Feng Manlun’s eyes were slightly moist, but he forcefully suppressed his emotional turmoil, refusing to let it show. Casually, he said, “Teacher, after all this preparation of yours, Xiao Qi is going to nag you again.”
Charles smiled and made a shushing gesture. “Xiao Qi went to pay respects at her father’s grave. She won’t be back for a while. These next few days, I’ll keep you company with a few drinks.”
Feng Manlun was slightly surprised. “Xiao Qi isn’t in town?”
He didn’t even know!
In Shen Qi’s heart, he probably wasn’t worthy of knowing, was he?
Because Shen Qi only told Charles, not him!
A faint bitterness rose in his heart, an inexplicable pang of jealousy.
Charles nodded with a smile. “Xiao Qi asked me for a few days off, but she said she’d send her homework to me online. I’ve never seen such a diligent student—gifted, talented, and hardworking.”
Feng Manlun felt an even deeper sense of loss.
“Yes, she truly is a talented person.” Feng Manlun forcibly pushed the negative emotions from his mind, poured himself a glass of vodka, and asked in a low voice, “Teacher, you’re the exclusive designer for the He Group. Getting this close to me now—aren’t you afraid He Yining will find out?”
“I’m just a designer, not a politician or a businessman.” Charles shrugged in response. “Just an old man who cares for his students.”
Feng Manlun’s eyes reddened again.
Those last words successfully stirred his tears.
“Xiao Qi, does she already know…” Feng Manlun hesitated, then asked, “Does she know about my situation?”
“I’m not sure if she knows.” Charles spread his hands. “Before she left, she told me to remind you to take care of your stomach.”
Hearing this, Feng Manlun finally couldn’t hold back the tears that welled in his eyes.
Whether Shen Qi knew or not no longer mattered.
What mattered was that in this world, someone truly cared about him.
Even if it was just an ordinary remark.
It still brought him the only warmth in the midst of a bitter cold.
“Cheers.” Feng Manlun asked nothing more, raising his glass to clink with Charles. “Teacher, thank you!”
“Vodka is harsh on the stomach.” Charles held up a glass of fruit wine to toast with Feng Manlun. “How about switching to something else?”
Feng Manlun laughed heartily and downed the vodka in one gulp.
“Getting hurt once will make me remember next time.” Feng Manlun’s face flushed from the strong alcohol. “Teacher, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps.” Charles smiled. “You and Xiao Qi are my former and current prized students. I hope one day you can coexist peacefully.”
“Teacher, you’re overthinking it.” Feng Manlun chuckled lightly. “My enemy has never been Xiao Qi.”
He admitted that the day he was set up, when he saw that birthmark, his heart truly skipped a beat.
Even though he had been drugged with incense at the time.
The person on his mind was still Shen Qi.
In that moment, he did feel a longing for her.
Charles seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief and switched Feng Manlun’s drink. “Here, try this brandy.”
Feng Manlun accepted without hesitation, clinking glasses with Charles again. “Cheers.”
Shen Qi indeed had no idea that Charles was secretly drinking; otherwise, she would have been furious.
She respected and adored Charles, treating him like an elder.
As a Chinese person, she valued respect for teachers.
Once a teacher, always a father figure.
Shen Qi genuinely cared about Charles’s health.
The RV traveled hundreds of miles in a day, stopping once to refuel, and by evening, it pulled up by a beautiful lake.
After a day of riding, Shen Qi felt a bit tired.
He Yining tossed a piece of clothing to Shen Qi.
Shen Qi looked at the sportswear in her hands, puzzled. “What’s this for?”
“I’m taking you for a run along the lake.” He Yining grinned, looking both handsome and manly.
Shen Wu also stood up, stretching his neck. “A run would do us good; otherwise, this body will rust.”
Shen Qi groaned. “Do I have to run too?”
“No slacking off. Go change.” He Yining ruffled Shen Qi’s hair and pushed her into the room.
Shen Qi went back to change into sportswear and sneakers, then got off the RV to find He Yining and Shen Wu warming up on the spot.
After He Yining forced her through some stretches and warm-ups, she was dragged along for a run on the lakeside road.
To accommodate Shen Qi’s stamina, He Yining and Shen Wu ran slowly.
They flanked her on either side.
At first, Shen Qi didn’t want to run, but as she went on and broke a sweat, her sluggish spirits lifted.
He Yining suddenly pointed to a weeping willow ahead and said to Shen Qi, “Let’s race. Whoever’s last to the tree prepares dinner tonight!”
Shen Qi immediately protested, “No way! You two have better stamina and longer legs—it’s not fair!”
Shen Wu suggested, “How about this: you start first! We’ll chase you when you’re halfway!”
Shen Qi looked at the distance and agreed without hesitation.
She sprinted off, and when she reached the halfway point, she was about to look back.
Then she saw two figures dart past her from either side.
Shen Qi stood frozen in place!
They cheated!
She pumped her short legs as fast as she could, but still ended up last.
Exhausted, Shen Qi leaned against the tree, sticking out her tongue, and pointed accusingly at the two laughing men. “You cheated!”
“Hahahaha!” Shen Wu laughed so hard tears streamed down his face. “What did I say? She’d fall for it!”
He Yining was also laughing uncontrollably. “We did hold back! We didn’t pass you until the first half!”
Shen Qi turned away in a huff, ignoring them.
Once He Yining had laughed enough, he pinched Shen Qi’s cheek. “Hey, hey, are you mad?”
Shen Qi glared at them. “You’re bullying me!”
She then turned to Shen Wu. “I’m telling Grandma you bullied me!”
Shen Wu quickly ran over to Shen Qi, bowing in apology. “Little auntie, I’m wrong, I really am!”
Seeing him like this, Shen Qi deliberately stiffened her neck. “No way, I’m not letting you off that easily!”
Shen Wu thought for a moment, then turned his back to Shen Qi. “Come on, big brother will carry you back! I didn’t carry you on your wedding day. I’ll make up for it now—I’ll carry you around the lake!”
Shen Qi’s expression softened as she looked at his back. “Really? I’m pretty heavy, you know!”
Shen Wu immediately struck a strongman pose, making Shen Qi burst out laughing.
“Then I won’t hold back!” Shen Qi cheered and jumped onto Shen Wu’s back.
Shen Wu firmly carried her, spinning around several times, making Shen Qi scream in delight.
He kept carrying her forward.
The three of them strolled slowly, enjoying the beautiful sunset.
This lake was man-made, used for water storage, so the dam along it was exquisitely built.
Shen Wu carried her for a while, then He Yining took over, until Shen Qi had fully rested, and they walked on together.
Occasionally, a car passed by, bringing a refreshing breeze—truly pleasant.
Shen Qi took out her phone to take pictures.
The sunset reflecting on the lake was no less stunning than the seaside.
He Yining leaned in, switched her phone to selfie mode, rested his chin on hers, and tapped the button—click, a perfect selfie.
After taking it, He Yining sent the photo to his own phone.
“Hey, why use my phone? You can take one on yours.” Shen Qi reached for her phone.
He Yining replied matter-of-factly, “Showing off our love is something we do together! Alone, it’s not showing off!”
Shen Qi’s cheeks flushed instantly. “What are you talking about? What showing off?”
He Yining used her phone to post a Weibo update with the caption: Watching the sunset hand in hand.
He immediately reposted it from his own Weibo account.
Instantly, both their phones buzzed nonstop.
He Yining’s phone, especially, was practically exploding.
Shen Qi watched helplessly as He Yining played with Weibo, then tugged at Shen Wu’s arm. “Little Fifth Brother, let’s go back.”
Shen Wu suppressed a smile. “Alright, let’s go back.”
He Yining put away his phone and wrapped his arms around Shen Qi from behind. “Wife’s going home, so husband has to follow.”
Shen Wu looked up at the sky, speechless.
Was this the same arrogant, charming president of the He Group he’d heard about?
Why did he seem so goofy now?
Shen Qi’s blush didn’t fade, so she poked He Yining’s hand. “Stop it, my brother’s here.”
Shen Wu immediately coughed, pretending to look at the clouds. “Ah, getting old makes my eyes blurry. Suddenly, I’ve come down with a case of selective blindness—how troublesome.”
Shen Qi and He Yining both burst out laughing.
Back at the camp, the bodyguards and assistants had already set up the tents.
Several pots were set up by the lake, bubbling with milky white fish soup.
Shen Qi smelled the aroma from afar and exclaimed happily, “I don’t have to cook tonight?”
He Yining and Shen Wu both smiled, reaching out to ruffle Shen Qi’s hair.
This little thing—how adorable was she?
As night fell, everyone gathered around a campfire, drinking fish soup, eating the chef’s dishes, and enjoying the cool breeze—it was incredibly comfortable.
Shen Wu said, “Xiao Qi, when you have time, I’ll take you back to our hometown. The night sky there is beautiful.”
Shen Qi nodded. “Sure.”
“In winter, it’s a vast expanse of ice and snow, and at night, we can take you to see ice lanterns and ice sculptures—they’re gorgeous.” Shen Wu ladled another bowl of soup for Shen Qi. “Your fifth aunt’s soup is even better than this. When we go, I’ll have her make it for you every day.”
Shen Qi smiled, biting her spoon. “Won’t Fifth Aunt hit you?”
“Why would she hit me?” Shen Wu raised an eyebrow.
“Because you’re giving away her secrets.” Shen Qi answered, chewing on her spoon. “If I go back and wear her out, Fifth Uncle will come after you.”