Chapter One: Ten Years of Secret Love

“Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I’m leaving the capital for graduate school in the States. There’s a month before the semester starts, but until then, I’ll be living at home.”
Jiang Yunzhu’s voice was fractured, hollow and cold in the quiet of the night.
On the other end of the line, Mrs. Jiang’s surprise was evident. “Really, sweetheart? Weren’t you just saying you couldn’t bear to leave Grandma Shen and your uncle? Why the sudden change of heart?”
Jiang Yunzhu paused, a fine ache rising in her chest.
She had wanted to tell her parents that she and her uncle had already, wordlessly, come together.
But…
“It’s nothing. Uncle is getting married. Grandma will have an aunt to look after her soon. That’s good, too.”
Mrs. Jiang didn’t press.
“We’ll help you with the visa. It’ll take about a month.”
That would give her enough time to tie up loose ends.
Jiang Yunzhu quietly agreed.
As she packed her things, her phone rang on the nightstand—it was her uncle’s assistant.
“Secretary Jiang, you need to get to the Shihau Hotel right away.”
“The CEO and Miss Zhou were seen at the hotel by the media. We need urgent PR.”
It was ten at night—what might have happened in a hotel at this hour was all too obvious.
Jiang Yunzhu hesitated, then drove over.
When she swiped open the door, she saw her uncle stepping out of the bathroom, nonchalant.
He wore a black robe, droplets of water still clinging to his hair, his chest not fully dried, a solid patch of muscle exposed.
Meanwhile, Zhou Qingfei sat on the sofa, her clothes slightly disheveled and her eyes ringed with red.
The bathroom was still steamy.
Taking in the scene, Jiang Yunzhu felt the last thread inside her snap.
Ten years of silent yearning for Shen Ruizhang—she’d given up an overseas offer from a top university just to stay by his side as his assistant. She never imagined she’d one day find herself rushing out in the dead of night to handle a scandal between him and another woman.
No, not just another woman.
Zhou Qingfei was his first love, the one he’d once teased, “She’ll be your future aunt.”
And she herself—just the “family friend’s niece,” left in the Shen family’s care because her parents were too busy, had no right to be jealous or possessive.
Jiang Yunzhu forced her hoarse voice to sound steady. “Uncle, Miss Zhou.”
Only then did Shen Ruizhang notice her, his brows knitting slightly, his voice icy. “What are you doing here?”
His cold, indifferent tone was as if she were any ordinary subordinate, not the girl he’d cherished for so many years.
Jiang Yunzhu dug her nails into her palm, struggling to appear unfazed.

“Assistant Li sent me. The media found out about you and Miss Zhou. They’re blocking the hotel entrance.”
She swallowed her bitterness, choosing her words with care. “Given Miss Zhou’s current situation… If rumors spread, it would affect both the company and her reputation, so I came to handle it.”
“What’s wrong with Qingfei’s situation that you’d barge in on us at this hour?”
Shen Ruizhang’s lips curled in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Since when have my affairs been yours to meddle in?”
Having been at his side for years, Jiang Yunzhu could hear the displeasure in his voice.
His meaning was clear—even if Zhou Qingfei was not yet divorced, he didn’t care.
She was his first love. No matter what, she was always at the center of his heart.
Once, that would have hurt Jiang Yunzhu.
Now, she only felt numb.
She’d grown used to it.
But Grandma’s health had been poor lately—what if she heard about this? Would it worry her into another illness?
“I’m sorry, Uncle. Grandma said—”
Before she could finish, Shen Ruizhang cut her off coldly, “Jiang Yunzhu, don’t use my mother to pressure me.”
He stepped in close, grasping her chin, his breath tinged with alcohol. “Privately or professionally, you have no say over my decisions.”
The sharp scent of liquor and the warmth of his breath washed over her. It had been a long time since they’d been this close.
But the pain in her jaw brought Jiang Yunzhu back to reality.
She knew all too well how much Shen Ruizhang now resented her. Even at home, where their paths inevitably crossed, he was cold and distant.
Now, with no family around, he was even more so.
But it hadn’t always been this way.
She was born in the States, but fell ill from the climate, and her parents had sent her back to China, entrusting her to the Shen family.
She grew up at Madam Shen’s side, calling her grandmother, earning herself an “uncle” in Shen Ruizhang.
For ten years, he doted on her, spoiling her into the most dazzling little princess in the city.
When she was fifteen, they were in a car accident while traveling; he shielded her with his body. She escaped with minor fractures, while he landed in the ICU—his first words on waking were to ask if she was hurt.
At seventeen, she got lost in the mountains on a graduation trip. He abandoned a billion-yuan deal to come himself, carrying her down the mountain.
For her, a man worth billions would risk his life.
How could she not fall in love?
She’d once dared to test the boundaries, staying in his bed overnight, sharing a blanket, their hands entwined.
She thought her uncle had tacitly accepted their relationship.
One night, emboldened by drink, she confessed and kissed him.

But just as they were about to cross the final line, to become truly his—
Shen Ruizhang sobered up.
He called her crazy, shameless.
After that, he distanced himself from her, avoiding her whenever possible.
In a month, she would be gone. He would only be the “family friend’s uncle”—no more ties between them.
She lowered her gaze.
“If you think it’s inappropriate, President Shen, you can explain it to Grandma yourself.”
Her voice was soft. “I can leave right now.”
Shen Ruizhang’s eyes met hers, cold as winter rain.
It was Zhou Qingfei who broke the tension.
“I’m sorry, Yunzhu. I really didn’t mean to trouble you. I didn’t want A’Rui to see me off, but he was worried I’d had too much to drink. He walked me up and then we ended up talking for a while. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
A simple, ordinary explanation, yet it pierced right through to Jiang Yunzhu’s tenderest place.
First loves always had the privilege of speaking so naturally—because Shen Ruizhang cared, worried, and was willing to spare the time.
By comparison, Jiang Yunzhu felt like a joke.
She had nothing to say, only managing a strained smile. “No need to apologize. Will you cooperate with the PR plan?”
Zhou Qingfei nodded, taking Shen Ruizhang’s arm with a radiant smile. “I’m fine with it, and so is A’Rui.”
This time, Shen Ruizhang did not object—he simply tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his actions tacitly consenting.
Jiang Yunzhu fought to stifle the sour ache in her chest.
“Good. I’ve arranged for several senior executives from Shen Entertainment to meet downstairs. You both entered the hotel at nine this evening, along with several men and women, and they’re all in the conference room now.”
“Tomorrow morning, the PR department will announce Miss Zhou’s signing with Shen Entertainment. Tonight, President Shen was simply showing his sincerity about working together. Would you both please come downstairs?”
Shen Ruizhang gave her a cool glance and, without a word, led Zhou Qingfei out.
Zhou Qingfei turned to smile, “It’s been years, Yunzhu. You’ve grown up so much. You’re not the little girl trailing after your uncle anymore.”
Jiang Yunzhu forced a smile, watching them disappear down the hall.
The moment their figures vanished, she felt all strength drain from her.
Ten years of secret love… Perhaps it was time to let it end.