Shi Ying was in the middle of drinking soup when she suddenly choked.
“Cough—cough…”
Sitting beside her, Shang Nian stood up on her chair and patted her back with all the seriousness of a little adult. Her bright eyes sparkled as she looked at her expectantly.
“Did I scare you?” Shang Chenyan still wore his usual gentle, refined expression, seeming slightly remorseful. “This kidnapping happened because of me in the end. I was negligent in protecting you.”
Shi Ying waved her hands repeatedly.
“How could this possibly be your fault…”
Running into Xia Qian and her group that day had been an accident. Shang Chenyan had dealt with them partly to vent anger on her behalf. Who could have expected someone like Xia Qian to be so deranged as to hire kidnappers in broad daylight?
“I’ll be more careful in the future. There’s really no need for me to move in, right?”
Shang Nian pouted unhappily and tugged at Shi Ying’s sleeve, swaying it back and forth.
Shi Ying rubbed her head gently.
“If Shang Nian misses me, I can come spend weekends playing with you, okay?”
Shang Nian huffed and sat back down, slumping over the table and only leaving behind a stubborn little back of her head.
Shang Chenyan showed no displeasure at being refused. Instead, he calmly reasoned with her.
“I know asking you to suddenly move over here will definitely make you hesitate. But Miss Shi, personal safety has to come first.”
“Xia Qian has already been arrested, but her family dotes on her excessively. If they become desperate and set their sights on you again someday, I can’t guarantee I’ll always appear in time.”
Shi Ying slowly stirred the soup in front of her, her brows knitting together.
Seeing this, Shang Chenyan somehow produced a key and placed it on the table, sliding it toward her.
Shi Ying looked at him in confusion.
“What’s this?”
“The key to the upstairs bedroom.” Shang Chenyan’s voice was calm and warm. “If you move in, that room upstairs will belong solely to you. No one will disturb you. If you’re uncomfortable, you can even hire someone to change the lock.”
“Once I’ve completely settled matters with the Xia family, you can move back.”
He looked at her. In those dark eyes, there was none of the filthy intent one might fear—only concern.
“Or… are you worried I might have improper intentions toward you?”
Shi Ying hurriedly shook her head.
“How could that be?”
Shang Chenyan seemed puzzled.
“Then what other concerns do you have?”
Shi Ying fell silent.
Although this was only a virtual world and she wouldn’t truly die, injuries, fear, and pain were all real. If she got seriously hurt and was forced to exit directly, then this mission would fail completely.
Across the table, one big pair and one small pair of eyes stared at her with hopeful anticipation.
Slowly, Shi Ying nodded.
The hand Shang Chenyan had resting on his knee was clenched tightly into a fist. Only when he saw her agree did he gradually loosen it. His palm was already damp with sweat.
Shang Nian immediately jumped up happily and threw herself into Shi Ying’s arms.
Shi Ying asked softly,
“Then… about how long would I need to stay?”
Shang Chenyan felt even his hands trembling. He forced himself to remain calm and lifted his glass for a sip of water.
“I can’t say for sure.”
“But don’t worry. I’ll resolve the Xia family’s matters as quickly as possible.”
Shi Ying nodded distractedly.
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it felt. How had she somehow ended up moving into Shang Chenyan’s home?
After lunch, Shang Chenyan offered to help her move.
They didn’t bring Shang Nian along. The little girl lay against the window sadly, watching the two of them leave.
***
Shi Ying returned home and packed a few sets of clothes. She had only rented this apartment recently and hadn’t even had the chance to decorate it properly.
Shang Chenyan silently followed behind her.
While Shi Ying went into the bedroom to pack, he stood in the living room, his gaze sweeping across the places she had lived.
A small blanket was draped over the sofa.
She still liked lying on the couch while watching television, often unknowingly falling asleep hugging the blanket.
Shang Chenyan bent down slightly, fingertips tracing over it inch by inch.
It felt as though the sofa still retained her scent.
“President Shang?”
Shi Ying poked her head out from the bedroom. Only then did she realize she had left him standing outside unattended, and she quickly tried to make up for it.
“Would you like some water? There are drinks in the fridge.”
Shang Chenyan smiled.
“No need. Focus on what you’re doing. If I need anything, I’ll get it myself.”
“Oh… okay.”
Her little head disappeared back into the room.
Shang Chenyan wandered through the modest living room.
The apartment was only one bedroom and one living room—small—but it held too many traces of her existence.
He couldn’t let anyone else move into this place.
The thought came to him, and Shang Chenyan immediately sent Jiang Wen a message, instructing him to buy the apartment.
Jiang Wen was utterly bewildered upon receiving it.
He had never even heard of this housing complex.
Why was President Shang buying this place?
When Shi Ying finally dragged her suitcase out, she saw Shang Chenyan standing on the balcony.
She was about to call him—
Then she noticed the personal undergarments she had hung up overhead to dry.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
“President Shang… please come inside. It’s cold outside…”
She called weakly.
Shang Chenyan turned back. Seeing her unnatural expression, one brow lifted unconsciously.
“All packed?”
“Yes, yes. Let’s go quickly!”
Shi Ying only wanted him away from the balcony as soon as possible.
“Alright.”
The man stepped into the living room, casually hooking his coat over one arm while taking her suitcase with the other.
“Let’s go.”
Shang Chenyan walked out first.
Shi Ying hurried to the balcony in a few quick steps, took down the hanging clothes, and stuffed them messily into her backpack.
Only then did the heat in her face fade slightly.
On the drive, seeing Shi Ying clutching her backpack the whole time, Shang Chenyan chuckled softly.
“You can put it down. No one’s stealing your bag.”
Shi Ying shrank her neck awkwardly, feeling her behavior was basically admitting guilt without being accused.
She changed the subject stiffly.
“President Shang, is there a supermarket on the way? I want to buy a few things.”
“Mhm. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I planned to take you.” Shang Chenyan looked at her through the rearview mirror. “There aren’t any daily necessities for women at home.”
During all the years Ying Ying had been gone, he had remained exceptionally self-disciplined.
As for the things she used to use…
He had locked them all away in the study.
The car stopped outside a large supermarket.
After entering, Shi Ying browsed through shelves selecting items while Shang Chenyan naturally pushed a shopping cart behind her.
Watching the other couples in the supermarket doing the same, he couldn’t help remembering the times he had accompanied her shopping before.
Five years.
After five years, he could finally follow behind her again—watching her, accompanying her.
“What about this?” Shi Ying hesitated while choosing slippers. “This one’s cute too.”
“Then take both.”
“But I only have one pair of feet. I can’t wear two pairs.”
After struggling with the decision, Shi Ying finally put one back.
She chose a pair of fluffy pink slippers with strawberry patterns.
Shang Chenyan glanced at the shelf, silently picked up a blue pair with blueberry patterns, and tossed them into the cart.
Meeting Shi Ying’s puzzled gaze, he casually grabbed a children’s pair as well.
“Shang Nian and I should replace ours too.”
“Oh.”