Chapter 61 will be released tomorrow. ...

The driver in the front seat quietly steered the car, so unassuming that he was almost invisible. The car kept moving forward, and no one knew where it was headed.

Now that we're already on this mess, thinking about anything else will only cause us trouble. Sheng Yi, all sweet and obedient, smiled gently, her soft lips curving into a smile. "Happy New Year, Teacher Wen."

Wen Shili's eyes suddenly darkened. Sheng Yi quickly looked away, swiping her phone to continue replying to Wu Simin's messages.

In just a few hours, Wu Simin had gone from talking about work to the real-life argument between her downstairs neighbors. Although she mostly plays gentle and quiet characters, she is unusually lively in front of her friends. Sheng Yi was already used to her desire to share anytime and anywhere. After replying to each message, she received a message pop-up from Fu Xiaodan.

She paused slightly before typing, "Let me rest for a couple of days first."

She lowered her eyes, her slender white fingers tapping away at the keyboard.

Tsk.

Wen Shili concealed the darkness in his eyes, clenched his fist, and coughed lightly. Sheng Yi looked up and heard him casually ask, "Shall we go eat first?"

I'm a little hungry.

Sheng Yi put away her phone and obediently replied, "Oh."

When she arrived, she realized that his idea hadn't come on a whim. Although she had never been to this restaurant before, she had heard of its great reputation—a beautiful environment and a high degree of privacy, in other words, it was only open to a specific circle of people.

The private room was warm, and Sheng Yi took off her coat as soon as she entered. Wen Shili flipped through the menu and said, "Let's see what you want to eat."

Since it was his first time there, Sheng Yi didn't care what he ate and just ordered two of their signature dishes. He then remarked, "The seafood here is pretty good too."

Perhaps it was because a certain word had been appearing so frequently lately that a string in his mind suddenly twitched. But he remained calm, suppressing his thoughts, and handed over the menu.

Wen Shili took the order and ordered a few more dishes. The waiter then withdrew.

"When will Teacher Wen start work?" Sheng Yi asked, trying to make conversation.

"It's not decided yet." After a pause, Wen Shili added, "I want to rest for a few more days and don't want to travel around for the time being."

Sheng Yi's eyelids twitched. After exchanging a few meaningless words, she almost wanted to get up and go to greet the waiter when he pushed the door open.

The waiter, who considered himself to have seen plenty of glamorous people, still unconsciously puffed out his chest when he met those expectant eyes, inwardly screaming: "My God, she's looking right at me! Her face is flawless! And she's so much prettier in person than in the photos!"

Sheng Yi had no idea that she had unintentionally won someone's heart. She watched helplessly as the person put down the food. The pastries on the plate were red and translucent. The small plate was undoubtedly a great blessing that saved her from dire straits.

She let out a soft sigh, feigning eagerness, "What is it? It looks delicious!"

Seeing the waitress's barely concealed excitement, it wasn't hard to guess the turmoil in her mind. Wen Shili glanced at the woman beside him who was still unconsciously exuding charm, and pulled the plate closer to her. "Sweet potato cake."

Her clear and melodious voice, even when reciting the names of dishes, is as pleasant as metal striking jade.

Sheng Yi's outstretched hand suddenly froze, wondering how much she was hallucinating.

Looking at him sideways, Wen Shili's expression was serious, and he seemed to be serious.

There was a moment of silence before the waiter finally found an opportunity, smiling sweetly as she continued, "This hawthorn cake..."

Sheng Yi clearly heard what else she said after that, but after hearing the words for a moment, she couldn't remember anything.

With a snap, something broke.

She casually tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and gave the waiter a gentle smile. Just as the door closed, she turned to the man not far away and whispered, "Shut up."

Her voice was gentle, but her words were utterly ruthless. A flicker of annoyance shone in her clear eyes.

Wen Shili chuckled, his brows and eyes relaxing slightly. "Let's eat first."

The atmosphere afterwards was fairly harmonious, and he didn't say anything more ambiguous.

But Sheng Yi knew that all the talk about his big vision and good manners from his fans was just a lie; his true nature was petty and calculating!

However, it's true that she has a good memory.

Three out of the four sentences are allusions to her.

"Sea, running, and scumbag"—these are the labels they've decided to stick on her, aren't they?

Thinking about it, she couldn't help but glare at him again. Wen Shili's brows relaxed, he put down his chopsticks, and greeted him calmly, "What?"

"You're not going to make things difficult for me, are you?"

They were both intelligent people, and Wen Shili immediately understood. If they got together smoothly, there wouldn't be this problem. He smiled wryly, "Give it a try."

He kindly explained to her, "I don't know either."

"Let's give it a try." Sheng Yi muttered softly, but before he finished speaking, the air suddenly became heavy.

Do their ears have to be so pointy?

She stood up expressionlessly, put on her coat, looked back at him, and said, "Let's go."

"Boyfriend?" she asked with a smile.

The next second, her hand, which was hanging by her side, was grabbed, and with a little force, she fell into his arms.

As the distance closed infinitely, he looked inch by inch into the depths of her eyes, his hot breath whispering in her ear, "Whose boyfriend?"

The heating was on full blast, and Sheng Yi, wrapped in a coat, felt slightly disoriented by the rising heat. Meeting his gaze, she smiled, neither looking away nor yielding, and said, "Mine."

"Mmm." Wen Shili's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "Mine."

Her hands were so delicate and slender, as if they would break at the slightest pressure. He slowly closed his palms, as if holding a priceless treasure.

Sheng Yi's cheeks flushed, and she struggled slightly. "Let go, I haven't packed my things yet."

Hearing her own voice, her cheeks flushed red again.

Seeing her startled expression, Wen Shili chuckled softly, his hand tightening slightly. "Stay with me a little longer, okay?"

Beauty is alluring. Sheng Yi was momentarily flustered, and this was the only conclusion she could reach.

It turns out that his previous so-called resistance was just him containing his overflowing charm. His aura, when fully unleashed, was practically irresistible.

But now is not the time to commit a crime; she has work to do tomorrow.

She frowned and stared at him for a moment, then leaned forward and, mimicking his gesture, gently pecked his lips. "Is that enough?"

She pressed her lips to his, wanting to say "let go," but the last two words didn't come out. A hand pressed against her lower back, a broad palm with an undeniable strength, "Trying to run away again."

The words disappeared between his lips and teeth.

Sheng Yi's eyes widened as she recalled a sentence interspersed among his numerous messages: "Don't let me catch you."

Long eyelashes brushed against her cheeks, bringing a ticklish sensation, while the lips that had produced countless beautiful songs lingered and gently kissed her lips.

A sudden, inexplicable pain on my lip.

Sheng Yi glanced at him sideways, her misty eyes filled with endless grievances and vulnerability. Wen Shili gently covered her eyes, "Don't look at me like that."

"You—" Sheng Yi's voice trembled, and after saying "you," she didn't know what else to say.

Even the accusations seem to lack any underlying willpower.

Wen Shili lowered his head and pressed his forehead against hers, then gently pecked her rosy lips. "I've wanted to do this for a long time."

In his dreams, he had possessed her countless times, making her his own. He was an expert at it.

The person who had just calmed down struggled again upon hearing the voice, grabbing his hand and angrily accusing him, "You scumbag!"

Wen Shili's eyes were dark and filled with unfathomable emotions. Sheng Yi was the first to be unable to resist and looked away. But he had no intention of letting her go so easily. He cupped her face and forced her to look him in the eye.

Sheng Yi's heart skipped a beat. Wen Shili stared at her intently. "Trying to shift the blame, huh? We'll announce it to the public tomorrow."

"No!" Even though she knew he was just joking, Sheng Yi still felt like her scalp was about to explode, and resolutely refused.

Wen Shili stared intently at her changing expressions, refusing to budge an inch. "Then let's do it today."

His expression was cold and stern, his eyes dark and unfathomable. Sheng Yi couldn't tell whether he meant what he said, and she anxiously reached out to scratch him, "Don't tell anyone! What if we break up in a couple of days!"

Given his status, he naturally wouldn't care about another scandal, but she didn't have the luxury of being capricious. Even after the breakup, her name would forever be inextricably linked to his.

At least his exes were never brought into the spotlight. She, too, should have the opportunity to quietly exit the stage.

She was about to explain things to him in detail when Wen Shili ran out of patience and leaned down to block out those harsh words. He seemed to be doing it on purpose, being both impatient and fierce, which was completely inconsistent with the impression he gave off.

Sheng Yi was initially patting his shoulder, but somehow she had unconsciously clung to him, no longer able to speak. Only when his full, red lips were moistened and glossy did Wen Shili pull away.

Sheng Yi's eyes were red, and her voice trembled uncontrollably, "I was just kidding, don't do that."

"Mm." Wen Shili took her hand again. "Let's go, don't we still need to go back and pack our things?"

Sheng Yi thought for a moment, then looked up at him. "I'll take a taxi myself. You're being too conspicuous in broad daylight."

Wen Shili curled his lips slightly, "Are we just going to do it secretly?"

Sheng Yi lowered her head, "Anyway, not now." As she spoke, she grumbled and accused, "Do you want me to get scolded?"

Tsk, the blame has been shifted back to them again.

Wen Shili said calmly, "Then curse back."

Am I that kind of person?

"No, no." He smiled and reassured her, "Don't be afraid, I'll scold them for you."

He dared to say it, but she wouldn't dare to agree. Sheng Yi imagined the situation and couldn't help but shudder.

Wen Shili lowered his eyes, concealing his turbulent emotions, gently rubbed her cheek, and carefully pulled her mask and scarf up. "I'll have someone take you home."

As expected, Sheng Yi is busier this year than ever before. Since returning to S City, there hasn't been a moment's rest.

Fu Xiaodan had already held her engagement ceremony during the Spring Festival. After the holiday, she had been planning to treat her friends to a meal with Liang Hui. Everything else was fine, but Sheng Yi was so busy that she couldn't stop at all. Even a simple meal required advance planning.

Just when she finally got a chance to catch her breath, Fu Xiaodan's new project started its preparation phase, so the meal was put on hold.

As winter fades away, Sheng Yi, caught up in the daily grind, easily forgets that she has a boyfriend.

Wen Shili's presence was very low-key; at least, Lao Qian and Jingjing hadn't noticed anything wrong with her yet. Occasionally, when Lao Qian saw her, he couldn't help but sigh, "Why can't she participate?"

After confirming their relationship, they met much less often than before, as both of them were busy and it was difficult for their schedules to align.

If it weren't for the fact that he would send her messages every day and occasionally video chat to talk about trivial things, he would still seem to be Wen Shili, who remains in other people's various interpretations and is so distant that he has no connection with her at all.