Chapter 34

After a late night of indulgence, Chu Tong had fallen into a deep slumber. When she jolted awake the next day, her first instinct was to check the time.

"Oh my god, I’ve missed my train!"

She scrambled up, searching frantically for her clothes across the floor. Shao Yihuai, impeccably dressed, rounded the screen. "Don't rush. I’ve booked a flight for you; I’ll take you to the airport in a bit."

Chu Tong froze. "...But there’s no airport in my hometown..."

"I’ve arranged a car to take you from the airport straight to your doorstep. Don’t worry, take your time."

He walked over, glanced at his watch, and reassured her, "...You can still sleep for another half hour."

Chu Tong slumped back down, pulling the duvet over herself. "You’re not going to work?"

"I couldn't just leave you here alone."

The initial panic having subsided, she found she had no desire to sleep anymore and decided to get up. It was maddening—every time she woke up in his bed, she was completely bare. She wrapped herself in a blanket and headed to the bathroom to wash up.

While brushing her teeth, she noticed the marks on her neck in the mirror. As her gaze shifted, she saw Shao Yihuai standing in the doorway, dressed in a white shirt with a navy blue vest and trousers, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed, watching her.

Chu Tong fished out her foundation, squeezed some onto her hand, and leaned close to the mirror, dabbing her fingertips over the marks on her neck.

Everything in this house was custom-made for his height and build. Perhaps because of this, Chu Tong had to brace a hand against the edge of the vanity and stand on her tiptoes, leaning forward just to see the marks clearly.

Wrapped in a blanket, her hips slightly tilted, her shoulders and neck were as smooth and textured as jade. Her thick, straight hair hung loose, swaying gently against her shoulder blades with every movement. In the mirror, the girl’s face was unguarded, her eyes cast downward in concentration as she tapped her fingers to cover the traces he had left the night before.

She was usually so lively; now, in this stillness, she possessed an even more captivating allure that invited one to linger and explore.

"...Is it that much trouble?"

Hearing his voice, Chu Tong felt him draw near, and then she was effortlessly lifted onto the vanity counter.

Shao Yihuai took over the task of covering the marks, tilting her chin up. His warm fingertips brushed against her neck, and she said quickly, "I’ve already covered them."

He hummed in response, then tossed away the tissue he’d used to wipe his fingers, looking down at her. His pupils were dark, his lashes thick and dense. When he looked at someone, there was an inherent, deep affection in his gaze, especially under the soft light of the bathroom mirror. Just being looked at like that made Chu Tong’s heart race. She said in a slightly coquettish tone, "...What?"

"I don't want you to go."

If it weren't for the fact that her family would worry, he truly had no intention of letting her leave.

Chu Tong automatically translated his words into her own language and replied, "I’ll miss you too."

Shao Yihuai curled his lips into a smile and kissed her cheek.

He carried her to the dressing room. When her feet touched the carpet, she said, "Go out."

He leaned against the doorframe, turning his face away and closing his eyes. "I’m not looking."

Chu Tong believed him to be a true gentleman. Seeing him turned away, she didn't doubt him at all. As she turned her back to put on her bra, adjusting the cups and straps, she heard him ask, "...Are you done?"

"Not yet."

Even as she answered, she turned to look at him, only to meet his deep, steady gaze—he hadn't just opened his eyes; it was as if he had been watching her the entire time, without missing a beat.

Shao Yihuai said with a faint, ambiguous smile, "Do you still need to hide these things from me?"

Chu Tong’s face burned, and she couldn't find her voice.

He stepped closer, saying, "I have a question."

"Hmm?"

He paused, his voice dropping low. "Where should I kiss you so you don't need to cover it up?"

He asked it with such casual indifference. They were still too inexperienced in intimacy for Chu Tong to grasp his meaning immediately. She thought for a moment and answered earnestly, "If it's in a place that isn't exposed, I don't need to cover it, right?"

"Like here?"

His hand touched her thigh.

Only then did a vague sense of unease stir in Chu Tong. Before she could react, he lifted her by the waist and placed her onto the kitchen island, pressing her upper body down.

Her view was fixed on the ceiling; she couldn't see anything, only felt her knees being parted and held firmly by his palms. Her entire body went rigid as he kissed and sucked on the soft, fleshy upper part of her thigh, causing a slight sting.

She braced her upper body to look down; a distinct, reddened patch had already bloomed on her fair, tender skin.

"You..."

She was speechless, caught between shyness and astonishment—his tricks were truly endless.

Shao Yihuai rubbed his thumb firmly over the mark, then lowered his head to bite her lip, neither too hard nor too soft. "I'll be checking when you get back," he murmured, a hint of latent desire grinding in his voice.

Chu Tong had no idea how to handle him. She just pouted and muttered, "Shao Yihuai, you might as well change your name to Shao Yihuai [Shao the Bad]."

***

After packing, Shao Yihuai drove her to the airport. In the back of the Maybach, he held her on his lap and whispered, "Tell me again from the start, what are you going to do when you get back?"

"Miss you every day, stay in touch, eat well, sleep well, and tell you immediately if there are any problems."

"Good girl."

"What about you? You’re such a tyrant, only making demands of me?"

Shao Yihuai replied with a hint of languor, "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to eat well and sleep well too," Chu Tong said, thinking as she spoke, "And tell me immediately if you have any problems."

Shao Yihuai’s smile deepened, unbothered. "...Tell you? What kind of problems do you think you can solve for me?"

"Who knows? Maybe my abilities are beyond your imagination." She wore a look of small, haughty pride.

Shao Yihuai let out a hum of laughter, looking down at her with a flicker of complex emotions in his eyes. After a while, he flicked her cheek and smiled. "Fine, I’ll keep that in mind."

When the Maybach stopped in front of the terminal and Uncle Zong opened the trunk to get her luggage, Shao Yihuai stepped out, leaned down, and kissed Chu Tong. "See you when school starts."

It was her first time in first class, her first time in a VIP lounge. Chu Tong didn't feel out of place; instead, she felt a sense of calm familiarity. Perhaps it was because of Shao Yihuai—in these past two months, she had experienced so much.

As soon as she landed, she received a call from the driver Shao Yihuai had arranged; he was already waiting in the parking lot.

She arrived home safely.

Chu Qinghe had already left for her night shift, leaving a note for Chu Tong to have dinner and get some rest.

The next day, after finishing her tutoring session, she returned to find that Chu Qinghe had prepared lunch for her.

Chu Tong was surprised. "Mom, why didn't you sleep in? I was just about to make lunch and wake you up."

Chu Qinghe served a bowl of soup. "I was worried about you. Traveling back and forth for two days, sitting for ten hours—you must be exhausted, right?"

"I came back by plane." Chu Tong smiled. "I’m not tired. It was first class; it was very comfortable."

Chu Qinghe paused. "...He booked it for you?" Tong Tong had always been frugal; she wouldn't be willing to spend that much on herself.

"Yeah."

"…You shouldn't spend other people's money like that," Chu Qinghe said. "Even if they're working, it's money they earned through hard work."

"I went to visit him for his birthday, and he booked the return ticket for me. It’s just normal courtesy."

Chu Qinghe wanted to say more, but stopped herself. Instead, she changed her tone. "...I suppose. As long as you know your limits."

Chu Tong went to wash her hands. Her phone, left on the dining table, vibrated. The screen lit up, and a message popped up.

Chu Qinghe swore she didn't mean to look, but with a slight glance, she could see clearly:

「Mr. Shao: Were you a good girl at home today?」

The form of address and the content of the message were so jarring that Chu Qinghe froze for a moment.

The worst thought instantly sprouted in her heart, spreading like a lethal toxin through her internal organs, making her clutch her chest. It couldn't be, it couldn't be—Tong Tong wouldn't... she shouldn't...

But this strange, detached form of address, the suggestive undertones of the message... it all pointed to only one possibility.

When Chu Tong returned to the table, she noticed her mother’s expression was clearly off. She thought for a moment and said, "Mom, are you worried about me dating? Don't be. It hasn't affected my studies. I got first place this time and won the first-class scholarship."

Chu Qinghe didn't say much; she just reached out and patted her head.

***

Preparing for the IELTS was a heavy task, especially the speaking portion. For Chu Tong, who had no natural language environment, the only way was to read, watch, and practice more—diligence was the only path.

Throughout the holiday, aside from tutoring, she spent almost all her time at home studying. As the Lunar New Year approached, she went to the wholesale market a few times with Chu Qinghe to buy supplies, and she also took a day to visit several high school teachers with Xiang Chengyuan.

When a star pupil comes to visit, even the most reserved teacher can't help but video call other colleagues to show them off, or post about it on social media. Before long, news that Chu Tong and Xiang Chengyuan had returned home together and visited their teachers spread throughout their circle of classmates. Several old friends came to ask Chu Tong if she and Xiang Chengyuan were together.

Chu Tong naturally denied it. The busybodies then asked Xiang Chengyuan, who remained silent. After the rounds of questioning, everyone reached their own conclusion: Xiang Chengyuan was likely still in the process of pursuing her.

In reality, since that New Year, Chu Tong and Xiang Chengyuan hadn't been in touch much for nearly two years. For a college student, besides class reunions, the most important part of the New Year was family gatherings.

Over the years, the only relative Chu Qinghe and Chu Tong kept in touch with was Chu Tong’s distant uncle. The uncle was single, lived a modest life, and was exceptionally kind and sincere.

Chu Tong remembered that when she was a child, Chu Qinghe was on a night shift and had left her home alone. When she returned, she found Chu Tong slumped by the table, her head bleeding and motionless—she had fallen for some unknown reason.

Chu Qinghe had called the uncle, sobbing uncontrollably. He arrived immediately, scooped up Chu Tong, and ran to the hospital. Fortunately, there was no bone damage, just a few stitches on her scalp.

Even after more than a decade, Chu Tong clearly remembered that road from their place to the nearby hospital. In her uncle’s arms, his desperate running had created a violent, jolting sensation. That deep, invisible, and intangible family bond seemed to be transmitted through that vibration.

She also remembered her uncle muttering as he ran, "It's okay, Tong Tong, it's okay," his voice laced with tears, blending with her mother’s wailing to form the most unforgettable memory of her childhood. That was the moment she first realized, in a concrete way, that she was "precious" and that if she were gone, there would be people who would grieve for her immensely.

Since then, Chu Qinghe often reminded her that when she grew up, she must be filial to her uncle. Thus, every time she returned home during the holidays, Chu Tong would bring gifts to visit him.

This New Year's Eve, the three of them spent it together as always. As they sat in front of the TV, eating dinner and watching the gala, her uncle drank too much. His words were scrambled and unclear, but Chu Qinghe and Chu Tong listened intently with smiles on their faces.

There was one sentence, though muddled, that was painfully clear: "Tong Tong, walk your own path steadily. There will surely be people offering you shortcuts or ladders, but these things... you will have to pay a price for them later. Do you understand?"

Chu Tong nodded. "I understand."

Chu Qinghe’s hand, holding her chopsticks, paused. She looked over silently. Catching her mother’s gaze, Chu Tong made a face and mouthed, "Uncle is drunk again."

Chu Qinghe smiled.

Finally, Chu Qinghe called a friend who lived with the uncle to come and pick him up. In the small rented apartment, only the mother and daughter remained.

As Chu Tong was clearing the table, she heard Chu Qinghe call her from the balcony. She put on a jacket and pushed open the balcony door, which had been left ajar. A wave of unfamiliar cigarette smoke and the crisp, midnight winter air immediately filled her nose.

Chu Qinghe was leaning against the balcony railing, smoking.

Chu Tong was shocked. "Mom? Since when do you smoke?"

Chu Qinghe flicked the ash. "I smoked before I had you, but I quit when I got pregnant."

"...Then why did you start again?"

"Ever since you left for college," Chu Qinghe said with a smile, shaking out a cigarette and offering it to her. "Want to try one?"

Chu Tong hesitated, then took it. Chu Qinghe helped her light it. Watching her take a puff, cough, and then adapt on the second, Chu Qinghe looked out into the vast, dark night and sighed, "You’ve grown up."

Chu Tong smiled and leaned in, pressing her head against her mother’s shoulder.

After half a cigarette, Chu Qinghe turned back to look at her, smiling. "Are you happy in love? This must be your first romance?"

"I’m happy. Super happy."

"...You like him a lot?"

Chu Tong nodded emphatically. "Super much."

Chu Qinghe patted her head. "That’s good. Don’t have any regrets."

Chu Qinghe had always been broad-minded, acting as both a mother and a friend, so Chu Tong didn't think anything of it, just joked around with her as usual.

***

At the same time, at the Shao family’s old residence in the capital.

The entire mansion was brilliantly lit. Over a dozen family members had gathered for dinner, exchanging red envelopes, chatting, and drinking until the small hours of the morning.

After dealing with the elders' chatter and ensuring the housekeepers had taken care of them, Shao Yihuai finally found a moment to step onto the second-floor terrace and light a cigarette.

In truth, he had smoked many inside at the dining table and in the card room, but those had all felt like sedatives. Only this one, smoked in solitude, felt truly his own. For an adult, even a moment of undisturbed emotional release was hard to come by.

It was the dead of winter, yet he didn't feel the cold, dressed only in a black, half-turtleneck sweater. The freezing air felt precious because it was real.

He sat in a rattan chair, his legs crossed, looking up at the bright moon hanging in the sky. The crisp air seeped into his lungs with every breath. He took a drag and watched the smoke drift upward.

Through the glass door of the terrace, he could faintly hear the noise of his relatives, the cheers from the TV gala, the laughter of the children...

Shao Yihuai stared quietly into the thick, dark night outside. The branches of the withered wax tree crisscrossed in the darkness, looking as if they were reaching out from a throat—like longing, like dissatisfaction, like a burning thirst.

After half a cigarette of such restlessness, he unconsciously reached for his wallet, which he had tossed aside, and pulled out a few photos. As he looked at them in the dim light spilling from the room, he suddenly realized the source of his agitation.

In the photos, the young girl in professional riding gear, perched atop a tall, handsome Friesian horse, was vivid, lively, and full of spirit.

Her voice echoed in his ears: *Maybe my abilities are beyond your imagination.* Along with it came her expression—whenever she looked at him, her gaze was always fiery and focused.

If he called her now, he would surely hear her enthusiastic New Year’s wishes. He could almost imagine her voice and the words she would use.

The thought ran through his mind, briefly easing his restlessness.

His phone vibrated. He glanced over. Text messages and WeChat notifications—all sorts of New Year’s greetings were pouring in like snowflakes...

In that instant, the briefly quelled restlessness surged back.

Shao Yihuai realized, with a sober and calm clarity, that the situation might be even more precarious than he had imagined.

It didn't matter.

In the span of a human life, such emotions were rare. It wouldn't be a bad thing to experience them.

Shao Yihuai—who was always so indifferent, so elegant, so precious, and so unshakable—thought this to himself in the cold night air.