Translator: 549690339
Liu Rumei and Bai Man were still chatting and laughing as if they had known each other for years. Shen Yanrou also chipped in occasionally, and soon, the dining table was bustling with lively atmosphere again.
Shen Cexian and Shen Chi barely spoke, while Xu Chaomu kept her head down, silent.
She listened for a while but couldnât make heads or tails of the conversation. She also didnât know what exactly Shen Chi and Bai Man planned to do, but they were a couple; what else could they be up to!
Xu Chaomu chose to keep her mouth shut obediently. Hadnât Shen Chi always complained that she was thoughtless? Well, she could be considerate for once.
Throughout the meal, Xu Chaomu didnât utter a word, just kept her head down and focused on her rice.
She didnât ask, and Shen Chi didnât say anything; she decided to pretend she hadnât heard anything.
After dinner, she went to her room to do her homework in silence. Her little wooden puppet was, at some point, standing on the table, cocking its little head at her.
Xu Chaomu grabbed it, tempted to throw it to the floor, but then she thought it would probably break if she did.
With a pout, she still couldnât bring herself to throw it away.
Soon after, she heard Bai Manâs voice: âShen Chi, letâs go pack our luggage!â
Xu Chaomu was still very sensitive to Bai Manâs voice, and of course, even more sensitive to Shen Chiâs.
âNo need, the butler is here.â
Xu Chaomu thought that sounded quite reasonable; she had expected Shen Chi to happily go pack luggage with Bai Man. But Shen Chi hadnât finished talking.
âDonât tire yourself out, go rest early.â
Could this man really be so gentle? Xu Chaomu had thought he was naturally unsmiling, naturally cold to everyone. It turned out, he could show such unlimited tenderness only towards the person he liked!
Xu Chaomu decisively put on her headphones to do some listening drills, but her mind kept grumbling: showing off your love will lead to an early grave!
Probably not cut out for studying by nature, Xu Chaomu had only listened to a short segment of the listening exercise before she started to doze off again.
Whoever invented these listening exercises, they were practically a somnolent symphony!
Groggily waking up, she saw it was already midnight. Her workbook was wrinkled, so she put it aside. Forget it, she would copy the answers at school tomorrow!
Suddenly, she remembered Shen Chiâs words. He said if she managed to rank in the top ten of her class in the midterm exam, there would be a reward.
Her heart stirred againâ¦
After hesitating for a long time, she decided to stay up late and study.
She sneaked downstairs in search of coffee, which could help keep her awake and stave off sleepiness.
However, she didnât find any coffee, but instead overheard Shen Shihanâs voice.
âMake sure you understand the flight the day after tomorrow. Donât disappoint me,â Shen Shihan spoke on the phone, his voice cool and indifferent.
Xu Chaomu found it strange; what was he doing standing in the open-air garden in the middle of the night? Moreover, Shen Shihanâs voice sounded cold and chilly, not like the big brother she usually knew.
âHave you contacted the people in A City?â
âYes, as long you understand,â said Shen Shihan as he hung up the phone.
Xu Chaomu secretly peered into the garden. It was too dim to see clearly, but she could make out a blurry outline that was indeed her elder brother, Shen Shihan.
Why was he sitting alone on a bench in the garden late at night, the heavy fog making it cold?
Xu Chaomu watched for a while, but he didnât move. Just sitting there, his eyes seemed to be looking into the distance. He resembled an eternal sculpture set within the darkness.
Xu Chaomu sneaked back to the kitchen. Sigh, where could the coffee beâ¦
After searching for a long time and not finding it, Xu Chaomu had to give up. It seemed even fate didnât believe she could make the top ten.
Early the next morning, when she got up, Shen Chi and Bai Man were already awake, sitting side by side at the table, having breakfast.
In the past, it was always her sitting with Shen Chi. So, Bai Man was bound to marry Shen Chi eventually, and she had to get used to it ahead of time.
It was as Zhou Ran had asked her, âOnce Achi is married and leaves the Shen
Family, will you still choose to stay?â
Her answer was clear, too. If Shen Chi didnât want her anymore, she would leave.
Although, it seemed that day wasnât far off now.
âI got up early this morning to make this cake, try it and see. I think it tastes quite good,â Bai Man said, placing a piece of cake on Shen Chiâs plate with a fork.
Bai Man was sitting very close to Shen Chi â from Xu Chaomuâs angle, they were practically cheek to cheek!
Bai Man looked blissful, while Shen Chi⦠well, Shen Chi was his usual self, but Xu Chaomu was certain that he must be inwardly beaming with joy.
But, did they have to be so affectionate? Several servants were standing right there!
âMiss Xu, good morning.â As she walked downstairs, as usual, several butlers greeted her.
âMorning!â Xu Chaomu greeted back.
Shen Chi heard her voice, put down his knife and fork, turned to glance at Xu
Chaomu, âYouâve come at the right time, come have breakfast!â Have breakfast? She didnât want to be the third wheel!
âChaomuâs come down too, morning!â Bai Man smiled at Xu Chaomu.
âMorning.â Xu Chaomu was coolly indifferent, slinging her bag over her shoulder and ready to walk out without giving Shen Chi and Bai Man another glance.
âWhere are you going?â Shen Chiâs chilly voice rose from behind. It was still emotionless as ever.
âTo school, where else could I be going? Otherwise, if I see something I shouldnât, whatâs the way out? I donât want to get a sty.â Xu Chaomu said with disdain.
Shen Chiâs eyebrows frowned; her words seemed tinged with acidity.
Bai Man was also displeased to hear this, but she kept on smiling, not believing that an eighteen-year-old girl could make too much of a fuss.
Shen Chi rapped on the table, his attitude as domineering as ever, âYou better come here obediently. Iâm counting to three, oneâ¦â
Damn! Damn! Damn!
Xu Chaomu was close to hating this man to death. So overbearing â even controlling whether she ate breakfast or not! How could there be such a person! And yet, she was utterly helpless!
Whoâs afraid of who, just to show off their love for others to see?
Fine then, she would just watch with eyes wide open!
She sat down at the dining table huffily, gracefully picked up the knife and fork, and smiled at Shen Chi and Bai Man.
She pointed at the piece of cake on Shen Chiâs plate, âFourth Brother⦠this cake looks really tasty, give it to me, okay?â
âHmm.â Shen Chi responded, passing his plate to Xu Chaomu and also picked some other breakfast items for her.
Bai Man was so irritated her teeth itched, this was the cake she had gotten up early in the morning to personally make for Shen Chi! It had taken a long time to make, and he just gave it to Xu Chaomu without a second thought!
âThanks, Fourth Brother,â Xu Chaomu said with a smile, her grin revealing two faint dimples.
She started to cut the cake with the knife, meanwhile, glancing sideways at Bai Man. Oh, Bai Man seemed angry.
Indeed, Bai Man, hugging Shen Chiâs arm, cooed, âShen Chi⦠I made the cake especially for you this morning, wonât you even try it? Look, I even got a little oil burn on my hand. Youâre so good to Chaomu.â
Shen Chi looked down at her; her gentle eyes were filled with hope and sadness.
He glanced at Xu Chaomu again â this girl was just lowering her head to eat the cake as if nothing was her concern.
Yet Xu Chaomu understood Bai Manâs words; it was no more than annoyance that the cake was being eaten by her, wasnât it?