Cheng Jinlan looked into his dark eyes and murmured, “How do you want to lock it?”
These words slipped out, startling them both.
Cheng Jinlan was shocked that those words had come from her mouth. It seemed she really was drunk.
Shao Chengze's brow quirked up, and a nearly imperceptible smile flashed in his eyes. He held her face and leaned in again. His hoarse voice held satisfaction and delight. “You want to know?”
Far away, the sky lit up with bursts of gorgeous fireworks, making pedestrians on the street stop and cheer. People in the restaurant also took out their phones and went up to the rooftop, wanting to capture the splendor unique to this night.
Cheng Jinlan pushed him away forcefully. Shao Chengze moved back two steps along with her force. He didn't stop her as she strode away without looking back. Of all the times she’d walked away from him since their reunion, only this once did he watch her leaving back with upturned lips.
In the private room, Cheng Jinlan bid Zhou An farewell. She wanted to leave early to go home and lull her child to sleep. Since she was leaving, Zhou An decided to leave with her. With the boss present, the employees felt somewhat constrained even while relaxing.
Shao Chengze pushed the door open and entered. Seeing him, Zhou An's face held suggestive meaning. “You see, you've come at this time. We were just about to leave, yet you've only just arrived.”
The corners of Shao Chengze's eyes crinkled with laughter. “The timing is just right for me to take care of the bill.”
Zhou An looked at him suspiciously, then looked at him again. Shao rarely had such a happy expression. He felt like he was grinning like a cat who'd stolen cream, surely having done something naughty.
Zhou An said, “Well, you can't just take care of the bill. Arriving so late, you ought to drink a punishment drink or three.”
Shao Chengze replied, “I really can't today. I've had stomach problems these past few days. If I drink, I expect you'll have to call an ambulance. Next time there's a chance, I'll make up for it.”
With one look, Zhou An knew he was faking it, but didn't expose him. “Alright, stomach issues are no small matter. If you can't drink, you can't drink. But the bills for the second and third rounds today will all be yours.”
Shao Chengze nodded lightly with a faint smile. “Of course. All expenses for tonight will be put on my tab.”
The employees cheered loudly.
Since Shao Chengze had entered, Cheng Jinlan had quietly moved behind Zhou An. Zhou An was tall and broad, perfectly blocking her from view.
Wu Tongtong looked between the second miss hiding behind Boss Zhou, and the usual cold and aloof expression on her elder sister, now unable to conceal the bloom of spring. She came to a conclusion.
The second miss' fair face held an enchanting blush that certainly wasn't from the alcohol. Her lips were very red, not from lipstick, but a natural vibrant red. The lipstick on her lips had been completely eaten away. As for who had eaten it off, Wu Tongtong wanted to slap her thigh. When had her boss sister ever had such a joyful smile? It could only have been that cat.
Seeing that Shao seemed to have only come to take care of the bill and wouldn't stay long, just saying a few words to encourage everyone to relax and eat and drink well tonight, he left with Boss Zhou and Miss Cheng. Everyone was even more delighted. With the bosses gone, tonight would be a thorough revelry.
In the elevator there were only three people: Zhou An in the middle, Cheng Jinlan on the left near the elevator wall, looking at a message from her driver saying he was stuck in traffic and not here yet. Cheng Jinlan didn't say she had already left the dinner. She only said not to worry, she still needed some time here too.
Zhou An was discussing plans with Shao Chengze about the Longyun anniversary celebration. Shao Chengze was listening, occasionally chiming in a few words, while his eyes were looking elsewhere.
Zhou An was aware. His gaze was full of ridicule. He knew why Shao was abstaining from drink today. He wanted to play the gentleman escort. Zhou An just didn't know if this escort would succeed or fail miserably.
“Jinlan, has your driver arrived? If not, ride with me.” Zhou An asked.
Cheng Jinlan put away her phone. “My driver is here. No need to trouble you, Brother Zhou.”
Zhou An covertly raised a brow at Shao Chengze, signaling for him to give up his ideas sooner rather than later.
Shao Chengze paid no mind to Zhou An's mocking. His eyes were only on that ear whose blush grew brighter and brighter.
She knew he was watching her.
The three of them walked out of the restaurant doors. Zhou An's driver had already pulled up to the entrance to wait. Zhou An didn't waste any more words playing the unwanted light bulb. He only urged Cheng Jinlan to be careful on the road and give him a message when she got home. Cheng Jinlan nodded in acquiescence.
After Zhou An's car departed, Shao Chengze took a step left and grasped the hand dangling beside him. Cheng Jinlan didn't expect this move. She was caught firmly off guard. Not wanting to make a scene in front of others, she only struggled covertly, but even that concealed effort was no match for him, let alone an overt contest. In the end her hand remained trapped, and she was slightly short of breath from her own agitation.
Sensing her stillness, Shao Chengze turned their hands, placing his knuckles along hers and stroking down until their fingers were interlaced. The intimacy existing between entwined fingers was sometimes more evocative of yearning than a deep kiss. Shao Chengze's long fingers clasped tight, cradling her soft fingers in his palm.
Cheng Jinlan didn't dare meet his eyes now, because one look would automatically recall the question that had slipped from her own lips. She must have lost her mind, to be led astray by his words.
She stared at his chin, cold-browed and cold-eyed. “What are you trying to do?”
The tone was still fierce, but her voice had lost some of the aloof frostiness, and gained some unnoticed intimacy.
Shao Chengze replied, “Taking you home. You drank alcohol.”
“I have a driver.”
“Where is your driver? Didn't you say he was already here?”
Cheng Jinlan was annoyed at his exposure. “He went to the bathroom. He'll be right back.”
“I'll wait with you until he gets back. The streets are unsafe at night.”
As if he wasn't the greater danger here.
“Then could Shao please let go of my hand?”
Cheng Jinlan wanted to reopen the distance between them with the formal address.
Shao Chengze looked at her. “I'll let go when your driver arrives.”
The neon lights on the street flashed and glimmered. Cheng Jinlan's expression shifted through several changes before finally acquiescing in silence.
Perhaps from the summer heat, or the heat in her heart, their clasped palms grew damp with sweat. Sweat mingling with blood, blood mingling with heartbeats.
On a summer night, the streets and alleys were especially lively. There were young couples walking hand in hand, elderly couples arm in arm, and nuclear families leading their children. The children skipped and bounced, peeking at the lady then the gentleman. They thought, the gentleman and lady are both so beautiful! The little girl smiled sweetly at the gentleman and lady.
Meeting the little girl's smile, Cheng Jinlan's previously expressionless face revealed a gentle smile. The corners of Shao Chengze's eyes lifted slightly, a smile spreading from his eyes. The little girl was stunned by the gentleman and lady's smiles. She scurried over and lifted the rose in her hand high to Shao Chengze. “Beautiful gentleman, a flower for you. You can give the pretty flower to the beautiful lady, to make her happy.”
The little girl's parents were helpless with their flower-loving daughter. They followed their daughter over and smiled apologetically at Shao Chengze.
Shao Chengze crouched down to be at eye level with the little girl. “Thank you, pretty little miss.”
The little girl met the handsome gentleman's eyes, suddenly shy. She stuffed the flower into his hand, grabbed her parents' hands, and scurried away.
Shao Chengze turned the flower in his hand, stood up, and without a word, tucked it into the hair by the person beside him.
Cheng Jinlan glared at his presumptuousness. She reached to take the flower out.
Shao Chengze pressed her hand down. “Leave it. It's beautiful.”
It really was beautiful.
The vibrant flower, the dark hair, the snowy complexion.
And a pair of seemingly aloof eyes, shimmering with rippling waves.
She was vivid and lively like this, not an ethereal illusion like the flower in the mirror or moon in water.
Shao Chengze wanted to step closer and embrace his beloved in this busy downtown street.
A car suddenly stopped in front of them. The driver hurriedly opened the door and got out, then hesitated and quickly tried to get back in the car.
Cheng Jinlan called out. “Xiao Liu.”
“Oh, Miss Second.”
Xiao Liu understood Miss Second's meaning. He got out, walked around the front of the car, and opened the rear door.
“My driver is here.” Cheng Jinlan looked at Shao Chengze. The unspoken meaning was that he should let go now.
Shao Chengze was as good as his word. He let go smoothly, seemingly without reluctance. His fingertips followed her departing direction, reaching forward slightly.
Cheng Jinlan's hand held the car door. She paused, remembering the flower on her ear, but ultimately said nothing. She bent down and entered the car. The door closed, the tinted windows blocking everything outside.
Cheng Jinlan toyed with the flower in her hand, eyes vaguely unfocused, lost in thought.
Xiao Liu glanced in the rearview mirror. “Miss Second, there's a car behind us that seems to be following us.”
Cheng Jinlan looked back at the license plate. It was familiar. She told Xiao Liu, “Ignore it.”
“Yes, Miss Second.” Xiao Liu focused on driving.
The car followed them all the way to the Cheng residence. Cheng Jinlan got out and stood in the yard for a while, watching the lights in the neighboring house come on, verifying her guess.
She pressed that familiar number in one go. As soon as it connected, Cheng Jinlan said, “You're looking to die.”
Was he afraid her father couldn't find a reason to deal with him, so he had delivered himself to their door?
Shao Chengze laughed low. “Worried about me? Afraid I'll be beaten by your father?”
Cheng Jinlan choked on his casual tone. She immediately hung up. Whether he courted death was none of her business.
Under the hawthorn tree, Shao Chengze watched the light in the neighboring house, eyes full of softness.
He really liked this house. It had bright windows overlooking the pier and dark storage cellars below.
It took some time to persuade the Hus to sell it. They were not lacking in houses or money. This place was probably the most comfortable of all their properties, one they would have liked to keep for when they returned to China to live in retirement. The house was well maintained and the older Hus had good taste, so not much needed changing other than replacing all the furniture to move right in.
That night when he left her family home, he had already sized up her father, the captain of the Cheng enterprise.
His car had barely made it through the gates when he saw someone waiting roadside for him. Shao Chengze got out of the car and called out, "Uncle Cheng," ready to introduce himself, but Cheng Shanhe cut him off before he could speak, looking him up and down. "I know who you are."
Shao Chengze stood respectfully to one side and let the old man look him over. If his own father were still alive, he would be of a similar age and bearing. He had had an excellent father, inarticulate perhaps but gentle and loving, who had taught him to play music and write calligraphy, and instilled in him life philosophies to live by.
The elder said nothing unkind, merely stated a plain truth—that a Cheng daughter would never marry into the Shao family.
For Shao Chengze this was not a dead end but an open door. Her father had only said a Cheng daughter would not cross the Shao threshold, not that she could not be with him. If she would not marry into the Shao family, he would marry into the Chengs. He would be happy to join her family as a son-in-law.
