Recently, the chaos surrounding Long Xun had left Ying Xing’er exhausted and with no time to seek out Shen Jingwen. However, the two of them happened to run into each other on a bustling commercial street crowded with people. Ying Xing’er was there to buy a highly-rated massage chair for the Ying family matriarch, while Shen Jingwen was out shopping for essentials. Both were momentarily stunned when they locked eyes.
Shen Jingwen was the first to walk over gracefully. “Long time no see. How have you been lately?”
The polite, formal opening made Ying Xing’er feel a bit uneasy, but seasoned as she was in social settings, she returned a polite smile. “I’m okay. And you?”
They stood in the middle of the noisy street, exchanging pleasantries like old friends who hadn’t met in years.
“I’m doing well too. I have something to attend to, so I’ll head out first.” Shen Jingwen gave her an apologetic smile and brushed past her. Ying Xing’er watched her retreating back, feeling a heavy tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe.
“Eldest Miss, go after her,” her confidant, Xiao Wu, suggested, risking a scolding.
Ying Xing’er thought about it, then let out a bitter laugh and shook her head. What would chasing her achieve? Shen Jingwen didn’t have feelings for her; was she supposed to resort to stalking? Besides, with so many matters waiting for her to handle, she didn’t have the luxury to dwell on romance.
“Xiao Wu, take the massage chair back to the ancestral home. Give me the car keys. I want to go for a drive.”
She just wanted to be alone. Xiao Wu hesitated but obediently handed over the keys. Ying Xing’er drove to a mountaintop, stepped out of the car, and leaned against the door. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She couldn’t understand why her path to love was so difficult. Why couldn’t she be like Ying Jia’en, whose life was so smooth? Since childhood, she and Jia’en had lived in two different worlds hers was full of darkness, while Jia’en’s was filled with sunshine, joy, and a real childhood. She had nothing.
Unbeknownst to her, Shen Jingwen’s car was parked nearby. She had witnessed everything. Seeing Ying Xing’er looking so helpless, she could no longer restrain herself. She unbuckled her seatbelt, got out, and handed a tissue to Ying Xing’er.
“Coincidentally, I wanted to come up here for some fresh air too, only to find someone crying as helplessly as a child.” Shen Jingwen placed the tissue against Ying Xing’er’s face, wiping away the tear tracks. Her impression of Ying Xing’er was of a somewhat willful mob princess; she never knew she had such a fragile side.
Ying Xing’er stared blankly at her. Shen Jingwen sighed softly after drying her eyes. “Can we talk?”
Shen Jingwen felt it was time to settle things whether to be friends or something else, there needed to be a conclusion today.
“Talk about what?” Ying Xing’er sniffled.
Shen Jingwen leaned against the car with her hands in her pockets. The breeze blew through her long hair, creating a scene of quiet beauty. “Ying Xing’er, I don’t understand. Why me? With your status, you could have any girl you want. Why insist on me? I’m so much older than you; ten years ago, you probably would have called me ‘Auntie.’ I admit, my heart has fluttered for you, but an attraction doesn’t always mean being together. I’m older, I’ve experienced more, and I consider things more deeply than you. Xing’er, do you really think there’s a future or happiness for us together?”
“Why are you so sure I can’t give you happiness? Because I’m younger? Because I’m in the triad?” Ying Xing’er looked at her. “I can’t change my age. But if you despise the triad, once I finish handling these current affairs, I’ll step away from it entirely. Is that not enough? Shen Jingwen, do you know? No one has ever dared to even touch me without paying for it, yet you took my first kiss the moment we met, and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything to you. I had to leave seven years ago because of an emergency, or you would have been my girlfriend back then. I’ve never been in a relationship; I don’t play with people’s hearts. The children of the Ying family are devoted. I’ve spent these years waiting for a woman I could spend my life with. Now I’ve found her, but she doesn’t like me. It’s quite pathetic, actually.”
Ying Xing’er laughed self-deprecatingly. Shen Jingwen reached out and gently took her hand. “Are you willing to try dating me? I can’t guarantee I’ll marry you in the future, but I will work hard to make this relationship last through every sunrise and sunset.”
Shen Jingwen decided to take a chance on her future. Even if she ended up scarred or lost her faith in love, at least she wouldn’t have regrets. After being rational for so many years, she wanted to be impulsive just this once. She was gambling her life’s happiness.
“Really?” Ying Xing’er looked into her eyes, unable to believe this sudden joy.
“Really,” Shen Jingwen’s voice was soft but firm.
Ying Xing’er pulled her into a tight embrace, unable to find words for her joy. She just wanted to hold her, letting the physical sensation confirm that this wasn’t a dream.
That evening, Ying Xing’er took Shen Jingwen to dinner and a movie, setting aside all other troubles to focus entirely on their first day as a couple. She thought that even decades from now, when her hair was white, she would never forget the beauty of this day.
After the date, Ying Xing’er drove her home. At her front door, Shen Jingwen found her cousin, Yang Guang, waiting.
“Yang Guang? Why are you here?”
“Cousin, can I stay the night? I’ve been on duty for 24 hours and I’m dying for sleep.” Yang Guang yawned.
Shen Jingwen let her in. “Is being a local police officer really that exhausting?”
The two weren’t particularly close; Shen Jingwen had always lived in her own world and had lost touch while studying abroad. Yang Guang’s sudden appearance was a surprise.
“Busy with a case. I can’t talk, I’m going to sleep.” Yang Guang collapsed into the guest room without even washing up.
The next morning, Yang Guang woke up, tidied the room, and found Shen Jingwen watching financial news. “Cousin, thanks for last night. Can I use the shower?”
“Straight ahead. I’ve put out fresh toiletries for you.”
Thirty minutes later, Yang Guang rushed out while dressing. “Cousin, I have to get back to the station. Thanks for taking me in. If you ever run into trouble, call me anytime!”
She left in a whirlwind. Shen Jingwen cleaned up and drove to the office. She stopped by the General Manager’s office and knocked.
“You actually showed up for work today?” Shen Jingwen teased.
Li Mingxi held up her bandaged hand. “It’s just a scratch, not enough to justify sick leave. By the way, was the bid submitted?”
“It’s in. I can’t guarantee we’ll win, but we have at least an 80% chance.”
“Good. We’ve done our best.” Now, all they could do was wait to see if fate would let Baijia survive.