Chapter 48: Everything She Likes

Tang Shu shrank her shoulders and buried herself into the throw pillow, mumbling vaguely, “I don’t think… I have.”

Shi Zhiyu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible hint of danger flashing through them.

“‘You don’t think’?”

“I mean I haven’t. Never have.” Tang Shu hurriedly added with certainty.

“Then… have you ever liked anyone?”

Tang Shu answered without hesitation, “Isn’t the person I like you, Brother?”

“I’m asking about before you met me.”

Tang Shu tilted her head and seriously thought about it before answering with complete sincerity, “Do my parents count? I love them the most.”

Shi Zhiyu was rendered speechless.

After several seconds of silence, the little bit of probing he had been doing vanished completely. With no choice, he gave up.

“Have you eaten dinner?”

The moment he finished speaking, Tang Shu’s empty stomach let out a loud, untimely growl.

In the quiet room, it was especially obvious.

Her cheeks instantly turned hot, and she hurriedly buried half her face behind the pillow in embarrassment.

On the other end of the call, the corners of Shi Zhiyu’s lips curled up uncontrollably.

His little girl was really adorable.

“There are quite a few prepared dishes and instant foods in the fridge. Just heat something up and fill your stomach.”

“If you’re too lazy to cook, just order delivery. Tell the community manager, and they’ll deliver it right to your door.”

Tang Shu obediently replied, “Okay, got it.”

Shi Zhiyu gently reminded her, “Alright, then. Be good and eat properly before going to sleep. I still have some work to deal with here. If you need anything, just message me.”

“Okay, Brother. Bye-bye.”

After hanging up, the room instantly fell silent again.

Tang Shu touched her half-dry hair, then lowered her head and rubbed her completely empty stomach.

She decisively decided to fill her stomach first.

Although the apartment had cleaners come every week, she had never stocked any food there.

With no other choice, she could only make another trip to 1801 across the hall.

Tang Shu slipped on her slippers, opened her door, walked a few steps to the apartment opposite, entered the password, and pushed open the door to 1801.

The moment the door opened, soft, tiny meows immediately drifted out.

There was a hint of uneasiness in the little cries.

Little Shu had only just arrived in this completely unfamiliar environment, so naturally, it was still timid. Even though everything it needed was prepared and the surroundings were clean and comfortable, it still felt nervous and uneasy.

It paced back and forth beside the cat tree, letting out tiny meows as it looked around.

Tang Shu quickly walked over, bent down, and scooped it into her arms. Her fingertips gently stroked its soft fur as she soothed it in a soft voice.

“What’s wrong, little baby? Are you scared because everything is new?”

“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll stay with you.”

“This is your little home from now on. It’s super safe. No one is going to bully you. Be a good little one, okay?”

Her gentle voice slowly calmed Little Shu.

The previously restless orange kitten gradually relaxed, obediently curling up in her arms. It rubbed its head against her palm and slowly narrowed its eyes.

Before long, the little thing had completely relaxed. Its breathing became slow and even, and it peacefully fell asleep in her arms.

Tang Shu gently placed the sleeping Little Shu into its cat bed and tucked the small fleece blanket that had been prepared beside it around the kitten.

Her stomach was growling with hunger, and a faint ache from an empty stomach had begun to spread.

Tang Shu had a somewhat unusual constitution—whenever she got hungry, she was prone to stomach pain and had to replenish her energy in time.

Otherwise, her whole body would become weak and limp.

She turned around and walked into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator.

The fridge was fully stocked, with all the ingredients neatly arranged. Everything looked clean and fresh.

She immediately spotted a packet of frozen dumplings on the upper shelf.

She took them out at once, turned on the stove, boiled some water, and dropped the dumplings into the pot.

While waiting for them to cook, she casually opened the refrigerator again and spotted a large container filled with washed strawberries and grapes.

Tang Shu picked up a few and popped them into her mouth.

The sweet, refreshing fruit instantly eased the discomfort of her empty stomach and slightly relieved her unbearable hunger.

As she continued looking through the fridge, she discovered delicate little desserts and cream cakes.

They were all flavors she usually loved.

Every single one was exactly to her taste.

A warm feeling welled up in Tang Shu’s heart.

It must have been Shi Zhiyu who had specifically asked Auntie Qiao about her preferences and had someone prepare everything in advance, stocking the refrigerator with all her favorite foods.

Tang Shu’s heart softened.

She took out her phone and typed a message.

Shu Shu Has Candy: 【Thank you, Brother, for preparing so many delicious things. You’re so thoughtful~】

God of Wealth: 【Do they all suit your taste? Is there anything you don’t like?】

Shu Shu Has Candy: 【Mm! They’re all my favorite flavors. Did you specifically ask Auntie Qiao?】

God of Wealth: 【Yes.】

Shu Shu Has Candy: 【Then thank Auntie Qiao for me, and thank you too, Brother~】

Just then, the dumplings in the pot began bubbling vigorously, steam rising into the air as they finally finished cooking.

The plump, white dumplings floated on the surface of the water, surrounded by a cloud of steam and an irresistible aroma.

Tang Shu turned off the stove and transferred them to a plate. Then she picked up her phone, took a picture of the steaming dumplings, and sent it to Shi Zhiyu.

Shu Shu Has Candy: 【The dumplings are ready! I’m eating properly~】

After finishing the dumplings, Tang Shu quickly washed all the dishes and utensils.

She left the kitchen spotless and perfectly tidy.

She picked up the washed strawberries and grapes from the coffee table and curled up on the large, soft sofa in the living room.

Originally, she had planned to rest for a little while.

Once Little Shu woke up and became accustomed to the new environment, she would carry the kitten, along with its portable cat bed, back to her own apartment, 1802, across the hall.

But the sofa was simply too soft.

The cloud-like fabric seemed to swallow her up the moment she sank into it, making her reluctant to get up.

The temperature-controlled air conditioner automatically adjusted itself to the most comfortable temperature, driving away all the damp chill of the rainy night.

The warm, cozy atmosphere enveloped her entire body, making her gradually relax.

Tang Shu lazily scrolled through her phone with one hand, her fingertips casually sliding across the screen.

The sleepiness in her eyes slowly grew stronger.

The peaceful environment made her eyelids heavier and heavier, the upper and lower lids repeatedly fighting to stay open.

She didn’t last long.

Clutching the throw pillow, she curled up deep in the sofa, her breathing gradually becoming slow and even as she drifted into a deep sleep.

…

United States.

Top floor of a high-end office building.

A meeting had just ended.

Shi Zhiyu wore a sharply tailored black shirt, the cuffs casually rolled up to reveal his lean, defined wrists.

He raised a hand and gently rubbed his aching brow. A trace of fatigue from a long day of work lingered between his brows, yet he still looked cold, elegant, and composed.

The next second, the office door was pushed open.

Song Yan swaggered in with his usual carefree attitude, looking at the man seated at the desk organizing documents with an aggrieved expression.

“Zhiyu, do you really have to work this hard?”

“Every day, you’re either in class or buried in work at the company. You don’t have a single moment of free time. You’ve practically forgotten you still have a brother, haven’t you? You don’t even hang out with me anymore!”

Shi Zhiyu didn’t even raise his head. His fingers continued flipping through the documents on the desk.

“I’ve completely secured the overseas market. All subsequent procedures, team handovers, and operational plans have already been arranged.”

“Even if I return to China ahead of schedule, the team here can operate independently. They don’t need me to stay and personally oversee everything.”

Song Yan slumped onto the sofa opposite him, his face falling.

“Then there’s no need for you to rush back before July. Wouldn’t it be better to stay a little longer?”

Only then did Shi Zhiyu lift his eyes and give him a calm glance, immediately seeing through his ulterior motive.

“You ask me that every day. You’re just worried you won’t pass your early graduation exams.”

“I’m not!” Song Yan immediately sat upright and stubbornly defended himself.

“I’ve been working super hard lately. I’ve been doing practice questions and memorizing everything I need to. I’ll definitely pass with flying colors. I’m absolutely going to return to China with you!”

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