After dropping Song Wanyi off, Shen Yuxun instructed Uncle Chen to drive toward Chaoming Residence.
Ten minutes later, as he sat in the back seat, his fingers tapped lightly against his knee.
“Turn around,” he said.
Uncle Chen immediately understood and made a U-turn, heading back to the bar.
The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance. Shen Yuxun watched the people coming and going, occasionally glancing at his watch.
Ten minutes later, Song Wanyi finally walked out of the bar.
But there seemed to be a man trailing behind her.
Shen Yuxun stepped out of the car and approached them.
She appeared to be in trouble, clearly trying to get away.
Just as he was about to step in, she suddenly collapsed into his arms.
Only then did he realize how alarmingly hot her body was.
She had a fever.
The bar manager rushed out and froze when he saw Song Wanyi in Shen Yuxun’s arms.
He was startled, realizing that this seemingly ordinary college girl might have an unexpected background.
“Is this how your establishment pays its employees?” Shen Yuxun’s low voice carried a hint of danger.
“N-no… that’s not it…” the manager stammered.
Shen Yuxun gestured slightly, signaling the security guards behind him to restrain the bald man.
Then he carried Song Wanyi into the car and headed to a nearby hospital.
Song Wanyi drifted in and out of consciousness, trapped in a hazy dream.
She saw her father lying in a pool of blood.
Her mother waved her arms frantically, but Song Wanyi couldn’t make out what she was holding.
All she could hear was the sound of crying, growing louder and closer.
She wanted to escape.
She wanted to help her father up—but her body wouldn’t move.
She tried to scream, but no sound came out.
Startled, Song Wanyi jolted awake, surrounded by a blur of white.
She remembered the sharp, striking face she had seen before losing consciousness—and the warmth of his hand resting against her waist.
Looking around, she realized she was in a private hospital room.
An IV was attached to her left hand.
On the single sofa to her right sat a man.
His long legs were stretched out, his eyes lightly closed.
It looked as though he had been there all night.
But the thought quickly crossed her mind—and she dismissed it.
“Sir?” she tried to speak, only to find her voice hoarse.
“You’re awake.” Shen Yuxun called for the doctor.
After confirming that all her vital signs were normal, he sat down beside the bed.
“You were sick,” he said, his gaze fixed on her pale face.
“I just felt a little dizzy,” Song Wanyi replied innocently.
No wonder the world had felt like it was spinning—she had assumed it was just the alcohol.
She coughed softly, feeling a bit embarrassed that he had stayed to look after her.
He seemed busy, though—sitting on the sofa with his laptop open, handling work.
Amid the steady tapping of keys, a well-dressed young man entered the room.
“President Shen.”
So his surname really was Shen, Song Wanyi thought to herself.
“Mm,” Shen Yuxun responded without looking up.
Assistant Jin carried in a carefully packaged meal.
It was a custom-made dish from a Michelin-starred restaurant, tailored to the client’s preferences. He had received his boss’s message an hour earlier, along with the hospital address.
Though he didn’t know the full story, he didn’t dare question the order.
But upon arriving and seeing the woman in the hospital bed, his confusion only deepened.
The oversized hospital gown draped over her frame couldn’t hide her graceful figure.
Her delicate oval face, paired with her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders, gave her a unique blend of innocence and allure.
It was rare to see someone so beautiful without seeming intimidating—yet impossible to look away from.
Noticing Assistant Jin’s gaze, Shen Yuxun spoke, “If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
Snapping back to his senses, Assistant Jin quickly set the food on the table and exited with a slight bow.
The moment Song Wanyi saw the steaming dishes, she swallowed unconsciously.
“Can I… eat?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yes.” Shen Yuxun paused his work and looked at her.
“If you’re busy, you don’t have to stay,” she said. She could tell he had a lot to do, though she didn’t understand why he remained. “Thank you… for the past two days.”
“Song Wanyi.” Shen Yuxun stopped typing, stood up, and walked toward her. “I’ve already saved you three times.”
The basketball court, the club, and last night at the bar—he had indeed saved her three times.
She was undeniably grateful.
“Mr. Shen…”
“Seems like we’re fated to meet,” he said.
Fated…?
Maybe it was fate.
But was this kind of fate really meant for her?
She was nothing more than a tiny speck in the vast sea of people.
Did she even have the right to hold onto it?
Song Wanyi couldn’t help but feel a quiet sadness.
Once, she had been like any other girl her age—
wearing pretty dresses and attending enviable ballet classes.
But everything changed drastically when she was eight years old.
Perhaps that’s just how life works.
Just when you’re feeling proud and content, it strikes you without warning, leaving you unprepared.
From that moment on, “luck” seemed to have nothing to do with her anymore.
“Mr. Shen, I owe you too much. I truly hope I can repay you somehow.” Song Wanyi lowered her head, not daring to meet Shen Yuxun’s eyes. “After all… I have nothing to offer.”
“I can help you.” Shen Yuxun stood up, his tall figure filling the space with an almost overwhelming presence.
Song Wanyi felt a flicker of panic.
She couldn’t find the words—yet she felt she had to say something.
“I… don’t deserve it,” she said, forcing herself to suppress the emotions rising in her chest.
“I’m just a poor student struggling to get by. I have nothing I can give you in return.” She let out a bitter smile.
“I can give you what you want.” He stepped closer, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to meet his intense gaze.
“All I want is a stable job and to finish my studies smoothly,” Song Wanyi said, gathering her courage—though the words weren’t entirely true. “I don’t dare to hope for anything more.”
She thought to herself—no one likes being rejected.
After hearing her answer, Shen Yuxun straightened, one hand slipping into his pocket, his expression unreadable.
He looked down at her, his tall figure standing by the hospital bed, as if he didn’t belong in such an ordinary place.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
For the next two days, Shen Yuxun never appeared again.
Their encounter felt almost like a dream.
Under the doctor’s care, Song Wanyi gradually recovered.
When the doctor informed her she could be discharged, she hesitated.
“But the hospital fees…” she asked uncertainly.
“Assistant Jin has already settled everything. You can just pack up and leave,” the nurse replied.
Thank goodness—she had been worried she wouldn’t be able to afford a private VIP room.
The cost must have been astronomical.
It had truly been a luxury she didn’t belong to.
In truth, she didn’t have much to pack.
After changing back into her own clothes and slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Song Wanyi returned to school.
It felt like she had gone back to her old life—
Just her and her studies.
Ding—
A message notification interrupted her reading.
Her account had just received a transfer of 5,000 yuan.
What was going on?
Just as she was debating whether to report it, an unfamiliar number called.
“Hello, Ms. Song.” It was a young man’s voice.
“Hello… who is this?” Song Wanyi asked, confused.
“I’m Assistant Jin, Mr. Shen Yuxun’s assistant. I’m calling to discuss a job opportunity at Mr. Shen’s private gallery.”
“What?” Song Wanyi was momentarily stunned.
“There’s currently an opening for an assistant curator. Would you be interested?”
“But I’m still a student… would part-time work be acceptable?”
“Of course, Miss Song. The salary will follow market rates—5,000 per month. We’ve already advanced your first month’s pay.”
“Thank you, Assistant Jin. When can I start?”
“You can come in anytime during the day this week. The address is 3916 Taihe Street, Yunshang Gallery.”
Only then did Song Wanyi realize—
Shen Yuxun’s private collection was none other than the renowned Yunshang Gallery.
It was an art institution often praised by her professors, known for shaping contemporary art trends.
Yet, without an invitation, many enthusiasts could only admire it from afar.
Countless world-famous artists had exhibited their work there—
including international figures like Opheli and Neil.
The gallery housed an extraordinary collection of rare and valuable pieces, unmatched within the country.
What’s more, its owner had always remained mysterious, never appearing in public, making the gallery a hot topic in art and collecting circles in recent years.
Song Wanyi had never imagined that the owner was Shen Yuxun.
Even less had she imagined that a job people could only dream of… would fall into her hands.
Having “Assistant Curator at Yunshang Gallery” on her résumé would be an unimaginable advantage for her future career.
Shen Yuxun had helped her yet again.
And yet—just days ago, she had rejected him.
No matter what his intentions were, she knew she should be grateful.
She took out her phone, typing and deleting several times.
In the end, she sent a simple message:
“Thank you, Mr. Shen.”
But unfortunately, even by the time she went to bed that night—
There was no reply.
Between them, it seemed, the relationship could only ever be one-sided.
All she could do was repay him through hard work.
As for anything else… she had nothing left to give.
She was, after all, someone abandoned by fate.