The car was already waiting in the hotel’s underground garage.
This time, Assistant Jin was driving.
It was a black jade Porsche Panamera Executive, bearing a Shanghai license plate. Wanyi guessed it was probably Shen Yuxun’s personal car.
They drove all the way to a private seaside restaurant.
There were no other guests—just the two of them, seated at a table facing the ocean.
As soon as they were seated, the staff signaled the kitchen to begin serving.
A pianist started playing softly in the background.
Under the gentle flow of music, the entire space felt serene… almost dreamlike.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Shen Yuxun said.
When he had seen her earlier, he had almost forgotten how to breathe.
Wanyi lowered her head slightly and smiled. “Thank you.”
“Sir, what would you like to drink?” the waiter asked politely.
“A bottle of 2005 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet,” Shen Yuxun replied.
Knowing she couldn’t handle strong alcohol, he had deliberately chosen something smoother.
The meal began with a creamy chicken vol-au-vent and vegetable soup, followed by beef Wellington and grilled Norwegian salmon.
Wanyi realized she was hungry and began to eat quietly.
“Slow down,” he reminded gently, eating at an unhurried pace. Table manners were second nature to him—something ingrained since childhood.
“It’s really good,” she said after taking a sip of the white wine. It was slightly tart but smooth, with a lingering grape aroma.
“I had the chef specially brought in,” he said.
Under the warm golden light and soft music, his usual sharpness seemed to soften into something almost… gentle.
“If I keep eating like this, I might not be able to go back to my regular work meals,” Wanyi joked lightly, carried by the relaxed atmosphere.
“I already had Assistant Jin upgrade your staff meals,” he replied.
That reminded her of the lavish catering during the Andrew Exhibition—it had indeed stayed at that level ever since.
“Thank you, Mr. Capitalist, for caring about the working class,” she teased, sipping her soup.
“Oh? Sounds like you have complaints about me.” Shen Yuxun glanced at her struggling with her steak, then calmly took her plate and began cutting it for her.
“I wouldn’t dare, Boss Shen—you’re my big boss, after all.”
At some point, she had stopped being afraid of him… and started speaking freely.
“Then you’d better listen to your boss,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips—so captivating it was hard to look away.
He slid the neatly cut steak back to her.
Wanyi picked up her glass, only then realizing she had already finished one serving of wine.
Knowing her limits, Shen Yuxun didn’t let the waiter refill it.
After dinner, they walked along the nearby beach.
Stars dotted the night sky, clear and luminous. The moon hung in a soft crescent, quiet yet radiant.
The sound of waves rolled endlessly in their ears. The sea breeze carried a cool edge.
Wanyi walked barefoot on the sand, a faint chill brushing against her skin.
Streetlights in the distance stretched their shadows long across the shore.
She stepped on her own shadow… then mischievously on his, a small, almost childish gesture.
Rubbing her arms, she felt the cold—but didn’t want to leave.
“Cold?” Shen Yuxun asked softly, his voice deeper now, huskier after the wine.
“A little.”
Without hesitation, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
He had brought it with him when they left the car.
The coat still carried his warmth… and that faint, cool scent that was distinctly his.
It wrapped around her, too large, almost as if it could swallow her whole—leaving her nowhere to escape.
“Is the laptop I gave you working well?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s great. Thank you.”
“Any difficulties at work lately?”
She seemed thinner again. He couldn’t help but ask—worried she might be struggling alone without saying anything.
“No. Everyone’s been very kind to me.”
Wanyi lowered her head, pressing her toes into the sand. In the distance, a few small crabs scuttled along the shore.
She was already content with her life—being able to do what she loved was more than she had ever hoped for.
The sand here wasn’t as soft as near the hotel. It felt rougher, with tiny fragments hidden beneath.
She thought about putting her shoes back on.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Yuxun noticed her pale, bare feet.
“It’s a bit prickly. I want to put my shoes on.”
Lifting the hem of her dress, she stepped toward a nearby rock, intending to sit—
“Ah—!”
A sharp cry escaped her lips.
A sudden sting shot through the sole of her foot.
She must have stepped on something sharp.
For a moment, she froze—unsure whether to sit down right there or hop to the rock.
Shen Yuxun frowned.
Without a word, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.
Caught off guard, Wanyi instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
That familiar, ocean-like scent surrounded her again.
From this angle, she could see the sharp line of his jaw, his lips pressed tight—he didn’t look pleased.
His features were striking. When expressionless, he seemed distant, almost untouchable. But when he smiled… there was a warmth that felt disarming.
She wondered, briefly—
Did he smile like that at other women too?
He set her down gently on a rock and, under the dim streetlight, lifted her foot to examine it carefully.
There was a small cut—he couldn’t tell if anything was still lodged inside.
“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Wanyi said, trying to pull her foot back.
Being looked at so closely… felt oddly embarrassing.
“Don’t move,” he said firmly.
Before she could protest, he picked her up again and carried her toward the car.
Assistant Jin was already waiting in the driver’s seat, as if he had anticipated this.
When he saw Shen Yuxun carrying Wanyi—with his jacket draped over her—he paused briefly, then quickly returned to a professional expression.
“Mr. Shen.”
He opened the back door.
“Back to the hotel. Call a doctor,” Shen Yuxun ordered, settling Wanyi into the seat and sitting beside her.
“Yes, Mr. Shen.”
Before starting the car, Assistant Jin sent a message to the hotel.
The car soon arrived at the underground garage.
Shen Yuxun handed Wanyi’s shoes to Assistant Jin, then carried her straight into the elevator—up to the top floor.
“Mr. Shen, I’m really fine. It’s just a small cut,” Wanyi said softly.
There was no need to make such a fuss. She could walk on her own.
“Let the doctor disinfect it,” he replied.
Better to be safe.
Her foot—fair, delicate—made even that tiny wound look glaring.
He carried her into the presidential suite and placed her gently on the sofa, taking back the jacket from her shoulders.
Whenever he stayed in Hong Kong—
This was where he lived.
It wasn’t long before Assistant Jin returned, leading a doctor in a white coat into the suite.
As a five-star luxury brand, the hotel provided its own on-call physician to ensure any emergencies could be handled promptly.
“She cut her foot while walking on the beach,” Shen Yuxun explained.
The doctor crouched beside Wanyi, examined the wound, then took out a small kit. He dabbed antiseptic onto the cut and carefully wrapped it with gauze.
“It’s just a minor injury. Keep it clean for the next few days, avoid water, and watch for infection,” he advised, handing her a fresh, unopened bottle of antiseptic.
“Thank you, doctor,” Wanyi said softly.
She felt a little embarrassed—it was such a small cut, yet it had caused such trouble.
It’s all because of him, she thought, stealing a glance at Shen Yuxun.
Assistant Jin soon escorted the doctor out.
The vast suite fell silent, leaving only the two of them.
Perhaps it was because her nerves had finally relaxed—
or perhaps the wine—
but as the quiet settled in, Wanyi began to feel a faint dizziness.
Leaning back against the sofa, she rubbed her forehead.
Shen Yuxun noticed and walked over, pouring her a glass of warm water with a bit of honey.
After drinking half of it, she felt slightly more clear-headed.
“Better?” he asked softly, leaning down to look at her.
Wanyi lifted her gaze.
Her blurred, hazy eyes met his dark ones—and for a moment, it felt as if she was being pulled into their depth, forgetting how to speak.
He had always had beautiful eyes.
She usually didn’t dare look at them for too long.
But tonight, emboldened by the lingering haze of alcohol—
She wanted to look her best.
The thought made her suddenly smile.
“Is it that funny?” he asked, amused, reaching out to gently pinch her cheek.
“Mmm…” She rubbed the spot he touched, her face growing warmer. “My face feels hot,” she murmured to herself.
“Hot? Let me check.”
Before she could react, his face moved closer—
and then, his cheek brushed lightly against hers.
Just a fleeting touch.
But it stole her breath.
Her heart began to pound wildly in her chest.
“Not hot,” he said with a soft laugh, watching her with quiet fondness.
“Then I shouldn’t drink anymore,” she muttered. “Last time I drank, I completely forgot what happened.”
At that, Shen Yuxun let out a helpless chuckle, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Forgot… did she?
“Do you want me to help you remember?” he asked softly.
His large hand covered hers, warmth spreading steadily through her skin.
Wanyi lowered her head, staring at his hand—broad, strong, nearly twice the size of hers. The fingers were long and well-defined.
Beautiful hands.
She gave his palm a small squeeze, almost absentmindedly.
He watched her quietly, then lifted her delicate chin with his other hand.
And kissed her.
The moment his lips touched hers, Wanyi froze—
then instinctively shut her eyes.
The familiar sensation sent a ripple through her mind, pulling her back to that night.
But unlike his distant demeanor, his kiss was anything but cold.
It was intense… overwhelming.
He gently parted her lips, leaving her no choice but to respond.
Her thoughts blurred, her body growing light, as if she were drifting somewhere far away.
When she tried to lean back, she realized his arm was already around her waist, holding her in place.
Her hands rested weakly on his shoulders—
there was nowhere to retreat.
All she could do was endure the storm of his presence.
It felt like an eternity.
When Wanyi finally opened her eyes—
he had already pulled away.
“Easy… breathe,” Shen Yuxun said softly.
The cold clarity in his eyes had softened into something warm, almost tender—as if he were drawing her gently into his world.
Wanyi took a shaky breath, her heartbeat slowly settling.
“Do you remember now?” he asked.
“…Mm.”
She did.
She shouldn’t have said he didn’t like women.
“You fell asleep on the sofa,” he continued calmly. “I carried you to the bedroom. You even kicked me in the stomach, so I had no choice but to let you have it. I slept in the guest room.”
So that room… had been his.
A quiet sense of guilt crept into her heart.
“I was worried you’d be uncomfortable, so I called the housekeeper to help you change.”
Seeing her dazed, innocent expression, he couldn’t resist leaning down to steal another quick kiss.
Wanyi immediately covered her mouth, afraid he might try again.
Everything tonight felt unreal—like a dream she might wake from at any moment.
And her luck had never been particularly good.
“Wanwan… will you be with me?”
His voice was low, almost coaxing—like he was gently trying to lead her somewhere she couldn’t quite resist.
His fingers, warm and steady, brushed against her cheek, lingering at her chin.
He was patient.
Waiting.
Wanyi lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers.
If tonight was a dream…
could she allow herself to be reckless, just once?
Her life had already known too much hardship.
If she could have even a moment of happiness—
wouldn’t that be enough?
Just like the first time she saw him, when she gathered the courage to ask for his contact.
Back then, it had felt like a risk that cost her nothing.
But now…
If she said yes, it would no longer be without consequence.
Because she could feel it—
her growing fondness for him.
And if she let this chance slip away…
would she even be left with a memory worth holding onto?
“You don’t have to answer me now,” Shen Yuxun said gently, breaking her thoughts.
There was a quiet indulgence in his gaze.
“Think it through… and tell me when you’re ready.”
Wanyi looked out the window.
The moon hung quietly in the night sky.
Beautiful.
She had once heard that when people die, they become stars—and when you miss them, they shine.
She was alone in this world.
What was there left to lose?
Shen Yuxun leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead—
as though she were something precious beyond measure.
Despite everything life had put her through, she had faced it all with resilience and quiet determination.
That kind of courage… deserved to be protected.
He didn’t want her to fade into the crowd.
Wanyi nodded slowly.
She still wasn’t ready to answer.
“I… I’ll go back to my room first.”
But the moment she finished speaking, she slipped on her shoes and hurried out—almost fleeing.
Watching her retreating figure, Shen Yuxun let out a soft, helpless laugh.