Chi Yan's cool gaze swept over him: "Are you very free?"
The next instant, the obedient cat leaped off his lap and pounced on Shen Ci, biting his wrist without any hesitation.
What brother? Let her be angry to death!
Shen Ci cried out in pain, accusing and begging for mercy: "Little darling, I even fed you, and you still bit me? It hurts, it hurts... Let go! I was wrong, okay!"
Chi Yan rested his chin on his hand and laughed gleefully.
*
Why do you take your cat everywhere you go?
Yan Mingyi glanced around and objectively commented, "The quality is average, nothing special. If you like them, I can have someone pick out a few prettier ones for you?"
Shen Tangning was a little angry, but she calmly turned around and faced away from her.
Even if it's a good friend, you'll cut ties with her if she says she's ugly!
She realized she had turned into a cat, and her personality had become increasingly spoiled. No wonder, given that Chi Yan indulged her without any limits.
For example, at this moment, he smiled with interest and gently stroked the back of her neck: "No need, one is enough to worry about."
Shen Tangning glared at him: What do you mean? Do you think she's troublesome?
"Your cat is quite interesting." Yan Mingyi smiled meaningfully. "She's only affectionate towards you."
Hearing this made Chi Yan extremely comfortable, and he slowly nodded: "After all, it's my pet."
Yan Mingyi's lips twitched; unable to bear listening any longer, she began to discuss court politics with him.
Shen Tangning was dozing off when she suddenly heard her own name called, and she barely managed to stay awake.
Yan Mingyi lowered her head and placed a piece on the chessboard: "Over the years, I have never seen you treat anyone else with any special affection. What is it about that Miss Shen that makes you go to such lengths for her?"
The place where she rests is planted with crabapple trees, a women's college and a women's aid center are established in her name, and a marriage law is specially enacted to help women in a weak position in marriage fight for their rights.
He even took good care of her younger brother.
It's rare to find someone who has been dead for so many years still maintaining a bond with you.
Chi Yan paused for a moment, then slowly placed his piece.
Actually, he and Shen Tangning didn't have much interaction. She was aloof and didn't like to get too close to people. During the few years they did interact, they would just nod and say hello when they met.
He suddenly remembered many years ago, on her birthday, she sat alone in the pavilion, her figure looking so lonely.
On a whim, he took her to the rooftop to see the stars. She awkwardly gathered her skirt, clearly terrified, yet trying to appear calm and elegant.
He could no longer recall whether the starry sky was beautiful that night, but he clearly remembered that Shen Tangning's eyes were brighter than the stars.
I've never had such a secret thought in my life again.
Yan Mingyi seemed to have noticed something and looked up at him: "Do you like your sister-in-law?"
Unbeknownst to Chi Yan, the cat dozing on her lap had secretly pricked up its ears, feigning nonchalance yet remaining alert.
He remained silent for a long time, then shook his head and said softly:
"It would be too offensive to say I like her; I respect her."
I've regretted countless times not holding onto her.
Shen Ci said that he wished he had married Shen Tangning instead; he had even had unrealistic thoughts about it...
If he had married Shen Tangning, he certainly wouldn't have let her end up like that.
But he also knew that with his reputation ruined back then, would Shen Tangning be willing to marry him?
She was such a proud person.
So how is that possible?
Shen Tangning stared blankly into her eyes, her mind filled with Chi Yan's words—
I respect her.
She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt as if her heart had been squeezed tightly, making it hard to breathe.
Chi Yan probably doesn't know that in a parallel universe, they actually got married.
She loved him very much.
*
Chi Yan never married throughout his life.
This puzzled many people, but no one dared to say anything. At his level, rumors could no longer sway him.
When Shen Ci asked the question, Shen Tangning was listening intently from the side. Chi Yan's eyes were indifferent. He was usually nonchalant, but at this moment he seemed somewhat lonely.
"Getting to know someone again is too much trouble; I don't have that much energy."
He chuckled softly, lifting Shen Tangning's chin. She was still embarrassed at being caught, burying herself in the soft fur, when she heard him say teasingly:
"Besides, I still have an ancestor to support. If I were to marry her, she would cause a huge uproar."
Shen Tangning: "..."
The child is still young, yet he has to bear such a huge burden of blame.
"Tsk, I'm telling you, don't be a pervert! I'm warning you, humans and cats are different!" Seeing that he really didn't have that idea, Shen Ci stopped asking.
As he gets older, Chi Yan doesn't like social events or large gatherings anymore. He takes Shen Tangning with him wherever he goes, and his only hobby is walking his cat.
The people below, observing his demeanor, shifted their focus from trying to please him to trying to please Shen Tangning. However, as the saying goes, like attracts like; her temperament was exactly like Chi Yan's, making her difficult to please.
She won't eat anything offered by strangers, and even food offered by acquaintances depends on her mood.
But she is very clingy to Chi Yan and is usually very obedient. She gives him face in public, but there are times when she doesn't.
Someone came in to refill the wine and got too close to Chi Yan. He smelled of perfume, and Shen Tangning refused to let him hug her, keeping her distance. When Chi Yan reached out to hug her, she scratched him lightly with her hand.
To onlookers, it seemed like this little thing was spoiled and arrogant.
Chi Yan looked down at her, his eyes unfathomable, and his tone became indifferent: "Quite a temper."
The surroundings quieted down, but Shen Tangning still didn't make a move.
After a long while, Chi Yan resigned himself to his fate, bent down, and coaxed her in a soft voice, "My dear, don't be angry anymore, okay?"
...
Cats have a limited lifespan, and Shen Tangning knew she couldn't stay with Chi Yan for long, but she never expected that Chi Yan would leave before her.
It was a warm and pleasant spring day.
The crabapple blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom. He lay in a rocking chair, his face pale from his illness, but still handsome, with a calmness tempered by the years.
He was holding his elderly cat in his arms, and the two of them lay there leisurely, undisturbed by anyone.
Shen Tangning sensed something was wrong and followed him almost every step of the way these past few days. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry.
Chi Yan looked down at her, a gentle smile in his eyes: "Why have you been so clingy these past few days?"
She licked his palm, unusually obedient.
A crabapple blossom swirled and landed on him. Chi Yan glanced down at it and suddenly said, "Sometimes I feel that you were sent to my side by heaven."
No cat is so intelligent and understanding, and no cat is so fond of crabapple blossoms.
Shen Tangning slowly placed the crabapple blossom in his hand, then lingered and climbed onto his shoulder, giving him a very light kiss, her movements cautious.
Chi Yan smiled and slowly closed his eyes: "A-Ning..."
He never opened his eyes again.
Shen Tangning gazed at him for a long time, her fluffy head resting on his shoulder, and she closed her eyes.
Huai Zhi, don't be afraid.
Death is not the end.
We will meet again in the future.
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