The moment her soft lips brushed against the outline of his cheek, Shang Huizhou’s back stiffened. His gaze on Jiang Li turned deep and dark.
Jiang Li never expected to accidentally kiss his cheek. Her breath lifted slightly as she quickly tried to turn away, but before she could even apologize, a large hand held her chin. Her head was gently turned back by Shang Huizhou.
He lowered his head and pressed a kiss on her lips—very light, but deliberate, his thin lips brushing across hers.
The moment his lips touched hers, Jiang Li’s eyelashes trembled. Her heartbeat went wild. Her hands, which had been holding a book, tightened and slowly loosened again.
When she looked up again, their eyes met. Neither of them spoke. The air felt tense and heavy.
Jiang Li’s mind went completely blank.
Shang Huizhou’s breathing deepened. His eyes were dark, as if they could pull her in.
Her gaze flickered, slightly watery. Her heart beat faster and faster, and she had the urge to escape. But his hand on her chin didn’t loosen.
He leaned down again, covering her lips once more. The kiss was soft but continuous, gently and thoroughly surrounding her lips.
Jiang Li stayed completely still. Her whole body was tense, her breathing held back, her heart pounding loudly. A thin layer of sweat formed at the tip of her nose.
“Boss—”
A sudden voice broke the atmosphere that felt like it couldn’t hold another second.
Both of them startled. Jiang Li trembled.
Shang Huizhou immediately pulled her head into his chest with one hand and looked toward the shop entrance. His eyes were deep and cold.
The staff member who came in felt his terrifying gaze and instantly froze. She really hadn’t meant to interrupt—she had no idea she would walk into something like this. She was stuck, not knowing whether to go forward or back.
Jiang Li stayed in his arms for a moment, then slowly lifted her head and looked awkwardly at the staff member.
The staff forced a dry smile. “Boss… th-there’s a customer.”
Jiang Li panicked slightly and quickly stood up—but her head accidentally bumped into Shang Huizhou’s chin.
He let out a quiet breath of pain.
Embarrassed beyond belief, Jiang Li quickly apologized. “Sorry… are you okay?”
Shang Huizhou rubbed his chin. “I’m fine.” His tone was calm, but there was a faint smile in it—slightly teasing, slightly pleased.
Jiang Li bit her lip in embarrassment and turned to leave.
Behind her, Shang Huizhou lowered his head, still holding his chin, the corners of his lips slowly curling upward.
Jiang Li walked from the backyard into the shop.
A man in a formal suit stood there, holding a bouquet of roses. He wore silver-rimmed glasses and looked very refined.
“Miss Jiang, hello.”
Jiang Li looked at him for a moment, trying to recall who he was.
The man smiled lightly. “Miss Jiang doesn’t remember me? We contacted each other on the phone a month ago when you were in Beijing.”
With the reminder, she finally remembered.
“Mr. Wei?”
“Yes,” he replied with a gentle smile.
“Is there something you need from me?” Jiang Li asked, though she already had a guess. This Mr. Wei was an arranged blind date introduced by her grandfather.
Mr. Wei smiled. “I’ve always wanted to treat Miss Jiang to a meal, but the timing was never right. You weren’t in Diannan before. I wonder if I have the honor today?”
Before Jiang Li could respond, a deep voice came from behind her.
“Jiang Jiang.”
Hearing that, Mr. Wei’s gaze moved past her shoulder—and landed on Shang Huizhou.
“Who is this?”
Shang Huizhou walked over with long strides. Very naturally, he wrapped his arm around Jiang Li’s shoulder and greeted the man with a faint smile, extending his hand. “Hello, I’m Jiang Jiang’s fiancé.”
Mr. Wei immediately shook his hand, still clearly surprised. When did Jiang Li get engaged? How did he not know?
He looked Shang Huizhou over again.
Shang Huizhou was tall—at least five or six centimeters taller than him.
Even though he was wearing a casual outfit that didn’t quite fit perfectly, his aura couldn’t be mistaken. He was definitely not an ordinary person.
Mr. Wei smiled and said, “Miss Jiang, at least we’re friends. When did you get engaged? I didn’t hear anything about it.”
From what he knew, Jiang Li was still single. This man might just be one of her many admirers, deliberately claiming to be her fiancé, so he wanted to confirm.
Jiang Li opened her mouth. “Actually—”
Before she could finish, Shang Huizhou lightly pinched her shoulder, cutting her off.
His expression turned slightly cold. “Jiang Jiang and I grew up together. We’re childhood sweethearts and mutually in love. We’ll be having our wedding this year. If you’re free, you’re welcome to attend.”
“……”
Childhood sweethearts. Mutually in love.
He really said that without blinking.
And a wedding this year?
Complete nonsense.
Mr. Wei’s smile almost froze, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes. But he wasn’t the type to persist. He apologized briefly, then before leaving, he handed the bouquet of roses to Jiang Li.
“Flowers for a beautiful lady. As a friend, please accept them, Miss Jiang.”
Since he had said that, it would be rude not to accept. Jiang Li took the flowers generously. “Thank you.”
As soon as Mr. Wei stepped out of the shop, Shang Huizhou reached out to take the flowers from her.
Jiang Li dodged him and gave him a warning look. “What are you doing?”
Shang Huizhou pressed his lips together. “You have so many roses planted in your courtyard. Why keep his bouquet?”
“That’s different.” Jiang Li lowered her head and smelled them, looking quite pleased.
“You like them that much?” he asked, staring at the bright red roses in her hands.
“Who doesn’t like flowers?” Jiang Li had always loved these kinds of things that others might find strange. She especially loved flowers.
Shang Huizhou stayed silent for a moment.
After a while, he said a little gloomily, “Jiang Li, you already have someone. Why are you still going on blind dates?”
Jiang Li lightly coughed and handed the flowers to the staff, explaining, “That was arranged by my grandfather. I wasn’t in Diannan, so I never met him. He probably heard I was back, so he came.”
Shang Huizhou frowned slightly. “Your grandfather should be recovered by now. Shouldn’t we also start planning our wedding? Hmm?”
So urgent?
Before Jiang Li could respond, her phone buzzed with a message.
She unlocked it and looked down. It was from Xu Sichi:
“Jiang Li, my father really likes the tea set you gave him. Thank you.”
Shang Huizhou, standing close beside her, glanced at the screen and immediately saw the name “Xu Sichi.”
So after getting rid of one “Mr. Wei,” another one showed up. And this one was even worse—calm, gentle, the exact type Jiang Li liked.
And she even gave him a tea set!
Shang Huizhou frowned tightly. “Xu Sichi? That class monitor from your middle school?”
Jiang Li nodded. “Mm.”
His expression darkened further. “You still keep in contact with him? And you gave him gifts?” He didn’t even get any.
“What do you mean ‘again’?” Jiang Li explained, “It was just this one time, as thanks. Something happened at my shop yesterday. He happened to be nearby and helped resolve it. I gave him a tea set as a thank-you gift. He also spent quite a bit at my shop.”
Shang Huizhou immediately focused on the shop. His eyes deepened. “What happened?”
“It’s nothing serious. It’s already been handled,” Jiang Li said, shaking her head.
Only then did he relax slightly. “Next time something like this happens, come to me. Don’t look for anyone else—especially Xu Sichi. Understand? We’re family.”
“……”
We’re not even officially anything yet—how are we already family?
Besides, she hadn’t even looked for anyone. It was just coincidence.
Jiang Li suddenly asked, “Shang Huizhou, you once said that even if we get married, I’d still be free. So I can’t even make friends in the future?”
Was he really going to control who she talked to?
Shang Huizhou didn’t know where she got all these strange ideas.
He wouldn’t actually restrict her social life. If he did, she’d suffocate.
He said in a low voice, “Others are fine. He isn’t. And don’t give him anything.”
Jiang Li looked at him in confusion.
He lightly coughed. “Anyway, he’s not allowed.”
He knew exactly what Xu Sichi was thinking since school days, and he had already shut that down back then. But now Xu Sichi showed up again, and Jiang Li even said he was her type—gentle and refined.
He had to be careful.
Shang Huizhou’s eyes darkened slightly. “Jiang Li, back then you gave your award trophy to Xu Sichi, right?”
He couldn’t even be touched by her, yet that guy could receive things from her?
And now tea sets too.
Jiang Li looked confused. “What are you talking about? The trophy is still in my study.”
Shang Huizhou’s expression immediately brightened. “You didn’t give it to him?”
Jiang Li was surprised. “Why would I? I said I’d give it to you back then.”
Shang Huizhou looked at her, a faint smile in his eyes. “Really?”
“What do you mean ‘really’? That was the plan. Before you said those things that upset me, I was going to give it to you. I even remember we made a deal—you were the one who refused to join the competition.”
Shang Huizhou said, “How do you know I wouldn’t have gone?”
“You said it yourself.”
“Did I go?” she asked.
Shang Huizhou pressed his lips together. “No.”
Jiang Li’s eyes curved slightly. “Did you really go?”
“No,” he denied again.
Jiang Li smiled. “Where’s your medal then?”
Shang Huizhou avoided her gaze for a moment. “No.”
How could there be none?
It was impossible that he went to the competition and didn’t win anything.
Seeing that Jiang Li clearly didn’t believe him, he stubbornly added, “I lost it. It wasn’t anything important anyway.”
“……”
This man was unbelievable. He actually threw away a medal? How wasteful.
Shang Huizhou frowned. “And you still have the nerve to say the trophy was for me? Then why didn’t you let me touch it at the airport?”
Jiang Li thought for a while before remembering. “I didn’t stop you. I just promised Grandpa Shang that the trophy would be the first thing I gave him. After all, I only got such good results because of him.”
“Promised Grandpa?”
He didn’t even know that!
Shang Huizhou then remembered what he had seen back then—Jiang Li handing the trophy to Xu Sichi, both of them smiling happily.
Xu Sichi had even helped carry it for a long time, yet when he tried to touch it, she wouldn’t let him.
Shang Huizhou felt very uncomfortable. His brows tightened. “Liar. First you say you gave it to Grandpa, then what was that with Xu Sichi?”
Jiang Li looked shocked. “When did I give it to the class monitor?”
“At the airport baggage area,” Shang Huizhou said flatly.
Jiang Li didn’t know how he even knew about that, but she had to clarify this. “That wasn’t mine! It belonged to another girl who was competing with me. She went to the bathroom and asked me to hold it for her. Later, when the class monitor arrived, I had to collect my luggage, so I gave it to him. That’s all.”
At that time, Xu Sichi had been leading a team for an Olympiad competition, and they had just happened to meet at the airport.
“Really?” Shang Huizhou’s voice was calm, but the surprise in his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
“Why would I lie about something like this?”
It was ridiculous.
For years, Shang Huizhou had been upset over this. And now it turned out he had been angry for nothing.
The knot in his heart that had been stuck for so long suddenly loosened. So she really hadn’t given it away.
He couldn’t help but let out a low laugh. His deep voice was rare and bright, even a little clear and pleasant.
Jiang Li couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly. “What are you laughing at?” She found him a bit silly.
Suddenly, Shang Huizhou stepped forward and pulled her into his arms with one arm. He looked down at her, the smile still lingering on his lips.
“Jiang Li, I forgive you.”
“???” She hadn’t done anything wrong. What was he forgiving her for? And why was he holding her like this?
She tried to move, but his hand around her waist tightened, leaving her no room to escape.
So she simply stopped struggling. She looked up at him. “Did I do something wrong?”
Shang Huizhou’s warm expression faded slightly. He huffed. “Back then, who was it that told me to join the competition, and then disappeared right after?”
Jiang Li had no confidence in this matter. “But you never told me you were going to compete!”
Shang Huizhou frowned. “I did. I told Shen Zhe to tell you.”
Jiang Li was shocked. “Ah? Shen Zhe never told me!”
At that time, she had been angry with Shang Huizhou because of the trophy incident and was ignoring him.
She had also gone back to Hangzhou to stay with her grandmother, who wasn’t well at the time. She didn’t even know he was going to compete.
Shang Huizhou narrowed his eyes. “He didn’t tell you?”
“I’m sure he didn’t,” Jiang Li said firmly.
He let out a cold laugh. “I see.”
That kind of smile made Jiang Li feel like someone was about to be in trouble.
Shang Huizhou took out his phone, opened Shen Zhe’s WeChat, and sent a message:
“Are you in Beijing recently?”
Shen Zhe replied quickly:
“Yes, yes! My third brother! I heard you and Jiang Li are finally together. Are you treating us to a meal?”
He waited excitedly for a reply—but got nothing.
So he assumed Shang Huizhou was planning to treat them to dinner and told everyone.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Shang Huizhou still had Jiang Li in his arms, not letting go.
Jiang Li felt a little uncomfortable and finally slipped out of his embrace.
Why did he keep looking at her like he was glued to her?
Then she suddenly realized something.
She looked at him, her eyes flashing with insight. “So… when I came to your family this time, you were unfriendly to me because you were still mad about the trophy and me supposedly disappearing back then?”
At first, she thought it was because of the arranged marriage issue.
But after he clarified it wasn’t that, she had been confused about what she had done wrong.
So it turned out he had been holding onto this for years.
This man was way too petty!
Caught, Shang Huizhou’s eyes flickered with guilt, but he immediately denied it. “No. You’re thinking too much. That’s impossible.”
Not true at all.
Clearly, he was lying.
So childish.
Jiang Li smiled slightly and didn’t expose him further. She knew him well enough—prideful and stubborn.
Instead, she said softly, “I was wrong back then. I broke my promise.”
They had agreed she would give him the trophy, and he would give her his medal.
Back then, they were actually quite close, aside from the arrangements made by their families. After half a year of getting along, she believed he had genuinely treated her as a friend.
Shang Huizhou’s tone softened. “It wasn’t your fault. The situation was special.”
As long as it wasn’t because of Xu Sichi, everything else didn’t matter.
She didn’t say she blamed her? Back then she still showed her a cold face—who was he fooling?
He was exactly the kind of man who was petty to the extreme and had a very good memory.
“I also admit I was wrong first,” Shang Huizhou said in a stiff voice.
Jiang Li laughed out loud. “Good that you know. If you hadn’t said you hated me first, I would’ve definitely given you the trophy after taking photos with Grandpa Shang. And I wouldn’t have left right after you went abroad for the competition either.”
She had actually wanted his medal back then. Her grandmother really was unwell at the time, but Grandma Shang was taking care of her, so staying a few more days wouldn’t have been a problem. She had left partly because she was angry at him. From childhood until then, she hadn’t had many friends—Shang Huizhou was someone she truly valued.
“When did I ever say I hated you?” Shang Huizhou sounded a little unnatural.
“Last time you admitted you said it casually.” Now he was denying it again. Such a changeable man.
“When did I say that? You must be remembering wrong.” Back then, he had seen Jiang Li let Xu Sichi touch the trophy that should have been his. He thought she and Xu Sichi were together, and in his anger he said things he shouldn’t have. Later, she even participated in a school drama with Xu Sichi, playing a couple, even with hugging scenes—but she left Beijing before rehearsals began.
“……”
Jiang Li was speechless. This man was ridiculous.
Seeing her pout, Shang Huizhou immediately softened his tone. “Jiang Jiang, I admit I went too far back then. But you said you’d give me the trophy and then didn’t—you broke your promise. And even if there was a misunderstanding, you never explained it.”
Mainly, Xu Sichi clearly had feelings for her too.
Jiang Li poked his chest lightly. “President Shang, use your conscience and think about it. How can you blame me? I hadn’t even said anything and you already told me you hated me. Who would even bother explaining after that?”
She had happily brought the trophy to him, only to be met with rejection and hurtful words. It was like she was already cold, and then someone poured ice water over her head. Who would still want to explain after that?
So they both got angry and stopped talking. Naturally, they didn’t meet again. Shang Huizhou had just taken over the company at the time and rarely returned home, and soon after, Jiang Li went back to Hangzhou.
So all this time, he had been giving her a cold attitude because of this misunderstanding.
Jiang Li snorted. “You misunderstood me for so long and gave me attitude for so long—shouldn’t you apologize to me?”
She was actually quite satisfied seeing him like this today and didn’t really expect a formal apology. After all, she wasn’t as petty as he was.
But if he did apologize, she wouldn’t mind either.
Just when she thought she wouldn’t hear it, Shang Huizhou pulled her into his arms again and leaned down near her ear.
“Sorry. I misunderstood you. Forgive me, okay?”
His voice was low and sexy, and very sincere. His posture was also unusually humble.
Jiang Li froze slightly. Looking at him like this—bowing his head, even his ears slightly red—he looked unexpectedly soft and… kind of cute.
She couldn’t help but smile. “Alright then. I’m generous, so I forgive you.”
She stood on her tiptoes, feeling cheerful, and looked up at him seriously. “So… we’ve cleared up the misunderstanding from back then, right?”
Shang Huizhou gave a deep “mm.”
Jiang Li suddenly felt very relieved—more relaxed than she had in a long time. She smiled. “Then we can still be good friends, right?”
Shang Huizhou replied calmly, “No, we can’t.”
“???”
Still holding a grudge?
Wasn’t that a bit too much?
Shang Huizhou locked his dark eyes on her surprised face, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
“One thing I must remind you, Miss Jiang—we are engaged. And soon-to-be-married fiancés.”
“……”
Oh. So that’s what he meant.
She had thought he was still holding some grudge.
Honestly, Jiang Li was still a little confused about agreeing to the engagement. At the time, it had been a bit impulsive.
But now that they had clarified things, maybe it wouldn’t be so difficult to get along in the future. She could treat him more naturally, like in school.
Even if this man wasn’t easy to deal with and their marriage might not be sweet like others, at least they could make it work his way.
That should be fine.
She blinked. “Then please take care of me, Mr. Shang.”
Shang Huizhou chuckled softly. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Shang.”
“……”
She wasn’t even that yet!
Seeing her frustrated but embarrassed expression made Shang Huizhou feel very good. The smile on his lips didn’t fade.
After a moment, his voice turned gentle again. “Jiang Jiang, let’s go back to Beijing tomorrow.”
So soon?
“I can’t tomorrow. The shop manager is injured and on sick leave. I still need to restore an antique and send it to a client. I can’t leave right now.”
After a moment of silence, Shang Huizhou said, “I’ll stay with you.”
He originally planned to finish his work and rest for a few days with her.
“You don’t need to stay. You can go handle your work,” she said.
“I’m not busy,” he replied calmly.
Not busy?
Her phone had vibrated several times just now—how was that not busy?
Feeling his gaze on her made her uncomfortable. She quickly said, “I still have things to do. I’m going to work. Make yourself at home.”
“Alright,” he said, smiling.
Why did he keep smiling?
Jiang Li felt slightly overwhelmed and basically fled to her restoration work.
She spent the entire morning in the restoration room. Shang Huizhou handled work on her laptop in the courtyard.
When he finished, he walked into the restoration room and saw Jiang Li frowning at a damaged vase.
He walked over beside her. “What’s the problem?”
Jiang Li was very frustrated. “It’s the color. No matter how I adjust it, it never feels right. I can’t get it right anymore.” She even sounded a bit down.
“You’re too strict with your restoration standards, which is why you’re feeling color fatigue.” Shang Huizhou understood her well—she was extremely perfectionist in both antiques and dance. “Take a break first. I’ll take a look.”
Jiang Li stepped aside.
Shang Huizhou looked at the latest color she had mixed and said, “This is already pretty good. Just make the blue a bit deeper.”
Jiang Li didn’t respond. She still wasn’t satisfied at all.
Shang Huizhou took over. He adjusted the colors, adding a bit to her original mix. Jiang Li sat beside him and watched as he re-glued the broken pieces and adjusted the color.
Then he carefully painted, stroke by stroke.
An hour later, the crack on the vase was perfectly restored.
Jiang Li suddenly realized that in front of Shang Huizhou, her so-called professionalism seemed meaningless—and even her patience was nowhere near his.
She let out a soft sigh.
Shang Huizhou turned to her. “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Li shook her head. “Nothing,” she said softly.
After finishing the restoration work, Jiang Li was in a good mood. It was lunchtime, so they went out to eat.
There was a shopping mall near the restaurant. Jiang Li suggested buying clothes for Shang Huizhou.
He didn’t refuse. The summer in Yunnan was pleasant, not hot or stuffy. They walked slowly toward the mall.
The area was crowded. They were walking very close, and their hands accidentally touched. Jiang Li paused slightly and tried to move aside, but Shang Huizhou held her hand.
Not only did he hold it—he tightened his grip.
They naturally held hands and walked forward, neither of them looking at the other.
Jiang Li took him straight to the men’s section on the fifth floor and chose a good brand.
It was a casual style brand. When Shang Huizhou wore it, his usual cold aura softened, making him look more elegant and refined.
Jiang Li had long noticed that he looked good in both suits and casual wear. Being tall and handsome meant everything suited him.
She even paid for his clothes herself this time.
Shang Huizhou didn’t抢抢抢—he didn’t rush to pay first. Instead, he seemed to enjoy her buying things for him.
With the staff’s recommendation, Jiang Li picked out another dark-colored outfit.
Shang Huizhou leaned close to her ear. “Do you want to try one too?”
Jiang Li was about to refuse when a sharp-eared sales assistant immediately said, “Madam, we have a dress that suits you perfectly. It even matches your husband’s style.”
Who was “madam”?
And “husband”?
Jiang Li only then realized this was a men’s brand store with a couple-themed concept.
She had only thought the clothes looked good and hadn’t read the theme carefully—she had been careless.
While she hesitated, the staff already brought the dress over.
It was a color she liked, simple design, with a soft ice-silk texture.
When she tried it on, it looked stunning.
Jiang Li had fair skin and a great figure—she could pull off almost anything.
The dress was simple but elegant, with a hint of playfulness.
“It’s so beautiful,” the staff praised. Others whispered that it was model-sized and most people couldn’t wear it.
Shang Huizhou looked up from replying to a message. Jiang Li’s beauty fell straight into his eyes. Her waist looked even thinner, and her curves were subtly visible. His breathing turned slightly heavier.
Jiang Li felt the neckline was a bit low and the chest area too tight and too compressing. It felt uncomfortable.
“Madam, this dress really suits you. It matches your husband perfectly,” the staff said enthusiastically.
Indeed, it matched his white casual shirt with blue stripes.
“Sir, what do you think?” the staff asked Shang Huizhou.
He looked at Jiang Li.
She also looked at him. His gaze felt hot and made her uncomfortable.
After a moment, he nodded. “Mm, it looks great. We’ll take this one.”
He took out a card to pay.
The staff smiled suggestively. “Sir, Madam, we also have a new couple underwear set. Would you like to take a look?”
“……”
Couple underwear?
That was too intimate!
Before Jiang Li could refuse, Shang Huizhou lightly pinched her finger and said calmly, “Sure.”
Jiang Li stared at him.
He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “You’re not changing my outer clothes, but not my underwear?”
“……”
She had nothing to say.
The staff asked, “Madam, what is your husband’s size?”
Jiang Li: She had no idea!
Shang Huizhou calmly replied, “90–100 cm.”
The staff laughed softly, glancing at Jiang Li as they did.
Jiang Li didn’t understand why they were laughing.
Then the staff handed her the bag—and quietly slipped a small box into her hand.
Smiling, she said, “Wishing you both a happy night every day.”
Jiang Li looked down—and realized it was actually a box of protection items.
She panicked and immediately returned it. Her face turned red. “We don’t need this.”
But just as she handed it back, Shang Huizhou took it without changing expression.
“Thank you,” he said calmly. Then he glanced at it and added, “My wife means it’s too small. Please get a bigger size.”
“!!!”
She never meant that at all!
The sales assistant paused for a moment, gave Jiang Li a teasing look, and quickly went to get a new size.
Wait—Jiang Li suddenly thought through what Shang Huizhou had just said.
Too small???
How could that be?
She had clearly glanced at the size earlier. It was already one size larger than the standard size.
So how could it still be “too small”?
Then she remembered something her college roommate once said after seriously researching this kind of thing—something like: men with sharp facial features, deep-set eyes, and strong, defined bone structure tend to be “more intimidating” in that aspect too.
Shang Huizhou had a straight, sharp nose, deep eyes, and a very well-defined face.
Jiang Li bit her lip and suddenly felt a strange chill run through her.
The staff came back with a larger size.
Without hesitation, Shang Huizhou casually dropped it into Jiang Li’s shopping bag.
Jiang Li looked down at the box.
What is he doing?!
It was already embarrassing enough that he agreed to take it—but why put it in her bag?!
He should be carrying it himself!
And he did it so casually, like it was nothing at all.
Did he not realize how awkward this was for her?
Especially with the staff giving them those teasing looks—Jiang Li felt like she wanted to find a hole and hide in it immediately.