Chapter 111 A Journey from Mud to Beautiful Scenery

After finishing that bowl of steaming longevity noodles, the sky outside the window gradually brightened, and the gentle morning light illuminated the tranquility after a night of hustle and bustle.

Shangqiu Zhu took Yanshuang's hand and walked back to the bedroom.

On this day, the sunlight changed from the clear gold of the morning to the long orange-red of the evening sunset.

They stayed like that, embracing each other, from sunrise in Los Angeles until sunset.

Shangqiu Zhu woke up several times during the journey.

Whether it's his biological clock or the deep-seated unease in his subconscious, it will always gently pull him out of his slumber at some point.

However, each time he regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was not the changing light outside the window, but the real warmth and even, shallow breathing of the person in his arms.

He didn't need to open his eyes fully; he only needed to slightly tighten his arms and feel the faint fragrance. The immense sense of security that he had regained was like the warmest tide, instantly engulfing him once again.

Then, those eyes that had just opened would quickly soften and close peacefully again.

As dusk settled, Yan Shuang stirred slightly. The moment she showed any signs of waking up, Shang Qiu Zhu immediately opened his eyes.

They had been embracing for so long that their bodies were slightly sore and numb, but neither of them wanted to let go first.

Finally, he made the first move, lowering his head to place a kiss on her forehead, his voice hoarse from just waking up: "Awake?"

"Mmm," she responded softly.

Only then did they slowly and reluctantly release each other.

The process of getting out of bed has also become clingy.

He first picked up the soft silk robe and dressed her in it himself.

She reached into her sleeve, but instead of immediately tying the ribbon for her, he pulled her back into his arms, lowered his head to find her lips, and planted a deep, wet kiss on them.

She was so weak from the kiss that she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The ties of his robe remained untied for a long time, and instead became looser under his touch.

We finally managed to separate a little.

Her cheeks flushed, her eyes moist, and she glared at him gently.

He chuckled softly and carefully tied the belt around her waist for her.

Every movement was so slow it was almost agonizing, eliciting a slight tremor and a coquettish complaint from her.

When it was her turn to straighten his collar, the situation wasn't much better.

She tiptoed and just as she folded down her crisp collar, he couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her lips again.

He put his arm around her waist and gently pressed her against the wardrobe behind him.

More than an hour later, Shangqiu Zhu took the person into the restroom.

The setting sun outside seemed to have sunk even further into the west, and the afterglow became even more intense.

Shangqiu Zhu had changed into a set of neat, dark-colored loungewear, her hair casually tousled, giving her a more relaxed look than usual.

Yan Shuang looked like a delicate flower thoroughly nourished by a spring drizzle. She wore one of his white shirts, the wide hem just covering her thighs, making her appear even more slender and exquisite. A captivating blush lingered on her cheeks, and her eyes were moist and misty.

The huge mirror reflected the two figures side by side.

One looked refreshed and energetic, the other blushed with shyness.

He squeezed out the toothpaste and handed it to her, then picked up another tube for himself.

With their mouths full of foam, their eyes met in the mirror. Seeing each other's somewhat comical appearance, they couldn't help but smile, a hint of laughter radiating from their eyes.

As they went downstairs together, he held her hand tightly.

The servants had already laid out several light and delicious side dishes and two bowls of warm seafood porridge on the dining table.

Yan Shuang sipped her porridge slowly, then glanced up unintentionally, her gaze sweeping over the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and she froze instantly.

Outside the window, the familiar courtyard landscape had been replaced by a vast and magnificent sea of ​​flowers.

Thousands upon thousands of vibrant white roses, pale pink Austin roses, and elegant hydrangeas... unfold layer upon layer in the golden afterglow of the setting sun, a breathtaking sight.

She was stunned, her spoon hovering in mid-air, and instinctively wanted to put down the bowl and go outside to take a look.

Shangqiu Zhu, standing beside her, remained expressionless, calmly placing a small dish of food on her plate and saying in a steady voice, "Finish your meal first."

Yan Shuang suppressed her curiosity and vague guesses, lowered her head and quickened her eating speed, but her eyes kept drifting to the window.

After finally finishing the last bite, she immediately looked at him.

Shangqiu Zhu then put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and stood up.

He took her hand, pushed open the glass door, and stepped into the magnificent ocean.

The setting sun gilded the petals with gold, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.

Looking at the extravagant romance before her, Yan Shuang's heart was filled with a sense of overwhelming happiness and awe.

Shangqiu Zhu stood beside her, calmly observing her reaction.

He saw the amazement and emotion in her eyes, but still wanted to make sure everything went perfectly.

"I'm not quite sure which one you prefer. If you don't like these, or if you have a different preference, I'll have them changed immediately. I can have as many as you need."

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Shuang turned around and gently interrupted him, "I like it. As long as it's from you, I like any flower the most."

A genuine smile spread across Shangqiu Zhu's deep eyes because of her words. That smile dispelled the usual coldness between his brows and made him incredibly gentle.

He held her hand tightly with one hand, and with the other hand, he took a slightly heavy folder that was half-prepared from the flower stand beside him.

He opened it, and inside were densely packed equity transfer agreements, real estate lists, fund entrustment letters... His vast assets, both visible and invisible, were clearly listed.

Most of these things were arranged by his lawyer immediately after he returned to China following the car accident six months ago.

I never imagined I'd have the chance to give it away in person.

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, but what came out was still in Shangqiu Zhu's style: "I know you probably don't care about these things at all."

Shangqiu Zhu's gaze fell into the depths of her clear eyes. Even now, he could truly feel her body temperature in his palms and her unique scent lingered in his nostrils. He still felt a sense of being in a dream, afraid that if he blinked, this regained perfection would shatter.

When he spoke, his voice became even lower and hoarseer: "You know, I'm not really good at loving people, and I'm not sure how to love you in a way that will make you the happiest."

This was more difficult for him to solve than any complex business puzzle.

He was used to giving tangible things because it was within his capabilities and the outcome was controllable.

However, how to accurately provide emotional value and how to make her truly feel happy are issues he has always lacked experience in.

“I’m not someone who knows how to use fancy words to express my feelings, and there are indeed many things I haven’t done well,” he admitted. “But I hope you can understand that I have always hoped to give you a visible future and to better protect you every step of the way.”

He didn't know what kind of love she needed most, nor how to accurately convey the love he had held in his heart for so many years in words. Even now, he was still uneasy for fear of hurting her again.

The only thing he knows how to do is in the way he's most familiar with.

Whether it's this document representing his entire fortune, the most solid material security he could build, or all the shelter and companionship he can offer in the years to come.

He would give her everything without reservation and with all his might.

He gently placed the document representing astonishing wealth into her hands.

The afterglow of the setting sun elongated their shadows, intertwining them amidst the vibrant sea of ​​flowers.

Shangqiu Zhu's gaze was calm and still as he watched Yan Shuang holding the heavy document in a daze.

For a moment, his thoughts drifted away, his memory pulled back to that temple filled with incense smoke and fluttering red ribbons.

He clearly remembered that year when Yan Shuang knelt on a prayer mat at the Wong Tai Sin Temple, her hands clasped together, her profile appearing incredibly devout in the rising smoke.

Her prayers were not for herself, but for him to have good fortune, peace, and health.

Standing behind her at that moment, he felt that if there truly was a god, he would give everything he had, just to ask the god to grant him a favor.

He could give up everything else, as long as she was there for him.

Shangqiu Zhu held her hand, pulling his wandering thoughts back to focus his gaze on her slightly reddened eyes.

“I don’t have the ability to create things out of thin air, nor can I smooth over all the hardships in the world with a wave of my hand. But whatever you want, whatever lies ahead,” he paused, his eyes sharp yet filled with boundless indulgence for her, “I will find that path and figure out that solution.”

His voice was incredibly firm: "I will do it for you."

This was not a gift from the gods; it was his determination, with his mortal body and all his wisdom, to fulfill her wish.

Shangqiu bamboo is not a god, but it will do its best.

He said clearly, word by word, "Yan Shuang, what I don't know, I will learn; what I don't have, I will strive for."

Learn all the understanding she needs, learn everything he has never explored.

Learn the little romantic things she might like, and learn how to love her better.

He whispered the question he had wanted to ask three years ago: "Would you accept me as I am? Would you... give me a chance to love you?"

Yan Shuang listened intently, the documents in her hands seemed to have a warmth that made her heart tremble.

He gave her too much, too much weight. She looked up at his tense and serious expression, but still chose to force a smile.

But tears also welled up with laughter.

"Shangqiu Zhu, you scared me to death..." She sniffed, her eyes sparkling, and glared at him reproachfully. "With such a grand display and such a generous betrothal gift, I thought... I thought you were going to kneel down and propose to me any second now."

Upon hearing this, Shangqiu Zhu's solemn expression remained unchanged, but the tension in her eyes transformed into a deeper gentleness and composure.

His tone was calm, yet resolute: "I'm ready to get married anytime."

Then, he changed the subject, and the determination in his eyes transformed into boundless tolerance.

"But it's all up to you. You decide when, how, or whether to do it at all."

Yan Shuang's heart was completely filled by his words. She looked at him, deliberately waving the document in her hand that contained almost everything about him, her eyes sparkling with a sly yet touching glint, and asked softly, "If you give me all of this, won't you have nothing to give me when I propose?"

Shangqiu Zhu stepped forward, reached out and firmly grasped her hand along with the document, his tone resolute: "What I'll give you will only be more."

Yan Shuang looked at him, and all the jokes and teasing subsided.

She gripped his hand tightly in return, applying slight pressure, as if trying to convey her unwavering resolve to him through their clasped palms.

The last rays of the setting sun fell precisely on her upturned face, illuminating the clear and solemn light in her eyes.

She shed all the heavy burdens of the past and returned to the brave and sincere girl she once was, only now her eyes held a brightness and determination born from weathering storms.

Her voice was clear and soft, each word like a warm, smooth piece of jade, gently striking his heartstrings.

"OK."

She responded with a slight upward inflection.

Then, she paused briefly, looked into his tense eyes, and, word by word, delivered the response he had waited so long for:

"Shangqiu bamboo, let's fall in love."

He gripped her hand tightly, so hard he almost crushed it, but then relaxed it slightly as if realizing something, afraid of hurting her.

When he spoke again, his voice was terribly hoarse.

"……good."

As the sun finally sank completely below the horizon and night quietly descended, the carefully arranged lights in the courtyard lit up one after another, like scattered stars, gently taking over from the setting sun and continuing to illuminate this vast sea of ​​flowers.

In the center of this sea of ​​flowers, the two figures embraced tightly.

They did not drift apart in this vast sea of ​​people and the unpredictable nature of life, but instead embraced each other even more tightly in the future where they loved one another.

-

On October 2nd, autumn was in full swing, and the sky was a clear and expansive blue.

This day was the wedding day of Zhou Dongxun, the son of the Zhou Group, who was also Shangqiu Zhu's childhood friend and good friend.

The wedding venue was filled with elegantly dressed guests, and melodious music mingled with their laughter and conversation.

When Shangqiu Zhu stepped in with Yan Shuang by the waist, the surrounding noise fell silent for a moment.

Both were wearing Burberry's classic khaki trench coats, clearly a carefully coordinated couple's outfit.

Shang Qiuzhu stood tall and straight, his trench coat accentuating his composed and dignified demeanor, beneath which he wore a crisp white shirt and dark trousers. Yan Shuang's trench coat, on the other hand, highlighted her slender waist, paired with a soft off-white knee-length dress and matching low-heeled shoes, exuding elegance and gentleness.

They arrived hand in hand, one cool and composed, the other gentle and bright. Standing together, they were exceptionally harmonious and well-matched, as if they were born to stand side by side.

Half of the guests present were acquaintances who had just attended that spectacular birthday party a few days ago.

At this moment, their eyes were focused on the perfect couple, especially Yan Shuang.

Everyone was curious about the woman who could make President Shang lose control in public, displaying an unprecedented combination of possessiveness and tenderness. Moreover, many of the more experienced individuals vaguely remembered that this Miss Yan was apparently the younger sister of Yan You, Shang Qiuzhu's ex-fiancée with whom he had long since broken off their engagement… This connection added even more mystery and intrigue to Yan Shuang.

However, no matter how intense the gaze or how strong the curiosity, no one dared to approach rashly to inquire or gossip.

Because Shangqiu Zhu held Yan Shuang's hand tightly from beginning to end, their fingers intertwined, that protective posture was more intimidating than any of his cold gazes. When he occasionally turned his head to whisper to Yan Shuang, the gentleness that naturally flowed between his brows clearly drew a line between them.

She was someone he cherished, and no one was allowed to question her.

Zhou Dongxun, the groom who was greeting guests at the entrance, naturally noticed the small commotion immediately. He was exchanging pleasantries with Thomas, the young master of Goldman Sachs, when he saw Shang Qiuzhu and his companion. He immediately smiled and raised his voice from afar to tease, "Hey! Our second couple of the day has finally arrived!"

He nudged Thomas with his elbow and laughed, "Thomas, look at President Shang and his Miss Yan as they walked in. Goodness, their aura and style are amazing! Anyone who didn't know better would think it was their special day. They've almost stolen the spotlight from us, the real bride and groom!"

Faced with her friend's teasing, Shangqiu Zhu simply raised an eyebrow and calmly walked towards the two of them with her arm around Yan Shuang.

“Dongxun, Thomas,” Shangqiu Zhu introduced them in a steady voice, “This is Yan Shuang.”

Yan Shuang smiled and nodded to the two men: "Mr. Zhou, congratulations. Mr. Thomas, hello."

Zhou Dongxun responded enthusiastically, and Thomas smiled and extended his hand: "Miss Yan, it's a pleasure to meet you."

However, right after the handshake and pleasantries, Thomas looked at Yan Shuang, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. Then, as if he had suddenly matched a certain name with important information, a genuine realization crossed his face.

He let out a soft "Ah," and blurted out, "Yan Shuang... So it's you! I knew that name sounded familiar..."

He had barely begun speaking, and before he could even utter any specific details, Shangqiu Zhu had already subtly raised his eyelids, his gaze briefly meeting Thomas's, interrupting Thomas's next words.

Thomas, being such a shrewd man, instantly understood and swallowed the rest of his words. His smile remained unchanged as he naturally shifted to other topics of conversation. After exchanging a few more polite words, he tactfully made an excuse to leave.

After Thomas walked away, Yan Shuang gently tugged at Shang Qiuzhu's sleeve and looked up at him: "Why didn't you let him continue?"

Her voice carried a hint of complaint: "You've done so much for me, why didn't you ever tell me? If no one had brought it up, would I have ever known?"

He did so much for her in silence, shielding her from all the storms, yet hiding himself behind a barrier, unwilling to let her see even a glimpse of him.

As for her, she remained immersed in her own fabricated grievances and suspicions for a long time.

The thought of how she had misunderstood his silent devotion as indifference, and how she had interpreted his restrained letting go as alienation, made her feel unbearably miserable.

"You always do this silently, without saying a word. Aren't you afraid that I'll never know anything and will really never turn back?"

Shangqiu Zhu lowered her head, her deep gaze like the most tranquil night sky, where all the starlight was hidden, leaving only the deepest tenderness.

He remained silent.

As the years passed in his mind, those silent acts of protection that she perceived were, in his opinion, not for many complicated reasons.

What tormented him repeatedly in his mind was the night outside the Hong Kong hospital, her thin shoulders trembling as she walked forward with tears streaming down her face.

He could only sit in the car and follow behind her.

He watched her cry, watched her grieve, yet he didn't even have the right to walk up to her.

He no longer cared whether she would misunderstand or not turn back.

Shangqiu Zhu instinctively tried to suppress these emotions, but the girl in front of him just looked up at him with her red eyes unblinking.

She was waiting for his answer.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms before finally confessing, "What I fear most is losing even the right to do something for you. I'm afraid you'll never need me again."

Everything he did was not to gain her gratitude or reward, nor even to let her know.

He simply couldn't bear to see any hardship she might face, and instinctively wanted to clear a path for her, doing everything he could to make sure she was alright.