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

"What's wrong?" Jiang Che grasped her icy hand.

"My assistant just messaged me saying they declined tomorrow's formal meeting and changed it to a private cocktail party tonight." Shen Qingge frowned. "This is a show of force. That cocktail party is an internal family gathering; I'll feel out of place there."

"Then let them see what Eastern aesthetics are all about."

Jiang Che patted the back of her hand reassuringly.

Arrived at the hotel suite.

This is a typical French palatial suite, with a huge crystal chandelier, intricate wallpaper, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the famous Place Vendôme Column.

Shen Qingge had no interest in appreciating the scenery. As soon as she entered the room, she kicked off her high heels, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, and opened her suitcase to start searching for a dress.

"This one won't do, it's too plain."

"This is too revealing and not dignified."

"This color is too dark; it makes me look pale."

She threw millions of dollars worth of haute couture gowns all over the bed.

At this moment, Shen Qingge was like a little girl who couldn't find her exam admission ticket before the exam—anxious, flustered, and even somewhat frantic. Her usual composure completely collapsed under the immense pressure and jet lag.

She sat on the edge of the bed, covering her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Jiang Che... I don't think I can choose."

Her voice trembled slightly: "I think I'm going to mess this up tonight. They're going to laugh at me... laugh at an Asian woman who's trying to buy their family fortune."

Jiang Che stood quietly to the side and watched.

He didn't say anything, but walked over, bent down and picked up a dress from the ground.

It was a black velvet dress.

The design is minimalist, without any unnecessary embellishments, except for the pearl chain accenting the open back.

"This one."

Jiang Che took the skirt and walked up to her, squatted down, and pulled down her hands that were covering her face.

Shen Qingge's eyes were red-rimmed, and her eye makeup was slightly smudged.

"This one?" Shen Qingge sniffed. "Isn't it too simple?"

"The greatest truths are the simplest."

Jiang Che looked intently into her eyes:

"Qingge, remember this: tonight you're not here for a beauty pageant, you're here to conquer."

"Black represents authority, and velvet represents elegance. This dress will perfectly accentuate your cool and sophisticated aura."

"and……"

Jiang Che stood up, walked to the dressing table, and picked up the most beautiful retro red lipstick:

"With this color, you'll be the queen."

"Go take a shower and wash away all your fatigue. I'll iron your clothes for you."

Seeing Jiang Che's calm and composed demeanor, Shen Qingge's panic miraculously subsided.

"it is good."

She took the dress and went into the bathroom.

8 p.m., a private estate in Paris.

The rain was still falling, but the manor was brightly lit and filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the rustling of hair.

This was a typical gathering of an old European family. The men wore tuxedos, the women adorned with jewelry, and held champagne glasses, conversing in hushed tones in French. An atmosphere of arrogance and xenophobia permeated the air.

When Shen Qingge appeared at the door with Jiang Che's arm in arm, the previously noisy hall fell silent for a few seconds.

Shen Qingge was wearing that black velvet dress.

Her hair was meticulously styled in a bun, revealing her long, graceful neck and the pearl necklace on her back. Her skin glowed white against the black velvet, her lips were fiery red, and her eyes were cool and sharp.

She didn't wear much jewelry, only the magnolia pendant that Jiang Che had given her.

The perfect fusion of Eastern mystery and Western elegance in her created a powerful aura that overshadowed the other socialites present.

Jiang Che, standing beside her, was also dressed in a custom-made black suit. He wasn't wearing a tie, and his collar was slightly open, giving him a casual yet dignified air. His features were deep-set, and his eyes were indifferent; standing there, he resembled a nobleman from the East.

"Who is that? That Chinese woman?"

"I heard it's the president of the Shen Group who wants to acquire Scent."

"I didn't expect her to be so young and so beautiful."

Discussions arose.

Shen Qingge took a deep breath, straightened her back, and stepped into the hall.

Jiang Che exerted a little force in his arm, giving her support.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here," he whispered in her ear.

Soon, Mr. Pierre, the owner of the Scent brand, a white-haired, arrogant-looking French old man, walked over.

"Oh, Miss Shen, you've arrived," Pierre said in a rather unenthusiastic tone. "Welcome to our family gathering. However... tonight we'll only talk about romance, not business."

This is to shut her up.

Shen Qingge's eyes narrowed slightly, and she was about to speak.

Jiang Che spoke first.

He spoke in fluent and authentic French (even with a touch of old-fashioned aristocratic accent):

"Mr. Pierre, romance is wonderful, but without a material foundation, it is just a castle in the air."

"While the Scent brand has a long history, as far as I know, your family's market share in Asia has declined for three consecutive quarters. If you don't inject fresh blood and capital, I'm afraid even a gathering of this caliber tonight might be difficult to sustain in the future."

Pierre was stunned.

He didn't expect that this man, who had been silent all along, would hit the nail on the head as soon as he opened his mouth, and that he spoke French even more fluently than him.

"Who...who are you?" Pierre looked at Jiang Che warily.

"I am Miss Shen's...assistant." Jiang Che smiled slightly, his expression humble yet not arrogant, "and also her fiancé."

The next half hour became a collaborative show between Jiang Che and Shen Qingge.

Shen Qingge was responsible for showcasing the strength and sincerity of the Shen Group, while Jiang Che was responsible for impressing the core family members present with his extensive knowledge (wine, art, history) and sharp business acumen.

He was like a perfect wingman, clearing all obstacles for Shen Qingge.

When Mr. Pierre watched Jiang Che accurately state the vintage and estate history of the red wine in his hand, the arrogant old man finally lowered his head.

"Alright, Miss Shen."

Pierre sighed and raised his glass:

"Maybe you're right. Scent needs to change. See you in the office tomorrow morning."

Shen Qingge's tense nerves finally relaxed.

She turned to look at Jiang Che, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, she would have loved to rush up and kiss him.

The party ended at 11 p.m.

The rain has stopped, and the air is moist and fresh.

Instead of taking a car back to the hotel, the two had the driver take the car away and strolled along the Seine River.

Shen Qingge wore high heels all night, and her heels were chafed and a little sore.

"Tired?" Jiang Che stopped and looked at her slightly furrowed brows.

"Ugh, my feet hurt." Shen Qingge let her guard down and acted like a little girl, complaining, "These shoes are so hard."

"Then don't wear it."

Jiang Che squatted down, grabbed her ankle without saying a word, and helped her take off those expensive but torturous high heels.

"Huh? The ground is cold..." Shen Qingge exclaimed.

Step on my foot.

Jiang Che stood up and let Shen Qingge step barefoot on the surface of his leather shoes.

He put his arms around her waist and led her forward step by step, like guiding a child to learn to walk.

Shen Qingge wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on him and giggling.

At this moment, she no longer resembled a female CEO at all.

Her hair was disheveled, tousled by the wind. Her skirt fluttered in the breeze. Her laughter was clear and melodious, echoing along the empty banks of the Seine.

Jiang Che.

Looking at the lights of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, Shen Qingge suddenly asked:

"Am I really useless? It's supposed to be my job, but in the end, I still have to rely on you to save the day."

"nonsense."

Jiang Che stopped and pressed his forehead against hers:

"At the party just now, you answered those tricky questions flawlessly. Your presence was so impressive that even I was stunned."

"I only gave them a little encouragement. What truly convinced them was the name 'Shen Qingge'."

"real?"

"More real than real gold."

Jiang Che looked into her bright, sparkling eyes in the night, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Qingge".

"Um?"

I want to kiss you.

Before Shen Qingge could answer, he had already kissed her.

This kiss was a blend of the evening breeze of the Seine, the lingering aftertaste of red wine, and the freshness after the rain.

It was no longer that restrained, fleeting kiss.

It was a passionate, deep, possessive kiss.

Shen Qingge closed her eyes and responded enthusiastically.

On the streets of a foreign land, at night without the spotlights and the watchful eyes of employees, they were just an ordinary couple who deeply loved each other.

It was already 1 a.m. when we got back to the Ritz Hotel.

Shen Qingge was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open.

Jiang Che carried her into the bathroom, filled the tub with hot water, and added a few drops of soothing lavender essential oil.

"Take a soak for a while to relax."

Jiang Che tested the water temperature and put her into the bathtub.

Enveloped in the warm water, Shen Qingge sighed comfortably, leaning against the edge of the bathtub, watching Jiang Che fetch a towel for her.

The bathroom lights were warm, and the air was filled with steam.

Shen Qingge's face was flushed from the heat, a few strands of wet hair clung to her collarbone, and water droplets slid down her skin and disappeared into the water.

Watching Jiang Che's busy figure, she suddenly realized that this was the life she wanted.

No matter how glamorous or powerful she is outside, when she comes home and back to his side, all she needs to do is be a woman who is pampered.

Jiang Che.

"Hmm?" Jiang Che turned around, holding a cup of warm milk in his hand.

"The acquisition is over, shall we... stay a couple more days?" Shen Qingge looked at him expectantly. "I want to go to the Louvre with you, have some coffee at Left Bank, and... buy some clothes that don't look like something a female CEO would wear."

"it is good."

Jiang Che walked over, sat on the edge of the bathtub, handed her the milk, and gently stroked her nose with his finger:

"I'll go with you wherever you want to go."

"But now..."

Jiang Che looked into her misty eyes, his gaze gradually deepening.

"Drink the milk first, then..."

"sleep."

Shen Qingge obediently finished her milk and stretched out her arms for a hug.

Jiang Che wrapped her in a bath towel and carried her back to the bedroom.

That night, it rained again in Paris.

But in that warm room, their hearts were pressed tightly together, and there was no more coldness or anxiety.

The room was filled with warmth and boundless hope for the future.

...

...

In late September, the summer heat finally subsided completely in Jianghai City.

As night falls and the city lights begin to twinkle, the iconic century-old auditorium of Jianghai University is already bustling with activity. The huge sycamore leaves rustle in the autumn wind, and occasionally a few withered yellow leaves fall, crunching crisply under the feet of the students who have rushed over.

Although it was just a school-level welcome party, the presence of the name "Su Xiaoruan" on the program caused the auditorium tickets to be sold at exorbitant prices, and even the aisles were crowded with students holding glow sticks and cameras.

The backstage dressing room was stuffy and tense, filled with the mixed smells of cheap hairspray, loose powder, and various perfumes.

Su Xiaoruan sat in front of her personal makeup mirror (a private spot specially arranged by the student council), looking at herself in the mirror, her palms covered in cold sweat.

Today she chose a classical dance – "The Goddess of the Luo River".

For this dance, she prepared an extremely elaborate Hanfu (traditional Han clothing).

It was a flowing plum blossom dress, shimmering under the lamplight, overlaid with a thin, gossamer-white gauze. The skirt was extremely long, spreading out on the ground like a blooming red lotus. The bodice was a tight-fitting strapless top, embroidered with exquisite gold cloud patterns, revealing her long, elegant neck and rounded, fair shoulders.

The makeup artists were a top-notch team specially dispatched by Qingche Entertainment.

At this moment, the makeup artist is using an extremely fine brush dipped in cinnabar to draw floral patterns on her forehead.

Su Xiaoruan's eyes were closed, her eyelashes trembling slightly with tension, like two startled little fans. Her skin was in excellent condition; even under the bright light of the high-definition makeup mirror, not a single pore could be seen. It was fair with a rosy glow, like the finest mutton fat jade.

"call……"

Su Xiaoruan took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

The person in the mirror had a touch of upturned crimson drawn at the corner of their eyes, making their once clear and innocent eyes now shimmer with a startling allure and aloofness. Their lips were a vintage red, full and moist, and when slightly pursed, they exuded a stubbornness.

"Xiao Ruan, don't be nervous."

Lin Keke, her roommate next to her, was wearing a volunteer vest and handed her a glass of warm water, her eyes full of amazement: "You look so beautiful today! Really! As soon as you stand on the stage, all those guys down there will probably go crazy."

"I'm not afraid they'll go crazy..."

Su Xiaoruan took the water, only taking a small sip to moisten her somewhat dry throat, her voice a little strained:

"I'm afraid... my brother and sister will be disappointed."

"Have they arrived?" Su Xiaoruan turned to look at the door.

"They're here! They're here!" Lin Keke exclaimed excitedly in a low voice, "I saw them at the door just now! My god, your brother and sister have such a powerful aura! The moment they appeared, a vacuum automatically formed within five meters of them! Nobody dared to come near!"

Upon hearing the words "Here you are," Su Xiaoruan's heart skipped a beat.

She instinctively gripped the hem of her skirt, her knuckles turning white.

"Jiang Che is here."

"Tonight, I'm going to dance for him."

The party officially started at 7:30.

The auditorium was packed, and the noise was deafening.

However, in the front row of VIP seats, there was a relatively quiet area. This area was originally reserved for school leaders and guests, but today, the two seats in the very center were occupied by a particularly eye-catching couple.

Jiang Che and Shen Qingge.

To suit the campus setting, both of them dressed "low-key" today, but the quality that emanated from their very being was impossible to hide.

Shen Qingge wore a dark camel-colored Max Mara cashmere coat, which was open, revealing a black silk satin dress underneath. The dress was made of the finest fabric, which shimmered softly in the dim light, outlining the perfect curves of her waist and hips as she sat.

Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, the ends curled naturally, exuding a慵懒 intellectual beauty. She wore light makeup, her skin as white as snow; among the group of college students whose acne hadn't yet cleared up, she stood out like a mature, full-bodied blackcurrant, radiating an alluring fragrance.

Unlike other parents who were taking photos with their phones, she sat quietly with her hands folded on her knees, her posture as elegant as if she were attending Paris Fashion Week.

Are you cold?

Jiang Che, who was sitting next to her, turned his head and asked in a low voice.

Jiang Che wore a black turtleneck sweater with a dark gray wool suit jacket over it today. This combination is extremely demanding in terms of physique and temperament; if not worn well, it can make one look like an old cadre, but on him, it exudes an air of restraint and composure.

His features appeared even more profound and three-dimensional under the dim lights of the auditorium, especially his eyes, which were calm as water, only showing a gentle ripple when he looked at Shen Qingge.

"It's not cold."

Shen Qingge shook her head, leaned slightly closer to him, her shoulder against his, and said in a low voice, "It's just a bit noisy. College students these days have so much energy."

"Just bear with it."

Jiang Che reached out a hand and, hidden by the armrest of the seat, took her hand in his. His palm was broad and warm, instantly enveloping Shen Qingge's slightly cool fingertips.

"To see our big star, we have to endure this little hardship." Jiang Che's lips curled into a faint smile.

Just then, several school leaders gathered around.

"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Shen, welcome, welcome!"

The speaker was the president of Jianghai University, the one who had met Jiang Che at the parents' meeting last time. He bowed obsequiously, "I never expected you two to actually come in person! It truly honors our school!"

"You're too kind, Principal."

Jiang Che did not stand up, but nodded slightly, politely but distantly: "Today we are just family members, here to see my sister's performance. We don't want to disturb everyone's enjoyment, please feel free to make yourself at home."

"Yes, yes, yes! Family members! Family members!" The principal wiped his sweat and quickly returned to his seat, afraid of offending this big shot who was also a "school board member".

Although the students around dared not approach, their whispers never stopped.

"That's the legendary Jiang Che? The man who took Sky Capital overseas?"

"He's so handsome! His aura is absolutely amazing! It's like when he sits there, that old chair transforms into a throne!"

"Shen Qingge is so beautiful! That mature and sophisticated aura makes me want to kneel down and sing 'Conquer'!"

"I heard they're a couple? They're such a perfect match!"

Shen Qingge listened to the surrounding chatter, a slight smile playing on her lips. She turned to look at Jiang Che, a hint of teasing in her eyes:

"Mr. Jiang, it seems your popularity is even higher than the performance on stage."

"Likewise." Jiang Che squeezed her hand. "President Shen also gets quite a few stares."

Backstage.

There are three more performances before Su Xiaoruan goes on stage.

She was doing her final warm-up, stretching her legs and bending over to make sure every joint in her body was open.

Just then, a student in charge of props ran in, covered in sweat and pale-faced.

"Something terrible has happened! Junior Xiaoruan! Something's wrong!"

"What's wrong?" Su Xiaoruan's heart skipped a beat, and she stopped what she was doing.

"Um... Li, the senior student who accompanied you on the guzheng, just tripped and fell on the stairs and sprained her wrist! She's already been taken to the infirmary!"

"What?!"

Su Xiaoruan was instantly stunned.

Her performance of "The Goddess of the Luo River" wasn't done on a recording. Instead, to achieve a better live effect, she specifically sought out a guzheng (Chinese zither) virtuoso from the school's folk music department for live accompaniment. Because the dance involves many improvisational tempo changes, using a recording would significantly diminish the effect and might even cause the dancer to be out of sync with the beat.

"Then... what should we do? Are there any substitutes?" Su Xiaoruan asked anxiously.

"No...no..." the student was almost in tears. "This piece is an arrangement, the sheet music is very difficult, and there simply wasn't enough time to find someone to practice it!"

Su Xiaoruan felt a sudden darkness before her eyes.

No accompaniment?

Should we clear the recording? Or should we temporarily switch to a recording with a rigid rhythm?

This was a disaster for her, a perfectionist.

"Don't panic."

Just as the dressing room was in chaos, a calm and deep voice came from the doorway.

Everyone turned around.

Jiang Che appeared at the doorway at some unknown time.

He had clearly overheard the conversation. He strode into the dressing room, his composed demeanor instantly calming the tense atmosphere.

Shen Qingge followed behind him, holding a bottle of water in her hand.

"elder brother……"

When Su Xiaoruan saw Jiang Che, her eyes instantly reddened, and she felt so wronged that she wanted to cry: "The senior who was accompanying me fell and got hurt... I..."

"I know."

Jiang Che walked up to her, but instead of ruffling her hair as usual (to avoid messing up her hairstyle), he gently patted her shoulder.

"Take a deep breath. You're a professional actor; you'll encounter far more chaotic situations on set in the future. Are you panicking over something this small?"

"But... there's no accompaniment..."

"Who said there isn't?"

Jiang Che turned around, looked at the classmate in charge of props, and asked calmly:

Does the school have a piano? Or a guqin?

"Oh? Yes! There's a Steinway grand piano on the side of the stage! It's the school's prized possession!" the student quickly replied.

"Piano..." Jiang Che pondered for a moment.

He turned to look at Su Xiaoruan, his gaze deep and tender:

"Although 'The Goddess of the Luo River' is an ancient-style dance, it might have an unexpected effect if it were performed using the flowing timbre of the piano."

"Brother, you..." Su Xiaoruan stared at him wide-eyed in disbelief, "You're going to accompany me?"

"What? You don't trust your brother's skills?"

Jiang Che unbuttoned one button of his suit jacket and flexed his long, slender fingers:

"Although I haven't played in a long time, it should be enough to play along with you."

Give me the sheet music.

ten minutes.

Jiang Che finished reading the complex guzheng score in just ten minutes.

He quickly transposed and arranged the music in his mind, transforming the pentatonic scale originally belonging to the guzheng into a harmonic texture suitable for the piano.

"That's fine."

Jiang Che closed the sheet music and handed it to the stunned classmate:

"Go tell the lighting technician to add a spotlight to the piano."

"Brother..." Su Xiaoruan looked at Jiang Che, and the panic in her heart miraculously disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented sense of security and...excitement.

Her brother is going to accompany her on the music!

This is truly a blessing in disguise!

"Get ready to go on stage."

Jiang Che looked at her, his eyes filled with encouragement:

Tonight, you are the star. I am just your supporting role.

Shen Qingge walked over, straightened Su Xiaoruan's skirt, and carefully checked her hair accessories.

"Go ahead," Shen Qingge said with a smile. "We'll be right behind you."

"Next up is the classical dance 'The Goddess of the Luo River.' Performer: Su Xiaoruan. Piano accompaniment: ...Special Guest."

As the announcer's voice faded, all the lights in the theater went out instantly.

In the darkness, a white spotlight shone first.

It hit the left side of the stage.

There, there stood a black Steinway grand piano.

A man is sitting on the piano bench.

Jiang Che took off his coat, leaving him only in his black turtleneck sweater. His back was straight, and his profile was as perfect as a sculpture under the light. He lowered his head slightly, his hands hovering over the black and white piano keys.

"That's... Jiang Che?!"

"Oh my god! It really is him! He's going to play the piano?!"