even more so…
Thinking of them, a faint sadness appeared in Jiang Li’s gentle eyes.
Shang Huaizhou sensed the change in her mood and felt a bit guilty. “Don’t worry. The doctor already checked. It’s nothing serious—just a mild fever and cold. And… he misses you.” He added, “He wants you to come see him.”
Jiang Li instantly relaxed. “You should’ve said that earlier.” Grandpa Shang had always been kind to her—of course she should go visit.
“We spent hours together and you didn’t mention it at all.”
“He’s old and treats you so well. You should care more about him.” Jiang Li had long wanted to say this—she didn’t like how distant Shang Huaizhou could be.
“What’s wrong with showing more concern for your family? Don’t wait until it’s too late and regret it.” Even though she knew he wasn’t truly cold toward his family, she still couldn’t help lecturing him a little.
Shang Huaizhou didn’t say anything. He quietly listened to her scolding the whole time, unusually obedient.
“I’ll take a taxi over in a bit,” Jiang Li said. It was still early enough.
He cleared his throat lightly. “I’m already downstairs. More precisely… right under your window.”
“???” Jiang Li stood up and went to the window, pulling the curtain aside slightly.
He really was downstairs.
“You came back?” That was the only explanation for why he hadn’t gone home yet.
He answered a little awkwardly, “Mm.”
“Wait for me. I’ll change and come down.”
“Okay. Bring some personal items.”
Jiang Li nodded. “Alright.”
She packed quickly and came downstairs in about ten minutes.
Holding a small suitcase, she walked up to him. “Grandpa Shang is really okay, right?” She was still worried.
“He’s fine.”
Jiang Li sighed. “He still needs to be more careful.”
“Mm.” Shang Huaizhou reached out to take her suitcase.
Their hands brushed lightly.
Jiang Li pulled her hand back as if shocked, hiding it behind her back, her eyes drifting away.