When they returned to the villa, Aunt Zhang was preparing dinner. Seeing the two of them come in carrying suitcases along with bags big and small, she revealed a smile that clearly said, I understand everything.
Shi Ying: “…”
Shang Nian came running over with quick little steps and grabbed Shi Ying’s hand, looking up at her happily with her small face tilted upward.
Shi Ying took out the slippers she had just bought, then placed the pair she bought for Shang Nian on the floor as well.
“Do you like them, Shang Nian?”
Shang Nian nodded vigorously.
Then, she noticed Shang Chenyan’s pair.
Her tiny brows immediately furrowed.
Why did Father’s and Mother’s have fruit patterns, but hers didn’t?
She lowered her head to glance at the mismatched little yellow duck slippers on her own feet, then glared angrily at Shang Chenyan.
The dining table was already filled with steaming dishes.
Shi Ying went into the kitchen to wash her hands and helped serve the rice while she was at it. Aunt Zhang quickly took the ladle from her.
“I’ll do it, Miss Shi. Hurry and sit down.”
Shi Ying smiled.
“It’s okay, I’ll help.”
“Aunt Zhang, your cooking smells amazing. They’re all dishes I like.”
Aunt Zhang chuckled.
“They were all instructed in advance by Sir. He said Miss Shi likes stir-fried beef strips, crucian carp, and also likes chicken soup.”
Shi Ying paused slightly, holding the bowl.
“How does he know that?” she muttered softly.
They had only shared meals together twice, yet he seemed to know her preferences so clearly.
Was he really that attentive?
“Aunt Zhang, are you usually here all the time?”
Aunt Zhang shook her head.
“Sir doesn’t like strangers in the house. I’m only here during the day to take care of Miss Shang Nian. I go back every night.”
“Oh.”
He didn’t like strangers?
Shi Ying secretly glanced outside again.
Then during the period she stayed here temporarily, she’d spend more time in her bedroom.
She definitely wouldn’t disturb him.
She was truly far too considerate.
After finishing dinner preparations, Aunt Zhang left. She would come back the next morning to clean.
At the dining table, Shang Chenyan naturally served Shi Ying a bowl of chicken soup.
“Try Aunt Zhang’s cooking.”
“It’s delicious.”
Seeing that she liked it, Shang Chenyan’s lips curved upward slightly without a sound.
The meal continued quietly.
Suddenly, Shi Ying’s phone rang with a new message.
She opened it—
And her eyes instantly lit up.
It was a poster image sent by Shang Yu.
Shang Yu: 【Yesterday you said you liked the band M. There’s a concert the night after tomorrow. I have two tickets. Want to go together?】
Shi Ying restrained herself for two minutes before replying:
【Sure, sure.】
Shang Chenyan quietly noticed her expression and casually asked,
“Something good happen?”
Shi Ying hurriedly put away her phone.
“I want to go to a concert.”
“When is it?” Shang Chenyan added, “Do you need a driver to take you?”
“No, no. I can call a taxi myself.”
The darkness in Shang Chenyan’s eyes deepened slightly.
“The concert is at night, right? Who are you going with? Is it safe?”
“With Shang Yu.”
After answering, Shi Ying secretly observed his expression, worried he might think she was deliberately getting close to his nephew for ulterior motives.
Although…
She really did have ulterior motives.
Shang Chenyan’s expression remained unchanged. He even smiled.
“Mhm. Then I’m relieved.”
“You seem to have a pretty good relationship with him.”
Shi Ying shook her head repeatedly.
“It’s just… we’ve only talked a few times. We’re not particularly close. This band is pretty niche, and he just happened to know I liked them, so he invited me.”
Shang Chenyan nodded vaguely.
“Still, you should interact with him less, so he doesn’t end up leading you astray.”
Shi Ying looked up curiously.
Shang Chenyan began criticizing him.
“He doesn’t study properly at school and spends all day loafing around. I looked at one of his papers before—it was practically academic garbage.”
“He was even in an early relationship back in high school. No wonder his grades were so poor.”
“If the company gets handed to him in the future, bankruptcy is only a matter of time.”
Shi Ying lowered her head and focused on eating, not daring to respond.
It seemed Shang Chenyan was very dissatisfied with this nephew of his.
***
After dinner, Shang Chenyan went to the study while Shi Ying stayed in the living room watching television with Shang Nian.
But shortly after nine, Shang Nian couldn’t stay awake anymore and fell asleep.
Shi Ying carried her back to her room and tucked the blanket around her before coming out.
The moment she closed the door, her stomach rumbled.
She was hungry again.
She wanted a late-night snack.
At the end of the second floor was Shang Chenyan’s study. Through the crack in the door, faint light spilled out from inside.
After thinking for a moment, Shi Ying walked over and knocked.
“Come in.”
The not-quite-closed door was pushed open a little more, and a fluffy little head poked inside.
The coldness in Shang Chenyan’s brows immediately softened.
“What is it?”
Shi Ying gripped the doorframe with both hands and asked,
“Can I use the things in the refrigerator? I’m a little hungry and want to make a bowl of wontons.”
Shang Chenyan closed his laptop and stood up.
“You can use anything in the house. There’s no need to ask me.”
“Okay…”
Under her surprised gaze, Shang Chenyan walked toward her and left the study.
“President Shang?”
“Weren’t you going to make wontons?”
Walking ahead, the man turned back to glance at her.
“I’ll make them for you.”
Shi Ying hurried after him.
“No need. I can do it myself.”
Shang Chenyan’s voice was gentle.
“The kitchen gets smoky. Girls should spend less time in there. In the future, if you want to eat anything, let Aunt Zhang or me make it for you.”
Shi Ying felt embarrassed.
But the man had already rolled up his shirt sleeves, removed the black watch from his wrist and set it aside. Veins faintly stood out along his smoothly defined arms, carrying a sense of strength.
Just after taking ingredients from the refrigerator, he frowned slightly in annoyance.
“Can you help tie my apron?”
Both his hands were occupied.
Shi Ying quickly took down the apron hanging on the wall and stepped forward to help him put it on.
Shang Chenyan bent down cooperatively.
Standing on tiptoe, Shi Ying slipped the strap over his head. His soft short hair brushed across her palm, leaving behind a faint tingling sensation.
She moved behind him to tie the straps.
The crystal chandelier cast fragmented shadows, reflecting the silhouettes of the two of them.
From Shang Chenyan’s angle—
It looked as though Shi Ying was hugging him from behind.
His breathing faltered slightly.
“All done.”
Shi Ying followed him into the kitchen.
“I’ll wash the vegetables.”
Shang Chenyan blocked her hand.
“The water is cold. Just wait outside.”
Couldn’t he just turn on hot water?
Shi Ying pressed her lips together but ultimately felt too embarrassed to sit outside. Instead, she stayed nearby chatting with him, trailing behind like a little tail.
“President Shang, how do you know how to do everything?”
Shi Ying sincerely admired anyone who could cook.
She only knew how to boil noodles.
Shang Chenyan lowered his head while washing vegetables.
Hearing her question, his movements paused briefly.
The light illuminated his sharply defined profile, making the tiny mole beneath the corner of his eye appear even more alluring.
Why did he know how to do everything?
Because he had wanted to build their home properly.
Because he had wanted to take care of her for an entire lifetime.
A faint ripple stirred in the man’s eyes.
“When you’ve lived alone for a long time, naturally you learn a little of everything.”
In just ten minutes, two bowls of seafood wontons were ready.
At the dining table, they sat facing each other.
Shi Ying lowered her head and ate enthusiastically.
In the quiet night, only the soft sounds of her chewing could be heard.
Shang Chenyan had no mind to eat.
His deep black eyes missed no opportunity to look at her.
Watching her eat until her little face turned flushed, watching soup cling to her soft pink lips, leaving them damp—
He wanted to kiss her.
He wanted to kiss her so badly.