Chapter 53: Su Jinshi Feels Like There’s Sand in Her Eyes

Su Jinshi: 「I won’t bring anyone. Even if I did have a boyfriend, why should I bring him just because they asked?」

Su Jinshi: 「I’ll just come up with an excuse when the time comes.」

After saying this, Su Jinshi continued to admire the photos she had taken of Shen Shilang.

What a stunning face! Su Jinshi sighed in admiration.

Wait, why am I looking at photos when I have the real Shen Shilang right in front of me? Realising this, Su Jinshi dashed off to poke and tease Shen Shilang in person.

When Saturday arrived, Su Jinshi remembered the last incident when Shen Shilang, unable to find her, thought something had happened and caused a scene at the Wei mansion. This time, while her communication box still worked, she informed Shen Shilang early, “Shen Shilang, tonight at six-thirty…”

She calculated the time. “It’ll be around the Hour of the Rooster^[1]The Rooster is the tenth animal of the twelve zodiac animals. The Rooster guards the hours from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock in the afternoon and the direction due west. I’m going out for dinner with classmates. Since the New Year is approaching, everyone’s heading back to their hometowns, so we’re gathering before they leave.”

“Six-thirty?” Shen Shilang asked. “Is that the time system from your world?”

“Yes,” Su Jinshi nodded and explained, “In our world, we divide the day into 24 hours.”

“One of your hours is equivalent to two of ours,” Su Jinshi clarified the time conversion.

“Then in your… world,” Shen Shilang almost said ‘underworld’ but corrected himself, remembering Su Jinshi’s insistence, “your time system seems more precise.”

“Exactly! We measure time down to minutes and seconds, though we don’t use those as much in daily life,” Su Jinshi added.

“I have a few classmates working in Beijing—that’s our capital,” Su Jinshi said. “They’ll take advantage of the seven-day Spring Festival holiday to go home and spend time with their parents.”

“Where is your home?” Shen Shilang inquired. “Do you also need to return for the New Year?”

“My home is in the capital too, but I don’t live with my parents. I’ll visit them for the holiday.”

Shen Shilang realised how little he actually knew about Su Jinshi. But now, he understood her a bit better.

Su Jinshi’s eyes curved into a smile. “Even during the New Year, I’ll be with you every day.”

“Ahem!” Shen Shilang’s face reddened slightly as he tugged at his suddenly uncomfortable collar. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Oh? So you don’t need my company?” Su Jinshi teased. “Then I’ll visit you once every five or six days?”

Shen Shilang: “…”

“Or maybe I just won’t come at all during the New Year,” Su Jinshi continued playfully. “I really should focus on spending time with my parents and not be on my phone all day.”

Shen Shilang remembered that Su Jinshi used something called a “phone” to communicate with him.

Shen Shilang’s eyelashes lowered, casting a faint shadow over his eyes. “You’re right. You have family, and you should spend time with them. Unlike me…”

He looked through the courtyard wall toward the capital in the distance. “I have no family left.”

“Every New Year, the main residence is warm and lively, but here…” Shen Shilang glanced at his small, snow-covered courtyard. “It’s always just me, quiet and cold.”

“My family is gone,” he gazed at the sky. “No one has spent the New Year with me for many years.”

“Stop, please stop,” Su Jinshi felt like there was sand in her eyes. “I was just teasing you. I’ll spend the New Year with you too, and I can balance time between you and my parents.”

Shen Shilang smiled faintly, his gaze pure and clear. His voice, slightly hoarse, replied, “Okay.”

His eyelashes trembled slightly, and his usually lowered eyes opened a bit wider. In a soft voice, he murmured, “This year, I’ll finally have someone to spend the New Year with.”

Su Jinshi’s eyes truly reddened, and they began to ache.

She quickly grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes, wiping away the tears that had already gathered on her lashes.

Looking at Shen Shilang again, she saw his expression—clearly sad but trying to force a smile so she wouldn’t worry.

Su Jinshi: “…”

For a moment, she wondered if Shen Shilang was purposely trying to make her feel sorry for him.

There was something about his expression that seemed a little too… pitiful.

Shen Shilang smiled softly at Su Jinshi, his expression both expectant and shy. His eyelashes fluttered as he said, “On New Year’s Day, I’ll wear that new dark green outfit.”

Su Jinshi’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she couldn’t help but push further. “Can I watch you change into it?”

Shen Shilang’s face turned bright red. He lowered his head, covering his forehead, unable to look at her. “Haven’t you already seen it once?”

“That doesn’t count. That was sneaking a peek,” Su Jinshi grinned. “I want to watch openly.”

“…” Shen Shilang’s face and ears flushed red for a long time before he finally muttered, “That depends on whether you get up early enough.”

Su Jinshi was momentarily stunned, then realised—was this Shen Shilang’s way of giving tacit permission?

Though he wouldn’t change in front of her on purpose, if she got up early enough, he wouldn’t stop her from watching either.

Su Jinshi couldn’t resist poking his abs.

This man was becoming more and more subtle in his flirtation.

Shen Shilang flinched and quickly covered his abs. “We’re outside.”

“There’s no one else in the courtyard,” Su Jinshi smiled mischievously.

Shen Shilang shook his head helplessly. He could never refuse Su Jinshi.

“How long will your dinner last?” The concept of a gathering was new to Shen Shilang.

“I’ll try to come back early. If I have time, I’ll sneak out for a bit,” Su Jinshi said.

“Just enjoy yourself,” Shen Shilang shook his head. “Don’t make it seem like I’m so clingy.”

Su Jinshi laughed, “So, you finally believe I’m not a ghost?”

“Though I can’t imagine what those things you talked about look like,” Shen Shilang smiled warmly, “I believe everything you say.”

Su Jinshi let out a deep sigh.

Oh no!

What should she do?

She was falling deeper in love with Shen Shilang.

Even through a phone, she couldn’t treat him as just a program.

To her, he felt very real—like someone truly alive.

The more time she spent with Shen Shilang, the less she could tolerate the men in her real life.

How could anyone be as wonderful as Shen Shilang?

When it was time to leave, Su Jinshi couldn’t delay any longer.

She quickly tidied up, skipped makeup, and headed out with a bare face.

Su Jinshi arrived at the restaurant’s private room right on time, but the others were even earlier.

Everyone had brought their significant others, except for Xiaomai and Mo Jizong