Chapter 103 What she thought was the end was merely what he understood as the beginning.
"If I didn't have to go back to work today, I really wouldn't want to leave."
Yan Shuang sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Shang Qiuzhu, who had already washed up and was still looking elegant and noble in his black bathrobe.
He picked up a soft knitted sweater, walked over to her, and began to help her change out of her nightgown.
Yan Shuang felt as if every bone in her body had been dismantled, leaving her sore and aching. Only her eyes shone brightly because of yesterday's harvest.
He bent down and slipped the cuffs of his cardigan onto her arms.
The cold air made her shiver, and his large, warm hands gently supported her back.
"You can come anytime you want, I'll be with you."
His tone was so matter-of-fact, as if putting aside his multi-million dollar business to spend a lot of time with her at the winery was as simple as eating and drinking.
Yan Shuang just smiled when she heard this, clearly not taking it seriously.
Shang Qiuzhu's hand brushed over her stiff upper arm muscles, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly, and she continued, "Just don't push yourself so hard next time. Take it easy and don't overexert yourself."
Yan Shuang was immersed in reminiscing about the brewing technique when she heard this, and immediately shook her head, unconcerned: "It's very interesting, not tiring at all."
To prove she wasn't tired, she tried to raise her arm to show her strength, but as soon as she raised it halfway, her sore muscles protested, making her gasp and her arm awkwardly freeze in mid-air.
Shangqiu Zhu reached out, grasped her slightly trembling wrist, and gently helped her put it down.
"Not tired?" He raised an eyebrow and pressed lightly on her obviously stiff forearm muscles. "Then what's this?"
Caught off guard, Yan Shuang cried out in pain, her face contorting in pain. "Gently, it hurts!"
Seeing that she had finally calmed down and stopped being stubborn, Shangqiu Zhu softened his expression and continued to help her get dressed.
Yan Shuang muttered something under her breath before slowly shuffling towards the bathroom in her slippers.
Soon, the sound of dripping water could be heard from inside.
Just as Shangqiu Zhu picked up her nightgown, the phone screen underneath suddenly lit up.
A preview of an unread text message is clearly displayed on the lock screen.
From: [Cambridge Business School]
Content: [Admission Confirmation] Dear Ms. Yan Shuang, Congratulations! We have received your confirmation of admission to the PhD in Finance program. Please check your email for further instructions…
Shangqiu Zhu's movements stopped instantly.
Yan Shuang finished washing up and came out.
"I'm all packed," she said softly, only to find Shang Qiuzhu still wearing a black bathrobe, standing on the balcony smoking.
She walked over and asked, "Aren't you going to change your clothes? You have to go to the company today, right?"
Upon hearing her voice, Shangqiu Zhu stubbed out his cigarette in the crystal ashtray beside him.
He then turned around, walked over expressionlessly, and headed straight for the dressing room.
He had his back to her, slowly buttoning his shirt, his voice coming through the dressing room without a trace of emotion.
"Are you going to Cambridge?"
Yan Shuang was slightly taken aback. "Yes."
She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How did you know?"
Shang Qiuzhu didn't answer. He buttoned up the last button, calmly turned around, took his suit jacket from the hanger, and then asked, "When did you decide?"
Yan Shuang's fingers curled slightly: "...Just in the next few days."
"Just a few days? The application process for a Cambridge PhD in Finance doesn't seem that simple." He calmly stated a fact, "Interviews, letters of recommendation, research proposals... these can't all be completed in just a few days."
He put on his coat and finally focused his gaze entirely on her.
"So, it was all planned in advance, wasn't it?"
"No, it was a professor who did a project at USC who recommended me, that's why it was so fast..."
Shangqiu Zhu's face remained expressionless, but her deep-set eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were assessing every word she spoke.
Even with a professor's recommendation, the confirmation letter for admission still requires your own approval and personal action to send it out, right?
His voice remained calm, even gentle, but every word dissected the parts of her words that she was trying to obscure.
"When did you start considering this sudden opportunity, and when did you make the final decision?"
“In this process,” he paused slightly, “would you feel it necessary or possible to discuss it with me even just once?”
Yan Shuang was stunned.
What are they discussing? How she should leave?
Yan Shuang lowered her eyelashes; she had secretly imagined countless scenarios of parting.
In her mind, there might be sadness, but more likely it would be peace and relief.
She hoped that the two of them could be like good friends, smiling and wishing each other well for the future, at least maintaining a semblance of dignity.
She really, really didn't want it to end like last time, with a heated argument and cold tears.
That would be too ugly, and it would cast a shadow over all the warm memories we had before.
Shangqiu Zhu looked at her quietly. Her silence and her suddenly bewildered eyes had already given the most hurtful answer.
No.
I never thought of that.
A very faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, as if he were mocking himself.
Looking at his smile, Yan Shuang feared that the silence would trigger even more terrible consequences, and almost instinctively spoke up before he could say anything, "Shang Qiuzhu, no matter what, thank you for your help before. Without your recommendation, I wouldn't have had this opportunity to go to Cambridge..."
She looked up at him, trying to make her voice sound sincere.
Her thanks were sincere, but Shangqiu Zhu wouldn't listen at all.
He interrupted her, stopping her from saying anything more demarcating: “You can choose any American school you want—Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth… even USC itself.”
He listed a series of renowned names, paving a dazzling new path for her.
"Top-notch mentors, best resources, research funding, future competition and job opportunities..."
He looked at her and said, “I can arrange anything for you, as long as you’re willing. It will be no less than the platform Cambridge provides.”
Yan Shuang was completely stunned, her pupils dilated slightly. What did he mean by that?
With such generous terms, does he really want her to stay by his side and bind her even more tightly to this relationship with no future?
Yan Shuang's heart sank little by little, and the initial shock was quickly replaced by a huge sense of absurdity and sorrow.
The more attractive the incentives he offered, the more determined she became to leave.
This is not what she wanted.
What she wanted was a future that was honorable and in her own hands, not a gift that required her to depend on others and could be taken back at any time.
Yan Shuang took a deep breath, met Shang Qiuzhu's deep eyes, shook her head, and said in an unusually firm voice, "Thank you for your kindness, Shang Qiuzhu. However, I have already decided to go to Cambridge."
These words, like the final judgment pen, fell gently.
The last trace of gentleness on Shangqiu Zhu's face finally faded, and his expression turned completely cold.
"You really insist on going to Cambridge?" He took a step closer, his voice carrying an undeniable pressure. "Is it because of Lin Chengyu again? Is it because he's in London?"
Yan Shuang immediately retorted, "No, it has nothing to do with him. This is my own decision, and it has nothing to do with him."
He looked at her, his eyes growing colder. "I can't think of any reason why you would give up these top-tier resources within your reach to travel across the ocean to a place where you have no roots. What else could it be besides him?"
“I went to Cambridge because it’s a top university in the world, because Professor Roger’s recommendation was a rare opportunity, and because I wanted to strive for a different platform. It was entirely my own decision and had nothing to do with anyone else.”
Her eagerness to distance herself seemed to him more like a guilty conscience trying to cover it up.
Shangqiu Zhu looked at her silently for a few seconds, and finally, he made up his mind.
"I disagree with this matter," he said, his lips hard and devoid of any curve.
Yan Shuang was stunned, almost thinking she had misheard. "You... what did you say?"
Shangqiu Zhu's voice left no room for negotiation: "It's exactly what you think. I won't let you go."
Yan Shuang could hardly believe it. She didn't think Shang Qiuzhu had any right to interfere with her life decisions. A relationship, even a proper romantic one, should be built on mutual respect and support, and it absolutely doesn't mean that one party can so naturally deprive the other of their right to pursue their ideals and career.
Not to mention, what is their relationship?
"Shangqiu Zhu, this isn't just a project proposal that needs your approval; this is my life!"
That's why I have to take responsibility!
Before she could finish speaking, almost at the very moment she uttered her last word, Shangqiu Zhu's response cut in without the slightest hesitation.
His words carried an undeniable determination.
Just as there is a natural and solid equation between "her life" and "his responsibility".
In his mind, this was how he showed his love for her without needing to prove or explain it.
"I can give you anything Cambridge can give you, and I can also give you things it can't. If you stay by my side, the path you take in the future will never be worse."
Yan Shuang looked at him, the excitement in her eyes slowly subsiding. She took a soft breath, her voice softening, "Shang Qiuzhu, your talk of responsibility is from your perspective, in your own way. You haven't truly considered my feelings. And," she paused, trying to make him understand her feelings, "the Cambridge offer is more than just a degree; it's a journey I want to experience firsthand. What you offered is certainly excellent and powerful, but it's not a path you've walked for me, is it?"
Shangqiu Zhu listened in silence. The calmness and persistence in her words, like a gentle stream, gradually washed away his cold and hard decision.
Seeing that his expression seemed to soften, Yan Shuang continued softly, "Besides, you say you want to take responsibility, but who can really take responsibility for another person? In the end, don't I still have to walk this path myself step by step? You can't really arrange everything for me and keep managing me all the time, can you?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Shangqiu Zhu's eyes suddenly darkened.
The slight loosening that had just begun vanished instantly, replaced by a more stubborn undercurrent.
"Why not?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse. "Why, even now, do you still refuse to believe that I have the resolve to take full responsibility for your past and future?"
Before she could answer, he launched into a barrage of questions.
"Is it because you think I'm not good enough to provide the space you need, and you don't believe I have enough ability and resources to spare you from unnecessary hardships and obstacles, that you always feel you have to face all of this alone?"
He finally asked the question that had been lingering in the deepest part of his heart, and which also left him feeling most powerless.
"Do you not trust me as a person? Or are you simply unwilling to place this trust in me? Is that why you would rather choose those distant and unfamiliar futures than trust me even a little bit?"
His questions came one after another, leaving her no time to breathe.
Just as she was being forced to retreat by his repeated questioning, Shangqiu Zhu finally stopped.
He looked at her intently, his gaze piercing through the fog.
He saw the struggle beneath her fluttering eyelashes, and the unwavering determination at the corners of her lips.
The tension in Shangqiu Zhu's chest suddenly eased.
When he spoke again, his voice finally lowered, "As long as you're by my side, I can give you all the time you need to overcome your hesitations and worries."
He no longer insisted on asking for an answer, shedding all the sharpness of his questioning, yet each word resonated clearly in their silence.
His gaze calmly enveloped her. "But I want you to understand very clearly that when I say I'm responsible, I mean I'll be responsible to the end. When I say I'll take care of something, I mean I'll take care of it for a lifetime."
Yan Shuang was completely stunned, her brain completely shut down.
Does he know what he's saying?
She tried to find a trace of a joke or an angry remark in his unfathomable eyes.
But no.
Yan Shuang felt her mind go blank, and she could hear a buzzing sound in her ears.
Manage for a lifetime?
lifetime?
These three words are too sacred and too heavy, and usually only appear in one context.
Above the wedding vows.
Shang Qiuzhu seemed to be able to see through her chaotic thoughts and understand the unbelievable guess in her heart. He no longer gave her any room for escape or misunderstanding, and directly concluded: "There is no room for negotiation and nothing will change. I will handle it."
Shangqiu Zhu quickly came up with a plan.
Arguing with her, debating, or even forcing her to stay would be pointless and not what he wanted.
She wanted to go to Cambridge and pursue her doctorate under Professor Roger.
Since that's the case.
Then the solution becomes very simple.
Cambridge, right?
Professor Roger, right?
A world-class financial research team, right?
Why not just poach this team and this project?
Besides, there's really no need for her to experience Britain's awful weather firsthand.
She deserves to be in the best possible environment, to do whatever she wants, without having to endure any unnecessary hardship.
The moment the thought formed in his mind, all his anger was replaced by a calm sense of control.
For him, most of the world’s problems can be solved by reallocating capital and resources.
Including keeping her.
Before Yan Shuang could recover from the huge shock and even react in time, she felt her hand being grasped by him.
Shangqiu bamboo has returned to its usual appearance.
He took her hand and walked steadily toward the door, his voice calm and even: "The car is waiting."
Yan Shuang was almost completely dazed when he led her out the door and shoved her into that familiar black sedan.
She was somewhat dazed throughout the entire process, with the phrase "I'll take care of you for life" constantly echoing in her mind.
It wasn't until the private jet's engines roared loudly, the fuselage tilted as it soared into the sky, and the city outside the window gradually shrank into a blurry dot of light, that she suddenly snapped back to reality.
She subconsciously looked around and saw the spacious and comfortable business class.
The person sitting next to him remained calm and composed.
"Where...where are we going?" She finally found her voice.
Shangqiu Zhu turned his head and glanced at her. "Singapore."
"Singapore?" Yan Shuang was completely stunned. "What are you going to Singapore for?"
Her acceptance letter is from Cambridge.
Shangqiu Zhu said unhurriedly, "The Asia Summit and final selection interview for the Future Financial Incubator will be held tomorrow at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore."
Yan Shuang's eyes widened instantly.
"But... I didn't apply, and the selection process should have ended a long time ago, right?"
She was completely stunned.
Shang Qiuzhu gave a light "hmm," and said, "There's a special recommendation spot reserved internally. I had Lin Sheng send your application materials over in advance, and I've made an exception to give you an interview opportunity."
Yan Shuang was so shocked that she couldn't speak.
He actually... took her through such a "back door"?
The plane landed at Singapore Changi Airport.
The disorientation and shock I felt along the way were replaced by a more concrete sense of unreality the moment I stepped into this bustling city.
It wasn't until Shangqiu Zhu led her to a luxurious suite on the top floor of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where she looked out at the iconic skyline and the dazzling night view, that Yan Shuang came to her senses.
She really came, for an opportunity that fell from the sky.
Just as Shangqiu Zhu had settled her in, her phone rang. It was Thomas, who needed her to attend an important business meeting.
After hanging up the phone, Shangqiu Zhu walked over to Yan Shuang, who was looking through project documents, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"There's an urgent meeting, you take a rest, I'll come back later and take you out for dinner."
Yan Shuang was completely focused on the documents, without even looking up. She just mumbled an "Mmm" while her fingers continued to swipe rapidly across the tablet.
It was a completely dismissive attitude, like "I know, you're so long-winded, stop bothering me."
A man who felt ignored was very unhappy.
His eyes darkened, and he reached out and snatched the tablet from her hand.
"Hey, what are you doing!" Yan Shuang finally raised her head and looked at him with displeasure.
Shangqiu Zhu wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her lips.
Yan Shuang struggled at first, but quickly gave in to his strong offensive.
Only when Thomas's phone rang again did Shangqiu Zhu reluctantly release her, looking at her watery eyes, filled with a mixture of anger and embarrassment, and only then did he seem somewhat satisfied.
"Wait for me to come back." His voice was low and husky. He kissed her lips again, then straightened his suit, regaining his cool and aloof demeanor as a business elite, and strode out of the suite.
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