Chapter 8

Su Jingwen is 45 years old this year and has been Shao Yihuai’s assistant for five years. She had never seen any woman appear by his side, not even at banquets requiring a female companion, where she, as his assistant, would always step in. It was unheard of for someone so young and delicate to be there.

She thought carefully. Shao Yihuai had only instructed her to deal with that sleazy Mr. Wang and had not asked her to pay special attention to the etiquette lady before her. To be cautious, she asked one more question, “...Have you known Mr. Shao before?”

Though the words and tone were extremely polite, Chu Tong still detected a trace of wariness.

She nodded. “I am Professor Chen Xizhen’s student. I’ve met Mr. Shao twice at the professor’s home.” Afraid the assistant wouldn’t believe her, she pulled out a wooden bookmark from the inside pocket of her handbag and held it up to her face. “This was given to me by Mr. Shao. He asked me to return it to him when I had the chance.”

Su Jingwen immediately recognized it—it was undoubtedly Shao Yihuai’s bookmark.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled slightly and extended her hand. “I’m Su Jingwen, Mr. Shao’s assistant. What’s your name?”

“I’m Chu Tong.”

Chu Tong quickly shook her hand.

“Could you wait for me a moment? I have something to take care of; it won’t take long. When I’m done, you can ride with me to the hotel, okay?”

“All right, thank you.”

Su Jingwen led her to a conference room, then settled her in the outer tea room and went into the inner room.

Chu Tong sat upright on a wooden sofa chair, legs together, hands resting on her knees, her heart pounding with excitement.

Su Jingwen soon came out, and Chu Tong stood up to follow her. They walked together to the parking lot. Su Jingwen pressed the car key, and a black Audi let out a short beep.

She invited Chu Tong into the front passenger seat and stood outside the car, dialing Shao Yihuai’s number with her back turned.

After the call connected, she began to report, “Mr. Shao, over here—”

Shao Yihuai, unusually, interrupted her. “Have you left the clubhouse?”

“...Just arrived at the parking lot.”

“Do me a favor,” he said calmly, “find out the address of the etiquette team and check on the girl named Tong Tong from earlier today. See how she’s doing and if she needs anything.”

His voice was steady, like a routine task, calm and unruffled. Yet Su Jingwen was quite surprised. She glanced back; the passenger window had a tint, obscuring the view inside.

She hesitated slightly. “...Actually, this is what I was about to report. The girl said she has something to return to you—a bookmark.”

“...She gave you the bookmark?”

Shao Yihuai asked indifferently.

“No, she didn’t mean to have me deliver it. She wants to return it to you in person at the hotel.”

Silence fell on the other end of the line.

The silence stretched on, and Su Jingwen felt uneasy. Guessing his intent, she suggested, “...It’s quite late, so it might be inconvenient for you. How about we prepare another room at the hotel for her to stay tonight, and tomorrow morning she can return the bookmark?”

Shao Yihuai was silent for two seconds, then said, “Do as you say.”

“Understood.”

“...Be careful with your words. Don’t hurt her.”

Su Jingwen was even more surprised. “...Got it, understood.”

—

After hanging up and returning to the car, Su Jingwen couldn’t help but glance at Chu Tong several times.

She was indeed an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, embodying the gentle charm of southern China, yet her beauty was even more striking than common southern features—an impressive presence, a well-shaped nose, clear eyes, with a vitality that was immediately apparent.

Perhaps sensing the gaze, Chu Tong turned to smile sweetly at her. “Thank you, sister.”

Though Su Jingwen’s age could have made her an aunt in Chu Tong’s eyes, such a sweet address as “sister” would warm anyone’s heart.

She smiled back. “Did you bring your ID?”

“Yes.”

Chu Tong nodded obediently.

“That’s good. I’ll book a room for you at the hotel. You can stay there tonight, and tomorrow morning I’ll take you to meet Mr. Shao, okay?” Su Jingwen, usually decisive and brisk, softened her tone, trying to sound gentle. “...He’s busy elsewhere right now.”

“...I see...” Chu Tong looked surprised, her eyes widening slightly, hesitant to speak.

Recalling Shao Yihuai’s instructions to be loyal and diligent, Su Jingwen coaxed her reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely take you to see him tomorrow morning.”

Chu Tong bowed her head. “...Thank you.”

The rest of the journey was silent.

Su Jingwen occasionally glanced at her, noticing the young woman’s concealed worries and a trace of loneliness on her face.

The hotel was only two kilometers from the clubhouse—arriving in the blink of an eye.

At check-in, the receptionist said, “Only one suite is left. Would that be acceptable?”

The nearby exhibition had filled the hotel to capacity. Only the most expensive suite remained, originally reserved for another guest who had canceled last minute.

“That’s fine.”

Su Jingwen agreed promptly. After all, it was Mr. Shao’s money—six thousand for a night was no issue.

Chu Tong casually asked, “Is Mr. Shao staying on the same floor as me?”

“Yes, he’s at the other end of the corridor.”

Su Jingwen tried to comfort her, “You can have breakfast together tomorrow morning.”

Chu Tong smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

After finishing the check-in and receiving the room card, Chu Tong put away her ID, and they went upstairs together.

—

Su Jingwen accompanied her to the penultimate floor where the suite was located, patiently teaching her how to use the room card and roughly explaining where the hairdryer, toiletries, and bathrobes were.

Then she handed Chu Tong her business card. “My number is on this. If you need anything, contact me anytime.”

Chu Tong accepted it carefully.

Su Jingwen left, and the door clicked shut behind her.

Chu Tong stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out, feeling unreal.

Far from the city, the surrounding area was a small rural county. From this floor, the entire county stretched before her eyes, and beyond it lay vast darkness. A brightly lit highway cut through, making the dark places seem even darker, mysterious and unfathomable.

Much like her own life.

Where would this step lead her?

She could no longer weigh pros and cons; she only knew she wanted him.

No matter what, she needed a resolution tonight.

After showering and drying her hair, she didn’t change into pajamas but wore her daytime clothes—a black mid-length skirt common in autumn and winter, paired with a fitted small V-neck knit sweater.

When she first reached this floor, she had noticed there were only two rooms, meaning the other must be Shao Yihuai’s.

It was only nine o’clock.

Had Mr. Shao returned yet?

She slipped the room card into her knit cardigan pocket and stepped out.

—

Since Su Jingwen made that call, Shao Yihuai had been somewhat restless.

He showered but still couldn’t calm down, so he changed into his suit, planning to go downstairs for a walk.

Just as he leaned against the sofa, lost in thought with eyes lowered, the doorbell rang.

Thinking it was Su Jingwen coming to report, he got up and opened the door.

Outside stood Chu Tong.

Graceful and poised, lips lightly pressed, her clear and stunning eyes gazed earnestly at him.

It felt as if something inside his chest instantly swelled and then froze.

That was his breath.