When Wanyi woke up, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar room.
The space was decorated in muted tones of gray and brown—cool marble floors, dark wood-paneled walls, and a brown Bohemian-style rug. It exuded a quiet, understated luxury.
Startled, she quickly sat up.
Only then did she realize she was wearing a silk set of sleepwear.
The last thing she remembered was attending the banquet with Shen Yuxun. Everything after that was blank.
It must have been the champagne.
But the clothes she had on now were no longer the dark green gown from last night.
A wave of embarrassment washed over her.
She gently lifted the beige blanket, slipped into a pair of slippers, and walked out of the room.
The living room was filled with the aroma of coffee. At the kitchen island, a middle-aged woman was busy preparing something.
“Miss Song, you’re awake. Mr. Shen asked me to make you some sobering soup,” the woman said—it turned out she was the housekeeper.
“Where… is he?” Wanyi asked.
“Mr. Shen went to the company for a meeting. He said he’ll be back soon. Please wait a moment, the soup will be ready shortly.”
Wanyi rubbed her forehead, still unable to recall what had happened the night before.
So… what exactly had happened?
“My clothes…” she asked hesitantly.
“Oh, I changed them for you,” the housekeeper replied while stirring the pot.
Wanyi poured herself a cup of coffee and took a sip, hoping it would clear her head.
It was bitter—too bitter. She wasn’t used to black coffee.
Life was already bitter enough; she didn’t like adding more of it.
She picked up her phone and sat on the sofa, suddenly remembering she had work today.
Fortunately, the soup was ready quickly. She drank a few hurried mouthfuls before heading back to the room to get dressed.
But once she returned, she froze.
She couldn’t remember where her clothes from last night were.
Were they still in Shen Yuxun’s car?
Just as she was about to call him—
Her phone rang first.
“Awake?” His voice came through, calm and low, with a quiet magnetism.
It sounded like he was still in a meeting—she could faintly hear chairs moving in the background.
“I’m awake… are you busy?” For some reason, she suddenly felt awkward facing him.
“Mm, I’m in a meeting. I’ll be back soon.”
“Um… where are my clothes? I need to go back to the museum for work.”
“I’ve already asked Anna for leave on your behalf. You can rest today,” he said. He had arranged everything in advance. “I had Assistant Jin prepare a few outfits in your size. They’re in the walk-in closet. You can pick whatever you like.”
“Thank you,” Wanyi said softly, feeling a little embarrassed.
“I still have things to handle. I’ll be back soon. We’ll have lunch together,” he added casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Okay,” she replied, taking a sip of water—obedient, almost like a wife waiting at home.
The walk-in closet was spacious, decorated in warm brown tones. Soft lighting reflected off the gray cabinet doors, giving everything a refined look.
One side was neatly filled with suits and shirts, while the other held several brand-new women’s outfits—clearly what he had mentioned earlier.
Next to the wardrobe was a display case of watches on gray marble stands. Each one looked incredibly expensive, and Wanyi didn’t dare touch them.
She chose a simple white shirt paired with a pleated skirt. The outfit made her look relaxed and effortlessly elegant. Her loose hair fell naturally over her shoulders, adding to her quiet beauty.
In the kitchen, the housekeeper was preparing lunch.
Wanyi took a book from her bag and sat by the window to read.
The window was slightly open, and a gentle breeze lifted strands of her hair, catching the sunlight.
Her lips were naturally rosy, her skin fair and luminous. With her delicate nose and long lashes, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
When Shen Yuxun pushed open the door, this was the scene he saw.
After finishing his meeting, he had driven straight back to Chaoming Residence.
Everyone at the company had noticed—
Today, President Shen was in an unusually good mood.
He slowed his steps, quietly approaching the serene picture by the window—
as if afraid to disturb it.
He was reminded of an 1888 painting—Reading in the Garden—a young girl lost in her book, so beautiful that the whole world seemed to revolve around her.
“What are you reading?” he asked, looking down at her.
Only then did Wanyi notice that Shen Yuxun had returned.
“You’re back.” She smiled brightly, closing her book and standing up.
“Hungry? Lunch is ready,” he said.
The housekeeper had already prepared the meal and quietly left at his instruction.
“It smells amazing,” Wanyi said, her appetite finally stirring. She hadn’t eaten much in the morning—just a bowl of soup—so she was just starting to feel hungry.
She walked over and sat at the table.
The dishes were simple, home-style cooking, but they looked incredibly appetizing.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of braised beef with tomatoes. It melted in her mouth.
For some reason, a playful thought crossed her mind.
“Mr. Shen, did you know? Beef and tomatoes aren’t supposed to be eaten together.”
“Oh? Why?” he asked, watching her with interest.
“Because… tomatoes are red, and the beef will ‘crash’ into you in your stomach,” she said, barely holding back a laugh.
“Hmm. I don’t know about beef crashing into you,” he said calmly, folding his arms and watching her eat, “but you… you crashed into me last night.”
“Huh?” Wanyi froze mid-bite, startled. She had run into him? Why didn’t she remember that?
“Can’t remember?” he said softly, as if recalling it himself.
“I really don’t remember anything from last night,” she said apologetically. “If I really did bump into you, then… I’m sorry.”
So what exactly had happened?
She only remembered drinking a glass of champagne, then going out to the balcony for some air. She had overheard a few women gossiping that he didn’t like women…
After that, she sat on the sofa—
And everything after that was blank.
“Mm.” He didn’t seem upset. Instead, he ladled her a bowl of winter melon and mushroom soup, gesturing for her to drink more.
Wanyi ate a full bowl of rice and finished the soup, gradually feeling satisfied.
“Full?” he asked.
“Mm, very,” she replied. The dishes reminded her a little of her hometown cuisine.
“What are your plans this afternoon?” Shen Yuxun set down his chopsticks.
“I want to go back to school. I still haven’t finished my thesis proposal,” she said. She’d also need to borrow a computer.
“I’ll take you.”
After lunch, they headed to the underground parking garage.
Uncle Chen was already waiting in the car.
They got into the back seat. Shen Yuxun went back to reviewing documents, as if he had truly just come home for a quick meal.
Wanyi stared out the window, a little bored.
The weather was beautiful. Autumn was approaching, and the leaves lining the streets were slowly changing color. It felt like a romantic season.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped smoothly by a small road near the university entrance.
“I’m here. Goodbye, Mr. Shen,” Wanyi said, opening the door.
“Wait.”
He stepped out as well, retrieving a box from the trunk and handing it to her.
She took it, confused.
It was a box with a silver apple logo.
“It’s for you,” he said. He had originally planned to buy her something more high-end, but in the end had Assistant Jin choose something more moderate. “Consider the payment for accompanying me to the banquet yesterday.”
Wanyi hesitated. She didn’t know how to respond.
The gift was clearly too expensive—
But she truly needed a computer right now.
Still, if she accepted it… would that blur the line between them even further?
Shen Yuxun glanced at his watch. “I have something to attend to. I’ll go first.”
With that, he got back into the car and left.
Wanyi carefully carried the box back to her dorm.
No one else was there.
She opened it and powered on the laptop.
It ran smoothly—far better than her old, worn-out one.
She felt grateful to him.
But at the same time… uneasy.
It felt like she owed him more and more—
And she wasn’t sure how she would ever repay it.