Shang Luo’s excited words made Jiang Li and Shang Huizhou’s eyes meet in the air.
His gaze was so deep it felt like it could pull her in—too intense, too overpowering.
Jiang Li’s eyes trembled slightly, then she quickly looked away and avoided his direction.
Since the last time Shang Huizhou brought her duck soup at the theater building, they hadn’t really contacted each other for a while.
The handmade mooncake was pushed out from the kitchen.
Shang Luo happily ran toward the kitchen. “Jiang Jiang, Third Brother, come quickly! I’m going to get the knife!”
Old Master Shang quickly spoke up. “What knife are you talking about? Be careful not to hurt yourself.”
The chef had already brought out a long knife specially used for cutting mooncakes and carefully handed it to Shang Luo, reminding her to be careful.
Shang Luo took it steadily and called out again, “Jiang Jiang! Third Brother! Come on!”
Jiang Li thought it might be better if she didn’t cut the mooncake with Shang Huizhou.
She assumed he would refuse—but he stood up.
With one hand holding his wrist, he calmly undid his shirt cuff buttons. Then he rolled up his sleeves to his forearm with smooth, elegant movements.
With so many people watching, Jiang Li couldn’t embarrass him.
Old Master Shang looked in a good mood and smiled. “All the kids go over too. Let your Third Brother cut it for you.”
The children in the family were a little afraid of Shang Huizhou. But after Old Master Shang spoke, they slowly followed over. After all, they were just kids.
The youngest from the fourth branch ran over first, excitedly following behind Shang Huizhou and Jiang Li.
Shang Shiqing also walked over in high heels.
Shang Luo handed the knife to Jiang Li. “Jiang Jiang, Third Brother, I want fruit flavor and lotus seed paste—two small plates, don’t cut too much!”
“Okay,” Jiang Li replied gently.
Several children gathered around her, telling her what flavors they wanted.
Jiang Li put on disposable gloves and smiled warmly. “Okay, I’ll cut it for you all.”
Just as she was about to cut, Shang Huizhou’s tall figure suddenly leaned in from behind, pressing close to her back.
His left hand rested on the edge of the cart, while his other hand easily covered Jiang Li’s hand holding the knife, taking control of it completely.
Jiang Li stiffened.
Shang Huizhou’s low, slow voice sounded right by her ear.
“What flavor do you like? Lotus seed or fruit?”
Old Master Shang especially liked traditional-style mooncakes. The mooncake was huge, like a round tray, enough for the whole family.
The chef’s decades of skill made it like a “taste wheel,” with more than ten flavors inside. Each one was soft, sweet, and not greasy.
Shang Huizhou’s clean scent lingered near Jiang Li’s cheek. Her breathing tightened slightly.
“I’m fine with anything,” she said softly. Those were the flavors she used to like.
Without responding, Shang Huizhou directly made a horizontal cut.
The two flavors Jiang Li liked were placed together on the same small plate.
Shang Luo widened her eyes in protest. “Third Brother, you broke the rules! If you start like this, I want to mix two flavors too!”
In the past, Old Master Shang had strict rules—no mixing flavors, or it would ruin the taste.
Jiang Li didn’t expect Shang Huizhou to be so casual and just cut it like that.
But he didn’t continue cutting and simply stepped back.
Old Master Shang smiled kindly. “It’s fine. The kids can eat however they like.”
Shang Luo complained, “Grandpa, you’re breaking your own rules too!”
“……”
Jiang Li smiled and said softly, “I’ll cut yours for you.”
“Thank you, Third Sister-in-law!” Shang Luo said happily.
“……”
That title made Jiang Li slightly awkward. She had indirectly acknowledged her relationship with Shang Huizhou earlier in front of the elders, so she could only accept it.
Old Master Shang had always believed in strict order and rules, but after Shang Huizhou’s cut, the mooncake became mixed-flavor this year.
The children were very happy and freely chose their combinations.
After finishing cutting for everyone, Jiang Li turned and asked casually, “Do you want some too?”
“I still have things to do,” Shang Huizhou said.
He removed his gloves and turned to walk upstairs.
Shang Luo watched his back and muttered, “What is he doing? He’s already back home and even cut mooncakes with Jiang Jiang—can’t he at least eat before going upstairs?”
Old Master Shang gave her a look, and she pouted but said nothing more.
Jiang Li looked toward the staircase.
Shang Huizhou stood tall, his back straight and strong.
For a moment, she didn’t know if it was her imagination—but in that lively house full of family, he seemed strangely alone.
She suddenly thought of Madam Yang’s words: “Even his own mother didn’t want him.”
Her eyes tightened slightly.
She looked down at the mooncake he had cut for her—two flavors placed together—and couldn’t quite describe what she felt.
Old Master Shang noticed the subtle change in atmosphere and calmly said, “Alright, everyone, go eat mooncakes.”
That Mid-Autumn night, the moon was beautiful.
People often said the 15th moon isn’t as full or bright as the 16th, but Jiang Li preferred its soft, hazy glow.
She raised her phone and took a photo—it was beautiful.
Old Master Shang still kept old traditions. The whole family sat in the courtyard eating mooncakes and chatting, while the children ran around the artificial lake laughing and chasing each other.
The night was lively and warm.
The adults were chatting about old times, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. Old Master Shang was influenced by it, and his gloomy mood eased a lot.
Shang Luo was video calling her classmates. Jiang Li held a small palm fan and helped her cool down, occasionally feeding her a small piece of soft mooncake.
They were sitting on a small terrace by the artificial lake. Jiang Li and Shang Huizhou’s rooms faced the lake directly, so when she turned her head, she could clearly see the balcony of his room.
But his room was completely dark.
She felt a little distracted.
Near midnight, the Shang family elders gradually left the old residence one by one.
Shang Luo was half-asleep and went back to her room to rest.
The once lively house became quiet again, leaving only Old Master Shang and Old Zhang drinking tea in the living room.
After seeing Shang Luo upstairs, Jiang Li went over to greet Old Master Shang.
“Grandpa Shang, happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“Happy, happy, everyone’s happy,” the old man said kindly, waving her over. “Come, Jiang Jiang, sit with Grandpa for a while.”
Jiang Li sat beside him. Old Zhang poured her a cup of warm tea.
After thanking him, Jiang Li lowered her eyes and sipped the tea.
Old Master Shang played with a tea pet while speaking.
“Don’t take what those ignorant elders said earlier to heart. It was just a scene. I know exactly what kind of person Huizhou is—he’s not cold-hearted. His father is the one who’s not a good man. Huizhou’s character is fine. He might just be a bit… stubborn in some ways. But he is definitely not a heartless person.”
“I know, Grandpa Shang,” Jiang Li replied softly. She had known him for three years—she understood his character.
The Old Master sighed.
“Jiang Jiang,” he said slowly, then paused. Finally, he only asked, “I heard from Xiao Ke that your next stop is Yanhe City. When are you leaving?”
Xiao Ke was their team leader. Hearing such a formal leader being called “Xiao Ke” made Jiang Li feel a little unaccustomed.
“The training starts next month. I still have about twenty days off. After things here are finished, I’ll return to Diannan for a while,” she answered honestly.
Old Master Shang nodded and didn’t say more. Instead, he mentioned her performance.
“The Yanhe performance this time is historically important. Only the most representative dancers can join. I heard you’re leading your group’s dance. Our Jiang Jiang is really amazing.”
“It’s also thanks to Grandpa Shang,” Jiang Li said with a smile. “All my awards have a big part of your credit.”
She had started learning dance at three and a half. Her first teacher was introduced by Old Master Shang, which allowed her to study under top mentors.
The Old Master chuckled affectionately.
“You’re just flattering this old man. Do you think I don’t know? All your teachers have praised your talent in front of me.”
He then added seriously, “This performance is important, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Stay calm, and ask your seniors in the troupe if you have questions.”
Jiang Li nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Grandpa Shang.”
“You should go rest early. You’ve been busy all day.”
“Alright. Grandpa Shang, you should rest early too.”
After Jiang Li left, Old Zhang poured another cup of tea and said quietly, “Old Master, earlier when Miss Jiang defended Huizhou, I could tell she’s not completely indifferent to him. They even looked quite well-matched cutting the mooncake together. You should bring it up again—maybe things between them could work out.”
Old Master Shang glanced at him twice.
“You don’t understand.”
“???”
Old Zhang was confused. He really didn’t understand—but the Old Master looked so mysterious, as if he knew everything.
Jiang Li went upstairs. After staying in her room for a while, she walked to the balcony.
Out of the corner of her eye, she looked toward Shang Huizhou’s room.
It was completely dark.
Without thinking much, she walked over.
His sliding door wasn’t locked. She pushed it open and stepped inside.
Just as she expected—he wasn’t in the room.
Jiang Li didn’t stay long and turned to leave.
But as she turned around, Shang Huizhou was suddenly standing right behind her.
She was startled and took a step back, bumping her leg against a coffee table behind her.
She froze in place, like someone caught doing something wrong—awkward and embarrassed.
They stood face to face, very close.
He had been drinking. There was a faint smell of red wine on him.
Earlier at the mooncake cutting, he had only had his usual light woody scent. So he must have had a drink after coming upstairs.
Jiang Li awkwardly explained, “You were in your room… I thought you weren’t, so I came in. Sorry.”
But even as she said it, she felt it didn’t sound right.
The room was dark, so she couldn’t see him clearly, but she could feel his deep gaze on her.
The distance between them was too close, making her uncomfortable.
Softly, she said, “Grandpa Shang saved some mooncakes for you. Do you want some?”
There was no response.
Jiang Li bit her lip. “I’ll go get them for you.”
She moved past him and accidentally kicked something—looking down, she saw a black suitcase and a laptop bag.
“Are you going on a business trip?” she asked uncertainly.
“Yes,” he replied.
So it was true.
Earlier Su Tinglan had said he might be traveling—but now he really was leaving.
Jiang Li coughed lightly. “It’s the night of reunion.”
Shang Huizhou looked at her. A faint light appeared in his dark eyes.
“You feel sorry for me?”
“You’re overthinking it,” Jiang Li quickly tried to explain.
How could she possibly feel sorry for him!
Shang Huizhou’s steady voice carried a hint of amusement. “Jiang Jiang, I’m not pitiful at all.” His voice was lower and slightly hoarse, likely because of the alcohol—somewhat sexy, very pleasant to hear.
Jiang Li looked up at him. His eyes carried a faint glow.
Shang Huizhou continued, “I was originally supposed to go on this business trip a few days ago, but something delayed it. It’s not that I don’t spend holidays at home. In the past, I didn’t come back mainly because it was boring, or I was truly busy.”
“Oh,” Jiang Li responded softly.
Why was he explaining so much to her? It’s not like she wanted to hear it.
Then she suddenly remembered what she had said in the living room earlier with Madam Yang. A trace of embarrassment flashed across her clear eyes.
“I was just talking nonsense earlier in the living room. Don’t misunderstand.”
At that time, she had gotten angry after hearing Madam Yang speak badly about him and had blurted things out without thinking.
Shang Huizhou looked at her with deep, smiling eyes. “Which part?”
“???”
So… he didn’t actually hear what she said to his second aunt?
Good.
Jiang Li quietly sighed in relief.
“Nothing,” she quickly said.
Just as she relaxed, Shang Huizhou suddenly chuckled.
He stepped forward again, closing the distance between them. Then he slightly bent down, his voice calm and warm.
“Oh? So what kind of person does Jiang Jiang think I am?”
He was suddenly so close that if she lifted her head, she would almost touch his chin.
Jiang Li felt extremely uncomfortable and didn’t dare look up at all.
Annoyed, she pushed him lightly—but it was useless. His tall body didn’t move at all.
Frustrated, she blurted out, “How would I know! Proud, annoying, always bullying people, and sometimes sharp-tongued! Anyway, not a good person!”
Shang Huizhou looked at her angry, flushed face and quietly laughed.
The low sound seemed to fill the entire room, and strangely, it landed right in her heart.
His voice was calm but smiling. “Not even one good point?”
“None!” Jiang Li snapped, even more annoyed.
She was so irritated that she bent down and slipped out from under his arm, striding toward the door.
But before she could take more than two steps, a strong hand easily grabbed her slender arm.
“Alright, alright. Don’t be mad. I have something for you.”
There was still a faint smile in his eyes, glowing softly under the moonlight.
It was so bright it made Jiang Li momentarily lose focus.
Shang Huizhou turned on the room light.
After being in the dark for a while, Jiang Li squinted and turned her face away to adjust to the brightness.
She wondered what he wanted to give her.
He then handed her a wooden box.
She took it in confusion.
He tilted his chin slightly, signaling her to open it.
Jiang Li slowly opened the box.
Inside was a small four-inch photo frame.
In the frame was a photo of two people together.
It was a casual life photo of her father and his uncle. His uncle had his arm around her father’s shoulder, smiling brightly, while her father looked serious and composed at the camera.
They looked young then—full of energy and confidence.