Jiang Li returned to Beijing with nothing much to do. Several important matters had already been settled before she went to Xichuan.
The following meetings only had some minor details left, and Wen Fan briefly explained them to her.
After finishing work-related matters, Wen Fan chatted casually with Jiang Li about personal things. “Is the elder okay?”
Jiang Li said, “He’s alright. An old leg injury flared up again, and he also accidentally twisted it.”
Wen Fan teased, “I guess I asked a pointless question. Looking at how good your complexion is, the old man must be fine. By the way, after your trip to Xichuan, you seem a bit different. Did something good happen?”
Jiang Li touched her face. “What good thing? Nothing at all!”
Wen Fan nodded. “Definitely something.”
They chatted a bit more, then Wen Fan left because he still had work to handle.
Jiang Li was finally on full break. The troupe had announced a one-month holiday, which felt like a luxury for people who hadn’t rested for over half a year.
In Beijing, Jiang Li didn’t have much to do. She sat by the window studying folk stories along the river.
The plants by the window had been neatly trimmed by workers, and with plenty of sunlight, the room was bright and perfect for reading.
After reading for the afternoon, she gained some inspiration for choreography and practiced dance for another two hours.
In the evening, Shang Huizhou’s video call came in while she was curled up in a hanging chair reading.
Thinking about their current relationship, Jiang Li suddenly felt a little uneasy.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
Shang Huizhou looked at her through the screen and smiled faintly. “Do I need a reason to video call my fiancée?”
Fiancée—
Jiang Li still wasn’t used to those three words.
Shang Huizhou asked, “What are you doing?”
Jiang Li lifted the book in her hand to show him.
He glanced at the title: Folk Stories. “Preparing for the Yanhe performance?”
She nodded. “Mm.”
“After your break ends, will you go straight to Yanhe?”
Jiang Li rubbed her shoulder. “Not necessarily. Most of the early period will still be rehearsals in Beijing. We’ll go to Yanhe about a month before the performance to adapt to the stage environment.”
That was good. It meant they could still spend some time together.
Shang Huizhou could tell she was bored. “If you’re really bored, you can go see Grandpa. He’s bored at home.”
Jiang Li felt a bit embarrassed about seeing Shang Huizhou’s grandfather. She had firmly insisted before that nothing between her and Shang Huizhou was possible.
And now, in such a short time, they were actually engaged—it felt awkward.
Shang Huizhou was in a good mood, the corners of his lips slightly raised. His voice was gentle. “I can finish work within a week. Is there anything you want to buy?”
Why? Was he going to buy her things again?
Even though they were engaged now, their relationship still felt strange. Asking him to buy things didn’t feel quite right, so Jiang Li shook her head. “No.”
Shang Huizhou sighed softly. “What a pity. The partner I’m dealing with has two items—both are at least two hundred years old.”
So old?
She rarely came across antiques of that age recently.
Jiang Li straightened slightly, her gentle eyes suddenly bright.
Shang Huizhou noticed her reaction and smiled quietly. He lowered his head and typed on his phone. “Check your messages. I sent them.”
Jiang Li quickly picked up her tablet. The photos he sent showed an ancient porcelain vase with a vivid mountain-and-bird scene painted on it, and a jade coral sculpture about thirty centimeters tall.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
None of her subtle reactions escaped Shang Huizhou’s notice. He already knew—Jiang Li didn’t have many hobbies, but she loved collecting antiques and interesting little objects.
He smiled slightly. “So? Still don’t want them?”
“That—” Jiang Li was clearly tempted. “Did your partner say how much they want for it?”
That vase alone was easily worth a six-figure price.
Shang Huizhou curved his lips. “The price is reasonable.”
“How much?” she asked, a little worried. She hadn’t made much profit recently and had spent quite a bit, so money was a bit tight.
Shang Huizhou said calmly, “I won’t let you lose out.”
Hearing that, Jiang Li felt more relieved. Shang Huizhou knew antiques and was a shrewd businessman—he would handle pricing better than she could.
“Are you keeping them for me?” Shang Huizhou asked again.
“Thank you. I’ll pay you later.” It might take a while though; she probably didn’t even have three million in cash right now.
“Do you still have the shared bank card?” he asked instead.
Only then did Jiang Li remember.
Yes, there was such a card. She used it often back then.
She was cautious with investments—she would cash out small profits quickly, and withdraw immediately if the market showed any instability.
Because she was too troublesome, Shang Huizhou had simply left the card with her.
The money from his gaming company earnings was also in that account, and she had been managing it.
Later, she left in a hurry and might have forgotten to return it.
Shang Huizhou raised an eyebrow. “Did you lose it?”
“I don’t think so. It might be in my card bag in Diannan. I’ll find it and return it to you when I go back.”
He didn’t respond.
He seemed to be working outside and still had matters to deal with.
Jiang Li had just finished dancing and was sweaty and uncomfortable. She needed a shower. “Let’s end it here. I’m going to shower.”
“Mm. Okay,” he said.
They were about to hang up, but still chatted a little more before ending the call.
Shang Huizhou held his teacup in one hand, his fingers slowly rubbing along the rim.
Du He walked in.
Shang Huizhou said calmly, “Du He, tell President Wang that if it’s convenient, we can proceed with further discussion.”
They’re deciding already?
Wasn’t he just saying earlier that the factory was too small to handle their order?
And the man had just left—yet the decision changed already?
Seeing Du He still standing there, Shang Huizhou asked lightly, “Any objections?”
Du He gave an awkward smile. He didn’t dare. He was just a little confused.
Shang Huizhou was in a very good mood. “President Qian’s two items are quite good.”
Just because of that?
He didn’t seem that interested in those two items earlier.
Du He was a bit confused.
Shang Huizhou asked him, “When are you and your girlfriend getting married?”
Du He was even more confused. How did the topic suddenly shift from work to his personal life?
But he still answered honestly—since this was his boss after all. “Probably the second half of next year. Our new house is still being renovated. Both families suggested getting married in the old house first, then moving after the new house is ready. The old place is quite run-down, and she’s been with me for so many years. I don’t want her to suffer, so we decided to wait until everything is ready.”
“Oh,” Shang Huizhou said calmly after taking a sip of tea, a faint smile on his cold face. “Then I might be getting married before you.”
Ah?!
So the boss had already won over Miss Jiang that quickly?
A while ago he was still saying his boss didn’t know how to chase girls, and now he’s already talking about marriage—impressive!
Du He quickly congratulated him. “Boss, congratulations!”
Shang Huizhou slightly curled his lips. “Thank you. I’ll definitely have you as my best man.”
“……”
So all that just now was basically the boss showing off that he and Miss Jiang were together.
President Qian hadn’t gone far yet. Du He called him, and they met in the teahouse lobby.
Du He specifically mentioned the two antiques.
It turned out President Qian had accidentally learned that Shang Huizhou was knowledgeable in antiques, so he brought an antique vase and a jade coral piece he had acquired years ago as a gift.
But Shang Huizhou hadn’t been interested in antiques at all.
So why did he suddenly change his mind?
President Qian couldn’t help asking, “Assistant Du, may I ask… why did Mr. Shang suddenly change his decision?”
Du He smiled lightly and said, “Our future boss lady likes those two items.”
President Qian looked down at the carefully packaged boxes in his hands and suddenly realized a huge business opportunity.
Du He understood what he was thinking and gave him a reminder. “Mr. Shang is very strict about quality and deadlines. Your factory still doesn’t meet our order requirements. You need to put more effort in. We require both quality and timely delivery.”
He knew Shang Huizhou well. Even though he seemed uninterested when the antiques were first presented, and only later agreed to continue discussions, it was actually a way to pressure the supplier into working harder.
“I understand, I understand,” President Qian quickly agreed.
He didn’t expect this deal to actually go through—it felt like a turning point. As a businessman, he naturally understood what Du He meant. What mattered most was doing the job well. But he couldn’t help being curious about this “future wife” of Mr. Shang.
To make a man like Shang Huizhou—who always prioritized profit—change his mind, it was clear that person held a very important place in his heart.
The next morning, while Jiang Li was practicing dance, she received a call from her shop staff. Someone was causing trouble in the store, smashing items, acting violently, and even scratching the shop manager.
Jiang Li immediately booked a flight back to Diannan.
After landing, she saw messages from her staff: the manager and the troublemaker had already been taken to the police station. Jiang Li went straight there.
As she entered the office building, she could already hear a woman crying loudly from a distance.
From the police report, she learned the situation: the woman’s husband had cheated while she was pregnant. She had just given birth and was still breastfeeding, so her emotions were unstable.
She had gone on a solo trip.
She first visited a clothing shop, but due to her figure after childbirth, the staff said there was no suitable size. She tried on a larger size, but it still didn’t suit her. She saw the staff whispering and pointing at her, which made her feel insulted. She argued with them.
Then she entered Jiang Li’s antique shop. She picked up an item, and the shop manager politely approached to assist her. But the woman thought he was mocking her as well—thinking she was ugly, poor, and undeserving of touching the items.
In a fit of rage, she smashed several display pieces and even slapped and scratched the manager.
Jiang Li checked the surveillance footage. The woman had been emotionally unstable from the start. The shop manager, a middle-aged man, had done nothing improper and had been very respectful throughout.
The police had already educated her, and she admitted fault and agreed to compensate according to the actual value.
Hearing the woman’s quiet sobbing, Jiang Li felt uneasy.
She asked the staff, “Is the manager alright?”
“Just minor injuries. He’s in the office giving a statement. Luckily, a kind lawyer helped mediate, or we don’t know what would’ve happened. She was completely out of control at the time—no one dared to approach her.”
Jiang Li didn’t say much and turned to the restorer. “Can the items be repaired?”
Fortunately, only one antique item was truly historical; the rest were modern crafts. Otherwise, it would have been much more serious.
“Probably yes, but the value will be affected due to the damage,” the restorer said regretfully. As an antique lover, he felt it was a pity.
Jiang Li then crouched in front of the woman and handed her a wet tissue.
“Madam, I’m the owner of ‘Yage Zhai’. We will repair the damaged antique as soon as possible and send it to you after restoration. The other items are modern crafts and not valuable;
we will remanufacture them and ensure they are flawless before sending them to you. I will also gift you a Statue of Liberty replica. Although it is not valuable, it carries a good meaning. Please love yourself properly. Don’t use extreme methods to vent your emotions—it harms both others and yourself, and it’s not worth it.”
The woman had already calmed down. She slowly looked up from her knees, tears still on her face, and repeatedly apologized.
After briefly communicating with the woman, Jiang Li went to the police office to sign the documents and close the case.
The lawyer the staff had mentioned was also there.
When Jiang Li and the lawyer saw each other, both were surprised.
Then the man stood up and greeted her with a faint smile. “Long time no see, Jiang Li.”
It really had been a long time—eight or nine years. Xu Sichi hadn’t changed much; he was still polite, gentle, and refined.
Jiang Li smiled back. “Class monitor, long time no see.”
After the case was handled, the two of them left the office together.
Xu Sichi smiled. “I didn’t expect you to be the owner of that shop.”
Jiang Li replied honestly, “Thank you for helping earlier. Otherwise, the loss might have been worse.”
Xu Sichi said lightly, “I didn’t really do much. I just happened to pass by.”
There was a café ahead. Jiang Li nodded toward it. “Let me treat you to coffee.”
Xu Sichi smiled and said, “I’m staying at the homestay next to your shop. If it’s convenient, can you take me to visit your store?”
“Of course.” Jiang Li made a welcoming gesture.
The police office wasn’t far from the ancient town in Diannan—just one or two kilometers. The two of them walked back while chatting.
Xu Sichi and his university classmates had started a law firm together.
He joked, “Actually, my real dream was to become a doctor, but I can’t stand the sight of blood.”
Jiang Li laughed. “Being a lawyer is good too—upholding justice.”
“Not always,” he smiled faintly. “Everyone has their own difficulties.”
Then his tone shifted slightly. “By the way, back then you were already in third year of junior high, about to take the entrance exam, so why did you suddenly transfer schools? We… everyone was worried about you.”
The smile in Jiang Li’s eyes faded a little. “Something happened at home back then. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
At that time, her uncle and father had both passed away one after another, and her grandmother’s mental state had become very fragile.
She returned from Beijing to Hangzhou to stay with her grandmother in a care facility for half a year and took a break from school, barely keeping in contact with classmates.
“Is everything okay now?” Xu Sichi didn’t know the details, only that her family was close with Shang Huizhou’s family and that she came from a good background.
“Yes, everything’s fine now,” Jiang Li replied lightly.
“That’s good,” he said, relieved.
They then talked about many fun memories from middle school, including when Jiang Li asked him to teach her calligraphy and when they participated in debate competitions together.
Even their nearly identical academic performance came up.
“I thought with your grades, you would go into politics,” Xu Sichi said. He didn’t know her family situation, but he knew the Shang family’s background, so he assumed Jiang Li’s upbringing was similar to Shang Huizhou’s.
“My first dream was actually to become a police officer,” Jiang Li said. “I even wanted to apply to a military university at first.” She smiled faintly. “But my grandparents wanted me to study dance and become more refined. I also liked it, so I applied to an arts academy instead.”
“You’re doing well now too. In my opinion, no matter what field you’re in, you’d be at the top,” Xu Sichi said. He had only recently learned she was a dancer after accidentally watching a performance where she was the lead. After searching her background, he realized she was very impressive.
Jiang Li smiled. “You flatter me, class monitor. Compared to you, I’m not much.”
Xu Sichi was someone hardworking and disciplined, from a well-off family but very gentle in character.
They exchanged polite remarks for a while.
As they neared Jiang Li’s shop, Xu Sichi suddenly asked, “Do you still keep in contact with Shang Huizhou?”
Jiang Li nodded.
As soon as he asked, he felt it was a foolish question.
The Jiang and Shang families were close friends. How could they not stay in contact? Back then, their relationship had been quite good. And Xu Sichi clearly knew what Shang Huizhou had felt.
What he actually wanted to ask was whether she and Shang Huizhou were together.
But after so many years, asking that directly felt too abrupt.
So he changed the topic. “Mr. Shang has been very prominent these years—still as decisive and powerful as ever.”
“Do you still have contact with him?” Jiang Li asked.
They had never gotten along well during school for reasons no one clearly understood. She remembered most vividly a debate competition between their middle and high school classes, where Xu Sichi and Shang Huizhou clashed fiercely as opposing team leaders. After that, Shang Huizhou didn’t even speak to her for two days.
Xu Sichi smiled. “Our firm handled a case involving his company. His people completely overwhelmed a small company—his team is full of talent. No wonder it’s Mr. Shang.”
Jiang Li didn’t comment on work matters. Both sides simply had different perspectives.
Shang Huizhou had taken over the company in his teens. For it to remain at the top of the industry, he must have had strong methods. She didn’t think there was anything unusual about it.
She smoothly changed the subject. “Are you here in Diannan for travel or work?”
“I had a court case here. I came out to take a walk after finishing, and also to pick a souvenir for my mother,” Xu Sichi said with a smile. In truth, he had also come because he had seen her information and knew she had settled in Diannan, so he came hoping to “run into her”—and surprisingly, he really did.
“Have you found anything suitable yet?” Jiang Li asked.
“Still looking.”
“Then want to pick something in my shop?” she said naturally.
Xu Sichi laughed. “Sure. Just don’t go easy on me—I might not have enough money.”
Jiang Li smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, even if you bought my shop outright, it wouldn’t be a problem.”
In the end, Xu Sichi picked a fairly valuable item and Jiang Li made a small profit. She also gave him an extra set of tea ware as thanks for helping earlier.
He had a flight back to Beijing in the afternoon and had work to attend to. They exchanged contact information and added each other on WeChat.
The rainy season in Diannan was unpredictable. One moment the sky could be clear and bright, and the next it might be filled with thunder and lightning.
The shop manager was on sick leave, so Jiang Li stayed in the store, keeping watch while personally restoring the broken antique vase.
Summer rain in Diannan was cold and damp, and the wind was strong.
Despite the sudden downpour and thunderstorm, a customer still came into the shop.
The staff quickly went to greet him.
It was a tall, handsome man with a calm expression. He seemed to be looking for something. His deep gaze passed through the hollow display shelves and landed on the woman behind the restoration worktable, who was fully focused on repairing an item.
Shang Huizhou’s cold eyes softened slightly. He walked toward the inner room with long strides.
The staff hurried over with a smile. “Sir, that area is a private space. All the items for display are outside. If you need anything, I can introduce them to you.”
Shang Huizhou placed his umbrella in the designated area nearby and did not stop.
The staff’s heart started pounding. Don’t tell me we’ve got another troublemaker?
What was going on lately? The customers were all so strange.
But this man was so handsome—even more refined than the lawyer who helped them earlier. He didn’t look like someone who would cause trouble at all.
Before the staff could panic further, Shang Huizhou spoke calmly, “I know your boss.”
The staff froze slightly, then relaxed. Oh, so he’s another blind date arranged by the boss’s grandfather?
This one’s not bad at all—better than the previous ones!
Jiang Li was lowering her head, mixing pigments to match the original color of the vase as closely as possible.
Suddenly, a tall figure blocked her light. She frowned slightly and looked up, only to see Shang Huizhou standing in front of her, quietly staring at her.
She paused, a hint of surprise flashing in her focused eyes. “Why are you here?”
Even though he had an umbrella, the heavy rain still soaked him.
His dark shirt and straight suit pants were damp with water.
Shang Huizhou’s expression was indifferent. Perhaps because of the rain, his mood seemed even colder than usual, as if frost had settled on his face.
His voice was low. “If I didn’t come, were you planning to disappear again?”
Jiang Li had gotten used to his gentler tone recently. Hearing him sound like he did two months ago when they first met, she felt a little uncomfortable. “When did I ever say I was disappearing?”
Shang Huizhou asked coldly, “Didn’t we agree I’d return to Beijing and you would wait? Why did you come back to Diannan alone?”
Wasn’t it normal for her to come back?
Jiang Li explained, “Something happened at the shop, so I came back to handle it.”
Shang Huizhou’s tense expression eased slightly, though his brows were still furrowed. “Why didn’t you send me a message?”
He had thought she regretted the engagement and changed her mind.
Uh—
If she said she forgot, would he get angry?
Jiang Li hesitated and made up an excuse. “I thought I’d handle it quickly and go back to Beijing. I didn’t expect you to come back so soon. Didn’t you say it would take a week?”
It had only been one day.
Shang Huizhou didn’t respond, his lips pressed together.
Seeing his soaked clothes, Jiang Li didn’t think he looked too good. She untied her apron. “Go upstairs and take a shower first. Change your clothes.”
Her hands were still stained with paint. She gestured toward the stairs.
Shang Huizhou’s cold aura faded a little, and this time he actually followed her instructions.
Jiang Li washed her hands and then led him upstairs.
Her living space was above the shop, a small attic.
Walking in front, she reminded him as they climbed. “Be careful. Lower your head a bit or you’ll hit the ceiling.” Shang Huizhou was very tall, and the hollow spiral wooden stairs weren’t a problem for most men under 1.85m, but for someone nearly 1.9m like him, it was tight.
He slightly lowered his head and it fit.
“Do I look very disheveled?” Shang Huizhou asked when he noticed she was staring at him.
“No.” Jiang Li just realized how tall he really was. “How did you find my shop? I never told you.”
“I asked,” he replied coldly.
He had simply asked how to get to Jiang Li’s house, and everyone had enthusiastically pointed the way.
It was obvious she got along well with people in the town and was familiar with her neighbors.
“You didn’t bring luggage?” Jiang Li noticed he had nothing with him.
“No.” He had gone straight from the airport to her dance troupe; his luggage was still in the car Du He was driving.
“I’ll find you some clothes,” Jiang Li said.
Shang Huizhou’s eyes darkened slightly. “You have clothes I can wear here?”
Jiang Li didn’t understand why he cared so much. Was he unwilling to wear someone else’s clothes?
“My grandfather has two sets here. Do you want to wear those?” she explained. “If not, I’ll go buy you a new set.”
Hearing it was Jiang Li’s grandfather’s clothes, his mood improved. “Mm.”
Jiang Li was a very particular person in daily life. Her room smelled pleasant—sandalwood mixed with a faint rose scent, very comforting.
Her room wasn’t large, but it had a small dressing area and an open study. The space was filled with her belongings, not messy, but warm and lived-in.
It felt much more comfortable than his empty, large house. The emptiness he had felt when he arrived seemed to be filled a little at this moment.
After searching for a while in the wardrobe, Jiang Li finally found one of her grandfather’s spare sets of clothes.
When she came out, she noticed Shang Huizhou looked different from when he first entered the shop. Back then, he had been cold and sharp.
Now, he seemed to be in a better mood.
Shang Huizhou really was hard to read.
She handed him the clothes. “They might not fit you well. My grandfather is shorter than you.”
Then she added, “I don’t have men’s toiletries here either, so just make do with mine for now.”
Not having men’s toiletries and using hers instead—that line suited him perfectly.
He was very willing to “make do.”
After handing the clothes to Shang Huizhou, Jiang Li went out. After a short while, she pushed the door open again.
“By the way—” she had only said two words when she froze in shock at the scene in front of her.
Shang Huizhou must have heard her voice and turned around. Several buttons on his shirt were already undone, revealing a smooth, firm chest, with the outline of his abs faintly visible.
His hands were on his belt. Long fingers hooked the buckle as he was about to pull it off.
Jiang Li’s back stiffened. She took a deep breath. “Towel—”
She shakily placed it on the nearby cabinet. “A clean one.”
But Shang Huizhou didn’t pay attention to her at all. He lowered his head and continued unbuckling his belt.
Jiang Li panicked. “Don’t act indecent! Take it off after I leave!”
Shang Huizhou looked up. His cold eyes carried a hint of amusement. “We’re going to see it sooner or later anyway. What are you afraid of?”
“……”
Jiang Li was completely speechless.
Her face burning, she basically fled in embarrassment.
Shang Huizhou was in an excellent mood. Slowly and unhurriedly, he pulled off his belt and finished unbuttoning the rest of his shirt.
The rain in Diannan often came and went quickly.
When Shang Huizhou arrived, it had been a heavy downpour. But now the sky was clear again.
After the rain, the heat was washed away, leaving everything fresh and clean.
The ancient town, cleansed by the rain, looked like a traditional ink painting from afar, with a cool breeze making it especially refreshing.
No wonder Jiang Li liked Diannan so much—it really was a good place.
Looking down, he could see Jiang Li’s small courtyard, well-kept with blooming flowers and carefully arranged scenery.
At that moment, Jiang Li was sitting in the courtyard, holding a book while resting on a hanging chair.
She wore a thin knitted long cardigan, her hair loosely tied with a ribbon—gentle and quiet.
Shang Huizhou closed the window and went downstairs.
He stepped into the courtyard and slowed his pace as he approached behind her. Jiang Li didn’t notice him at all.
He leaned slightly forward, bringing his face close to her ear, and asked in a low voice:
“What are you thinking about? So focused?”
Suddenly hearing his voice, Jiang Li was startled.
She instinctively turned her head—and without meaning to, she kissed his cheek.