Chapter 50

Cheng Li lay on her bed, unsurprised when Meng Yuange called her back. In a deliberately languid tone, she teased, “Do you really want to know?”

“Cheng Li, don’t make me fly back to Shanghai right now and strangle you,” Meng Yuange said through gritted teeth.

Cheng Li wasn’t someone who often pushed her luck—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t.

Hearing Meng Yuange’s threat, she wasn’t intimidated at all. Instead, she replied lightly, “That’s not going to happen. My husband wouldn’t let you; he likes me too much.”

Meng Yuange: “…”

She suddenly questioned her own intelligence. Why had she bothered calling back?

She had seen single people, sure, but never a single person voluntarily walking into a trap to get verbally slaughtered.

Thankfully, Cheng Li didn’t drag it out. In a soft voice, she explained, “That video circulating online today—my cousin on my aunt’s side showed it to my grandmother. So, my parents and I were all summoned. I wasn’t at the office, and they couldn’t reach me by phone. By the time I got home, he was already waiting at my door.”

Meng Yuange scoffed. “Oh? And who’s he?”

Cheng Li wasn’t the boastful type. She kept things subtle, not even mentioning Rong Qi’s name directly. Just saying it felt like a heatwave washing over her chest.

But when prompted, Cheng Li chuckled, dismissing her shy awkwardness, and finally said, “It’s Rong Qi.”

Meng Yuange wasn’t about to let her off easy, deliberately mimicking a playful tone. “Oh, Rong Qi confessed to me! Wow, Cheng Li, weren’t you just full of boldness earlier?”

Cheng Li couldn’t help laughing at the exaggerated imitation. “Did I really sound that nauseating?”

“A hundred times worse,” Meng Yuange retorted mercilessly.

Lying sprawled on her bed with her phone, Cheng Li suddenly asked, “Yuange, why don’t you date someone? It’s so much fun being in love.”

Meng Yuange almost choked on her breath, her molars practically grinding to dust. “Cheng Li, do you even hear yourself? Besides, when I was in relationships, you were stuck in labs surrounded by experimental equipment!”

To be fair, Meng Yuange wasn’t bragging. She was different from Cheng Li.

The moment Meng Yuange stepped into university, it was like a dragon diving into the sea—her realm, her rules.

The gender ratio in the journalism department wasn’t bad, but she didn’t limit herself to her own department. Her student council activities gave her access to plenty of options, from athletic majors to finance whizzes.

Though, admittedly, she had been single for the past six months.

“Work is such a drag. Thinking about it now, my once-busy fishpond is practically empty,” Meng Yuange sighed.

But she quickly shifted the conversation. “Did you ever ask him when he started liking you?”

Cheng Li paused for a moment before responding, “Probably around the same time as me. Either after we got married or when we started living together. I mean, spending so much time together, sparks are bound to fly.”

“Talk properly,” Meng Yuange reminded her.

Cheng Li, confused, asked, “Am I not speaking properly?”

Meng Yuange: “Do you need me to remind you what you used to be like?”

Cheng Li had been in a relationship before, so comparisons came naturally. Ignoring Xu Jiheng’s infidelity at the end, their time together had seemed warm and stable.

Meng Yuange once thought Cheng Li’s late start in romance had caused her to skip the giddy, fluttery phase of first love, jumping straight into mature, adult relationships—stable but lacking in passion.

But now, Cheng Li was holding her phone, practically giddy with excitement, unabashedly showing off.

Like a girl who had suddenly fallen head over heels for someone.

Her unrestrained affection was almost tangible.

Both fell silent for a moment until Meng Yuange finally asked, “Do you like him that much?”

“Mm,” Cheng Li admitted without hesitation.

Meng Yuange pressed, “Alright, but do you really, truly like Rong Qi?”

“I just told you I do,” Cheng Li said, startled by the sudden repetition.

Meng Yuange pushed further, “Answer me directly. If you don’t, I’ll assume you’re not that into him.”

Relaxed in the safety of their friendship, Cheng Li nodded. “I really like Rong Qi.”

“And do you really, really, really like Rong Qi?” Meng Yuange pressed again.

Cheng Li chuckled, slightly exasperated by her persistence, but still answered earnestly, “Yes, I really, really, really like Rong Qi.”

Just as the words left her mouth, her bedroom door opened.

Her confession floated right into the ears of the man standing at the doorway.

Cheng Li froze, staring at him. After a long pause, she stammered, “W-why are you here?”

He had said he’d be busy for at least another hour or two. Why was he suddenly here?

If she had known, she wouldn’t have…

From her phone, Meng Yuange’s mischievous voice chimed in, “No need to thank me.”

Then came the beeping sound of a call disconnecting.

No need to thank her for what??

Completely baffled, Cheng Li hadn’t yet realized that Meng Yuange had sold her out.

Three or four minutes earlier…

While on the call with Cheng Li, Meng Yuange had sent Rong Qi a WeChat message.

[Is Cheng Li home? I’ve been calling, but she’s not picking up.]

About a minute later, Rong Qi replied: [She’s probably in her room. I’ll remind her for you.]

Meng Yuange: [Thanks!]

While chatting with Cheng Li, she had lured Rong Qi over, ensuring he would hear what she had just heard.

After all, why should she be the only one to bask in such a flood of love?

Now, Rong Qi approached the bed. His gaze was calm, but there was an unmistakable warmth in his eyes. Cheng Li was still clueless that Meng Yuange had set her up.

He walked to her bedside, leaned down, and took the phone from her hands.

“Words like that,” Rong Qi said, kneeling on one knee beside her, his face inching closer. The crisp, clean scent of cedarwood enveloped her, his lips hovering near hers. “Shouldn’t they be said directly to the person they’re meant for?”

What the heck.

Embarrassing things like that could only be said freely to a best friend!

Cheng Li lightly sniffed and pondered inwardly.

Rong Qi, as if reading her mind, raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled faintly. “Can’t say it to my face?”

“It’s just a little…” Cheng Li spoke slowly, trying to come up with an excuse for herself.

After all, she wasn’t the thick-skinned type. Some words required just the right atmosphere to say them.

For instance, earlier, while boasting to Meng Yuange, she didn’t hold back at all.

But now, facing Rong Qi, some things didn’t come as easily.

Humans truly are complicated carbon-based creatures.

Cheng Li’s train of thought made her response falter. While she was still figuring out how to reply, everything suddenly went dark—Rong Qi had covered her eyes with his palm, cutting off all light.

“If not face-to-face, does this make it easier to say?” Rong Qi asked, drawing out his words slightly, as if offering her an ingenious solution.

Cheng Li almost applauded him.

He was truly too clever.

Wasn’t this just a modern version of “covering your ears while stealing a bell”?

But after saying that, Rong Qi remained silent, and the room fell into stillness.

When one sense is deprived, the others tend to become more sensitive. Although her vision was blocked, Cheng Li could keenly feel his gaze on her.

His breathing was so close.

Neither of them spoke, as if both were waiting for something.

And somehow, the darkness gave Cheng Li courage.

Because liking someone didn’t need to be hidden.

“I really, really, really like Rong Qi.”

Her clear and soft voice broke the silence.

The last syllable had barely landed before Cheng Li felt a warm softness on her lips. Rong Qi’s tongue quickly slipped in, overtaken by a long-suppressed desire. His restraint shattered, transforming into an overwhelming flood of yearning to claim her completely.

He didn’t want to wait any longer.

Pinned against the bed, Cheng Li felt his hand move away from her eyes, but she kept them closed, passively receiving his kiss.

The room was utterly silent, save for their breathing and the faint but utterly suggestive sounds of kissing. Cheng Li didn’t understand why the sound of kissing could be so loud.

But louder than the sound of their kisses were their erratic breaths.

The atmosphere burned like a growing fire, the intensity rising with the deepening kiss. In the cold of winter, the heat between them made everything feel stiflingly warm.

This time, Rong Qi wasn’t content with just her lips. His hand traced her earlobe, then moved downward along her jawline, collarbone, and waist until his fingers brushed against the warm skin at her waist.

Cheng Li’s body tensed instinctively.

It was a reaction of pure sensitivity.

Though Rong Qi’s hands weren’t cold, the contrast with her body’s temperature still created a jolt of stimulation. Yet it wasn’t just the temperature—it was as if his fingers carried an electric charge. Even a light touch against her skin sent shivers down her spine.

But soon, Cheng Li realized something was off.

Previously, their kisses had never escalated to this level. Rong Qi had always kept his hands to himself, content with stroking her hair or pinching her ear.

Cheng Li might not have much experience with intimate relationships, but she knew this wasn’t typical. Most men wouldn’t maintain such remarkable self-control in moments of passion.

Sometimes, even Cheng Li secretly marveled, wondering how someone so restrained could manage to build a successful business empire at such a young age.

But now, this same man seemed to have thrown all restraint to the wind. The aura of self-discipline he exuded had completely vanished.

Cheng Li let out a soft sigh.

Her sigh brought Rong Qi’s reason back just a fraction. He looked down at her and asked in a low, husky voice, “You’re not willing?”

“Uh…” Cheng Li hesitated, feeling awkward but worried about a misunderstanding. She finally whispered, “My period just started.”

“…”

Rong Qi leaned down and bit gently at the soft skin of her neck.

It didn’t hurt, but the sensation of his teeth grazing her neck felt oddly sensual, like the seductive pull of a vampire in the dead of night.

After a moment, his muffled voice came from her neck. “You planned this, didn’t you?”

Cheng Li felt wronged. “I didn’t!”

She genuinely thought this was unfair. Who could have guessed he’d confess his feelings today, let alone plan to break past the usual boundaries? Slowly, she said, “Well, I’ve known it longer than I’ve known you. It came first, after all.”

Her reasoning made Rong Qi chuckle softly, his laughter vibrating against her neck.

His laughter tickled her skin, leaving her feeling itchy and restless.

“You really know how to kill the mood,” Rong Qi said, torn between amusement and exasperation.

“It tickles,” Cheng Li protested, trying to push him away.

Finally, Rong Qi propped himself up on one arm, resting his head on his hand as he lay on his side to gaze at her. Cheng Li, lying under the covers, looked ethereal under the warm light, her porcelain skin glowing softly, as if kissed by a filter. She was breathtaking.

Rong Qi stared unabashedly, making Cheng Li self-conscious.

“Don’t stare,” she muttered, covering her face with her hands. After everything that had just happened, his gaze made her feel awkward.

But Rong Qi pushed her hands aside, chuckling softly. “With a face this beautiful, why be afraid of being looked at?”

Cheng Li noticed how everything he said today seemed tailor-made to melt her heart.

“If I’m this beautiful, are you this handsome for others to look at too?” Cheng Li asked, deliberately challenging him.

Rong Qi didn’t fall for it. In a slow, deliberate tone, he smirked and replied, “Of course not.”

Cheng Li laughed. So, he had a double standard.

“I only want you to see me.”

Those words felt like a spring coiling tightly around Cheng Li’s heart, launching her into the clouds with a burst of elation.

So this is how beautiful sweet words can sound.

*

By December, Shanghai had adopted a languid rhythm.

The sycamore trees lining the streets, lush and full in summer, now stood bare, their stark branches carrying the chill of late autumn. By five o’clock, the daylight dimmed, and the glow of city lights began to illuminate the streets.

“All right, that’s enough. Let’s go!” Cheng Dingbo, usually the last to get ready, was now the one urging them to hurry.

Ling Shuanghua emerged from the bathroom, holding her bag. “Where’s Cheng Li?”

Just then, Cheng Li came out of her room, saying, “I’m ready. The driver’s already downstairs.”

“Why bother calling a driver? Your dad could’ve just driven us,” Ling Shuanghua said, both amused and mildly scolding.

Cheng Li shot her a knowing look. “Oh, please. Have you seen yourself smiling like this? The corners of your mouth are practically touching your ears.”

The three of them went downstairs together.

The car was waiting at the entrance.

The driver quickly got out when he saw them, opening the rear door. Cheng Li motioned for her parents to take the back seat, then chose to sit up front rather than squeezing in with them.

To accommodate both families and grandparents, Rong Qi had chosen a Chinese restaurant near the Bund. It was quiet and elegant despite being in the bustling city center.

From the lobby to the private dining room, the ambiance was serene and refined.

A server escorted the family to the room Rong Qi had reserved. When they entered, Rong Qi was already standing to greet them.

“You should’ve told me you were arriving. I could’ve come to meet you downstairs,” Rong Qi said softly to Cheng Li.

Ling Shuanghua replied instead, “No need for such formality.”

At this point, Rong Qi’s grandparents, who had been seated, stood up to greet them. Grandma Xiang smiled warmly at Ling Shuanghua. “Ms. Ling, please forgive us for not visiting you earlier. That was our lack of courtesy.”

“Oh, no, no! You’re the elders here,” Ling Shuanghua said, quickly stepping forward to help Grandma Xiang sit back down. “Please, have a seat.”

After a round of polite exchanges, everyone finally settled in.

Grandma Xiang, who had always been the head of her family, turned to Ling Shuanghua with a smile. “When they told us they were getting married, I imagine you were as surprised as I was.”

“Exactly,” Ling Shuanghua chuckled.

Grandma Xiang sighed lightly and said, “Rong Qi has done well for himself now, but he’s had a tough life. He lost his mother so young. For such a big occasion as a wedding, someone should have been there to take care of things for him. But it’s just us two old folks who’ve been of little use.”

“Oh, don’t say that. You’ve raised Rong Qi into such an outstanding man, which is more than enough,” Ling Shuanghua reassured her. She had learned about Rong Qi’s family situation before and had already let go of her initial reservations.

Raising a grandson into such an accomplished person was no small feat. It wasn’t surprising that the younger generation, inexperienced in these matters, had delayed introducing the families until now.

“Grandma, today’s a happy occasion. Let’s not dwell on that,” Rong Qi said softly, patting her hand. He leaned closer to her ear and spoke in a comforting tone.

The gentleness with which he reassured his grandmother only added to Ling Shuanghua’s approval of him.

Grandma Xiang quickly pushed away her momentary melancholy, smiling brightly. “You’re right. Today is a happy day. Let’s focus on happy things.”

The conversation turned lively.

Though Grandma Xiang had known Ling Shuanghua primarily because of Cheng Li’s frequent visits for her beloved fried snacks, their connection was about to deepen. When she learned that Ling Shuanghua was originally from Wuxi, Grandma Xiang exclaimed in surprise, “What a coincidence! That’s my hometown too.”

And just like that, they became old friends from the same place.

Grandma Xiang shared stories of how they’d moved to Shanghai long ago but had returned to Wuxi for a few years when Rong Qi was in college because of Shanghai’s high living costs. It wasn’t until Rong Qi’s career flourished that he brought them back to the city.

The meal was a resounding success, with everyone leaving the table in high spirits.

Cheng Li, however, felt like she’d stumbled into a mutual admiration society.

On one side, her mother showered Rong Qi with praise; on the other, Grandma Xiang lauded Cheng Li as if she were a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Though not a man of many words, Rong Qi was attentive. He refilled everyone’s tea throughout the meal, transforming from the esteemed CEO into the evening’s server.

At some point, the conversation naturally shifted to the wedding. Grandma Xiang smiled brightly and suggested, “I think spring would be the perfect time. The weather will be warm, and the wedding dress will look lovely.”

“I had the same thought,” Ling Shuanghua agreed enthusiastically.

Cheng Li instinctively looked at Rong Qi.

With a barely perceptible sigh, Rong Qi took the lead in addressing the suggestion. “Spring might be a bit rushed. If we’re booking a designer for a custom-made wedding dress, the process could take at least six months.”

He looked at Cheng Li, his gaze sincere. “We rushed into registering our marriage, so for the wedding, I don’t want to rush again and leave Cheng Li with any regrets.”

The thoughtful remark earned unanimous nods of approval from both families.

Brilliant move!

Cheng Li hid a smile, inwardly giving him a standing ovation.

Later, Cheng Li excused herself to use the restroom. Shortly after, Rong Qi followed with his own excuse.

When Cheng Li exited the restroom, she found him leaning casually against the wall, clearly waiting for her.

“Rong Qi, you sure know how to talk,” Cheng Li teased with a small laugh.

Rong Qi smiled back. “No reward for that?”

Was he addicted to rewards now?

Suppressing her laughter, Cheng Li replied lightly, “Rewards should be given sparingly. Otherwise, they lose their impact.”

“Had I known, I would’ve said spring was perfect,” Rong Qi muttered, arms crossed, a hint of playful dissatisfaction in his tone.

This time, Cheng Li couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“You’re something else,” she said, stepping closer and rising onto her tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on his lips. “Such a petty man.”

When she had just kissed him, she saw Rong Qi suddenly stand up straight and respectfully call out, “Uncle.”

“Stop joking,” Cheng Li thought he was trying to scare her on purpose.

But when she turned her head, she saw Cheng Dingbo standing behind her, looking at her with a particularly complex expression.

Wait a second.

It seemed like… she had been the one to initiate this time too.

Cheng Li quickly stepped back two paces, stiffly saying, “Dad, you’re here to use the restroom too?”

“Mm.” Cheng Dingbo, with an expressionless face, walked past the two of them and entered the men’s restroom.

The moment he went in, Cheng Li turned and started pounding Rong Qi’s chest, lowering her voice, “Look! This is all your fault!”

“Alright, it’s my fault,” Rong Qi admitted, reaching out to pull her into an embrace.

But as soon as his fingers touched her, Cheng Li recoiled like she’d been shocked. “From now on, we need to keep some distance between us.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and fled.

Fortunately, by the time Cheng Dingbo returned, his expression had returned to normal.

Because the meal involved constant chatting, it lasted until well past nine o’clock, nearly three hours in total.

On the way home, Rong Qi arranged for the driver to drop his grandparents off first before personally escorting Cheng Li and her parents.

The ride back was quiet, with her parents seemingly having said all they wanted to at the dinner table.

When they reached the entrance of the apartment building, Rong Qi parked the car and got out.

After helping them unload the car, he opened the trunk, revealing boxes of various sizes.

As he started unloading, Ling Shuanghua glanced at the sight and exclaimed, “Why did you buy so many things?”

“My grandmother insisted—it’s part of etiquette for a first meeting,” Rong Qi said as he handed over the items, tactfully pinning the gesture on his grandmother. Ling Shuanghua couldn’t bring herself to protest further.

Cheng Li helped carry the boxes upstairs. There were so many, it took several trips.

Once inside, Rong Qi sat down for a moment before standing up to leave.

“Stay here tonight and keep Uncle and Auntie company. I’ll go stay with my grandmother,” Rong Qi said softly.

It was a considerate suggestion, and Cheng Li didn’t object, responding in a low voice, “Let me know when you’ve arrived.”

After he left, Ling Shuanghua sat on the sofa, looking at the table piled high with gifts. She sighed and said, “Becoming a mother-in-law comes with unexpected perks.”

“Then hurry up and see what your good son-in-law has gifted you,” Cheng Dingbo teased.

With her chin slightly raised, Ling Shuanghua replied, “No matter what he bought, it’s the thought that counts. I’m not one to be picky.”

Before she could say more, Cheng Li had already begun opening the boxes.

One particularly eye-catching orange box caught her attention. When she opened it and saw the crocodile leather handbag inside, Cheng Li paused for a moment before turning to her mother and earnestly saying, “Ms. Ling, you’ve truly hit the jackpot this time.”

“This bag must be expensive,” Ling Shuanghua, who was an English teacher, wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with luxury brands. Even though she didn’t recognize the box, the letters on it were clear.

“If it’s too costly, ask Rong Qi to take it back. We can’t accept something so extravagant,” Ling Shuanghua quickly said. Though aware of Rong Qi’s wealth, she had her principles and didn’t want to accept overly lavish gifts.

Cheng Li said leisurely, “Take it back? That would only benefit me.”

Her words left Ling Shuanghua momentarily stunned.

“This bag is already purchased. Returns are unlikely. If you don’t want it, the only person he’d give it to is me.”

Realizing this, Ling Shuanghua immediately reached out and took the bag from Cheng Li with a composed smile. “Then I suppose it’s better I keep it. This bag isn’t suitable for you young people anyway.”

She thought the bag was already extravagant, but when Cheng Li saw the jade bracelet in another box, she quickly grabbed it, holding on tightly as if it might fall.

“This one must be very expensive too,” Ling Shuanghua remarked, her eyes on the vivid green jade bracelet.

Cheng Li replied truthfully, “I wouldn’t know.”

For her father, the gifts included high-end liquors and premium teas—every item was undeniably valuable.

At her parents’ urging, Cheng Li retreated to her room to call Rong Qi.

After a while, he finally answered, explaining, “I was in the shower just now.”

“Mm.” Cheng Li sat on the edge of her bed, thinking for a moment before saying, “The gifts you gave my parents must’ve been quite expensive, especially the jade bracelet. My mom’s so anxious she doesn’t even know where to hide it. I think she’s planning to rent a safety deposit box.”

Rong Qi chuckled. “It’s fine. Tell Ms. Ling to wear it without worry.”

Cheng Li lay back on her bed. “I don’t think she’ll be able to relax. She’s probably already searching for a rental safe.”

Rong Qi suddenly laughed. “Alright then, I’ll buy a safe and send it over tomorrow.”

She hadn’t expected that response.

After a brief silence, Cheng Li softly said, “What I mean is, you really don’t need to buy such expensive things. My parents are ordinary working-class people. Gifts like these might make them feel uneasy.”

There was a long silence on the other end, making Cheng Li wonder if she had spoken too bluntly.

After all, his intention was to show kindness to her parents.

“I’m giving these because I’m grateful to them.”

Suddenly, his deep voice resonated from the other end of the line.

The weight of those words stirred something in Cheng Li’s chest, a wave of emotion rising unexpectedly.

“They brought a girl named Cheng Li into this world.”

For the first time, Cheng Li felt tears prick the corners of her eyes.

After a long pause, she whispered, “Rong Qi, you’re doomed.”

“If you’ve already used up such words now, what will you say at the wedding?”

Rong Qi: “…”