Shine on Me

I didn't eat much at the evening banquet.

Partly because my dress was a bit tight, and partly... I kept glancing at Lin Yusen, who came over to toast my uncle midway through the meal and ended up staying to chat...

How on earth was I supposed to tell my uncle that I didn’t need him to take me to Suzhou tomorrow, but would instead be leaving the day after with Lin Yusen?

Why had I inexplicably agreed to stay in Shanghai for two extra days with Lin Yusen earlier?

By the time the birthday banquet ended, it was already past ten. I finally mustered the courage to hesitantly bring it up with my uncle. His expression darkened immediately, and he promptly took his leave, dragging me along.

Back at the hotel, I was subjected to a full interrogation.

“When did this start? How did you meet?”

“Less than a month ago. In Suzhou. He’s our company’s deputy general manager.”

“Who made the first move?”

I really, really didn’t want to discuss this with my uncle—a middle-aged man—but given how stern he looked, I had no choice but to answer honestly. “Him.”

His expression shifted, though I couldn’t tell if it was relief or something more complicated. He stood up from the sofa and paced a couple of rounds.

“Xiguang, you’re at the age where dating is normal, and I’m not trying to stop you. But you saw for yourself tonight—the Sheng family is complicated . Their patriarch is old-fashioned, and three generations of the Sheng family still live together in that old mansion in Jing’an. The three Sheng brothers and their wives—none of them are easy to deal with…”

“Wait, Uncle, we’ve only just started dating. Isn’t it too early to be thinking about all that?”

He instantly flared up. “Just started dating? Then why did you introduce yourself as his girlfriend at the banquet?”

Well… I was just annoyed at the time…

I weakly defended myself, “ He was the one who said it. I just wanted you to meet him.”

“And you dared to trick your uncle? Was that fun?” Furious, he stormed toward the door. “I’ll let your mother talk to you.”

“Wait!” I hurried after him. “Uncle, can you at least wait until tomorrow…?”

At least give me some time to prepare.

The only response I got was the door slamming shut in my face.

Left with no choice, I braced myself for my mother’s call, eyes fixed on my phone. Even though I’d mentally prepared, my heart still skipped a beat when the ringtone blared.

But when I looked closely—it was Lin Yusen.

“Come down.”

His voice was light and amused when I answered. “I’m in your hotel lobby.”

I threw on my down jacket and rushed downstairs. Mr. Lin was waiting outside the elevator, looking refreshed and energetic, with no trace of the exhaustion from earlier.

Yet the moment he saw me, his smile vanished, replaced by a serious scrutiny. His intense gaze made me second-guess myself—but I had checked the mirror before coming down!

Finally, he spoke. “Where’s my gift?”

He held out his left hand—his wrist was bare, the watch he usually wore now gone.

I was speechless. You came here in the middle of the night just for this ?!

“It’s upstairs. I didn’t bring it.” Who demands a gift like they’re collecting a debt? Indignant, I shot back, “Well, do I get a gift?”

“I didn’t bring it either.” He said earnestly, “Want to go get it now?”

…Go get it?

I wasn’t sure I’d heard right. Hesitantly, I asked, “Where?”

His reply was perfectly calm. “My place.”

I froze.

Unfazed, he added, “Actually, I have ulterior motives.”"Of course I know you have ulterior motives, coming here in the middle of the night... But you actually dared to say it out loud?!"

"It's like this," he stated unhurriedly, "my life is about to undergo some major changes recently, so I need to make corresponding adjustments to my home. I'm planning to redecorate."

"So, Miss Nie, who caused this series of changes, would you like to come take a look and give some suggestions?"

Wait, wait, let me process this.

His life is about to change—because of me—so because of me—he's redecorating his home...

So that means...

Now I completely understand. Before I spontaneously combust from embarrassment, I quickly take a step back. "I'm going back to sleep, bye-bye-bye."

Just then, an elevator door opens, and I turn to dash inside, but Lin Yusen swiftly grabs my arm.

The foreign guest who just stepped out of the elevator is startled by us, staring at us in alarm while muttering a stream of foreign words, seemingly trying to come to my aid.

Lin Yusen steps in front of me and quickly responds in fluent English. They speak too fast, and with the foreign man's slight accent and my mediocre English skills, I don’t quite catch everything.

The foreign man gives me a questioning look.

He couldn’t possibly think this is some kind of abduction scenario, could he? To uphold our country’s reputation for good public security, I force a "bearing humiliation with fortitude" smile at him.

Only then does the foreign man relax, saying to me, "You can’t be more beautiful!"

Huh? What? Did he just say—you couldn’t possibly be more beautiful???? What’s going on?

Lin Yusen thanks him with a smile, and I awkwardly wave at the man. Once the foreign guest is out of earshot, I immediately ask Lin Yusen, "What did you just say to him?"

"I told him you’re my girlfriend, that we haven’t seen each other in ten days, and we’re in a hurry to go out and make up for Valentine’s Day, but you insist on going back upstairs to redo your makeup."

"..."

So the foreigner meant that I already look fine and don’t need to redo my makeup?

I’m speechless inside, my expression indescribable. Lin Yusen smiles faintly, reaching out to pinch my cheek. "Coming? I promise it’s safe."

I think my trust in Lin Yusen must have reached its peak. Distracted by the foreigner’s interruption, I somehow end up following him in a daze.

That is, until my mom calls.

But by then, I’m already standing at his doorstep...

My hand trembles as I answer the call, just as Lin Yusen opens the door and turns to say something... In a panic, I clamp my hand over his mouth. He freezes for a second, and when I wave my phone in front of his eyes, he nods with a hint of amusement, letting me keep my hand over his mouth as he leans against the wall.

Huh, even though I’m the one who initiated this, why does it feel like I’m the one being teased...

I lower my hand and answer the call. "Mom..."

Wait, why do I sound so guilty? I clear my throat. "You’re still awake?"

"I just got some good news, and I’m too happy to sleep."

After hesitating for a long time, I cautiously ask, "...Really?"

Mom lets out a cold laugh, instantly shattering my illusions and forcing me to straighten up. "I just started too, and I haven’t figured out how to tell you yet."

"When did you start dating?"

Lin Yusen quietly opens the door and places a pair of soft, long-haired slippers by my feet. His home actually has such cute slippers?I froze for a moment, almost forgetting to answer my mom.

"Hmm?"

I quickly replied, "It was just before the New Year."

"You didn't leave any hints at all. Sheng Xianmin's grandson?"

"Yeah."

For some reason, I didn’t like hearing it put that way. I waved at Lin Yusen and walked out onto the balcony. "His name is Lin Yusen. He used to be a neurosurgeon. Then there was a car accident," I paused, "his hand was injured, so he switched careers and went to work at Shengyuan. Last year, he was transferred to Suzhou, and that’s how we met."

"I already know all that."

Huh? You investigated him already?!

"Xiguang, have you ever wondered why he was in Shanghai all this time, and then just happened to be transferred to Suzhou when you went there?" she reminded me. "After all, if someone really wanted to find out about your move to Suzhou, they could."

See, this is exactly why I didn’t want to bring up Lin Yusen with Mom.

Most people think my family’s success is all thanks to my dad, but Mom is just as sharp and capable. Just as I expected, the moment she found out about Lin Yusen, she immediately grew suspicious.

But Lin Yusen really did go to Suzhou because of me.

However, explaining the whole story would mean bringing up Ma Nianyuan. And mentioning that woman would only upset Mom.

I really didn’t want to make her unhappy, so I dodged the issue. "Mom, don’t make me sound so full of myself, okay? There were so many beautiful girls at the banquet just now—ones with good family backgrounds and impressive careers. He’s capable and handsome, why would he be after me?"

Mom was quiet for a moment on the other end of the line, then actually said, "You have a point."

...Ouch. Ten thousand points of damage.

"Mom, I trust him," I said seriously. "And why do you guys always assume others have ulterior motives? Don’t I have any good qualities?"

"'You guys'? Does your dad know?"

Could Mom please not be so sharp? Her ability to zero in on the key point is too strong. She wouldn’t think I told Dad but not her, would she?

I hurried to explain, "I didn’t tell him! And when he found out, it was all just speculation—Lin Yusen and I hadn’t even started anything back then."

Mom let out a dry laugh. "I’d like to see you dare."

She sighed again. "Well, it’s about time you started dating anyway. And honestly, my judgment is probably terrible. If I picked someone for you, they might be worse than whoever you randomly end up with."

...It’s not like I’m just stumbling around blindly. Mom, if you want to criticize yourself, fine, but don’t drag me into it.

"Your uncle said you’re staying in Shanghai another night?"

I felt a pang of guilt. "It’s rare that I’m here..."

Mom snorted. "And tomorrow, you’re going to his family’s banquet? You’re not even officially together yet, what’s the point?"

"His grandfather invited me on the spot. I couldn’t exactly say no."

"Where are you right now?"

"O-of course I’m at the hotel!!!" I blurted out, guilty at first but then defiant—after all, I was just here for tea. "On the same floor as Uncle!"

Mom scoffed. "I believe you at least have that much sense. From now on, when you go to Shanghai, you’re not allowed to visit his place."

After a brief silence, I meekly agreed. "Okay."Mom said, "Hotels aren't safe either, and you'll probably be going to Shanghai often in the future. Let me make some arrangements for you. That's it for now—I'm feeling a bit flustered. We'll talk about other things when they come to mind."

Dazed, I hung up the phone, wondering what exactly she was planning to arrange for me.

Returning inside with my phone, I saw Lin Yusen leisurely pouring water. Spotting me, he handed over a glass of warm water.

"So, did I pass the background check?"

Having just had such a tense conversation with my mom, his relaxed demeanor irked me a little. I replied with a haughty tone, "Still under review."

Lin Yusen chuckled. "Then you should inspect carefully, paying attention to the details. I think starting with his living environment is a great idea. Would you like to consider it?"

Was this an invitation to tour his home?

I hesitated. "Um..."

"Hmm?"

"Does that include the bedroom?"

I thoroughly explored every corner of his place—except the bedroom—before voicing a question.

"You said you bought me a gift, right? Where is it? I don’t see it anywhere."

"Isn’t it on your feet?"

I froze, looking down at the slippers, then back at Lin Yusen.

His New Year’s gift to me… was a pair of slippers?

My wide-eyed expression must have amused him because he couldn’t hold back his laughter. "I ordered them before going abroad, thinking you’d need your own pair when you visited."

"...If you're going to scam me, at least put in some effort!"

Lin Yusen laughed outright, ruffling my probably already frizzy hair before bending slightly to meet my gaze. "There’s something even more outrageous."

"Huh?"

"I don’t want you to take the gift I gave you away."

"What?"

"So, I want the gift I gave you to stay in my home forever. Would you agree?"

It took me a moment to grasp the meaning behind his words, and I stared at him, puzzled.

Under the soft lighting, his expression had turned solemn at some point. He was earnestly inviting me to become a permanent part of his future world.

But wasn’t this too fast? To jump straight into something so serious. Yet, strangely, I didn’t feel any resistance to his words or what they implied.

As if under a spell, I heard myself say, "I do."