Although she had lived there for two years, Cen Xi was not the type who bought many things.
She rarely bought unnecessary items, so what she needed to take with her was very little—just one suitcase and a small backpack.
After receiving her message, Fang Nian was already waiting downstairs in advance.
Lin Xingyou reluctantly sent her off.
“Madam.”
The black Maybach was parked by the roadside.
Among the passing traffic, it stood out immediately.
Fang Nian spotted Cen Xi dragging her suitcase and quickly walked over, taking it from her hands with great efficiency.
“You can just get in the car.”
Cen Xi didn’t rush to get in.
Instead, she turned and hugged Lin Xingyou.
Lin Xingyou hugged her tightly as well.
“Xi Baby, even though you’re moving out, this will always be your home. If you’re unhappy, just move back anytime.”
“I’ll always leave the door open for you.”
Cen Xi’s nose stung slightly.
She sniffed and said in a muffled voice,
“Okay. Message me if anything happens. You can also come stay at Jingtang Garden more often.”
“Deal!”
Lin Xingyou nodded firmly.
“You’re not allowed to forget me just because you have a husband. I’ll get jealous.”
Cen Xi smiled.
“Of course not.”
After placing her luggage in the trunk, Fang Nian stood quietly by the car, not rushing them.
Once Cen Xi and Lin Xingyou finished saying goodbye, he opened the car door for her.
“Thank you.”
She got into the car and rolled down the window, waving obediently.
Fang Nian drove slowly on purpose.
Only when they could no longer see Lin Xingyou did he speed up.
Cen Xi sat quietly in the car, feeling a little down.
“Madam isn’t happy?”
Fang Nian glanced at her.
“A bit,” she admitted.
“Then should I tell President Shang—”
“No need!”
She immediately shook her head.
There was no need to trouble Shang Hanzhou over everything.
Fang Nian didn’t say anything further.
When they arrived at Jingtang Garden, it was almost seven o’clock.
Grandpa Shang had said he would play two more rounds of chess and arrive at eight, so they still had about an hour.
The Maybach drove directly into the bright private underground garage.
This was the first time Cen Xi had entered it.
When the car drove in, she froze.
Bright lights covered every corner.
The walls were lined with stone panels—tall and spacious.
Several luxury cars were parked inside.
But Shang Hanzhou mostly used the Maybach.
The others were rarely touched.
“Madam, we’ve arrived.”
After parking, Fang Nian got out and took her suitcase.
“I can take it upstairs myself. You should get off work early.”
“It’s fine, Madam. I’ll take you up,” he said politely.
Alright then.
She didn’t insist further.
The garage had multiple elevators that led directly to the residence.
The clean, bright elevator doors reflected her image.
Her mind felt strangely unsettled.
So… she was moving into the marital home like this?
Ding.
The elevator arrived.
Fang Nian placed her suitcase inside, then stepped back out.
“Madam, have a safe trip.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh right, Madam—President Shang has already—”
Arrived.
Before he could finish, the elevator doors closed.
It began moving upward.
Cen Xi only caught the mention of Shang Hanzhou’s name.
The elevator rose steadily.
When the doors opened again, she stepped out with her suitcase.
It had already been two years since she last came here.
She only remembered that the house had once felt large and cold.
But now, in summer, the moment she entered, a cool air wrapped around her skin, completely contrasting the hot outdoor heat.
It was surprisingly comfortable.
The elevator doors closed behind her.
Cen Xi stood in the bright entrance hall with her suitcase.
Before she could fully react—
A sudden rush of heavy breathing approached rapidly.
A black, shiny figure shot into her vision.
A large Doberman charged straight at her.
Its front paws immediately grabbed at her clothes, tail wagging wildly.
Cen Xi almost screamed.
She stumbled backward, her slender back pressing tightly against the cold wall.
She didn’t dare move at all.
When she was younger, someone had once suggested she study veterinary medicine.
After all, animals were easier than people.
But she had never considered it.
Because she had been afraid of dogs since childhood.
Back then, she had lived with her mother in crowded rental housing.
Somewhere downstairs, a family had kept a large black dog.
It was aggressive, loud, and terrifying.
Every time she passed by after school, it would chase her.
It bit her school uniform pants more than once.
She had been knocked down countless times.
Now—
She stood frozen, trembling, her eyes red.
She looked like she might cry at any moment.
“Woof! Woof!”
The Doberman circled her excitedly, unaware of her fear.
At that moment—
Shang Hanzhou walked out after showering.
He saw the scene immediately.
The girl was pressed against the wall, visibly shaking.
Her eyes were wet, tears threatening to fall.
Even from a distance, he could sense her shallow, controlled breathing—careful not to provoke the stupid dog.
Unfortunately, the stupid dog was still happily wagging its tail.
His motion of drying his hair paused slightly.
“Ace. Sit.”
A cold voice sounded.
Cen Xi lifted her teary eyes instantly.
Their gazes met midair.
Shang Hanzhou’s throat subtly moved.
The woman who could calmly treat his horrific wound in a hospital…
Was now on the verge of tears because of a dog.
A faint, helpless curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
Funny.
Ace tilted its head, then obediently sat down, tail stopping immediately.
Seeing this, Cen Xi carefully stepped away, trying to keep as far as possible.
Her skirt brushed her ankle—
The dog suddenly moved again.
Her legs weakened and she almost fell.
A strong arm immediately caught her waist.
Warm, firm.
The scent of bergamot enveloped her completely.
Cen Xi looked up at him.
Shang Hanzhou lowered his eyes, voice low and deep.
“Afraid of dogs?”
His hand did not fully release her waist.
Cen Xi swallowed.
“…No.”
Just as she said it—
Ace, seeing its owner, became excited again and rushed forward.
The “not afraid” person immediately shut her eyes and let out a short, uncontrollable scream.
Her body trembled even harder.
Shang Hanzhou’s lips curved slightly.
“This is not afraid?”