Chapter 36

The call ended, and Shen Chutang threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the blanket. Tangled emotions trapped her, leaving her confused and helpless.

Xie Tong knocked on her door, then quickly ran in and climbed onto the bed beside her. “What’s wrong, Tangtang?”

Shen Chutang let out a long sigh. “Xie Tong—do you think he doesn’t like me?”

She was a little aggrieved, her eyes as clear as if they had been washed with water.

“What should I do if he doesn’t like me?”

“Tangtang, how could he not like you?” Xie Tong asked her, then rolled over and lay on the bed, looking at the luxurious crystal chandelier on the ceiling. “We haven’t even arrived yet, and the driver is already waiting at the airport. The hotel is also booked.”

“What’s so special about that?” It had always been like this since she was little. It wasn’t anything special in her eyes. “Besides, my brother would do that too.”

“Tangtang, your brother does that because you’re family. But Shi Chengyu is different. There’s no relationship that binds you two together. He doesn’t have a reason to be so good to you.”

“You’ve grown up together since you were little. So many years have passed, and many things seem normal to you. You’ve maintained a fixed relationship for too long.”

Perhaps, neither of them realized that some feelings were growing wildly in the shadows.

Xie Tong spoke one sentence at a time, like a guide pointing the way. “So, Tangtang, this trip is a good opportunity. You’re separated for a while, and you both give each other some space to think. Some things, you’ll figure it out when you get there.”

Shen Chutang suddenly laughed. “Tongtong, you’re pretty serious when you’re serious.”

Xie Tong’s lips almost reached her ears. “Of course. I’m smart.”

“Yes, Xie Tong is very smart.” Shen Chutang agreed with her. The two of them lay together, their heads touching.

Shen Chutang vaguely understood what it felt like to like someone. Those unspoken feelings made her heart race sometimes and overflow with sadness at other times.

This heart had been beating in her body for seventeen years. It had gained a more vibrant life force because of someone else. She realized that her heartbeat could be so powerful and deafening.

They stayed in Switzerland for three days. They walked around the old town of Lausanne and celebrated Shen Chutang’s birthday at a pastry shop on the side of the road. It was just the two of them, a small cake, and a candle. She blew out the candle but didn’t make a wish. They also went to see the Rhine Falls. Shen Chutang took many photos, but she always felt like something was missing.

On the fourth day, they arrived in Iceland. They had to switch from short sleeves to down jackets. They even breathed out white puffs of air when they spoke.

Perhaps they were lucky. The night they arrived in Iceland, they saw the aurora. The night sky was full of twinkling stars, and emerald green, azure blue, and pale pink ribbons of light danced in the darkness, as soft and flowing as silk. They rose and fell in the night sky, changing into endless colors and shapes.

Shen Chutang was amazed by the sight. The stars and the magnificent aurora were reflected in her eyes. She suddenly turned her head. “Cheng…”

Before she finished speaking, she snapped out of it. Shi Chengyu wasn’t by her side.

Xie Tong happened to be taking a Polaroid photo of her turning her head. She poked her head out from behind and asked, “What’s wrong, Tangtang?”

Her boots crunched on the snow. Shen Chutang lowered her head and stared at the snow on the ground. “I miss him.”

“Xie Tong, I miss him a little.”

Shen Chutang’s nose felt sour. She subconsciously felt that he should be by her side when she saw all the beautiful things. Her thoughts were drawn back to the snowy day during the New Year. It had been snowing heavily that day, but she hadn’t felt cold at all.

But now, the cold wind was blowing on her face, and it hurt a little. She felt like she wanted to cry.

The same snowy day, but different feelings.

She hadn’t heard Xie Tong’s voice for a long time. Shen Chutang looked up, but there was no one there. She turned around and was instantly stunned.

The person she had been thinking about just a second ago was now standing in front of her. The changing aurora behind him became a backdrop, dreamy and unreal. Shi Chengyu smiled slightly. When he saw Shen Chutang turn around, he took his hand out of his pocket and reached for her, saying, “Tangtang, I’m a little impatient.”

Shi Chengyu was even more surprised than her. He had been waiting anxiously. There was no laughter and no sign of her at home. She left too suddenly, without leaving him a word. Only Yu Le remained, on his bedside table, but it no longer calmed him enough to fall asleep.

Shen Chutang’s eyes instantly turned red. She walked towards him and took his hand. Through the gloves, Shi Chengyu held her hand and stuffed it into his pocket.

She cried silently, but not because she was sad. She just felt happy and content.

Not far behind, Xie Tong and Lin Shulang stood together, watching the two of them.

Lin Shulang let out a long sigh. A huge weight had been lifted from his heart. Since Miss Shen left, Mr. Shi hadn’t slept well.

It was okay for the first few days. He could lie in bed at night, even if he couldn’t sleep, he would close his eyes and rest for a while. At worst, he would go to Miss Shen’s room and sit on the sofa to rest for a while.

Later, he couldn’t bear it anymore. He bought medicine for him, but relying on medication couldn’t make him fall asleep. There was no other way, so he secretly found out their itinerary and sent him over.

Lin Shulang asked, “Miss Xie, did Miss Shen say when she’s coming back?”

Xie Tong was intently watching the Polaroid photos developing in her hand. “How would I know? She’ll come back when she wants to.”

“But, looking at it now, it should be soon.” Xie Tong was satisfied with her work. She looked up at the two people in front of her and picked up the Polaroid, pressing the shutter.

Lin Shulang looked at the photos in her hand and suddenly asked, “Miss Xie, would you sell the two photos you just took?”

“What?” Xie Tong asked.

Lin Shulang immediately said, “Ten million.”

“Ten million for two photos?!”

Lin Shulang hesitated. “Ten million for each photo is also fine.”

Xie Tong was first shocked, then she looked at him like he was an idiot. This was the epitome of being rich and stupid.

“Are you crazy?”

Lin Shulang smiled and shook his head. He just thought that Shi Chengyu would be very happy if he saw these two photos.

Xie Tong eventually gave him the photos. Ten million for two photos. He got one for free, and he also got some of the ones she took in Switzerland.

Shen Chutang didn’t know that Xie Tong had made a fortune from those photos. The tears on her face had dried up, and her cheeks were a little sore from the wind.

“Tangtang, do you want to go back?” Shi Chengyu subconsciously tightened his grip on her hand as she tried to pull away. She turned to look at him.

“Hmm, my face hurts a little.” Shen Chutang replied in a muffled voice, wiping the corner of her eye with her other hand.

“Did you cry?” Shi Chengyu took his hand out of his pocket. “Tangtang, why are you crying again?”

Shi Chengyu’s warm hand wiped her face. He said softly, “I’m sorry, Tangtang. I made you cry again.”

Shen Chutang shook her head. “I’m happy, Brother Chengyu.”

Shi Chengyu was slightly stunned, then he chuckled softly. “You cry when you’re happy?”