Chapter 11 Metropolis "It's 11:52 now... eight more..."
The whole world fell silent.
It was so quiet that she could clearly feel her own heart pounding.
It was so quiet that all she could hear was, "Chen Cen, happy birthday."
"Why are you standing still? Aren't you welcoming me?"
As Jiang Shiyu approached, Chen Cen's sense of disorientation slowly dissipated.
He was indeed standing in front of her.
"Why are you back?" she asked.
When she called Jiang Shiyu in the morning, he didn't mention when he would return to China; she thought it would take a few more days.
"I just finished up my work in the US, so I came back. Isn't today your birthday?"
So, he just happened to come back today?
Shen Cen's eyelashes fluttered, and she pointed to Jiang Shiyu's suitcase, asking, "Did you just return to the country?"
"It arrived this afternoon. This is a gift I prepared for you." He pushed the suitcase to Shen Cen's side.
Shen Cen took it and looked at it with surprise.
A suitcase? Why would someone give a suitcase as a gift?
She tried to lift it, but found that the suitcase was too heavy to lift at all.
What, did he put his luggage in the suitcase that was being delivered to him and forget to take it out?
Perhaps guessing what Shen Cen was thinking, Jiang Shiyu chuckled and said, "There are a lot of gifts, so they can only be put in the box. Of course, if you like this box, you can take it."
Shen Cen found it exaggerated: "This...this box is full of...?"
As she spoke, she looked at the box again, wishing she had X-ray vision so she could see what was inside at a glance.
Jiang Shiyu saw that although the person in front of him didn't say whether they liked it or not, their eyes already revealed joy. He smiled casually, his eyebrows relaxing: "Yes, I just bought some random things, I don't know if you'll like them. Why don't we go home and check first?"
"good."
The two pushed their suitcases to the entrance of the apartment building.
Shen Cen looked at the high steps, then at her suitcase. She had just tried, and found that she couldn't lift it with one hand at all, so she used both hands to lift it. But the suitcase was only one centimeter off the ground.
Helpless, she turned her head and looked up at Jiang Shiyu, but didn't dare to speak.
Jiang Shiyu understood Shen Cen's meaning, stepped forward, and picked up the suitcase with one hand: "So Teacher Shen still remembers me behind here."
Shen Cen: "..."
She followed the man silently, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the hand carrying the suitcase.
The man's well-defined forearms were on full display, revealing strong muscles. Subtle blue veins bulged from his wrists, extending to a point invisible from his shirt cuffs.
She swallowed hard.
After arriving home, Jiang Shiyu placed the suitcase on the ground and said, "Wait for me a little longer, there are still some things that haven't arrived yet."
"What else is there?"
"cake."
"I ate cake at school today."
"Oh, I haven't eaten it yet."
Shen Cen: "...Okay. How much longer until we arrive?"
Jiang Shiyu took out his phone and opened the food delivery app: "It should be downstairs. I'll go check."
After Jiang Shiyu left, Shen Cen moved a small stool over and sat down next to the suitcase.
She was curious about what Jiang Shiyu had prepared.
The box was opened, and inside were boxes wrapped in pink gift paper.
At first, she thought that Jiang Shiyu had packaged these things, but then she thought that it was unlikely that Jiang Shiyu would put so much effort into it for her.
After all, preparing so many gifts had exceeded her expectations.
She took a small knife from the drawer and took out the gifts one by one, opening them up.
Soon, more than a dozen boxes were piled on the ground, containing everything from small trinkets to large bags. She took out her phone and quietly snapped a photo. After taking the photo, she immediately put her phone away and examined the gifts.
Some are very famous luxury brands, like that bucket bag, which is a new product this spring. Shen Cen still remembers that when she and Wen Jie first went to Siji, they happened to see the brand's new product launch and immediately fell in love with the bag. She even shared it with Wen Jie at the time.
However, one bag would cost her a year's salary, so at the time she could only admire them online.
What she didn't expect was that Jiang Shiyu happened to buy this one. Although he might have just picked it randomly, in a sense, how could it not be a kind of tacit understanding between the two of them?
Many of the other gifts were from niche luxury brands, which Shen Cen couldn't name at the moment, but he knew they were quite expensive.
However, the most special one is a painting.
Shen Cen lifted the kraft paper covering it, and a bright red color came into view.
This painting depicts...
Their wedding photo?
Jiang Shiyu had actually been standing at the door for a while, but seeing Shen Cen humming a little tune and unwrapping gifts like a little girl, he couldn't bear to ruin the scene.
Seeing Shen Cen pick up the painting, he felt inexplicably guilty and stepped forward to explain, "This was painted by my sister."
Shen Cen was startled when she didn't hear Jiang Shiyu return: "Ah...your sister?"
“Yes, I happen to be studying in New York.” Jiang Shiyu placed the cake on the table and said as he unwrapped it:
"I heard it's your birthday soon, and they insisted on asking me for your photo so they could draw a picture of you. I only have the photo from when we got our marriage certificate, so this is the only one I can send."
"Oh, I see," Shen Cen nodded in sudden understanding. Since it was a token of Jiang Shiyu's sister's kindness, she had to accept it carefully: "Please thank my sister for me."
"Of course." Jiang Shiyu placed two candles on the cake. "You can come and make a wish now."
Shen Cen walked to the table and sat down. Jiang Shiyu folded the birthday hat that came with the cake and put it on her head.
Shen Cen initially felt it was strange to wear it and wanted to take it off. But after thinking about it, she didn't take it off. She put her hands together and began to make a wish.
Jiang Shiyu reminded, "You must close your eyes when making a wish, otherwise it won't come true."
Shen Cen closed his eyes.
After making her first wish, she cautiously opened her eyes a crack and saw that Jiang Shiyu had somehow taken out his phone and was pointing it at her.
Jiang Shiyu didn't notice Shen Cen's change. He took two photos and then quietly put them back in his pocket.
Shen Cen closed her eyes, pretending not to have seen what had just happened, but her heart was pounding wildly. She then made her second wish.
"Knock knock knock!"
The knocking interrupted Shen Cen. She opened her eyes and asked Jiang Shiyu with a hint of doubt, "Did you order takeout?"
Jiang Shiyu was also puzzled and shook his head: "No, I'll go take a look."
"Knock knock knock!"
The person knocking was very strong, slamming their fist heavily on the door. The sound made Chen Cen inexplicably uneasy.
What are you doing here?
Chen Zhao's voice rang out almost the instant the door opened.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Jiang Shiyu said bluntly.
"I want to see Shen Cen."
Chen Zhao was about to enter the house when Jiang Shiyu's face turned cold. He took a step outside, forcing Chen Zhao to step back.
Jiang Shiyu is nearly 1.9 meters tall, and due to years of working out and playing sports, he has a very strong physique. Standing before him, Chen Zhao was already at a disadvantage in terms of sheer presence.
In this situation, Shen Cen naturally couldn't sit idly by. She stepped forward and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to celebrate your birthday, Shen Cen, why is he here too?" Chen Zhao shouted angrily, pointing at Jiang Shiyu with red eyes.
Shen Cen frowned. It was getting late, and if Chen Zhao continued to make a scene, the neighbors would find out. She stepped forward, took Jiang Shiyu's hand, and deliberately showed it to Chen Zhao: "I've told you before, I'm already married."
Jiang Shiyu was pulled along, paused for a moment, then held Shen Cen's hand tightly, their fingers intertwined.
The man's hands were broad and strong, which reassured Shen Cen considerably.
"What do you mean by this?" Chen Zhao felt provoked by the two men, and instantly clenched his fists, his face turning ashen.
"What do you mean?" Jiang Shiyu sneered. "Can't you see? We're already married. Who do you think you are? Get out of our house."
"impossible!"
"Believe it or not, it's up to you." With that, Jiang Shiyu was about to lock the door. Chen Zhao blocked the door and turned to ask Shen Cen, "Shen Cen, tell me, is this fake! Are you faking a marriage to fool me?"
As Chen Zhao became more and more agitated, he was about to grab Chen Cen when Jiang Shiyu could no longer hold back. He grabbed Chen Zhao by the collar with his left hand and lifted him up to eye level, just like he had just lifted a suitcase. He fiercely scolded, "If you dare touch her, don't blame me for being impolite."
Chen Zhao was already somewhat afraid, his fists trembling, but when he saw Shen Cen standing to the side, his eyes were all on Jiang Shiyu, not even glancing at him, he felt very embarrassed.
Today he's determined to teach them a lesson.
He glanced around the room and saw a vase on the cabinet near the door.
Taking advantage of the two men's inattention, Chen Zhao quickly snatched the vase and smashed it hard against the two men in front of him.
"Bang!"
Before Shen Cen could even see what was happening in front of her, she fell into Jiang Shiyu's arms.
Two more "bangs" were heard.
When she opened her eyes, she was startled by what she saw.
Blood was gushing from Jiang Shiyu's right arm, and blood-stained shards of a vase lay scattered on the ground.
-
Chen Zhao was detained for deliberately provoking trouble, and Jiang Shiyu was also reprimanded for punching Chen Zhao twice, knocking out several of Chen Zhao's teeth.
It was past eleven o'clock when I left the police station.
Shen Cen remained silent, staring at Jiang Shiyu's bandaged arm, tears suddenly streaming down her face uncontrollably.
Jiang Shiyu panicked; it was the first time he had ever seen Shen Cen cry: "Why are you crying all of a sudden?"
He raised his left hand to wipe away the tears on Shen Cen's cheeks, but the more he wiped, the more tears appeared.
Shen Cen choked up and couldn't speak. After a long while, she slowly said, "You're not alright at all, but you're injured like this."
Although no bones were broken, it was still a heavy vase that had hit Jiang Shiyu. His arm was swollen and had a deep cut, the bleeding of which had just stopped.
However, Jiang Shiyu could have easily avoided all of this, but because he shielded himself first, he was hit by Chen Zhao.
Thinking of this, she felt even more guilty. What if that vase had hit Jiang Shiyu on the head? Or hit a vital spot? She didn't dare to think about it.
Shen Cen always kept her emotions hidden in front of others, always appearing calm and collected. But this time, she couldn't hold back at all. She was terrified that something might happen to Jiang Shiyu because of her.
"It's really nothing, look at me, my arm can still move... Ouch..." As soon as Jiang Shiyu raised his arm, he winced in pain and couldn't help but cry out.
"Look at you, still saying you're fine..."
-
Upon hearing about this, He Yan immediately rushed to the police station. He saw the two men as soon as he arrived at the entrance and immediately got out of the car: "Boss, Miss Shen! What happened?"
Jiang Shiyu said calmly, "I taught a scumbag a lesson."
No, how did teaching a scumbag a lesson end up hurting himself like this? But he couldn't pry into Jiang Shiyu's private affairs; Jiang Shiyu must have called him here to give him some work-related advice.
However, judging from Jiang Shiyu's current state, it's likely that he won't be able to go to his company or Si Ji's place anytime soon.
"Boss, your arm looks badly injured. I'll handle Siji for a while, you stay home and rest. But you'll be home alone..."
Just as He Yan was about to ask Jiang Shiyu if he wanted to arrange for another subordinate to take care of Jiang Shiyu's daily needs during this period, he heard Jiang Shiyu continue, taking advantage of his words:
"Yeah, I'm home alone, so it's probably inconvenient to do anything. If I accidentally strain my arm again..."
As he spoke, Jiang Shiyu sighed heavily, secretly glancing towards Chen Cen.
He Yan had followed Jiang Shiyu for several years, so he naturally had this much insight, and he kept quiet.
Seeing this, Shen Cen hesitated and said, "How about I come to your house and take care of you for a while? Would that be convenient for you?"
After all, Jiang Shiyu was injured because of her, and she had just finished her last proctoring exam today, so she hadn't been to the school much. She estimated that Jiang Shiyu should recover in about a month, and then she would move back home.
Jiang Shiyu was clearly waiting for this, but he didn't want Shen Cen to see it, so he pretended to think for a few seconds and then nodded: "Okay. Then when do you think is a good time to move? I'll have He Yan take your luggage."
As he spoke, he gave He Yan a look, and He Yan quickly agreed.
Shen Cen thought for a moment, realizing that this matter couldn't be delayed any longer, and said, "Tomorrow, I'll go back and pack up tonight."
After getting in the car, He Yan first took Shen Cen home. It was almost midnight, and there were only a few cars on the road. Most of the shops on both sides of the road were closed, except for a pharmacy and a dessert shop that were still open.
Jiang Shiyu told He Yan to stop so he could go buy something. Shen Cen was worried and offered to go with Jiang Shiyu. But Jiang Shiyu held her shoulder and told her to sit in the car and wait for him.
About ten minutes passed, and Jiang Shiyu still hadn't returned. Shen Cen became a little anxious: "He Yan, I'll go down and check on Jiang Shiyu first."
"I'm back."
Jiang Shiyu's voice came from behind. He had come out of the store at some point and gotten into the car from the other side.
In his hands, besides a bag of disinfectant, gauze, and ointment, there was one more thing.
It's a small cake.
The cake also had candles on it.
Shen Cen covered his mouth in surprise, his mind reeling: "What is this?"
Jiang Shiyu took out the small cake and held it in his palm: "I didn't finish making a wish just now."
He Yan tactfully left. Although he didn't go to New York with Jiang Shiyu this time, he knew that Jiang Shiyu had specially returned two days early to celebrate Shen Cen's birthday.
He left the two of them in private: "Boss, Miss Shen, I'm going out to get a cigarette."
Jiang Shiyu nodded: "Go ahead."
He added, "Leave the lighter for me."
He Yan left the lighter behind and took only a pack of cigarettes with him.
"There's still time."
Jiang Shiyu lit the candle. "It's 11:52 now... Shen Cen, eight minutes left."
A note from the author:
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