Chapter 20: True Heart

Shen Zhiwei watched the scene from a distance—not too close, not too far—with a subtle change in her expression. Qu Bainian saw through everything and gently cupped Chen Su’s cheek.

“Using me?”

Chen Su’s eyes lifted innocently, shimmering with a hint of mischief. “Brother, can’t you just not marry Shen Zhiwei?”

Since childhood, no matter what Chen Su asked for, Qu Bainian had always obliged—except this one time.

A shadow of solemnity crossed his eyes behind his glasses. “Su Su, I have to get married eventually.”

The world was vast; his bride could be anyone.

Only, it wouldn’t be her.

Chen Su knew well that this was the only answer he would give, yet she still refused to accept it.

“As long as it’s not Shen Zhiwei, I don’t care who you marry.”

A heavy weight sat in her chest, unbearably aching. She stubbornly pleaded, “If you promise that, I’ll be willing to be the Qu family’s second young lady for life. Is that okay?”

Chen Su rarely dropped her pride before Qu Bainian to make demands; more often, it was he who took the initiative to give.

Qu Bainian said nothing but reached out to touch Chen Su’s face. “Alright.”

She hadn’t expected his agreement to come so quickly.

“Qu Bainian, you’d better listen carefully to what I’m saying.”

“I promise I won’t marry Shen Zhiwei.”

Qu Bainian pinched her cheek like coaxing a kitten. “I’ll take care of the school’s news cleanly today,” he glanced at the Red Flag National Gift beside them, “Zhu Shaowen came with me. I’ll have him send you home, alright?”

Chen Su was stunned by how decisively Qu Bainian had agreed.

Could it really be true—that the white moonlight she had yearned for all these years would never become his wife?

But she didn’t dare ask.

After a moment’s hesitation, she glanced at Shen Zhiwei. “I hope you keep your word.”

Then she turned and opened the car door to get in.

Inside, Zhu Shaowen was smoking and messaging, oblivious to Chen Su’s earlier bold kiss with Qu Bainian.

Hearing the door open, he raised an eyebrow. “Su, why is it you?”

Chen Su’s lashes fluttered, but she said nothing.

Zhu Shaowen looked out the window and saw Qu Bainian standing with Shen Zhiwei, instantly understanding the situation.

“I get it. Your brother’s in love and treating you like an absentee manager, just dumping you on me,” he started the car. “Want me to take you back to the Qu family?”

Chen Su shook her head. “No, I live in Anyuan Community.”

Zhu Shaowen snapped his fingers. “No problem. Brother, I’ll take her back right now!”

As he drove, he glanced at Chen Su in the passenger seat. She looked down, meek and obedient like a little rabbit.

He smiled and ruffled her hair. “Good girl.”

Chen Su’s eyelashes fluttered, and a sudden thought crossed her mind.

“Shaowen,” she bit her lip, “could you stay in my neighborhood tonight? It looks like it’s raining outside, and I’m afraid of thunder.” She lowered her head in a pitiful way. “My brother’s probably busy with his romance and won’t pay attention to me.”

She clasped her fingers, nearly on the brink of tears.

Since childhood, Chen Su’s best trick had been to act obedient.

It never failed.

That was why she hid her true nature so well.

Because only when she was well-behaved could she get what she wanted.

Zhu Shaowen, used to the company of mature women, wasn’t prepared for a little girl’s vulnerability.

He pulled a tissue from the box and handed it to Chen Su, overwhelmed with sympathy. “Alright, alright, it’s just keeping you company—besides, I don’t have anything else tonight.”

He paused. “Does your family have an extra room?”

Chen Su nodded. “Yes.”

“That works.”

Ignoring his own plans, Zhu Shaowen drove straight to Anyuan Community and followed Chen Su upstairs.

He laid his coat on the sofa and pulled out a cigarette. “You go wash up in your room. I’ll be in the living room outside. Call me if you need anything.”

Chen Su acknowledged with a soft “Okay” and obediently retreated to her bedroom.

Unable to resist, Zhu Shaowen sent a message to Qu Bainian: “Bainian, how can you let such a beautiful sister be neglected while you go off dating? Su is your little rose you raised with your own hands. How could you let her be alone at night?”

Qu Bainian was walking with Shen Zhiwei on campus; his face darkened instantly.

Shen Zhiwei hesitated. “Who’s calling?”

Qu Bainian evaded the question. “Shen Zhiwei, you shouldn’t have come to Hong Kong University.”

A seasoned businessman like him could never be fooled by a woman’s subtle moves.

Whether it was her presence at Hong Kong University or the bracelet on her wrist, Qu Bainian knew exactly what was going on.

Shen Zhiwei made no effort to hide. She slowly exhaled, smiling faintly. “Bainian, you like Chen Su, don’t you?”

Behind his glasses, Qu Bainian’s eyes dimmed for a moment.