Madam Liang had long grown accustomed to Old Liang’s behavior—stubborn on the surface but soft-hearted, always needing a little coaxing.
Her gaze fell upon the ancient text, immediately recognizing it as the book Old Liang had been yearning for. When it had suddenly appeared at an auction, he had talked about it endlessly, only to lament when it was snatched up at a high price. To her surprise, Shen Xichuan had now brought it as a gift.
“Isn’t this… a bit too extravagant?” she asked.
Old Liang, snapping out of his reverie, turned to Shen Xichuan. “Yes, this is too valuable. Xiao Shen, take it back. I can just make a copy.”
Shen Xichuan smiled gently. “Master, this is our meeting gift for you and Madam.” He then retrieved a smaller wooden box from the gift package and opened it, revealing a jade Guanyin inside.
As an avid jade enthusiast, Madam Liang could easily discern its worth. Even her usual composure was shaken. “This…”
Xu Jialan was also stunned for a moment. Even as a layperson, she could tell the jade Guanyin was precious. She hadn’t expected Shen Xichuan to prepare such lavish gifts for Old Liang and Madam Liang.
Placing the box on the coffee table, Shen Xichuan instinctively straightened his posture. “I apologize for Lanlan and me getting married suddenly without informing you both beforehand. It was my oversight. Today, besides formally meeting you, I also wanted to personally apologize.”
His attitude was sincere and heartfelt.
Old Liang, who had unknowingly set aside the ancient text, narrowed his eyes slightly as he studied the young man. As the chairman of the Medical Association, he was accustomed to dealing with all sorts of people. He fixed his gaze on Shen Xichuan. “May I ask why you chose to marry Xiao Lan?”
Xu Jialan’s heart tightened beside him.
Shen Xichuan remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Of course, it’s because I like her.”
Silence fell over the living room. Xu Jialan’s expression was unmistakably shocked. What was he saying?!
Madam Liang glanced at the astonished Xu Jialan before turning her gaze back to Shen Xichuan. “You say you like our Xiao Lan? If I recall correctly, you were high school classmates?”
Shen Xichuan nodded. “Yes.”
Madam Liang smiled faintly. “Xiao Lan has been with us since high school, and I’ve never heard her mention any interaction between you two. Why would you fall for her after just one blind date?”
Xu Jialan’s breath hitched, her heartbeat quickening involuntarily. She wanted to say something but was stopped by Madam Liang’s look. Old Liang remained silent, waiting for Shen Xichuan’s response.
After a pause, Shen Xichuan replied, “In high school, I wasn’t considering relationships, and it wasn’t the right time. So, we didn’t have much interaction back then.”
Sitting beside him, Xu Jialan slowly clenched her hands.
The man continued, “When we reunited, the circumstances were unusual. When I saw Lanlan in the laboratory, I couldn’t quite describe how I felt, but one thing was certain—to me, she was special.”
Old Liang looked at him. “Just because of that? You married her?”
“Of course there’s more.”
Shen Xichuan’s expression remained gentle as he smiled calmly. “I admit our feelings aren’t as deep as Master and Madam’s yet, but I truly have developed feelings for Lanlan.”
Xu Jialan froze.
Old Liang and Madam Liang watched him without speaking.
Shen Xichuan continued, enunciating each word clearly, “I am a firefighter. I protect people’s safety with my life and loyalty. Similarly, I promise you both that I will protect Lanlan with my life and guard our marriage with loyalty.”
His eyes were resolute, his tone solemn.
That righteous aura emanated from him.
Shen Xichuan didn’t use flowery language.
Because this solemn promise was more effective than any sweet talk.
Xu Jialan could only hear the frantic beating of her own heart.
She clenched her hands but remained silent.
At this moment, she finally understood why she had agreed to marry Shen Xichuan after only a few meetings since their reunion.
Because someone who once made your heart flutter will always make it flutter countless times again.
Those three characters – Shen Xichuan – represented Xu Jialan’s youth.
A sudden star shining brightly in those silent, dark nights.
…
In the end, Old Liang and his wife accepted the two valuable gifts.
This also meant they had accepted Shen Xichuan.
On the way back.
Shen Xichuan was driving again.
Xu Jialan’s gaze kept drifting toward him intermittently.
She didn’t dare look too obviously.
But how could Shen Xichuan not notice?
He didn’t open the car window, his hand resting lazily on the steering wheel as he watched the road ahead, his tone somewhat gentle.
“Been watching me the whole way. See anything interesting?”
Xu Jialan hesitated for a moment, then simply turned to look at him directly.
“Earlier, when you told Master and the others those things…”
She wanted to ask if those words were truly genuine?
Had he really developed feelings for her?
Countless questions swirled in her heart.
But though the words reached her lips, she didn’t know how to continue.
Shen Xichuan didn’t seem surprised by her question at all.
He glanced at her, the corners of his mouth still curved in that familiar smile – three parts roguish, four parts gentle, and three parts mysterious.
“This matter?”
Xu Jialan’s heart lifted slightly as she stared at him.
The man chuckled lightly. “Then Lanlan will have to experience it for herself.”
Xu Jialan: “?”
Shen Xichuan smiled without answering.
…
10:30 PM, Star Lake Bay.
The two entered the apartment one after another.
All of Xu Jialan’s fatigue suddenly washed over her.
She lazily yawned, took out her slippers, and was about to casually kick off her high heels when she suddenly froze.
That intense masculine hormonal aura enveloped her from behind.
Reminding her that starting today, she would be living with Shen Xichuan.
Noticing this, Xu Jialan slowed her movements considerably.
Holding onto the nearby shoe cabinet, she lifted her foot and manually removed her high heel.
Shen Xichuan had been watching her movements from behind.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, a soft chuckle escaping his throat.
Xu Jialan suddenly paused. “?”
The man abruptly crouched down, placed the other women’s slipper beside her foot, then picked up her other foot.
“Hold on tight.”
Xu Jialan instinctively gripped the shoe cabinet.
Shen Xichuan held her ankle, removed her high heels, and gently set her foot down.
Xu Jialan stood somewhat flustered in her slippers, momentarily unsure of what to say.
The man retrieved his own pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and slipped them on.
Noticing her stillness, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is there anything else you need to change?”
Xu Jialan’s breath hitched, her mind drifting to something unbidden, and she instinctively replied, “No.”
With that, she clutched her bag and turned to retreat into the bedroom.
Watching her fleeing figure, the man’s thin lips curved into a faint smile, making no move to follow.