By the latter half of the meal, Lin Wanru and Manlin Jiang had already started discussing their next shopping trip together, while Pei Cheng’an and Shen Huaiting had moved from business talk to recent golf techniques.
Shen Qingyu set down her chopsticks, picked up her teacup, leaned back in her chair, and relaxed a little.
She took a sip of tea, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Pei Huaijin.
He was slightly tilting his head, listening to Pei Cheng’an speak. The lines of his profile were sharp and clean, with a jawline so defined it seemed carved by a knife—clean, precise, without an ounce of excess flesh.
His brow bone was high, making his eye sockets appear deep-set. His eyebrows were thick and long, tapering off neatly at the ends as if groomed, yet showing no trace of artificiality. His nose bridge was tall and straight, forming a smooth line from the center of his brows to the tip of his nose.
His neck was slender, and the high-collared cashmere sweater wrapped just below his Adam’s apple. Even his Adam’s apple was pleasing to look at.
She withdrew her gaze. This man was indeed handsome.
But that was all.
Well-matched families, parental arrangements, a marriage alliance—these labels were attached to him, but they had nothing to do with her personal impression of him.
Besides, can good looks put food on the table? Well, maybe they can…
Shen Qingyu, you shallow person…
“Qingyu?” Manlin Jiang’s voice came from beside her. “What are you thinking about? Aunt Lin asked you a question.”
Shen Qingyu snapped back to reality and noticed Lin Wanru smiling warmly at her.
“Ah, sorry, Auntie, I was daydreaming,” Shen Qingyu said with an apologetic smile. “What did you ask?”
“It’s nothing. I was just asking what you like to eat. Huaijin can take you out; he knows all the good restaurants in Jingbei,” Lin Wanru said with a smile.
Shen Qingyu curved the corners of her lips into a polite smile. “Thank you, Auntie, but there’s no need to trouble Mr. Pei. He’s usually so busy with work.”
Her words were courteous and considerate, leaving no room for criticism.
Lin Wanru’s smile faltered for a moment but quickly returned as she nodded. “Huaijin has indeed been busy lately, but no matter how busy he is, he still has to eat. Let him find some time to take you out for a meal another day.”
Shen Qingyu smiled but didn’t respond.
Pei Huaijin didn’t respond either. His gaze swept over, lingering on Shen Qingyu’s face for a moment before shifting away.
“No need to trouble him.” When she said those words, her tone was so sincere it sounded as if she genuinely cared about his convenience. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Manlin Jiang watched the scene unfold, feeling a bit anxious inside but maintaining her composure. She knew her daughter too well—these polite words were actually a way of drawing a line. “No need to trouble Mr. Pei”—even the address “Mr. Pei” sounded distant, as if they were strangers who had just met.
Although they had indeed just met, this wasn’t the kind of distance she had hoped for.
Still, she had to soften the tone in front of her daughter. “Qingyu is right,” Manlin Jiang said with a smile, taking over the conversation. “Huaijin is busy with work; we shouldn’t add to his burden. We can talk about it when he’s less busy.”
Lin Wanru glanced at Manlin Jiang, and the two women’s eyes met briefly in silent understanding.
“Alright, no rush then,” Lin Wanru said with a smile. “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
Shen Qingyu picked up her teacup and took another sip, pretending not to understand the implication behind the word “future.”
“Future”—such a natural word to use.
Shen Qingyu maintained her smile and didn’t respond.
Pei Huaijin didn’t respond either.
Silence hung over the table for two seconds. Lin Wanru and Manlin Jiang exchanged a knowing glance—both children were quite reserved.
“Oh, right,” Lin Wanru suddenly remembered something and took out her phone from her handbag. “Qingyu, let’s add each other on WeChat. It’ll be easier for Auntie to chat with you in the future. I’ll scan your code.”
“Sure, Auntie.” Shen Qingyu took out her phone and opened her QR code.
Lin Wanru scanned it, sent a friend request, then glanced at Pei Huaijin beside her. “Huaijin, you should add Qingyu’s WeChat too.”
Shen Qingyu’s fingers paused slightly.
But Pei Huaijin naturally took out his phone, unhurriedly opening the scanner.
Shen Qingyu held out her QR code.
A soft beep sounded as the friend request came through.
Pei Huaijin’s profile picture was a deep blue sea, and his nickname was simply “Pei.”
She accepted.
Pei Huaijin put away his phone without another word.
Shen Qingyu also returned her phone to her handbag and picked up her teacup for another sip.
The tea had gone cold, tasting slightly bitter on her tongue.
As she set down the cup, her peripheral vision caught Pei Huaijin’s hand—he was slipping his phone into his pocket. His fingers were slender, with distinct knuckles, moving with a gentle grace.
That night, it was these same hands, equally gentle, that had undone her clothes.
Shen Qingyu abruptly looked away, her ears beginning to burn.
Enough. What was she even thinking?
Over two hours had passed, and the meal was nearly finished.
“Qingyu, are you full? Should we order a couple more dishes?” Lin Wanru asked gently.
“I’m full, Auntie. All the dishes were delicious,” Shen Qingyu replied politely.
“That’s good.” Lin Wanru nodded with satisfaction, then glanced at her watch. “It’s getting late. Shall we call it a day? Qingyu just returned to the country and must be tired. Let’s head back early to rest.”
“Alright,” Manlin Jiang agreed. “Sorry for the intrusion today.”
“What intrusion?” Lin Wanru took Manlin Jiang’s hand. “We’ll be family soon. No need for such formalities.”
Shen Qingyu stood up. A server brought over her coat, and she put it on, warmth enveloping her once more.
“Qingyu,” Lin Wanru walked over and took her hand. “Auntie was so happy to see you today. Come visit often in the future—don’t be shy.”
“I was very happy to meet you too, Auntie. I’ll visit when I have time,” Shen Qingyu replied with a proper smile.
“Good, good. It’s settled then.” Lin Wanru smiled and patted the back of Shen Qingyu’s hand, her eyes filled with approval. “Auntie will be waiting for you.”
Shen Qingyu nodded with a smile but said nothing more.
Pei Huaijin stood a little farther away, already wearing his coat—a deep black cashmere overcoat with clean lines that perfectly matched his cool demeanor. He was shaking hands with Shen Huaiting to say goodbye, composed and dignified.
“Take care, Uncle Shen,” he said.
“Alright, alright.” Shen Huaiting patted his shoulder, his tone carrying the appreciation of an elder. “Let’s have another meal together soon.”
“Sure,” Pei Huaijin replied calmly.
The group walked through the corridor and into the lobby. Outside the revolving door, Old Zhang had already driven the car to the entrance, engine idling, headlights casting a warm yellow glow on the dark gray stone pavement.
Shen Huaiting and Pei Cheng’an walked ahead, shaking hands and exchanging a few words. Manlin Jiang walked in the middle with her arm linked through Lin Wanru’s, the two women huddled close together, speaking in hushed tones.
Shen Qingyu and Pei Huaijin trailed behind, maintaining a distance of one person between them.
No one spoke.