Chapter 11.3 (1/2)

So, I gather you were all shouting, “Finally!” last post. :p Can it get any sweeter?

Chapter 11.3 – Your First Adornment was Like You (3)

When she awoke, she could feel him gently stroking her back.

There was no l.u.s.t in his action. It was similar to holding a cat in your arms, as you cooed and stroked it instinctively. s.h.i.+ Yi opened her eyes but then quietly closed them again.

Zhousheng Chen, I love you.

She felt that it could not have only been in their previous life or even two lifetimes ago that they had been entangled together, but that every lifetime, every incarnation, their lives had been interwoven together.

So, when had it been? And what other things would happen?

Life after life, entrusted to one another.

Yes, that was it. Life after life, entrusted to one another.

The thoughts drifted languidly in her mind, and after a little while, her lips turned up into a noiseless laugh.

Zhousheng Chen detected her movement and, in a low voice, asked, “You’re awake?”

“Mm.”

“Let’s stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we will return to Shanghai, alright?”

“Mm.”

“After… there will be a long period of time that I need to stay in Zhenjiang.”

“You’re going back there to stay?”

“Yes, back there to stay.”

s.h.i.+ Yi pondered for a moment. “How about I resign and go back with you?”

Zhousheng Chen did not answer her immediately. He seemed to be weighing out the options. She supposed, Zhousheng Chen’s concern was likely regarding his family, but she did not want to continue to be separated from him now that he was back in the country.

“It is better if you remain in Shanghai. Zhenjiang is not far. I can come back every other day. Or, on the weekends, you can go stay with me in Zhenjiang for two days,” he suggested.

s.h.i.+ Yi did not argue any further. “Alright. If you are coming back every other day, then let’s stay in my home. Your place is too big. If you’re not there, I won’t really be used to living there by myself.”

She thought to herself, the decisions he made would, without a doubt, be the best for both of them.

“Alright.”

When evening came, they left the hotel to go for dinner.

Zhousheng Chen was not as particular as Xiao Ren and had not made any deliberate arrangements regarding meals, suggesting simply that they find a nearby place to grab something to eat. s.h.i.+ Yi immediately felt much relieved. It seemed, apart from when he was in Zhenjiang with his family, the Zhousheng Chen she was familiar with had all along maintained his own lifestyle.

It was simple, but he was not indifferent about it.

His attire was neat, proper, and fitting, and personal belongings were minimal. He did not enjoy social engagements and, even more so, did not like using things that wasted time, such as mobile phones. At fixed times, in fixed places, he would carry out regular activities. Eating and drinking were viewed as necessities in life. As for other things… Holding his arm, s.h.i.+ Yi tried hard for a while to think of more, but then laughed.

Zhousheng Chen looked down at her.

She explained to him, “I was thinking about what you have in common with other men, but I couldn’t think of very many things. For instance, you watch useless television dramas, too, but to be able to watch ‘A Step Into the Past’ seventy-nine times… That’s just…”

He chuckled, “It’s true. I watch it when I want to pa.s.s the time. I don’t want to waste time to look for another drama to watch, so I will simply rewatch that one. It is quite amusing in itself to be able to watch one scene and then instantly be able to to conjure up in your mind the next scene and its dialogue.”

Giggling, she hugged his arm tightly like a little child.

s.h.i.+ Yi called Hong Xiaoyu and arranged to meet up with her for dinner.

They went to a small restaurant first, and after chatting casually for a short while, Hong Xiaoyu and Du Feng arrived. These sorts of small eateries in scenic watertowns all served common fare that local people would eat or else some specialty foods, so aside from a few dishes, there was nothing that stood out.

A dish of red-braised mutton was served. Zhousheng Chen was about to bring his chopsticks to it, but s.h.i.+ Yi advised him quietly that lamb meat should be avoided during the summer because consuming it would cause excessive internal heat, etc, etc. Nodding, Zhousheng Chen switched to eat some Lake Tai whitefish instead, and sure enough, he did not touch the lamb anymore.

Red-braised mutton, left and Lake Tai whitefish, right. (Image credit and )

Seeing this, Hong Xiaoyu gave a dramatic sigh. “You know, when I was ordering, you didn’t say anything. Here I am, wanting to eat it, and you’re telling your hubby not to, saying stuff like you’re worried about excessive internal heat… It’s so true that ‘a daughter married off is like spilled water.’ You don’t have eyes for me anymore.”

s.h.i.+ Yi laughed, “Anywhere you travel to, you’ll want to eat the specialty dishes there. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to convince you otherwise, so I didn’t bother wasting my breath.”

Once two women who had known each other since childhood started to squabble, they would have an endless amount to say.

Neither was able to win in the battle of words, but to the two men beside them, who were strangers to each other, they were very entertaining.

Du Feng poured out some liquor and slid a gla.s.s over to Zhousheng Chen.

With a smile, he declined gracefully, “I’m sorry, but I do not drink.”

Du Feng did not seem to be concerned. “Just as a gesture. Just one sip.”

Hong Xiaoyu also urged him disapprovingly, “When men meet, it’s a must that they drink at least a little bit.”

After contemplating briefly, Zhousheng Chen picked up the gla.s.s, but s.h.i.+ Yi immediately s.n.a.t.c.hed it from his hand.

She threw a glance at Hong Xiaoyu. “Don’t you go forcing him to drink.”

“Huh? How did I force him?” Hong Xiaoyu did not know whether to laugh or cry. “I only tried to persuade him with one sentence. Just one sentence, missy.”

s.h.i.+ Yi picked up the gla.s.s, brought it to her nose, and sniffed. “The alcohol content in this isn’t that low.”

The meaning behind her words was very obvious. Nearly infuriated to death by her protectiveness over Zhousheng Chen, Hong Xiaoyu lightly rapped her gla.s.s with her chopsticks. “You’re too much –– “

Du Feng laughed, “How about this? We’ll let your husband off the hook, but ––“

Worried that they would say something else that would put Zhousheng Chen in a difficult position, s.h.i.+ Yi did not even wait for Du Feng to finish what he was saying and took a large swig of the alcohol.

No one had expected this, and so, no one had tried to stop her.

When she set the gla.s.s back down, she stated, “Alright, I drank it for him. You guys aren’t allowed to make any more demands.”

Hong Xiaoyu knew that she, too, did not drink at all. Seeing that s.h.i.+ Yi was being so serious about the matter, she did not dare continue. Hastily, she rubbed a hand over her heart and declared, “This is what you call true love, ah. Compared to you, I don’t even come close.”

s.h.i.+ Yi smiled, “It was your first time seeing him. It’s okay.”