Chapter 83

No one understood his youngest daughter’s dreams better than Shang Yuye.

As the youngest daughter of a prominent family, like princesses from dynasties both ancient and modern, her future fate was naturally marked by the gaze of others—marriage.

Marriage has long been the most direct, effective, and sincere way of combining interests. Even if the Shang family’s power has waned, they are not foolish enough to cut themselves off from the circle. Instead, they have more leeway, higher standards, and greater influence in matters of marriage compared to other families.

Over the years, Shang Yuye had secretly blocked numerous marriage proposals for Shang Mingbao.

Not only those from the circles in Hong Kong, but also new wealthy merchants from the mainland, century-old families from Europe and America, casual mentions at banquets, people sent as intermediaries, and relatives who sought to secure the family’s future—Shang Yuye was aware of them all. Whoever made the proposal, implied or explicit, he turned them all away with a stern face and no trace of a smile, saying, “It’s too early to discuss this now.”

For a daughter who has cherished the dream of marriage as something sacred since she was young, he wanted to give her as much freedom as possible. If she could find a worthy true love, Shang Yuye had the courage to support her.

“Chairman?” the driver asked.

Shang Yuye raised a finger, signaling him to keep his distance.

The driver understood and reversed the business car a bit, parking it among the bustling motorcycles, vans, and tricycles on the street.

Through the rear window, Shang Yuye, with his legs crossed, tapped his fingers rhythmically on his knee while contemplating and observing.

When Shang Mingbao and the young man emerged from the street corner, Shang Yuye made a call to his daughter, informing her that he would be arriving in Ratnapura tonight.

Shang Mingbao blurted out, “Dad, why are you here again?”

Shang Yuye’s expression remained neutral, though his eyebrows twitched.

“It sounds like you’re not very welcoming?”

Shang Mingbao’s heart sank a little: “No…”

After ending the call, she looked at Xiang Feiran and pouted.

Xiang Feiran had already guessed the situation and asked, “Are we going back now?”

Shang Mingbao shook her head and tightened her grip on his hand: “He’ll only arrive in the evening. There’s no rush.”

In September, during the recruitment season, Xiang Feiran hired two doctoral students. One was Lin Xi, who had returned from the United States, and the other was a domestic graduate student. While they had more hands this year compared to last, the projects were also larger, along with collaborations with Belgium and unavoidable meetings and administrative tasks within the domestic academic circle. He was so busy that he was spread thin.

Sri Lanka may sound close, but an eight-hour flight is hardly convenient, especially since it takes nearly three hours by car from the airport to Ratnapura—the “City of Gems.” Xiang Feiran couldn’t just come on a whim.

This was his first visit to Ratnapura; the last time they met was two months ago when he was in Singapore for a conference, and Shang Mingbao happened to be there too.

This time, Xiang Feiran had set aside three days. He had just arrived in the afternoon, and they hadn’t had a chance to do anything yet.

Ratnapura is the largest gem mining region in Asia, focused more on mining than tourism. There isn’t much to see. Shang Mingbao took Xiang Feiran to the nearest mine to show him the mining operations.

The mines are distributed along the river valley, with the river’s water being murky. The area is lush with vegetation, and the mines are built using wooden structures to dig deep underground. The extracted stones are washed and sorted using the river water.

The method of working here is so primitive and manual that it’s hard to imagine these stones eventually ending up in luxury counters, auction houses, the rings of aristocratic women, or the scepters of queens.

Shang Mingbao is an anomaly here. Unlike others who come to collect goods or act as brokers, she spends her days “doing nothing.” She’s either mining, washing sand in the river, rescuing tourists about to be scammed, or painting in the hotel courtyard.

Walking with Xiang Feiran under the sun, time stretches out. The grass on either side is flattened, the river is laden with sand, and everything is quiet and still.

Shang Mingbao asked the mine owner for two orange-flavored sodas and took a shortcut to the car, leading Xiang Feiran to the entrance.

“Sit in the back for a moment.” Xiang Feiran stopped her from opening the driver’s side door.

His intention was clear. Shang Mingbao tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Xiang Feiran held her waist with one arm while kissing her and placed the half-empty soda on the car roof.

Under the blazing sun, Shang Mingbao was pressed against the hot car door by him, feeling dizzy as if she were suffering from heatstroke.

After kissing for a while and cuddling, he said, “I’ll turn on the air conditioning.”

He cracked the car door open, leaned over the steering wheel to turn on the AC. The black tank top she wore was tight and short, revealing half of her waist above her denim shorts with her movements.

They waited until the heat in the car dissipated before getting in.

“Really, Dad…” Shang Mingbao muttered a half-sentence scolding her father, meeting Xiang Feiran’s gaze, and then fell silent, sitting on his lap and leaning against his chest.

Despite complaining about the heat and sweating profusely all the way, she now no longer minded the warmth.

The air inside the car hadn’t cooled down yet, and their body heat mingled with the scent of sweat.

Xiang Feiran pressed the damp soda bottle against Shang Mingbao’s face, the cold sensation making her shiver. He then kissed her, positioning the glass bottle between her jawline and collarbone.

Shang Mingbao felt half cold and half hot, gasping as he kissed her, unconsciously moaning.

“How silly. There’s not much time left, and you brought me to such a boring place.” She wrapped her arms around Xiang Feiran’s neck, her voice low.

The wilderness was deserted, and even the cicadas in Southeast Asia’s endless summer were silent.

Xiang Feiran held her waist, his indifferent face asking, “Then where isn’t boring?”

Shang Mingbao didn’t answer but unbuttoned one of his linen shirt buttons, which Xiang Feiran caught with his fingertips.

He showed a hint of surprise, narrowing his eyes, “Are you crazy?”

Though there was no one in sight, it was still the main entrance of the mine, and vehicles might come and go.

Shang Mingbao was deflated, playfully resting her chin on his collarbone and looking up at him, “My dad is very busy. He’ll definitely leave tomorrow.”

Xiang Feiran held her slender shoulder, kissing her eyelids, “It’s okay. It’s rare for him to visit you; you should spend more time with him.”

“He’s not rare,” Shang Mingbao muttered, “It only took three hours from Singapore. You’re the rare one.”

Xiang Feiran hugged her tightly, like holding a little koala in his arms, his voice soft and gentle, “I’m the one too busy. Maybe it will get better next year.”

Shang Mingbao turned her face, breathing in his neck’s scent, murmuring as if asking someone, “Why is it that I, who have more free time, rarely go to the city to see you?”

Time was free, and there were no pressing tasks. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, she often thought of him but rarely made the effort to fly back to the country.

Had she become spoiled? Since he went to Boston, he had been coming to her. She got used to it and gradually felt justified.

Her question made Xiang Feiran pause for a moment, the corner of his mouth lifting, “How should I answer that?”

Shang Mingbao lifted her face to look at his eyes.

Xiang Feiran lowered his gaze, his tone and expression calm, “Because you no longer love me as much as before?”

Under the heat, her eyes, half-closed, froze in confusion with his words, a sharp pain spreading through her body from her heart.

Shang Mingbao was stiff, staring at the man who always flew across the ocean for her.

The pain in her eyes couldn’t be hidden and was noticed by him.

“I’m just joking,” Xiang Feiran chuckled softly, but his arms lost their strength, making her uncomfortable, “Why take it seriously? Don’t take it to heart.”

Even though his words implied that he was no longer intensely loved, he comforted her as if she were the one hurt.

Shang Mingbao didn’t have time to respond before Xiang Feiran pressed her neck and kissed her forcefully. Her waist almost bent in his embrace, her tongue was sucked out from her parted red lips, and her hair was messily tangled in his arms, drenched in sweat.

On the drive back to the hotel, they encountered a magnificent sunset.

Shang Mingbao rolled down the car window, resting her hands on the edge, watching the red sun hanging over the plantain fields.

Hurrying through the hotel’s main entrance, Xiang Feiran got out of the car and waved goodbye to her on the roadside.

Sophie had booked another room to avoid any encounters, and asked the hotel to place it far away, also arranging for Xiang Feiran’s luggage to be sent over.

No matter how far the flight was, Xiang Feiran’s belongings were always minimal, just a backpack. Sophie was initially surprised but then understood that he wouldn’t stay long and only had his computer in the bag.

Despite having flown to Australia multiple times, if you asked him what the Gold Coast looked like, he couldn’t answer. Perhaps it was just a glimpse through the porthole: the blue sea and white sand, but not what he had in mind, so he didn’t even bother to look.

Shang Mingbao returned to her room, tidied herself up, and after she looked refreshed, she received a call from Shang Yuye.

The best restaurant here is in the hotel itself. Shang Yuye was indifferent to Southeast Asian cuisine and worried about Shang Mingbao not adapting well, so after coming twice, he used his financial power to teach the kitchen to make Chinese food.

“Is Dad not busy recently?” Shang Mingbao rested her chin on her hands and acted cute. “Flying around so much is so tiring.”

“It is indeed tiring,” Shang Yuye put down his chopsticks and said casually, “so I’m planning to stay here for a few more days to rest.”

Shang Mingbao: “Huh?”

Shang Yuye looked at her: “Do you have plans?”

“Mm-hmm,” Shang Mingbao nodded vigorously.

“That’s perfect. I’ll accompany you and also check out your work environment and content.”

“……”

“If you have any difficulties, you can speak directly.”

Shang Yuye’s expression was hard to read. Shang Mingbao lacked the courage to defy him and could only say, “No, it’s just that the places are a bit shabby.”

Shang Yuye showed a slight smile and snorted, “If you can overcome it, what can’t I overcome?”

Shang Mingbao passed a message to Xiang Feiran under the table, her unhappy mouth like a hung oil bottle.

In fact, if she had honestly explained that her boyfriend had come all the way to see her, Shang Yuye wouldn’t be making things awkward for himself. He began to reflect if his stern demeanor at home was the reason why his children didn’t dare to confide in him.

After dinner and a shower, Shang Mingbao hurried down the long corridor, walking quickly for nearly ten minutes before arriving at Xiang Feiran’s door.

She was on edge the whole way, afraid that Shang Yuye’s assistant, entourage, bodyguards, drivers, or even he himself might suddenly appear from somewhere.

Xiang Feiran had finished his shower and was at his desk grading a PhD student’s paper. Hearing the knock, he got up to open the door and turned off the light strip.

When the door opened, the room was lit only by the soft glow of a desk lamp, casting his silhouette in soft backlight.

Shang Mingbao threw herself into his arms, which he held firmly.

“Who’s chasing you?” He laughed, lifting her up, his arms solid and strong under his T-shirt.

“Disgusting,” she cursed Shang Yuye while pushing her palm through his clothes to touch his muscular shoulder and back.

Xiang Feiran’s gaze was both amused and indifferent: “Miss, it seems you have a clear purpose.”

Shang Mingbao pointed at his rolling Adam’s apple: “I don’t believe you don’t want me.”

Despite looking capable, he softened immediately when Xiang Feiran nibbled on his earlobe. He asked knowingly, “Why are your ears so hot? I was prepared to give you the initiative today.”

Shang Mingbao: “……”

Clearly, it was a mockery.

She had taken the initiative before but could only last a few seconds before ending up weak and lying down, while he lifted her and she was pinned.

After two rounds, she didn’t dare make a sound, as if the five-star hotel were made of paper and any noise would be overheard.

Afterwards, Shang Mingbao didn’t leave, resting her head on his chest and falling asleep quickly.

She didn’t even know when the light was turned off, only feeling that being held to sleep was so familiar, so long-awaited, and so enjoyable.

In a daze, she said, “Don’t leave tomorrow…”

She always worried that Xiang Feiran might leave early.

Xiang Feiran kissed her eyelashes: “Who said I’m leaving tomorrow?”

Shang Mingbao’s breathing steadied as she didn’t know Xiang Feiran was kissing her ear: “I’m not like you, promising well and then leaving.”

It was a reference to the previous incident at the botanical garden dormitory.

In the next two days, Shang Yuye really accompanied Shang Mingbao to the mining area, the market, and to meet major suppliers and mine owners. He wasn’t there all the time because Shang Mingbao’s work rhythm was quite relaxed, taking a three-hour lunch break because it was too hot, and finishing work by five in the afternoon.

Shang Mingbao had even thought of going crazy, wondering if her dad had an assistant, why couldn’t she? If she told him that Brother Feiran was an assistant, it would naturally allow him to stay by her side. But Xiang Feiran was too handsome, making the excuse unconvincing.

On the third night, Shang Yuye was finally set to return home. The private jet was ready, waiting for him.

Shang Mingbao prepared for the farewell, eating a bit more. Unexpectedly, he asked, “How’s your boyfriend in New York? How’s the relationship going?”

Shang Mingbao was caught off guard. A grain of fine rice from Southeast Asia went down the wrong pipe, and she coughed until tears came out.

Shang Yuye’s expression was indifferent, unable to tell if he was pleased or displeased: “What are you surprised about? Your mom already told me.”

Shang Mingbao exclaimed, “Mommy knows too?!”

Shang Yuye: “……”

Oh, so it turns out that you didn’t know?

No, it was that Babe didn’t know you knew.

Shang Yuye didn’t expect a casual probe would reveal his wife’s plan. He cleared his throat and spoke with authority but without comment: “Otherwise?”

Shang Mingbao covered her face with her hands, losing her ability to argue.

“You’ve been dating for five years, almost into the sixth year, right?” Shang Yuye said, “Lift your head. Dad isn’t interrogating you, nor does he think it’s a bad thing.”

Shang Mingbao let go, her fair face already flushed red.

“Who is he?”

“He’s a scientist, a botanist.”

Shang Yuye raised an eyebrow. “Don’t make things up.”

Shang Mingbao replied, “I’m not making it up. Brother and sister know; you can ask them.”

Shang Yuye sneered coldly, his expression unchanged. “So, Dad is the last to know.”

“…”

Shang Yuye took a moment before speaking slowly, “Do you think Dad is so unfeeling that he would ruin your chance at love?”

“No,” Shang Mingbao quickly shook her head. “It was like that at first, but not anymore.”

“Why?”

Shang Mingbao didn’t want to go into details and sat quietly with pursed lips.

“You’ve been together for five years. How is the relationship?”

Shang Mingbao replied with a soft “mm,” “He treats me very well.”

“Tell me more.”

With the commanding presence of someone expecting a report from a subordinate, Shang Mingbao had to comply. Initially planning to briefly mention a few points, she found herself unable to stop once she started speaking:

“He spends all his money on me, even though he supports ten to twenty children and lives a very minimalistic life. He has never made me feel wronged.

We are always dealing with long-distance, spending more time apart than together, and he always comes to find me.

He never gets angry with me, never raises his voice or gives me a hard time. Even when I cause trouble, he only focuses on solving the issues and never blames me.

He has taught me a lot. If Dad thinks your daughter is doing well now, he deserves half the credit, though he would never write anyone else’s name in the credit.

He doesn’t teach me deliberately. He doesn’t preach, respects all my choices. It’s only after being with him that I gradually understood that the world has more than just the view from the top. Not only the view from the top of the pyramid is worth seeing.”

After finishing, Shang Mingbao felt a bit nervous and sighed deeply. “Dad, he really is great.”

She went on and on about his character, his scientific research, and all the little details.

For nearly an hour, Shang Yuye listened patiently, watching her face become increasingly gentle under the flickering candlelight in the restaurant.

In her words, this person seemed to be the most unique in the world.

“Since that’s the case,” Shang Yuye said cautiously after consideration, “why have you kept it hidden from the family? You could be open about your relationship with him.”

Shang Mingbao acted coy. “Now that you all know, I don’t need to hide it anymore.”

“What’s his name, where does he live, what do his parents do? Tell me so I can have someone investigate.”

This was a necessary step. He would investigate this person’s entire lineage thoroughly, knowing more about his extended family than his own.

“No need,” Shang Mingbao said with an awkward smile. “He’s good enough as he is.”

“That’s certainly not enough,” Shang Yuye said lightly, with an air of logic that needed no further explanation.

“Investigating won’t help,” Shang Mingbao clasped her hands nervously but tried to hide it, smiling. “We’re just dating; please respect his privacy.”

“What do you mean ‘just dating’?” Shang Yuye asked, puzzled. “Just playing around?”

Shang Mingbao shook her head and nodded.

“Babe, I don’t know what kind of education and life philosophy you received in New York,” Shang Yuye paused, his tone more serious than before. “But in terms of dating, the physical cost for women is naturally higher than for men. I hope you take care of yourself. And—”

His sharp eyes pierced through Shang Mingbao. “You’re not the kind of person to just play around for five years.”

Shang Mingbao was unsettled by his intense gaze and, in her panic, had to admit, “He’s an anti-marriage advocate; we won’t get married—Dad! Everyone has their difficulties; please don’t interfere.”

Her eyes were full of pleading, but as soon as the words “anti-marriage” were out, Shang Yuye’s face suddenly became frosty.