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Having been caught red-handed eating the late-night snack she had made for someone else, Shen Tang felt a little embarrassed.
She suppressed a laugh. “It didn’t taste good, so I ate it myself.”
This excuse was too clumsy, and Jiang Chengyu already knew what kind of person she was. “You never eat anything that doesn’t taste good.”
He pointed to the empty plate. “There’s only some shrimp-boiling water left at the bottom of the plate.”
Shen Tang burst out laughing but offered no explanation.
She still wanted to wait for the flower arrangement to arrive to surprise him, so she let him keep his misunderstanding for now.
“Shen Tang, hogging all the food will make you gain three jin.”
“...”
Shen Tang had just peeled shrimp, and her hands were still wet. She looked at Jiang Chengyu. “I want some water. I added too much salt when boiling the shrimp, jerk.”
Jiang Chengyu picked up the glass of water beside her and fed her a sip. “You’re being petty, even the salt can’t stand it.”
Shen Tang deliberately teased Jiang Chengyu, pretending to reach for his face as if she wanted to smear the shrimp broth on him.
To Jiang Chengyu, this gesture indicated that she was frustrated and trying to act spoiled.
Jiang Chengyu put down the glass and restrained her wrists.
Shen Tang was weaker and couldn’t move.
Jiang Chengyu moved her hands to her sides, then leaned forward from his chair to kiss her lips.
Shen Tang didn’t want to engage in a deep kiss; she was still thinking about the soon-to-arrive flower arrangement.
She pulled her head back and turned her face away.
Jiang Chengyu leaned in again.
“I still need to make you a late-night snack.” Shen Tang dodged his lips.
“The late-night snack can wait. No rush.” Jiang Chengyu didn’t let go of her. They hadn’t been together for over a month since she started filming.
Before kissing her, he could still hold back, but now, he was uncontrollable.
Shen Tang thought, You may not be in a hurry, but I am.
She buried her head in his neck. “You smell like cigarettes and perfume. Go take a shower first.”
This worked. Jiang Chengyu let her go.
He had only smoked one cigarette tonight; the smells were from the private room.
Jiang Chengyu poured half a glass of water and went to the bedroom to shower.
Shen Tang started preparing the second late-night meal of the evening. Just as the shrimp were cooked, the King Protea flower arrangement arrived.
The King Protea was both striking and aloof, making even the flamboyant roses look like its supporting actors.
After arranging the flowers, Shen Tang took out an exquisite set of tableware.
The meal wasn’t great, but the tableware could at least save face.
“Shen Tang.” Jiang Chengyu announced his arrival before entering the kitchen.
The timing was perfect. The porridge was ready, and the boiled shrimp were neatly arranged on the plate.
“What is it?” Shen Tang wiped her hands.
“I was afraid you were sneaking food, so I gave you time to clean up.” Jiang Chengyu asked, “Can I come into the kitchen?”
“Come in.” Shen Tang stood with her back to the island counter, blocking the flowers and the late-night snack.
Jiang Chengyu had finished his shower and changed into pajamas. “Smell me again. Do I still have any perfume on me?”
In truth, there hadn’t been any perfume scent earlier—it was all in her imagination. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let her go so easily.
Shen Tang was several meters away—how could she smell anything? She brushed him off: “No.”
“Is the late-night snack ready?”
“Yes.”
Shen Tang stepped aside. Jiang Chengyu was rolling up his pajama sleeves when he caught sight of the flowers and the late-night snack on the island counter. His movements paused.
Whether it tasted good or not was no longer important. This late-night snack had taken effort.
Jiang Chengyu suddenly understood: “So the late-night snack you made earlier—you ate it because the flowers hadn’t arrived yet?”
At this point, there was no need to hide it anymore. Shen Tang nodded. “Porridge doesn’t taste good after sitting for too long, and the shrimp would get cold. Reheating them won’t taste as fresh as when they’re freshly cooked.”
Jiang Chengyu walked over and hugged her. “Thank you.” Shen Tang looked up at him. “Tell me how you feel right now.”
Feelings were something Jiang Chengyu could only hint at, not explain outright. He used an analogy: “How you felt seeing me in the meeting room on the 18th floor tonight is how I feel right now.”
Shen Tang didn’t know what came over her, but she suddenly wanted to test him.
“When I saw you under those circumstances tonight, I can describe my feelings like this—I almost fell in love with you. I just made you a little late-night snack, and you really feel the same way?”
Subtext: Are you falling in love with me?
Jiang Chengyu smiled faintly and countered: “What do you think?”
Shen Tang smiled without answering. Jiang Chengyu was sharp—he saw through her probing. What he disliked most was talking about love or marriage.
He tossed the ball back to her, clearly stating his answer.
Continuing this topic would ruin the mood.
Shen Tang pulled out a chair. “Try my cooking.”
And just like that, she changed the subject.
Before eating, Jiang Chengyu took a photo. Shen Tang leaned against the island counter, playing with the petals of the King Protea. She was lost in reflection and didn’t notice what Jiang Chengyu was doing.
Lately, she had been getting carried away, mistaking Jiang Chengyu’s kindness and surprises as signs that he might be falling in love with her.
She was lost in thought for so long that Jiang Chengyu glanced at her more than ten times, yet she still didn’t respond.
He peeled a shrimp and fed it to her. “Taste your second attempt at cooking. Any improvement?”
Shen Tang bit onto the shrimp, her mind returning.
She earnestly rated her cooking: “The seasoning is just right this time. I’d give it a nine.”
Seeing her appetite was good, Jiang Chengyu peeled another shrimp.
Shen Tang shook her head. “If I eat any more, I’ll definitely gain three jin.”
Jiang Chengyu ate the shrimp himself. Her absent-minded expression reminded him of their first meeting when she sat alone in the lounge, lost in thought for a long while, not noticing anyone passing by.
“Do you remember much about that night at the cocktail party when we first met?” He brought it up voluntarily.
Shen Tang wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask. “You tell me what happened. Maybe my memory is a bit off.”
Jiang Chengyu: “You were sitting alone in the lounge, lost in thought. Did you encounter some trouble?”
Anything related to her past, she didn’t want to talk about now.
If it weren’t for his earlier cold attitude waking her up after her musings about love, she might have told him the truth about her parents based on how he had defended her so fiercely in front of Chu Ran tonight.
But now, there was no need.
“I guess you could say I encountered some trouble.” Shen Tang rested her chin on her hands. “I was worrying about how to seduce you.”
He knew she wasn’t telling the truth. Jiang Chengyu watched her calmly. “Shen Tang, I’m your boyfriend. Is there anything you can’t tell me?”
Shen Tang deliberately misinterpreted his meaning: “I know. I’ve known you were my boyfriend for three years.”
“...”
“Let’s talk about when we first met three years ago.” Shen Tang steered the conversation toward him: “Later, I heard from Wen Di that you were firmly against dating women from the entertainment industry. You didn’t like your private life being exposed and becoming gossip material. So why did you actively pursue me and end up with me?”
Jiang Chengyu: “Blinded by infatuation.”
Shen Tang borrowed his answer: “Being with you was also blinded by infatuation.”
She straightened up. “I’m going to take a bath.”
Not wanting to talk further, she found an excuse to retreat to the bedroom.
Jiang Chengyu grabbed her hand from behind: “You’re not staying to eat with me?”
“Tired. Going to soak in the bath.” Shen Tang kissed his cheek. “Eat slowly.” Still, she didn’t stay to accompany him.
The kitchen suddenly felt quiet.
This late-night snack also seemed bland.
The snow that started last night continued until early morning. After her bath, the snow still hadn’t stopped.
She wrapped herself in a thick coat and went to the terrace to admire the night view.
“You’ll catch a cold like this.” Jiang Chengyu urged her back into the bedroom.
Shen Tang wasn’t sleepy: “Let me look a little longer.”
Without further discussion, Jiang Chengyu pulled her inside. He was still thinking about another hearty meal.
However, the long-awaited second hearty meal, with meat, felt a bit perfunctory from Shen Tang.
Jiang Chengyu was far from satisfied. Holding her, he wanted another round.
Shen Tang yawned—a very fake yawn.
It was particularly disheartening.
Jiang Chengyu grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. “You’ve been acting up all night.”
Shen Tang looked at the person hovering above her. “Am I not allowed to throw a little tantrum?”
“You are.” Jiang Chengyu leaned down to kiss her eyes. “But there’s a limit. I’ve been pleasing you for such a long time.”
He used the word “pleasing.”
Shen Tang thought about it—it could be considered pleasing.
Every inch of skin, twice patiently kissed.
Jiang Chengyu’s kisses moved from her eyes to her jawline, gentler than before. “Shen Tang, aren’t you being hypocritical? Didn’t you say you almost fell in love with me?”
“Almost.” He emphasized this phrase.
Almost meant not quite there yet.
So, neither should demand too much from the other.
Shen Tang didn’t argue.
The bedroom was pitch dark; neither could see what the other was thinking.
This was their first disagreement in three years of being together.
Jiang Chengyu held her tighter. “You giving me the cold shoulder in bed—isn’t that a bit diva-like?”
“...”
“Kiss me.” He coaxed her softly.
Shen Tang: “It’s too dark. I can’t see your face.”
Jiang Chengyu chuckled, his mood improving. His lips approached hers, almost brushing against them. “Can you see now? Even with your eyes closed, you can kiss me.”
Shen Tang didn’t spoil the mood this time. She kissed him lightly, like a butterfly touching water.
Jiang Chengyu turned the light kiss into a stormy wave.
________________________________________
The next morning, Shen Tang flew to Hengdian.
Lijie accompanied her this time, planning to stay in Hengdian for a while. She feared Shen Tang and Chu Ran might clash again on set, leading to an unpleasant outcome.
Shen Tang’s temper was troublesome.
“Practice the two songs from the New Year’s Eve concert these next few days.”
Shen Tang nodded and put on an eye mask.
As soon as they reached the airport, Jiang Chengyu called.
“Focus on filming and don’t let it affect your mood.”
He was referring to their disagreement last night.
Shen Tang wasn’t angry anymore. Why trouble herself? “Once I’m on set, I’ll forget everything.” Including you.
“That’s good.”
Jiang Chengyu lightly massaged his temples. He hadn’t slept well last night either. When Shen Tang was upset, she didn’t share the blanket, not even letting him touch the corner.
He wondered if other women acted the same way when angry—even in their sleep, they were unreasonable.
“About to go through security.” Shen Tang hung up.
After the plane took off, a strange feeling she had never experienced before crept into her heart. She could clearly sense that the distance between her and Jiang Chengyu was growing farther.
________________________________________
Back on set, Shen Tang forced herself to quickly immerse in her role. Everything and everyone outside of Hengdian were locked out of her mind.
For five consecutive days, Chu Ran didn’t show up. Her scenes were postponed repeatedly.
These days, the crew buzzed with chatter about Chu Ran.
On the sixth day, Chu Ran posted a photo of herself lying in a hospital bed. The cast and bandages on her right foot were eye-catching.
It trended on social media.
“Hmph. I knew she’d play the victim card. Why didn’t she just say her leg was broken!” The assistant scoffed.
Lijie smacked her head. “Stop talking. If someone hears you, they’ll stir up trouble again.”
The assistant pouted and exited the trending topics page.
Shen Tang was in a good mood today and finished work early.
On the way back to the hotel, Lijie handed her the itinerary for New Year’s Eve.
“Take a look. We’ll fly to Shanghai on the afternoon of the 30th.” The New Year’s Eve concert was on the 31st, with rehearsals during the day.
Another trip to Shanghai.
Two flights within two weeks.
Shen Tang asked Lijie: “Are you coming to Shanghai with us? Why don’t you go back to Beijing? Spend more time with your kids during New Year’s.”
Recently, apart from filming and sleeping, Lijie had been sticking to her side like glue.
Treating her like a rebellious teenager.
Lijie tucked away the folder, cutting off her thoughts. “The kids are traveling with their dad. I have nothing planned before the New Year.”
Well, no point arguing further.
Shen Tang rested her forehead on her hand.
By the day before New Year’s Eve, Chu Ran still hadn’t returned to the set.
The director was at a loss. To ensure the shooting schedule, he had to film Shen Tang’s scenes ahead of schedule. Her workload each day exceeded the plan significantly.
It was worth it. The director gave her four days off for the Spring Festival.
She would have time to go home and celebrate the New Year with her grandfather.
The director didn’t know that Chu Ran and Shen Tang had fought in Shanghai. He still wanted to play peacemaker. “Shen Tang, Chu Ran has been hospitalized for so long. Since you’re going to Shanghai today, can you represent the crew and...”
Shen Tang knew what the director meant. “I’m busy.”
The director forced a laugh. “With your temperament, you’ll suffer big losses in the future.”
Shen Tang hummed in acknowledgment.
Maybe.
But it wasn’t the first time she had suffered.
When you’ve suffered enough, you get used to it.
In the evening, Shen Tang and her team arrived in Shanghai.
She stayed at Jiang Chengyu’s apartment again, while Lijie and the assistant stayed at a nearby hotel for convenience.
Shen Tang poured herself a glass of red wine and admired the riverside view from the terrace.
She and Jiang Chengyu hadn’t contacted each other for twelve days.
Her heart trembled slightly. She realized she remembered that clearly.
Lijie sent her a message reminding her that her Weibo account would grow weeds if she didn’t update soon.
Shen Tang put down her wine glass, fixed her hair, and took a few selfies to post.
Many fans commented immediately. Among them, a girl named ‘Candy is Me’: [@MeiTang, Happy New Year! Today is my and my twin brother’s twentieth birthday. My birthday wish is for MeiTang to get better and better ❤️]
Seeing “twin,” Shen Tang unconsciously bit her lip.
After her mother remarried, she had another pair of twins. The boy’s name contained the character “Kuo,” and the girl’s name contained “Yue.”
Taken from the phrase “Through life and death, I pledge to you.”
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