Chapter 35

During the year, another heavy snow fell over Beijing.

This year, classes at A University officially began on February 3rd. Chu Tong returned to Beijing two days early, landing at Capital Airport on February 1st, where Shao Yihuai was waiting to pick her up.

He drove a discreet Mercedes S-Class.

In the parking garage, after stowing her luggage and settling into the car, the two shared a long kiss. Having not seen each other for half a month, the kiss was fierce, shifting through every shade of tender affection and demanding intensity.

It was the peak of the post-New Year return to Beijing, and the airport expressway was gridlocked. Yet, Chu Tong was in high spirits. With the car stereo playing a popular New Year’s album, she occasionally sang along in a low voice, becoming animated and joyful when the melody reached its crescendo.

Shao Yihuai glanced at her from time to time, a smile never leaving his lips. His heart was filled to the brim by the scene before him—every tiny space within him felt perfectly, seamlessly occupied.

By the roadside, the remnants of the snow had yet to melt. The horizon was a clear, gentle palette of blue and white. Driving along like this felt like a road trip during an extended holiday, filled only with excitement and joy.

When they reached the 20th floor of Manhe, the suitcase was dragged into the foyer. Before she could even unpack, Shao Yihuai swept her up and carried her to the master bedroom bed.

Returning to this room after half a month, and in the middle of the day, Chu Tong felt a sudden, bashful sense of "homesickness for the familiar." It was as if she were meeting him for the first time. She gazed at him in his black sweater, which accentuated his broad shoulders, and looked into his deep, serene eyes. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and she felt as though she didn't know where to put her hands or feet, her eyes darting away in a flutter of nerves.

Shao Yihuai chuckled, took off his watch, and tossed it onto the nightstand. "Don't you recognize me anymore?"

"I... I feel a bit like a stranger..." Chu Tong murmured.

He gripped her thigh, his thumb rubbing over the marks he had left before, and whispered, "Take it off and show me."

She was shy, and once she had, she immediately scrambled under the covers. Only then did she remember she hadn't sent a message home to say she had arrived safely. She crawled to the edge of the bed, grabbed her jacket to fish out her phone, and tapped the screen while huddled under the quilt.

Shao Yihuai kissed her neck and shoulders from behind. As soon as she hit send, he snatched the phone from her hand and tossed it onto the carpet.

Skin against skin, he whispered, "Are you still feeling like strangers?"

Chu Tong could only shake her head frantically.

He cradled her waist with his palm. "Lift up."

She obeyed. Chu Tong let out a soft cry.

Shao Yihuai let out a deep, heavy sigh, his voice thick with desire. "Still my familiar Tongtong."

Perhaps because they hadn't been together for so long, she broke into a light sweat. Damp strands of hair clung to her forehead and temples, and she turned her head to seek his kiss. She didn't know if the moisture on her lashes was sweat or tears; they were wet and clustered, lending her a fragile beauty. Her heart was pounding with such a tumultuous roar that she had no way to vent it other than to cry out.

No matter how she called out to him, she couldn't find release. She scrambled to call out his names: Uncle Shao, Mr. Shao, Husband.

Children who call people by the wrong names deserve to be punished. And after the punishment, once she grew obedient, she naturally deserved to be rewarded.

They spent the next two days alternating between such punishments and rewards.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, they took some time to visit the equestrian club. This time, Chu Tong officially claimed the horse she had been riding as her own.

The coach asked her to give it a name. She thought for a moment and said, "Let's call it Xiao Zhen, or Pearl in English."

"That’s a stallion," the coach reminded her.

"I like the meaning of 'precious,'" Chu Tong replied. "Let's stick with that."

"A masculine horse with a feminine name—perhaps it will bring good luck. That works, that works."

Xiao Zhen shared his owner's lively temperament, and the two quickly grew in sync. After a few laps in the indoor arena, Chu Tong wasn't satisfied, so the coach took her to the outdoor track.

In the distance, she could see Shao Yihuai standing by a horse’s head, stroking its mane as if in conversation with it.

Chu Tong rode two laps outdoors as light, swirling snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Though it was cold, riding in the snow had a unique charm. Once she had her fill, she led the horse away. After the coach helped her groom Xiao Zhen, she changed clothes, and she and Shao Yihuai prepared to have dinner at the club’s restaurant.

There were few guests in the restaurant. After they sat down, as the waiter reached to remove an extra chair, Chu Tong stood up and said, "Take this one away; I want to sit on that side."

Shao Yihuai watched her move over and laughed. "What are you doing?"

"I want to be closer to you."

Perhaps it was the reunion after a short separation, but she had been clinging to him tightly for these two days, wishing she could be tucked into his arms every waking moment.

After the waiter took the menu and left, Shao Yihuai rested one arm behind her and used the other to turn her face toward him, leaning in to kiss her. With no one else around, Chu Tong tried to let go of her shyness, focusing on the sensation of his gentle kisses.

When they broke for air, she complained in a small voice, "My waist hurts."

"Because of the horse riding?"

"No..." She blushed, biting her lip and refusing to elaborate.

Shao Yihuai chuckled and kissed her again, whispering secret, intimate words. "I'll go slower tonight, okay?"

"No, that’s not good." Going slow was even harder to bear; it was practically torture.

Shao Yihuai’s smile deepened as he looked at her flushed lips. "Tonight, baby, you do it yourself. Maybe it won't hurt then."

"How do I do it myself?" She asked, looking bewildered.

His voice dropped lower, right by her ear. "Sit on top."

Chu Tong’s face turned bright red, and she pushed back. "You’re always full of bad ideas. I’m not talking to you anymore."

The waiter arrived with bread, and once he left, Chu Tong watched Shao Yihuai spread butter on a roll. He was wearing a high-collared black sweater similar to the one he had worn when they first met. He possessed the same quiet, warm presence that had captivated her then—his broad shoulders and long legs, the way he exuded such magnetism. Now, that magnetism was tangible, buried deep in his gaze, in his half-smile, and in all those nights they had shared.

Watching him, she couldn't help but lean over and kiss his cheek.

Shao Yihuai laughed carelessly. "You were just acting shy, and now—" He looked at her and shook his head. "You’re so fickle."

"How am I fickle?" she protested. "My only consistency is that I love you."

Her sweet nothings always came so easily, unbidden. Shao Yihuai paused, his heart feeling as though it were being tugged by her, letting her mold him as she pleased. He could only accept this rush of emotion; the thumping in his chest was like a stone falling from a cliff, signaling danger.

But it was a danger that was addictive.

He used a piece of food to block her mouth. "Stop talking. Eat."

She refused to be cowed and tried to speak even with her mouth full, so he pinched the back of her neck and whispered, "Tell me that again tonight."

She thought it was just a joke, but to her surprise, the man remembered. That night, he pressed her, demanding to know what she loved about him and how much she loved him. After being fed the same questions five, six, seven, eight times over the last two days, she wondered if he would ever have enough.

She gritted her teeth and answered him, saying it wasn't enough, she wanted more. Shao Yihuai seemed to be roasting on a fire, whispering between kisses that he would feed her forever.

She trembled and said yes.

...

Looking back later, the first half of that year was perhaps the most exuberant and happy period of her life. She was full of drive. After passing her IELTS in March, she maintained her momentum in studying English. Shao Yihuai found her a tutor, and no matter how busy he was, they had an hour of conversation practice every single day without fail. She progressed rapidly, and after a few months, she was speaking fluent, authentic English.

To align with her major, she began focusing on English news reporting. The sheer number of technical terms made her head spin, yet she was tireless, immersed in the joy of mastering a new language. Her Chinese literature coursework was demanding, but she kept up with it, and every day felt fulfilling.

Every weekend he wasn't traveling for business, Shao Yihuai would take her to Manhe. The small nightlight in the master bedroom shone for her every night, and every weekend was a blur of intimacy and warmth.

April arrived. Spring had sprung, though the air in Beijing remained crisp. April 4th was Chu Tong’s 20th birthday, and it happened to fall on a Saturday.

She spent the day busy with her studies, and as dusk fell, Shao Yihuai took her out. In the backseat of the Maybach, she asked, "Where are we going? Is this my birthday gift?"

Shao Yihuai wouldn't say.

She began to guess for herself. "A private dinner? Fireworks?" That was all she could think of; otherwise, why go out at all?

The Maybach pulled up in front of a garden villa near the embassy district. The house was brightly lit, and from the gate, it looked like something straight out of a fairy tale.

Chu Tong peered out the window for a while before turning back. "Is there a restaurant here?"

Shao Yihuai just leaned against the window and smiled, remaining silent.

The car stopped in the front courtyard, and he walked around to open the door for her, helping her out. As they walked along the cobblestone path toward a side door, two women were standing there, beaming. "Miss Chu, please come with us."

Shao Yihuai stopped and kissed her forehead. "Go on. I'll wait for you in the hall."

Chu Tong was practically pulled by the two women into a room on the second floor. It was French-style, with a circle of sofas in the center, a vanity with a mirror to the side, and a fireplace nearby. Lattice windows looked out over the backyard, and she couldn't tell what the room was meant for.

She was pressed into the vanity chair. One of the women, who was petite, smiled. "We’re going to do your hair and makeup. It won't take long, half an hour is enough. You have a great base."

Chu Tong could only let them do as they pleased. As they applied blush, she couldn't help but look up and ask, "What is all this for?"

The petite woman smiled. "This is a surprise prepared by your boyfriend. We aren't allowed to say."

After her makeup was finished, she was taken to the next room to change into a dress. When she looked in the mirror, she held her breath. Goodness, was this some kind of dress-up game? She looked like a princess.

Her long, dark hair was styled in soft, voluminous curls, and she wore a laurel wreath on her head. Her pale blue princess gown was wide and off-the-shoulder, with a bow at the back. The entire dress shimmered with iridescent light, like a sparkling galaxy. She looked like a beautiful porcelain doll.

A woman approached and gestured for her to follow. "Miss Chu, please, this way."

She lifted her skirt and followed. After a few steps, they reached the staircase leading down. The woman stopped and stepped aside. "Please, watch your step."

Doubtful, she lifted her skirt again and walked down the stairs alone. A crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and the sound of a violin playing Pachelbel’s Canon began to drift through the air. As the music played, she felt as though her steps were landing on the notes themselves, walking toward the gentle, lingering melody.

As she turned the corner, she finally saw the main hall downstairs. She froze.

The hall was ablaze with light, decorated everywhere with balloons, flowers, and lace. Dangling from the balloons in mid-air were letters that spelled out: *Happy 20th Birthday, Tongtong.*

Beneath the balloons were her friends—Shang Yunmeng, Cheng Mai, and Lu Zhiyun. Beside them was Lu Zhiwen, whom she had met once, followed by Ren Mingyuan, Su Jingwen, Zhuang Wan, and Uncle Zong.

He had invited her friends, which didn't surprise her much. What shocked her most was that his best friends had come too, all for her birthday.

Shao Yihuai, the architect of this romance, stood in the center of the crowd. He was in his usual three-piece suit, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely holding a wine glass. He stood there watching her, his eyes filled with warmth and laughter. He looked so elegant, dignified, and graceful.

Chu Tong was already on the verge of tears. She wouldn't have dared to dream of something this grand. Goodness, this didn't look like a birthday party; it looked like their wedding.

She walked down, and her friends pulled on party poppers, screaming and cheering, "Happy Birthday, Tongtong!"

With only three or four steps left, Shao Yihuai set his glass on a nearby high-top table and walked over to help her. He smiled and whispered, "My little princess."

"Wuwuwu, why make it so grand?"

"Twenty is a coming-of-age ceremony. My baby has officially grown up."

She was so happy and touched. After talking with Shao Yihuai for a moment, she couldn't wait to chat with her friends. Waiters circulated with drinks and snacks, and she was surrounded by friends, laughing and crying all at once.

In addition to the waiters and musicians, there was a photographer capturing many photos of them. The photographer guided Chu Tong to the window, the stairs, and the gift pile, taking pictures everywhere.

Ren Mingyuan and Shao Yihuai stood by a round table, drinking.

Ren Mingyuan said, "She’s truly beautiful. The first time I saw her, I just thought she was a great beauty with a lot of poise. After not seeing her for a few months, you’ve nurtured a sense of nobility in her, yet she’s still so lively. She has more elegance than the young ladies from the aristocratic families in our old neighborhood."

Shao Yihuai looked over. Chu Tong was listening to her friends talk. She was so beautiful she didn't seem real, yet that bubbling vitality was so genuine and passionate that it was impossible to look away. Just by glancing at her, his heart would begin to pound, clamoring to possess her.

She was both motion and stillness.

Watching her listen to her friends, he saw a spirit in her eyes that couldn't be suppressed. For some reason, as he looked at her quiet side, Shao Yihuai felt a sense of being able to forgive the whole world.

It wasn't him forgiving; it was her.

His little princess.

A princess who would read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles, and seek the welfare of her people—she had a grand future waiting to be explored. She was so high and precious in his heart.

Shao Yihuai didn't even know how he had met her—on that unremarkable night when he had gone to Professor Chen’s house to read for a while...

A girl like this, turning her head to look at him, her eyes filled with love for him. How could he not be moved?

The cake was wheeled in. Everyone gathered around. Shao Yihuai lit the candles himself and stood by, watching her make a wish.

Chu Tong pressed her hands together, eyes closed, her expression full of piety. She wanted many things—academic success, getting into a master’s program in Hong Kong, and so on—but she could strive for those herself; she didn't need to beg the gods for them.

In the end, she made only two wishes: first, that her mother and cousin would stay healthy; second, that she and Shao Yihuai would be together for a long, long time.

After she finished, she asked silently, *Gods, can you hear me? I’m not greedy. Whatever I can achieve on my own, I will strive for with all my might, but for the things I cannot control, please, I beg you to make them come true.*

She blew out the candles.

When it came time to cut the cake, she asked Shao Yihuai for help. He held her hand and pressed the knife down. In that brief moment, she turned to look at him. His handsome face was bathed in a soft light, and she had a deeper realization: how could a man so powerful and dominant on the inside be so tender and thoughtful?

It was like a gift from a fairy tale.

After handing out the cake to her friends, Chu Tong pulled Shao Yihuai to the window to share some private words. She ate and said, "It’s so beautiful and dreamlike. You’re amazing. I love it so much, I love it so much." She couldn't help but feel a sense of unreality. "I never dared to imagine I could have all this."

She was just an ordinary girl.

Shao Yihuai held his glass loosely, looking down at her. "As long as you like it. Of course you can have it. You will have whatever you want."

Their gazes met, and they couldn't help but kiss for a moment.

Finally, he said, "There’s one more small thing—a gift for myself."

"What is it?"

He pulled a small card from his breast pocket. She leaned in to look closely: it was a cartoon girl who looked just like a princess, wearing today's dress, with a small beauty mark under her left eye, tilting her head and beaming while holding her skirt—it was her cartoon avatar.

Shao Yihuai tucked the card back into his pocket and laughed softly. "So I can carry you with me to work."

Chu Tong burst into tears again and threw herself into his arms. Shao Yihuai patted her back. "There, there."

"Don't be so good to me," she sobbed. "What will I do if I can't leave you?"

Even someone as calm and rational as Shao Yihuai couldn't help but chuckle at this. He pulled her face from his chest and kissed her. "Then don't leave me."

Chu Tong broke into a smile through her tears, looked up, and said, "Let’s leave here. Let’s go back to Manhe."

"Hmm?"

She lowered her voice. "I want you so much, I want you so badly."