Chapter 15

A faint scent of rare agarwood lingered in the private room, mingling with various perfumes and powders, yet amidst these fragrances was a clarity uniquely his. Even surrounded by so many smells, Tong Chu could easily detect it. That hint of crispness had a bewitching quality.

She dared not look at him directly, lowering her eyes to see only his impeccably pressed trousers, then the gleaming leather shoes below.

“Come with me.”

Shao Yihuai left the words hanging in the air and strode toward the depths of the room. Tong Chu lifted her head to see him push open a pair of French-style lattice glass double doors, his figure disappearing beyond them.

She hesitated for a moment but followed.

Beyond the door was an even more tranquil and elegant space: a small bar against the wall, a crystal chandelier overhead, and dark-colored velvet sofas arranged on polished teak flooring. Shao Yihuai stood by the bar with his back to her, seemingly pouring himself a drink.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped to his side, keeping a measured distance.

He turned his head to glance at her, his tone calm and indifferent. “You wanted to meet me on Monday. What did you want to say?”

His words, like a pluck on a string, made her heart jolt sharply.

She didn’t even know how to respond.

Outside, Liu Hao and his friend could return at any moment, and if they couldn’t find the two of them, they might come searching. Yet Mr. Shao neither hurried nor pressured her. Holding a glass, he moved away from her and settled cross-legged in the center of the sofa.

About two meters apart, Tong Chu deliberately kept her voice cool and steady. “I haven’t even opened the gifts you gave me. Please have Uncle Zong come by another day to take them away.”

After speaking, she immediately turned to observe his expression, hoping to find some crack or change.

Unfortunately, she saw none. Shao Yihuai remained calm and composed, unsurprised, simply nodding faintly.

Unwilling to give up, Tong Chu pressed on, “You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

She wanted to end this relationship.

He paused for a moment, as if finding it amusing. “Of course I do.”

“And then you—”

She blurted out the words but quickly stopped herself, realizing that if she said it all, her feelings would be far too obvious. She was the one taking the initiative, yet secretly hoping he would object.

Shao Yihuai looked at her with a slight, unreadable smile, steady and unruffled. “Tongtong, I won’t force you.”

“Won’t force.”

She repeated the words in her heart, and before any other emotions could surface, her body responded first: her eyes stung and warmed with emotion.

She hadn’t expected it to be so easy.

After all her efforts—direct advances, subtle seductions, even some underhanded tricks—to finally forge a connection with him, one sentence from her had effortlessly severed it all.

Indeed, it had always been her who insisted, not him.

Feeling as if everything had been made clear, Shao Yihuai had no intention of lingering. He set down his glass, rose, and circled around the coffee table to stand before her.

He lifted a hand, the back lightly brushing her cheek.

As if for the last time.

Tong Chu dared not move or raise her eyes, afraid he might see the disarray in her gaze.

Shao Yihuai lowered his eyes, his own swirling with unspoken emotion, then finally said, “You really should be dating someone your own age.”

And with that, he left.

After a long silence, Tong Chu looked around the room, feeling utterly lost.

—

Ren Mingyuan spent a long time choosing drinks at the bar on the first floor, thinking the two upstairs should have had enough time by now.

“Tong Chu’s here for the first time. I’m worried she might wander off. Uncle Ren, shall we go up?”

“Alright.” After a long moment, Ren Mingyuan told the bartender, “Put this bottle on my tab.”

He was a bit puzzled.

Earlier that afternoon, Shao Yihuai had called him, saying someone had sent two bottles of wine, but he didn’t like them and asked Ren Mingyuan to take them to Manhe.

Naturally, he was happy to oblige.

Standing in front of the wine cabinet, scrutinizing the bottles under the chandelier, he turned to Shao Yihuai and said, “I might as well open a bar here at your place.”

Shao Yihuai sat on the sofa, resting his chin on his hand, eyes lowered in silence, seemingly lost in thought.

Ren Mingyuan took the initiative to open the wine and poured two thin glasses, handing one to him. “Are we going to Baishen?”

Shao Yihuai took the glass but neither drank nor answered.

He moved his wrist slightly, causing the liquid inside to tremble faintly.

Having known each other for years, Ren Mingyuan guessed he was somewhat disinterested. So he said no more, keeping him company for the afternoon.

As the agreed time of seven o’clock neared, Ren Mingyuan didn’t urge him.

Quietly observing, he soon saw Shao Yihuai glance at his watch, then stand and go to the bedroom. When he came out, he was dressed in a suit and threw a glance at Ren Mingyuan. “What are you standing there for?”

Ren Mingyuan rose. “Ready,” he said with a playful tone, imitating a lackey, “Mr. Shao, your presence is requested at Baishen.”

Upon entering the private room, Ren Mingyuan immediately sensed something in Shao Yihuai’s gaze toward the young woman there. He found it strange. Shao Yihuai, the eternally unshakable man, had suddenly descended to the mortal world to compete for a girl with someone younger?

Reflecting on this, Ren Mingyuan glanced at Liu Hao and asked, “How far along are you with that girl?”

—

Liu Hao laughed. “Nothing’s started yet, Uncle Ren. Help me out tonight—make a chance for a third date.”

“No problem!”

The two went upstairs to the private room. Upon entering, they saw Shao Yihuai sitting alone in a corner of the sofa. A dozen or so youngsters clustered at the other end, all eager but somewhat intimidated by his presence.

Laying down his drink, Liu Hao politely greeted, “Uncle Shao,” then asked, “Where’s Tong Chu? Where did she run off to?”

Shao Yihuai didn’t look up, only gestured toward the small adjoining room.

Seeing Liu Hao head that way, Ren Mingyuan pulled over a single armchair and leaned close to Shao Yihuai to lower his voice. “Hey, what’s going on? You know that girl?”

“Mm.”

“...It’s more than just knowing her, right?”

Ren Mingyuan raised his eyebrows meaningfully.

Just then, Liu Hao and Tong Chu emerged from the small room, walking over. The young couple, around twenty years old, looked vibrant and well-matched.

Among these youngsters, Liu Hao was considered quite outstanding. Though occasionally wayward, he maintained his limits and was clever and adaptable, which was why Ren Mingyuan favored him somewhat.

Shao Yihuai glanced toward them.

Today, she wore a soft apricot-pink knit dress with a small diagonal collar design on the chest, the extending straps wrapping beneath her bust and around her waist, perfectly outlining her curves and slender figure. The loose skirt draped to her feet, making her tall and graceful—someone who would instantly attract attention wherever she went.

Though her beauty was striking, whenever Shao Yihuai saw her, it was not her looks that drew him, but her warmth, softness, and a buoyant vitality striving upward.

Liu Hao and Tong Chu sat side by side opposite him.

The moment she sat, Tong Chu regretted it. Shao Yihuai was right there across from her—though he didn’t raise his eyes, she caught glimpses of his long, crossed legs and the slight curve of his lean waist.

She didn’t want to sit there; she wanted to be closer to him.

Instinctively, she lifted her gaze and met his eyes.

In front of Liu Hao, he stared at her unblinking.

Tong Chu quickly looked away, nervously sipping from her glass.

She didn’t understand him anymore. Everything had ended so decisively earlier, so why was he now looking at her like this?

Liu Hao noticed the tension and his heart skipped a beat. Trying to appear casual, he smiled and asked, “Uncle Shao, you know Tong Chu?”

Shao Yihuai remained silent.

Tong Chu smiled faintly. “I’ve met her twice at Professor Chen’s home,” she said, trying to stay calm as she looked at Shao Yihuai. “I didn’t expect to see her here—what a coincidence.”

“Oh, at Professor Chen Xizhen’s place? No wonder.”

Liu Hao relaxed.

Shao Yihuai’s phone vibrated in his inner chest pocket.

He pulled it out to see the caller ID: his mother.

He answered and rose to walk away.

Ren Mingyuan watched everything unfold and silently sympathized with Liu Hao—his chances were slim.

Young girls liked mature men.

Liu Hao glanced toward the card table. “Want to play cards?”

Tong Chu hesitated.

“If you lose, it’s on me,” Liu Hao smiled. “Play for a bit?”

Sensing the awkwardness, Ren Mingyuan kindly stepped in. “I’ll play with you. The girl might not be good at it.”

Tong Chu gave him a grateful look.

Liu Hao said, “Alright then.”

They moved to the card table a short distance away. The room finally quieted down, and Tong Chu breathed a sigh of relief.

Relaxing slightly, her thoughts turned back to Shao Yihuai’s demeanor.

She still wasn’t satisfied—she never understood what he was thinking. Whether she approached or withdrew, he remained unreadable.

The more she thought, the more stifled she felt.

Someone was smoking in the room, making the air heavy and oppressive.

She stood, hesitated briefly, then approached Liu Hao, tapping his shoulder and leaning in softly. “Do you have a cigarette?”

Her warm scent and gentle voice made Liu Hao tense momentarily, then say, “I do.”

He pulled out a pack from his pocket.

She took a cigarette, saying, “I’m going downstairs for some fresh air. I’ll be back soon.”

That she could approach him so naturally filled Liu Hao with joy, feeling progress was being made. “Go ahead. I’ll play a few rounds then come find you.”

Tong Chu gathered her skirt and descended the spiral staircase.

Shao Yihuai stood in the corridor leading to the backyard terrace, phone pressed to his ear. He saw her turn the corner before the stairs.

Under the crystal chandelier, she caught sight of him as well.

Pausing slightly to steady herself, Tong Chu resumed walking and, a few meters away, forced a polite smile.

A courteous smile.

Just as she passed by, Shao Yihuai withdrew the hand from his pocket and raised it slightly, saying quietly, “Wait a moment.”

She stopped.

She could see his phone was still in the call interface, but he seemed indifferent, casually taking off his suit jacket. “Wear this. It’s cold outside.”

His voice was soft and warm, just as it had been many times before.

Tong Chu didn’t respond.

She didn’t understand him and felt like crying.

Shao Yihuai paused, then personally draped the jacket over her shoulders.

The inside of the jacket still held his warmth.

Her heart nearly broke.

If this ambiguous relationship was truly over, yet he still treated her like this, what was she supposed to do?

She was utterly defenseless.

She stubbornly looked up at him, her eyes red. “Mr. Shao, there’s no need to take care of me anymore.”

Shao Yihuai looked at her for two seconds, then said to the person on the other end of the call, “I’ll contact you tomorrow.” He hung up decisively before she could react. His hand had already encircled her waist, while the other pushed open the nearby door, almost half-embracing her as he led her inside.

The door clicked shut behind them.

The room was dim, only the scattered lights from the courtyard filtering through the windows.

His hand had withdrawn, but the heat lingered on her waist. The grip had startled her heart.

Holding back tears, she asked, “...What do you want to do?”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Shao Yihuai propped himself against the doorframe above her head, eyes lowered, voice deepening, “Why are you crying?”

“I don’t understand you.”

For the first time, she used “you” instead of the formal “Mr. Shao.”

He held his breath briefly, then asked calmly, “Where have I confused you?”

“Everywhere.”

She pouted, nearly sobbing.

Such childishness.

Shao Yihuai wanted to smile but held back, knowing if he did, she might truly break down. He patiently coaxed, “Tell me.”

After a few seconds of silence, Tong Chu took a deep breath and blurted out, “...Sorry, but I have to say it: Mr. Shao, are you a scoundrel? You don’t take initiative, don’t reject me, and don’t take responsibility.”

Shao Yihuai hesitated imperceptibly, then chuckled through his nose. “...If I gave you that impression, that’s my fault. Sorry.” His voice lowered further, calm and unhurried. “But honestly, of those three accusations, with you I’ve only done ‘not rejecting.’”

“Then why haven’t you contacted me all week?” Before he could answer, she continued, “Am I really just a toy you keep?”

Silence stretched.

Shao Yihuai said, “...Tongtong, you’re nineteen, an age prone to impulsiveness.” His tone was almost earnest. “I just wanted to give you some cooling-off time. I don’t want you to follow me and then regret it. Do you understand?”

“Follow you.”

She caught those three words sharply.

Just as Sister Meng had said.

For a moment, she felt utterly defeated.

Equal relationships were never meant for them.

Their identities and social statuses were worlds apart. Even if he deigned to lower himself, equality was impossible.

If she wanted to be with him, she had to fit into their world’s rules.

A rumbling began deep within her heart, like the prelude to an earthquake.

Each tremor stronger than the last.

She took a deep breath, her voice trembling low, “...If I decide I’m ready, then what am I to you?”

“My Tongtong,” he replied.

“A toy?”

The nineteen-year-old girl insisted on a clear answer.

Shao Yihuai chuckled. “I was about to ask you—where did you hear that word?” His voice lowered to a teasing whisper. “Since the first time we met, what have I done to make you think I treat you like a toy?”

“You gave me the apartment key.”

That was Sister Meng’s phrase, and she shamelessly borrowed it.

“That was just for your convenience.”

“Don’t you have other intentions and plans?”

“I do.”

He actually admitted it!

Tong Chu suddenly looked up at him. “You—”

Shao Yihuai held her pinned against the door, his eyes fixed on her for a long while. But she stubbornly demanded explanations, oblivious to how dangerous the situation was.

His gaze darkened slightly, measured. “I what?”

Tong Chu’s throat tightened, unable to speak.

She belatedly realized their breaths mingled in the confined space.

Her spine stiffened.

Shao Yihuai’s other hand found hers, loosely grasping it and sliding down to fully envelop it, his fingertip gently stroking.

The rough texture of an adult man’s palm.

Electricity surged through Tong Chu’s heart, her whole body tingling and trembling.

He lowered his head slightly, voice husky. “...Tongtong, I have never been this serious before.”