When they went up, there were three of them.When they came down, it was the same three.
The elevator slowly descended.
A close, intimate kiss had completely restored Shen Xianyu's mood, sweeping away his earlier sensitivity and doubts.
He glanced at Jiang Yanzhi."Didn't see much of you all summer. Now that you're back in Beijing, how many days are you planning to stay?"
"Not sure yet," Jiang Yanzhi replied in a flat tone. "Might have to make a trip to City Z."
He seemed slightly drunk, his half-slouched figure leaning lazily against the wall. His head was lowered, playing idly with the car keys in his hand, his voice languid.
Beneath his dark-gray shirt, his shoulders and back looked slim, and without the air of intimidation he usually carried—an aura that warned people not to provoke him—he actually looked a bit like a young man still in his youth.
"So busy, huh?" Shen Xianyu chuckled, reminding him, "The place in the south of the city is opening in just a few days. Make sure you free up some time so we can all get together."
"Alright." Jiang Yanzhi agreed without hesitation.
Tang Wanwan suddenly remembered that short dream she had on the plane.
As the heir to the Jiang Corporation, Jiang Yanzhi had started getting involved in the family business back in high school.By the time he was in university, he was already running one of the Jiang Corporation's branch companies.
Before the "female supporting character" appeared, he had been a cool, rational man whose mind was all business—an aloof flower on a high peak, untouchable and emotionally distant.A true child of heaven, favored by fate.
The only setbacks he'd ever faced were in his relationship with that "female supporting character."
Five breakups.And every time, it was her who initiated them—ruthlessly cutting him off, only to wave him back later.And he… actually went back each time.
Once might be forgiven, twice perhaps excused—but five times?No wonder that, in the end, he lost all interest in love and women, locking his heart away and returning fully to his business-driven mindset, becoming a cold, emotionless machine—until the destined female lead appeared and opened his heart again.
Tsk…Tang Wanwan's teeth ached at the thought.
Her storyline… really offended people.
Not only was she offending Jiang Yanzhi, but she'd also be offending Shen Xianyu.
After all, if your girlfriend got together with your good brother, that's a blow to any man's pride—especially to someone like Young Master Shen.
Well, whatever. If it offended them, it offended them.At worst, she'd finish this "job," return to City Z, and never show up in front of them again.
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open.
At the entrance of the club, the driver-for-hire was already waiting.
Jiang Yanzhi opened the trunk, took out Tang Wanwan's suitcase, and his gaze casually swept over her.
In the darkness of night, she couldn't make out his expression. She only heard him exchange a brief word with Shen Xianyu before getting into his car and driving off.
Whether it was the cool night breeze or the departure of the "Ten-Tonic Pill," Tang Wanwan could clearly feel the warmth in her body slowly fading.
…Yes.She'd always been somewhat sensitive to the cold.But today, something unexpected had happened—she'd actually experienced what it felt like to be truly healthy.
Another gust of night wind made her shiver. She instinctively pulled her coat tighter.
"Cold?" Shen Xianyu frowned, taking her hand. "Let's get home right away."
He'd also been drinking and couldn't drive, so he'd given the car keys to the hired driver.
Soon, the black-and-gray Mercedes G-Class rolled to a stop in front of them. Shen Xianyu opened the rear door and guided Tang Wanwan inside.
Maybe the two glasses of red wine were catching up to her, but Tang Wanwan's head felt a little fuzzy.As soon as she sat down, she leaned back against the seat.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Shen Xianyu bent down to look at her face with concern. "Or just too tired?"
Tang Wanwan shook her head and muttered softly, "Just wanna nap a bit. Don't talk to me."
"Alright, I won't."
How could Shen Xianyu bear to disturb her?
Seeing her head wobbling left and right, unable to find a comfortable position, he reached out to guide her chin so that she rested against his shoulder.
In the enclosed space of the car, the girl's unique sweet fragrance—tinged with faint traces of wine—seeped into his chest. Shen Xianyu hadn't drunk much, but he suddenly felt a little intoxicated.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, and he spoke softly,"Wanwan, want me to hold you while you sleep? That way, you'll be more comfortable."
Tang Wanwan didn't reply, her breathing slow and steady against his shoulder.
—She didn't say no, so he took it as a yes.
With that thought, Shen Xianyu slipped his arm around her shoulders, carefully pulling her into his embrace.
They'd known each other since childhood, but he had rarely ever held her like this.
This was the first time he had so securely cradled the sleeping girl in his arms.
Shen Xianyu stared unblinking at the girl resting against his chest, his heart melting into something unbearably soft.
Because of the angle of her head, her lips were slightly pouted, the ones he'd just kissed now flushed red.
His gaze darkened slightly as he raised a hand to gently brush her lips.
Then, slowly lowering his head, he placed the lightest of kisses on her forehead.
Gentle. Intimate.
In the driver's seat, the professional chauffeur caught sight of the scene in the rearview mirror and hurriedly looked away.
Inside, he was a little surprised.
As a driver for an upscale club, his clients were always wealthy and influential—and though they looked refined in public, behind closed doors, most of them played… very dirty games.
Some of it downright indecent.
…But tonight, he'd met someone who was playing pure love.
In less than half an hour, the car came to a stop.
Shen Xianyu lowered his head, wondering whether he should wake the girl in his arms—but before he could, Tang Wanwan stirred awake.
Blinking blearily, she found his face so close to hers. For a moment she froze, then quickly realized what was happening and pushed him away, sitting upright.
"Shen Xianyu!"
"I'm here." Shen Xianyu smiled faintly and explained, "I was just worried you'd sleep uncomfortably and wake up complaining about a sore neck."
Tang Wanwan pressed her lips together without responding, and stepped out of the car.
The driver had already left; the underground garage was empty except for the two of them.
Shen Xianyu caught her hand as they walked toward the elevator, trying to soothe her with a few light-hearted words. But seeing her genuine irritation, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Wanwan," he said, "with the relationship we have, a hug doesn't mean much."
In his mind, they already understood each other completely—each certain the other was their future partner.
At that moment, he even wondered if he'd been too restrained before, to the point where she now made such a big deal over a single hug.
But Tang Wanwan's body stiffened at his words.
For a fleeting moment, she wanted to break up with him.
She'd already thought of the reason:She would tell him she'd fallen for Jiang Yanzhi at first sight, and it was because of this that she realized her feelings for him weren't romantic.
So what if they'd known each other since childhood?
Stories where a "fated newcomer" defeats the childhood sweetheart were all too common.
She would overturn their shared past entirely.
She would refuse to acknowledge their relationship as love.
She had found the boy who truly stirred her heart—so she wanted to break up with Shen Xianyu and not be with him anymore.
Tang Wanwan had thought it through and didn't feel there was anything wrong with thinking this way.
But even with all her mental preparation, when the words reached her lips, she couldn't say them.
The truth was, her feelings for Shen Xianyu were love.
She liked him.
She had never imagined herself hurting him one day.
If it weren't for the matter concerning her health, she would never even consider leaving him.
But… how could he possibly like someone else?
Just wait a little longer, Tang Wanwan told herself.
Some decisions, once made, cause damage that's hard to undo.
At the very least, she should give him some time to be prepared.
(End of Chapter)