CHAPTER 248: 227: ALL THINGS THAT AH-SHI LIKES

Shi Wei lowered his head instinctively when that pale, delicate hand reached over.

Noticing her movement, he almost couldn’t contain his laughter.

He responded graciously, rubbing his large palm against the soft flesh at her waist. "I’m so well-behaved—do I get a reward?"

Yu Zhi: "..."

A reward. That’s all he ever thinks about.

Yu Zhi pressed her lips together. "You’ve already been rewarded."

Her gaze landed on the braided cord at his wrist. Her meaning couldn’t be any clearer.

Shi Wei raised an eyebrow, and his expression shifted in an instant. The light in his eyes dimmed significantly.

He spoke in a low voice. "Zhizhi, are you—"

"I’m not."

Yu Zhi had already guessed what he was about to say, cutting him off hurriedly to avoid having to coax him again.

She pointed to the porcelain vase on the table, attempting to divert his attention. "Shi Wei, tomorrow, take these over to the old man."

"Didn’t Secretary Li say he’d come to pick them up?"

"..." Yu Zhi pressed her lips together awkwardly.

After a moment of contemplation, she said solemnly, "It’s too late now, and we won’t be home tomorrow."

"I see." Shi Wei dragged out the last syllable, and when he noticed the faint blush rising on the young woman’s ears, a blossoming smile flashed in his eyes.

He kissed her lips, his nose brushing her cheek lazily, his warm breath trailing across the fine hairs on her skin.

"Zhizhi, it’s time to rest." His thin lips slowly traveled downwards from her chin, landing on the graceful curve of her swan-like neck.

The hand encircling her waist slid beneath her hemline, touching that tender, velvety skin beneath.

Yu Zhi’s lashes quivered, fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, brushing faintly against the corners of her eyes in a manner too mesmerizing to ignore.

She buried herself nervously in the man’s chest, letting him lift her horizontally and carry her back into the master bedroom.

Right as the two of them left the room, the phone atop the table vibrated briefly, lighting up with the name "Ah-Che."

**

Shengshi Yunding.

A villa nestled by the golf course.

A man dressed in a wine-red shirt leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, lightly swirling the wine glass in his hand as his eyes focused on the easel beside him.

Unlike the ones at the house in Australia, this painting depicted an endless ocean of waves.

The artist clearly possessed significant skill, as each creation drew the viewer into the very scene.

"Boss, Sister Zhi still didn’t answer?" Ming Fu followed his gaze, glancing toward the painting.

No matter where he went, there always seemed to be one or two of these paintings. Though he claimed to appreciate the art, it seemed more like he looked at them to reminisce, didn’t it?

"No. She’s probably asleep." Wen Renche lifted his wrist.

Glancing at the time displayed on the watch, a faint trace of regret flashed through his eyes. He’d forgotten that Ah-Shi had school tomorrow.

Ming Fu nodded, shifting his attention back to the man, his expression suddenly growing much more serious.

"Boss, aren’t you planning to tell Sister Zhi about the matter in Australia? If she knew, she could definitely help you."

"Ming Fu." Wen Renche’s gaze turned cold as he stared lightly at the other party, his eyes calm to an unnerving degree. "I don’t want to hear such things again."

"Boss, that’s not what I meant..."

"It doesn’t matter what you meant. No."

All he wanted was to maintain a pure relationship with Ah-Shi. No matter how many times he’d seen her skills and those little trinkets, he’d never entertained other ideas.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent her away in the first place.

Ming Fu acknowledged the order, refraining from mentioning things Wen Renche disliked. "Boss, when are we heading back?"

Though the situation in Australia was nearly resolved, that person’s old faction remained in hiding, still unwilling to reveal themselves.

If the man wasn’t there to oversee things personally, should they launch another surprise attack, matters would only become more troublesome.

"In a month." Wen Renche knew what the other was thinking but didn’t wish to change his mind.

His gaze lowered, his lashes fluttering slightly with every blink, grazing gently against the tiny tear mole at the corner of his eye—soft yet aloof.

Ming Fu parted his lips slightly, ultimately holding back from further persuasion, simply letting out a quiet sigh. "Boss, hotpot tomorrow? Or something else?"

His habitual action of picking up a gun to wipe it suggested someone unaware might think he was plotting who to kill tomorrow.

Wen Renche shot him a glance, lighting the tip of his cigar. "Hotpot. Ah-Shi likes it spicy."

"Got it. I’ll go grocery shopping early tomorrow."

"Buy more crab meat. Ah-Shi—"

"I know, Sister Zhi likes it, right?" Ming Fu quickly interrupted, finishing the thought.

He’d endured plenty of this second-hand "dog food" over so many years already.

"Mhm." Wen Renche exhaled a cloud of smoke, recalling the girl’s expression while eating hotpot. Hidden behind his glasses, his phoenix eyes sparkled with fleeting amusement.

After a night of light rain.

The lawn in front of the Wen Family home shimmered with dewdrops.

The mingled scent of damp earth and rain still lingered in the air, as warm sunlight embraced the peach tree in the garden.

Slivers of fragmented light filtered through gaps in the foliage, scattering atop the vase resting on the stone table, casting the blooming roses within in their most radiant glory.

"Tap, tap."

Hurried footsteps echoed through the space.

Jin Yunzhi, clutching an ornate box, sprinted into the house against the cool breeze, her loose strands of hair stirred by the wind to reveal a smooth forehead.

"Brother, are you home?"

She called loudly toward the staircase.

As she awaited an answer, her wide, grape-like eyes curiously roamed the surroundings, taking in the decor.

"You’re up early?" Wen Renche adjusted his robe, making his way downstairs sleepily.

His hair was slightly disheveled, clearly a result of being roused from bed by the loud calling.

"I’m free today. I came to help." Jin Yunzhi handed over the box she’d been carrying with a bright smile and crescent-shaped eyes.

Wen Renche raised an eyebrow. "What’s this?"

"A gift for you."

The night before, upon hearing she’d be dining over, Jin Yunzhi had deliberated long and hard.

After all, her brother had bought her something so extravagant; there was no way she could show up empty-handed.

"Thank you." Wen Renche tipped his hand lightly, gesturing for her to sit. Just as he was about to put the box aside—

"Brother, aren’t you going to open it?"

"..." Wen Renche’s hands froze awkwardly in midair.

He untied the ribbon and opened the box slowly, peeling back the layers to reveal an unpolished yet remarkably translucent jadeite stone.

Wen Renche’s surprise was evident; he hadn’t expected this kind of gift. A faint smile traced his lips. "This is something Ah-Shi would like."

"Huh? Sister likes jadeite?" Jin Yunzhi blinked her large eyes twice, the exertion of running earlier leaving her cheeks slightly flushed—a youthful and adorable sight.

"Mhm. She also likes gemstones." Wen Renche seemed to recall something funny, his expression softening noticeably.