[“You this water-natured willow-flower man!”; 水性杨花 (shuǐxìng yánghuā) is a Chinese idiom meaning a person (usually woman) who is fickle in love, promiscuous; here flipped and used on a man]
The crystal chandelier pouring from the top was not as dazzling as the resplendent jewelry on the noble family young misses’ bodies. All kinds of complex and exquisite skirt hems were flying, the melodious dance music romantic and moving, the scene hazy and mysterious.
Wen Xian hid alone in the corner, quietly watching this grand banquet through the reflection in her champagne.
Just when she thought no one would notice her, someone walked slowly toward her. The person had handsome features, expression indifferent, a pair of black eyes falling on her body with no temperature.
Wen Xian subconsciously retreated half a step, but the next second, he leaned in and forced close to her.
A cold cedar and faint white musk scent rushed toward her face.
Her waist was imprisoned by a strong arm, she held her breath nervously. The sighing sound by her ear carried a faint wine smell, he hoarsely sighed low by her ear: “Kind of miss you.”
The scorching hot breath sprinkled onto her ear rim.
Wen Xian opened her eyes in this instant.
Just now was only a dream.
Inside the bedroom, the light was dim, small snoring sounds sounded by her ear.
Wen Xian turned her head to look, Qiuqiu was sleeping by her side with eyes closed, the soft snow-white belly completely exposed without any defense. At this time, the outside sky was only slightly brightening.
She lightly sat up and hugged her knees. Now in her dreams, it was all him.
Wen Xian had never before so clearly realized, she liked Shen Lingge. She liked the boyfriend she herself personally drew out.
She was not a person who easily moved her heart. From childhood, Wen Tianlin taught her not to easily like, that way it was too easy to get hurt.
But Chang Shuang was different from what Wen Tianlin said. Chang Shuang told her no matter how many times, one must bravely go love, even if hurt, behind her there were still Dad and Mom to protect her.
After they passed away, Wen Xian chose to listen to Wen Tianlin’s words, because there was no one who could protect her anymore.
Now whether it was Qin Song or Xu Chuwei, these two people both used facts to tell her: don’t go easily liking. But Shen Lingge to her was completely a different kind of existence. He was born for her.
Before, Wen Xian once asked him, in the future would they get married. At that time, Shen Lingge asked her, did she like him?
Wen Xian dazedly thought, the current Shen Lingge seemed to already have the life he wanted to live. He was not born to belong to her. He belonged to himself.
Until the morning sun outside rose up, Wen Xian then slowly climbed up from bed. She decided to temporarily throw this matter to the back of her mind. Now his life had only just begun.
She did not want to become his shackle.
…
Xu family.
Just finished makeup, Xu Chuwei carried her newly bought limited-edition bag, preparing to go out to an appointment. In the living room, her father and mother sat on the sofa, seeming to be entertaining guests.
After she greeted them, she planned to leave, but their conversation content clearly transmitted into her ear.
“Confirm it’s docking with Shen Group?”
“Yes, I’ve been busy for a month precisely handling this matter in Mingcheng.”
“Time scheduled for when?”
“This weekend, Shen Group’s president will appear at the horse race this weekend. Heard it’s a friend’s horse farm opening, he’s going to support.”
“How much time given to us?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Enough! I’ll go prepare now. I need to carefully consider who to assign for the liaison.”
Xu Chuwei’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
—
“Duoduo, I’m so sleepy—”
As she spoke, Wen Xian covered her mouth and let out a small yawn. Her body slumped weakly against Duoduo as she was dragged along. She had stayed up until dawn working on her painting assignment.
Wen Xian hadn’t expected that sneaking off to see Shen Lingge would require bringing her homework along. This week’s assignment was a still-life composition—she had to draw an apple, a plate, and a wine glass on a single sheet of paper.
After working all night, she had only barely managed to sketch the plate.
This trip to Mingcheng included only Duoduo and Wen Xian. Aside from Duoduo, no one knew Wen Xian was leaving to go to Mingcheng. Duoduo had also been strictly ordered by Wen Xian not to tell Shen Lingge under any circumstances.
So, early in the morning, the two of them sneaked off to the airport.
Duoduo was still asking her group of girlfriends about Shen Lingge’s whereabouts. Thanks to her resourceful circle of friends, she finally learned his schedule—he was going to a newly opened horse ranch that afternoon.
Duoduo hurriedly said to Wen Xian, “Miss, today Mr. Shen is going to the horse ranch. I’ll ask a friend who works there to get us in.”
Hearing this, Wen Xian perked up slightly. Clutching her sketchpad, she hesitated. “If he’s going for work, won’t we be bothering him? Maybe we should just wait outside until he’s done?”
Duoduo smiled and patted Wen Xian’s head gently. “Miss, no matter when or where you go to see Mr. Shen, you’ll never be a bother to him. Mr. Shen is capable of anything.”
“Besides… Mr. Shen will definitely be very happy to see you.”
Wen Xian scrunched up her face and muttered unhappily, “No, he won’t. He’ll just scold me.”
Even so, Wen Xian couldn’t help but look forward to seeing Shen Lingge. It had been five days since she last saw him—she missed her cub.
—
Mingcheng.
By the time Shen Lingge finished his meeting and went downstairs, Chi Yanyu was already waiting for him. Chi Yanyu had driven himself over, so Shen Lingge got into his car.
Chi Yanyu glanced at Shen Lingge’s attire and sighed. “Ge, you’re still buried in work even on a weekend. I heard there’s a whole lineup of people waiting to see you this afternoon.”
Shen Lingge gave a noncommittal “Mn.” “Shen Corporation’s latest real estate project. Four company representatives with interest are scheduled to meet this afternoon.”
Chi Yanyu chuckled. “They’re not meeting you at Shen Corporation but instead catching you at the horse ranch? Must’ve pulled some strings to get this chance, huh?”
Shen Lingge’s expression remained indifferent. “Back when my father was ill, word didn’t stay completely sealed. A few elders helped suppress the news. Now that they’re asking for favors, it’s hard to refuse.”
Chi Yanyu started the car. “In the end, it still comes down to their quality and expertise. The extra opportunity is already a grace.”
By the time Shen Lingge and Chi Yanyu arrived at the horse ranch, many people were already there. Nearly everyone had been waiting for Shen Lingge—his agreement to attend such events was a rare occurrence.
Chi Yanyu greeted Zhao Cheng with a smile. “Let’s go eat first. After that, we’ll play some golf, then head to the ranch to try out your horse.”
Zhao Cheng glanced subtly at Shen Lingge and lowered his voice. “How’s the young master feeling today? I noticed quite a few people brought project proposals.”
Chi Yanyu patted his shoulder. “No big deal. He already knew.”
Only then did Zhao Cheng breathe a sigh of relief. He had been worried these people had come after hearing about Shen Lingge’s schedule on their own. If Shen Lingge were displeased, today’s opening event might as well be canceled.
During the meal, no one dared to toast Shen Lingge. Only a glass of water sat by his hand.
Chi Yanyu asked casually, “Not drinking?”
For some reason, Shen Lingge’s expression softened slightly at the question. His gaze gentled. “No. Someone won’t let me drink.”
Chi Yanyu: “?”
Chi Yanyu eyed Shen Lingge suspiciously. “Is it that little treasure you’ve been hiding away?”
At the mention of Wen Xian, the corners of Shen Lingge’s lips lifted slightly. Unconsciously, his tone carried indulgence and fondness: “Mn. She’s terribly spoiled.”
Chi Yanyu paused. “Ge, you’re not…”
He was about to ask if Shen Lingge had someone he liked when Zhao Cheng approached. Leaning down, Zhao Cheng whispered into Chi Yanyu’s ear: “For golf, should I find a few…?”
Though he didn’t spell it out, Chi Yanyu understood.
Chi Yanyu replied quietly: “No need. My Ge doesn’t seem to like women.”
Zhao Cheng: “…….?”
Chi Yanyu coughed lightly. “I don’t know if he likes men or women either. This guy’s lived twenty-six years like a monk—utterly ascetic. I’ve never seen anyone by his side.”
Zhao Cheng nodded solemnly. “I understand. I get it. No need to say more.”
Chi Yanyu: “…What exactly do you understand?”
Zhao Cheng: “Don’t worry, Ge. I’ll keep it confidential.”
Chi Yanyu: “……”
He had a feeling Zhao Cheng had misunderstood something.
—
Sunlight spilled generously across the emerald-green lawn. A small white ball soared into the distance with each swing, its speed and trajectory meticulously controlled.
Only after watching his ball land in the hole did Chi Yanyu spare a glance at Shen Lingge.
Shen Lingge had changed into sportswear, yet even after half an hour, he remained seated on a lounge chair, reviewing documents. This was the third project liaison he’d met today—one more to go.
Meanwhile.
Wen Xian crept low along the edge of the golf course, Duoduo crouching behind her.
As if covering her ears while stealing a bell [meaning self-deception], Wen Xian even wore a pair of sunglasses. Peeking around the corner, she immediately spotted Shen Lingge.
After watching for a while, she pouted unhappily and whispered to Duoduo: “Duoduo, why is everyone else playing golf while Gege is still working? He’s so pitiful.”
Duoduo: “……”
No, he’s not pitiful at all—he’s the wealthiest man in all of Mingcheng.
Wen Xian hadn’t planned to disturb Shen Lingge’s work. She intended to wait until he finished before sneaking up to surprise him. But then, she spotted someone she never wanted to see again.
…
Xu Chuwei kept taking deep breaths, her palms slick with sweat, nearly losing grip of the documents in her hands.
It wasn’t until Shen Lingge’s assistant notified her to proceed that Xu Chuwei managed to compose herself. She had pleaded endlessly with her father for this opportunity—she absolutely couldn’t mess it up.
When Xu Chuwei approached Shen Lingge’s side, the previous man hadn’t yet left.
Shen Lingge said indifferently, “My assistant will inform you of the results on Monday.”
The man nodded repeatedly, added a few more words, then finally departed. Once he was gone, Xu Chuwei steadied herself and spoke as calmly as she could: “President Shen, hello. I’m Xu Chuwei, representing Xushi Group from Licheng. This is our proposal.”
Without looking up, Shen Lingge took the file from her hands. “Go ahead.”
Just as Xu Chuwei was about to recite the speech she had rehearsed countless times, someone interrupted her.
When Wen Xian saw Xu Chuwei, she was so furious she nearly exploded. That Xu Chuwei had been snooping around about Shen Lingge’s identity in front of her was bad enough—now she had actually chased him all the way to Licheng?!
The more Wen Xian thought about it, the angrier she got. She yanked off her sunglasses and stormed over.
Striding right up to Shen Lingge, she snatched the file from his hands without caring whether he was still reading it. Her glare was full of accusation, as if he were some heartless scoundrel: “You—you fickle, promiscuous man!”
Shen Lingge frowned the moment the documents were taken from him—then froze upon hearing those words. For a second, he seemed to doubt whether he had really just heard Wen Xian’s voice here.
He immediately looked up and locked eyes with the little girl standing before him, her face the very picture of grievance and displeasure.
Shen Lingge: “…….”