Chapter 63

“She told me not to scold you. She said we should treat you like a treasure.”

Shi Hezhuan laughed out loud when he said this.

“Chengyu, I haven’t said this to you before, but your mother and I will always be your backing. If anything happens, come back to us. You’ll never be wrong. Your parents will always be there to help you.”

Shi Chengyu’s eyes welled up. He said hoarsely, “Dad, I understand.”

“Okay, go back and rest. Go to the hospital tomorrow to check the wound on your chest.” Shi Hezhuan stood up and stretched out his arm to him. “What are you standing there for? Tangtang told me.”

Shi Chengyu took his arm. “Dad, I’ll help you back.”

“Okay, you’ve all grown up. You’re all good kids. Don’t hold a grudge against Sichen. Talk to him properly later.”

“I understand, Dad.”

*

Shen Chutang’s birthday was in August. When Grandpa Shen sent another set of dowry on that day, everyone suddenly realized.

Shen Sichen silently gave the box a thumbs up. “Wow, no wonder Grandpa was a scout when he was young.”

“Chengyu has only been to Wuhua Mountain once.”

He looked at Shi Chengyu and asked, “Chengyu, did Grandpa torture you with interrogation?”

“No, Grandpa just asked me a few questions.”

Shen Chutang’s leg hadn’t healed yet. She was sitting in a wheelchair, restless, controlling the wheelchair and turning in circles in the living room. Shi Chengyu followed closely behind her.

“You little rascal, you’re really hiding it deep.”

“I remember now. No wonder Grandpa asked me how old Brother Chengyu was when I went to Grandpa’s house last time. So that’s what he meant.” Shen Sujing said, as if waking up from a dream.

Shen Gengli looked at the two of them, like two fools, and said unceremoniously, “You two, don’t say you’re from the Shen family when you go out. You’re so stupid!”

Shen Sichen smiled. “Yes, it’s probably genetic.”

Before Shen Gengli could get angry, Shen Chutang had already started laughing. Shen Sichen said, “There’s an even stupider one over there.”

Shen Chutang’s laughter stopped abruptly. “Dad~ Second brother is scolding me!”

She controlled the wheelchair and was about to kick Shen Sichen, but Shi Chengyu immediately picked her up. “Your leg hasn’t healed yet. Don’t fall again.”

Shen Sichen pushed her wheelchair away. “You’re getting hurt but not learning your lesson. Who was the one who fell out of the wheelchair last time?”

“That was because I tripped over something. It’s not my fault.”

Shen Chutang pouted, leaning on Shi Chengyu’s shoulder. “You’re bad. You’re in cahoots with second brother.”

“No, I’m afraid you’ll fall.” Shi Chengyu put her on the sofa.

Shen Chutang fell out of the wheelchair last time and got a big bump on her forehead. Chen Musheng thought she was unlucky this year. She got sick and injured. She even went to Xiangshan Temple to pray for a protective amulet for her, telling her to wear it close to her body.

“Tangtang!”

Uncle Wen led Xie Tong in. After greeting the people in the living room, she ran towards the sofa.

Xie Tong had been traveling abroad for a while. She went to many countries that Shen Chutang had never heard of. She rushed back on Shen Chutang’s birthday.

“Xie Tong?!”

Shen Chutang was a little surprised because no one told her Xie Tong was coming. She had just been sending her photos from abroad yesterday.

“Did Tangtang miss me?” Xie Tong rushed over and hugged her. “I almost died missing you.”

Shen Chutang said, “Miss me? I saw you having fun abroad.”

“Oh well, I was having fun, but I still missed you. I came over as soon as I got off the plane.”

Shen Chutang pushed her head away from her. “Okay, okay, I get it.”

Xie Tong moved her head away and asked, “Your leg hasn’t healed yet? When will it be healed? Will you be able to go to school when it starts?”

“It’s almost healed, but I still can’t run or stand for long periods of time.” Shen Chutang said, looking at her leg.

“It’s okay then. I’ll carry you upstairs.” Xie Tong touched the plaster on her leg. “I can still carry one you.”

Shen Chutang smiled. “Okay, then you’ll have to work hard.”

“By the way, aren’t you turning eighteen this year? Are you not having a coming-of-age ceremony?” Xie Tong asked her again. She thought it was because of her leg injury that she wasn’t having one.

Unexpectedly, Shen Chutang’s mouth drooped, her voice was mournful. “Second brother said to wait until I graduate. He’s going to have a coming-of-age ceremony and a graduation party together to save money.”

Xie Tong burst out laughing. “He’s short of money?”

Who would believe that? If the Shen family was short of money, then she would be poor. Everyone knew who they were trying to protect.

So, this year was the same as every year. They only held a small dinner party at home. The only difference was that Shi Chengyu’s parents were also there.

Dinner was filled with joy. Xie Tong left after dinner, in a hurry, as if she was running away. Shen Chutang was baffled.

Shi Chengyu hugged her back to the room. There were two boxes on the balcony table. Shen Chutang looked curiously.

She asked, “What are those?”

“What else could it be? Hmm?” Shi Chengyu put her on the sofa. “One is from my mom, and one is from me.”

Shen Chutang was used to him giving her several gifts. She smiled at him and waited for him to open them.

Shi Chengyu’s hands trembled a little. He first opened the wooden box Xue Wanqiu gave him and showed it to Shen Chutang. “This is from Grandma to Mom. Mom asked me to give it to you.”

Shen Chutang couldn’t see clearly. She only saw a green ring. Shi Chengyu closed the lid and put it back.

The other box was bigger. Shi Chengyu moved the box forward, then slowly opened it.

A diamond crown appeared before Shen Chutang’s eyes. The moonlight and the lights shone on it together, and the diamonds on it emitted a dazzling light.

“This…”

Shi Chengyu picked up the crown, knelt on one knee, and carefully placed it on Shen Chutang’s head. He then tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Tangtang.”

He called her softly, his voice almost reverent. “Thank you for coming into my life.”

“Thank you for being willing to give me another identity to accompany you. I’m honored. But it’s not time yet. Tangtang has more important things to do now. I also know that I don’t do many things as well as you. Tangtang, don’t dislike me. Teach me more. I will learn. So, Tangtang, don’t be sad. Give me some time. I’ll wait for you to grow up.”

Because there was hope, waiting became a sweet thing.

Everyone thought that Shen Chutang was younger than him, and he had to teach her many things. But that wasn’t true. He was too stubborn many times. He was just taking care of Shen Chutang. In terms of love, he wasn’t as good as Shen Chutang.

Shi Chengyu spoke seriously. He had prepared many words, but now he could only speak them in a fragmented way.

Shen Chutang smiled brightly and stretched out her hand to him. “Brother Chengyu, I have a lot to learn too. Please teach me more, boyfriend.”

She insisted on calling him that, raising her head slightly, arrogant and stubborn.

Shi Chengyu chuckled. The girl sat on the sofa, wearing a crown. The man in front of her knelt on one knee, smiling brightly. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. He said, “Please teach me more, my princess.”