Cen Xi rarely drove.
During her years studying medicine, she had always been busy. She had only gotten her driver’s license two months ago and still wasn’t confident enough to drive alone.
She stood waiting outside the hospital entrance. The summer evening breeze lifted the hem of her dress into gentle arcs.
She pressed it down with one hand and was about to call a taxi when the black Maybach parked in front of her sounded its horn.
Startled, Cen Xi looked up.
The window rolled down.
The first face she saw was Fang Nian’s. The smile on his face was far brighter than it had been in the hospital earlier.
“Madam, get in.”
Cen Xi blinked, almost thinking she had misheard him.
The rear passenger window lowered as well.
Shang Hanzhou’s sharply defined profile appeared before her eyes. His nose was straight, his lips thin. He turned his gaze toward her, and their eyes met briefly in midair.
Cen Xi’s heart tightened.
Her first instinct was to lower her head and avoid his gaze. Her thoughts immediately became tangled.
Had he recognized her?
“Madam, Grandpa Shang just called President Shang. Since you’re both heading back, you can return together.”
Because of the injury on his leg, Shang Hanzhou couldn’t conveniently get out of the car. Fang Nian, however, moved quickly. He stepped out and enthusiastically opened the rear door for her.
At this point, even a fool would understand.
Apparently, Grandpa Shang’s phone call had reminded Shang Hanzhou of her existence.
“Thank you.”
Her voice was soft.
Without putting on airs, she got into the car.
Because she spent so much time in hospitals, there was always a faint scent of disinfectant clinging to her, no matter how subtle it was. Combined with the fact that Shang Hanzhou had just had his wound treated, the smell inside the enclosed cabin was not particularly pleasant.
Shang Hanzhou remained expressionless and instructed Fang Nian to activate the car’s air purification system.
The medicinal scent gradually faded.
In its place came the faint fragrance of bergamot that belonged exclusively to Shang Hanzhou.
Unconsciously, Cen Xi clenched a corner of her pink dress and turned to look out the window.
The scenery passed by frame after frame.
She had assumed they would remain silent all the way back to the Shang Family residence.
Then the deep voice beside her spoke.
“You didn’t drive to the hospital?”
Cen Xi was surprised.
She hadn’t expected him to be the one to start the conversation.
She nodded slowly.
“My driving skills aren’t very good. I don’t really dare drive.”
After she finished speaking, Shang Hanzhou merely gave a faint acknowledgment.
The two of them were practically strangers.
There wasn’t much else to say.
It was so awkward.
Cen Xi had the urge to scratch her palm with her fingernails.
Why did this feel more uncomfortable than treating his wound in the consultation room earlier?
Just as she was thinking that, her phone rang again.
It was a call from Lin Xingyou, her best friend in Beijing.
Cen Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Without hesitation, she answered.
At least it would give her something else to focus on.
“Darling, I saw the news. Your husband has returned to the country.”
The two had known each other since high school.
Among all her friends, Lin Xingyou knew the most about her situation with Shang Hanzhou.
Cen Xi secretly glanced at the broad figure sitting beside her and softly replied,
“Mm.”
Lin Xingyou’s gloating voice immediately came through the phone.
“I also heard from some gossip sources that he got into a car accident. Oh my God! The heavens finally opened their eyes. An old man who abandoned his wife right after getting married and ran off overseas deserved this disaster. He had it coming.”
Lin Xingyou wasn’t exactly lowering her voice.
Even though the call wasn’t on speaker, every word was perfectly audible inside the car.
At the very least, Shang Hanzhou sitting beside her could definitely hear it.
Cen Xi nearly choked on her own saliva.
Covering the receiver, she coughed twice.
What a mistake.
She shouldn’t have answered this call so quickly.
“Darling, don’t tell me you’ve caught a cold? You’re coughing so badly.”
Lin Xingyou completely missed the hint and even sounded concerned.
Then she continued indignantly,
“I’m telling you, if that old man doesn’t cherish you, you should find a young puppy boyfriend just to piss him off. No, not one—find ten! Every single one younger and stronger than him!”
“Youzi.”
Afraid her friend might say even more outrageous things, Cen Xi hurriedly interrupted.
“I still have something to do over here, so I’ll hang up now.”
She quickly ended the call.
The moment she looked up, she found herself meeting Shang Hanzhou’s gaze.
His eyes were unfathomable.
Like a vortex capable of dragging someone down into its depths.
Cen Xi’s face slowly flushed red.
Hearing her best friend badmouth him behind his back in front of him was undeniably awkward.
She opened her mouth, intending to apologize.
But Shang Hanzhou spoke first.
“I’m sorry. The group’s focus will be shifted back to the domestic market from now on.”
Meaning…
He would be spending much more time in Beijing from now on?
While Cen Xi was still processing his words, the Maybach had already come to a smooth stop in front of the old residence.
“President Shang, Madam, we’ve arrived.”
Fang Nian’s voice came from the front.
Cen Xi pushed aside her thoughts and got out first.
Over the past two years, she had visited the old residence quite often.
At least twice every month.
The Shang Family residence was located deep within the city center. The environment was quiet and secluded. It was a traditional courtyard mansion with four sections and three inner courtyards. From the outside, it appeared classically elegant, with white walls and black roof tiles.
But once someone passed through the circular archway, an entirely different scene unfolded.
Modern design blended seamlessly with ancient architecture.
Convenient and visually stunning.
The Maybach drove straight into the courtyard and stopped.
After getting out, Cen Xi suddenly remembered the injury on Shang Hanzhou’s leg.
It probably wasn’t easy for him to get out of the car.
She walked around to his side.
The man’s long, straight legs stepped firmly onto the bluestone pavement.
Seeing that he seemed perfectly capable despite the injury, Cen Xi quietly withdrew the hand she had intended to offer him.
Apparently, he didn’t need her support.
Just as her arm retreated slightly, a warm and powerful hand firmly grasped her small one.
Cen Xi froze.
Her body was pulled a step closer by the motion.
Her lively heartbeat seemed to skip a beat.
Shang Hanzhou’s voice was low and magnetic.
“Thank you for lending a hand, Mrs. Shang.”
She couldn’t tell whether he was referring to her supporting him now or treating his wound earlier at the hospital.
The temperature of his palm was much warmer than hers.
Feeling uncomfortable, Cen Xi turned her face away.
Her fingers curled slightly as she softly replied,
“You’re welcome.”
The two of them continued holding hands as they crossed the courtyard and entered the main hall.
Grandpa Shang had been waiting.
When he saw them entering one after the other, he was just about to frown.
Then he noticed their clasped hands.
Immediately, he was delighted.
There was still hope.
At least the boy knew enough to hold onto his wife.
Their palms had become slightly damp from the contact.
Cen Xi disliked that sticky feeling.
If her memory served her correctly, Shang Hanzhou had a serious case of cleanliness obsession.
He probably disliked it too.
A few seconds later, Cen Xi took the initiative to pull her hand away.
The man’s lips tightened slightly.
His gaze swept toward her.
Suddenly, a memory from two years ago surfaced in his mind.
The very first time they had met, she had said:
“Mr. Shang, don’t worry. I already have someone I like. This is only a marriage alliance. We won’t be talking about feelings.”