Qin Meilan didn’t hold back. She recounted every word of her conversation with Qin Sang, ending in a flustered, helpless sigh:
“He brought so many gifts… You know me, I don’t like accepting things, but when I opened the door, I saw three or four men in suits—serious, intimidating—and my brain just… shut down. I was completely disoriented. And now, after receiving such a huge favor from Mr. Sheng, I worry… what if he ever made things difficult for you?”
Qin Meilan bit her lip. “If anything seems inappropriate, I’ll just stop your cousin from going to England.”
“No!” Qin Sang hadn’t even fully recovered from the shock of Sheng Yu showing up at her aunt’s house. She hurriedly reassured her aunt: “Let my cousin prepare for England—this opportunity is his. As for Sheng Yu…”
She hesitated for a heartbeat, then carefully followed the story Sheng Yu had spun with her aunt: “Auntie, don’t worry. I did go to Hong City to see him, and I told him about these past years. He won’t do anything to me. I can call him right now.”
“All right, then make the call!” Qin Meilan urged anxiously.
After the call, Qin Sang said goodbye to Pei Zhiyu, explaining that her aunt needed her. Since she had learned he liked her, she didn’t know how to act around him anymore. So, when he offered to drive her, she politely refused.
Standing on the roadside waiting for a ride, Qin Sang replayed her aunt’s words in her mind and thought of her cousin’s disappointed, exhausted expression. She felt torn.
She didn’t want any further entanglements with Sheng Yu… yet she couldn’t let her cousin’s hopes be dashed.
She sat on a bench for what felt like forever, lost in thought, before slowly taking out her phone. She scrolled to Sheng Yu’s number.
A new contact.
It was from the night they had reunited—the night Sheng Yu had pinned her against the table, his long legs pressing at her side, his almost obsessive closeness, his hoarse voice murmuring against her ear:
“My number hasn’t changed. Do you still remember it, Miss Qin?”
Her body had trembled uncontrollably, mind a whirl of confusion and desire, as she whispered, “I… I remember…”
In a surprisingly calm mood, Sheng Yu had restrained himself, gently cupping her chin and pressing a soft kiss to her lips: “Then tell me again, my dear.”
Qin Sang had clung to him, eyes half-closed, unable to form words, letting only soft gasps escape her lips.
Sheng Yu had nearly lost control, wanting to… devour her completely. But he restrained himself, teasing her instead.
Finally, overcome, Qin Sang softly recited the long string of numbers that had lived in her heart for years—exactly as they were.
Sheng Yu, thrilled, lost control for a moment. Qin Sang clawed at his back, leaving red marks. She had drenched him—not just with tears.
He then insisted she save the number in her phone.
Kneeling on the sofa, holding her phone, Qin Sang had “endured” storing that one number for nearly an hour.
Back on the roadside bench, Qin Sang shook herself out of her reverie. Her ears burned and her face flushed. She glanced around nervously, embarrassed at her own thoughts. Then, staring at Sheng Yu’s number, she took a deep breath and dialed.
At the very least… she should say thank you.
The call connected immediately. Sheng Yu answered, silent.
“Sheng… Yu—” Qin Sang started, then corrected herself: “Hello, Mr. Sheng. This is Qin Sang.”
Not surprisingly, he replied in his usual calm tone: “Hmm.”
One simple word, leaving Qin Sang momentarily at a loss. After a beat, she continued:
“You’re in Nan City…”
“Hm.”
“…I heard from Auntie that you went to her house, brought gifts, and even arranged the study abroad opportunity for my cousin. She was quite nervous at the time, and after you left, I thought…”
“And?” Sheng Yu prompted evenly, tone emotionless.
Qin Sang faltered, unsure what else to say.
Yes… what else? Should she say her aunt wanted to return the gifts? But she couldn’t exactly do that with the study-abroad opportunity. Any words felt clumsy, hollow.
After a pause, she finally said, softly: “Thank you.”
She looked down at her own feet and added, quieter still: “Thank you, Sheng Yu.”
At that, a flicker of emotion appeared in Sheng Yu’s eyes. He immediately countered, teasing:
“And how exactly do you plan to thank me?”