After sending the message, Shang Huai Zhou got no reply.
He had a meeting to attend and had to bring his phone and laptop with him.
During the meeting, he kept glancing at his phone, but there was still no response.
In the evening, the lake outside the Shang family old residence was calm. Occasionally, insects skimmed across the water, creating small ripples.
Shang Huai Zhou walked through the corridor outside the courtyard. At the entrance, he placed his hand on the sensor screen. With a “beep,” the grand wooden door slowly opened. He stepped inside and could already hear the old master laughing from a distance.
That was rare.
Shang Huai Zhou handed his coat to a servant by the side. As he walked through the entrance hall, a few servants greeted him.
On the tea table in front of the old master was a medium-sized wooden box. Inside were many strange and rare objects from different places.
Since when did the old master start collecting these unrefined antique items?
Curious, Shang Huai Zhou walked over with his hands in his pockets. He leaned slightly to take a closer look. Some of the items were quite valuable, especially a set of ceramic chess pieces that the old master loved very much. They were old and rare in the Chinese market, and the person who gave them clearly put a lot of thought into the gift.
It definitely wasn’t from the old master’s students or juniors, because he usually wouldn’t accept such expensive gifts from them.
Standing tall and noticeable, Shang Huai Zhou was briefly ignored. The old master only glanced at him, then continued discussing the items with the butler, using a magnifying glass to study them.
The butler praised the giver, saying they were very thoughtful.
The old master looked very pleased and even shot Shang Huai Zhou a glance.
“Yes, unlike some people who are heartless,” he said.
Shang Huai Zhou immediately understood the hidden meaning but said nothing.
The old master had finally gotten the upper hand and felt satisfied, continuing to chat happily with the butler and ignoring him completely.
Shang Huai Zhou was used to this kind of treatment, so he didn’t care. He turned and went upstairs, loosening his shirt buttons casually as he walked.
“Jiang Jiang, you’ve been to so many places! That’s amazing! I’ve barely even left Beijing. I really admire you!”
After going upstairs and passing through a long hallway, Shang Huai Zhou stopped in front of the study room. His hand paused while unbuttoning his shirt because of the name “Jiang Jiang.”
He turned his head and looked toward the sunroom.
The summer days were long, so even in the evening there was still sunlight—just softer than the harsh midday sun.
On a vintage-style sofa sat a beautiful girl with delicate features. She lowered her eyes slightly, her slightly curled long hair falling loosely over her French-style vintage dress. In her hands was an old, parchment-like map, half open. Her long, fair fingers carefully unfolded it with elegance and caution.
Her nails were painted a nude color, and her fingertips looked soft and pretty as they touched the dark brown map. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, falling on her and giving her a soft golden glow. Her fingers looked delicate and glowing in the light.
Shang Luo kept asking questions, and Jiang Li answered them one by one after thinking for a moment. Her voice was soft and gentle, like a calm melody that made people relax.
Her expressions were gentle and bright, like a beautiful painting.
At this moment, it would be hard for people who once knew her to connect her with the lively girl she used to be.
But Shang Huai Zhou was not unfamiliar with her. To him, she was still the same girl who used to follow him around as a child—always stepping on his shoes when taking photos, walking behind him stepping on his shadow, smiling brightly, and acting like a bold little kitten in front of him.
So the person who was supposed to arrive in Beijing the day after tomorrow was already here in his house, talking and laughing?
Shang Huai Zhou’s brows furrowed slightly, and an uneasy feeling rose in his heart.
Jiang Li didn’t know what she had just said to Shang Luo, but Shang Luo laughed loudly without caring about her image, while Jiang Li only smiled gently.
Shang Luo suddenly turned and saw Shang Huai Zhou standing at the door. Her eyes widened slightly.
“Hey, Third Brother?”
Shang Huai Zhou paused for a moment, as if caught spying. His expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly regained his calm. He nodded lightly and walked into the room as if nothing had happened.
Jiang Li also turned her head when she heard the voice.
Shang Huai Zhou stood outside the sunroom. He wore a perfectly tailored white shirt that fit his tall and strong figure. The buttons were fastened all the way to the top, making him look neat, strict, and cold.
Compared to Jiang Li’s memory of him, he had changed. The younger Shang Huai Zhou was handsome and cold, but sometimes there was still a trace of warmth in his eyes.
Now, however, he seemed completely emotionless. His deep facial features were sharp and striking, and his dark brown eyes showed only coldness, with little emotion left.
He had become more reserved, more stable, but also more distant—almost sharp and unapproachable.
But she still recognized him at first glance.
Jiang Li smiled gently and greeted him.
Shang Huai Zhou’s jaw tightened. He looked away from her calm smile and walked straight into the study area inside the sunroom.
Shang Luo pouted and said softly, “Jiang Jiang, my brother is like this. Don’t mind him.”
Jiang Li just smiled and didn’t take it to heart. In her memory, Shang Huai Zhou had always been like this—hard to get close to.
Inside the study, Shang Huai Zhou was searching through books. He pulled one out, put it back, and continued searching again and again.
Shang Luo ran over, holding onto the bookshelf with both hands. She looked at him from across the shelf and blinked.
“Third Brother, do you still remember Jiang Jiang? She lived in our house for a while when she was little.”
Shang Huai Zhou seemed focused on the books. After a moment, he replied in a calm voice,
“My memory isn’t that bad.”
Then he deliberately looked up. His long, dark eyes passed through the hollow bookshelf and landed briefly on Jiang Li not far away.
“But I don’t really remember her,” he added.
“……”
Jiang Li’s finger paused slightly as she moved the map. She was simply surprised by his words.
He had just messaged her on WeChat a couple of days ago, and now he said he didn’t remember her?
So changeable.
Fine then.
If he didn’t remember, he didn’t remember. It wasn’t a big deal anyway.
Shang Luo pouted. She didn’t believe it at all. Her third brother was known for having a very good memory.
She felt he was just too boring.
So she stopped asking him.
She turned back and leaned on the arm of the chair again, tilting her head and continuing to ask Jiang Li about interesting things she had experienced.
Shang Huai Zhou searched for a long time but still didn’t seem to find the book he wanted. Meanwhile, the soft voices of the two girls kept floating in his ears. Jiang Li’s gentle and pleasant voice seemed to tug at his heart slightly, making it hard for him to focus.
In the end, he randomly picked a book and left.
Shang Luo stuck her tongue out at his straight back, making a face.
Jiang Li smiled and lightly tapped Shang Luo’s forehead with the rolled-up parchment map.
At dinner time, Jiang Li did not expect it to be so formal. Several elders of the Shang family had all returned.
The women sat on the old master’s right side, while she was arranged to sit opposite Shang Huai Zhou.
Her eyes accidentally met his. His gaze was faint, but carried pressure.
She felt that Shang Huai Zhou seemed unhappy with her, but she couldn’t think of anything she had done to offend him.
Shang Shi Qing sat beside Jiang Li and studied her for a moment with her chin slightly raised. Then she smiled brightly.
“Jiang Jiang, it’s been years. You’ve become so beautiful. You still remember me, right?”
Jiang Li came back to her thoughts.
“Little Aunt, you’re even more beautiful.”
Shang Shi Qing was the youngest daughter of the old master. She was only one year older than Shang Huai Zhou and was born from the old master’s current wife. She was very loved as the late-born daughter.
When Jiang Li lived in the Shang family before, Shang Shi Qing was studying abroad and rarely at home, so they didn’t interact much. But she had always been kind to Jiang Li, who also called her “Little Aunt” like Shang Huai Zhou did.
Shang Shi Qing chatted and laughed with Jiang Li for a while.
Dinner was fairly harmonious overall, except that the old master occasionally teased Shang Huai Zhou a few times. Normally sharp-tongued and cold, Shang Huai Zhou surprisingly stayed quiet the whole time and didn’t respond.
After dinner, the elders left the old residence for other matters, leaving the younger ones to chat in the living room.
The old master was very fond of the gifts Jiang Li had brought.
Especially the chess set—he praised it again and again.
Jiang Li carefully explained the restored items she had brought.
Her voice was soft and pleasant, flowing smoothly like water.
To Shang Huai Zhou, it sounded even softer and more charming than before.
He listened as she explained each item carefully, all well-reasoned and detailed.
After a few years, the little girl had clearly improved a lot.
When she talked about these objects, her eyes seemed to be filled with shining stars.
Did she really like these things that much?
Shang Shi Qing came downstairs after changing clothes, just in time to hear Jiang Li explaining the items. After listening for a while, she said,
“If I remember correctly, Jiang Jiang, you liked collecting information about these things since you were a child.”
Jiang Li answered openly,
“I’ve always liked them. I also have to thank you, Auntie, for giving me that reference book back then. It was very helpful.”
It was a specialized collection book used to identify authenticity and age of antiques. It helped her a lot, and she still used it now.
Shang Shi Qing thought for a moment.
Yes, that did happen.
But wasn’t that book actually given to her by Shang Huai Zhou?
She glanced at him. Shang Huai Zhou’s expression didn’t change at all.
Shang Shi Qing smiled quietly.
“So Jiang Jiang is very loyal. Does that mean the person you liked as a child, you still like now?”
Jiang Li didn’t think deeply and replied casually,
“If I liked someone as a child, I probably wouldn’t dislike them as an adult.”
That was just the truth. No one would hate someone for no reason.
Shang Shi Qing raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at Shang Huai Zhou. He remained calm, showing no reaction.
She then stood up, said she had an appointment outside, waved goodbye, and left.
Loyal, huh?
A faint smile appeared on Shang Huai Zhou’s handsome face, but it slowly faded.
He didn’t believe it.
After Jiang Li finished her explanation, the old master was extremely pleased and pulled her to sit beside him, praising her repeatedly.
Jiang Li felt a little embarrassed from all the praise.
“I’m not really that skilled,” she said modestly. “I just learned from senior experts and recorded what they taught me. I’m just showing off in front of you.”
“You don’t need to be so modest,” the old master said, pointing at the items on the table. “These are all rare treasures. Not easy to get.”
“These weren’t fully restored yet,” Jiang Li explained. “I brought them here like this because I knew you’d enjoy working on them too.”
The old master understood her intention immediately and smiled warmly.
“You’re very thoughtful.”
He then glanced at Shang Huai Zhou.
“Huai Zhou, tell me—what do you think of Jiang Jiang’s taste?”
Jiang Li didn’t expect praise from him.
During the three years she lived in the Shang family, she had often been irritated by him.
Over the years, she had learned to calm herself more and was no longer easily provoked.
Shang Huai Zhou was called on. He straightened slightly, pulling his wandering thoughts back.
He had already looked through the items earlier and understood their general value.
His cold gaze swept over them briefly.
“Not bad,” he said calmly. “The materials and craftsmanship suggest at least several hundred years of history.”
These were not ordinary items. Jiang Li had put a lot of effort into them and only managed to obtain them after going through many difficulties.
However, being praised by Shang Huai Zhou made her feel an unexpected sense of pride. After all, he usually only criticized her. But after feeling proud, she also suddenly felt a bit nervous.
The old master glanced at Shang Huai Zhou.
“Finally said something like a human being,” he said.
“……”
Shang Huai Zhou was speechless.
The old master naturally knew these were rare and valuable items. Jiang Li had truly put her heart into them.
Then he looked at his own grandson, who seemed so indifferent.
In his heart, he couldn’t help but dislike him a little. A good girl like Jiang Li being paired with his cold, unfeeling grandson—it almost felt like she was being wronged.
If it weren’t for his own selfish wishes, he really wouldn’t want to send such a good girl into the hands of this ungrateful “wolf cub.”
Although he had tried very hard to match the two younger ones together before—and even used a chess game to trick Jiang Li’s grandfather into agreeing—he still had an agreement of gentlemanly conduct with him.
They were only responsible for introducing them. Everything else would depend on the children’s own wishes and would not be forced.