The antique girlfriend of a chaebol heir

Shen Ci sat to the side and suddenly remembered what Jiang Duo had said when he took her to buy couple rings last time.

"In another year, we can get married."

At the time, she thought he was just saying it casually.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, in front of his elders, he actually brought up the engagement in the open.

Once engaged, the next step is marriage.

But she wasn't ready yet.

Her expression was probably too obvious, so Ling Shuyun put the teacup down on the table and spoke decisively:

"Xiaoci is only a freshman this year, and her studies and future are uncertain. Aduo, you want to get engaged soon, have you asked Xiaoci's opinion?"

Master Yang chimed in, "That's right, engagement and marriage are matters for two people. Xiao Ci, what do you think?"

Shen Ci hadn't expected that she was only there to visit Aunt Ling's art exhibition.

result--

It progressed to her meeting her boyfriend's parents, chatting, and discussing whether to get engaged.

...It's like a dream.

It was still the most absurd kind of dream.

She took a deep breath, met Jiang Duo's unfathomable gaze, and said softly but firmly, "I want to think about marriage after I graduate and start working."

Her answer was as expected.

Ling Shuyun nodded slightly and said decisively, "Okay. As Jiang Duo's mother, I respect Xiao Ci's decision. Whether or not we get engaged will be decided after Xiao Ci graduates."

Ling Shuyun made the decision directly, and Jiang Hexuan was powerless to do anything about it. He could only give his son a "good luck" look.

Jiang Duo did not speak again.

He simply picked up the teacup quietly, his fingertips applying slight pressure, causing the tea in the cup to ripple.

Before leaving, Ling Shuyun added Shen Ci on WeChat.

She gently took Shen Ci's hand, her tone unusually gentle:

"Xiao Ci, after this art exhibition, I won't be leaving Beijing to sketch for a while. If you have time, come find me, and we can have some tea and talk about painting."

Shen Ci replied softly, "Okay, Aunt Ling."

Jiang Hexuan stood quietly to the side, watching his wife.

Over the years, he had grown accustomed to her cold and sharp demeanor.

But now, as she held the girl's hand, there was a warmth in her eyes that he had only seen in his youth.

strange.

Jiang Hexuan withdrew his gaze and turned to Shen Ci: "I'll have the driver take you home."

Before Shen Ci could answer, Master Yang waved his hand with a smile:

"No need to trouble Mr. Jiang. Xiaoci came with me. I can take her home."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Duo walked over.

He naturally took Shen Ci's hand, his warm palm enveloping her slightly cool fingertips. "I'm free this afternoon, let's go together."

Jiang Hexuan raised an eyebrow: "You just got off the plane, aren't you going back to rest?"

Jiang Duo glanced down at Shen Ci and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips.

"What," he looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips, "even though the engagement isn't finalized, I can't even take my girlfriend home?"

Shen Ci knew that this guy was holding a grudge, so she didn't break free from his hand. She just smiled and said goodbye to the elders one by one.

The two figures walked away side by side, their silhouettes gradually fading into the light and shadow.

Jiang Hexuan stood there, his gaze falling on his son's hand, which had somehow quietly landed on the girl's waist, and he couldn't help but scoff.

He never imagined that his son was such a repressed romantic.

I don't know who she's been trying to impress all these years with her seemingly detached and indifferent attitude!

More than half an hour later, Jiang Duo escorted Shen Ci upstairs.

Shen Ci opened the door—the house was quiet; neither Shen Xiaoming nor Aunt Lin were there.

She bent down to change her shoes in the entryway, and heard a slight noise behind her.

Looking back, Jiang Duo had already entered the house naturally and was bending down to take out the pair of slippers he had worn last time from the shoe cabinet.

Shen Ci turned around and went to the kitchen to pour him a glass of warm water. When she brought it out, her gaze couldn't help but fall on his face.

There was a faint dark circle under his eyes, clearly indicating that he was exhausted from days of travel.

Seeing his appearance, Shen Ci's heart softened. She handed him the water glass and said softly, "Drink some water first, and then sleep in my room for a while."

Jiang Duo suddenly stopped drinking water.

He looked up, and a sparkle of surprise flashed in his eyes, which had been somewhat tired.

He put down his water glass, leaned forward slightly, and asked in an undisguised tone, "Will you come with me?"

Shen Ci looked at him with a smile, her eyes crinkling: "What do you think?"

The light in Jiang Duo's eyes dimmed instantly, and he let out a muffled "Oh".

After a while, Jiang Duo took off his outer clothes and trousers and obediently lay down on Shen Ci's bed.

The bed sheets were light blue, with a faint scent of laundry detergent, very fresh, just like her own scent.

Although he wanted to take a shower, it wasn't very convenient since he was at Uncle Shen's house, so he had to make do.

Just then, Shen Ci walked over.

Shen Ci pulled the blanket over him and bent down to tuck him in. Strands of hair slipped from his shoulder, brushing against the back of his hand, tickling him.

"Go to sleep."

Jiang Duo did not close his eyes.

He grabbed Shen Ci's wrist, pulled her hand over, and pressed it against his warm cheek.

It gently rubbed against it.

"Youyou." His voice came from under the covers, muffled.

Why don't you want to get engaged to me?

Shen Ci did not answer directly.

She lowered her eyes, looking at the man so close to her, and softly asked, "Jiang Duo, what are you afraid of?"

Jiang Duo tightened his grip on her hand.

"...Why would you ask that?"

"I think," Shen Ci's gaze was calm and clear, "that the right person shouldn't be afraid of a long time. Only when you understand each other well enough and are certain enough can you walk hand in hand into marriage. That's how a relationship lasts."

"But I'm already certain it's you."

Jiang Duo tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes resolute and full of affection. "There won't be anyone else. Youyou, I want to get engaged to you as soon as possible, and then get married. Only with that certificate will I feel secure."

"But Jiang Duo, a marriage certificate cannot give me a permanent sense of security."

Shen Ci looked at him, her tone gentle yet revealing an undeniable firmness.

People's hearts change, and promises fade. The only things you can truly rely on are yourself and the confidence you have in your own hands.

She leaned down slightly, took his hand in hers, and said earnestly:

"So, Jiang Duo, if you really like me, then wait for me. Only when I have a job and a solid foundation can I talk about marriage and the future with peace of mind."

Jiang Duo listened quietly, the stubbornness in his eyes gradually fading away.

"it is good."

He spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of compromise.

"Youyou, I'm waiting for you."

Shen Ci looked at his profile as he quieted down, and a faint smile finally appeared on her lips.

"Go to sleep," she said again.

This time, Jiang Duo did not raise any conditions.

He closed his eyes, and his breathing gradually calmed down.

In his sleep, his lips were slightly pursed, revealing a rare hint of childishness.

Shen Ci sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his sleeping face, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

Although Jiang Duo has always been assertive, he has always been the one who feels insecure in their relationship.

They were in a rush to get engaged, in a rush to get married, and in a rush to tie the two of them together with a piece of paper.

It was as if they were afraid she would run away.

Shen Ci sighed softly.

Neither of them had actually learned how to love someone.

One was eager to possess it.

One was thinking about self-preservation.

Fortunately, there's still a long road ahead.

They have plenty of time to learn...