In the dormitory, Xia Qing came out from the steaming bathroom, undid the towel wrapped around her head, and let her long jet black hair cascade down, looking extremely elastic and textured.
She picked up the hair dryer and stood in front of the mirror drying her hair.
The girl in the mirror had much more color in her face these past two years, and her originally sharp features had also gradually gained some sensuality, but because she kept exercising, her figure was still in great shape.
Xia Qing now looked more feminine.
Shen Ping Chuan had raised her well. At least the rows of bottles and jars on her dressing table were all top international brands, a far cry from the moisturizers she used to buy at the supermarket.
The most noticeable change was her skin. Her slightly sallow complexion was now fair and delicate.
It's true what they say, that half of a woman's beauty is innate, the other half cultivated.
The black Benz stopped below the dormitory building, and several girls on the balcony whispered among themselves:
"Young Master Shen is here again."
"Look at what she wears and uses every day, it's like she became a different person."
"She's usually so low-key, can't believe she managed to get Shen Ping Chuan."
"That's what they mean by still waters run deep. You don't have that ability anyway."
"Of course I don't have that ability. I heard they started sleeping together not long after getting together."
...
Roommate An Xiaoxue slammed the door shut, shutting out these nasty gossips, and said angrily: "Nosy old ladies."
Xia Qing had no reaction. She calmly applied hand cream to her wrists and neck, and said lightly: "Let them talk, after all..."
Everything they said was true.
Her phone dinged twice, Xia Qing received two text messages, one from Jin Xi, one from Shen Ping Chuan.
Jin Xi: "Sister Xia Qing, happy birthday! I wish you and my brother happiness! -3-"
Xia Qing tapped open Jin Xi's chat and quickly replied: "Thank you, Xi Xi."
Then Jin Xi sent another message: "Sister Xia Qing, my brother is very knowledgeable, but can be quite stubborn sometimes. He had a big fight with Uncle Shen again today. You have to talk to him more, keep him in check, don't spoil him too much!"
Looking at this cryptic message, Xia Qing was silent for a long time before replying: "Okay, I will."
Shen Ping Chuan's message contained just a few words: Wear the skirt I got you.
She put down the hair dryer and opened the wardrobe.
Hanging on the hanger was a beautiful custom-made blue long skirt, Shen Ping Chuan's birthday gift to her.
The skirt was studded with tiny sequins like a spilt night sky, breathtakingly beautiful.
Shen Ping Chuan liked girls with curly hair, girls who wore skirts, girls with no makeup, girls who...
Over the past two years, Xia Qing's every effort had been to become the girl Shen Ping Chuan liked.
It wasn't to fawn or ingratiate herself, but to show gratitude and reciprocate his feelings.
But now, she really didn't know if she had done something wrong.
She looked at Jin Xi's cryptic message, resolutely put the skirt back, and took out a casual pink and white hoodie instead.
She had never worn a skirt before, and didn't like wearing them either. She preferred hoodies, dressing cooler, with a touch of hip hop style.
She tied her long hair in a neat, no-nonsense ponytail on top of her head, and changed into the hoodie and oversized jeans, paired with Air sneakers. She went downstairs.
Shen Ping Chuan was leaning against the car door. Seeing her come out, he couldn't help a involuntary smile.
Xia Qing recalled that when they first started dating, whenever Shen Ping Chuan saw her, he would rush over impulsively to give her a big bear hug.
Back then he was still a student. Now he was the young CEO in charge of the entire Shen Group, much more poised, having learned to control his behavior and emotions.
But whenever he saw her, the upward curve at the corner of his lips never changed.
His eyes were filled with sunshine, warming her heart.
Xia Qing jogged over to Shen Ping Chuan's side and hugged his slim waist.
To match Xia Qing's fitness level, Shen Ping Chuan had also started going hard at the gym these years. With the help of testosterone, the effects of exercise came much easier for boys than girls. He built up this muscular physique without too much effort.
With his fit body, chiseled features, and mature CEO temperament, Shen Ping Chuan's charm had practically multiplied.
Jin Xi often lamented that during the best years of his youth, Shen Ping Chuan only grew useless fat. He didn't fully bloom until after graduating university, entering the prime of his life.
Shen Ping Chuan wrapped an arm around Xia Qing's waist and led her into the car. In the back seat was an enormous bouquet, at least a few hundred roses, visually stunning when clustered together.
Xia Qing exclaimed: "So beautiful!"
Sitting next to her, Shen Ping Chuan closed the car door. "As long as you like it."
"Thank you, I love it."
She turned and put her arms around his neck, kissing his jaw.
Shen Ping Chuan stroked her hair, only then noticing her unusual attire today.
She always wore her hair down. Today she had tied it up, and wore a hoodie. Her left ear sported a black crystal earring.
Shen Ping Chuan didn't ask the driver to start the car. Frowning slightly, he asked: "Didn't wear the skirt I gave you?"
"Because...it didn't fit well."
With one arm he pulled the girl to his side. "Didn't fit well?"
Xia Qing lowered her head, hiding her eyes behind her bangs, not quite daring to look at him. She softly murmured in agreement.
"That was a custom skirt ordered from a famous French designer. There's no such thing as it not fitting. You just didn't like it."
If there was one thing about Shen Ping Chuan that never changed all these years, it was his directness.
"You don't like the gift I gave you."
Xia Qing was a little nervous. "No, I really like all the gifts you've given me."
"Forget it." He shrugged casually, reached up and pulled the ponytail holder off her hair, stroking her cascading locks. "My darling can wear whatever she likes."
Xia Qing smiled and couldn't help hugging him.
Shen Ping Chuan told the driver to start the car, then sat in the spacious back seat, focusing intently on kissing Xia Qing.
At first Xia Qing really disliked kissing in the car with the driver up front. She felt too awkward. But Shen Ping Chuan seemed to enjoy the intimacy afforded by the confined space. Once after drinking too much at a banquet, he nearly went all the way with her right there in the car.
Ever since then, Xia Qing threw caution to the wind.
Shen Ping Chuan pulled her onto his lap. His palms gently caressed her slender waist as he let her hold his jaw and kiss him proactively.
Xia Qing's kisses were no longer as clumsy and innocent as when they first dated. She had learned to reciprocate him, entice him.
She kissed with singular focus, eyes closed, long curled lashes slightly upturned. Shen Ping Chuan watched her spellbound, the light brown eyes filled with irrepressible adoration.
"Darling, I love you."
Xia Qing embraced him passionately. "I love you too."
Driver Lao Liu shook his head helplessly, having to swallow this dog food. By the timeline, the two had long passed the honeymoon phase, yet their feelings remained as intense as when they first fell in love.
Considering Shen Ping Chuan's status and looks, there were far too many girls eager to attach themselves to him. Prettier girls than Xia Qing were endless. Any type one wanted could be found.
In Lao Liu's eyes, Xia Qing was no different from other girls on the outside - obedient, gentle, with a touch of fawning and caution. Definitely not smart, sometimes quite clumsy, unable to hide her emotions, pretending nothing was wrong when unwillingness was plainly visible...
She was clearly currying favor with Shen Ping Chuan. Who knew what spell this young master was under, actually eating up her act.
Shen Ping Chuan took Xia Qing to an upscale Western restaurant downtown for dinner.
"This restaurant is hard to book, needs reservation half a month in advance. But the ambience and taste are quite good. I'm taking you to try it out."
Xia Qing naturally looped her arm with his, smiling. "As long as I can eat my fill."
Shen Pingchuan pinched her nose: "Little country bumpkin, if the food here could make you full, I'm afraid I'd go bankrupt today."
"Is it expensive! If it's expensive we'll go somewhere else!"
"Go where? Do you really think I'd let you eat me into poverty?"
Shen Pingchuan was joking, of course. He took Xia Qing's hand and led her into the restaurant, where a handsome waiter immediately showed them to their reserved window seat—
"Mr. Shen, welcome."
Shen Pingchuan handed the menu to Xia Qing: "Order whatever you like."
It took Xia Qing longer to order than Shen Pingchuan. He ordered foie gras and an eight-minute steak, while Xia Qing, after much deliberation, only ordered a relatively inexpensive vegetable salad.
Shen Pingchuan teased her, "I've only ever liked carnivorous girlfriends before, so why are you suddenly so refined today?"
Today's menu was really beyond Xia Qing's expectations. This was probably the most expensive meal Shen Pingchuan had taken her to since they started dating. She didn't dare order recklessly.
"The drill sergeant said I got fat. I'm worried I won't pass the graduation fitness test, so I need to lose some weight."
Her reasoning was sound. She had gained some weight.
But Shen Pingchuan was no longer the silly boy he used to be. He knew his girlfriend too well. She wasn't very good at lying.
"Since you're not ordering, I'll order for you." Shen Pingchuan said to the waiter, "Five servings of foie gras, three sautéed lobsters, two bowls of braised veal, and four servings of escargot."
The waiter was shocked: "Sir, you...you said five, five servings of foie gras?"
Shen Pingchuan calmly closed the menu: "Do I need to repeat myself?"
Xia Qing kicked his leg in protest: "Don't order so much! I can't eat it all!"
Shen Pingchuan smiled faintly: "There is no food in this world that my girlfriend can't finish."
The waiter had never seen such an extravagant customer before. A single serving of foie gras was already four digits, and he ordered five, not to mention the other expensive dishes.
Moreover, French cuisine was never meant to be eaten in such large quantities. Who could actually get full on this type of delicate cooking?
The exquisite dishes were served one by one, attracting the attention of diners at nearby tables.
One woman in a dress was particularly shocked. Seeing Xia Qing really eating the dishes as if they were rice, the disbelief and contempt on her face was comparable to the most expressive comedic actress.
Xia Qing was already under a lot of psychological pressure, and the woman kept staring at her, so she put her fork back down.
Shen Pingchuan glanced at the woman and said impatiently, "Miss, what are you looking at?"
Perhaps it was his slightly aggressive tone, but the woman's male companion immediately retorted, "What's your attitude?"
"It's exactly this fucking attitude." Shen Pingchuan glanced sideways at their table and sneered, "Staring at someone else's table the whole time, what, don't you have enough food? Want me to order you some more?"
As soon as he said this, the man stood up and called for the manager, saying, "What kind of low-class people can come and eat here and think they're at some street stall?"
Shen Pingchuan was about to speak, but Xia Qing immediately pressed his hand down: "Don't make trouble."
In recent years, Shen Pingchuan had become somewhat irritable. He gently moved Xia Qing's hand away and patted it reassuringly. "I won't make trouble."
He glanced back at the manager and said lightly, "What do you have to say?"
The manager was naturally in an awkward position: "Young Mr. Shen, I'm really sorry, so sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? It wasn't you who scolded me."
Shen Pingchuan pushed the table in front of him and leaned back in his chair. "He said I'm low-class for eating here like I'm at some street stall. Manager, what do you think we should do about this?"
The manager naturally couldn't afford to offend Shen Pingchuan. He immediately turned to the man and said, "Sir, why don't you move downstairs to eat?"
"What?" The man said in disbelief, "Say that again?"
"Either apologize to Young Mr. Shen, or please move downstairs. After all, you were in the wrong first."
An apology was obviously out of the question. The man pointed at the manager and snarled, "Do you know who I am?"
"I don't need to know who you are. Here, everyone is a customer. You were rude to other customers, so I have the right to ask you to leave."
The manager picked up his walkie-talkie, seeming to call security. With all eyes on them, the woman couldn't afford to lose face. She left in anger, with the man chasing after her, but not before threatening the manager, "You just wait!"
After the commotion died down, the manager gave Shen Pingchuan's table an extra Boston lobster as an apology.
When they left the restaurant, Xia Qing was still in a bad mood. Shen Pingchuan accompanied her for a walk to aid digestion.
"You're unhappy now." Shen Pingchuan grasped her wrist.
"No, very happy." Xia Qing looked back at him, "Thank you for taking me to dinner."
Shen Pingchuan paused and said, "Can I no longer expect you to be honest with me?"
Xia Qing asked in confusion, "What's wrong with me?"
Shen Pingchuan tightened his arms around her, holding her firmly against him. "Are you really happy being with me?"
"Yes, happy."
He pinched her chin and gazed into her narrow eyes. "But my intuition tells me you're lying to me, Xia Qing. Why are you lying to me?"
Xia Qing's heart felt as if it was being choked by an invisible hand. After a long time, she finally said something she had wanted to say but didn't dare—
"Shen Pingchuan, I hate who I am right now."
As she said this, her eyes turned red.
It was as if all the strength had been drained from Shen Pingchuan's body. He let her go blankly and took two steps back. His eyes were full of heartache. "You hate yourself when you're with me?"
Xia Qing crouched down with her head lowered, looking utterly helpless...
Such a Xia Qing was completely different from the dashing, heroic girl who could take on ten opponents alone.
Only then did Shen Pingchuan gradually understand what Bo Yan had told him back then.
You've ruined her.
He crouched down and touched her face. "Qingqing, if you want to leave me, anytime..."
He suddenly choked up, unable to say the last word no matter what. He was afraid. He suddenly realized he simply couldn't bear her leaving.
Xia Qing suddenly put her arms around his neck and buried her face deeply in the crook of his neck. "I won't leave you. I just don't know what to do. You treat me so well, I owe you more and more. I can never repay you in this lifetime..."
From Xia Qing's sobbing words, Shen Pingchuan suddenly understood Bo Yan's original intention in stopping him.
You think that as long as you treat her well, it's giving her happiness. But in fact, all you've given her is endless guilt. In this already imbalanced relationship, you've emptied her of all dignity and self-confidence. You've turned her into another person, a woman existing only for you.
"I was wrong."
He really was wrong.
The next day, in the Shen Group's office, he handed in his resignation as CEO to Shen Shishan.
He wanted to start over with her on equal footing, earning a future that belonged to just the two of them.
If she was willing to suffer a little hardship with him, Shen Pingchuan was confident he could start from nothing.
Shen Shishan looked at the resignation letter on his desk, surprisingly not too shocked. He said lightly, "Giving it all up for a woman?"
Shen Pingchuan was astonished. "Dad..."
"The despicable things you did back then could only be kept from your sister.
"You knew about it?" Shen Pingchuan felt truly guilty, breaking into a cold sweat.
Unexpectedly, Shen Shishan didn't blame him. He walked around the desk to Shen Pingchuan's side. His voice was a little weary. "From childhood until now, you've never made a big mistake. Sometimes I wonder if I've been too harsh on you."
"At first when I found out, I was really angry. But later I calmed down and understood—you need to pay the price for your own mistakes, rather than have me bail you out every time. Going out and gaining some life experience will be good too. In the future, you'll have your own broad horizons."
He was so ashamed of himself that he didn't know where to hide: "Dad, I'm sorry."
Shen Shishan patted him heavily on the shoulder: "Since you've decided to go out on your own, you'll have to rely on yourself for everything. I won't help you with anything."
Shen Pingchuan rubbed his eyes: "Then old Shen had better keep his word."
"You little rascal! I absolutely won't help you!"
...
Shen Pingchuan walked out of Shen Group, looking up at the towering office building piercing the clouds. The sky was gloomy.
That afternoon, he finally had nothing.
Yet no one could have imagined that ten years later, he could stand at the panoramic window on top of another towering office building, gazing at Shen Group far away.
The two commercial empires standing on equal footing were both under his command. Shen Pingchuan recalled countless times that if he hadn't made the painful decision to cut his wrist back then, what would he have become?
At least now, his devoted wife who accompanied him through all the hardships and adversities was looking more and more like her younger self.
