Chapter 61

When Shen Hanyang pushed open the bedroom door, it was three in the morning. The dawn had not yet broken, and the new year had already arrived.

All his weariness vanished the moment he saw her on the bed. He tiptoed into the bathroom, turning the water down as low as possible. After his shower, his nerves, which had been suppressed all night, were released. Lying beside her, happiness spread through him with her scent and warmth. He didn't want to wake her, only daring to stroke her hair scattered on the pillow. Her delicate fragrance lingered in his mind. He tried to resist, but couldn't manage it, and carefully kissed her soft earlobe.

"Happy New Year, my little darling," he said to himself.

Shen Hanyang slept for over ten hours before finally waking up to the jarring vibration of his phone. He drew back the curtains to find the sky a hazy gray, the sun nowhere to be seen. He couldn't help but feel annoyed; at the very beginning of the new year, he had wasted most of the day sleeping.

"I have something to take care of and need to go back to school."

Looking at Yan Qing's message in the pinned chat box on his phone, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was New Year's Day, and school was on holiday, but she couldn't bear to "waste" even this short time. In some ways, she was indeed very similar to him, possessing the potential to be a workaholic.

Suddenly remembering something, I sifted through a pile of messages and found He Xuanxin's chat window. Three messages:

"Son, Happy New Year. Your aunt told me that your new girlfriend is very nice, and I'm very pleased."

"No, no new girlfriend, it's just a girlfriend, the previous one's mother doesn't acknowledge her!"

"Be good to people, be loyal, and be responsible. Stay away from Ren Ruiyun. Learn from history and never repeat her mistakes!"

Helpless, Shen Hanyang sent a message: "Happy New Year."

He Xuanxin replied instantly: "If you keep your promise and do what you say you'll do, I'll be happier than if I found ten young heartthrobs! I've already given you extra time, so don't try to fool me again. Let's get this over with quickly, no delays allowed!"

On the first day of the new year, the weather was uncooperative, with a biting wind and dark clouds obscuring the sun. However, the holiday atmosphere was unaffected by the weather, and guests continued to stream outside the Peninsula Hotel.

Yan Qing stood near the elevator entrance on one side of the lobby, carrying a small box of finely packaged fruit. The air was filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the sounds of laughter as the elevator doors opened and closed repeatedly, finally, after no less than ten attempts, delivering a beautiful figure before her.

Ren Ruiyun is even more beautiful in person than on camera. Her delicate skin, luscious lips, and brown eyes that cast a soft, alluring gaze, both near and far, possess a unique charm.

Ren Ruiyun recognized Yan Qing at a glance and walked over with a smile. "Teacher Yan, have you been waiting long?"

"Just arrived." Yan Qing smiled.

Ren Ruiyun tilted her head and glanced at the sky outside: "The weather is bad today, it must be cold, right? Why are you dressed so lightly?" She took Yan Qing's cold hand and said, "Come on, let's go back to the room and talk. I was just thinking about whether to call a car to pick you up, but Jiaming was sleeping in, and after arguing with him, I forgot about it. It was my oversight."

Ren Ruiyun's mastery of affability was unparalleled; their first meeting felt like they'd known each other for years, leaving Yan Qing a little flustered. "It's alright, it's very convenient for me to come by subway."

Yan Qing followed Ren Ruiyun into the elevator. The gleaming car reflected their shadows on all four sides. As they chatted, Ren Ruiyun casually tossed her hair. Yan Qing couldn't help but observe her again. She wore a beige loungewear dress and light makeup. As she played with her hair, her long, seaweed-like hair swayed gently, like waves rippling in a breeze.

Yan Qing followed Ren Ruiyun to room 1305, a luxurious suite filled with the scent of tuberose perfume. Passing through the living room, they finally saw a large double bed. The blankets were piled haphazardly on the bed, with a small mound in the center.

Ren Ruiyun shook her head: "This little guy is still asleep."

She walked over and pulled Cheng Jiaming, who was fast asleep, out of bed: "The sun's already high in the sky!"

Cheng Jiaming slumped like a lump of mud, his eyes closed, swaying from side to side and whimpering, "So sleepy, Mom, I want to sleep more..."

Ren Ruiyun affectionately pinched his little nose: "Just like your father, you love to sleep in late."

The curtains in the room were not yet open, and only a small spotlight was on, casting a dim light. However, Yan Qing noticed a hint of crimson in Ren Ruiyun's eyes.

Ren Ruiyun noticed the gift box in Yan Qing's hand. "Is it for me?"

Yan Qing then remembered and handed it over with both hands: "I didn't know what to bring, so I bought some fruit."

Ren Ruiyun accepted the fruit and said with a smile, "I haven't even had a chance to thank you for taking such good care of Jiaming. How could I let you spend so much money?"

Hearing Yan Qing's voice, Cheng Jiaming finally snapped out of it. He poked half his head out from under the covers, paused for a moment, then sat up abruptly, his eyes wide: "Teacher Yan?!"

Yan Qing smiled and said, "Jiaming, Happy New Year."

Cheng Jiaming complained to Ren Ruiyun, "Why didn't you call me when Teacher Yan came?"

Ren Ruiyun crossed her arms: "Mom just called you to get up. Which little lazybones was whining and wouldn't get up?"

Cheng Jiaming, hiding behind the blanket, frantically winked at her: "Mom, please take Teacher Yan to the living room first, okay, Mom? Go quickly!"

Ren Ruijun wouldn't listen: "The living room isn't well lit, so we prefer to chat in the bedroom." With that, she pressed a button by the bedside, and the curtains slowly opened.

"Oh dear, then... Ms. Yan, please close your eyes!"

Ren Ruiyun suppressed a laugh: "What?"

Cheng Jiaming blushed with embarrassment: "I...I wasn't wearing any clothes!"

"You two, father and son..."

A seemingly unintentional yet deeply meaningful joke made Yan Qing lower her eyes, a bitter feeling welling up inside her.

She hadn't slept well last night, and was still awake when Shen Hanyang returned. The soft, pattering sound of water came through the bathroom door, like a lingering, melancholic rain falling on her. After showering, Shen Hanyang didn't seem sleepy either, lying in bed occasionally stroking her fingers or touching her hair. She sensed his probing, but still chose to pretend to be asleep. Later, when the person beside her was breathing evenly, she turned over to face him. She realized that in just one day apart, she missed him so much. She wanted to see him, but couldn't find a ray of light. Many things swirled in her mind until dawn, when she finally managed a short nap. She had many disjointed dreams, and woke up after only a short while. When she woke up, her temples were throbbing, and she saw that it was only six o'clock. She wanted to sleep a little longer, but her mind became clearer and clearer, thinking about the previous night, about Huang Yanxiang's warning, and about the woman in Cheng Jiaming's video call…

Before eight o'clock, Yan Qing received a message from Cheng Jiaming, inviting her to the Peninsula Hotel, saying his mother wanted to host her. The sudden invitation caught Yan Qing off guard. She wasn't prepared, and her first reaction was to decline. But as she turned, she saw the sleeping face beside her. When Shen Hanyang slept, his deep, intimidating eyes were hidden by long, curled eyelashes, leaving only his handsome features visible. This unguarded look always stirred a deep tenderness within Yan Qing.

She thought of her doctoral senior's theory of "emotional magnetic field." Shen Hanyang did indeed possess a powerful magnetic field, a field that blinded her, blinding her to the point of forgetting to consider the problems standing between them—their social status and upbringing were vastly different, with no common ground whatsoever. Could this relationship last?

However, before finding an answer to this question, she was faced with another, more pressing issue: the mother of his child. She remembered overhearing Cheng Jiaming and Shen Hanyang arguing at the Tan Chen residence, where Cheng Jiaming blurted out that Shen Hanyang wasn't his father. Even today, she still couldn't figure out the true nature of the relationship between Shen Hanyang and Cheng Jiaming.

She had many questions and uncertainties. She really wanted to gently shake him awake from his deep sleep and ask, "We'll always be together, right?" But she just quietly got up, went into the bathroom, and washed her face with cold water. The chill calmed her down a bit. She picked up her phone and replied to Cheng Jiaming, "Okay, see you this afternoon."

Right now, Cheng Jiaming was hiding behind Ren Ruiyun, awkwardly getting dressed. After putting on his shirt and pants, he ran barefoot into the bathroom and locked the door: "Don't look at me, I need to poop!"

Ren Ruiyun smiled and shook her head at Yan Qing: "This child is too naughty. I heard from his father that he has caused you a lot of trouble."

From the restroom came Cheng Jiaming's indignant shout: "Who said that? I've been very good, you can ask Teacher Yan if you don't believe me!"

Yan Qing forced a smile: "Jiaming is a good boy."

Ren Ruiyun sighed softly, "I've been busy with my career abroad these past few years, leaving him in my father's care. Hanyang is a good father, but men are a bit rough around the edges. Jiaming sometimes tells me that he misses me so much that he cries, and hearing that makes me feel guilty."

"Splash—" The sound of the toilet flushing. Cheng Jiaming ran over and hugged Ren Ruiyun, kissing and nibbling at her playfully, "Mommy, you can't tell our secret!"

Ren Ruiyun laughed and dodged, "I didn't wash my hands or brush my teeth, it stinks!"

After sending Cheng Jiaming to wash up, Ren Ruiyun got up, brewed two cups of tea, and put them on the table.

"Thank you." Yan Qing accepted it with both hands and took a sip.

Ren Ruiyun said apologetically, "I'm only staying here temporarily, so I don't have everything I need, and the tea isn't the best either. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I'll move back home in a while and then properly entertain Teacher Yan."

Yan Qing paused, putting down her teacup, and the tea leaves silently settled at the bottom. "Going home?"

“Yes, staying in a hotel is just a temporary measure. I’ll move back home once things are settled.” Ren Ruiyun chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I went back a while ago, and it was a complete mess. Hanyang doesn’t care about anything. The house is empty and cold, like nobody lives there. They don’t even have my favorite green tea. Tell me, how long have I been gone and he’s made himself look so pathetic?”

Yan Qing listened silently, feeling her throat dry and hoarse. She took another sip of tea, but the tea was so bitter that she could hardly swallow it. She mechanically asked a question that she later realized was ridiculous: "You mean Tan Chen Mansion, right? I teach Jia Ming there."

Ren Ruiyun smiled and said, "I'm talking about Binjiang Jiuli. Hanyang bought it for me when we were dating. Since we planned to use it as our wedding home, I put a lot of effort into the decoration. From the design drawings to the selection of materials, every little detail is my hard work. I don't know if you've been there. Even the mural was one that I personally photographed at an exhibition abroad."

Ren Ruiyun's voice was a delicate, feminine voice, clear and articulate, exuding the air of a mistress of the house. When her voice, mingled with the scent of tuberose, enveloped her from all directions like a tidal wave, Yan Qing understood that the room she was in—whether it was the bedroom in Binjiang Jiuli or the suite in the Peninsula Hotel—was a trap set for her by the mistress of the house.

Cheng Jiaming finally finished washing up after dawdling for a while, then plopped down on the bed, his hands furtively behind his back: "Mom, I want to watch TV."

Ren Ruiyun said, "You can only watch for one hour. Your farsighted reserve is already zero, so you need to pay attention to eye hygiene."

"Yay! Mom is the best! I love Mom!" Cheng Jiaming cheered, raising his hand to reveal the remote control he had been hiding. He skipped and jumped onto the bed, but Ren Ruiyun stopped him and said softly, "Baby, you can't step on Daddy's shirt."

As she spoke, she got up and walked over, pulling a white shirt out from the messy blankets. "Your dad is a germaphobe; shirts have to be folded neatly."

Yan Qing watched quietly from the side. Ren Ruiyun's fingers were delicate, and she folded the clothes very carefully. The white shirt, hidden under the white bedding, was only revealed to her at this moment. On the flawless white fabric, there was a bright red lip print on the left side, near her heart, its shape fleeting, vivid and lifelike, as if casting a mocking glance at Yan Qing.

Yan Qing was first stunned, then a chill ran down her spine. It wasn't until Ren Ruiyun put away the folded shirt that she felt as if a large chunk had been ripped out of her chest, leaving her with emptiness, pain, and nothingness.

Ren Ruiyun invited her to dinner, and she nodded blankly. She spent the entire evening absentmindedly going through the motions, completely forgetting the conversation, but she did remember secretly settling the bill at the counter before leaving. The Peninsula Hotel's restaurants were expensive, but she only glanced at the bill before unknowingly stuffing it into her pocket.

Back at Binjiang Jiuli, Shen Hanyang was already anxiously waiting. He was about to ask her why she hadn't answered the phone all day when he noticed the paleness in her face. "Why do you look so unwell?"

Yan Qing forced herself to speak, but when she looked up, she was immediately struck by the mural on the opposite wall. It wasn't the first time she had seen the painting, but it was the first time she had noticed that it depicted a faceless man with his arms outstretched like a black hole towards her.

She shuddered without warning, and her fingers slipped from Shen Hanyang's palm.

Shen Hanyang looked at her with concern: "Are you feeling unwell?"

She didn't speak, her lips trembling uncontrollably. Shen Hanyang instructed Aunt Chen to pour some hot water. Just then, his phone rang.

"Wait for me, I need to take this call."

Aunt Chen brought over a cup of hot tea and thoughtfully introduced it: "Ziyang Mountain Green Tea, Miss Yan, please have a taste."

Yan Qing's gaze slowly shifted from the clear tea to Aunt Chen's kind smile. "I thought we were out of green tea at home."

Aunt Chen replied with a smile, "Mr. Shen instructed me to buy these."

When Shen Hanyang returned from the phone call, Yan Qing was staring blankly at the teacup on the table. Shen Hanyang glanced at Aunt Chen's departing figure, then sat down next to Yan Qing and pressed his cheek against her forehead: "You're a little hot, you've probably caught a cold. You should rest early tonight."

Yan Qing didn't respond to his question, but instead said, "There's a three-day holiday for New Year's Day."

"Yes, would you like to go for a walk? I'll go with you."

Yan Qing said, "Shouldn't we spend some time with Jiaming?"

Shen Hanyang gently squeezed her fingers: "Jiaming, hmm, it seems he has made some arrangements."

Yan Qing finally looked at him, a fleeting look of bewilderment in her eyes. She scrutinized the man before her with suspicion. Was he real? Or was he just a shadow? And the real man, wearing that white shirt stained with lipstick, lingered in the arms of another woman in room 1305 of the Peninsula Hotel…

“I want to take a shower,” she said.