They surrounded me right after the breakup.

It was already dark when Jiang Han left the company.

He sat in the car for a while and lit a cigarette.

The air outside the car window in Jingzhou was crisp and dry, with the air feeling cool and dry as autumn approached.

A few office buildings in the distance had lights on sporadically.

Jiang Han finished his cigarette and started the car.

He didn't really have much of a feeling about Jiang Yuantao's matter.

The emotions I felt in the meeting room that afternoon came and went quickly.

When Xia Yutong pushed the account book in front of him, the heat that surged up from his chest felt very real.

But he knew it didn't belong to him.

Now that his instincts have dissipated, what remains is his own judgment.

The case must be investigated, and the accounts must be settled.

It wasn't because of a deep father-son bond, but because debts that needed to be settled couldn't be left unpaid.

Upon arriving at Yunqi Villa, Jiang Han pushed open the door and entered.

Lin Yaoyao nestled on the sofa, flipping through the dubbing script, while Qiu Siyao was in the kitchen serving soup.

Shen Qingning took the freshly baked ribs out of the oven.

The air was filled with a sweet, caramel-colored aroma.

Lin Yaoyao looked up at him and said, "Honey, you're coming home later than usual today."

"Something came up at the company."

After dinner, Jiang Han processed several OA documents for Xingyue in his study.

Fang Chongwen sent over his final box office prediction for Nezha.

The numbers are impressive, and the curves are so smooth that they leave competitors in despair.

Jiang Han glanced at it, marked it as read, and closed his laptop.

Back on the third floor, Shen Qingning was packing out seasonal clothes in the master bedroom's walk-in closet.

She hung up several shirts that Jiang Han often wore that season, sorted by color (light and dark), with all the cuffs facing outwards.

This is a habit that Shen Qingning developed after retiring from the entertainment industry.

Previously, on film sets, her assistant would collect her costumes.

Now she spends a lot of time every day taking care of her and Jiang Han's home, even though the home is more crowded than before.

"Qing Ning, come here for a moment."

Shen Qingning put down the clothes hanger she was holding and came out.

She was wearing a casual floral dress, her hair casually tied back.

She wasn't wearing makeup, but her lips were still painted a light mauve color.

"Xia Yutong came to see me this afternoon."

Jiang Han leaned against the window, his fingers tapping lightly on the windowsill.

"She investigated my father's case."

"Yuantao Building Materials went bankrupt more than a decade ago, not because of poor management, but because they were set up."

"Three companies withdrew their orders in the same month, and their cash flow broke down within two weeks."

"My father didn't make it, and my mother passed away later too."

When Jiang Han spoke, his tone was very flat, as if he were stating something that had little to do with him.

"Do you remember that time back in college...?"

"In the second semester of sophomore year, I'll go to the library with you."

"I told you I wasn't feeling well halfway there and that you should go by yourself."

"Actually, I'm not feeling unwell."

"It's my dad's former business partner. I don't know how he got my number, but he called to collect a debt."

"He said Jiang Yuantao owes him money, and the son should pay for the father's debts!"

"I stood at the library entrance that day and watched you walk in."

I want to tell you, but I don't know how to start.

Shen Qingning doesn't remember the specifics, but she can vaguely recall the pained expression on Jiang Han's face that day.

That was the silence of a young man swallowing all his worries.

I simply nodded and said, "Then you should go back and rest early," before taking my textbooks and going upstairs alone.

"You've never told me any of this."

What's the point of telling you?

"You were busy back then, filming, attending classes, and auditioning."

Shen Qingning stood there, stunned, speechless.

She turned her head and stared at Jiang Han's profile.

She has known this man for a full ten years, from college to now.

He never mentions anything about his family in front of me.

It's not that I don't trust her, it's just that I'm used to carrying all the heavy things myself.

And what about her?

I've never properly said thank you even once.

Jiang Han used to pursue her, but she felt he was too clingy.

Later, Jiang Han took care of her, but she felt that his care was too trivial.

Even after they got together, they said the relationship was too bland.

From beginning to end, Shen Qingning was the one being taken care of.

She didn't even ask me if I wanted to hear about your family.

Shen Qingning suddenly remembered the second time she was invited late at night, the night Jiang Han came over.

At the time, I was wearing black stockings and leaning against the sofa, saying that I would do whatever he wanted.

At that time, Shen Qingning was thinking about getting back together and winning him back.

Now she understands.

It's not about making amends, it's about atonement.

When Shen Qingning issued her retirement statement, she believed that using her entire acting career to clarify things for Jiang Han was enough to repay him.

But now she knows it's far from enough!

Shen Qingning slowly walked to the bedroom door and locked it from the inside with a click.

She didn't say anything, but simply took out a black velvet bag from the bottom drawer of the dressing room.

Inside is a leather necklace.

There are no decorations, only the two English letters JH engraved on the collar.

Shen Qingning walked to the bedside and knelt down in front of Jiang Han.

She held the necklace high in her hands and raised it in front of him.

Then she lowered her head, revealing a section of her fair and slender nape.

Her hair slipped down her shoulders, revealing a patch of skin from her ears to the nape of her neck.

A few stray hairs clung to the side of her neck, trembling slightly.

"I didn't treat you well during your most difficult times."

"You say people should look forward, but the past shouldn't be held onto forever."

"Tonight, I just want to tell you that from now on, I can help you carry all your burdens."

Jiang Han looked down at Shen Qingning, never expecting that casual conversation would have such a big impact on her.

Jiang Han extended his finger and gently placed it on the side of her neck.

My skin felt very hot, and I could even feel the veins throbbing under my fingertips.

Shen Qingning's body trembled slightly, but she remained in the same position.

Put on the necklace.

Shen Qingning returned to the wardrobe and took out a set of black clothes, which she had originally planned to save as a surprise for her birthday.

She thought that Jianghan might need gentle care more now.

The outfit is in the style of a bunny girl, made of black tulle, and paired with a pair of ultra-sheer black stockings.

Shen Qingning gently pinched the edge of the thin gauze and changed her clothes without any concealment.

Thin straps were tied around the shoulders and sides of the waist, leaving slight marks on the skin.

She wore ultra-sheer black stockings that covered her legs, her toes lightly touching the carpet.

Shen Qingning knelt down again in front of Jiang Han, leaning slightly forward.

With arms outstretched overhead, forehead gently resting on the folded backs of hands, the thin veil at the nape of the neck undulates with each breath.

Jiang Han reached out and used his fingers to lift Shen Qingning's chin, making her eyes meet his gaze.

Shen Qingning did not flinch; her gaze remained as gentle as it always was in front of him.

Jiang Han's palm slowly slid down her shoulder line.

The sheer fabric felt cool to the touch, and the warmth of my skin traveled through the fabric to my fingertips.

Shen Qingning closed her eyes, her eyelashes pressed against her eyelids, motionless.

Jiang Han didn't rush to do anything; he simply kissed her forehead gently.

Then comes the brow bone, the tip of the nose, and finally the lips.

For a fleeting moment, Shen Qingning felt that this kiss was not as rough as before.

She bit her lip, wrapped her arms around Jiang Han's neck, and buried her face in his shoulder.

Shen Qingning wanted to tell him that she liked the kiss, but she didn't say it out loud.

Because at this moment, she is being gently held in the arms of the man she deeply loves.