Chapter 16

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They had never been this close before. So close that, even in this dimly lit room, Chu Tong saw clearly for the first time—Mr. Shao’s eyelashes were long, his lowered eyes framed by half-lowered lashes, exuding an intense tenderness. It was as if his gaze had ever been fixed on her alone, a single girl.

Her eyes glistened with a delicate, shimmering tear, poised to fall but held back, clear as purified water. Surely, nothing in the world was purer or more pristine than those eyes. And whenever they looked at him, sparks of warmth and passion would ignite, making his heart tremble.

Perhaps it was nerves, but her hand clenched tightly. Shao Yihuai gently massaged her thumb and index finger, whispering, “Relax.”

Only then did she come to her senses, suddenly loosening her grip. His fingertip probed into her palm, warm and damp. He chuckled softly, “What’s this?”

It was the cigarette she had borrowed from Liu Hao.

By now, it was dampened by the sweat in her palm, the paper wrinkled, and the tobacco scattered. In the faint light from outside the window, Shao Yihuai smiled wryly, “Kids smoking now?”

Chu Tong blushed slightly, stammering, “...I was just upset earlier and wanted to try one...”

He looked down at her, “...And now?”

“...Nervous,” she confessed honestly in a small, hesitant voice, “Very nervous...”

Such a well-behaved child, answering earnestly to every question. Would she follow his every word and command in the future as obediently? If so, wouldn’t that be too much of a tease on his part?

Shao Yihuai released her hand, then grasped the front of her suit jacket, pulling it up slightly.

Chu Tong, uncertain of his intent, stared blankly at his hand. Then she saw the other hand reach into the breast pocket of the jacket and pull out a handkerchief. Only then did she understand—he was trying to keep the suit fabric away from her body. Otherwise, even a slight touch would have been too intimate.

Realizing this, her cheeks flushed a deep red, and her breath quickened.

Shao Yihuai used the handkerchief to wipe her palm, removing the crumpled cigarette and damp tobacco, then wrapped it up and slipped it into his trouser pocket.

Out of the corner of her eye, the faint outline beneath the suit pocket caught her attention. It was not a good sign.

He subtly stepped back half a pace, voice steady, “Let’s go back.”

“Your clothes,” Chu Tong asked, “Should I return them to you?”

Shao Yihuai glanced over without emotion and said coldly, “Keep wearing them.”

—

The two ascended the stairs, one after the other, and entered the room.

Liu Hao sat on the sofa near the door, appearing to have just finished a card game, chatting animatedly with Ren Mingyuan. Upon hearing the noise, both looked up.

Liu Hao spotted Chu Tong first and smiled reflexively. “Why are you back? I was just about to look for you.” He paused, then asked, “...Hey? Whose clothes are you wearing?”

At that moment, Shao Yihuai entered a few steps behind.

He wore a white shirt and black trousers, tall with broad shoulders and long legs, standing just behind and slightly to the side of Chu Tong. For some reason, perhaps due to his imposing figure, there was an inexplicable aura of refinement about him.

Liu Hao’s smile froze on his face.

Usually, Ren Mingyuan would try to smooth over awkward moments like this, but even he was at a loss now. “What the hell is going on!”

The young girl’s cheeks still flushed—what had just happened? Shao Yihuai, his good friend, the ever-imperturbable Shao Yihuai.

Chu Tong felt a bit embarrassed and wanted to take off the suit jacket, but Shao Yihuai grasped her elbow firmly, forbidding her, “Sit down.”

Obediently, she sat while he took the seat beside her.

Liu Hao swallowed hard, licked his lips, wanting to say something but finding no words.

That was Shao Yihuai, the third uncle of the Shao family, someone he had to look up to, flatter, and carefully please all his life.

He didn’t dare ask another question.

The atmosphere turned strange.

At this moment, Ren Mingyuan stood and approached Shao Yihuai, saying something quietly. The two then went into the small private room together.

Liu Hao watched them enter the French-style double doors, stared for a moment, then turned back, raised his glass, took a big sip, and smiled at Chu Tong. “...Uncle Shao really takes care of you, huh? Saw you were cold downstairs.”

Chu Tong was momentarily stunned, then nodded.

There was a long pause.

Inside the small private room, Ren Mingyuan smiled and said, “I’ve never seen you like this before.” His words and gaze carried a hidden meaning, “...Finally moved by a mortal’s heart?”

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Shao Yihuai gave a casual, somewhat speechless chuckle. “I’m not as innocent as you think.”

Ren Mingyuan laughed loudly, glancing him up and down, pursing his lips, and nodding. “Fair enough.” He walked over and patted Shao Yihuai on the shoulder. “Honestly, I’m happy for you. If you had just walked straight into Lin Er’s grave like before, I’d feel sorry for you.”

After a while, the two came out together. Chu Tong and Liu Hao were already standing. Ren Mingyuan said, “Why are you both standing? There’s still a bottle of wine unopened.”

Liu Hao smiled. “I have to go. Tomorrow’s the second day of the school sports meet. I have an event.”

“You’re still participating in the sports meet?” Ren Mingyuan teased. “Since when did you become such a model student?”

“Ah, blame the old man. He’s strict.”

Shao Yihuai looked at Chu Tong and asked gently, “And you?”

“I’m going back too. It’s lights out soon.”

The attendant standing in the room quickly took Shao Yihuai’s coat from the hanger with both hands and then went to get Ren Mingyuan’s.

The simple, practiced movements inadvertently revealed the difference in status.

Chu Tong, only now almost belatedly realizing, thought Mr. Shao must be a far more formidable figure than she had imagined.

Her attention had been entirely on him earlier, completely ignoring the reactions of everyone in the room. Now, recalling it deliberately, she noticed the atmosphere had grown strangely quiet since Shao Yihuai entered.

She took off her coat and naturally returned Shao Yihuai’s suit jacket. He didn’t wear it but only put on the overcoat, the suit jacket draped over his arm.

They went downstairs. The three men headed to the bar to settle the bill, while Chu Tong went to the restroom.

Just as she entered the stall, two girls rushed in, their excited whispers barely contained. “Ah, the legendary Mr. Shao! Oh my god, we actually saw him in person!”

Another said, “He’s so tall and handsome, I’m swooning.”

“The aura, that vibe is just amazing. Daddy.”

“Given his status, looking this good is a waste. He’s basically untouchable.”

“Good genes run in the family. Just look at his second sister.”

Untouchable…

His second sister…

Sister Meng had also said Mr. Shao came from a prominent and ancient family, a household with a century-old legacy flowing quietly beneath the surface.

At this moment, Chu Tong didn’t think much of his background. All these traits and signs merely served to highlight the brilliance of the man himself—

He came from such a prestigious lineage, yet remained so pure and untainted, completely unlike the frivolous men who had made her accompany them for years.

At the porch, the three men were waiting for her.

They reached the parking lot together. Chu Tong initially followed Liu Hao toward the McLaren, but upon seeing this, both Ren Mingyuan and Liu Hao looked surprised. Liu Hao hurriedly said, “Uncle Shao will take you.”

“...Aren’t you going back to school?”

She had thought they were headed the same way.

Liu Hao nervously glanced at Shao Yihuai’s face. “...Uncle Shao... this...”

Even if he had all the courage in the world, he wouldn’t dare compete with Uncle Shao for her.

Zong Shu already opened the rear door of the Maybach. Shao Yihuai said, “Tong Tong, come here.”

Chu Tong stood still, looked around, and read from Liu Hao’s and Ren Mingyuan’s expressions: Liu Hao no longer dared to pursue her? To them, she belonged to Shao Yihuai now?

Her first thought was: What about the photo incident? She had come here today precisely to mend things with Liu Hao.

With this in mind, she turned to Liu Hao, “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

They walked a few steps away to whisper.

Chu Tong was sincere. “About the photo... will you still help me?”

Liu Hao seemed surprised she still cared about it. His eyes widened slightly. “Of course, if you need me to.” He glanced toward Shao Yihuai’s direction. “...But now you have Uncle Shao. If he steps in, everything will be settled.”

Chu Tong thought for a moment, then asked, “...From what you know, how would Mr. Shao handle it?”

Hearing this, Liu Hao immediately realized, “Wait, you don’t really know Uncle Shao? You have no idea who he is?”

Chu Tong answered cautiously, “I know he represents Zhuoyi Group.”

Liu Hao’s eyes darted around as many thoughts flashed through his mind. She didn’t know Uncle Shao’s background. What if Uncle Shao was deliberately hiding it from her? He dared not say more.

After those fleeting thoughts, Liu Hao shared what he could. “Here’s the deal: If everyone in the circles knows you belong to Uncle Shao, he wouldn’t need to get involved personally. The heads of the Ding and He families would come themselves and kneel before you. Whether you slap them or do whatever, they wouldn’t dare object.”

All of this depended on one premise: that she belonged to Shao Yihuai.

Everyone feared Shao Yihuai.

Chu Tong felt a rumbling in her heart, a sudden dizzying sense of loss of balance. “...No need to hire a lawyer and sue?”

“...You could, if you want, but suing is just to punish them so they don’t dare do it again. It’s the same result either way. Having Uncle Shao step in is simpler. Suing would take up your time and isn’t worth it.”

“I understand. Thank you, Liu Hao.”

“No problem. There’ll be plenty more times in the future.”

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Meanwhile, seeing Chu Tong and Liu Hao whispering together, Ren Mingyuan glanced at Shao Yihuai’s expression and chuckled, “Your girl here doesn’t know the rules, huh? Doesn’t that give you trouble?”

Shao Yihuai remained expressionless, his gaze heavy on the young pair.

After a while, they parted. Chu Tong returned to Shao Yihuai’s side. Liu Hao deliberately came over to bid farewell to both uncles before heading to his McLaren.

—

The Maybach drove onto the Third Ring Road, heading toward District A.

Since getting in the car, Chu Tong felt restless, as if deep in thought.

Shao Yihuai’s phone vibrated. He lowered his gaze, brows furrowing, scrolling through a long string of messages from Liu Hao.

In the messages, Liu Hao explained in detail his previous pursuit of Chu Tong and why she had agreed to go out with him today.

Several screenshots were attached: all members of the chat group sharing Chu Tong’s pajama photos, conversation records between Ding Xue and He Zhenbo, chat history during photo sharing, and the secretly taken pajama photos of Chu Tong.

The evidence was complete, enough to present directly to a lawyer.

No wonder Ren Mingyuan cared for him so much. He truly was clever and capable.

The familiar scenery outside the window passed by, and Chu Tong realized they were nearing their destination.

She turned to look at Shao Yihuai and met his gaze. He seemed to have been watching her for some time.

His eyes were calm and silent.

She smiled softly, feeling obedient and gentle, thinking she should explain. She pressed her lips and said quietly, “Um, Liu Hao and I are just ordinary classmates. I had agreed earlier to go out with him today…”

“I know,” Shao Yihuai said evenly, “He was pursuing you.”

“...” She suddenly felt a bit guilty. “...Won’t happen again.”

Shao Yihuai did not pursue the topic. Instead, he asked, “Any plans for tomorrow?”

Chu Tong thought carefully. “Nothing special for now. Planning to study in the library.”

“Will you have lunch with me?”

His focused gaze made her feel the answer was crucial.

Her heart skipped a beat. Embarrassed like a girl newly in love, she nodded softly, “Okay.”

They arrived at the west gate of District A, and Shao Yihuai got out of the car too.

A short walk—he insisted on seeing her off.

The northwest wind was biting. As soon as she stepped out, her long hair was tousled by the wind. She hurriedly turned, “You should go back to the car. It’s so cold outside.”

Shao Yihuai smiled at her but naturally took her hand. “I’m not old enough to be bothered by the wind.”

“...That’s not what I meant...”

Chu Tong stammered, her voice wavering slightly, affected by his gesture and the warmth in his palm.

His hands, though pale and slender, did not feel weak like those of a frail scholar. Instead, they radiated the strength of a mature man, veins faintly visible beneath the skin, warm and dry to the touch. Simply holding hands felt like an electric current passing through.

Instinctively, she clasped his hand tighter, as if wanting to press her palm deeper into his.

After a few steps, they reached the entrance.

Chu Tong released his hand. “...See you tomorrow.”

“Mhm.”

She walked a few steps, then turned back.

Shao Yihuai was still standing there, his white shirt beneath the overcoat stark against the night.

A verse flashed through her mind: “Bright as a jade tree before the wind.”

Without much thought, following instinct, she turned and ran back, her footsteps light and swift, and threw herself into his arms.

Shao Yihuai caught her steadily.

She heard a heartbeat—whose, she couldn’t tell—in the chill of the northwest wind, thundering like millions of black-veined, golden-spotted butterflies awakening from hibernation in a Mexican jungle, fluttering their wings to greet the warm spring.

Her hands slipped beneath his coat, pressing against his waist through just a thin shirt, her cheek resting against his chest.

Shao Yihuai bent slightly to embrace her, leaving just enough room. One hand remained in his pocket, while the other arm wrapped around her back.

His steady, powerful heartbeat sounded close to her ear. Inside her heart, a tiny figure stirred, bursting with passionate energy. In a soft, clear voice she whispered, “...Mr. Shao, I like you...”

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.

The roaring wind swept away all noise, leaving only this bold, direct confession.

Shao Yihuai remained silent, tightening his embrace slightly.

After a while, just as Chu Tong realized their current position, she heard his low, magnetic voice overhead: “...If you don’t let go, I’m taking you away.”