Chapter 44: Thankfully, It Had Always Been Her

Song Yan’s pupils contracted in shock. His face was filled with disbelief, astonishment, and utter confusion.

“Ah? No way. Uncle and Auntie are right there accompanying that girl. What are you in such a hurry for?”

Shi Zhiyu’s brows lifted slightly, his eyes revealing his impatience.

“Are you going to listen to the explanation or not? If you’re not studying, I’ll put the book away.”

“Study, study, study! I’m studying!”

Song Yan hurriedly picked up the exercise book from the floor and sat upright.

“I also need to get back to China as soon as possible. I really want to see what kind of girl could make our cold, taciturn, indifferent Young Master Shi so completely smitten and unable to stop thinking about her.”

…

Jiang University

Tang Shu was curled up in her recliner, clutching her phone tightly in her arms.

The corners of her lips were lifted so high that she couldn’t suppress her smile.

Today had truly been an exceptionally wonderful day.

Her photo album was filled with pictures she’d taken while they were out having fun.

A sea of flowers, kites, Yuanyuan in the garden…

There were no classes tomorrow morning, and her roommates hadn’t returned to campus yet. The entire dormitory was quiet and belonged to her alone.

Looking at all the abundant drawing references she had collected, she immediately grabbed the tablet beside her, opened her drawing software, settled her mind, and began working on her manga.

…

United States — Klaas Apartments

Shi Zhiyu was half leaning against the headboard, repeatedly scrolling through the high-resolution photos Qiao Yaxin had sent him.

His heart was filled with tenderness.

Previously, he had only ever seen blurry pictures of Tang Shu’s face.

Now, one clear photograph after another filled his screen.

The young girl’s delicate, gentle face, her arms wrapped around Yuanyuan, her eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled with pure brightness.

There were also candid shots of her chasing after the puppy and standing in the wind with the kite string in her hand.

Every single frame struck the softest place in his heart with perfect accuracy.

His fingertip gently brushed across her cheek on the screen, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

His little girl had grown up so much without him even realizing it.

And yet she was still soft and adorable, just as she’d always been.

He really wanted to pinch her cheeks.

He really wanted to hug her.

He looked through all the photos again and again.

Finally, he took the photo of Tang Shu holding Yuanyuan with a faint smile and directly set it as his phone’s lock-screen wallpaper.

After all those twists and turns, thankfully, it had always been her—from childhood until now.

He immediately transferred one million yuan to Qiao Yaxin.

Shi Family Villa — Bedroom

A notification for the large transfer popped up on Qiao Yaxin’s phone.

She clicked her tongue softly, then turned toward Shi Hengjun, who was reading beside her, and waved her phone.

“Brother Jun, look at our son. He must be absolutely over the moon right now. For Shu Shu, he actually went out of his way to transfer such a huge sum of money to me.”

Shi Hengjun firmly held her hand.

“Of course he’s happy. He’s been thinking about that girl for more than ten years. Now that he finally gets to see her again, he must be so happy that he wants to fly straight back.”

“Ultimately, it’s because Shu Shu is so lovable. She was bold enough to climb into Xiao Yu’s bed in the middle of the night when she was so young. She’s been destined to be connected to our family since childhood.”

Qiao Yaxin smiled as she recalled the amusing incidents from their childhood.

Shi Hengjun leaned closer, sounding extremely confident.

“That’s because she inherited it from me. I’m loyal and devoted.”

Qiao Yaxin shot him a disdainful sideways glance.

“Nothing to do with you. It’s purely because Shu Shu herself is gentle, sensible, and lovable. Don’t try to take credit for it.”

“Alright, alright. Whatever my wife says is right.”

Shi Hengjun went along with her words, gently wrapping an arm around her waist.

“We’ve been busy all day. We should get some rest too. Xiao Yu will be returning to China in a little over a month. When that happens, let those two spend time together on their own.”

“You’ve been worrying about those two children wholeheartedly these days. You’ve been neglecting me for so long.”

His warm breath brushed against her neck.

Qiao Yaxin’s neck tickled, and she gently pushed his head away, her cheeks growing warm.

“We’re an old married couple already. Stop fooling around.”

Her brows furrowed slightly.

“I’m worried because the deadline for the task I gave Shu Shu is less than a month away. What if Shu Shu still doesn’t develop genuine feelings for him by then and ends up falling for someone else?”

Shi Hengjun wasn’t worried in the slightest and leaned toward her again.

“Relax. You’ve seen it yourself these past few days. The two of them get along so well when they chat, and Shu Shu’s happiness is impossible to hide.”

“If the girl really does propose ending things, Xiao Yu could immediately drop everything and fly back to China. He won’t let her go. There’s no need for you to worry so much.”

After saying that, he took Qiao Yaxin’s phone and placed it to the side. Tightening his arms around her, he pulled her into his embrace and the two of them slipped beneath the covers together.

They both slept soundly through the night.

Jiang University Dormitory — 10 PM

Tang Shu had already been sitting at her desk drawing for more than two hours.

After keeping her head lowered for so long, her shoulders and neck had begun to ache.

She raised a hand and repeatedly massaged them, gently turning her neck from side to side to relax.

Getting up, she switched off the desk lamp and quietly climbed into bed.

Only after lying down did she notice that her phone was filled with several unread messages.

They were all from Shi Zhiyu.

God of Wealth: 【Did you have fun today?】

【Are you back at the university dormitory now?】

【What is Shu Shu busy with? Why aren’t you replying to my messages again?】

At the end were several pitiful little cat stickers.

Tang Shu lay on her soft bed and carefully typed out her replies one by one.

It took only a few seconds after she sent them before the other side replied almost instantly.

God of Wealth: 【Mm. It’s late. Go to sleep early. No staying up late.】

Shu Shu Has Candy: 【Okay, Brother. Good night~】

God of Wealth: 【Good night.】

Tang Shu placed her phone beside her pillow, wrapped herself snugly in her soft blanket, and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep.

But then—

A faint sound of the door opening came from outside.

The dormitory door was gently pushed open.

Tang Shu’s heart filled with confusion.

Everyone had clearly said in the dormitory group chat that they would be staying out until the last day of the vacation and returning to campus tomorrow when classes started.

So who would suddenly come back to the dorm this late at night?

Holding her breath, she picked up her phone and switched on the flashlight.

A faint, warm light shone through the gap in her bed curtain.

She lifted one corner of the curtain and cautiously poked her head out.

The moment she saw who it was, her heart gave a violent jolt.

She almost cried out in fright.

Standing at the dormitory entrance was her roommate, Shi Manman.

Her entire face was filled with despair.

Her eyes were exhausted and flustered, with a trace of helplessness that she couldn’t hide.

She stood there listlessly, shoulders slumped, looking absolutely miserable.

Tang Shu lowered her voice and softly called out,

“Manman? Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back to the dorm tonight? Why did you suddenly come back in the middle of the night?”

Shi Manman slowly raised her head and looked at Tang Shu on the upper bunk.

Her eyes were slightly red, and her voice was hoarse and broken.

Word by word, she said weakly,

“Shu Shu, I’m finished.”

The moment those words fell, Tang Shu’s gossip radar instantly went into overdrive.

All traces of sleepiness vanished.

She immediately became wide awake.

Gripping the railing beside her bed with both hands, her eyes were filled with curiosity.

“What happened? What happened? What big thing happened?”

Shi Manman wearily rubbed her brow and dragged her heavy footsteps toward the bathroom.

“Let me wash up first. I’ll tell you everything in a bit.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Tang Shu obediently lay back down, filled with curiosity as she waited for her roommate.

More than ten minutes later.

After finishing her shower and changing into her pajamas, Shi Manman climbed into Tang Shu’s bed.

The narrow single bed was now squeezed between two girls, the blankets warm and cozy.

Tang Shu lay on her side and looked at her troubled best friend.

“Now you can tell me, right? What exactly happened?”

Shi Manman raised a hand to cover her burning cheeks.

Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz, filled with embarrassment and panic.

“I… I slept with Shen Wenbin.”