He Yuzhou had been sitting there, eyelids drooping with boredom, but the moment Cen Yingshuang called out “Yan Li-ge,” his sharp gaze snapped over.
He locked his eyes tightly on Cen Yingshuang’s face.
A face blooming with laughter. Her smile was as dazzling and sweet as ever, showing her white teeth, eyes curved into crescents.
It was truly infectious.
Anyone who saw her smile would feel their spirits lifted, their hearts cleared.
But now, He Yuzhou actually found it harsh to look at.
“Yes, I’m in Rome.”
Cen Yingshuang was still smiling, her voice soft.
“Alright, mm… I’ll ask Màn Jie when we’re done. Mm. Mm… bye-bye, you go ahead and get busy.”
She hung up quickly.
He Yuzhou withdrew his gaze, his expression softening with a gentle smile as he looked at Cen Yingshuang, pretending to ask casually, “A friend here in Rome?”
Cen Yingshuang didn’t put her phone back in her handbag, but left it on the sofa, nodding.
“Yes, he’s a very famous artist.”
“You like painting?”
He Yuzhou followed up.
“I do, kind of.”
Cen Yingshuang replied.
“It’s my mom who likes it. She really loves oil painting. When I was little, she even wanted me to learn.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“My scribbles are so bad, even I can’t stand to look at them.”
Cen Yingshuang was a little embarrassed, but the next second, she hurried to patch up her image, trying to salvage her dignity, speaking with mock confidence: “But compared to painting, I’m much better at appreciating art.”
He Yuzhou chuckled, straightening his posture, crossing his legs, looking even more relaxed and at ease.
“You like oil painting too?”
“I like all kinds.”
Cen Yingshuang answered quickly.
In truth, she didn’t really understand painting; as long as it looked good, that was enough for her.
But as she said this, her interest was piqued.
“But lately I’m more into Yancai Painting. It feels different from other styles.”
Hearing her mention Yancai Painting, He Yuzhou recalled Chen Yanli saying she’d praised a Yancai Painting hanging in the villa by the sea in Fiji.
“Yancai Painting, to put it simply, is the modern version of ancient murals. Painted on boards, it’s easier to exhibit and collect.”
He Yuzhou said lightly.
“You like Yancai Painting too?”
He Yuzhou’s professional explanation made Cen Yingshuang even more interested.
“Now that I think of it, there’s a Yancai Painting in that villa in Fiji too—it’s a dragon! When I saw it, I was absolutely stunned!”
“I know a thing or two.”
He Yuzhou replied vaguely, not saying outright that he was the one who painted it.
Seeing her so interested, his smile deepened.
“I have plenty more. Next time, I’ll show you.”
There it was again: “Next time.”
Cen Yingshuang paused, suddenly feeling a bit confused.
Because his “next time” always felt so elusive, impossible to tell if it was real or not.
She also thought of how he’d just said he’d take her to Hong Kong.
In that moment, it had almost bewitched her into blurting out “I want to.”
But thinking it over now, she decided he was just being polite.
After all, it was hardly realistic.
Maybe what he meant was, if she ever got another chance to go to Hong Kong, he’d play host and take her somewhere quiet to fulfill her wish.
His “next time” was probably the same sort of thing.
And not, as she’d almost hoped, a promise made just for her.
Now that she’d sobered up, she didn’t know how to respond.
Refusing outright seemed rude, and would embarrass He Yuzhou.
Fortunately, just then, the show officially began.
Cen Yingshuang quickly reminded him, “It’s starting, it’s starting.”
She didn’t respond at all to his mention of “the Hong Kong trip” or “next time.”
“Mm.”
He Yuzhou didn’t press further, his expression calm.
“Let’s watch.”
And just like that, they both passed over the awkward moment as if nothing had happened.
In reality, she didn’t know.
It was all just a false proposition, not even a real choice she could make.
So, her answer didn’t matter at all.
Cen Yingshuang tilted her head slightly, gaze focused, looking as if she was watching the show very seriously.
He Yuzhou was silent, staring at her profile.
Models wearing the Spring/Summer Haute Couture Collection walked down the corridor one after another.
Cen Yingshuang’s attention was soon captured.
A girl’s hobbies are simple—eating, drinking, dressing up, and looking pretty.
The designs for this season’s Spring/Summer collection were all quite unique and fresh. She saw several outfits she really liked, and couldn’t take her eyes off them.
“Do you like them?”
He Yuzhou’s voice came.
Cen Yingshuang was still watching, nodding.
“Mm-hmm, I do.”
But unfortunately, even as a brand ambassador, she couldn’t just wear whatever she wanted; she needed authorization from the brand, especially for haute couture.
Even buying was difficult.
Thinking of this, she felt the atmosphere had grown a bit awkwardly quiet, so she distractedly asked to lighten the mood, “What kind of style does your sister like?”
“About the same as you.”
He Yuzhou answered, sounding a bit disinterested.
Hearing this, Cen Yingshuang instinctively glanced at He Yuzhou, only to find that he wasn’t watching the show at all—he was watching her.
His posture was still lazy and casual, slouched into the chair, head resting back, eyelids half-lowered.
His face was expressionless as he looked at her, his eyes complicated, seemingly unfocused and hazy, yet also intensely attentive.
Different from earlier, now there was a cigarette between his fingers, which he toyed with, not lit, just occasionally bringing it near his nose to take a whiff.
“You can smoke, you don’t have to mind me.”
Cen Yingshuang didn’t think much of it, assuming he simply found the show boring.
But he really was a gentleman, mindful of the woman present, and didn’t light the cigarette—just sniffed it to satisfy his craving.
But she said she didn’t mind.
There was a vent in the room anyway.
He Yuzhou curled his lips slightly, only saying, “No rush. One must have patience.”
Somehow, that sounded deeper than it seemed, as if he wasn’t just talking about the cigarette.
Cen Yingshuang blinked, thinking maybe she’d misheard.
“Want something to eat?”
He Yuzhou changed the subject quietly, asking considerately, “Fruit? Dessert?”
“Fruit.”
With that question, Cen Yingshuang’s mouth did feel a bit empty.
Only fruit wouldn’t make her fat.
He Yuzhou sat up a little straighter, pulled his phone from his pocket, dialed a number, and placed the phone on the table, issuing instructions as soon as the call connected.
He took off his leather jacket, leaving only a dark blue casual shirt.
As he spoke, he unhurriedly rolled up his sleeves.
As he rolled up his sleeves, her attention finally drifted away from the show, landing squarely on He Yuzhou’s arms.
Because she noticed both his arms were tattooed.
He only rolled his sleeves up to his forearms.
The skin exposed was unevenly marked with black—tattoo black.
“Your tattoos…” she blurted out without thinking.
“Did they scare you?”
He Yuzhou said, about to roll his sleeves back down to cover them.
Cen Yingshuang shook her head immediately.
“They’re really cool!”
He paused mid-motion.
Cen Yingshuang, as if discovering a new continent, forgot all about the show and asked curiously, “Can I take a look?”
“Of course.”
Cen Yingshuang got up crisply and walked over to sit beside him, though there was still a little space between them.
He Yuzhou rolled his sleeve higher, up to the crook of his arm.
Cen Yingshuang leaned in a bit, peering closer, eyes wide with curiosity.
His arms were even more muscular than she’d imagined, the muscles tight and the lines smooth. Full of strength.
His forearms were covered in patterns of all kinds.
There were mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, a huge whale, a fierce dragon, dense jungles, a soaring eagle, blooming roses—so many different designs, crisscrossing each other, dazzling her eyes.
“Are the upper parts of your arms tattooed too?”
She knew he could only roll his sleeves up so far, and couldn’t exactly take off his shirt to show her, so she just asked out of curiosity.
“Mm.”
He Yuzhou replied.
“That’s amazing.”
Cen Yingshuang was full of awe.
“Why do you have so many? Do they mean something?”
“My mother loved to take photos and record things, so I guess I picked up the habit from her.”
He Yuzhou spoke with a smile, easy and unrestrained, his slow tone leaving no room for argument.
“But my way of recording is tattooing them on my body. Even if I die one day, they’ll be carved into my bones.”
Cen Yingshuang thought He Yuzhou was a man full of contradictions.
He could be cultured and elegant, but also wild and rebellious.
She felt like tattoos didn’t fit his image, yet also that they suited him—he was just that… cool.
He really did give off a contradictory vibe, but also a very… charming one.
He had a natural magnetism, making people curious, making them want to explore.
Just as she’d been drawn to his back and figure from the start, always wanting to see his face.
Cen Yingshuang’s eyes were full of admiration—purely admiration, envious that he could live so freely.
But her overly direct gaze, defenseless as it was, disturbed his heartbeat, and to him, it was the most powerful, most lethal blow.
She leaned in closer, nearly touching his arm, wanting to see more clearly.
So close, her breath brushed him like soft down, a chill and a ticklish sensation spreading from his nerves to one spot.
The jacket that had been covering her legs had been carried over with her, but now it was forgotten on the sofa beside her legs.
She was leaning low, her collar slipping, revealing a cleavage uncommon for girls her age.
Her thin, slender waist and fair, delicate legs were exposed again, and she didn’t even realize.
He Yuzhou only glanced once, his gaze instantly deepening.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and the warm, gentle tone he’d had a moment ago turned low and husky, “Cover up.”
The sudden words startled Cen Yingshuang, who looked up at him, confused.
He Yuzhou’s breathing was almost imperceptibly heavy, but his face was calm as ever.
He casually placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her upright.
Only then did he realize how commanding his words had sounded, unable to suppress even a hint of severity.
He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and his voice returned to its usual calmness.
“Wearing so little, aren’t you cold?”
As he spoke, he picked up the jacket and covered her body again, hiding away the temptation.
Cen Yingshuang finally understood.
“This was provided by the brand.”
Cen Yingshuang was obedient, pulling it up higher, telling the truth.
“If you don’t like it, you can say no.”
He Yuzhou’s face was calm.
“They won’t do anything to you.”
But Cen Yingshuang tilted her head, blinking innocently.
“But I don’t dislike it. This outfit is really pretty.”
He Yuzhou’s eyebrow twitched unconsciously. He stared at her for a few seconds, unreadable, then finally let out a short, ambiguous laugh, as if agreeing, and nodded.
“Yes, it looks good.”
Cen Yingshuang’s eyes kept drifting to his tattoos.
And she finally noticed the brown-black sandalwood bead bracelet on his wrist. It seemed to give off a faint scent of sandalwood.
Seeing a bracelet like that, one couldn’t help but think of Buddha.
“Do you believe in Buddha?”
Cen Yingshuang asked.
He Yuzhou raised his eyebrows lazily, as if pondering the question, but his answer was ambiguous.
“I believe everything in this world has a spirit.”
“I heard from my agent that you built the East Mountain Temple.”
Cen Yingshuang brought it up.
“It’s such a coincidence, I went there for a shoot last time, and even tied a Wish Ribbon.”
“It’s really effective.”
Cen Yingshuang sighed.
“What did you wish for?”
He Yuzhou asked with a smile.
Cen Yingshuang answered righteously, “Wishes are secrets. Besides Buddha, how could I just tell anyone?”
He Yuzhou smiled, looking at her for a few seconds, then, to exchange secrets, compromised, “Alright, then I’ll tell you a secret first. Want to hear it?”
Cen Yingshuang couldn’t resist such temptation.
“I want to hear it!”
He Yuzhou had a certain flair, clearing his throat before speaking, the cigarette twirling between his fingers as he began, “A few years ago, I went alone to East Mountain to explore a mine. The cave was so deep it seemed endless, so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Even a flashlight didn’t help. The deeper I went, the louder the sound of water got, and the mist grew thicker. There was a lot of noise in the water, echoing through the cave.”
He was good at building suspense.
Cen Yingshuang felt like she was reading a tomb-raiding novel and asked eagerly, “Did you go in? What was inside?”
“Sometimes, curiosity isn’t a good thing,” He Yuzhou said slowly, continuing, “I realized something was wrong and didn’t go any further. When I came out, it started pouring rain, so I had to camp on the spot.”
“The next day, heading down the mountain, I met an old man with white hair. He told me there was a hidden Dragon Vein here.”
“So in the cave… there’s a dragon?!”
Cen Yingshuang’s eyes widened, her imagination running wild.
“Seriously?!”
“If you believe it, it’s real. If you don’t, it’s fake.”
He Yuzhou’s expression was mysterious, deliberately keeping her guessing.
Cen Yingshuang was stunned, staring at him blankly, and he could even see the goosebumps on her arm.
He Yuzhou couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction, not teasing her anymore.
“From a Feng Shui perspective, a Dragon Vein is a place where spiritual energy gathers—a prime spot for good fortune.”
Cen Yingshuang’s exasperation was written all over her face, then she burst out laughing.
“Come on, you’re really good at keeping secrets! Luring people in just to mess with them?”
He Yuzhou laughed too.
Teasing her was genuinely fun.
“So that’s why you built a temple on East Mountain?”
“More or less.”
Cen Yingshuang was speechless again, rubbing the goosebumps on her arm.
Just then, the door was knocked twice.
He Yuzhou replied, either in Italian or German.
The door opened, and a server wheeled in a cart with a fruit plate, dessert, two drinks, and a bottle of liquor.
The server placed the fruit plate, dessert, drinks, and liquor on the glass table in front of them.
He Yuzhou’s drink was a glass of liquor with ice.
Cen Yingshuang’s was a pale yellow drink.
She picked it up and took a sip.
“This is Banana Milk! So rich, so pure.”
“How is it? Does it taste good?”
He Yuzhou asked.
“Is it different from the one you like?”
“How did you know I like Banana Milk?”
Cen Yingshuang asked instinctively.
“Your fan mentioned it in a fan letter.”
He Yuzhou said.
Only then did Cen Yingshuang remember that He Yuzhou had read some fan letters yesterday.
She was surprised—she hadn’t expected him to remember such details.
He really was a very attentive person.
Maybe it was because he had a sister?
For some reason, she felt a strange sense of closeness.
Suddenly, Cen Yingshuang’s eyes lit up.
“I know what to call you now!”
The topic of what to call him had come up ages ago, but she circled back to it now.
He Yuzhou was amused, listening intently.
“Oh?”
“From now on, I’ll call you Yuzhou-ge.”
Cen Yingshuang said happily.
He Yuzhou’s expression didn’t change, but when he heard the words “Yuzhou-ge,” his fingers tightened around his glass.
Her smile at that moment was exactly the same as when she’d called “Yan Li-ge” on the phone.
And to him, just as blinding.
But he still kept smiling.
“As long as you like it.”
Cen Yingshuang cradled her glass, drinking with obvious pleasure.
Just then, her phone chimed a few times with WeChat notifications.
Her phone was still on the sofa where she’d sat before.
She took her glass and walked over, picked up the phone, and couldn’t hold back her smile.
It was a message from Jiang Suian.
[Just finished filming, on the way to the airport.]
[Picture]—a selfie of him in the nanny van, wearing a baseball cap.
[Only three days left till your birthday. Will you make it back?]
Cen Yingshuang grinned as she typed back quickly: [Of course I’ll be back!]
He Yuzhou took a sip of his drink, watching her expression, and asked casually, “What did you see that made you so happy?”
Cen Yingshuang replied, then put her phone face-down on the sofa, unable to hide her smile.
“Since you told me a secret,” Cen Yingshuang said, “I’ll tell you one too.”
“My birthday is coming up,” Cen Yingshuang bit the rim of her glass, her voice soft and shy, “I’m planning… to confess to someone I like.”
After she said this, there was only silence.
She looked up.
Sitting across from her, He Yuzhou’s smile had completely vanished.
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