Chapter 18 Holding you in my arms, my heart is at peace...

The luxury store delivered the clothes very quickly.

Chu Song turned his back to her and took off the white shirt stained with red wine.

Xie Tang sat on the sofa, her gaze involuntarily following his movements.

The warm yellow light outlined his broad shoulders and slender yet powerful back.

As he turned to pick up the new shirt, Xie Tang's gaze fell on his long, slender hands with distinct knuckles, and the simple platinum ring on his ring finger seemed to echo the one on her finger, as if destined by fate.

Her fingertips rubbed against the cold metal between her fingers, and she was momentarily dazed.

These cold symbols stirred a secret desire deep within her heart.

As he buttoned the last button, Chu Song turned around and saw her lost in thought. "What are you looking at?"

Xie Tang met his gaze calmly, a bright yet sly smile curving her lips: "Look how good my eye is at picking shirts."

The man before her was tall and imposing, his black shirt accentuating his cold and profound features, like a nobleman in the night. He could indeed bewitch anyone no matter what he wore, but she still took the credit for herself.

Chu Song didn't reply, casually tossing the white shirt into the corner trash can. "Hmm, it's alright. Let's go."

Xie Tang looked at the discarded shirt, a thought suddenly struck her, and tilted her head to look at him, "What if I 'accidentally' get it dirty? Would you throw it away too?"

Chu Song looked at her silently, his eyes filled with complex emotions, as if he thought she had asked an extremely boring and somewhat... speechless question.

Xie Tang felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, touched her nose, and stood up with an awkward smile: "Let's go."

Just as she reached for the doorknob, his deep, calm voice came from behind her:

"You are different."

The four words fell lightly, yet they were like a boulder thrown into Xie Tang's heart, stirring up towering waves.

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, almost bursting out of its restraints.

She turned around and looked intently at him, as if to confirm whether she had just imagined it.

Chu Song had already walked to her side, his expression unchanged, as if he were simply stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

Pushing open the heavy door of the private room, one finds the room already littered with empty cups and plates.

Qin Ruhai, beaming with pride, was chatting and laughing with Old Master Chu, his words filled with pride about "double the family ties" and "both of his daughters marrying into the Chu family."

Grandpa Chu smiled and agreed, looking at Xie Tang with loving eyes: "Chairman Qin is too modest, especially Ah Tang. This child is resilient and responsible, a fine one."

"You flatter me, sir!" Qin Ruhai laughed heartily, as if Xie Tang was truly his carefully cultivated pride. "This child is a bit stubborn, sometimes inflexible, and doesn't know how to adapt. We have to thank A Song for being tolerant of her and giving her pointers!"

He patted Chu Song on the shoulder, looking like a loving father entrusting him with an important task.

Xie Tang felt as if she had swallowed a fly, and her stomach churned violently with nausea.

In front of the elders of the Chu family, she forced herself not to overturn the table, but instead slammed her chopsticks heavily on the edge of the bowl and plate, her face cold, having completely lost her appetite.

The sound wasn't loud, but it pierced through the false harmony.

Qin Wu looked nervously at Xie Tang, then anxiously glanced at her father who was still talking non-stop; her heart was in her throat.

She didn't even dare to look at the expressions on the Chu family members' faces.

The topic somehow shifted back to Xie Tang's mischievous childhood antics, which Grandpa Chu recounted with great familiarity, his words tinged with helpless indulgence.

Qin Ruhai chuckled in agreement. Even though he didn't like Xie Tang, he had to admit that she was the most successful of all his children.

Chu Song looked at Xie Tang, who was standing beside him with her head down.

Under the light, she pursed her lips tightly, her profile taut, revealing a suppressed grievance and stubbornness.

He glanced at his watch; the hands had already slid toward nine o'clock.

"Uncle Qin," he said, raising his glass. His voice was not loud, but it carried a powerful aura that silenced the noise at the table.

"I have a video conference later, so I must take my leave. This toast is for you, and I wish you good health."

Having said that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Qin Ruhai's face was full of a pleased smile. Not daring to waste any of his time, he stood up and patted Chu Song's shoulder earnestly: "Go ahead and get busy, don't neglect your important business. My daughter, A Tang, will be in your care from now on. Take her home to visit more often when you have time."

He deliberately emphasized "my Ah Tang," as if that would maintain that ridiculous connection.

"A-Tang is my wife, and I will cherish her." Chu Song glanced at Old Master Chu and Ming Wei, and after receiving their tacit approval, he took Xie Tang's hand and left the banquet.

Shen Yuan stared intently at the two tightly clasped hands, the jealousy and resentment surging in her eyes almost solidifying into a tangible form.

She grabbed the glass of red wine in front of her, tilted her head back, and took a big gulp, the scarlet liquid sliding down her chin.

Her other hand was under the table, her nails digging deeply into her palm; no one could take Song Ge away from her.

Ji Yan looked at her, her eyes carrying a warning—don't act impulsively.

Shen Yuan recalled the scene when she first met Chu Song.

That was before the New Year, at a golf course.

Shen Jialang and Chu Song made plans to play ball together.

Unable to resist his father's request to let Shen Yuan see the world, Shen Jialang took her with him.

Chu Song's gaze inadvertently swept over her, lingering on her for a moment.

In that instant, Shen Yuan's heart suddenly raced—this was the first time she had seen Chu Song in person at such close range.

He exuded a cool and noble aura, and his handsome appearance was breathtaking.

Shen Jialang introduced her to Shen Jialang at the opportune moment.

However, Chu Song simply nodded indifferently and quickly looked away, as if that brief glance had never happened.

He then walked towards the court with Shen Jialang, without glancing at her again or exchanging a single word with her.

Shen Yuan stood frozen in place, her initial excitement instantly extinguished, leaving only embarrassment and confusion.

Clearly... the look in his eyes just now seemed to carry a hint of focus?

She was always quite confident in her looks, so why couldn't she get him to linger for even a moment?

They met briefly again later.

Chu Song's gaze towards her was filled with nothing but clear impatience and aloofness.

Now, after only a few months apart, he has completely forgotten her.

It's all Xie Tang's fault!

I wish she hadn't shown up!

——————

Back home, Xie Tang slumped into the sofa, utterly exhausted. The faces of Qin Ruhai and Ji Yan kept replaying in her mind, leaving her feeling weak all over and her stomach churning.

Aunt Yu came over and asked gently, "Madam, I've prepared some late-night snacks. Would you like some?"

Xie Tang looked up: "Does Brother Song usually eat late-night snacks too?"

Aunt Yu laughed and said, "It was Ah Song who specifically reminded you an hour ago, saying that you probably didn't eat well at the dinner."

A sudden warmth filled my heart.

Chu Song's thoughtfulness always soothes people's hearts so perfectly, like a wandering soul finding a harbor.

A smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. "Wait a minute, I'm going to take a shower first."

Washing away her fatigue, Xie Tang walked out of the bathroom and saw Chu Song already changed into home clothes and sitting at the dining table.

The bowl and chopsticks in front of him remained untouched, clearly waiting for her.

"Eat up," he said gently.

“Okay.” Xie Tang sat down opposite him.

The phone screen on the table kept lighting up with messages from Li Zan and Gu Chang.

She didn't care to look closely, unwilling to let these things disturb the moment of peace she had with Chu Song during their late-night snack, so she casually put her phone on silent.

After the late-night snack, Xie Tang felt a warm, satiated feeling in his stomach, and he sank into the sofa, his fingertips dancing on the phone screen, immersed in the game's light and shadow.

Chu Song glanced at the wall clock; it was 10:30.

He stood up, his voice low: "It's time to rest..."

Xie Tang looked up from the game screen and gave him her usual slight smile: "Okay, goodnight, Brother Song."

After speaking, his gaze returned to his phone.

Chu Song didn't move. He looked at her lowered eyelashes and focused profile, paused for a moment, and then asked, "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"

His tone was the same as usual, but with more insistence than before.

"Wait a minute, this game will be over soon..." Xie Tang replied casually, her fingertips still sliding. Before she finished speaking, as if she suddenly caught the hidden meaning in his words, she looked up again, her eyes filled with an uncertain inquiry, "...You want me to sleep with you?"

Chu Song stood by the sofa, looking down at her, the light and shadow casting deep shadows on his sharply defined face.

He didn't answer directly, but calmly stated the facts: "Is there a problem? We are husband and wife now..."

His gaze was open and direct, carrying a natural intimacy as he quietly locked onto her.

The meaning in his eyes was self-evident; like an invisible net, it gently enveloped her.

Xie Tang was slightly taken aback. Looking into his deep, pool-like eyes, her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds before she found her voice, a lighthearted tone that sounded like she was convincing herself: "Okay!"

She got up with her phone in hand and followed him toward the master bedroom, silently telling herself: I need to get used to it, I need to adapt to this new rhythm quickly.

The master bedroom is softly lit.

Xie Tang lay on the inside of the large bed, the space beside him slightly sunken, carrying the fresh scent of shower gel and his body temperature.

Chu Song lay down, stretched out his long arm, and pulled her into his embrace, letting her soft back press against his broad chest.

Xie Tang was enveloped in his warm breath, and her body stiffened for a moment.

She could feel his steady heartbeat seeping through the thin fabric of his pajamas, rhythmically pounding against her back.

She was genuinely puzzled and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "...Why are you hugging me like this? Like a human-shaped pillow."

Chu Song closed his eyes, his chin gently resting on the top of her soft hair, and the arms around her waist seemed to tighten, carrying an undeniable sense of possession.

He seemed to be falling asleep, his voice low and indistinct, yet with a soul-stirring honesty that reached her ears: "Holding you makes me feel at ease."

Xie Tang felt a surge of scalding heat rush from her heart to her cheeks with a "boom," and even her ears felt burning.

She lay stiffly in his arms, not daring to move, every inch of her skin burning from his breath.

Time seemed to stretch out.

Just as Xie Tang thought he had fallen asleep and was trying to calm her pounding heart, his deep, mellow voice, heavy with sleepiness, sounded again against the back of her neck, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive skin:

“A-Tang…”

She held her breath, and could almost feel the vibrations in his chest.

"...Sweet dreams."

The voice was so close, possessing a hypnotic power, yet it stirred her heart even more turbulently.

Xie Tang's throat bobbed slightly before she managed a soft, almost inaudible response, accompanied by a similarly subtle tremor:

"……Um."

In the darkness, she opened her eyes, feeling the warmth from behind and the heavy weight of his arm.

The phrase "feeling at ease" echoed repeatedly in my ears, like a piece of sugar dropped into deep water, its sweet ripples spreading outwards, tinging the entire night with a hazy yet intensely ambiguous atmosphere.

Unexpectedly, Chu Song's blessing came true.

She did have a series of sweet dreams, but these dreams lingered all night, and when she woke up she felt extremely tired.

She barely managed to sit up after the alarm clock rang for a long time, and remained in bed in a daze for more than ten minutes.

Fragments of dreams flashed by in a jumble: first, I was leisurely playing chess with Chu Song under a tree, and then I dreamed of my grandfather.

In her dream, her grandfather was as kind as she remembered, but she herself was no longer a child.

Her grandfather told her with great concern that her father was impatient and eager for quick success, and that he was not up to the task. He solemnly instructed her to study hard, and that when she grew up, he would entrust the Cisco Group to her.

Xie Tang sighed deeply and got up to wash up.

Grandpa passed away too early.

If he knew that Cisco had gradually declined after falling into Qin Ruhai's hands, I wonder if he would be unable to rest in peace.