Сhаpter 7: Наvе I Sроiled Her Тоo Muсh?
Shen Rangсhеn glаnсеd аt the mеssаgе intеrfacе that had remainеd unаnswerеd fоr а lоng timе, pinсhing thе bridgе of his nosе with а heаdache.
Suddеnly, hе spoke in а low, dеeр vоice, “Нave I spоilеd Shеn Сiying toо muсh?”
Zhuо Fеng, who was driving, wаs utterlу bewilderеd.
But he still hаd to resрond, his mind racing tо соme uр with thе right words. “Miss Ciуing is yоung, sо she might be а bit more рlaуful аt timеs and mаy not сonsider things tоо thоroughly.”
Yes, that’s right. Earlier at thе оld mansion, the boss himsеlf hаd said Shen Ciуing wаs young.
This answer should be fine.
Shen Rangchen in the back seat remained silent for a long time, and only then did Zhuo Feng breathe a sigh of relief.
When they arrived at Xianhu Garden, there was still no reply from Shen Ciying.
Shen Rangchen was still dressed in a black knee-length coat, his figure tall and upright, walking with a steady and dignified air.
In this antique-style manor, he resembled a deity descended into the mortal world—elegant and aloof.
Only his eyes were filled with cold indifference and solemnity.
He casually asked a passing maid, “Where is A Ying?”
“Good evening, Mr. Shen,” the maid replied respectfully. “Miss Ciying is in the Plum Garden.”
Shen Rangchen’s lips tightened slightly upon hearing this.
He had thought she hadn’t replied because she had already fallen asleep, but now the coldness in his eyes deepened, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
He strode toward the Plum Garden, and from afar, he could hear music coming from that direction.
It was a classical instrumental piece.
As he slowly approached, he saw a fairy dressed in moon-white dancing under the plum blossom trees.
It was his A Ying.
Not far from her, a maid stood guard, holding a red cloak.
The night was illuminated by the snow-covered ground and the moonlight.
Amid the pure white snow, Shen Ciying danced with light and graceful movements, bathed in the moonlight, her skirt fluttering and her sleeves swaying elegantly.
The snowflakes on the ground swirled and leaped around her, enveloping her in a drifting, dancing veil of snow.
She was as beautiful as a fairy who had secretly descended to the mortal world to play, as if she might fly away with the moonlight at any moment.
His cold and displeased gaze softened involuntarily.
The maid, seeing Shen Rangchen approach, instinctively prepared to greet him.
Shen Rangchen raised his hand in time, signaling her not to make a sound, lest she disturb the fairy dancing under the moonlight.
He then gestured for the maid to hand him the cloak and instructed her to leave.
Shen Rangchen did not step forward but stood where he was, watching Shen Ciying dance.
The first time he saw her dance was also on a snowy night.
That year, he was 19 and had returned home very late from school. Snow was still falling from the sky, and she was dancing under the streetlight, wearing the villa’s uniform work clothes.
When she saw him appear, she immediately stopped nervously, lowered her head, clenched her small hands, and timidly explained in a flustered voice, “Young Master, I’ve finished all my work.”
She was explaining that she hadn’t been slacking off.
He hadn’t intended to scold her, but he also didn’t show much emotion. He simply looked at her for a few seconds before asking, “Do you like dancing?”
Shen Ciying didn’t shy away or downplay it. She replied softly, “Yes, I do.”
He asked again, “Classical dance?”
Shen Ciying nodded. “Yes, classical dance. I’ve been learning it since I was in the orphanage.”
“That’s good,” he continued casually. “My grandmother also likes classical dance.”
He then asked, “Do you want to continue learning?”
The little girl suddenly looked up, her eyes shining as brightly as stars. “Yes, I want to continue learning.”
“Then continue learning,” he promised nonchalantly. “I’ll cover all the expenses.”That was also the first time that, beyond their master-servant relationship, a new dynamic of patronage emerged between them.
“Ah!”
A sudden exclamation snapped Shen Rangchen out of his reverie, and he saw the dancing young girl tumble into the snow.
Instinctively, he took a step forward to help, but she had already picked herself up.
Then she resumed the movement she hadn’t finished.
She wasn’t delicate; her underlying nature was stubborn.
Shen Rangchen halted his steps again, not disturbing her.
He knew this dance was one she had choreographed herself for the postgraduate entrance exam’s second-round interview several months later, and she had performed it for him before.
She seemed to take the upcoming exam very seriously.
So focused that she missed his messages, missed his presence.
As the dance ended, Shen Ciying finally noticed Shen Rangchen.
“Huh?” Shen Ciying breathed lightly, her tone a mix of playful reproach and pride. “I thought Mr. Shen wouldn’t come tonight.”
Her eyes sparkled with shimmering light, as if pleasantly surprised by his arrival, but she didn’t rush toward him immediately, waiting instead for his reaction.
Seeing her dance had stopped and noticing her thin clothing and recent fall, Shen Rangchen took the initiative, holding a cloak as he walked toward her.
Watching him approach and draw closer, Shen Ciying smiled with satisfaction, bright and joyful, and trotted over to meet him, throwing herself directly into his arms.
Shen Rangchen draped the cloak over her shoulders, his voice carrying a hint of tenderness. “Are you cold?”
“Cold.” Shen Ciying burrowed into his coat, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. She looked up at him from against his chest, her entire demeanor unbearably sweet. “Hug me~”
As Shen Rangchen lowered his gaze, it met the girl’s charming, alluring eyes. A faint, almost uncontrollable smile escaped his usually indifferent face. “So delicate.”
He effortlessly lifted her into his arms. “Why did you fall earlier? Did it hurt?”
Shen Ciying, now in his arms, naturally rested her arms on his shoulders. Her eyes flickered for a moment as she deliberately lifted her chin with an air of pride.
“It didn’t hurt. I love dancing. Dancing only makes me feel happy, free, and unrestrained…”
Seizing the chance, she tentatively revealed her aspirations: “I even want to join the National Dance Academy in the future. If I can’t handle a little hardship like this, how could I ever make it?”
She watched his eyes, trying to gauge his reaction.
If he only wanted her to be an amusing canary, he would likely shut down her ambitions right away.
But Shen Rangchen only replied with a single word: “Hmm.”
His eyes were calm and steady, utterly composed, making it impossible to discern any emotion.
Hmm?
What did “hmm” mean?
But he didn’t outright crush her hopes.
Yet this man had always been a wolf in sheep’s clothing—noble and aloof in appearance, not cruel or harsh, rarely speaking ruthless words, but his actions told a different story.
It was the same in business: elusive, unpredictable.
Before she could figure it out, she heard his voice suddenly turn colder as he questioned:
“Why didn’t you reply to my messages?”
Shen Ciying puffed out her cheeks, feigning indignation with shameless candor. “I didn’t want to reply to you.”
Shen Rangchen frowned. “You’re quite bold about it. I’ve spoiled you too much.”
“How have you spoiled me?” Shen Ciying retorted, unconvinced. “Last night, you exhausted me, had your fun, and then ignored me all day without a single word of concern. You didn’t even care if I woke up today.
Then, at nine in the evening, you finally sent a message asking if I’d eaten. Who hasn’t had dinner by that hour? How thoughtless of you.”
Shen Rangchen carried her toward the room, listening to her endless chatter with a look of resignation.”You’re full of excuses.”
He asked directly, “Is there any food left? I haven’t had dinner yet.”
“Of course there’s food.” Shen Ciying draped her arms over his shoulders, letting him carry her as they walked. Her captivating, fox-like eyes blinked. “But I didn’t specifically prepare your favorites.”
This man was particularly particular about food—every meal had to be meticulously prepared.
Shen Rangchen, who hadn’t eaten dinner: “…”
Seeing his helpless expression, Shen Ciying smiled inwardly. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and continued with an innocent look:
“So, from now on, if you’re coming over for a meal or anything else, let me know in advance, okay?
Whether you’re coming or not, or if you’re going on a business trip or traveling abroad, or when you’ll be back—just tell me ahead of time so I can prepare.
Otherwise, if I keep asking you myself, I’m afraid you might get tired of me one day.
But if I don’t ask, you might end up hungry like this again.”
She intentionally guided him to proactively share his schedule with her in the future, playfully leaning in to nudge her nose against his:
“Okay~?”