His slightly hoarse voice sounded beside her ear.
Cen Xi tightened the seatbelt across her chest.
She truly hadn’t expected him to come.
After swallowing, she finally answered,
“I wasn’t crying.”
She had grown up with her mother and had never been close to the rest of the people in the Cen family.
Everything they had done today caused her exactly zero emotional damage.
She didn’t care about those insignificant people at all.
The Maybach quickly merged onto the main road.
Lights filtered through the windows and illuminated the interior.
Cen Xi secretly glanced at the man beside her.
After thinking for a moment, she finally asked,
“Why did you come to the Cen residence?”
The five IV bottles he had received that morning had apparently done some good.
His fever was gone now.
However, his throat was still somewhat dry and hoarse, making his voice sound even deeper than usual.
“Because you mentioned it.”
Hm?
Cen Xi’s eyelashes fluttered lightly.
Her thoughts turned over in her mind before she finally understood what he meant.
He had heard the phone call from Cen Jiansheng while she was accompanying him during his IV treatment that morning.
“Oh.”
She responded softly.
No matter what, she was genuinely grateful that he had come today.
Otherwise, she would have had to spend much longer dealing with those people before she could leave.
Though for him, it was probably just a simple favor done in passing.
“Thank you.”
In the quiet atmosphere of the car, she politely expressed her gratitude.
Shang Hanzhou’s cold, handsome face showed little reaction.
His long fingers casually tapped against the leather steering wheel.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
“Cen Xi.”
Hearing him suddenly call her name, she inexplicably felt nervous.
Instinctively, she sat up straighter and turned toward him.
“What is it?”
Shang Hanzhou continued looking at the road ahead.
His facial features were sharp and perfectly defined.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly.
“You’re Mrs. Shang. My wife. You don’t need to be so polite.”
Cen Xi froze.
Several moments passed before she unconsciously began fiddling with her seatbelt again.
“Didn’t you say we should treat each other with respect?”
Two years ago, on the day they obtained their marriage certificate, she had actually been extremely nervous.
She had also found Cen Jiansheng’s arrangements utterly ridiculous.
Anyone would be unhappy upon discovering that their marriage partner had suddenly been changed at the last minute.
That day, she had arrived at the restaurant precisely on time.
When she entered, Shang Hanzhou was already there.
His broad shoulders were facing away from her.
Even so, she had recognized him immediately.
After she sat down, Shang Hanzhou lifted his wrist and checked the time.
The cold metal watch reflected a faint glimmer of light.
He hadn’t even asked for her name.
Instead, he had simply said,
“The kind of marriage I want is one where we treat each other with respect. If you can agree to that, we’ll get the marriage certificate.”
So after they registered their marriage, he had immediately left for overseas.
And he had stayed away for two entire years.
She hadn’t found it particularly surprising.
Shang Hanzhou chuckled softly.
“Mrs. Shang, treating each other with respect doesn’t mean being completely distant and overly polite.”
“…”
Cen Xi fell silent.
At that moment, he reminded her very much of the difficult patients she often encountered at work.
“Oh. Okay.”
She nodded and didn’t continue the topic.
“Are you hungry?”
He asked again.
Cen Xi touched her stomach.
The food at the Cen residence had never suited her tastes very well.
She had only eaten about half a bowl.
She wasn’t full, but she wasn’t particularly hungry either.
After glancing at Shang Hanzhou, she still nodded.
“A little.”
Shang Hanzhou said nothing further.
He simply turned the steering wheel.
The car changed direction and headed elsewhere.
The Maybach eventually stopped in front of Lanxinzhai Restaurant.
It was one of the most famous local restaurants in Beijing.
Cen Xi hadn’t expected him to bring her here.
Before today, she had never visited Lanxinzhai Restaurant.
She had only seen food bloggers reviewing it online.
The reviews were overwhelmingly positive.
She had even planned to come someday with Lin Xingyou.
She never imagined her first visit would be with Shang Hanzhou.
It was currently peak dinner time.
Lanxinzhai Restaurant was packed with customers.
The moment the lobby manager spotted Shang Hanzhou entering, he immediately recognized him.
“President Shang.”
The manager greeted him with a broad smile.
This was the first time he had ever seen Shang Hanzhou bring a woman to Lanxinzhai Restaurant.
Politely smiling at Cen Xi, he secretly speculated about her identity.
The two didn’t seem particularly close.
There was enough distance between them to fit another entire dining table.
Perhaps she was a subordinate?
But that didn’t seem right either…
“And this lady is…?”
While leading them upstairs, the manager cautiously asked.
Shang Hanzhou answered indifferently,
“My Madam.”
“I see… Ah? Madam?!”
At that exact moment, they were climbing the stairs.
The manager nearly missed a step and tumbled down.
He was utterly shocked.
He had never seen a married couple dine together while acting this unfamiliar with each other.
Fortunately, he was someone who had seen plenty in life.
His surprise lasted only a second before he quickly regained his composure.
“Good evening, Mrs. Shang. Do you have any dietary restrictions?”
Cen Xi wasn’t a picky eater.
The only exception was shrimp.
She was allergic.
“I don’t eat shrimp.”
“Understood. We’ll make sure that nothing containing shrimp is served.”
The private room upstairs was located beside a window.
Outside lay a bustling street filled with dazzling neon lights.
The view was beautiful in its own way.
The two had just taken their seats.
Shang Hanzhou pushed the ordering tablet toward her.
“You choose.”
Cen Xi didn’t refuse.
She selected two dishes based on her usual preferences.
Just as she was about to hand the tablet back to him, the phone inside her bag rang.
She normally didn’t keep her phone on silent after work.
The moment it rang, she answered.
“Dr. Cen, there’s been a major traffic accident in the eastern district. Some of the patients have been transferred to our hospital. We’re short on staff and urgently need you to come back.”
The nurse sounded extremely nervous.
Situations like this weren’t uncommon.
Cen Xi immediately stood up.
“Okay. I’ll be there right away.”
After ending the call, she bit her lip and looked apologetically at Shang Hanzhou.
“I’m sorry. The hospital called me in for emergency overtime. I need to go now. Let’s have dinner together another time.”
Before he could answer, she turned and ran out of the private room.
“President Shang, what’s going on with Madam?”
The manager had been waiting outside.
Seeing Cen Xi hurry away, he poked his head into the room and asked.
A slight smile curved Shang Hanzhou’s lips.
He stood up as well and strode toward the door.
“Prepare the dishes first.”
Then he left.
Cen Xi ran all the way outside the restaurant.
She hadn’t driven there.
Since it was dinner hour, the streets were packed with cars and people.
Getting a taxi was proving nearly impossible.
She switched between four or five ride-hailing apps.
Every one of them still displayed:
Searching for driver…
Suddenly, warmth brushed against her wrist.
A tall figure appeared beside her.
A broad hand firmly wrapped around her slender wrist.
Shang Hanzhou stood next to her, his presence casting a gray shadow over her.
His deep voice sounded unhurried.
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll take you there.”