Chapter 31

It was Sunday morning before Chu Tong finally managed to get a full night’s sleep.

When she woke up, she found herself lying on her side, facing the inner side of the bed. She tried to move, but her body felt completely drained. She let out a soft, incoherent moan.

"...Awake?"

Hearing that low, resonant voice, Chu Tong jolted upright, looking toward the foot of the bed. Through the blackout curtains of the floor-to-ceiling windows, a thin sliver of daylight filtered in. Not far from the ottoman, sitting in an armchair beside the screen, was Shao Yihuai. He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, a book spread open on his lap.

She tried to speak, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in her hip. "Ah, it hurts, it hurts..."

Shao Yihuai set his book aside, walked over, and sat on the edge of the bed, his hand slipping under the quilt. "Where?"

"My hip," Chu Tong whimpered, "it’s cramping, ah ah..."

"Relax. Straighten your leg and lift it."

As he gripped her inner thigh and rotated her hip, the pain vanished.

"Lack of exercise," Shao Yihuai remarked coolly.

"You're blaming me?" She pouted in disagreement. "It was you who kept me... spread open... for too long..."

Her voice grew quieter and lower as her face turned a deep, explosive shade of red. She rolled over and dove back under the covers.

"...Are you hungry?"

"Yes." A muffled voice came from beneath the quilt.

Through the thin blanket, Chu Tong vaguely heard Shao Yihuai chuckle. Just as she was about to protest, she felt herself being scooped up, quilt and all, into his arms.

He pulled back the edge of the blanket to reveal her flushed face. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were misty, and her lips were red and slightly swollen, as if they had been thoroughly ravaged.

Shao Yihuai smiled, whispering, "Still blaming me?"

Chu Tong nodded vigorously without hesitation.

He turned his head and scoffed softly, with a touch of post-coital nonchalance, "Didn't you keep saying how good it felt last night?"

She thought about it carefully. It wasn't the whole time—it was only toward the second half. The first two times had been her trying to adjust and accommodate him, and she had felt like she was dying from the pain.

Reflecting on this, she felt a flicker of resentment. He was twenty-nine, after all; he really was skilled. He was composed, unhurried, and methodical, making her own tearful, chaotic self look like a fool.

Chu Tong changed the subject. "...I'm hungry."

Shao Yihuai went downstairs. When she prepared to get out of bed, she realized she was naked. She grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed, wrapped herself in it, and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Facing the mirror, she couldn't help but unwrap the blanket to examine herself. There were red marks on her neck. Her skin still recalled the slightly rough texture of his palms and the ways he had played with her—things she had never imagined before.

She couldn't dwell on it. Thinking about it made her face hot again.

He had ordered breakfast from Rongji early that morning: refreshing congee, side dishes, and steamed dumplings. Chu Tong was wearing a camisole nightdress, curled up in the corner of the sofa. Shao Yihuai placed the food containers on the table, opened them, and said, "Come here."

He held the bowl in one hand and used a spoon to feed her.

Chu Tong obediently leaned in and took a bite. As she ate, their proximity and the way their gazes locked made her think of something he had said the night before: *Baby, you're so good at taking it.* Her cheeks grew hot, and she looked away uncomfortably.

The bowl was soon empty.

Shao Yihuai wiped his fingers one by one with a wet wipe. Chu Tong snuck a few glances at him and couldn't help but say, in a tone that was hard to interpret, "You really are quite skilled."

"Hm?"

"...You have a lot of experience."

She glanced at him again. Lu Zhiyun had said he was a man of integrity, but at his age, it was unlikely he had no experience. What kind of person was he, exactly? A daughter from some prominent, wealthy family?

Shao Yihuai paused slightly, then laughed with a casual, deep-eyed look. "Skilled at what?"

Chu Tong huffed.

He said, "Come here. Let me hold you for a while."

After a two-second silence, she followed her heart, obediently climbing onto his lap and curling up in his arms.

Shao Yihuai kissed her lips. "Why didn't you answer?"

"You love asking questions you already know the answer to."

Shao Yihuai didn't respond. His hand slid under the hem of her nightdress, stroking her spine from her lower back, inch by inch. Her body went soft, and a sigh escaped her lips.

He leaned down and kissed her.

Her lips were sucked, her tongue forced to tangle and rub against his, saliva exchanged, making wet, rhythmic sounds.

When they broke for air, he whispered, "It has always been only you."

It was unbelievable.

Chu Tong asked, "Why? Has no one else ever been as proactive as me?"

Shao Yihuai let out a soft laugh.

Her version of being "proactive" wasn't even close to the real thing. His social circle was wild, and there were countless people begging for his favors. In the past, there were even those who had wrapped themselves in bath towels and delivered themselves to his suite.

"You proactive?" He shook his head slightly. "You fool, which time wasn't something I tacitly permitted?"

Chu Tong counted on her fingers, saying quite frankly, "The first time you drove me back to school, that scarf—I left it behind on purpose. But you returned it right away."

"Later, I realized it, so I had Uncle Zong turn the car around to bring you a book, asking you to return it as a favor," he paused. "...That was an excuse."

"Why?"

"...I didn't want to refuse you." His gaze was low as he cupped her face, reminding her unhurriedly, "I even told you then, 'We'll have a chance later.'"

That was the way adults seduced—quietly, leaving an aftertaste.

"What about that time in the Beijing suburbs? I went to your room proactively, and you didn't show anything, just told me to go back to sleep." Chu Tong was determined to get to the bottom of it. "And when I got to your room, you were so calm, even asking me, 'Aren't you sleepy?'"

Shao Yihuai scoffed, as if finding her too naive. "...If I had asked even a little bit about why you came, you would have been scared off immediately."

Chu Tong thought back. It was true; she had been nervous and afraid, and his composure was what had made her relax.

"...And that time, I was being direct, and you didn't answer me."

"You were too impulsive. I needed to give you time to go back and think it through."

"And you? When did you think it through?"

"That same night."

"Deciding what to do?"

"...To take care of you. To give you what you need, what you want."

He knew she had the temperament of a child, a three-minute attention span, and that her feelings for him were likely to come and go quickly. But he couldn't ignore her; he couldn't let go, and he couldn't look away. So, he had to restrain himself, treating it as if he were just pampering her for a few years, shielding her for a stretch of her journey.

At his age, he understood perfectly well: if he kept his self intact and only gave to the other person, he wouldn't be too devastated when they left. Once he began to demand something in return—whether it was physical or emotional comfort—he would find it impossible to handle if she were to walk away.

But the more they spent time together, the more he realized that giving without demanding was impossible: he was infected by her personality; how could he not want her by his side when he felt lonely or weary? He had desires for her; how could he sit unmoved while holding such warmth?

His repeated restraint was likely far more than she would ever realize.

Hearing his words, Chu Tong was stunned. Suddenly, everything became clear. Why had she always felt he was distant and unfathomable even after they were together? He had only ever shown her the side she needed, never revealing his true self.

Calling her to that private room at the restaurant was likely the only time he had actually needed her.

"It shouldn't be one-sided. I can take care of you, too."

She said it with firm determination.

Shao Yihuai smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

It wasn't that he hadn't seen lively, cheerful girls—boisterous and fiery—but she was truly special. Her vitality, her playfulness, seemed to have a beautiful, resilient core. She was both active and still, and in both states, she was filled with her own unique charm.

It sparked his curiosity and desire to explore, making him want to delve deeper and see what lay beneath.

Looking at him quietly like this—white shirt, black trousers, no belt, two buttons undone, his handsome face, his eyes locked onto her—she took in his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs. He had the charisma of a mature man. Chu Tong unexpectedly recalled what Lu Zhiyun had said.

"...I heard from Sister Zhiyun that you're actually a generation older than them?" She lowered her voice. "I get so jealous when I hear others call you 'Brother Shao.' I want a special name for you, too."

Shao Yihuai curled his lips into a smile and said idly, "You calling me 'Shao Yihuai' is already special enough."

No one else called him that.

At home, he was "Third Brother" or "Uncle Bai," and in public, he was mostly "Mr. Shao."

"Mr. Shao? Uncle Shao?"

She tilted her head, acting mischievous. "Which title don't you like me calling you?"

"That would naturally be 'Uncle Shao.'"

It crossed the generational line.

Chu Tong intentionally provoked him, insisting, "Uncle Shao."

The words were soft and sweet, and her eyes were filled with moisture as she looked at him longingly.

Shao Yihuai paused, a flash of sadistic desire crossing his gaze.

She needed to be taught a lesson.

He had been too gentle, too restrained with her.

He narrowed his eyes, reached out, and gripped her chin with his thumb and forefinger. "The first time we met, this is exactly how you looked at me."

His other hand reached inside from the side, touching the wetness, his voice low and dark. "Was it like this back then, too?"

Chu Tong shook her head desperately, embarrassed and annoyed. "What kind of thing is that to say?"

Shao Yihuai lifted his chin slightly, signaling her. She understood immediately—he wanted her to get something from the bedside table.

She went barefoot, her face burning, and brought it back to him.

He sat in the sofa with his legs spread wide, leaning against the backrest, not taking it from her.

Chu Tong grumbled that he was bullying her, but she still knelt obediently at his feet. She felt around with her hands while turning her face away, not daring to look.

Shao Yihuai gripped her head, forcing her to turn back, his eyes dark and his tone wicked. "You've tasted it yourself—can't you even look at it?"

Chu Tong gave up and started to cry. "I don't know how to put it on. Just shut up. You're really too much of a bully."

He wiped the tears from under her eyes, his voice still flat. "Do you think crying works?"

She looked up and glared at him.

Shao Yihuai pulled her waist. "Come up."

It was too shameful. Before long, she was crying and complaining that she didn't like it, so he picked her up and carried her to the sleeping area behind the screen.

Once they were back under the covers, he said, "Why don't you call me 'Uncle Shao' anymore?"

"I hate you, Uncle Shao."

She deliberately defied him. He was too bad; how could he say those things?

"Alright, alright, I'm hateful." He couldn't help but laugh, adding unhurriedly, "So, is the baby biting down and not letting go to punish me?"

Chu Tong couldn't speak; she could only kick his back, but he caught her ankle and pinned it aside.

***

When she woke up again, it was already dark.

She had no strength to get up. Lying by the bed, she drank a glass of water from Shao Yihuai's hand.

After finishing, she said, "I have an exam early tomorrow morning. You can't..."

Shao Yihuai finally acted like a human being, stroking her hair. "Sleep."

She slept soundly. When she got up on Monday morning, she felt reborn.

After washing up and changing, she went downstairs. Shao Yihuai was already waiting at the dining table, and along with breakfast, her schoolbag was there.

Seeing her look, he explained, "I had Zhiyun drop it off last night."

Chu Tong wanted to praise his thoughtfulness, but the words caught in her throat.

The man was sitting at the table, dressed immaculately, his legs crossed. His handsome face wore his usual gentle expression, showing no trace of the wicked man from the day before.

She huffed internally and gave him a resentful glare.

Shao Yihuai remained completely unmoved, just watching her with a half-smile in his eyes.

After breakfast, Uncle Zong was waiting in the parking lot to take her to school.

In the car, Chu Tong crammed, frantically flipping through her textbook. Although she had already memorized it, after a day and two nights without touching her books, she needed to refamiliarize herself.

At the front gate, Shao Yihuai stepped out of the car.

He stroked her cheek. "Do well on your exam."

"I know."

Watching her back as she ran through the school gate like a gust of wind, Shao Yihuai turned back to the car.

He was headed to the group headquarters.

Uncle Zong looked at the rearview mirror.

The master was different again today. Usually, when they were "alone" in the car, there was always a sense of lingering, unresolvable listlessness in his eyes. But right now, there was clearly a deep, dark undercurrent.

Shao Yihuai looked up. "What is it?"

Zong Liangzhi chuckled. "The master is in a good mood today?"

"Hm."

"Then I’d like to ask for two days off around New Year's to take my wife and kids out."

"Tell Jingwen."

"You got it."

***

That evening, Shao Yihuai drove to the west gate of A University himself to bring Chu Tong some snacks.

Chu Tong opened them and saw they were from a popular dessert shop in Sanlitun. "You even know about these?"

"Jingwen bought some for the secretarial staff, so I had her grab a portion for you, too."

"Thank you for thinking of me."

She gave him a bright smile.

Shao Yihuai didn't say anything.

It wasn't just thinking of her; she had been circling his mind all day.

"How many days off do you get for New Year's?"

"Just one day."

It was exam week, so except for January 1st, the days before and after were shifted to after the exam week and merged into the winter break.

"Do you want to go anywhere?"

Chu Tong shook her head. "I want to sleep for half the day and use the other half to review."

"Shall I pick you up tomorrow night for dinner?" Shao Yihuai pulled her closer. "New Year's Eve is a special day, after all."

Chu Tong's eyes lit up. "Are we going to celebrate New Year's Eve together?"

"Hm." He couldn't help but smile, too. "Just you and me."

"Okay, okay," she said, so happy she almost jumped. "Anywhere is fine."

It was already night. Outside, it was freezing, and their breath turned to white mist as they stood there talking.

Shao Yihuai said, "Go back inside. Don't catch a cold."

"So, I'm leaving?"

Chu Tong said this and made a motion to step back, but he pulled her back by the waist.

"...You're really just going to leave like that?"

He leaned down and kissed her with a soft laugh.

Since they were near the school gate, it wasn't appropriate to get too carried away, so the kiss was shallow.

But as soon as they were close, Chu Tong could smell the scent of his skin—a unique, crisp, and intoxicating fragrance that belonged only to him. She couldn't help but cling to his neck, and Shao Yihuai turned and pressed her against the car door.

There was no Uncle Zong nearby to hold an umbrella this time.

Shame got the better of her, and she mumbled that it wasn't good, it really wasn't good.

Shao Yihuai stopped. His tall frame bent slightly as he held her. "Let me hold you for a moment."

His arms tightened around her shoulders and back, his head buried in the crook of her neck. "Did you think of me today?"

"I was busy with exams. I didn't have time to think about you."

In truth, she had deliberately avoided those memories just to focus on her tests.

"I missed you."

His voice was its usual deep, resonant self, but now it was tinged with a slight rasp. It traveled directly into her marrow.

This was the first time he had ever said something like that.

Chu Tong couldn't help but hold her breath, pressing closer to him.

***

On the afternoon of the 31st, after her exam, Chu Tong returned to the dorm to pack her bag and then headed straight for the west gate.

At the drop-off spot, Shao Yihuai stepped out of the car holding a bouquet of flowers.

He wore a long black overcoat over a meticulous three-piece suit. Holding the pink-toned bouquet, he didn't look out of place at all; especially standing there at dusk after the snow, the distinct contrast of colors seemed romantic even from afar.

Chu Tong sprinted over, took the flowers, and took a deep breath. "They smell so good." She asked, "What kind of flowers are these?"

"Multiflora spray roses and moth orchids." Once in the car, Shao Yihuai said as he turned the steering wheel, "Accented with fountain grass."

She couldn't put them down, feeling incredibly happy. She took several photos with her phone and then turned to ask, "Where are we going?"

"Dinner first, then I'll take you somewhere."

It was a revolving restaurant on the 76th floor of the World Trade Center.

There were already many guests in the hall, and the two walked in hand-in-hand. They were seated at a window table, overlooking the night view of the World Trade Center as the lights began to flicker on.

Chu Tong ordered her own meal like a pro.

Shao Yihuai asked how the exams went.

She said that every subject was difficult, but she felt she had done well. After two more days of exams after the holiday, winter break would begin.

"What are your plans for the break? Going back home?"

"Hm, to keep my mom company." She took out her phone and flipped through the calendar. "Oh, by the way, isn't your birthday coming up? Your 30th."

"Hm." Shao Yihuai glanced at her, laughing. "What, you want to keep me company?"

"I want to, but I'm afraid it won't work. I've already bought my ticket; I'm leaving on the first day of the break."

"It doesn't matter," Shao Yihuai said coolly. "There will be many banquets then, and I won't be able to look after you anyway."

"Ah?"

She looked disappointed.

Shao Yihuai laughed. "Your plans are written all over your face. Were you going to give me a surprise?"

Chu Tong made a zipping gesture across her lips and remained silent.

"Don't worry about me," he said. "Those places are filled with smoke, and the talk is all about boring adult matters. It's dull; I wouldn't want you standing there with me for nothing. Forget it."

"Stop treating me like a child."

She spoke with righteous indignation.

Shao Yihuai cut her steak, looked up, and said, "Even if I were forty, at thirty, you would still be a child to me."

"What about when I'm sixty and you're seventy?" She countered immediately. "Surely at sixty, I won't be a child anymore."

"Will I live to be seventy?"

"Don't talk nonsense. You have to live to a hundred."

Shao Yihuai moved the plate in front of her, his eyes looking at her with extreme calm, half-joking. "...Will you still be by my side then?"

Chu Tong nodded immediately.

She nodded with great conviction, though her voice was weak. "...If it's possible."

She watched him cautiously, thinking to herself that she couldn't wait to grow old with him. With his temperament, when he was even older, he would surely be an incredibly charming daddy.

She wondered what he would be like if he had children.

He would definitely be an incredibly handsome and stable father.

"...What are you thinking about?"

He took a sip of lemon water. He had to drive later, so he couldn't drink.

Chu Tong leaned forward and lowered her voice. "Thinking about kissing you." She glanced around. "But, would that not be very good?"

After all, they were in a crowded hall, with waiters and guests constantly passing by.

Shao Yihuai had already put down his napkin. He stood up, leaned over the table, and with an air of undeniable authority, cupped her chin and kissed her lips.

It was as light as a dragonfly skimming water.

When it was over, he sat back down with a light laugh, but Chu Tong’s cheeks were burning.

After dinner, back in the car, Chu Tong turned to fasten her seatbelt, but Shao Yihuai held her face and turned her back. He leaned over the center console, pressed down, and continued the kiss.

He tilted his head slightly. Outside the windshield, the cold light of the parking lot reflected off his jawline. With one hand controlling the back of her head, it was a gesture of inescapable confinement.

The kiss was deep. Chu Tong couldn't catch her breath; she clung to his shoulders with both hands and called out to him in a small voice, "Mr. Shao, no more."

Shao Yihuai paused slightly, his voice tinged with hoarseness. "Why are you calling me that again?"

Seeing the hint of mischief in her eyes, he knew she was doing it on purpose.

He didn't know if it was to make him stop or to seduce him further.

He wouldn't give her what she wanted; he pressed down and kissed her for a while longer before letting go.

Chu Tong changed the subject, licked her lips, and asked in a low voice, "Where are we going?"

"...It's a bit far," Shao Yihuai closed his eyes for a second to steady himself. "A four-hour drive."

Chu Tong was shocked.

That night, Shao Yihuai really drove for over four hours, all the way to the beach.

***

At the hotel, after a brief rest, he changed into a windbreaker. Chu Tong wore a long dress underneath, with a down jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves, bundled up tightly.

Winter was the off-season, but for New Year's Eve, there were still many people at the beach. Shao Yihuai had someone make arrangements in advance, and they went to a deserted stretch of beach where only a lifeguard lingered nearby.

Far from the city's bustle, the roaring sea breeze, thick with the smell of salt, surged toward them. In the distance, the deep night stretched out, and the waves crashed one after another, their sound almost deafening.

In the center of the beach were several types of fireworks boxes.

He unpacked some sparklers, and Chu Tong couldn't wait to grab a handful. "Light them for me."

Shao Yihuai cupped his hands and used a metal lighter to light them for her.

The flames erupted, illuminating his and her features by the dark sea.

Suddenly, sparks flew everywhere. She let out an excited scream, ran a few circles with the sparklers, then returned to his side and asked, "Is this a late Christmas firework?"

Shao Yihuai shook his head. "The Victoria Harbour fireworks on Christmas Eve are one-of-a-kind. We'll go later."

He had never made promises to anyone, but for this promise of the Victoria Harbour fireworks on Christmas Eve, he had promised her twice, yet until they parted, it never came to be.

She grabbed his wrist to check his watch. "Ah ah, it's almost midnight."

Shao Yihuai signaled, "Light the one in the middle."

"I'll light it, I'll light it." She was super excited. "I've never lit one before."

Shao Yihuai gave her the lighter and taught her how to use it, then stood there, watching her run over like a gust of wind. The sea breeze blew her dress into a mess; she bent down to light it, then ran back, shrieking.

The smile on his face had never been this bright.

Chu Tong threw herself directly into his arms. Shao Yihuai caught her steadily, supporting her hips, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. They both kissed each other, proactively.

Above them, one firework after another exploded.

Brilliant and dazzling, they streaked across the night sky, vanishing in an instant, only for new ones to take their place.

The smell of burning fireworks mixed with the scent of the sea, engulfing them.

After kissing for a while, Chu Tong touched his ear and turned to face the ocean. Amidst the sound of the waves and the explosions of the fireworks, she shouted loudly, word by word, "Shao Yihuai, I love you!"

Before the words could fade, she swallowed a mouthful of sea breeze.

She coughed and turned back, meeting his eyes, and immediately laughed again. "Do you think I'm tacky? But I must be the first person to do this."

Her words were incredibly sincere, holding her heart out to him.

Shao Yihuai stared at her quietly, the drumming of his heart louder than the wind and the waves.

He didn't think it was tacky.

He just thought, *That damn brat, she's going to be the death of me.*