Shen Shu didn’t take her to a fancy hotel or drive her in a car. He simply led her down the tree-lined path outside the neighborhood.

Later, they stopped in front of a noodle shop.

Yu Xi stared at the small, unremarkable restaurant, looking stunned for a moment before following him inside.

The shop didn’t look much from the outside, and it wasn’t any better inside. While it seemed relatively clean, the place was small. The advantage was that it wasn’t crowded, so there was no need to wait in line.

Yu Xi looked at Shen Shu with a somewhat odd expression.

Shen Shu appeared completely unfazed, as if he didn’t mind the simple setting at all. He politely ordered the dishes and told the owner, “Please bring us two cups of water, thank you.”

Although he didn’t recognize the brand of clothing he wore, the owner could tell from his demeanor that Shen Shu was someone important. The owner responded with extra caution, “Yes, yes, please wait a moment.”

Noticing her gaze on him, Shen Shu smiled and said, “What are you staring at me for?”

Yu Xi typed in her notes: [I didn’t expect you’d eat at a place like this.]

Shen Shu casually glanced outside at the bustling street, smiled, and said, “Actually, I quite like eating in places like this, especially street food. I only spent one year in China for university before going abroad. After that, I was busy with academics and business. I only went to upscale restaurants, surrounded by people all dressed up. It’s really quite boring.”

Yu Xi didn’t expect him to say that and couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes turning into crescent moons.

Shen Shu was very handsome, with sharp features and thick, well-shaped eyebrows. He didn’t need any extra grooming. Even when he smiled gently, with a slight raise of his brow, his confidence and composure were evident.

Sitting in such a humble restaurant with her, chatting casually, it was clear that he exuded a different, more down-to-earth aura.

This version of him—more in touch with the ordinary world—felt less distant.

At least, right now, she felt their distance had narrowed.

Before, she always thought the gap between them was as vast as the distance to the other side of the galaxy.

He came from an affluent background, co-founded Zhongheng with his partner when he was 19, and within a few years, they had made it to the top of their industry. He was academically brilliant, graduating from Harvard at 21, and his interests were vast… unlike her, who didn’t have anything particularly remarkable about her. She seemed so ordinary.

Were all outstanding people particularly cold and self-centered?

She felt she had sympathy. Hmm, maybe that was her only advantage over him… if you could call it an advantage.

“What about you? Tell me about yourself, Yu Xi,” he said, propping his head on his hand as he looked at her with a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You can write it down for me if you prefer.”

Yu Xi had been lost in thought when he suddenly turned to look at her.

She froze for a moment, feeling like a child caught daydreaming by the teacher.

Shen Shu kept looking at her, his expression a bit meaningful.

Yu Xi flushed. It wasn’t polite to zone out while talking to someone, so she thought for a moment before typing on her phone: [Nothing much to say.]

After finishing the message, she felt he might misunderstand, so she added: [I am just an ordinary person, not as outstanding as you.]

Shen Shu raised his brows slightly and glanced at her indifferently, “Is there nothing to say, or do you not want to tell me?”

His tone seemed a bit cold.

Yu Xi was afraid of others giving her the cold shoulder, not because she feared anger, but because she didn’t like an atmosphere like that. She found dealing with it troublesome.

It was better to just be kind from the start.

So she quickly typed on her phone: [No, it’s true that I’m quite mediocre. If I said it out loud, you’d probably laugh at me.]

“Forget it,” he said, no longer pressing the issue, just smiling.

She would tell him one day.

Shen Shu ordered two bowls of fried sauce noodles, and the taste was a bit beyond Yu Xi’s expectations.

She never thought that such a simple and somewhat shabby little restaurant would have such delicious food.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, unintentionally showing a satisfied expression.

Shen Shu lowered his gaze and quietly observed her. A trace of gentle warmth flashed across his usually indifferent eyes.

Yu Xi was focused on eating her noodles and didn’t notice him watching. Shen Shu found it amusing. He tapped his fingers on the table in front of her.

Yu Xi was startled and looked up at him, puzzled.

“Why are you just eating? It’s rare to go out.”

Yu Xi didn’t know how to respond. She hesitated with her chopsticks, not sure whether to continue eating or put them down.

Seeing her blank expression, Shen Shu didn’t press her any further. “Eat,” he said.

Yu Xi felt like she had been pardoned and quickly resumed eating.

But she couldn’t shake the feeling that the person across from her was staring at her with an intense gaze, burning and hot, like a prickling sensation on her back.

She wanted to ignore it, but his deep gaze seemed almost tangible, impossible to escape.

She felt like she couldn’t even enjoy the noodles anymore, her heartbeat quickening. She hesitated before putting down her chopsticks.

“Thirsty?” He poured her some water and smiled. “Drink some water.”

Yu Xi: “…” Why was the instigator so calm?

She bit her lip but insisted on finishing her noodles.

After Shen Shu paid the bill, he stood up. “Come walk with me. It’s rare to be out.”

Yu Xi had no choice but to stand up and walk with him around the neighborhood.

Shen Shu didn’t say much, only occasionally speaking a few words to her. Yu Xi couldn’t talk, so the atmosphere grew quieter.

The two of them walked side by side, one tall and one short, their shadows stretching long on the ground.

All that could be heard was the sound of the wind, which was clear and steady.

Yu Xi felt a little cold and instinctively clasped her hands together.

When she lowered her head, she didn’t notice that Shen Shu had stopped in front of her and ended up bumping her head straight into his back.

Yu Xi winced in pain and took a couple of steps back.

“Be more careful.” Shen Shu quickly supported her, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going?”

Yu Xi didn’t know how to explain and just rubbed her head.

“Does it hurt?” He gently pushed her hand aside and pressed his finger on the spot where she had been hit, massaging it lightly.

His touch was gentle, with just the right amount of pressure.

The tenderness was so soft and appropriate that Yu Xi felt slightly uncomfortable. She instinctively leaned back a little.

Without her noticing, his arm wrapped around her waist. His firm forearm lightly rested there, and even through the fabric of her clothes, she could feel the strength of his muscles. She couldn’t resist.

He lowered his head to look at her, his eyes holding an intense, almost invasive gaze.

With a slight pressure from his hand, she was pulled fully into his embrace.

Shen Shu smoothly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His breath brushed against her ear, hot and eager, as if it would seep through her skin: “Why are you avoiding me?”

Yu Xi’s heart raced, completely caught off guard by this turn of events.

“Tell me, why are you avoiding me?” Shen Shu’s tone didn’t sound like an interrogation, but their height difference was obvious, and being so much taller, he naturally had an imposing presence. With her trapped in his arms, Yu Xi felt even smaller and more vulnerable.

Yu Xi could only shake her head weakly, her watery eyes looking up at him with a pleading expression: [I’m not avoiding you.]

His arm was incredibly strong, and even though it was just gently holding her, she couldn’t break free.

Yu Xi realized that some people walking by had stopped to watch them, even seeming to enjoy the show. Her face turned red, and there was a clear look of desperation in her eyes.

Shen Shu seemed to enjoy the awkward and shy expression on her face. He didn’t loosen his grip. Instead, he tightened it.

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear as he teasingly whispered, “Has no man ever hugged you like this before?”

Yu Xi felt like she was about to cry and frantically shook her head.

Why was he like this? It’s totally inappropriate for the occasion.

Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, Shen Shu finally showed mercy and released her.

The moment she was free, Yu Xi immediately backed away several meters.

Her actions made Shen Shu smile slightly, unable to resist the amusement.

They continued to walk around for a bit more. When they passed a mall, they stopped at the first-floor lobby where there were claw machines. Yu Xi couldn’t help but pause to watch for a while.

“Do you like it?” Shen Shu asked softly, “Let’s go take a look.”

Yu Xi looked at him, clearly surprised.

Shen Shu smiled. “What’s wrong?”

She took out her phone and typed quickly: [Don’t you think playing claw machines is childish?]

She was really surprised that someone like him would play claw machines with her…

“Why is it childish? Games don’t have a hierarchy. Among the rich businessmen I’ve worked with before, some like playing claw machines, and others enjoy playing card games,” Shen Shu said.

Yu Xi widened her eyes in disbelief.

She was only 22 years old, yet looked even younger than her peers. Her face was round and full, with a soft, smooth jawline and fair skin. Her eyes were clear, making her seem inexperienced and easy to tease.

Shen Shu sighed inwardly, a faint smile on his lips. He reached out his hand to her.

At first, Yu Xi wasn’t sure, but when she saw he didn’t move, she realized what he meant and carefully placed her hand in his.

Shen Shu’s hand was large and warm, yet rough. He gently enclosed her hand, offering a sense of comfort and security.

Yu Xi obediently followed him as he led her into the hall.

Alright, she did feel a bit like playing. She used to love it, but every time, her classmates did the catching while she just watched.

She stared eagerly at the plush toys behind the glass window, but didn’t make a move.

“Want to try?” Shen Shu tossed a coin into the machine and guided her hand to grab the joystick.

His palm was dry and warm, the heat radiating through her hand. Yu Xi’s heart raced, her hands trembling, beads of sweat forming on her skin.

She couldn’t even manage to grab a doll. The claw barely even touched it before shaking loose.

He cast a faint glance at her, his gaze teasing: “Can you focus a little?”

Yu Xi felt his words held a subtle meaning, her cheeks flushed.

It was awkward.

Did he always like pointing out others’ shortcomings? Or did he just enjoy teasing her?

Was this what they meant by picking on the easy target?

“Try again.” He seemed determined to win, holding her hand and continuing to guide her patiently. “You need to observe the pattern. When you pick a doll, be more practical. Don’t go for the big ones right away…”

She failed again. Yu Xi released the joystick, feeling somewhat defeated.

Shen Shu glanced at her and asked, “You’ve never caught one before?”

She took out her phone and typed: [I’ve come with others before, but I never caught anything. I’m too clumsy.]

Shen Shu smiled. “Just try a few more times. It’s not that hard.”

Yu Xi wasn’t entirely convinced by his words and secretly complained to herself.

“I’ll teach you.” He once again held her hand.

Before they knew it, it was very late. Yu Xi, guided by him, tried several more times and finally succeeded.

She stared in disbelief at the doll in her hands, shaking it in excitement.

Shen Shu gazed at her delicate, beautiful face. The smile in his light brown eyes deepened, and his lips curved slightly as he leaned close to her ear, almost whispering: “How will you thank me?”

His gaze locked onto hers, his tone surprisingly serious.

Yu Xi froze for a moment.

Thank him for what? She didn’t really ask him to teach her, did she? Could this really be happening?