The three-day exhibition wrapped up smoothly, earning widespread praise.
The curator gave everyone a day off.
Wanyi didn’t have any classes that day either. After waking up, she washed the borrowed blouse and skirt, planning to return them to her colleague the next day.
Once she hung the clothes out to dry, she opened her laptop to start working on her thesis proposal.
The computer whirred loudly as it powered on.
It was an old laptop her cousin had used—she had begged her aunt several times before it was finally given to her.
In college, having a computer was almost essential. But she simply couldn’t afford a new one.
Unfortunately, whether due to age or faulty parts, the laptop refused to start properly. She tried several times, but it wouldn’t boot up.
Wanyi sighed in frustration.
Looks like it needed repairs again.
The last time she fixed it was just last month. At this rate, she figured it might be better to save up and buy a second-hand one instead.
After all, if it broke completely, she could lose important files.
Even though she backed things up to her email, there were always times when she forgot to save before a sudden shutdown.
Closing the laptop, she packed it into her bag and headed to a nearby electronics market.
“Can this still be fixed?” she asked the repair technician.
“It’ll be difficult. The hard drive’s damaged,” the young man replied, cigarette in hand as he stared at the screen.
Wanyi sighed again.
“Why not just buy a new one?” he suggested.
“Do you have second-hand ones here?” she asked, hoping to check the price.
“We do, but I’d have to source one for you. Tell me what model you want, and I’ll ask around,” he said, squinting as he took a drag.
Wanyi didn’t like the smell of smoke.
“I’ll think about it first,” she said, turning to leave with her laptop.
Without a computer, she couldn’t even finish her assignments. The thought made her anxious.
She picked up her phone, considering asking a classmate to borrow theirs for a while—
Just then, a message popped up.
“Where are you?”
The blue profile picture—it was Shen Yuxun.
“At the computer market,” she replied honestly.
“I’ll pick you up. Be there in 15 minutes.”
Wanyi stared at the screen, almost as if she could burn a hole through it.
She walked over to a flowerbed nearby and sat down.
Perhaps because of the heavy rains earlier, the temperature had dropped noticeably these past few days.
She had thrown on a light sweater before leaving, but now that the sun was out, it felt a bit warm.
Just as she was debating whether to take it off—
Beep—
A car horn sounded.
Wanyi looked up and ran toward the familiar car.
A dark blue Bentley was parked by the roadside, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight.
She opened the back door and got in.
Shen Yuxun was dressed as usual in a white shirt and gray trousers, but today he had added a vest, giving him a refined, gentlemanly air.
“Mr. Shen?” she asked, confused.
She had no idea why someone like him would come personally to pick her up.
“Come with me to a banquet,” he said, noticing the light sheen of sweat on the tip of her nose from running. He handed her a tissue.
“But… I didn’t bring a change of clothes,” she said. In truth, she didn’t have much suitable clothing anyway.
“Assistant Jin has prepared everything for you.”
“…Alright.”
“What are you doing here?” he asked, glancing at the laptop in her hands.
“My computer broke. I came to get it fixed,” she said, pouting slightly as she looked at it—still unsure what to do next.
“Mm.” He didn’t press further, letting the topic drop.
The car soon arrived at a salon.
After getting out, Assistant Jin led her into a VIP room.
It was a private styling studio, likely cleared in advance. The spacious interior held only a few impeccably dressed staff members, all standing in a neat line, waiting.
“Hello, Miss Song. I’m your stylist for tonight—Tony,” a man in work attire introduced himself. “And this is your makeup artist, Amy.”
Wanyi smiled politely, still unsure what to expect.
Soon, Assistant Jin returned with a dark green satin mermaid gown. After giving a few instructions, he left again.
Wanyi spent the next two hours getting her makeup and hair done.
When everything was finally finished—
“Wow, you’re absolutely stunning, darling,” Amy praised, admiring her like a finished piece of art.
“Thank you,” Wanyi replied shyly. It was her first time wearing such an elegant gown.
Lifting the hem of her dress slightly, she stepped out, intending to find Assistant Jin.
But as she opened the door, she saw Shen Yuxun seated on a luxurious sofa.
He had changed into a black suit, adorned with subtle, intricate embroidery, making him look even more distinguished and refined.
One arm rested casually against the sofa as he sipped tea.
When he saw her, he paused—momentarily stunned.
He had always known she was beautiful.
But at this moment, she took his breath away.
Her hair was styled in a low, vintage-inspired updo, with a soft strand framing her face. Pearl earrings made her already delicate features appear even more refined.
The dark green gown hugged her figure perfectly, revealing her slender ankles—like a princess who had quietly slipped out of a fairy tale.
Shen Yuxun set down his cup, stood up, and extended his hand toward her in invitation.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
Wanyi gently placed her hand in his.
She was a little unsteady, still not used to high heels.
Holding her hand, he escorted her to the car and opened the door for her like a true gentleman.
Once they were seated, Uncle Chen drove them toward Butterfly Manor.
When Wanyi arrived at the banquet, she realized she recognized several familiar faces—
Andrew, Anna, and a number of well-known collectors were all in attendance.
With her arm linked through Shen Yuxun’s, she stepped into the venue.
The moment they entered, it was as if a spotlight had been switched on—every eye in the room turned toward them.
“William!” People kept coming up to greet Shen Yuxun. He responded with polite smiles.
Wanyi, meanwhile, glanced at the small cakes on a nearby table—she was a little hungry.
Noticing her distraction, Shen Yuxun smiled and let go of her arm.
She took a glass of champagne from a server and walked toward the dessert table.
“Hi, Wanyi.”
It was Anna.
“Director,” Wanyi greeted respectfully.
“You look stunning today—I almost didn’t recognize you,” Anna said. She had known Wanyi was introduced by Assistant Jin, but she hadn’t realized that the person backing her was actually Shen Yuxun.
When she saw Wanyi walk in on his arm earlier, she thought she must have been mistaken.
Still, Anna was perceptive enough not to point it out. After all, she had always treated Wanyi fairly.
“You’ve worked hard these past few days. Andrew will be leaving China soon, so tonight’s event is also a farewell for him,” Anna explained.
Originally, she had invited Mengmeng too—after all, the guests tonight were influential figures in the art world, and it would’ve been a valuable opportunity for a newcomer.
Unfortunately, Mengmeng was still unwell and couldn’t attend.
Instead, Wanyi had come—clearly, Shen Yuxun was intentionally giving her this opportunity.
Otherwise, someone of his status wouldn’t need to attend an event like this at all.
Wanyi took a sip of champagne. It was her first time drinking it, and the taste felt novel.
After finishing one glass, she picked up another.
“Careful, don’t get drunk,” Anna reminded her.
“Okay,” Wanyi replied. She wasn’t sure about her tolerance anyway, so she decided to take it easy.
She stepped out onto the balcony, leaning against the railing to get some fresh air.
Meanwhile, Shen Yuxun was surrounded by yet another group of people greeting him.
He seemed to be the center of the entire event—people kept glancing his way.
Wanyi, tucked away in a quiet corner, was perfectly content with her solitude.
“Look, that’s Shen Yuxun,” a few women nearby whispered.
“He’s so handsome—and still single.”
“Yeah, I’ve never even heard any rumors about him.”
“Do you think he doesn’t like women?”
Wanyi couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
The women glanced over and quickly fell silent.
Perhaps it was the breeze—or the champagne—but the alcohol was starting to hit her.
She felt a little dizzy and sank onto a sofa in the corner, resting her head against her hand.
At that moment, Shen Yuxun was listening to Mr. Chen ramble on about a new commercial leasing project. He was already looking for a way out—
A second-tier luxury brand director, hoping to secure a prime storefront, wasn’t exactly worth his time. If not for the man’s father holding a government position, he wouldn’t even have had the chance to speak with him.
“Excuse me, I have something to attend to,” Shen Yuxun said, cutting him off.
From a distance, he had already spotted Wanyi slumped on the sofa. He walked straight toward her.
“Wanyi, what’s wrong?” he asked softly, leaning down as he noticed her flushed cheeks.
“Mm… I think I’m a little dizzy,” she murmured, not even noticing the way he addressed her.
“Did you drink a lot? Let’s go,” he said, helping her up. He took the coat handed to him by a server and draped it over her shoulders.
The mid-September night was still a little cool.
Supporting her slender waist, he guided her into the car.
She seemed tipsy now, unaware that she was leaning against his chest.
His warm breath brushed against her neck, making her shiver slightly.
“Uncle Chen, back to Chaoming Residence,” he instructed.
The Bentley soon carried them back to the city center.
After swiping the card, the elevator opened directly into the apartment.
Shen Yuxun helped Wanyi sit on a bench by the entrance and gently removed her white heels.
Her toes were soft and delicate, like polished jade.
The moment her shoes were off, she darted toward the sofa like a freed colt.
“Mmm… so soft… so comfortable…” she murmured, sinking into the plush Italian couch.
Watching her curl up like a cat, her slender legs peeking out from beneath the dress, he felt a sudden warmth rise in his throat.
The dark green silk clung to her like a second skin.
He steadied himself and walked to the counter, opening a chilled bottle of mineral water and pouring her a glass.
He couldn’t tell how much she had drunk—but left unattended for a moment, she had already gotten tipsy.
A faint, helpless smile touched his lips.
Wanyi looked at him as he handed her the water.
Suddenly, she remembered what the women had said earlier.
And then—she did the most foolish thing she could have done that night.
“Shen Yuxun… they said you don’t like women,” she said, her voice soft and slightly slurred, a playful smile on her lips as if she had uncovered some great secret.
“Is that so?” he replied quietly, not answering directly.
Instead, he lifted the glass to her lips and let her drink.
She took a sip—and then laughed, as if taking his silence as confirmation.
“I even thought you liked me before… guess I was overthinking,” she mumbled to herself.
If she had looked up, she would have seen the coldness in his eyes melt away, replaced by something far more intense.
“Oh? Why did you think I liked you?” he asked, sitting on the marble coffee table across from her, leaning forward slightly so they were eye level.
His elbows rested on his knees, his deep gaze fixed on her, a trace of softness hidden within.
“Well… you held my hand… and gave me such an expensive gift… no one’s ever done that before,” she said, fiddling with her fingers, her voice growing quieter.
“So this was your first time holding someone’s hand?”
“It was my first time holding yours… and… no one’s ever hugged me before…” she said softly, recalling the moment in the courtyard when he caught her.
“Did you like it?” His voice had turned low, edged with something deeper.
“I… don’t know.” All she knew was that her heart had never behaved normally around him.
“What about this?”
His hand quietly closed around hers, gently tracing her soft fingers.
“Mmm…”
A warmth spread from her hand to her face. She bit her lip lightly, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol.
“And this?”
His other hand lifted, brushing softly against her cheek. The warmth of his touch sent a faint tremor through her.
“Mmm…”
It tickled, but she didn’t dare pull away. The sensation felt strange—like it wasn’t just on her skin, but somewhere deeper inside. She couldn’t tell if she liked it or not.
Didn’t he not like women?
Then why was he doing this?
She had already tried to keep her distance.
Why did their paths keep crossing, again and again?
This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.
It wasn’t part of her plan.
He didn’t speak, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Something flickered in his dark eyes, like a tide about to break.
“What about this?”
He straightened slightly, then leaned down—
And kissed her.