Chapter 28

After the events of Saturday night, Chu Tong woke up early on Sunday morning. Her first instinct was to glance at the side of the bed; finding it empty, she let out a sigh of relief.

He was not in the master bedroom’s living area either. After washing up, she found a relatively long nightgown in the dressing room and went downstairs to look for him.

After searching for a while, she faintly heard movement coming from the gym. She knocked on the door and pushed it open. The gym was larger than she had imagined. Shao Yihuai was hitting tennis balls against a practice wall, dressed in a loose black sleeveless athletic set. As he swung the racket, his arms and legs displayed fluid, beautiful lines.

Hearing the door open, he turned his head and simultaneously reached out to catch the ball rebounding from the wall with his palm. The motion was quite dashing. "Up so early?"

"You're even earlier."

"I'm used to it," he said. "...Do you want to try?"

"I don't know how."

"I'll teach you."

Chu Tong walked over to him and was guided into position. She held the racket, and he stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her to hold her hands as he demonstrated a swing. "Use the momentum, swing it out like this."

After a few swings, he asked, "Did you get it?"

Chu Tong nodded.

Shao Yihuai stepped back a few paces. Seeing her still standing there, he couldn't help but smile. "What's wrong?"

It wasn't her fault for overthinking; the truth was that his body, warmed from exercise, reminded her of the feeling of being held in his arms as they slept last night. Her ears turned red. She claimed it was nothing, but tried to swing the racket on her own.

It went better than she had expected. It seemed she had a decent physical foundation.

"I helped my mother with chores since I was a child, so I still have some stamina," she said after he praised her.

He chuckled. "...I'm going to the stables this afternoon. Do you want to come along?"

She didn't say she hadn't ridden before or didn't know how; she simply nodded.

-

Shao Yihuai exercised for forty minutes. By the time he had showered and changed, breakfast had arrived. This was the first time the two of them had eaten breakfast together: simple cheese and egg sandwiches, served with milk and coffee.

He ate refinedly, with his usual elegance. Chu Tong chewed with her mouth full, her eyes fixed on him. Shao Yihuai met her gaze without saying a word. The exchange of glances felt like that of lovers with a telepathic connection.

Chu Tong was delighted by the thought and tilted her head, smiling at him. Shao Yihuai, who was leaning against the counter drinking coffee, couldn't help but shake his head and laugh softly, saying, "You silly thing."

Chu Tong disagreed. "You're so busy. Do you ever have moments like this in life? A rare bit of peace and small happiness?"

Shao Yihuai lowered his lashes and pondered for a moment. "...Reading at Professor Chen's house—that should count."

Chu Tong's eyes lit up. "Like the day I first met you?"

"Hmm."

It had only been a little over a month since she first met him. Back then, he felt like a phantom cast from another world—gentle, noble, and difficult to approach. Now that she was so close to him, he still felt like a phantom. Whether it was his daily gentleness and thoughtfulness, his subtle guidance, or even that aspect of their relationship, it all seemed to reveal only the tip of the iceberg of who he really was.

She felt she could never truly understand him.

-

After breakfast, Shao Yihuai went to the company to work overtime, leaving her at Manhe to study and write her assignments. At two in the afternoon, Uncle Zong drove him back to pick her up, and they headed to the equestrian club.

Upon arrival, Shao Yihuai called for an equestrian coach, telling him to pick a horse for her—a gentle one, since she was a beginner.

Chu Tong went with the staff to change into riding clothes. When she came out, she asked him, "What about you?"

"You'll be indoors; I'm going outside for a few laps."

Chu Tong gave him a look that clearly said: *I want to go with you.*

The coach, observing their expressions, stepped in to help. "Young lady, it's too cold outside, and it's about to snow. Since you're a beginner, why don't you try a few laps in the indoor arena?"

"Alright then."

Despite saying that, she still looked up at him without moving. Seeing that look, Shao Yihuai couldn't help but lower his head to kiss her on the tip of her nose, smiling as he said, "Go on, see you in a bit."

He went to change into his riding gear, and she kept looking back at him every few steps. The coach laughed, "How sweet."

Chu Tong asked, "What kind of horse is he riding? I want one of the same breed."

"Mr. Shao’s horse is a Friesian; it's not really suitable for beginners. It can be quite bumpy for a novice."

"I want the same one as him," she repeated.

"Very well. It is a handsome breed, and looks good when ridden," the coach replied smoothly.

As they slowly walked the horse in the indoor arena, the coach explained: Friesians are tall with thick manes and sturdy limbs, making them perfect for photos. The professional equestrian circle doesn't usually favor this breed, but they are naturally lively—perhaps that’s why Mr. Shao likes them.

Chu Tong was light-bodied and quickly mastered the rhythm of moving with the horse; riding it didn't feel difficult at all.

The coach suggested, "We have a free photo service for beginners. Shall I take a few for you?"

Chu Tong did not refuse. After several laps, she had broken a sweat, and her thighs felt numb when she dismounted. The coach signaled another staff member to take her to the café to rest.

The café was a glass-roofed terrace with a broad view, allowing her to see the outdoor arena. She spotted Shao Yihuai instantly. Even though he was completely wrapped in riding gear and wearing a helmet, his superior physique and aura were unmistakable. He was riding a handsome, tall black horse, leaning forward as he galloped across the field.

The riding gear really suited him. Chu Tong took out her phone, zoomed in, and snapped a few photos.

She sat alone, slowly sipping half a cup of coffee, when she saw Shao Yihuai and another person walking their horses toward the building. They disappeared around another entrance.

After waiting about half an hour, he came to find her, having changed into his casual clothes—a long coat over a black mock-neck sweater. His refined and elegant demeanor drew many eyes as soon as he entered.

Shao Yihuai walked straight toward her, his gaze locked on her with a hint of deep, hidden interest. As he approached, he asked, "Did you have fun?"

Chu Tong sat in her chair and looked up at him. "It was fun."

Only then did she notice the person who had been riding with him trailing a few steps behind. She stood up quickly.

Shao Yihuai introduced them: "This is Tongtong. This is Yi Chenze, my cousin."

It was the first time she had met his family. Chu Tong gathered all her focus, smiling brightly as she nodded. "Hello, Cousin Chenze."

Yi Chenze looked to be nearing forty. Seeing her demeanor, he smiled and said to Shao Yihuai, "She really is just a child." His Mandarin carried a slight Hong Kong accent.

Shao Yihuai was noncommittal, merely lowering his lashes with a faint smile. Chu Tong sensed that the smile held no genuine pleasure. He himself always called her a child, but did he dislike it when others saw her as one too?

Chu Tong was a bit confused.

-

That evening, Shao Yihuai took her and Yi Chenze out to dinner. While Chu Tong was in the restroom, Yi Chenze asked, "What did the coach give you at the stables earlier?"

"Photos—Tongtong's."

When the two men had changed into their casual clothes, they had run into the coach who was coming to deliver the photos to Chu Tong. The coach had handed them directly to Shao Yihuai, who had taken a look and put them away.

"Not giving them to her?" Yi Chenze teased.

Shao Yihuai’s tone was inscrutable. "...The person is hers; the photos are mine."

The girl on the horse, dressed in professional gear, was smiling, full of spirit and vitality.

"The little girl is quite carefree; she had photos taken but didn't even think to ask for them," Yi Chenze laughed. "Her mind was entirely on you."

When Chu Tong returned to the table, she saw the two men chatting about something, with the cousin wearing a profound expression. Both men were much older than her, but Yi Chenze was a good conversationalist. They talked about their respective educational experiences and interesting anecdotes, keeping the conversation lively and harmonious.

During the meal, Yi Chenze mentioned that he had a godson named Liang Jiahao, the child of a family friend. Since the Liang family had fallen on hard times, he had adopted him. He was about the same age as her and was studying Chinese in Hong Kong; he thought they would get along well.

After dinner, Shao Yihuai drove Chu Tong back to her university. Halfway there, it began to snow heavily.

Shao Yihuai said to her, "Cousin Chenze is a relative from my mother's side with business in Hong Kong. In the future, when you go there to study, if you need anything, you can ask him to arrange it."

Chu Tong was surprised. "That's at least two years away. You're thinking that far ahead for me?"

Shao Yihuai didn't look at her, gazing at the snow outside the window as he gave a faint "Hmm." These things, he felt, should be planned early.

Chu Tong leaned over the center console and gave his cheek a loud kiss. "You're so good to me."

Shao Yihuai paused slightly, turned his head to look at her for a moment, and then gave a very faint smile.

When they reached the West Gate of A University, Chu Tong finally understood the meaning of that smile. Shao Yihuai got out first, walked around the back of the car, and opened the door for her. Just as she stood steady and the door closed behind her, he pressed his hands against the car body on either side of her, pinning her against the door, and whispered, "Kiss me again."

Snow was falling in a vast expanse. Uncle Zong held an umbrella over them, his body twisted away as he looked elsewhere, trying his best to be an oblivious, inanimate object.

Shao Yihuai was tall with broad shoulders. As he leaned over, the front of his coat draped down, trapping her in a small corner between him and the car. Chu Tong swallowed, raised her chin, and kissed his cheek.

The Maybach’s hazard lights were still flashing, the light dancing on the snow, flickering like her heartbeat.

Shao Yihuai said again, "That's not the right spot."

She went to kiss his thin lips. Before she made contact, she remembered the last time and hit the brakes, setting a condition: "You have to respond."

Shao Yihuai smiled silently. His lashes were half-lowered, appearing excessively affectionate, while the curve of his lips betrayed a carefree, playboy-like nonchalance. Enticed, Chu Tong rested her hands on his face and kissed him.

It was a lingering, gentle kiss. Their breath mingled, the chill of the snow permeating every breath.

Afterward, she would kiss Shao Yihuai countless times. Yet, this was the one she remembered most vividly: the heavy snow, the flashing lights of the car behind them as if urging them to move on. But both of them had stopped, intently savoring the kiss.

It was also at this moment that Shao Yihuai called her "baby" for the first time. It wasn't in bed, nor after a long separation, but precisely in this seemingly ordinary moment.

She had initiated the kiss, and her body instinctively wanted to be closer to him. Before she knew it, the kiss had become his domain. His lips wandered to the side of her ear, brushing her earlobe gently as he whispered low, "Good baby."

Those two words seemed to carry infinite tenderness and the doting of one in a superior position in the relationship, mixed with a faint, almost imperceptible laugh. Chu Tong trembled all over. She grabbed the lapels of his coat, her eyes brimming with moisture, and said pitifully, "Shao Yihuai, I don't want to go back to the dorm."

"Hmm?"

The question sounded like an encouragement for her to be clearer.

She added, in a tiny voice, "I want you to hold me while I sleep."