Chapter 30

Back in the private room after a short wait, the dishes began to arrive one by one.

Wen Xin gave them a quick scan. The chef here clearly knew his craft; every dish was stir-fried to perfection, bursting with color, aroma, and flavor. Even ingredients she normally disliked somehow tasted irresistible after his expert touch.

“Try some?” Shi Qianyu handed her a pair of chopsticks, then picked up her own to serve Wen Xin.

She seemed to know exactly what Wen Xin liked, filling her plate only with her favorites. Wen Xin still wasn’t used to being fussed over like this. She shook her head quickly. “I can serve myself. You eat too.”

“Mm-hmm.” Shi Qianyu agreed readily enough, but her actions told a different story. She reached out, picked up a few shrimp, dropped them into Wen Xin’s bowl, and started peeling them with meticulous care.

Before long, under Shi Qianyu’s attentive service, Wen Xin’s plate had turned into a little mountain.

Wen Xin: “…”

“Really, that’s enough.” She felt terribly awkward and nudged her plate away from Shi Qianyu’s side. “A-Yu, you eat too.”

“Alright.” Shi Qianyu finally nodded, picking up her chopsticks to eat alongside Wen Xin.

She never ate much in the evenings anyway.

Wen Xin noticed that Shi Qianyu skipped the staples entirely, just nibbling on some vegetables and sipping a simple bowl of chicken soup before setting down her chopsticks.

By contrast, her own side of the table…

Wen Xin suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment. She hesitated, wondering if she should wrap up dinner alongside Shi Qianyu.

“Don’t worry about me.” Perhaps her conflicted expression was too obvious, because Shi Qianyu spotted it right away. She smiled and spoke up reassuringly. “I eat light because I’m trying to stay in shape. Once you hit my age, your metabolism slows down. If you’re not careful with your diet, the weight piles on.”

“But you don’t need to. You’re already so slim.” Her gaze swept over Wen Xin’s slender wrist, a hint of concern in her voice. “You should eat more. Put on a little meat.”

Shi Qianyu spoke with genuine feeling, but Wen Xin just took it as an attempt to comfort her and didn’t quite buy it.

After all, Shi Qianyu didn’t need to diet at all. Her figure was the picture of perfection, and at only thirty-two—a mature, poised age brimming with allure—talk of “old” was ridiculous.

Wen Xin shook her head instinctively. “You don’t need to diet at all.”

“Really?” Shi Qianyu’s lips curved up as she looked at her.

“Really.” Wen Xin insisted. “And you’re not old at all.”

“But compared to the other young girls in the office…”

“You’re better than them—more accomplished, more mature. Director Shi, you’re amazing and incredible.” She rarely interrupted, but she cut in to correct the misconception. Maybe she was too eager, because in her haste she forgot their agreement and called her Director Shi again.

Shi Qianyu reminded her patiently. “It’s A-Yu.”

“A-Yu, A-Yu.” Wen Xin snapped back to herself, realizing the tone she’d just used with Shi Qianyu. She deflated instantly.

She shrank back timidly, head down like a quail, missing Shi Qianyu’s expression. Only moments later did Shi Qianyu speak again, her tone much more serious than before.

“Will you regret it?” Lost in thought about something, she suddenly asked, “Being the lover of an old woman four years older than you.”

Old? Wen Xin protested silently in her heart. She finally lifted her eyes, assuming it was a joke—until she met Shi Qianyu’s gaze.

In Shi Qianyu’s eyes, Wen Xin saw unease and probing. She was so perfect, yet facing someone younger like Wen Xin still stirred insecurities. Recalling her earlier words, Wen Xin sensed that age was a real sore spot for her. But she didn’t understand why, or why the question had come up now.

“No,” she answered anyway, even as embarrassment washed over her. “Of course not.”

Wen Xin wasn’t great at compliments, but she said it sincerely. “Because A-Yu is a wonderful person.”

It was a short sentence, yet it rang out with surprising sweetness. Lovers weren’t supposed to talk love, but Shi Qianyu stubbornly took it as one anyway. People always grew timid and insecure around what they cherished, and she was no exception.

Her age was her deepest insecurity. Though only four years separated them, she still vividly remembered their first time making love, when Wen Xin had called her “Sister.” She’d gone along with it then, and afterward it often slipped out in jest, as if she didn’t care at all. Only she knew that from that night on, the seed of doubt had taken root in her heart.

She’d been afraid Wen Xin would mind her age, afraid she’d regret signing the lover’s contract. Until now, hearing those firm words.

—No regrets.

She had no regrets.

Shi Qianyu smiled again, her feelings as inscrutable as ever. Wen Xin had no idea what had made her uneasy just now, or why she suddenly seemed happy.

Seeing Shi Qianyu scoop up a morsel of crab meat and bring it to her lips: “Ah~~”

She’d said no more eating…

That was what Wen Xin thought, but her body betrayed her, leaning forward to take the bite.

~~~

After the meal, Wen Xin headed to the front desk to settle the bill as promised.

It wasn’t necessary—the amount could have been deducted straight from Shi Qianyu’s membership card—but Wen Xin didn’t want to put her out and stubbornly paid separately.

Three thousand yuan. Who spent that much on a single meal?

Her heart ached at the cost as she packed up and got into the car with Shi Qianyu. They soon pulled up to the residential complex. Night had fully fallen, and Shi Qianyu, not wanting Wen Xin to go up alone, insisted on seeing her to the door.

Last night’s events were still fresh, leaving Wen Xin mortified. She avoided looking at Shi Qianyu’s face the whole way, fished out her keys, and let her in, settling her on the sofa.

“Rest for a bit.” Her gaze darted away. “I’ll get you some water.”

“I had a glass at the restaurant before we left. Not thirsty.” Shi Qianyu shook her head and wouldn’t let her escape, gently catching her wrist with a playful whine. “Sit with me a while.”

Wen Xin nodded. “Okay…”

She’d barely sat when Shi Qianyu sidled up like an affectionate cat, murmuring flirtatiously in her ear. “Sister, do you remember what I said at the restaurant?”

Wen Xin: “Wh-what?”

“I said I’d make it up to you properly.” Her lips curved in a smile, her eyes sparkling with allure. It was terribly tempting, and after a long moment, Wen Xin murmured, “I need to shower first…”

She assumed Shi Qianyu wanted to do those things again, her cheeks burning.

Shi Qianyu shook her head. “No need. It’s fine.”

“No.” Wen Xin whispered. “We can’t.”

Shi Qianyu blinked, seemingly puzzled. “Why?”

“It’s dirty.” Wen Xin lowered her eyes, the blush creeping to her ears. Adorably so.

Shi Qianyu had teased her enough. She stood without another joke and moved behind Wen Xin, placing her hands on her shoulders.

“It’s just a shoulder massage. Do you really need to shower first?” She smirked mischievously where Wen Xin couldn’t see, but asked innocently. “Or is Sister thinking about something else~?”

A shoulder massage.

It was only a shoulder massage!

Wen Xin was mortified to her core, so embarrassed she wanted to die. It took her ages to muster a feeble defense. “I wasn’t thinking anything.”

“Thank you, A-Yu.” Her voice was soft.

“You’re welcome.” Shi Qianyu smiled and began kneading from the base of her neck, her movements slow but firm.

Raised in comfort, she’d rarely cared for anyone else. Even this massage skill was something she’d picked up that afternoon, after noticing Wen Xin rolling her shoulders uncomfortably more than once.

So she’d learned a few techniques, purely to help Wen Xin. Under her touch, Wen Xin gradually relaxed, the day’s fatigue melting away.

While massaging, Shi Qianyu chatted about work, asking how things were going lately.

Wen Xin reported back in detail, down to the smallest points. She was always thorough, highly capable, and ended up working harder than most when things got busy.

Shi Qianyu hated seeing her so worn out. She praised her softly. “You’re doing great. I knew these little things wouldn’t stump you—you excel at everything you do.”

“But don’t push yourself too hard. Relax when you should, and ask for help when you need it. Gao Qiu and Fei Yuan are your teammates; discuss tough problems with them.”

“Or come to me.” She smiled, her gaze soft and warm, brimming with unspoken affection that Wen Xin, thankfully, couldn’t see. She could indulge freely.

“You know, you’re not alone.”

“You have me. You have us.”