"I told you, I found him for Huaishuang," Grandma Qin said. "He’s the grandson of a dear friend of mine, and he lives right next door to me."
Shen Huaiyu burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha, that is absolutely hilarious! Shen Huaishuang, I thought you’d found yourself someone impressive, but it turns out he’s just a country bumpkin. Are you planning to go back to the countryside and farm?"
Ye Xiaomin also wore a mocking expression. When she first heard that Shen Huaishuang was married, she had been worried that Grandma Qin had managed to find her a good match, but she never expected it to be some rustic peasant. It was truly laughable.
Grandma Qin started to explain, but Shen Huaishuang caught her arm. "Grandma, leave it. Don't bother explaining to them. Let's go."
"You're right. You have to live your own life, and only you know whether it's good or not. There’s no need to explain anything to people like them."
Shen Huaishuang took Grandma Qin’s arm and left the Shen house. Shen Dong made no move to stop them. As long as Shen Huaishuang was married off—it didn't matter to whom—he had successfully offloaded a hot potato.
Once they were out of the house, Grandma Qin grew anxious to head back to the countryside.
"Grandma, it's too late today. Don't go back now. I'll take you home tomorrow."
Grandma Qin waved her hand dismissively. "No, no. Tonight is your and Little Lu’s wedding night; you two should enjoy it. I’m just an old woman, I shouldn’t be a third wheel here. If I leave now, I can just catch the last bus back to Yuehu Village."
Shen Huaishuang couldn't stop her. Even with a walking stick, the old lady moved with surprising agility and vanished from sight in a blink. Shen Huaishuang, struggling with her suitcase, couldn't keep up. With a sigh, she hailed a taxi back to Star Dream International.
She keyed in the code to enter the apartment and changed into disposable slippers. After a moment’s hesitation, she took her suitcase into the master bedroom and began hanging her clothes in the walk-in closet. The closet was spacious but mostly empty, save for a row of Lu Zhengting’s undershirts, a few dress shirts, and several suits.
She realized he really loved wearing undershirts. The night they had been together, he had been wearing one—a black one—which she had torn. Thinking of what she had done, Shen Huaishuang blushed and covered her face.
After hanging her clothes and putting her toiletries in the bathroom, she finished up just as the sky outside turned dark. She took out her phone to call Grandma and felt relieved to hear she had arrived home safely. She had been sent to Grandma’s as a small child and raised by her, only returning to Shen Dong when she was seven—and even then, only because Grandma had forced him to take her in. Grandma had believed the education in the city was better and wanted her to attend school there. Back then, Shen Dong and Ye Xiaomin were already married, and Shen Huaiyu was four. Shen Dong hadn't wanted her back in the Shen family; it was only through Grandma’s threats of ending her own life that he had relented. All these years, Grandma was the only one who had truly cared for and loved her.
Feeling hungry, Shen Huaishuang went to the kitchen. It was spotless, but completely empty—no pots, pans, or utensils. The refrigerator contained only bottled water; there wasn't even a single leaf of vegetable.
She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Lu Zhengting: *Lu Zhengting, please grab dinner out tonight. There’s no way to cook at home yet.*
She waited a while, but he didn't reply. She figured he must still be busy; he had seemed in quite a hurry when he left that afternoon. She grabbed her bag and headed out, intending to get a bite to eat and then stop by a supermarket for daily essentials.
Star Dream International was located in the heart of the Suzhou CBD, surrounded by high-end office buildings. Shen Huaishuang looked up at the tallest tower nearby, still brightly lit. That entire building belonged to the Hongsheng Group. The boss of Hongsheng Group commuted by helicopter every day. Her own office was nearby, and every morning she could hear the chopper hovering overhead—the signal to everyone that the Hongsheng boss had arrived.
She pulled her gaze away and started looking for food. There were many office workers and restaurants in the area. She found a wonton shop and ordered a bowl of wontons and a pork cutlet. After eating her fill, she went to a nearby supermarket and picked out pots, pans, plates, and bowls, along with vegetables, meat, eggs, and noodles. By the time she checked out, she had four full bags.
She was wondering how she would carry them back when Lu Zhengting’s call came through.
"Where are you?"
"I’m at the supermarket next to Star Dream International."
"Stay right there. I'm coming over."
"…Okay."
Shen Huaishuang stood there waiting quietly. When Lu Zhengting stepped out of the elevator, he saw the young woman standing tall and straight. She had changed into tight jeans and a pink shirt tied at the waist, which accentuated her long, slender legs and shapely hips.
Certain images flashed through his mind. Feeling a sudden wave of heat, he quickly suppressed the thoughts and strode toward her.
"Why did you buy so much?"
"There was nothing at home," she replied. "We can't just eat out all the time, so I picked up some basics."
"You know how to cook?"
"Yes, and I'm actually pretty good at it," she said, without false modesty. She had learned to cook to try and please her father’s family, though no matter how well she cooked, they never cared.
Lu Zhengting didn't say anything further. He simply took two bags in each hand and walked ahead with ease. Shen Huaishuang followed in surprise, looking at him with admiration. "Lu Zhengting, you're so strong!"
Lu Zhengting gave her a deep look but didn't respond.
By the Bentley, he set the bags down, unlocked the trunk, and loaded them in before getting into the driver's seat. Shen Huaishuang climbed into the back. Lu Zhengting glanced at her, then started the car and drove off.
When they reached the basement at Star Dream International, Shen Huaishuang offered to take one of the bags, but Lu Zhengting wouldn't let her. "Go hit the elevator button and open the door."
"Oh, right." She hurried to the elevator, worried that if she were even a second late, he would have to work a second longer.
Once inside the elevator, Lu Zhengting didn't put the bags down; he just carried them effortlessly, as if they were nothing. It seemed she had been overthinking things—he wasn't tired at all.
Back at the apartment, Shen Huaishuang sorted and put away the groceries, placing the vegetables, meat, and eggs into the fridge. She had also bought herself a pair of pink slippers; since she’d be living here for a while, she couldn't keep wearing the disposables.
Lu Zhengting walked out of the bathroom wearing shorts and an undershirt, his hair still dripping wet. He radiated a potent, masculine energy that made her heart skip a beat.
"Make me a bowl of noodles," Lu Zhengting said. "I haven't eaten yet."
Shen Huaishuang collected herself and hurried to say, "Okay, give me ten minutes."
She rushed into the kitchen and got to work. Lu Zhengting watched her, his expression softening immensely.
Before long, she brought out a steaming bowl of noodles with greens and shredded meat, garnished with fresh green onions. It looked delicious.
"Come and try it."
Lu Zhengting sat down and polished off the entire bowl, even drinking every drop of the broth, proving how good it was through his actions alone. Shen Huaishuang watched, stunned.
Lu Zhengting stood up, took the bowl to the kitchen, and washed it clean. When he came back out, he said, "You take the master bedroom. I’ll sleep in the guest room."