Luаn Niаn sаw а thоrоughlу dishevelеd Shаng Zhi Тао.
The biting cоld wind оutside was mаtched bу hеr оwn сhill, stаnding bеfore sоmeone for the first time withоut hеr usual strаight pоsturе, hеr wаist slightly slumреd.
Lukе bаrkеd haрpily upоn sеeing him.
Luаn Nian was furious, his еyes rеd as he сursеd аt hеr:
"Аrе уou fucking insаnе? You drоvе hеre аlonе?"
"Dо you hаvе a dеath wish? If you wаnt to die, just fucking tеll mе!"
"Whаt's wrong with уou! How оld аrе yоu?! Yоu..."
Shаng Zhi Тао walkеd оver, grаbbed his сollar, рulled his hеаd dоwn, and kissеd him fiеrсеly. Luan Nian strugglеd hard to push her awаy, but she clung tо him again. Нe соuld onlу pinch her face: "I have a cold."
"Then let's catch it together," Shang Zhi Tao said with a smile. She felt a little like crying: "On the way, I kept thinking I had to tell you in person that I still love you just as much as before."
Luan Nian thought this woman was a complete idiot, so foolish that it brought a thin layer of moisture to his eyes. He pressed his lips to her forehead, not letting her see his emotion, and asked softly, "How long did you drive?"
"Over ten hours."
"Do you know how dangerous that was?"
"I know. But I wanted to bring Luke to see you." Shang Zhi Tao hugged Luan Nian tightly and whispered, "Luan Nian, are you crying?"
"Nonsense."
"Let me see." Shang Zhi Tao suddenly looked up and saw Luan Nian's reddened eyes. He turned away, not letting her see—it was too embarrassing. But she jumped around, trying to look, while he kept dodging. She circled around him until he finally stopped, and Shang Zhi Tao saw the tears welling in Luan Nian's eyes.
He probably didn't know that when he cried, his eyes sparkled like stars.
Shang Zhi Tao's heart suddenly felt completely full because of him. Luan Nian wiped his face, pulled Shang Zhi Tao into his arms, and held her tightly.
For a while, Luan Nian had felt a slight distance between him and Shang Zhi Tao. It seemed like everything else was more important to her than him—work, family, Luke, friends. Luan Nian wasn't a perfect partner; he had a strong possessive streak and needed Shang Zhi Tao to keep him in her heart.
She did.
And he felt at ease.
Shang Zhi Tao stood on her tiptoes to kiss his chin. He was sick, holed up at home, with a stubble of dark beard growing on his face that prickled her skin. Luan Nian looked at her face, reddened from the stubble, and suddenly remembered those early years when she would always blush.
"Shang Zhi Tao."
"Hmm?"
"Even though I'm really angry, I'm glad you came."
Luan Nian held her as they lay on the bed. Both were exhausted, yet neither wanted to sleep. Shang Zhi Tao began to chatter: "I saw Zang Yao, you know. That year at the hotel in Guangzhou, she came looking for you in the middle of the night. Were you two dating back then?"
"?" Luan Nian frowned. "Are you crazy, Shang Zhi Tao? Do I just date anyone?"
"But she came to see you in the middle of the night, you traveled together, and you even gave her flowers..."
Luan Nian sat up and looked at her seriously. "How did you know we traveled together?"
"She posted a travelogue on a website, and I saw it. We had just been together then, and I was really upset."
"But you never asked me about it?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I didn't have the right to."Luan Nian suddenly felt a pang of heartache. He suddenly understood how many unspoken grievances Shang Zhi Tao had endured from him over all those years. Was that how her heart gradually grew cold? Mistakenly thinking he loved someone else, then being rejected by him, slowly she no longer dared to be serious, no longer dared to love him?
"So you think Sun Yuanzhu was the most special to you, is that it?" Luan Nian asked her.
"Shang Zhi Tao, I've always been jealous of him. Because no matter what happened, you always thought of him first. There was even a time when I thought you loved him."
"So, did you ever love him?"
Hearing that name that felt both distant and close, Shang Zhi Tao finally sat up, taking Luan Nian's hand: "Do you want to hear the truth, Luan Nian?"
"I want to tell you the truth." Shang Zhi Tao's eyes reddened slightly: "Back then, I was anxious every day, always feeling like I wasn't good enough anywhere, and I kept encountering one thing after another. He always helped me, always cared for and protected me. I trusted him like I trusted my own family. Sometimes I even felt he was more important than you, because you were always out of reach, while family was right by my side."
"So when he left, I was in immense pain." Shang Zhi Tao wiped away her tears: "At that time, I hated how you looked down on us. Every word you said about him and me felt like a slander against us."
"He's already gone, in that way. But there will always be a corner of my heart where he stays, because we spent such long years together."
"Can you understand?"
Shang Zhi Tao held his hand. She could lie to him, say Sun Yuanzhu was just an ordinary friend, that his departure no longer affected her. But Shang Zhi Tao didn't want that. If she lied, it would be a desecration of her friendship with Sun Yuanzhu, and also a desecration of her feelings with Luan Nian.
She didn't want that.
She hoped what they had between them would be pure, free from suspicion and unease. She hoped they could start completely fresh from this night.
"Do you believe me?" she asked again.
Luan Nian's lips touched her forehead: "I believe you, Ms. Shang Zhi Tao."
"I'm a little sleepy." Shang Zhi Tao pulled him down to lie beside her: "Do you still have a fever? Are you feeling better?"
"Can we sleep in a bit tomorrow?"
"What will we do tomorrow?"
"I'm not going back, you know. I'm staying here for New Year's..."
"Sleep." Luan Nian turned off the light, reaching out his hand only to find empty space. The mattress shifted, and then a scorching, completely naked body pressed into his arms. Luan Nian caught his breath. Shang Zhi Tao's body was hot, but her hands were cold. Those icy hands traveled downward, and Luan Nian flinched, grabbing her hand: "I'll infect you."
"Wouldn't it be nice to catch a cold together? If you still have the strength." Shang Zhi Tao's lips brushed his ear: "You don't even have to move."
Imitating his tone, exactly the same, shattering the intimate atmosphere.
But she quickly grew serious again, continuing her exploration.
She felt she had to do this today, to use up the last bit of strength she had left with him. Luan Nian, stirred by her challenge, suddenly flipped over and thrust inside. He didn't even allow Shang Zhi Tao to make a complete sound, because his lips and tongue sealed hers tightly.
When she finally caught her breath, she heard Luan Nian whisper in her ear: "Shang Zhi Tao, I love you."His breathing was unsteady, his voice hoarse. Shang Zhi Tao closed her eyes, feeling as if he had taken her to a fantastical realm. In her ears were his murmured sweet nothings—he had never spoken so many beautiful words in his entire life. Wherever his lips and hands went, he praised her there, occasionally whispering "I love you."
Just when Shang Zhi Tao thought his tenderness was almost unlike him, he reverted to his true self, dragging her out of that fantasy, forbidding her from letting her thoughts wander, making her focus solely on him.
Intense, explosive, trembling.
Foreheads pressed together, she tilted her head back to taste his sweat, only to be pushed back onto the pillow. He wouldn’t let her move, forcing her to endure it all.
Finally, exhaustion set in.
Shang Zhi Tao slept soundly, her limbs entwined with his all night. No matter how he shifted, she would squeeze herself beside him. Even in her sleep, she demanded his embrace; if he tried to pull away, she would grumble in discontent.
They had never been like this before—sleeping in the same bed with almost no space between them.
When Luan Nian opened his eyes the next day, he suddenly came to a strange conclusion: sex cured colds, because he was completely recovered. His mind was clear, his body light. Shang Zhi Tao in his arms was like a small furnace, radiating heat that warmed him to the core.
He wanted to do something more, but then he heard Luke scratching at the door—the poor dog was about to burst.
Luan Nian hastily threw on some clothes and opened the door. Luke barked at him angrily twice before turning and running off. Luan Nian grabbed the leash and chased after him, taking him outside as quickly as possible to relieve himself. Once he had done his business, Luke immediately calmed down, strutting through the neighborhood with his head held high, like a victorious hunting dog.
Dr. Liang called, and Luan Nian answered, asking, "What's up?"
"What time are you coming back to help us prepare for the New Year?" she asked.
"I need to go to the office to pick something up first, then I’ll head back," Luan Nian said. "Also, I’ll probably bring someone with me."
"Bring someone? Who?"
Luan Nian stayed silent, waiting for Dr. Liang to figure it out. After a moment, she finally said, "Shang Zhi Tao?"
"Mhm."
Luan Nian heard Dr. Liang burst into laughter. She even turned to Luan's Father and said, "What did I tell you? This time, our son won’t mess it up!"
Luan's Father snorted, but there was a hint of hidden joy in his tone.
"I need to prepare a gift for the girl—it’s her first time visiting our home. What should I get? A bag?"
"Don’t," Luan Nian quickly stopped her. If Dr. Liang also gave Shang Zhi Tao a bag, she would definitely think giving bags was a Luan family tradition, and she didn’t like that.
"No bag, huh… Then how about a red envelope? I’ll go withdraw some cash later—fifty thousand? A hundred thousand?"
"No need. Why are you so nervous?" Luan Nian asked her. "Mom, you’ve seen your fair share of big occasions."
"Shut up. I’m afraid if I don’t put in the effort, relying solely on you, you’ll end up driving my future daughter-in-law away. If I treat the girl well, even if she wants to dump you later, she might think twice because of her future mother-in-law…" Dr. Liang rambled on before hanging up.
Luan Nian glanced at Luke and raised an eyebrow. "I’ll take you back with me too. Leaving you alone at home would be pitiful."
Shang Zhi Tao didn’t refuse to go home with Luan Nian, but she felt she couldn’t go empty-handed. Yet, she had no gifts prepared.
She secretly asked Lumi, "I’m meeting his parents—what should I bring?"
"Don’t overthink it. Just buy some pastries to bring along. It’s polite and respectful, and there’s plenty of time for more later.""Alright. I'll go with him to the company to get his things in a bit. Do you want to come down and meet me?"
"Holy shit! You're here? Of course!" Lumi finally caught on.
It had been several years since Shang Zhi Tao left Lingmei.
Luan Nian's car was parked in the underground garage. He went upstairs to get his things while she went up to ground level. That café was still open. With the New Year approaching, it felt a bit desolate inside.
Shang Zhi Tao pushed the door open and walked in. The servers from back then were no longer there, replaced by newer, younger faces, but the coffee was still rich and fragrant.
Watching the hurried footsteps of passersby outside, she remembered the six years she had spent here.
She was grateful that she hadn't wasted a single day of those six years. Looking back now, they were all weighty memories.
She felt a bit emotional, so much so that when Lumi saw her, the first thing she said was, "So? Revisiting old haunts—must be quite emotional, huh?"
"Yes!" Shang Zhi Tao pushed the coffee toward her. "Your favorite."
Neither of them spoke. Shang Zhi Tao imitated Lumi, relaxing into the sofa, both of them staring at the withered tree outside.
Each year, it withers and flourishes.
Ten more rings had grown on its trunk.
Luan Nian called her: "Come up and help me find something. I can't locate it."
"Is that appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Hurry up." He gave her no chance to argue before hanging up.
"Be brave, Shang Zhi Tao! What are you afraid of? You've got me, haven't you? If anyone dares to gossip, I'll just beat them up and be done with it! Let's go!" Lumi stood up, pulling Shang Zhi Tao with her. "Head high, chest out, with a bit of pride: Yes! I slept with the Luke you all dream about! For years!" Lumi strode forward as she spoke, and Shang Zhi Tao followed behind, unable to hold back a laugh.
Everyone changes, but Lumi doesn't. She's exactly the same as she was before—living freely and clearly.
But when she filled out the visitor information and actually stepped into Lingmei, her legs still went a little weak.
The elevator doors opened, and she immediately saw the familiar office area. The past rushed toward her as if she could see her former self, clutching a laptop and striding briskly to the meeting room, always in a hurry. Those meetings, one after another, the late nights of overtime, the setbacks again and again—they had all turned into medals adorning her.
A colleague recognized her and called out in delight, "Flora!"
Shang Zhi Tao also called the colleague by name and hugged them. Others heard the name and stood up, seeing the earnest and brave girl from back then. Lingmei had many stories about her. After she left, colleagues would talk about her and say, "That girl was amazing."
Everyone was excited, gathering around her to catch up, asking where she was now, what she was doing, and why she had suddenly come to the company.
Luan Nian stood at the door of his office, watching for a while, before finally calling out to her, "Shang Zhi Tao."
Everyone turned to look at Luan Nian in surprise.
"No time to waste. Help me find something."
Luan Nian smiled at everyone. "Leave early today. Happy New Year in advance." Then he said to Shang Zhi Tao, "Hurry up. We still have to go to the supermarket later."
Shang Zhi Tao's face flushed bright red.
"Go on." Lumi gave her a push. What's there to fear? Let the whole world know you're together!Luan Nian's gaze met Shang Zhi Tao's without any intention of holding back. Rumors circulated in the company that he preferred men, as all the men in his circle were exceptionally handsome. Others claimed he had a constant stream of girlfriends, never repeating the same one month after month. Yet no one had ever seen his girlfriend. He never feared gossip, but today, he suddenly felt a strong urge to introduce Shang Zhi Tao to them—as his girlfriend.
Shang Zhi Tao stood at the door of his office, just as she had years ago. His office remained as cold and sparse as ever, the floor-to-ceiling window behind him still spotlessly clean.
"Looking for something?"
"Found it."
A mischievous smile flickered across Luan Nian's face. "Sit there and wait for me a moment. I need to send an email."
"Okay."
Shang Zhi Tao settled into his sofa, which emitted a faint, familiar creak—a sound reminiscent of countless ambiguous moments from the past.
Luan Nian's ears and neck flushed slightly, yet his expression remained impassive as he continued handling his email.
As they were about to leave, Shang Zhi Tao suddenly asked him, "Is Tracy in?"
"She's probably in a meeting."
"Can I go see her?"
"Go ahead."
Shang Zhi Tao hurried to Tracy's office door, took a deep breath, and finally reached out to knock.
"Come in." Tracy's voice was as gentle as ever.
She gently pushed the door open and saw Tracy still on the phone. Tracy glanced up, then looked down, only to quickly raise her head again, suddenly breaking into a smile. "I have a visitor here. Let's discuss this later."
She hung up the phone and stood to embrace her, and Shang Zhi Tao returned the hug.
"Where have you been all these years?"
"I went back to Bingcheng. I've been living well." Shang Zhi Tao gestured toward Luan Nian's office, her expression apologetic.
Tracy stopped her. "I know about Flora. There's no need to apologize to me. Love—who can ever fully explain it?"
"Tracy, I want to say a few words to you." Shang Zhi Tao straightened up. "I want to thank you for giving me a chance back then. I know I was very ordinary. If I hadn't met you, my life might have taken a completely different path. Thank you for always choosing to believe in me, no matter the circumstances. Thank you for helping me."
"I will always be grateful."
Grateful for having met so many wonderful people.
She was incredibly fortunate.
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