This qipao shop was tucked away in an alley and looked quite inconspicuous, but pushing open the front door revealed a hidden gem: a small bridge over flowing water, green tiles, red bricks, and buildings arranged in a picturesque manner.
As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted by a woman who looked to be in her thirties, wearing a Suzhou-embroidered qipao with her hair pinned up.
“It is unfortunate today. My mother’s cough has not fully recovered, and she was afraid of passing it on to you two, so she did not come out. However, Miss Xia already instructed that your clothes must be crafted by my mother personally. Let us start by taking your measurements.”
As they followed her inside, Shen Zhaoran let out a sound of confusion when she saw a qipao worn by a mannequin.
The woman smiled and explained, “It is one of Miss Xia’s designs.”
Shen Zhaoran replied, “I see.” She had been wondering where she had seen it before.
Shen Junhuai had not planned to buy new clothes, especially since Xia Qiaoya had already added many pieces to his wardrobe, but he could not resist Shen Zhaoran pushing him inside while saying, “Since we are already here.”
In the end, Shen Junhuai had to stand there and let them take his measurements.
Shen Zhaoran’s measurements had not changed much, so she finished a little earlier than Shen Junhuai. Once she stepped out, she did not stay idle and helped Shen Junhuai pick out a few styles.
Shen Junhuai was tall and had long legs, so everything looked good on him. In just a short while, she had already taken a liking to several sets.
Her attention was caught by the sound of high heels clicking on the floor. She looked up and was surprised to find that it was someone she knew.
Xu Zijin did not seem surprised to see her; she smiled and greeted her, “Miss Shen, long time no see.”
“Miss Xu, when did you return to the country?”
“It has been a while.”
Xu Zijin sat down in front of her. “I did not expect that Miss Shen also likes Suzhou-style qipaos.”
“My mother recommended this place.”
When Shen Junhuai came out and saw someone sitting across from Shen Zhaoran, he assumed she had met a friend and did not ask further.
However, Xu Zijin was not as composed upon seeing him. She glanced at Shen Zhaoran and said meaningfully, “It seems that whether or not one has time depends on the person.”
Shen Zhaoran blinked.
She looked back at Shen Junhuai and finally understood what Miss Xu was hinting at.
She introduced them, saying, “This is Miss Xu Zijin, and this is my brother.”
Even though Xu Zijin likely already knew, Shen Zhaoran made the introduction as a matter of formality.
Shen Junhuai finally remembered this forgotten blind date.
Xu Zijin extended a hand with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Shen.”
Shen Junhuai shook it lightly and let go. “Miss Xu.”
Xu Zijin said, “Then I will take my leave. Please invite me to dinner when you have time, Mr. Shen. That request should not be considered excessive, right?”
He was indeed at fault regarding the blind date, so he nodded and said, “I will have my assistant arrange it.”
Once Xu Zijin was out of sight, Shen Zhaoran stood up and held Shen Junhuai’s face, looking him over. “Oh no, Miss Xu could not have taken a liking to you, could she?”
Xu Zijin had probably only seen photos of Shen Junhuai before. It was very possible she was interested now that she had seen him in person, as Shen Junhuai had inherited all of Xia Qiaoya’s beauty. He was a lethal weapon of charm.
Shen Junhuai remained silent.
He pulled her hands down and said, “I will explain things clearly to her.”
Once they were out of the courtyard, Shen Zhaoran’s expression remained troubled.
Shen Junhuai felt a bit helpless. “What is there to worry about?”
Shen Zhaoran said honestly, “I am afraid you will not sleep well tonight.”
She had interacted with Xu Zijin before and knew she was a very tactful person, so she was not actually the trouble. What she feared for the future was what would happen if Shen Junhuai encountered a blind date who was difficult to refuse and incredibly persistent.
Shen Junhuai fell silent.
“Has this been going on for a long time?”
“Not very long,” was all Shen Junhuai could say.
“So, it has been a long time.”
Shen Zhaoran suddenly reached out to hug him and gently patted his back. “I will protect you!”
Shen Junhuai lowered his eyes and finally reached out to embrace her. “What nonsense are you talking about now?”
“From now on, if you do not want to go on blind dates, do not go. If there is someone you do not want to see, do not see them. If you like someone, I will help you pursue them. If you do not like them anymore, even better. My brother is so wonderful; who would not be lucky to have you?”
Shen Junhuai let out a soft laugh. “She is also very wonderful.”
Shen Zhaoran was still unhappy. “Then why are you not together?”
After a long pause, Shen Junhuai said, “We are not compatible.”
“You always treat me like a child,” Shen Zhaoran grumbled, a bit angry that Shen Junhuai would not tell her the real reason.
“Then what kind of person do you like? I will help you find them.”
“I probably will not like anyone ever again.”
Shen Zhaoran popped her head out from his embrace. “Why would you say that!”
“That is how the adult world is. So, Zhaozhao, just stay a happy child without worries.”
Shen Junhuai ruffled her hair. “Alright, let me take you to eat.”
Shen Junhuai originally wanted to distract Shen Zhaoran with food, but it was clearly unsuccessful. When they returned home that evening, Shen Zhaoran was still following behind him, muttering away.
Shen Junhuai finally said, “I will sleep well, rest well, and not be hard on myself. I will also see my psychologist on schedule. Is that enough?”
Shen Zhaoran replied, “If you lie to me, I will get a sickness that is not serious but is very hard to cure.”
Shen Junhuai remained silent.
His expression darkened slightly as he tugged at Shen Zhaoran’s cheek. “Stop talking nonsense.”
Shen Zhaoran grumbled but did not take it back.
The next day, Shen Zhaoran woke up feeling an itch in her throat and a bit dizzy. Her heart sank. She did not even have time to change her clothes before finding a thermometer to check her temperature.
38.2°C.
Shen Zhaoran thought to herself, “Oh no.”
It could not be this accurate, could it? It had only been one night!
Given her constitution and past experiences, there was no way she would recover on her own, and there was no way to hide it. Calling Dr. Xu would expose her, and going to the hospital on her own would also expose her.
You can hide something for a while, but not forever. Besides, she could only hold out until Shen Junhuai got off work in the evening.
After careful consideration, Shen Zhaoran prayed to the heavens before calling Shen Junhuai. After all, a voluntary surrender might lead to a lighter sentence.
The call was answered quickly. Shen Zhaoran started with, “I have a fever.”
“Wait at home. I have a meeting in the morning, but I will try to come back as early as possible.”
“Okay.”
Hearing his tone, Shen Zhaoran thought her brother probably was not angry; he was mostly just resigned.
Halfway through breakfast, Dr. Xu arrived. She was familiar with the routine, completed the standard check-up, confirmed that the issue was not severe, and finally warned her not to leave the house for the next three days.
Shen Zhaoran said, “Ah, three days? It is just a little fever.”
Dr. Xu replied, “Others might be fine, but you are not. Others can bring their fever down by tonight, but can you?”
Finally, Shen Junhuai, who said he would try to return early, arrived before lunch.
By then, Shen Zhaoran was just finishing her patient meal.
Dr. Xu saw him walk in and stood up to greet him, “Mr. Shen.”
Shen Junhuai nodded and walked straight toward Shen Zhaoran. “Are you feeling very uncomfortable?”
Shen Zhaoran replied, “It is alright.”
Shen Junhuai checked the temperature on her body and then turned to look at Dr. Xu.
Dr. Xu explained, “The same old issue. Her body is weak, and she caught a cold.”
He then looked at Shen Zhaoran, who offered a very forced smile.
“If you do not want to smile, do not. Are you afraid I will scold you?” Shen Junhuai said softly.
Shen Zhaoran felt very guilty. “That is because I said things I should not have yesterday.”
Shen Junhuai felt helpless. “You are already sick; what else can I do?”
Shen Zhaoran changed the subject. “Brother, have you eaten? Aunt Zhao made other dishes. I will go heat them up for you.”
He grabbed Shen Zhaoran just as she was about to rush into the kitchen. “Go rest after you finish eating. I will do it myself.”
Seeing that she was no longer needed, Dr. Xu began packing her things. “I will head back now. I will come by again tonight.”
Shen Junhuai said, “Sorry for the trouble, Dr. Xu.”
Dr. Xu replied, “It is my duty.”
Shen Zhaoran had a sore throat, so her eating pace was agonizingly slow. Shen Junhuai had already heated up the food, and she was still taking one bite at a time.
Once Shen Junhuai finished his meal, she also put down her spoon and smiled at him again.
Shen Junhuai, once again, had absolutely no temper left.