Normally, whenever it was mealtime, Ace would always come over.
But today, the dog was obediently lying in its kennel on the balcony. Its ears drooped lazily, looking rather pitiful.
Grandpa Shang recognized Ace. The Doberman had been a gift from one of Shang Hanzhou’s friends.
It had already been raised for four years.
Even during the two years when he went to Germany to expand the overseas market, he had specially arranged for a private plane to bring Ace along.
Only recently had Ace been sent back.
However, Grandpa Shang also knew that Cen Xi was afraid of dogs—not because she had said it herself, but because he had noticed it.
The first time Cen Xi came to the old residence, many nosy relatives had deliberately visited under the excuse of paying respects, simply to see what the newly returned granddaughter-in-law was like.
Some of them even brought their pets.
One of them was a very cute Samoyed—fluffy all over. Normally, girls would be completely charmed by such an adorable dog.
But Cen Xi never actively approached it.
In fact, when the Samoyed ran toward her, she would subtly step away.
That was when Grandpa Shang realized his granddaughter-in-law was afraid of dogs.
During the meal, Grandpa Shang suddenly spoke.
“Hanzhou, after dinner, send this dog away.”
He did not avoid Ace when saying this.
Ace, who had been lazily lying in its kennel, suddenly stood up.
It wanted to run over, but remembering Shang Hanzhou’s command earlier, it could only circle its kennel in grievance.
It understood.
Shang Hanzhou frowned slightly, his lowered eyes cold and unreadable. He did not respond.
“Did you hear me?”
Seeing no reaction, Grandpa Shang tapped the table heavily with his aged hand.
The atmosphere instantly fell silent.
Cen Xi pressed her lips together.
She roughly guessed why Grandpa Shang was making this request.
She opened her mouth, just about to speak—
Shang Hanzhou calmly replied, “Got it.”
He actually agreed without objection.
Instead, Cen Xi frowned even deeper.
Because she was afraid of dogs, she was especially sensitive to their emotions. She could tell Ace had been raised well—it was obedient and well-behaved.
Even if it did not want to be sent away, it only circled its kennel pitifully.
This was unfair to both Shang Hanzhou and Ace.
“Grandfather,” she put down her chopsticks and said seriously, “there’s no need to send the dog away.”
“It’s your home,” Grandpa Shang replied, clearly unwilling to negotiate.
“If I’m afraid of it, then it should leave.”
“But this is Ace’s home too,” Cen Xi said naturally.
Ace had grown up with Shang Hanzhou. In terms of first-come-first-served, if anyone had to leave, it should be her.
The man across from her lifted his gaze slightly, his dark eyes landing quietly on her.
Cen Xi did not notice.
She was still worried Grandpa Shang would insist on forcing Ace away.
“Grandfather, the marital home is very big. I and Shang—”
She instinctively wanted to say “President Shang,” but paused halfway.
After a brief hesitation, she changed it to—
“Hanzhou.”
“There’s more than enough space for Ace to eat, sleep, and play.”
She was afraid of dogs because she had been attacked too many times as a child and had developed a trauma. But that did not mean she disliked animals.
Grandpa Shang still looked stern, seemingly unwilling to compromise.
Cen Xi softened her tone again, almost like she was coaxing a family elder.
“Grandfather, let Ace stay here, okay?”
After a long silence of half a minute—
Grandpa Shang finally gave in.
“Alright, alright. We’ll listen to you. As long as you’re not scared.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
A bright smile appeared on Cen Xi’s clean face. She even obediently picked several pieces of fish for him.
The old man immediately snorted at Shang Hanzhou.
“I’m only doing this because of Xi-Xi!”
His words clearly implied that Shang Hanzhou should remember her kindness.
Cen Xi secretly glanced at Shang Hanzhou.
If Ace really had been sent away, that would have been awkward.
She quietly took out her phone and tapped the screen twice.
Buzz—
Shang Hanzhou’s phone vibrated on the side.
A WeChat message appeared with a simple note: the contact name was just “Cen”.
Cen: 【Ace won’t be sent away】
He did not open it. His dark eyes merely swept across the screen before falling back onto the girl across from him.
Cen Xi was chewing a piece of spare rib.
After sending the message, she subtly watched his expression, worried he might be displeased with Grandpa Shang’s decision.
When she saw him look at her, she blinked.
Then, awkwardly and carefully, she picked up a spare rib and placed it in his bowl—mirroring what she had just done for Grandpa Shang.
“This one is good.”
She said softly.
She wanted him not to be angry with Grandpa Shang.
The braised ribs were the housekeeper’s specialty.
Tonight, this was the dish she had picked the most.
The irritation that had vaguely lingered in Shang Hanzhou’s heart suddenly eased.
After two years apart, his arranged wife… actually treated the old man like family.
Compared to that, he seemed like some dangerous stranger.
Afraid he would be angry with the old man, she even gave him his favorite dish.
…Was he really that frightening and petty?
Shang Hanzhou reflected for a moment.
Seeing him eat the ribs, Cen Xi finally relaxed. She then asked about Grandpa Shang’s health.
The old man waved his hand repeatedly.
“I’m perfectly fine! I’m just waiting to hold your and Hanzhou’s child!”
Cough—cough cough—
Cen Xi choked instantly.
Her face flushed red.
Her and Shang Hanzhou’s child… they hadn’t even kissed yet.
While she was still coughing, a glass of water was handed to her.
She did not look at who it was and quickly drank it.
Only then did she recover.
A tissue box was then pushed toward her.
A man’s well-defined hand rested lightly on it, veins visible, fingers long and elegant.
It was Shang Hanzhou.
Cen Xi’s breathing tightened slightly.
She bit her lower lip and took the tissues, wiping the water from her lips.
“Grandfather even hopes you two have twins—one like you, one like Hanzhou. Just thinking about it makes me happy!”
The topic made Grandpa Shang so excited he even stopped eating.
Cen Xi quickly tried to change the subject.
But unexpectedly—
Shang Hanzhou answered.
“Alright.”
Huh?
She froze.
A strange itch spread faintly in her chest.
Fortunately, the topic did not continue.
Grandpa Shang truly had only come for a meal. After half an hour, he left for the old residence.
He was used to living there and always returned no matter how late it got.
The household staff cleaned up the kitchen and left with the trash as well.
The huge marital home was left with only Cen Xi, Shang Hanzhou, and Ace.
Ace, perhaps aware of its intimidating appearance, never left the balcony kennel. It lay there obediently, only daring to wag its tail occasionally.
Shang Hanzhou poured some dog food into a bowl and casually placed it in front of Ace.
His gaze, however, drifted toward Cen Xi sitting neatly on the sofa.
After Grandpa Shang left, she seemed to talk much less.
“Cen Xi.”
His low voice suddenly called her name.
Cen Xi immediately looked up.
Her first reaction was to stand up.
Her hands fell naturally to her sides, her tone slightly tense.
“Yes?”
It was the same expression she had when facing an emergency surgery at the hospital—like she was bracing for something serious.