Back at the villa, Aunt Zhang was preparing dinner. When she saw the two of them walking in carrying suitcases and large bags, she showed a knowing smile as if saying, “I understand everything.”
Shi Ying: “……”
Shang Nian ran over and grabbed Shi Ying’s hand, looking up at her happily.
Shi Ying took out the new slippers she had bought and placed another pair she had bought for Shang Nian on the floor. “Do you like them, Nian Nian?”
Shang Nian nodded vigorously.
Then she noticed Shang Chenyan’s pair.
Shang Nian’s little brows immediately furrowed. Why were Dad and Mom’s slippers fruit-themed, but hers weren’t?
She looked down at her own mismatched little yellow duck slippers and glared at Shang Chenyan in annoyance.
On the dining table were steaming dishes. Shi Ying went to wash her hands in the kitchen and helped serve rice, but Aunt Zhang quickly took the ladle from her.
“I’ll do it. Miss Shi, go sit down.”
Shi Ying smiled. “It’s fine, I’ll help you.”
“Aunt Zhang, your cooking smells so good. It’s all my favorite dishes.”
Aunt Zhang laughed warmly. “The boss instructed me in advance. He said Miss Shi likes beef tenderloin, crucian carp, and chicken soup.”
Shi Ying paused slightly while holding her bowl. “How does he know?”
They had only eaten together twice. Yet he had already figured out her preferences so clearly—was he really that attentive?
“Aunt Zhang, do you stay here all the time?”
Aunt Zhang shook her head. “The boss doesn’t like strangers in the house. I only come during the day to take care of the young lady, and go home at night.”
“Oh.” He doesn’t like strangers?
Shi Ying quietly glanced outside again. Then during her temporary stay, she should just stay in her room and avoid disturbing him.
She was really too considerate.
After finishing dinner, Aunt Zhang left. She would come back in the 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 slightly.
While eating quietly, Shi Ying’s phone suddenly rang.
A message had come in.
She opened it, and her eyes lit up instantly.
It was a poster image sent by Shang Yu.
Shang Yu: “You said yesterday you like M Band. There’s a concert the night after tomorrow. I have two tickets. Want to go together?”
Shi Ying maintained her composure for two minutes, then replied: “Okay, okay.”
Shang Chenyan noticed her expression quietly and asked casually, “Something good happened?”
Shi Ying quickly put down her phone. “I want to go to a concert.”
“When?”
He added, “Do you need a driver?”
“No need, I can take a taxi myself.”
Shang Chenyan’s gaze darkened slightly. “It’s at night, right? Who are you going with? Is it safe?”
“With Shang Yu.”
After she said that, she secretly observed his expression, worried he might think she had ulterior motives for getting close to his nephew.
Although she did.
Shang Chenyan’s expression didn’t change. He even smiled faintly.
“Then I’m relieved.”
“You two seem quite close.”
Shi Ying quickly shook her head. “Not really… we’ve only talked a few times. It’s a pretty niche band, and he just happened to know I liked it, so he invited me.”
Shang Chenyan nodded slightly. “Still, you should interact with him less. Don’t get influenced by him.”
Shi Ying looked up curiously.
Shang Chenyan began listing complaints.
“He doesn’t study properly, idles around all day. I’ve read his thesis before—it’s basically academic trash.”
“He even dated in high school. No wonder his grades are so bad.”
“If the company is handed to him in the future, it’ll go bankrupt sooner or later.”
Shi Ying lowered her head and kept eating, not daring to respond. It seemed Shang Chenyan was very dissatisfied with his nephew.
After dinner, Shang Chenyan went to the study, while Shi Ying stayed in the living room with Shang Nian watching TV.
Before 9 p.m., Shang Nian fell asleep.
Shi Ying carried her back to the bedroom, tucked her in, and then came out.
As she closed the door, her stomach growled again. She was hungry and wanted a late-night snack.
At the end of the second floor corridor was Shang Chenyan’s study. Through the door gap, she could see the light inside.
She thought for a moment and knocked.
“Come in.”
The slightly ajar door opened further, and a small fluffy head peeked in. Shang Chenyan’s cold expression immediately softened.
“What is it?”
Shi Ying held the door frame and asked, “Can I use the food in the fridge? I’m a bit hungry and want to cook some wontons.”
Shang Chenyan closed his laptop and stood up. “Everything in the house is yours. You don’t need to ask me.”
“Oh…”
Under her surprised gaze, he walked out of the study.
“Mr. Shang?”
“Weren’t you going to eat wontons?” He looked back at her. “I’ll make them for you.”
Shi Ying quickly followed. “No need, I can do it myself.”
Shang Chenyan said gently, “The kitchen has oil fumes. Girls should go there less. If you want to eat anything in the future, ask Aunt Zhang or me.”
Shi Ying felt embarrassed, but he had already rolled up his sleeves, removed his black watch, and revealed strong, defined forearms.
He took out ingredients from the fridge, then frowned slightly.
“Can you help me tie the apron?”
Both his hands were full. Shi Ying quickly took the apron from the wall and stepped forward to help him put it on.
Shang Chenyan instinctively bent down. Shi Ying stood on tiptoe, slipping the strap over his head. His soft hair brushed her palm, sending a faint tingling sensation.
She moved behind him to tie the straps. The crystal chandelier cast fragmented light and shadows over them.
From Shang Chenyan’s angle, it looked as if Shi Ying was hugging him from behind.
His breathing faltered slightly.
“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.”
Why not just turn on the hot water? Shi Ying thought, but didn’t insist. Instead, she stayed beside him, chatting like a little shadow following him.
“Mr. Shang, how do you know how to do everything?” she asked sincerely.
Shang Chenyan paused slightly as he washed the vegetables. Under the light, his sharp profile and the small mole at the corner of his eye looked even more striking.
Why does he know everything?
Because he wants to build a home with her. He wants to take care of her for a lifetime.
His eyes flickered slightly.
“Living alone for a long time naturally forces you to learn.”
In ten minutes, two bowls of seafood wonton soup were ready.
At the dining table, they sat facing each other. Shi Ying ate with her head down. In the quiet night, only her soft chewing could be heard.
Shang Chenyan had no interest in eating. His deep black eyes kept falling on her without restraint.
Watching her flushed little face as she ate, her soft lips glistening with soup.
He wanted to kiss her.
Really wanted to kiss her.