Chapter 10 Bedtime Reading: The First Year of Marriage, Jiang Huaichuan's Loss...

In the first year of their marriage, Jiang Huaichuan suffered from severe insomnia. Surrounded by powerful figures, the board of directors wanted nothing more than to tear him apart. Jiang Huaichuan could only fall asleep with the help of medication at night.

Six months later, Shen Li moved into the master bedroom. Jiang Huaichuan's sleeping posture was unrestrained; the clear dividing line between them before falling asleep was kicked away by him, and he used both hands and feet to press Shen Li into his arms. Perhaps because he had found a safe haven, Jiang Huaichuan's insomnia gradually improved, and he stopped taking medication.

Jiang Huaichuan was taken aback. Just as he was about to cover it up, he heard Shen Li ask, "Why did you say you wanted to take a nap?"

Before Jiang Huaichuan could finish his attempt to cover up his feelings, he met Shen Li's eyes and immediately confessed everything. He quickly said, "It's not serious. It just recurred in the last few days. Mingxuan prescribed some medicine. Don't worry, everything is under control with Shen Wenyuan and me."

After speaking, Jiang Huaichuan paused, lowered his voice, and moved the camera closer: "I just miss you a little."

The handsome face suddenly loomed large in front of him, and Shen Li's heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously pulled away, his eyes darting around, unable to look at the camera: "You, you shouldn't talk nonsense."

"Xiao Li, what are you saying?" Shen Ci's face suddenly appeared in the camera, his face full of doubt, but when he saw Jiang Huaichuan, he understood.

Shen Li turned her head and a dark blue light stick was shoved into her hand.

"The concert is about to begin." Shen Ci waved to the camera: "Good evening, President Jiang."

Jiang Huaichuan: "Good evening, thank you for taking care of me."

"Of course."

After Shen Ci finished speaking, he left the camera's view. Before Jiang Huaichuan could even speak, a voice came from outside the camera: "By the way, Xiao Li, did the guy who stopped you from adding him as a friend this afternoon come looking for you later?"

Um?

Jiang Huaichuan's eyelids twitched, and he instantly became alert. He pricked up his ears, held his breath, and tensed his body.

Shen Li is being targeted?!

President Jiang narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

Trying to steal him! They're overestimating themselves!

The boy's gaze made Shen Ci feel very uncomfortable. He was young, but the aggression and purpose in his eyes were too strong. This hot potato should be left to Jiang Huaichuan to handle.

Shen Ci took a sip of water, keeping his merits and fame hidden.

The surrounding lights dimmed, and as the energetic opening music began, the stage spotlights flashed, and cheers erupted.

Shen Li's gaze was drawn to it, but then she realized she was still video chatting with Jiang Huaichuan, so she turned her gaze back, revealing a conflicted expression.

Jiang Huaichuan found it funny and tapped his phone screen helplessly: "Okay, let's watch the concert. Send me a message when you get home tonight."

A video clip plays, and Shen Li stares intently at the stage.

It had been a long time since she had been in such a lively environment. Shen Li swayed her light stick to the rhythm of the music and slowly immersed herself in it.

Time flew by, and the two-hour concert was drawing to a close. The number of students around them increased rather than decreased, becoming densely packed, with some even climbing up tree trunks.

Scattered lights illuminated the surroundings, resembling a dazzling galaxy in the night sky.

Shen Li asked curiously, "Is this one of our signature programs?"

Shen Ci was also confused. He rarely attended concerts; the last time he did was at last year's New Year's Eve party. He was a little puzzled.

"Aaaaaaah!"

"My idol!!"

"Qiu Yun! Qiu Yun!!!"

A deafening scream rang in my ears.

Shen Li's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stepped out of the center circle, standing ten meters away, craning her neck to look with Shen Ci.

As the music began, a tall, slender figure walked onto the stage from the side.

Instantly, the screams intensified, the sound waves almost overturning the entire venue.

"Tsk! This kid's still so popular!"

The boy had a rough voice, a muscular physique, and wore a black tank top that revealed his well-developed biceps. Although his tone was flippant, it was not malicious, and Shen Li subconsciously became distracted.

The boy at the back was pushed out. He straightened his crooked collar and subconsciously complained to the source of the voice, "Who is this? My girlfriend and her dorm have class tonight and can't watch it, so she specially sent me to be a war correspondent. She told me to make sure I take good pictures of this guy. Good heavens, how am I supposed to squeeze in?"

"A freshman, right?" Upon hearing this, the man in the vest turned around and saw the boy wearing camouflage. He looked at him knowingly. "Go to the freshman group or the campus posts later. I guarantee you'll find photos of this guy from all angles, down to the smallest detail."

"Dude, you know him?" The boy's eyes lit up as if he had found a lifeline.

"He's the campus heartthrob!"

"ah?"

Seeing that he still looked confused, the man in the vest explained, "You'll understand when his face comes out."

Just as he finished speaking, a spotlight descended from above and shone on the center of the stage. As the stage lights came on, the boy's face was clearly revealed to the audience.

"Holy shit!" The boy, who had been completely bewildered, cursed.

He's fucking handsome!

As the music started, Shen Li was startled, her pupils dilating slightly.

As if time and space had intersected, the familiar melody rang in my ears once again, and the starlight before my eyes transformed into a galaxy of time, taking Shen Li back to the late autumn of her senior year of high school.

"Shen Li, this is your competition material. The preliminary round is at the end of October, and the results will be announced in early November. The final round is scheduled to be held at University A this year." In the teaching office of K City No. 1 Middle School, math teacher Wang handed the materials in the brown bag to Shen Li. "Teacher believes that you will definitely be fine. Teacher will go to University A with you."

A glint flashed in Shen Li's eyes. He composed himself, took the documents, and bowed slightly: "Thank you, Teacher Wang. I will do my best."

"Okay, go back to class now."

The preliminary results were announced on the morning of November 5th. Shen Li entered the finals with the highest score in the city. On November 10th, Wang Hua took Shen Li on the high-speed train to City A.

Shen Li was in poor health. Unlike the humid climate of K City, A City was dry all year round. As soon as he got off the high-speed rail, Shen Li suffered from water and soil incompatibility. After checking in on the bus prepared by the organizing committee, he vomited so badly that he was dizzy and disoriented. He didn't recover until the day before the competition.

After lunch, Shen Li went to University A to familiarize himself with the campus. This was Shen Li's first time taking the subway. He looked at the instructions on the wall, opened the subway code, stood at the turnstile for a while, and then followed the example of the people in front of him, aligning the QR code with the small square opening.

After taking the subway for two stops, Shen Li stood at the entrance of University A. University A covers a large area, and although there are signs, it is still like a maze for people entering the school for the first time.

After wandering around for a long time without seeing the examination hall, Shen Li followed the crowd and saw a music stage.

Someone was singing on stage, their deep, captivating voice amplified by the speakers. Shen Li suddenly remembered what Teacher Wang had said to him last night—

Wang Hua: "Shen Li, when you go to check out the exam venue tomorrow, you can take a stroll around the campus. These days, each department of University A will have stage performances in the afternoons to attract students to apply to their respective departments."

So that's what it is.

As Shen Li was about to leave, the person on the stage suddenly took off his hat. The warm afternoon sun shone through his hair and onto his body, outlining a halo that resembled that of a god.

Shen Li suddenly stopped in his tracks, staring intently at the people on the stage, not daring to look away for even a moment, his heart pounding in sync with the drumbeats.

As the song ended, Shen Li took a deep breath, raised her hand, and with trembling fingertips, gently touched the boy's head on the stage through the air.

He's grown taller.

A bittersweet feeling welled up inside him, but at the same time, an indescribable sense of satisfaction rose within him. Shen Li suddenly realized that the world still favored him.

It gave him an unexpected surprise.

Shen Li stared greedily at the boy for a long time until he walked off the stage and disappeared from sight, then she blinked her dry eyes.

The intro to the next song has started, and the person on stage has changed.

Shen Li curled her lips into a smile, then turned and left.

Shen Li continued searching for the exam location on campus. He was heading north, and Building 1 in the North Wing was the School of Finance. He had already reached the Law School area.

"Excuse me."

Shen Li was looking down at the map when she suddenly bumped into a "wall." The feel of the fabric made Shen Li realize that she had bumped into someone, and she quickly apologized.

"It's nothing." A familiar voice came from above, so familiar that Shen Li had heard it just ten minutes ago.

Shen Li's pupils dilated, and he raised his face in astonishment.

"Here to compete?" The boy's gaze fell on the name tag hanging around Shen Li's neck. He paused for a moment, then said casually, "Lost? Which building do you want to go to? I'll take you there."

Shen Li hesitated before speaking: "North 1st Floor."

"Okay, let's go."

"My name is Jiang Huaichuan, I'm from the law school, what's yours?"

"Shen Li, K City No. 1 High School," Shen Li said, tugging at his clothes.

Jiang Huaichuan: "K City? I went there a few years ago, and the shumai there was delicious."

Shen Li's gaze fell on the bushes beside him: "Hmm, it's a local specialty, thin-skinned and generously filled."

After Shen Li finished speaking, Jiang Huaichuan didn't say anything more, and the two walked quietly for a while.

Jiang Huaichuan stopped and pointed to the gray-white building in front of him: "This is the North Building 1."

Shen Li also saw the notice board in the lobby. After thanking Jiang Huaichuan, he went up and found his information.

Exam location: Room 201, 3rd floor

"Do you have a major you'd like to apply for?" Jiang Huaichuan followed him in, his gaze suddenly pausing as he glanced at the notice board.

Shen Li: "They might report it to the computer."

"Computers," Jiang Huaichuan said, nodding. "The computer science program at University A is good. I'm off."

Shen Li hesitated, stroking the edge of his phone, wondering what to say, but ultimately held back: "Goodbye."

"Mm," Jiang Huaichuan said. "By the way, happy birthday."

Shen Li froze in place as she waved her hand. Only after Jiang Huaichuan's figure disappeared from sight did Shen Li hug her knees, squat down against the wall, bury her face in her arms, and chuckle softly.

This is the best gift.

After leaving the examination hall, Shen Li passed a display wall showcasing outstanding graduates. Looking at the companies they had worked for after graduation, almost half of them listed Jiang's Group, which was exceptionally eye-catching. Shen Li then confirmed her goal: Finance Department of University A.

Unbeknownst to Shen Li, every time Jiang Huaichuan returned to school the following year, he would deliberately stroll around the Computer Science Department. The strangeness of this was comparable to a hailstorm in the desert, leaving the entire Computer Science Department baffled. Some even suspected that Jiang Huaichuan's boyfriend might be secretly hiding in the Computer Science Department.

Don't ask why I call him my boyfriend, because the beauties in the computer science department are already taken.

——

When Shen Li snapped out of her thoughts, Qiu Yun's performance was already over.

His performance was the grand finale. The concert was nearing its end, and Shen Li was feeling sleepy, yawning three times in a row.

Refusing Shen Ci's insistence on seeing her off, Shen Li walked to the south gate, where the driver was already waiting.

He shoved himself into the car and slept all the way home.

After arriving home, Shen Li barely managed to keep her eyes open and wash up. She then buried herself in bed, sent a message to Shen Ci and Jiang Huaichuan respectively, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, after finishing breakfast, Shen Li took a glass of water and stood in front of the bookshelf for a long time before finally choosing a children's book. Then she went straight to the beanbag chair on the balcony.

A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms from the garden. Shen Li turned on her phone to record.

A clear, slightly languid voice drifted from the second-floor balcony, causing the aunt tending the roses in the garden to subconsciously soften her movements. In the small pavilion, Mother Chen stopped pruning the flowers and bent down to sit back on the stone bench.

Shen Li was preparing bedtime reading material for Jiang Huaichuan.

Summer is long, but life is peaceful.

A note from the author:

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