Chapter 75 - Unsprouted Love (1/2)
Shen Xinglan was lying down holding A Miao, the two of them breathing one after the other in the dark room. He held his breath and tried to find her rhythm. In the end, both of their breaths converged, and you could not distinguish between the two.
”Really... I do like her.” Shen Xinglan looked at the woman in his arms, stretched out his hand, and gently stroked her face.
”I've been running away for so long, but in the end, I can't escape.”
When Shen Xinglan closed his eyes and opened them again, it was clear and bright. He gave A Miao a light look and then pulled away.
”Boss.” Shen III waited at the door until he came out to meet him.
”There is one thing that is very strange. When we were looking for the young lady, we found another group of people looking for someone. It seemed like they were also looking for the young lady.”
Shen Xinglan scowled. ”You lost them?”
Since Shen III had said so, it meant that they had already checked it out, but found nothing.
”Yes, that group of people seemed to fall from the sky and then disappeared in the twinkling of an eye.” Shen III looked ashamed. ”Do you want us to continue to check...”
”No.” Shen Xinglan slowly walked down the stairs. ”When it is time to come out, they will naturally come out.”
The next day, A Miao woke up early in the morning and went to look for Shen Xinglan after packing.
”The Boss has gone to the company.” Shen II told her with a straight face.
A Miao felt a loss in her heart, but immediately adjusted her mood and asked him, ”Yesterday...”
”It was Ji Xue.” Shen II did not deceive her. ”The Boss said he would handle it.”
”What to deal with...” A Miao sighed in her heart. ”Ji Xue's identity is there. How to deal with it?”
”Miss.” Shen II pursed his lips. ”Next week will be Boss's birthday.”
A Miao's eyes wandered for a moment. ”Huh?”
”There are some things that don't have to be seen superficially. Those who bully the young lady come to no good end,” Shen II said, probably feeling that he had said a little too much, and then nodded and ran away as if someone were chasing him.
Was this... reminding her?
”Indeed, Shen I is a better communicator.” A Miao shrugged her shoulders, thinking of Shen II's words just now. ”Birthday...”
Because she wanted to thank Shen Xinglan, A Miao waited all day for him to come back. But she still didn't see him when it turned dark. She had dinner alone, went upstairs to take a bath, and then took a book to lie on the sofa in the living room.
At midnight, there was a sound at the entrance of the Shen home, and Shen Xinglan came in and stood motionless.
”Boss?” Shen III followed him.
”Keep your voice down. Go away.” Shen Xinglan took off his coat and went over to the sofa to cover it carefully.
Only then did Shen III notice that someone was lying there, and he withdrew once he was aware of that.
”What should I do with you...” In the quiet living room, his helpless voice was heard.
A Miao moved and opened her eyes.
”Shen Xinglan?” She turned on the lamp on the table. ”Oh! You're back.”
”Do you want to get sick lying here in this weather?” He stood up, walked to the opposite side, and sat down.
A Miao rubbed her eyes. ”I was waiting for you and accidentally fell asleep.”
That sentence of her waiting for him made Shen Xinglan's heart jump. He even covered up his chest so he could calm down.
”What's wrong with you?” A Miao saw that he did not look right.
”Nothing,” Shen Xinglan said casually. ”Why were you waiting for me?”
A Miao's eyes drifted away. ”It was nothing. I just... just wanted to say thank you.
”I know!” When she saw that Shen Xinglan was about to open his mouth, she hurried to say, ”I know it's so trivial to say thank you, you've saved me so many times, but... I don't know what else to say besides thank you...”
Shen Xinglan raised his hand to interrupt her. ”Didn't you say that it was all because of me?”
”What?” A Miao did not understand.
”You said that it was all because of me that you were targeted. If I hadn't said that you were my fiancee, Ji Xue wouldn't have targeted you.”
Shen Xinglan looked at her indifferently. ”So you don't have to thank me. Because I used you, I have to save your life.”
”Oh...” A Miao lowered her head and, after a while, looked at the man opposite her with a smile. ”I understand, but I still want to thank you!” Then she stood up. ”It's getting late, I'm going to bed.”
She left at a quick pace and, once out of sight, Shen Xinglan clenched his fist.
”Shanshan...” he murmured.
He knew that he liked A Miao, but he could not do that... He could not tell A Miao that he liked her. What would he do if Shanshan were to appear later?
Could he abandon A Miao and be with Shanshan?
”Just let it be. At least, for now, I will protect her.”
Under the light shadow, struggle and hesitation flashed across Shen Xinglan's eyes, which soon after... became calm without wavering.
A Miao returned to school on Monday, and Jiang Hua sent her a message asking her out to dinner.
”Are you all right?” As soon as they met, Jiang Hua asked her.
A Miao sat down with fried pork meatballs. ”It's nothing? Why do you ask?”
”I saw your fiance at school last Friday.” Jiang Hua looked at her. ”He seemed to be looking for something in a hurry.”
As half of the meatballs fell to the table as she bit into them, A Miao had a pitiful look and wanted to clip back.
”It's dirty.” Jiang Hua pushed her a share of ribs. ”He was looking for you!”
A Miao smiled. ”I say, Professor Jiang, why do you gossip so much!”
”Aren't we friends?” Jiang Hua stared at her.
”Er...” A Miao opened her mouth. ”We should be.”