He wants to adopt a younger sister, but his aloof wife disagrees.

In December, a cold wave hit Jianghai City.

Compared to Vienna's solemn and majestic snow-covered landscape, Shanghai's winter is damp and cold, with the chilling wind seeming to possess a magical quality, seeping straight into one's bones. Even so, this international metropolis remains ablaze with neon lights, bustling with traffic, and brimming with a captivating atmosphere of desire.

A week has passed since that sensational "family reunion of the century" that shocked Europe.

After returning from Vienna, Jiang Che and his entourage didn't make a big fuss. Instead, they quietly returned to their penthouse in Tomson Riviera. For them, no matter how exciting the outside world was or how luxurious the castle was, nothing was as comfortable as this "home," which was only a few hundred square meters but full of life.

In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and onto the expensive Persian carpet.

The underfloor heating in the house was on full blast, making it warm and cozy like springtime.

Jiang Che, dressed in loose gray loungewear, was busy in the open kitchen. The sunny-side-up eggs in the frying pan sizzled, the toaster popped up with a "ding," and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly ground coffee and caramel milk.

There were no servants or housekeepers. In this private space, Jiang Che preferred to do things himself.

Good morning, my Mr. Snail.

A rustling sound came from behind. Shen Qingge, wearing a large men's white shirt (obviously Jiang Che's), walked out with her two long, fair legs bare, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

She hugged Jiang Che from behind, pressed her face against his broad back, and greedily inhaled his unique scent, a mixture of aftershave and tobacco.

"morning."

Jiang Che turned off the stove, turned around and pulled her into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her beautiful face, which was still stunning even without makeup.

"Why don't you sleep a little longer? You're still jet-lagged, aren't you?"

"I can't sleep." Shen Qingge yawned lazily, like a clingy cat. "I feel uneasy if I can't touch you when I wake up."

If this sentence came from another woman, it might sound a bit affected. But coming from this female CEO who is worth hundreds of billions and is usually decisive and ruthless, the contrast is just irresistible.

Jiang Che smiled and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll be in the kitchen, I'm not going anywhere. Go wash up, breakfast is ready. Today we have your favorite Eggs Benedict."

"Yes, Chef Jiang."

Shen Qingge tiptoed and kissed him again before humming a song as she walked toward the bathroom.

Watching her retreating figure, Jiang Che's eyes softened. Outside, she was the revered President Shen; at home, she was simply his Qingge.

……

On the table.

Su Xiaoruan, with her messy, unkempt hair and wearing her adorable bear pajamas, lay listlessly on the table, holding her phone and looking utterly miserable.

"What's wrong, our Miss Rothschild?" Jiang Che placed a glass of hot milk in front of her. "Who upset you? Tell me, and I'll buy his company to get revenge for you."

"Brother... don't mention that family anymore, it's giving me a headache."

Su Xiaoruan let out a wail and shoved her phone screen in front of Jiang Che:

"Look! Look! This is the 'allowance' bill that Aunt Alice sent me this morning!"

Jiang Che looked closely.

Good guy.

A notification of a deposit into a Swiss bank account: 10,000,000.00 EUR (ten million euros).

Note: This is my allowance for this week. My dear Xiaoruan, if you need more, just tell the housekeeper. Don't deprive yourself. —Alice

"Ten million... euros? And this week?" Shen Qingge almost spat out her coffee after taking a sip. "Does Alice have some kind of misunderstanding about 'pocket money'?"

"Exactly!" Su Xiaoruan scratched her head in frustration. "I used to have 5,000 yuan a month and I couldn't even spend it all. Now you're giving me 80 million yuan a week? How am I supposed to spend it? I could buy all the spicy snacks in the supermarket! I get dizzy just looking at numbers!"

"Versailles," Jiang Che calmly commented, "If those working-class people outside who are working themselves to the bone heard this, they'd probably beat you to death."

"I don't care! This money is too hot to handle!" Su Xiaoruan looked at Jiang Che pitifully. "Brother, why don't you manage it for me? I just want to be a happy freeloader, not some rich woman."

"Okay." Jiang Che thought for a moment, "Then I'll have Han Xiao transfer this money to Qingche Entertainment's account for you, as an additional investment. The annual dividends will be enough for you to buy spicy strips for the rest of your life."

"Yay! Long live brother!" Su Xiaoruan instantly revived, grabbed a sandwich and took a big bite. "Finally, I don't have to worry about money anymore!"

……

After breakfast, Su Xiaoruan was picked up by the driver and taken to school (although she was a rich woman, she still had to study in her senior year of high school).

Only Jiang Che and Shen Qingge remained at home.

Shen Qingge sat on the sofa, looking at the mountain of invitations piled on the coffee table, her brows furrowed.

Ever since the news of Qingche Entertainment's IPO and their return from Europe spread, the entire elite circle of Jianghai City has gone crazy. Invitations to charity galas, fashion parties, and business cocktail parties have been pouring in like snowflakes.

"There's a 'Jianghai Elite Night' tonight, and they say the mayor will be there too, so I absolutely have to attend." Shen Qingge rubbed her temples. "There's also a financial summit tomorrow... and the day after that is the anniversary celebration of some fashion magazine... Jiang Che, I'm so tired."

She threw the invitation aside and slumped onto the sofa: "When will this end? I'm afraid to even go downstairs to the convenience store to buy oden, for fear of being photographed by paparazzi."

Jiang Che walked over, sat down next to her, picked up an invitation card, looked at it, and casually threw it into the trash can.

"Since I'm tired, I won't go."

"But..." Shen Qingge hesitated, "There are some social obligations that can't be refused, after all, we're doing business in Jianghai..."

"Rules are made for the weak."

Jiang Che held her hand, his eyes both domineering and doting:

"Right now, you don't need to cater to anyone. If you don't want to go, you don't have to go. Who dares to object?"

"and……"

Jiang Che suddenly leaned closer to her and smiled mysteriously:

"The weather is so nice today (it's cold but sunny), are you just going to stay home?"

"Where can we go?" Shen Qingge sighed. "As soon as we go out, we're surrounded by bodyguards. It's so boring."

"Who said we were bringing bodyguards?"

Jiang Che stood up and took her hand:

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere."

"Where to?"

"elopement."

……

Half an hour later.

The underground parking garage of Tomson Riviera.

Jiang Che didn't drive the conspicuous Bugatti or the Rolls-Royce, but instead pushed out a dusty motorcycle from the corner.

This is a black Ducati Diavel, with sharp lines and a wild look. Jiang Che bought it before he became successful, and never had the chance to ride it.

"Sit here?" Shen Qingge's eyes widened, somewhat hesitant. "Won't it... be too cold?"

"It's good to be cold, because it'll make you hold me tighter."

Jiang Che tossed her a helmet, put one on himself, then mounted the motorcycle and revved the engine.

"boom--!!!"

The roar of the engine echoed in the empty garage, its raw mechanical sound sending shivers down your spine.

"Get in the car."

Shen Qingge looked at the incredibly handsome man wearing a helmet and a black leather jacket, and all her reserve vanished instantly.

To hell with female CEOs! To hell with being dignified and elegant!

She changed into a black tight leather jacket and jeans (which Jiang Che found for her), put on a helmet, straddled the back seat, and hugged Jiang Che's waist tightly.

"Hold on tight!"

As soon as Jiang Che released the clutch, the Ducati, like a black cheetah, instantly sped out of the garage.

……

Jianghai Street in winter.

A cold wind howled past, but because she was dressed thickly and was pressed tightly against the hot body in front of her, Shen Qingge did not feel cold. Instead, she felt a long-lost, exciting pleasure.

They passed through the bustling Lujiazui area and the congested Yan'an Elevated Road, heading west.

I didn't go to any high-end clubs or any popular tourist spots.

Jiang Che parked the car at the entrance of an old alleyway full of life.

This is the old town of Jianghai City. There are no tall buildings, only mottled red brick walls, clotheslines covered with clothes, and the aroma of scallion pancakes wafting in the air.

"Where is this?" Shen Qingge took off her helmet, tidied her long hair that had been messed up, and looked around curiously.

"The place where I lived when I was a child."

Jiang Che took her hand and led her into the alley: "Before I was adopted by the orphanage, I lived here for a while. The pan-fried buns here are the best in all of Jianghai."

It was afternoon, and the elderly folks in the alley were sitting in their doorways basking in the sun, while a few stray cats lazily perched on the walls.

No one recognized these two stunningly good-looking young people in leather jackets as billionaires. To them, they were just a handsome young couple out shopping.

"Boss, four ounces of pan-fried buns and two bowls of curry beef and vermicelli soup!"

Jiang Che skillfully sat down at a greasy little square table and called out to the boss who was busy in front of a large iron pot.

"Okay! Coming right away!"

Shen Qingge sat down somewhat awkwardly. Looking at the obviously old table and the old man next to her eating scallions with dipping sauce, she felt as if she had traveled to another world.

"What? You think it's dirty?" Jiang Che took a tissue and wiped the chopsticks for her.

"No." Shen Qingge shook her head, looking at Jiang Che, "I just find it...surprising. Jiang Che, was this how you used to live?"

"Yeah," Jiang Che smiled. "Back then, my biggest dream was to be able to eat a hot pan-fried dumpling every day. I didn't dare to dream of Rolls-Royces or private jets."

Soon, the steaming hot pan-fried buns were served.

The bottom is golden and crispy, sprinkled with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Take a bite, and the piping hot soup bursts in your mouth.

"Watch out, it's hot!"

Jiang Che reminded him, but it was too late.

"Ouch—it's so hot!" Shen Qingge burned her tongue with the soup, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.

"Fool."

Jiang Che quickly picked up the iced soy milk next to him and handed it to her: "Hurry up and have a sip of this cold drink. I told you to eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Although he called her an idiot, Jiang Che's eyes were overflowing with heartache. He leaned closer and gently blew on her slightly reddened lips: "Does it still hurt?"

Shen Qingge looked at the handsome face so close to hers, her cheeks flushed slightly, and shook her head: "It doesn't hurt anymore... It tastes so good."

She ate the pan-fried dumplings and drank the vermicelli soup with gusto, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. This rustic yet authentic flavor satisfied her more than any dish she had ever eaten at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

After dinner, the two strolled hand in hand through the alley.

I passed by a claw machine shop.

"Jiang Che! I want that one!" Shen Qingge suddenly pointed to a pink rabbit in the shop window, her eyes sparkling. "That one is so cute!"

"want to?"

"Hmm! But I've never caught one..."

"That's because you haven't found the right person."

Jiang Che rolled up his sleeves and exchanged them for a handful of game tokens.

"Watch closely, your husband is going to show you a special skill."

He didn't use any special abilities or system cheats. Jiang Che relied purely on his accurate eyesight and his ability to predict the strength of the mechanical claw.

The first time, it went astray.

The second time, they were caught, but then they were released.

the third time……

"come out!"

With a low shout from Jiang Che, the pink rabbit landed steadily in the hole.

"Ahhh! Gotcha!"

The usually decisive and efficient CEO Shen jumped up like a little girl, hugging the rabbit with obvious affection, and even kissed Jiang Che on the cheek in front of everyone.

"Jiang Che, you're amazing!"

Several young couples playing claw machines nearby cast envious glances.

"That guy is so handsome, and he's so good at playing claw machines."

"That woman is so pretty. Even though she's wearing a mask, she has such a great presence."

Listening to these comments, Shen Qingge buried her face behind the rabbit, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

At this moment, she wasn't a billionaire CEO, but just a little woman being pampered by her boyfriend.

……

As dusk fell.

Jiang Che rode his motorcycle with Shen Qingge on the back to the Bund.

However, instead of going to the crowded viewing platform, they went to a deserted corner next to the Waibaidu Bridge.

The river wind was biting, ruffling Shen Qingge's hair.

Jiang Che parked the car, took off his leather jacket, draped it over her shoulders, and then hugged her tightly from behind.

The two nestled together, gazing at the dazzling lights of Lujiazui across the river.

Among them, the tallest building—the Qingche Building (formerly the Ye's Building)—is currently lit up with huge LED lights, displaying a scrolling poster of Su Xiaoruan's new movie.

"Are you cold?" Jiang Che whispered in her ear.

"With you here, I'm not cold." Shen Qingge held his hand around her waist.

"Qingge".

"Um?"

"You know what? I actually had a dream."

Jiang Che gazed at the bustling night view, his voice slightly unsteady:

"I used to think that if I ever became rich, I would buy the best building on the Bund, build a garden on the top floor, and watch the sunrise and sunset with you every day."

"Now, I've done it."

"but……"

Jiang Che rested his chin on her shoulder:

"Even if I had the whole world, I would still think the most precious thing is the way you burned your mouth while eating pan-fried buns in the alley just now."

"That's life."

Shen Qingge's heart skipped a beat. She turned around and looked at him with deep affection:

"Me too."

"Jiang Che, thank you."

"Thank you for bringing me down from the clouds and letting me see the warmth of human life."

"I don't care who you are, what secrets you have, or what the future holds."

All I know is that I love you.

"I love it so much."

Under the dazzling neon lights and in the biting river wind, the two embraced passionately and kissed.

This kiss was not about desire, but simply the warmth of two hearts pressed tightly together.

Passersby did not recognize the couple kissing in the cold wind as the recently influential business legends.

In their eyes, they were just an ordinary, yet happiest, couple in this mundane world.

……

Late at night, I returned to Tomson Riviera.

Su Xiaoruan is already asleep.

Jiang Che and Shen Qingge finished washing up and lay down on the bed.

There was no strenuous activity; the two simply fell asleep in each other's arms.

Shen Qingge rested her head on Jiang Che's arm, drawing circles on his chest with her fingers.

"husband."

"Um?"

"That financial summit tomorrow..."

"I've cancelled it." Jiang Che said with his eyes closed. "I'll take you to Disneyland tomorrow. That girl, Xiao Ruan, has been wanting to go for ages."

"But……"

"No buts." Jiang Che rolled over, pinning her beneath him, looking into her eyes with a wicked smile.

"If you have so much energy that you can't sleep, then we can do something else to burn off your energy."

Shen Qingge blushed and quickly pulled the blanket over her head:

"Go to sleep! Go to sleep right now!"

Jiang Che chuckled softly and turned off the bedside lamp.

In the darkness, he held the woman tightly in his arms, feeling a sense of peace he had never known before.

This is what he wanted.

It's neither Rothschild nor Kunlun Shrine.

Just one house, two people, three meals a day, and four seasons.

Of course, if those fools insist on disrupting this peace...