Life settled into a quiet rhythm.
By day, Wanyi worked at the museum. By night, she would receive a call from Shen Yuxun—almost always initiated by him.
Neither of them mentioned what he had said that night.
And yet… something between them had undeniably changed.
….
Up until the day before the trip, Shen Yuxun still hadn’t returned from Europe.
Wanyi began to worry. The auction would be a formal occasion—but she didn’t even own proper attire.
After some hesitation, she finally asked Shuqing to accompany her to a clothing market.
The prices there were lower than in shopping malls, and the styles were just as fashionable.
Inside the bustling market, Wanyi stepped into a modest-looking boutique and explained that she needed something suitable for a formal event.
The shop owner quickly recommended a modernized black cheongsam with subtle embossed patterns. The fabric was smooth and flowing, elegant without looking cheap.
Wanyi took it into the fitting room.
When she stepped out, she called Shuqing a few times—but got no response. Turning around, she found her friend staring dreamily at her phone.
“What are you doing?” Wanyi walked over, leaning closer.
Startled, Shuqing hurriedly covered her screen.
“What are you hiding?” Wanyi pressed, amused by her unusual behavior.
“Well… I… I’m in a relationship now,” Shuqing admitted shyly, her cheeks flushed with the unmistakable glow of someone in love.
“With the guy you told me about last time?”
She nodded. “We got together last week. I feel so happy every day… I just want to be with him all the time.”
Wanyi shook her head helplessly. “You’re hopeless.”
She never expected her carefree friend to turn into such a lovestruck girl.
“Anyway—what do you think of this?”
“Wow… it’s stunning. It suits you perfectly!”
Only then did Shuqing notice the cheongsam.
The slit ran up to her thigh, but instead of looking revealing, it accentuated Wanyi’s long, straight legs with understated elegance. The asymmetrical collar added a refined, graceful touch, highlighting her figure in all the right ways.
Encouraged by her friend’s approval, Wanyi negotiated with the shop owner.
It wasn’t cheap—but thinking of the occasion ahead, she decided to buy it.
“Oh, right—you’re going to Hong Kong, right?” Shuqing asked suddenly.
“Yes! I’ve told you that like three times already.” Wanyi resisted the urge to shake her.
“Then you need a swimsuit! You can’t go to the beach and not swim.”
Before Wanyi could protest, Shuqing dragged her into a swimwear shop.
Faced with the barely-there pieces on display, Wanyi felt completely out of place.
“How about this one?” Shuqing held up a floral, painterly-patterned swim dress, paired with a light white cover-up. Stylish, yet not overly revealing.
Wanyi hesitated—but eventually nodded.
By the time the market was closing, they had finally finished shopping.
As they parted ways, Wanyi reminded her, “Watch where you’re going—don’t walk while staring at your phone.”
“Okay, okay,” Shuqing laughed, though the unmistakable sweetness of being in love lingered in every word.
The next day, Wanyi met up with the director and headed to the airport.
Even until boarding, she didn’t see Shen Yuxun.
Perhaps they were on different flights.
Last night, she had casually asked if he would be going to Hong Kong.
His answer had been yes.
Four hours later, they landed.
Hong Kong—a coastal city known for tourism, and an internationally renowned trading port.
It was Wanyi’s first time here.
Dragging her suitcase, she left the terminal and took a taxi with the director to their hotel.
They were staying at the Wanching Hotel, located within a luxury resort—one of the flagship high-end properties under the Wanzhen Group.
The lobby gleamed with intricate gold detailing, shimmering under massive crystal chandeliers. Dark marble walls exuded a cool elegance, contrasted by polished white floors covered with expansive gray carpets.
The air carried a subtle, refined fragrance. Soft music drifted through the space.
The reception staff, dressed impeccably with silk scarves, greeted them with flawless professionalism.
Since there were no scheduled activities that day, Wanyi and Anna checked in and returned to their separate rooms to rest.
The moment Wanyi opened her balcony door, a vast ocean view unfolded before her.
The sky was a clear, endless blue. The sea shimmered, merging seamlessly with the horizon. A few scattered tourists strolled along the beach below—off-season quietness lending the scene a gentle calm.
Feeling drawn to it, Wanyi put on a hat, grabbed her room card, and headed downstairs.
The sea breeze carried a faint salty tang. The sand was soft and pristine—clearly well-maintained by the hotel.
Even at four in the afternoon, the sun was still fierce. Not daring to stay too long, she sat briefly in the shade before heading back.
As she entered the grand lobby, she spotted Anna sitting in a corner with Assistant Jin. They seemed to be discussing work.
If Assistant Jin was here…
Then what about him?
Just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone buzzed.
A message from Shen Yuxun.
“Dinner tonight.”
Short. Direct. Just like him.
“Okay,” she replied.
So… he really came.
Back in her room, Wanyi hesitated for a long time before finally taking out the black cheongsam she had bought.
She sat before the mirror and applied a light touch of makeup.
Looking at her reflection—clear skin, bright lips, eyes soft and luminous—she almost didn’t recognize herself.
Then—
Knock, knock, knock.
She assumed it was Anna coming to discuss work.
But when she opened the door—
It was Shen Yuxun.
He stood there in a smoky-gray short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers. The restrained tones gave him a distant, untouchable air. On his wrist rested a custom brown Piaget watch, adding a quiet note of elegance.
Wanyi froze, caught off guard, words failing her.
It had been two weeks since he last saw her.
Now she stood before him in a black, slit cheongsam, her features softened by makeup—delicate, captivating, almost like a different person.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Something unspoken passed silently between them.
“Let’s go,” Shen Yuxun said at last.
“…Okay.”
Wanyi snapped back to herself, grabbed her bag, and followed him out.