The office of the Academic Affairs Department at Jiangcheng University.
Shang Huaizheng sat in a chair, the buttons of his crisp white shirt fastened up to his neck. The fitted shirt accentuated the firm lines of his muscular arms, yet his demeanor carried a refined elegance.
His skin was impeccably maintained. Although the Academic Director sitting across from him was of a similar age, the two seemed to belong to entirely different generations.
The director had brewed a cup of high-grade pre-rain Longjing tea, the steam curling softly into the air.
Leaning back slightly in his chair, Shang Huaizheng didn’t touch the tea.
He exuded an aura of quiet sophistication — a man used to the finest things, even a simple cup of tea would have to meet his exacting standards.
“Director Chen,” Shang Huaizheng said calmly, “Xiao Bai made a mistake, and I won’t shield her from the consequences. Whatever punishment the school deems appropriate, go ahead. It’s better if she learns a lesson.”
The Academic Director quickly responded, “Since Mr. Shang says so, we’ll proceed with a demerit and points deduction for your sister—”
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“Fbydt Jyk kpd’v kdblaldvzu cye,” Fbydt Twykgbldt kdvlaawrvle zktbvzu. “Fbl’p fwpv kxrwzpkhl yde yzoyup lytla vs pvyde wr qsa svblap. Fbl prsjl swv sq vwad yde sqqldele bla nzyppxyvlp. R’zz xyjl pwal vs ekpnkrzkdl bla obld ol tlv bsxl.”
Tl yeele, “Fbl’p yzps qya vss zygu. Wllz qall vs yppktd bla lmvay nzlydkdt ewvklp yv pnbssz — zlv bla cwkze psxl nbyaynvla. Rq pbl eslpd’v es y tsse fsc, nyzz xl.”
Mbl Gnyelxkn Pkalnvsa, obs bye clld alyeu vs kppwl y qsaxyz elxlakv, qswde bkxplzq cynjvaynjkdt. Tl qsanle y pxkzl yde pyke, “Fkdnl Ya. Fbydt kdpkpvp, ol’zz byhl Fbydt Jyk nzlyd vbl byzzoyu yde vbl osxld’p alpvassx kd Jwkzekdt 28.”
“Ls rasczlx.”
Fyvkpqkle, Fbydt Twykgbldt pvsse wr, cke vbl ekalnvsa qyalolzz, yde tayccle vbl tkaz pvydekdt cu vbl oyzz — vbl sdl clkdt rwdkpble — yde oyzjle pvayktbv swv sq vbl sqqknl okvb bla kd vso.
“Tlu! Tlu! Jas, zlv xl ts!” Fbydt Jyk rasvlpvle, piwkaxkdt. “El’al yv y wdkhlapkvu, qsa naukdt swv zswe! Zsw’al eayttkdt xl zkjl R’x y zkvvzl jke — obyv kq xu nzyppxyvlp pll? Rv’p ps lxcyaayppkdt!”
Xdnl vblu olal swvpkel vbl yexkdkpvayvksd cwkzekdt, Fbydt Twykgbldt qkdyzzu zlv ts, bkp hsknl nsze. “Fs dso usw alxlxcla usw’al y wdkhlapkvu pvweldv? Nssj yv vbl xlpp usw xyjl lhlau eyu — pvkzz cknjlakdt okvb rlsrzl zkjl usw’al kd xkeezl pnbssz. Uyd’v okd yd yatwxldv, ps usw pvyav vbasokdt rwdnblp. Tso sze yal usw dso? R jdso psxlsdl uswdtla vbyd usw obs’p yzalyeu osajkdt yde lyadkdt xsdlu — yde zssj yv usw.”
Fbydt Jyk oyp Fbydt Twykgbldt’p uswdtla pkpvla, qalpbzu 19 ulyap sze yde y psrbsxsal yv Kkydtnbldt Bdkhlapkvu. Fbl yzoyup osal shlapkgle bsseklp yde cyttu rydvp, tskdt qsa y bkr-bsr zssj. Ekvb bla alclzzkswp rlapsdyzkvu, pbl oyp y nsdpvydv pswanl sq osaau qsa bla szela casvbla.
Shang Huaizheng tugged at her short, crimson-dyed hair. “What kind of look is this?”
“I’m just showing my love for the country!” she retorted.
Shang Huaizheng aimed a kick at her, but she nimbly dodged it, flashing him a cheeky grin — the kind that said, I’m not scared of you. “Come on, bro, I’m not a kid anymore.”
“Aren’t you?”
“I’m an adult now!”
“Then act like one. Stop making the Academic Director call me every other week.”
The day was bright, the campus lined with tall plane trees whose dense leaves cast dappled shadows on the ground.
The siblings bickered as they walked, but it didn’t take long before their quarrel eased into playful banter again. Shang Bai clung to his arm, peering up at him. “Hey, who was that friend you mentioned earlier — the one younger than me? Who is it?”
“None of your business.”
Shang Bai pouted. “It’s rare for you to have friends under 30 — I’m dying to know!”
“They’re much more sensible than you—obedient, never worrying their parents, and definitely not going around picking fights like you do.”
“Really?”
Just as Shang Huaizheng finished speaking, he noticed a group of students from the Anime Club rehearsing a stage play at the music plaza across from them.
Ming Jue was dressed in a tattered, gray-black outfit, styled like a European wandering swordsman. Her hair was tied back in a short ponytail, and her face was smeared with dirt and “blood” for added effect.
She held a prop dagger, fencing with a boy dressed in a similar style, reciting lines in English:
“This is the Braavos’ dance—the water dance.”
“It is swift and sudden.”
“If you pierce them, the water leaks out and they die.”
They parried and jabbed at each other with their daggers, fluently delivering their lines with surprisingly decent accents.
Shang Bai, seeing her brother staring at the scene, teased, “So this well-behaved, obedient friend you were talking about—is she in the Anime Club?”
Shang Huaizheng shot her a glance. “And what if she is?”
Shang Bai almost doubled over with laughter. “Bro, you’re always so serious — a top-tier professional. Everyone outside calls you ‘Mr. Shang’ with the utmost respect. Who knew you had such a… nerdy friend?”
“Mind your own business.”
Shang Huaizheng lightly smacked the back of her head and strode straight toward Ming Jue.
“You say I go around fighting, but look at her — she’s holding a sword!”
Shang Huaizheng scoffed, “At least her English is better than yours.”
“Whatever!”
Ming Jue was playing Arya Stark from Game of Thrones, wielding her small sword “Needle” while sparring with her opponent.
The Anime Club’s performances always drew a crowd, and as Ming Jue glanced up, she spotted a familiar figure in the audience.
Shang Huaizheng.
The sunlight highlighted his sharp brow bone, casting a shadow over his deep-set eyes. He watched her with a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
With a clatter, her dagger slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.
Rehearsal came to an abrupt halt.
“Ming Jue, what’s wrong?”
“Why’d you stop?”
Ming Jue quickly apologized to her friends before jogging over to Shang Huaizheng.
“Mr. Shang, what brings you here?”
Before he could respond, Shang Bai suddenly popped out from behind him, grabbing his arm. “He’s here for me.”
The girl was bright and charming, full of energy.
Ming Jue’s gaze fell on the hand Shang Bai had looped around his arm.
“I’m his girlfriend,” Shang Bai announced, staring Ming Jue down. “Who are you? How do you know my Huaizheng? What’s your relationship? Be honest!”
“Ah—we’re nothing, really! Please don’t misunderstand,” Ming Jue stammered, her cheeks flushing as she avoided their eyes.
Shang Huaizheng: …
With a swift kick, this time landing squarely on Shang Bai’s backside, he made her yelp and jump. She glared at him, clutching her behind. “You’re so mean! I’m telling Mom you bullied me!”
Shang Huaizheng, exasperated, turned to Ming Jue. “This is my sister, Shang Bai. We’re on the same household registry. She likes to joke around.”
“Oh,” Ming Jue replied softly, her relief clearly visible.
Seeing Ming Jue visibly relax, Shang Bai grinned mischievously. “So, are you my brother’s little girlfriend?”
“Do you want another kick?” Shang Huaizheng asked coldly.
“Alright, alright! I’ll stop! You two have a nice chat — I’ll wait for you at the school gate.”
She winked dramatically at Ming Jue, who pretended not to notice.
Once Shang Bai had wandered off — though not too far — Shang Huaizheng said, “That’s just how she is.”
“I know about her,” Ming Jue replied. “Everyone at school knows Shang Bai. She’s famous — last month, she even got the new PE teacher to quit. I didn’t realize she was your sister.”
Shang Huaizheng rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “A family disgrace.”
Ming Jue giggled, the soft curve of her smile making Shang Huaizheng feel as if a gentle breeze had just swept over him. The lingering irritation from the Academic Office disappeared instantly.
“I’m taking Shang Bai for pizza. If you’re free, would you like to join us?”
“Ah, I—”
Ming Jue hesitated, realizing she was still dressed in her cosplay outfit.
“Come on, come on! I really want to get to know you!” Shang Bai popped back up out of nowhere, grabbing Ming Jue’s hand like they were already best friends. “Let’s be friends!”
Shang Huaizheng pinched the bridge of his nose. “Weren’t you going to wait at the gate?”
Shang Bai shot him a look that screamed I’m helping you — be grateful.
“I should go change first,” Ming Jue said, glancing down at her tattered costume.
“Alright, alright, go change your clothes. My brother and I will wait for you at the school gate!”
After Ming Jue left, Shang Bai said to Shang Huaizheng, “That girl likes you.”
“You think you know everything.”
“Of course,” Shang Bai said confidently. “When I said I was your girlfriend just now, the look in her eyes was so heartbroken, even I felt bad for her. If this isn’t love~~”
“Are you seriously singing right now?”
“Hey, bro, you’re not that young anymore, but why do you always attract these young girls? You’re just too charming.”
Shang Huaizheng ruffled his red hair. “When she comes back, don’t say anything stupid. She’s shy — not like you, with a face as thick as a city wall.”
“Fine, fine. If that’s your way of complimenting me, I guess I’ll take it. Why do you always have to drag me down when you praise someone else?”
…
About half an hour later, Ming Jue came running towards them from the dormitory building.
She was wearing a plaid dress paired with long black socks and round-toed leather shoes. Her hair was styled in a neat French braid, and her fair face had a slight rosy tint. Her dark almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright — she looked youthful and full of life.
Shang Huaizheng gazed at her, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
“This is what girls your age should look like,” he said, casting a disdainful glance at Shang Bai. “And then there’s you — looking like a rebellious middle schooler.”
“Bro, you’ve obviously got a thing for her. Everything about her seems perfect to you now, while I’m just a mess in your eyes.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Shang Huaizheng took Shang Bai and Ming Jue to a fancy western restaurant. They sat at a quiet table by the window, and the waiter handed them menus.
Shang Bai flipped through the menu and asked Ming Jue, “What kind of pizza do you like?”
Since it was her brother treating, Ming Jue didn’t want to be picky. “I’m okay with anything.”
“Anything? Then I’ll order durian pizza.”
Shang Huaizheng said, “A large beef pizza.”
“Bro, you’re so bossy. You said you were treating me, but you didn’t even let me pick the flavor.”
“You always order durian pizza, and you’re the only one who ends up eating it.”
“Hmph.”
While the siblings bickered, Ming Jue stayed silent. She wasn’t sure if Shang Huaizheng ordered beef on purpose, but she did like it — it was filling but not fattening.
The last time they ate at his restaurant, she ordered grilled beef cubes. When she treated him to a meal afterward, she also chose a beef set.
She quickly shook off the thought — he probably just picked beef randomly.
During dinner, Shang Huaizheng turned to Ming Jue. “I didn’t know if you’d like pizza — I only brought you here because I promised this middle schooler. If you don’t like it, I can take you somewhere you prefer next time.”
Ming Jue, surprised and flattered, quickly replied, “I’m not picky. I can eat anything.”
“Good.”
The so-called “middle schooler” chimed in, “Hey, hey! Why are you suddenly planning a private dinner?”
Shang Huaizheng shot her a look. “Eat your pizza.”
“What meal could possibly beat a home-cooked dish made by our very own Chef Shang?” Shang Bai teased Ming Jue, winking. “Sis, you should come to our house sometime! My brother’s cooking is better than any five-star restaurant.”
Ming Jue glanced at Shang Huaizheng cautiously. “I’ve tried Mr. Shang’s cooking before. It was really delicious… but I never got the chance again.”
She sounded a bit regretful.
“My brother’s always busy. Even I rarely get to eat his cooking,” Shang Bai said. “How about this — let’s set a date, and you can come over. Bro, you have to cook for her!”
Shang Huaizheng finally understood — his meddling little sister was trying to set him up.
“No need,” Ming Jue waved her hands nervously. “Mr. Shang is busy. I don’t want to trouble him.”
“It’s fine,” Shang Huaizheng said calmly. “I’m taking a short vacation soon. I’ll invite you over — without this so-called middle schooler.”
While he spoke, he cut a piece of pizza and placed it on Ming Jue’s plate.
He figured if he didn’t do it, she’d probably hesitate all night, too polite to help herself.
There was a quiet, almost fragile quality to her — not exactly shyness, but something deeper, like a kind of insecurity. She didn’t even dare to meet people’s eyes when she spoke.
For some reason, looking at her made him feel a bit protective.
After dinner, Shang Bai said she had plans to watch a movie with friends, so she left first.
Shang Huaizheng reminded her, “Come back to campus early.”
“I know! You’re so naggy!”
Shang Huaizheng then drove Ming Jue back to Jiang University. Since outside cars weren’t allowed into the campus at night, he parked at the gate and walked her to the dormitory.
“My sister has a pretty rebellious personality,” he said with a sigh. “You saw it yourself — always stirring up trouble like a middle schooler. If you see her around campus, just stay away from her. She’s a bit of a troublemaker.”
Ming Jue nodded obediently.
Shang Huaizheng asked, “You’re studying finance, right?”
“Mm.”
“What a coincidence — I majored in finance too. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me.”
Ming Jue’s eyes lit up. “I’m not very good at advanced math… Could I ask you for help?”
“Of course.”
She lowered her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Then I’ll really come ask you.”
“You think I was just saying it to be polite?”
“I was just worried you might be too busy.”
“I was, but things have calmed down recently.”
As they walked through a garden path with barely any streetlights, Ming Jue’s pace noticeably slowed. Shang Huaizheng glanced back at her — her steps seemed a bit unsteady.
“What’s wrong?”
Ming Jue explained, “I have night blindness… I can’t see the road very well.”
“Night blindness — that’s a lack of vitamin A. You should eat more carrots and cod liver oil.”
The girl stumbled a few times, nearly bumping into him.
Shang Huaizheng sighed softly and stopped walking.
Ming Jue halted as well, looking up at him, though she couldn’t see much. Her dark eyes were filled with confusion.
After a brief hesitation, Shang Huaizheng gently took her hand.
Her palm was incredibly soft, and the coolness of her skin contrasted with his warmth.
He tightened his grip just slightly.
Ming Jue’s heart pounded furiously — so loud she felt like it might leap out of her chest.
The man didn’t say a word, simply leading her forward in silence. The strange atmosphere left Ming Jue unable to guess what he was thinking.
Was he just holding her hand out of politeness, or was there something more?
With almost no experience in relationships, Ming Jue felt like a wooden post — stiff, clueless, and entirely at his mercy.
When they finally emerged from the dark path, Shang Huaizheng didn’t let go. He kept holding her hand all the way to the dormitory entrance.
“Can you see clearly enough to go upstairs?”
Blushing, Ming Jue nodded.
“Go on, then.”
Only then did Shang Huaizheng release her hand.
That short walk had left his heart racing too — a rare feeling for a man in his thirties. It was almost absurd how something so simple could stir him like this.
“Sorry if I crossed a line just now.”
Ming Jue bit her lip. “Mr. Shang, I didn’t feel offended at all. Actually, I—”
Before she could finish, the dormitory supervisor called out, “Hurry up and come inside — I’m locking the doors!”
Shang Huaizheng smiled gently. “Go on.”
Ming Jue hesitated for a moment, then quickly rummaged through her bag and shoved a small item into his hand. “This is for you!”
Without waiting for his response, she spun around and rushed into the dormitory like a gust of wind.
Shang Huaizheng looked down at what she had given him — a leather cord threaded with three silver leaves. The leaves were finely crafted, with delicate veins etched into the metal. As they cascaded downward, the silver darkened slightly, and enamel beads, placed in an irregular pattern, flanked both sides of the leaves. It was clearly a handmade necklace charm — bold and unique in design.
It wasn’t something a man like him, dressed in formal business attire most days, would ever wear.
Still, he carefully tucked the necklace into his pocket, handling it as if it were something precious.
Sansukini: I think they have 11 years difference in age, I’m not sure (I completely forgot) .But I thought it’s too big of a gap, then I remembered that my parents have 10 years age gap. Lol. This novel will end next week.
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My parent has 10 years gap, I have 9 y gap with my husband.
An older man knows better how to take care of his wife 😜, and more stable.
Anyway…to accuse living with a person from different generation must be boring is too narrow minded. Because the age..for some people is really just a number.
There are young people who are so boring and live like elders, but there are also people who stay young in their soul no matter how old they are.
I had started college again at the age of 32, none of my college friends thought I was too old to mingle with them 😁.
I have few close friends who are 10-15 years younger than me.
Anyway IMO, as long as both party are Consenting Adults, not an old goat dating a minor, and there is no superior/elder/teacher/spiritual mentor & subordinate/children/student relationship, then there’s nothing to condemn for.
Happiness is private/personal matters 😁.