Chapter 33: “I Want to Try”

Tang Tian’s meaning was very clear; Liu Xiaozhi could not possibly be unaware that the decision was not hers to make.

Liu Xiaozhi intentionally adopted a submissive demeanor, aiming to make Tang Tian appear cold-hearted in front of Shen Yanli. Moreover, her dramatic sobbing would likely prevent Shen Yanli from making a harsh decision.

Shen Yanli observed the scene between Tang Tian and Liu Xiaozhi in the living room, seemingly unfazed by Tang Tian’s indifference.

He addressed Liu Xiaozhi, saying, “I will discuss this matter with Sister Wu.”

He did not elaborate further; no one knew how he would handle Liu Xiaozhi’s potential dismissal.

Just as Tang Tian and Liu Xiaozhi were about to leave, Shen Yanli called out again, “Tang Tian, stay.”

Liu Xiaozhi knew she wouldn’t be dismissed, but she didn’t want Tang Tian to have too much interaction with Shen Yanli. Despite her unwillingness, there was little she could do about Shen Yanli’s decision to keep Tang Tian.

Tang Tian stayed behind, aware that Shen Yanli’s intention was likely to protect Liu Xiaozhi from being dismissed.

She never considered that Liu Xiaozhi would actually be dismissed; even if Shen Yanli did choose to let Liu Xiaozhi go, there would likely be a way for her to remain.

It was just like when they had gone to the vacation villa; they had chosen Song Yu, but in the end, it was still her and the female lead, Liu Xiaozhi, who arrived at the vacation villa.

Tang Tian had come to understand that no matter how the process unfolded, the outcome would remain unchanged.

Thus, she began to worry about whether her own fate would mirror that of the narrative…

Shen Yanli silently stared at her for a long time before asking, “I said I would give you an explanation; the matter has been clarified.”

Tang Tian nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Shen.”

At this point, Shen Yanli uncrossed his long legs, leaning back against the sofa, adopting a significantly more aggressive posture.

He asked, “How do you want to handle her?”

Tang Tian thought to herself: Just as she suspected.

“It’s entirely up to you or Sister Wu.”

Shen Yanli remained silent, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on her.

“Alright, I will discuss it with Sister Wu.”

Tang Tian nodded again, feeling uncomfortable under his intense gaze. She couldn’t shake the feeling that his eyes held more than just scrutiny; there seemed to be other emotions lurking beneath the surface.

“There’s no rush; I’ll just step out for a moment.”

However, Shen Yanli’s voice remained calm. “Let’s talk a bit longer. It won’t delay your work.”

Tang Tian retracted her foot, looking back at the man on the sofa.

At some point, Shen Yanli’s expression had grown inscrutable, making her feel tense.

“Mr. Shen, I’m just a servant. I don’t know anything about music or the business world…”

Tang Tian felt bewildered, unsure of what he wanted to discuss with her. Was he testing her?

Seeing her fidgeting, Shen Yanli seemed to sense her anxiety, as if he feared she might be interested in him.

“I remember clearly the explicit things you said before.”

His words sent a shock through Tang Tian, causing her to flush bright red. The things the original body had said to Shen Yanli were even more explicit than the hints she had dropped to Fu Xi.

Tang Tian hadn’t anticipated he would bring this up, leaving her momentarily speechless.

She stood awkwardly in the living room, unsure of how to respond.

Just then, she heard Shen Yanli say meaningfully…

“I want to try.”

His words struck her like a bolt of lightning, and Tang Tian’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Shen Yanli on the sofa, utterly taken aback.

Meeting his unguarded gaze, which was deep and inscrutable, she felt a wave of panic wash over her.

After a long moment of silence, she finally managed to stammer, “I… I don’t understand what you mean, Mr. Shen. I still have work to finish, so I’ll just step out now.”

Tang Tian struggled to regain her voice, casting a furtive glance over her shoulder before nearly sprinting toward the door.

Shen Yanli didn’t chase after her; his statement was merely to prepare her mentally.

Recently, he had been dreaming of her, often thinking about her and paying attention to everything she did.

With this in mind, he followed his heart.

In front of Shen Yanli’s door on the fifth floor, Tang Tian could hear her heart racing wildly.

What did Shen Yanli mean? What did he want to try?

Her mind was a blank, overwhelmed by the shock of his unexpected words.

He had always despised her; why would he suddenly say something like that?

Tang Tian was filled with countless confusions, her mind swirling with questions about what had just transpired.

Shen Yanli, the male lead, had told her he wanted to try the explicit things she had previously said…

Just the thought of it sent her cheeks burning.

Flustered, she hurried into the elevator. Upon reaching the first floor, she saw Liu Xiaozhi waiting for her.

However, Tang Tian was so preoccupied that she didn’t notice Liu Xiaozhi approaching. When Liu Xiaozhi called her name, she was startled.

Liu Xiaozhi regarded her suspiciously. What had Mr. Shen said to her?

Tang Tian recognized her but wasn’t in the mood to entertain Liu Xiaozhi’s emotions nor engage in conversation.

“Tang Tian…”

Liu Xiaozhi called out, but Tang Tian continued walking, her mind a jumbled mess, not wanting to waste her breath with her.

As for how Sister Wu and Shen Yanli would handle Liu Xiaozhi, she had no authority to decide and held little hope for a fair resolution.

Since leaving Shen Yanli’s room, Tang Tian felt disoriented the entire day, but when it came to her work, she made no mistakes.

She felt fortunate that she wasn’t responsible for Shen Yanli’s daily needs.

That night, as Tang Tian fell into a deep sleep, she suddenly woke up, staring at the ceiling. Was Shen Yanli… testing her?

Her mind cleared from the fog of sleep, and she turned on her side, considering the possibility.

This would explain why he had seemed so disdainful of her before, only to suddenly speak to her in ambiguous terms today.

Tang Tian yawned; it made perfect sense. First, Pei Jue and Fu Xi had issued veiled “warnings” to her, and now Shen Yanli was testing her. Clearly, they were genuinely concerned about her having ulterior motives.

Understanding their intentions, she decided not to dwell on the matter any longer.

The following morning, the snow that had been falling intermittently for the past two days finally ceased in the early hours.

Tang Tian woke up early to deliver breakfast to Wen Shaohan and Fu Xi. Wen Shaohan had a regular routine, while Fu Xi’s habits were erratic.

She first delivered breakfast to Wen Shaohan’s room, then arrived at Fu Xi’s door, raising her hand to knock. “Good morning, Mr. Fu. I’ve brought your breakfast.”

After waiting a moment outside, just as she was about to leave, she heard Fu Xi’s languid voice from within.

“Come in.”

Tang Tian pushed the door open and wheeled the cart into his room.

Fu Xi appeared to have just woken up, sitting on the sofa in a black bathrobe. His thick hair was slightly disheveled, but it did nothing to diminish his handsome features.

The collar of his bathrobe hung loosely, revealing hints of his fair, well-defined chest.

“Morning.”

Fu Xi’s voice was hoarse, clearly still groggy from sleep.

“Good morning, Mr. Fu,” Tang Tian replied, placing the breakfast on the dining table. Without lingering for a second, she pushed the cart and prepared to leave.