Even the cleaning lady responsible for tidying up the company restrooms could tell that the boss, Mr. Shang, was in an unusually good mood today.
During the meeting, when a newcomer from the finance department stumbled over a few numbers while presenting the quarterly financial report due to nervousness, the reaction was completely out of character. In the past, a mere wave of Shang Jie’s finger would have meant packing up and leaving on the spot.
His innate precision and meticulousness made him intolerant of any mistakes caused by carelessness.
But today, in the tense atmosphere of the meeting room, under the scrutinizing stares of the board members, when the trembling rookie seemed on the verge of tears, Shang Jie merely said calmly, “Be more careful next time. Don’t let it happen again.”
The words left everyone stunned—not only the newcomer but also the board members and department employees, who exchanged incredulous glances.
Today’s Mr. Shang was truly different from the past.
The truth was, Shang Jie hadn’t lowered his expectations for employee performance. It was just that, for a brief moment, the rookie’s timid demeanor reminded him of the girl at home.
Everyone makes mistakes. If she made a mistake someday, would he really have the heart to be so harsh?
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G zkvvzl vszlaydnl oypd’v ps byae.
Oxryvbu kp y rsolaqwz qsanl. Mseyu, Ya. Fbydt’p wdnbyaynvlakpvkn zldkldnu pralye y oyax yde olznsxkdt yvxsprblal vbaswtbswv vbl nsxrydu. Ohld vbl zsolpv-aydjkdt kdvladp nswze qllz y nlavykd zshkdt ldlatu kd vbl yka.
Gqvla vbl xllvkdt, Fbydt Kkl blyele vs bkp rakhyvl zkhkdt iwyavlap.
Nkd Ubwyd ldvlale yqvla bkx yde dsvknle plhlayz plvp sq xld’p nzsvbkdt sq hyakswp pvuzlp bydtkdt sd y aynj.
Fbydt Kkl oyp olyakdt y nypwyz tayu bssekl rykale okvb nasrrle flydp, alhlyzkdt y plnvksd sq ryzl nyzq, yde pdlyjlap sd bkp qllv.
Mbkp swvqkv oyp y ayal pktbv, y pvyaj nsdvaypv vs bkp wpwyz pwkvle yde qsaxyz zssj. Tl alplxczle y eypbkdt uswdt xyd qalpb swv sq y wdkhlapkvu nyxrwp, zssjkdt xwnb uswdtla yde prsavu.
Gv qkapv tzydnl, Nkd Ubwyd yzxspv vbswtbv y plnsde rlapsdyzkvu bye vyjld shla.
Fbydt Kkl vwadle bkp blye pzktbvzu yde pyke, “Vknj sdl qsa xl.”
Lin Chuan walked up to the rack, browsed through the clothes, and casually asked, “What’s the occasion?”
“Going to the movies.”
Lin Chuan deliberately pulled out a light gray suit and brought it over. “If it’s for a movie premiere, formal attire is more appropriate.”
Shang Jie gave him a disdainful look, thinking, You’ve read my messages, so why are you pretending not to know?
“To the cinema. To watch a movie.”
“For ordinary activities like this, doesn’t it seem a bit out of character for the boss?” Lin Chuan teased with a smile.
Shang Jie glanced at him. “So in your mind, I’m better suited to sit in the office by myself, becoming immortal alone?”
Lin Chuan gave a serious nod. “In my mind, Mr. Shang is perfectly capable of spending his entire life with his right hand as company.”
Shang Jie threw the suit at his head. “As if someone else’s girlfriend isn’t also just his right hand.”
Lin Chuan laughed softly, his smile restrained but genuine.
Professionally, the two had great synergy—Lin Chuan had become his right-hand man. But outside of work, they were best friends, having grown up together and often joking around in private.
They knew all of each other’s little secrets.
Lin Chuan asked, “Is it with Madam?”
Shang Jie shrugged off his jacket. “You know the answer.”
Lin Chuan smirked. “No wonder.”
Shang Jie paused in rolling up his sleeves. “No wonder what?”
Lin Chuan looked at him lazily, comparing a new outfit in front of him. “Your outfit today clearly mirrors the usual style of your so-called second personality. Is the boss… trying to impress Madam?”
Shang Jie scoffed. “Do you think that’s possible?”
Although Mr. Shang was too proud to admit it, Lin Chuan trusted his instincts.
At work, Shang Jie’s demeanor was so cold and intimidating that everyone believed him to be devoid of emotions.
But Lin Chuan, who had known him since childhood, knew otherwise.
Shang Jie was like a prince locked in a castle, yearning to see the outside world. Everything beyond the castle, the entire world, was foreign to him.
While others might fear him and keep their distance, Lin Chuan understood that the icy prince wasn’t as terrifying as he seemed.
Jiang Xingxing was the only woman who had approached him and won his affection. Because of her, Shang Jie had started embracing the idea of “dressing to please one’s beloved,” completely transforming his style.
Unable to provide particularly constructive advice, Lin Chuan watched as Shang Jie, after much deliberation, decided to stick to his usual style.
He chose a light gray checkered shirt with black trousers, looking both fashionable and understated—a perfect blend of elegance and charm.
The second-personality style wasn’t truly his. Being himself was the right choice.
At the Cinema Entrance
Shang Jie saw Jiang Xingxing at the entrance of the cinema.
She was holding a cup of milk tea, leaning casually against the railing. Dressed in a denim suspender dress, she looked fresh and playful, her face occasionally showing a kind of youthful boldness unique to young girls.
This made Shang Jie realize just how young his wife really was. He was five years older than her—by modern standards, where a three-year gap is considered a generational divide, they were almost two generations apart.
Shang Jie, being a conservative traditionalist who disliked change and anything overly stimulating, suddenly found himself wondering: Does she think I’m too boring or old-fashioned?
For the first time in a long while, Shang Jie felt a bit uneasy.
When Jiang Xingxing noticed him, she waved enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with a youthful glow.
Shang Jie took long strides toward her. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Not long. I know you’re busy with work.”
In truth, it wasn’t because of work. Shang Jie had left the office early today, giving the entire company the rare treat of an early dismissal. His employees had practically skipped out of the office in excitement.
His delay? It was due to his painstaking effort to dress and groom himself.
Of course, he wouldn’t admit to something so “uncool.”
Inside the Cinema
It was Friday, and the cinema was packed. After Jiang Xingxing returned with their tickets, there were no seats left in the waiting area. She and Shang Jie stood in the hallway, waiting for the movie to begin.
The corridor was chaotic, with people bustling around to find their screens. Shang Jie instinctively guided her to a quieter corner and shielded her with his arm.
Jiang Xingxing looked up, catching sight of his chiseled neck. His skin was pale, and every feature of his face seemed meticulously crafted, like a masterpiece by the Creator. Together, it was an impeccable combination of beauty.
Her cheeks grew warm, and she shyly turned her gaze away.
Shang Jie, meanwhile, absentmindedly ran his fingers along her chin, almost as if he found it amusing.
Jiang Xingxing soon noticed that several women nearby were glancing at them—more specifically, at the man beside her, then at her, their expressions laced with subtle judgment.
Some younger girls even whispered amongst themselves, their lack of decorum obvious.
Today, Jiang Xingxing had tied her hair into a bun, and since her bangs were too long, she had swept them back, leaving a faint pink scar on her forehead exposed.
She could guess what they were thinking: That scarred girl doesn’t seem worthy of such a handsome man.
Flustered, Jiang Xingxing quickly undid her hair tie, letting her hair fall to cover her forehead.
At first, Shang Jie didn’t notice her discomfort. But when he saw her repeatedly trying to cover her scar with her hair, he glanced at the surrounding onlookers and immediately understood the situation.
Jiang Xingxing was desperately trying to hide her scar, but Shang Jie gently tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing her forehead.
She looked up in surprise, meeting his tender gaze.
Without saying a word, Shang Jie pulled the hair tie from her wrist and began tying her hair into a ponytail.
“Mr. Shang…”
As she softly called out his name, Shang Jie leaned in and planted a featherlight kiss on the scar on her forehead.
The warmth of his lips, brief as it was, sent a shiver through Jiang Xingxing’s heart.
Finally, he took her hand in his, his eyes brimming with affection.
The girls around them stared with envy and jealousy, but Jiang Xingxing no longer cared. Her heart was full of happiness.
Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Shang Jie’s fingers. In moments like this, she didn’t know how to express her emotions, so she simply nestled closer to him.
When the staff called for seating, Shang Jie held her hand and led her into the theater.
The Theater
Jiang Xingxing had chosen seats in the last row, far to the left. Shang Jie, unfamiliar with the concept of “couples’ seating,” asked her, “Can you see clearly from this far back?”
Under the soft lights, Jiang Xingxing’s cheeks turned red. “Yes, it’s fine.”
“Why not sit in the middle?”
“There weren’t any seats left…”
He nodded thoughtfully but then added, “The two seats up front look empty. Should we move there?”
Jiang Xingxing: …
He’s never been to a cinema, has he?
When Shang Jie realized she might be slightly annoyed, he couldn’t quite figure out why. To him, wanting a better viewing experience seemed perfectly reasonable. Why was she rolling her eyes at him?
But as the lights dimmed and the movie began, he discovered the perks of their chosen spot.
It was the most secluded corner of the entire theater. No one would notice them there in the last row.
For Shang Jie, this was an entirely novel and slightly thrilling experience. His steady heartbeat quickened.
Halfway Through the Movie
The two sat quietly watching the movie. Jiang Xingxing glanced at Shang Jie out of the corner of her eye.
He was reclined against the soft seat, his elbow resting on the armrest, a fist supporting his chin as he gazed intently at the screen. The faint light from the screen cast a gentle glow over his sharp features.
Whatever Shang Jie did, he always approached it with seriousness and focus—even watching a movie. He seemed completely unperturbed, without the slightest hint of distraction.
Jiang Xingxing decided she needed to be a little bolder.
She reached out and lightly traced a circle on Shang Jie’s thigh with her finger.
Shang Jie immediately noticed. His gaze shifted down to her wandering hand.
And then, he did something that left Jiang Xingxing utterly speechless: he swatted her hand away.
In a deadpan tone, he said, “Focus on the movie.”
Jiang Xingxing: …
Is this man… into guys? Is Lin Chuan your girlfriend?!
As someone with zero romantic experience in her 23 years of life, Jiang Xingxing felt utterly mortified. Her first attempt at initiating intimacy had been outright rejected.
She clenched her teeth and said, “Shang Jie, I’m giving you one last chance.”
In the dim light, Shang Jie noticed her reddened, delicate earlobes, as tempting as cherries.
Finally, he began to understand the essence of a movie date.
At the edge of her seat, she smiled softly at him. Seeing her subtle expressions, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
His hand slowly moved to the armrest of her chair, mirroring a protective embrace. Sensing his intent, she leaned slightly toward him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Shang Jie felt the weight on his shoulder, and every cell in his body seemed to awaken, tense with anticipation.
In that moment, the woman beside him chuckled softly.
His throat dry, he asked nervously, “What are you laughing at?”
Jiang Xingxing looked at him with amusement. “I feel like we’re high schoolers in love.”
Shang Jie responded honestly, “During my school days, I never even thought about relationships.”
Jiang Xingxing, of course, already knew this. Due to his past health issues, Shang Jie had always kept a disciplined distance from women.
But that night, she had glimpsed the intensity of his hidden “addiction,” a feeling that wasn’t just a symptom of a second personality. Even as his primary self, Shang Jie had a terrifying level of self-control, unmatched by most people.
Yet, when it came to her, he seemed to lose all restraint.
“Mr. Shang, how about coming over to my place tonight?” Jiang Xingxing leaned closer, whispering in his ear.
Shang Jie’s breath hitched, a small flame sparking within him that he had to suppress with great effort.
This was her first time extending such an invitation since that night.
Unable to resist, he forced himself to nod calmly. “Sure.”
But his peripheral vision caught her still gazing at him.
Suddenly, he felt inexplicably flustered.
“Mr. Shang, do you like me?” she whispered, her voice low and tantalizing.
Her warm breath caressed his earlobe, sending a wave of heat through him.
For Shang Jie, answering such a question was no simple task. Some people could speak sweet nothings with ease, but for someone like him, saying those three words felt harder than climbing a mountain.
She dragged out her tone, calling him softly, “Hubby…”
“Shh.”
Shang Jie brought a finger to his lips, motioning for silence, though no one else could hear them.
Still, Jiang Xingxing clung to his arm, pleading, “Just say it. Is it really that hard…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the man lifted her chin, tilting her face upward, and captured her lips in a kiss.
This time, it wasn’t just a kiss; it was an indulgent exploration. With deliberate care, he savored her lips, gently teasing her, prying her teeth apart to delve deeper, tasting her warmth.
As their tongues touched, she instinctively flinched, but Shang Jie gave her no chance to retreat. He cupped the back of her head, holding her in place.
The kiss was long, passionate, and intimate. As he withdrew, he grazed the tip of her tongue one last time, his actions full of teasing intent.
When she opened her dazed eyes to look at him, he had already returned to his usual composed demeanor, as if the man who had just thoroughly unraveled her was someone else entirely.
Jiang Xingxing laughed, and Shang Jie chuckled too, reaching out to ruffle her hair affectionately.
In the second half of the movie, Jiang Xingxing finally behaved, sitting still and watching it to the end.
When they left the theater, it was already 10:30 PM. Lin Chuan was waiting for them by the car. However, halfway home, Jiang Xingxing said she was hungry, so Shang Jie patiently accompanied her to a roadside barbecue stand.
As they sat on small stools by the roadside, Jiang Xingxing handed him a skewer of grilled potatoes. He frowned.
Unbothered, she offered him another skewer of lamb. “Eat it while it’s hot.”
Shang Jie hesitated before taking a small bite.
“Tsk, you’re too proper. Eat more,” she urged.
Reluctantly, Shang Jie took another dainty bite.
Lin Chuan, watching from the side, was stunned. His meticulous boss, who had always deemed roadside food as “junk,” was eating barbecue without a single complaint.
“Not hungry?”
“Eat more.”
“I ordered extra chili for you. You love it.”
Shang Jie: …
Though his expression remained calm, he obediently finished the skewers she handed him.
Lin Chuan’s heart ached as he noticed Shang Jie’s lips reddened—likely from the spiciness. His usually bland diet couldn’t handle this level of heat.
Yet seeing his boss indulge his wife like this, Lin Chuan could only conclude one thing: Shang Jie must really, really love her.
After walking off their meal, the two headed home. Lin Chuan trailed behind in the car.
“When will he stop following us?” Jiang Xingxing asked.
“Until I fall asleep,” Shang Jie replied.
“Doesn’t he have a home to go to?”
Shang Jie glanced back at Lin Chuan. “He’s an orphan. No home. He’s been with me since he was young.”
Her heart softened at his words, but Shang Jie quickly added, “Don’t underestimate him. He might achieve something great one day.”
“Oh? How so?”
With a mysterious smile, Shang Jie didn’t answer, simply waving Lin Chuan off, who then drove away.
At home, Jiang Xingxing suddenly felt a bit nervous. She had invited him over, but now, with him sitting on her bed reading, she hesitated.
He glanced up at her as she fidgeted with her skincare routine in front of the mirror. Through the reflection, she could see his intense gaze, making her hands tremble as she applied cream.
The man watched for a moment before returning to his book, only to put it down again shortly after. His restlessness was evident.
Finally, as she finished her routine, he moved to sit beside her.
Sensing his proximity, she buried herself in her phone, scrolling aimlessly.
“Are you afraid of me?” he asked softly.
She shook her head furiously but then, under his piercing gaze, nodded slightly.
He let out a sigh. “Then I’ll be gentle, okay?”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
…
Afterward, Jiang Xingxing clung to the wall, inching toward the bathroom with a look of utter despair.
“If I trust you again, I won’t be a Jiang anymore!”
Shang Jie lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, still dazed.
“Don’t fall,” he said gently. “Let me rest a bit, and I’ll help you.”
“No need!” she snapped.
Sansukini: I actually like the word hubby in Chinese. It’s “老公 (lǎogōng)”. It has an endearing tone to it, much like “여보 (yeobo)” in Korean. In Filipino, I would say that “Mahal (Love)” is the equivalent of these words. But Filipina women are usually not coquettish when they say this word. Men usually coax their wives in my country, not the other way around. Well, I’m really not sure about the new generation, maybe they have been influenced by Korean Dramas.
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Like this chapter so much. They finally had a real date. Even though they are already married.