Nan Chu had originally assumed that Shang Lin would be returning to Nancheng alone.
But seeing the several cars parked outside the Nan family residence, she realized she had underestimated the situation.
The old butler spotted her from a distance and walked up with a beaming smile.
“Miss, you’re back. Old Master Shang arrived this morning.”
Nan Chu was surprised.
Old Master Shang?
Keeping an elder waiting was a discourtesy on the part of the younger generation, so she quickly linked her arm through Shang Lin’s and hurried inside.
No sooner had Nan Chu reached the doorway than she heard her father laughing heartily.
“Chuchu has always been independent—she went to Beicheng alone for her studies without relying on the family. Who would have thought she’d end up as neighbors with your esteemed grandson, and that it would blossom into such a wonderful story.”
Old Master Shang stroked his beard.
“If we’re speaking of excellence, your daughter is the more outstanding one. That rascal Shang Lin didn’t follow proper protocol—he never even came to pay respects to his in-laws. When I return, I’ll be sure to discipline him properly.”
Madam Nan smiled warmly as well.
“Old Master Shang flatters us. As long as the children care for each other, we don’t mind such formalities.”
A sound came from the entrance, and Nan Chu walked in with her arm linked through Shang Lin’s.
“Father, Mother.”
She turned to look at Old Master Shang—not the stern figure of legend, but a kindly old man with white hair and a youthful complexion.
“Grandfather.”
The moment those two words left her lips, the elders all burst into laughter.
Nan Chu had originally thought Shang Lin would dislike such occasions, but to her surprise, despite his cold demeanor, he answered her father’s every question without hesitation.
She had been somewhat nervous at first, but seeing Shang Lin beside her—his back straight, his expression composed—the hands she had clenched tight began to relax.
Madam Nan accurately caught the moment Nan Chu stole a glance at Shang Lin, and asked her with a smile in her eyes.
“Stop sneaking peeks. Your father isn’t going to eat Shang Lin.”
Nan Chu flushed bright red, lowering her gaze to murmur, “Mother, I wasn’t sneaking a peek. I just happened to glance over.”
“Happened to? How many times have you ‘happened to’ glance over in the past half hour?”
Shang Lin’s brow arched slightly, his gaze shifting toward her.
Feeling Shang Lin’s eyes land on her, Nan Chu’s ears turned red to the roots.
It wasn’t shyness—it was embarrassment.
How was she supposed to explain that she wasn’t sneaking glances, but was simply worried Shang Lin might slip up?
If her parents ever found out about her drunkenly taking liberties with Shang Lin and then eloping to get married…
The consequences were simply unimaginable.
Shang Lin gazed at Nan Chu’s ears, red enough to drip blood, and raised an eyebrow slightly. He gently took her hand, signaling her not to be nervous.
Madam Nan chuckled softly, coming to her rescue.
“Chuchu, the koi in the small garden haven’t been fed yet. Why don’t you and Shang Lin go feed them together?”
“Alright.”
Nan Chu felt as if she’d been granted a pardon. After excusing herself to the elders, she took Shang Lin’s hand and led him into the small garden.
She guided Shang Lin along the cobblestone path to the edge of the pond, and only through their reflection in the water did she belatedly realize their fingers were interlaced.
Nan Chu quickly let go, feeling a little flustered.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Shang. I didn’t notice.”
Feeling the warmth in his palm disappear, Shang Lin cast her a sidelong glance.
“Didn’t notice what?”
Nan Chu looked up, about to say she hadn’t noticed she’d been holding his hand for so long.
Then she remembered his earlier words about not being so formal with him.
She cleared her throat, about to find a more tactful way to phrase it, when the man spoke before she could.
“No need to sneak peeks.”
“Hm?”
Nan Chu was momentarily stunned, meeting the man’s calm, deep black eyes, and then heard him speak, word by word.
“I’m yours. From now on, wherever you want to look, you can look openly and without reservation.”
A gentle breeze swept by, and pear blossoms by the pond were blown loose, drifting through the air.
Nan Chu gazed at the man’s cool yet impossibly handsome features and took a soft breath.
She could hear her own heart beating faster and faster, and she could hear her own slightly erratic breathing.
In contrast, Shang Lin remained perfectly composed.
After saying this, he even reached out to brush a fallen petal from the tip of her hair.
“Did you remember?”
Nan Chu’s mind went blank: “Mm, I remember.”
After feeding, the two returned the same way they came.
It was dinner time, and the dining hall was already full of people, but two seats had been reserved for them.
During the meal, Shang Lin kept picking food for Nan Chu.
The fish was deboned, the soup was warm, and even the meat was sliced to just the right thickness.
Mrs. Nan grew more and more satisfied with her son-in-law and let out a soft laugh.
“Little Lin knows our Chu Chu’s preferences so well—it seems he really has known her for a long time.”
Nan Chu almost choked.
She had indeed known Shang Lin for a long time—from high school to university, wherever Shang Lin was, that was where the spotlight was.
But Shang Lin had only known her for two and a half days.
Nan Chu was about to change the subject when she heard Shang Lin’s pleasant voice ring out beside her ear.
“Mm, a long time.”
Nan Chu was about to cry.
Knowing Mrs. Nan as well as she did, she would definitely ask a follow-up question.
Sure enough, Mrs. Nan’s eyes lit up, and her next words were:
“How long have you known each other?”
Shang Lin paused slightly, his voice deepening.
“Ten years.”
The moment those words were spoken, the table fell silent for a few seconds, and Nan Chu’s face burned hot.
What was Shang Lin saying? He hadn’t even been drinking just now.
Mr. Nan was also somewhat surprised, while Old Master Shang sat there looking utterly unruffled.
Mrs. Nan, who was perfect at math, had eyes that grew even brighter.
“So you knew our Chu Chu back in middle school?”
“But she never mentioned it back then.”
Mrs. Nan felt she had discovered something extraordinary, and her eyes were nearly curving into crescents with delight.
“Was it a secret crush? Little Lin has had a secret crush on our Chu Chu for ten years?”
Everyone at the table held their breath, except for Shang Lin, who remained perfectly at ease.
“Yes.”
Nan Chu’s face was already bright red.
Her mind was filled with the thought that Shang Lin was sacrificing far too much.
His sterling reputation might well be ruined at her hands.
She could even already see the little girl sitting nearby, who aspired to get into Jing University, frantically posting on her Moments.
The title was: Shocking—the person the Jing University heartthrob has secretly loved for ten years is…
She didn’t dare look at Shang Lin’s face.
She was simply too guilty, far too guilty.
“What’s wrong?”
Shang Lin’s voice came from beside her ear, and Nan Chu looked up, meeting the man’s deep eyes.
They shimmered with brilliance.
“No need to be shy.”
Shang Lin’s clear, cool voice fell into her heart, rippling outward in ring after ring.
“This is the truth.”
Nan Chu’s breath caught slightly, as if she had fallen into his gaze. Subconsciously following his rhythm, she lowered her eyes and answered softly.
“Mm.”
After returning from the Nan residence, the details of the wedding had been mostly settled.
The formal wedding was set for Qixi Festival.
To show their sincerity, the Shang family held the couple’s wedding at the Shang residence on the very first day they returned from Nan City to North City, making clear Nan Chu’s position as the eldest young mistress of the Shang family.
Those attending the wedding were all from the Shang and Nan families themselves, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Old Master Shang had long since prepared the wedding home—not in the city center, but in the elegant and tranquil outskirts.
He said it was to make it convenient for Nan Chu’s creative work in the future.
In a place with such beautiful scenery, inspiration would surely flow endlessly.
After the wedding banquet, the guests dispersed. Shang Lin had drunk some wine, and a trace of alcohol lingered on him.
He lowered his eyes to look at Nan Chu, whose cheeks were also slightly flushed, and spoke gently.
“You go take a shower first.”
Nan Chu nodded: “Okay.”