STYL - 3

Shen Mut Gui had just arrived downstairs and was lost in thought, appearing distracted.

He didn’t notice the two people approaching the entrance.

“Teacher Shen.”

A clear and sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.

Chen Yi Nuo and Chen Nan Jin had just returned from their evening stroll along the Bund when they ran into Shen Tang.

Following the sound of the voice, Shen Tang saw Chen Yi Nuo dressed casually, walking arm-in-arm with Chen Nan Jin.

In response to their enthusiasm, she merely nodded symbolically.

As they approached, Shen Tang reluctantly greeted Chen Nan Jin with two strained words: “Director Chen.”

Shen Tang had always been aloof. Chen Yi Nuo, having shared the stage with her before, understood her temperament and didn’t find her reserved attitude unusual.

Chen Yi Nuo was three years younger than Shen Tang and admired her as one of her favorite young actresses. Beyond her acting skills, she was captivated by Shen Tang’s striking beauty.

Shen Tang’s beauty was unique—her cold detachment and effortless elegance emanated from deep within.

It couldn’t be imitated.

“I watched the trailer for your upcoming drama,” Chen Yi Nuo said, giving Shen Tang a thumbs-up. “It’s definitely going to be a hit.”

Shen Tang: “Thank you.”

Reciprocity in compliments was customary, so she politely praised Chen Yi Nuo’s acting skills in return.

Chen Nan Jin stood aside, unable to join the conversation.

From start to finish, Shen Tang hadn’t looked directly at him. Even when she had greeted him earlier, her gaze was directed past him.

Chen Nan Jin stole glances at Shen Tang’s face, but his eyes moved too quickly each time to catch the emotions hidden in her eyes.

Chen Yi Nuo’s phone rang—it was her agent.

She apologized briefly to Shen Tang, then turned to her father: “Dad, wait for me by the elevator.” She stepped away to take the call in private.

The vast hotel lobby felt as though the air had frozen.

Only then did Chen Nan Jin look at Shen Tang’s face. Gone was the sternness of the director, leaving only the warmth of a caring father: “Are you heading out this late? Why not have your assistant accompany you?”

Her response was a cold turn of her back.

Without outsiders present, she refused to utter a single word to him.

Even that reluctant “Director Chen” moments ago was only for Chen Yi Nuo’s sake—a forced courtesy.

________________________________________

Jiang Cheng Yu owned two apartments in Shanghai, one on each side of the river.

Tonight, they were staying near the Bund, in the same apartment where Shen Tang had taken photos.

Jiang Cheng Yu was still upstairs in the private room while Shen Tang waited in the car, scrolling through her phone.

Today, she had trended on social media twice. One热搜 was about her gown, likely bought by her studio for publicity.

The other热搜 was about the strand of begonia flowers tattooed—or perhaps stuck—on her arm.

Netizens were debating whether it was a sticker or a real tattoo.

Ten minutes passed.

Shen Tang messaged Jiang Cheng Yu: [？]

He didn’t reply. Instead, he opened the car door, got in after finishing his call, and instructed the driver to head to the cruise terminal.

“Why are we going to the dock? More business engagements?”

“I’m taking you on a night cruise along the Huangpu River.”

Shen Tang lowered the armrest between the rear seats, resting her chin as she stared at him.

“You seem to be in a good mood today. Did you sign a big project?”

Jiang Cheng Yu unbuttoned his suit jacket with one hand. “You said this month marks our third anniversary. Consider this part of your gift.”

Shen Tang nodded. It seemed his appearance at the dinner and securing Yan He Yu’s sponsorship were all part of the gift.

She adored such grand gestures.

“Anything else?”

This time, Jiang Cheng Yu stared at her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

It seemed there was nothing more.

Jiang Cheng Yu loosened his tie. “What else do you want?”

Shen Tang had a way of making men squirm, but she also knew how to sweet-talk them with just a few words.

She pointed to her cheek. “The gift I’ve been looking forward to the most—you haven’t given it yet.”

Her gesture was a request for a kiss.

Jiang Cheng Yu remained seated, resting his forehead on his hand as he gazed at her, a faint smile on his lips. “Always saying one thing and meaning another. Do you have nightmares at night, Shen Tang?”

“Every night, I dream of you. Whether they’re nightmares or not, I don’t know.”

“...”

The car was filled with the scent of her perfume, mingling with the faint aroma of red wine from him.

Intimate and seductive.

Jiang Cheng Yu reached over and pulled her into his arms. Her waist was soft and supple as he held her firmly.

Shen Tang leaned against his shoulder. Even through his shirt, she could feel the taut, smooth lines of his muscles.

“Am I your nightmare?” His breath grazed her neck.

“A beautiful dream.” A fleeting illusion of happiness.

The kiss she had requested earlier—he deepened it now.

The car arrived at the dock.

After parking, the kiss came to an end.

The night breeze was strong, and Shen Tang hadn’t brought a coat. Jiang Cheng Yu removed his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

On the yacht, apart from the staff, it was just the two of them.

She sat on the deck, leaning against the railing.

With no fear of being photographed, she felt completely at ease.

The server brought two cups of coffee—Jiang Cheng Yu’s order.

A perfect setting under the stars.

Shen Tang asked Jiang Cheng Yu to take pictures of her. “Make sure they’re good.”

Jiang Cheng Yu opened the camera app, then paused, eyeing the suit jacket she was wearing. “Are you planning to post these online or share them on your socials?”

Shen Tang thought for a moment. “Just for me to keep.”

Jiang Cheng Yu began adjusting the camera angles.

Shen Tang picked up her coffee and turned her profile toward the shore. “You can start shooting now.”

The yacht glided slowly through the dazzling lights of the city. Nothing felt real—not the glittering surroundings, nor the man taking her picture.

Once done, Jiang Cheng Yu sat across from her and sent her a few selected photos.

Shen Tang didn’t bother picking up her phone; she would save the photos later.

Sipping her coffee, she relaxed and enjoyed the view.

For this “anniversary,” she hadn’t prepared a gift for him, so she suggested: “The weather is nice tonight. Let me take some pictures of you too.”

With that, Shen Tang rummaged through her bag and took out her phone to photograph him.

Jiang Cheng Yu had never liked being photographed. “There’s nothing worth capturing.”

“If you don’t want to, fine.”

Secretly, Shen Tang put her phone away and took out her compact mirror to reapply her lipstick.

Jiang Cheng Yu observed her. “Not drinking your coffee anymore?”

“I am.”

“Then why are you reapplying lipstick?”

“Because the coffee diluted it.”

Jiang Cheng Yu was speechless at her logic. Reflecting on what she had said earlier in the car, it seemed she wasn’t entirely satisfied with his gift.

“I’m traveling abroad next week and will be there for over ten days. Want to come along?” he offered.

Shen Tang closed her compact mirror and sipped her coffee. “A vacation?”

“Sort of. I’ll buy you some jewelry while we’re there. It’ll save you from borrowing pieces for events.”

“Is this also part of the third-anniversary gift?”

“Mm.”

In three years of being together, she had either been filming or rushing to various appearances, almost without a break throughout the year. She also had to avoid paparazzi. Shen Tang and Jiang Cheng Yu had never gone on a trip.

Shen Tang still declined: “I need to go back and see my grandfather. My next drama starts shooting in November, and once I’m in production, I won’t have time to go back.”

Jiang Cheng Yu: “As you wish.”

________________________________________

Returning to the apartment in the early hours of the morning, Shen Tang poured herself half a glass of red wine and went to take a bath.

She asked Jiang Cheng Yu what time he was leaving for the airport tomorrow.

“Eleven thirty.”

Good, no need to wake up early.

After filling the bathtub, Shen Tang lay down, letting the warm water and essential oils wash away the fatigue of the day.

Through the floor-to-ceiling window, she could see the Pearl Tower on the other side of the river.

All the glitz was at her feet, like distant lights, real yet unreal.

After finishing her glass of wine, Shen Tang reached for her phone to check the time; she had been lounging in the bathtub for nearly an hour.

Wrapping herself in a bathrobe, she stepped out, her hair still dripping water. She draped a towel over her shoulder.

Eager to lock in moisture with her skincare routine, she ignored her wet, dangling hair.

Jiang Cheng Yu had already taken a shower earlier and brought up a bottle of chilled water from downstairs. He looked at her chin, “How many days haven’t you eaten?”

Shen Tang extended three fingers—two straight and one bent halfway.

Representing two and a half days.

During those two and a half days, she had only eaten fruit as meal replacements.

Even the fruits were rationed, always half portions.

Her waistline successfully slimmed down to 54 centimeters.

Happily, the areas that should have curves remained mostly unchanged.

Jiang Cheng Yu couldn’t comprehend such self-punishment. “Dry your hair and come downstairs for a midnight snack. Don’t end up drooling all over my neck again.”

Previously, she had a dream about drinking yogurt and smacked her lips, leaving his neck soaked with drool—a dark history between them.

“You actually嫌弃 my drool?” Shen Tang said flirtatiously, opening a lipstick and writing the letter ‘x’ on the back of Jiang Cheng Yu’s hand.

Jiang Cheng Yu looked at the back of his hand, waiting for her to explain the meaning of the letter.

Shen Tang continued with her skincare, “It’s not about whether you嫌弃 my drool or not now. It’s about whether you’ll be fortunate enough to share a bed with me again. Like this unknown variable ‘x,’ it’s uncertain.”

“What does the unknown variable x equal?” he patiently asked.

Shen Tang thought for a moment, “x equals Shen Tang being in a good mood. You know, my mood is more erratic than an ECG, it’s hard to catch me when I’m in a good mood. Solving this unknown variable is quite tricky.”

Jiang Cheng Yu didn’t say anything but took the towel from her shoulder to wipe off the lipstick on his hand.

Shen Tang thought Jiang Cheng Yu couldn’t find words to counter her.

Jiang Cheng Yu placed the towel back on her shoulder, seemingly making small talk: “That bit about the unknown variable you just mentioned, which screenwriter wrote that line?”

What line? Shen Tang thought to herself, she was the talented and beautiful ‘screenwriter.’

The water from her hair dripped down her arm, and Jiang Cheng Yu wiped it away.

Shen Tang plugged in the hairdryer, “Why are you asking which screenwriter? Do you admire this screenwriter?”

“Not just admire.” Jiang Cheng Yu then asked her, “Is this screenwriter your friend?”

Shen Tang: “It’s me. Those words were my original creation.”

Jiang Cheng Yu followed her words, “Screenwriter Shen, may I ask, if this were written into a script, how would the male lead solve for the female lead’s X? I’d like to learn too.”

He continued, “No need to be modest. Everyone in the entertainment industry knows you’re both talented and beautiful...”

Before he finished, Shen Tang burst into laughter.

Jiang Cheng Yu gazed into her eyes, “This is the point where you’re in a good mood.”

x = Shen Tang being in a good mood.

He rarely joked around to please her.

He hadn’t even drunk two sips of his chilled water before setting it down.

Shen Tang was caught off guard, the hairdryer not yet turned on, when Jiang Cheng Yu lifted her up.

The half-wet towel on Shen Tang’s shoulder fell to the ground.

Neither paid it any mind.

Jiang Cheng Yu walked to the bed and gently laid her on the pillow.

Propping himself on his elbow beside Shen Tang, he quietly gazed down at her.

Shen Tang mentioned the trailer for her drama shown at the investment conference, “Did you watch it?”

“Yes,” he said, “There’s a kissing scene.”

“Mm, there are two shots. It’s not the first time I’ve filmed a kissing scene.”

The lighting was soft and warm; her gaze was bold and unrestrained.

Jiang Cheng Yu silently watched her.

After more than a month without seeing each other, she felt much more distant from him.

He leaned down and gently kissed her cheek.

Shen Tang raised her hand to hug him, “You’ve given me so many anniversary gifts. I didn’t have time to prepare anything for you. Let me think about what to give you.”

Jiang Cheng Yu: “If something suitable comes up, you can give it later. It doesn’t have to be something bought.”

Shen Tang kissed him lightly, “Then consider this kiss as your anniversary gift.”

“Alright,” Jiang Cheng Yu whispered, “Kiss me again.”

Shen Tang obliged, this time with heartfelt emotion.

After the kiss, she tried to pull back, but Jiang Cheng Yu didn’t let her.

His passionate kisses, fingertips cool from the chilled water, his strong embrace, and overwhelming pheromones—all were what he urgently wanted to give her after their brief separation.

Shen Tang had a clump of wet hair stuck to her neck, unbearable, but Jiang Cheng Yu couldn’t wait for her to dry her hair.

Afterward, neither could speak.

Jiang Cheng Yu held her hand, their fingers tightly interlocked.

They couldn’t help but deepen the kiss.

The standing lamp emitted a faint glow.

Two intertwined shadows danced on the wall.

________________________________________

At ten o’clock the next morning, the warm autumn sun slanted through the glass into the bedroom. Shen Tang was still asleep.

The bed wasn’t far from the floor-to-ceiling window, with a few rays of sunlight reaching the foot of the bed.

A few more rays landed on her fair feet.

Shen Tang slept typically covering her head but leaving her feet exposed. Her head was buried under the blanket, while her feet stuck out.

She didn’t bother with her feet, let alone Jiang Cheng Yu.

Both of them usually slept with separate blankets. If there was ever only one blanket, Jiang Cheng Yu wouldn’t be able to find even a corner of it the next morning—it would all be wrapped tightly around Shen Tang.

As long as she wasn’t cold, she didn’t care about Jiang Cheng Yu’s comfort.

Ever since entering the industry, Shen Tang had no concept of a biological clock. For five years, her sleep pattern had been irregular. As long as no calls came in, she could sleep soundly through day and night.

Coupled with last night’s intimate moments with Jiang Cheng Yu, she showed no signs of waking up.

At ten thirty, there was only one hour left until departure for the airport.

Jiang Cheng Yu waited downstairs in the living room for some time, but there was no movement upstairs.

He had just picked up a fashion magazine from the coffee table to flip through. Apart from the cover, the content inside was too flashy, and Jiang Cheng Yu lost interest quickly, closing it.

Shen Tang still hadn’t woken up.

Jiang Cheng Yu went upstairs to wake her, standing at the bedroom door, taking a deep breath. Shen Tang was wrapped up so tightly that he couldn’t even see where her head was. Just looking at her made him feel suffocated.

“Shen Tang.”

“Mm.” A muffled grunt sounded faintly from under the blanket.

“If you don’t get up soon, we’ll miss the flight.”

“Oh, right away.”

Shen Tang didn’t have any trouble getting up when called.

When she was little and not yet in school, her grandfather would leave for the sea before dawn. At that time, she was too young, and her grandfather didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home, so he took her along.

All it took was one call from her grandfather, and she would immediately sit up and get dressed by herself.

This good habit had stayed with her until now.

There was a rustling sound from under the blanket, she was wrapped in several layers, struggling to get up.

Jiang Cheng Yu helped pull back the covers and pulled her out.

“Do you really have to wrap yourself up so tightly?”

“It gives me a sense of security.”

Shen Tang’s hair was smooth and silky. She had already combed it with her fingers while in bed, leaving it perfectly neat.

“Morning.”

She stretched her arms above her head lazily.

“What time is it now?”

Jiang Cheng Yu checked his watch, “Ten thirty-five.”

There was still plenty of time.

Shen Tang put on her dress and headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up.

By the time she came out, Jiang Cheng Yu was still in the bedroom, sitting cross-legged in front of her vanity mirror. With nothing better to do, he picked up a bottle of her cosmetics to examine.

Moisturizing whitening cream.

Shen Tang poked his shoulder. They had developed an unspoken understanding; upon receiving the hint, Jiang Cheng Yu uncrossed his legs, and she sat on his lap to start her skincare routine.

He was still looking at the whitening cream, “This isn’t even as white as your face. Does it work?”

Not being as white as her face pleased Shen Tang well enough.

“Not bad,” she said. “Since you gave it to me, I’m using it.”

Jiang Cheng Yu put down the cream. The cosmetics weren’t his purchase; he had taken them from his niece. His niece praised the product, so he brought a set for Shen Tang.