Chapter 281

Chapter 281: 274: Miss Wen comes to coax Xie Shang, visiting the parents at home (first update) Chapter 281: 274: Miss Wen comes to coax Xie Shang, visiting the parents at home (first update) Liang Shuchuan’s camellias had bloomed.

South Building sat nested between majestic mountains and rivers, with very low temperatures at night. Xie Shang stood outside, a lit cigarette between his fingers. He didn’t smoke it, just fed it to the wind that swept around South Building.

The wispy smoke twisted like a dancer’s gauzy veil, sinuously entwined with the breeze, adding an unsought touch of melancholy to the night.

The ash fell to the ground, and Su Beihe commented, “What are you doing? You lit it but you’re not smoking.”

“Her cough hasn’t cleared up yet.”

Su Beihe knew exactly who “she” was.

Xie Shang extinguished the cigarette in his hand. He had indeed wanted to smoke but then he thought of Wen Changling. Her cough was still not completely better, and with him not at home tonight, he wondered whether she remembered to take her medicine or not.

“Put yours out too, I don’t like the smell,” he said.

Xie Shang and Su Beihe were separated by a generation, but not much in age, so their conversation was informal.

Su Beihe pinched out his cigarette, “Are you really afraid for her?”

“Yeah.”

“Get a grip.”

Xie Shang was in a lousy mood tonight. Although the celebration was lively, his spirits were low, his mind clearly elsewhere.

His phone rang.

Xie Shang glanced at the caller ID, and his expression transformed in an instant, as if moonlight had suddenly broken through the darkness.

“Changling.”

On the other end, it wasn’t clear what was said.

This was the first time Su Beihe heard Xie Shang speak so gently.

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Xie Shang hung up.

Su Beihe asked, “Where to?”

Xie Shang, typically composed and stoic, was uncharacteristically emotional, and his eyes sparkled with delight, “She’s here, I’m going to pick her up.”

Oh, Miss Wen had arrived.

Su Beihe went inside to relay the news to Madam Zhai Wenjin.

Xie Shang was tall and easy to recognize from a distance. The security recognized him and opened the gate in advance.

Xie Shang hastened his steps and approached Wen Changling, “I thought you weren’t coming?”

In her hand, she carried a bag tied with a red bow, “Didn’t you want me to come?”

Their exchange yesterday had been somewhat unpleasant. Upon returning home, Wen Changling rushed to connect something on Jiang Chengxue’s phone and headed straight to the second-floor computer room, leaving their parting on a sour note.

Wen Changling had come to South Building to coax Xie Shang.

Xie Shang held her hand as they entered, giving a nod to the guard at the gatehouse, “Mr. Qi.”

The guard’s last name was Qi.

The residents of South Building, which consisted of five detached homes, all called him Old Qi, the guard, and some even called out to him with just a “hey”. Only Madam Su’s family referred to him as Mr. Qi.

“This is my girlfriend. Her surname is Wen. Next time she comes, let her in directly.”

Mr. Qi replied with a smile, “Sure thing, Mr. Xie.”

South Building was vast, with each home set far apart in serene surroundings. Wen Changling was led by Xie Shang, stepping over shadows cast by trees, on a path paved with little stones.

“Are there many guests?”

“Not many.”

Wen Changling rarely attended private parties. She asked Xie Shang, “Is it appropriate for me to wear this?”

She was dressed in a dark teal cloak-style jacket with a white fuzz ringing the collar. Granny Zhu had said it looked good, though not particularly warm.

If it was unsuitable, she could change. She had brought more formal clothing, which she’d left in the car.

“Madam Su only invited close friends, relatives, and colleagues. There’s no dress code, you look great as you are.” Her hand was a bit cold. Xie Shang suggested, “Give me the bag.”

“I can carry it myself.” Wen Changling lifted the bag she was holding to show him, “This is a gift for Madam Su.” She felt it was rude to come empty-handed.

Ms. Su Nanzhi was already waiting outside.

Madam Su loved to dress up. Despite the cold weather, she wore an off-the-shoulder dress with a light purple shawl draped over her shoulders, elegantly beautiful, a woman favored by time.

Wen Changling usually disliked socializing, so Xie Shang shielded her with his body, “Why have you come out?”

Ms. Su Nanzhi spoke softly, but Miss Wen could probably hear, “Knowing that your precious Miss Wen would be coming, I came out to welcome her.” She moved past Xie Shang, waving a hand adorned with beautifully manicured nails, “Hello, Miss Wen.”

Wen Changling responded with proper polite etiquette, “Hello.”

She wondered how to address her.

Seeing her hesitate, Su Nanzhi smiled and said, “Just calling me Madam Su is fine.”