Chapter Forty-Two: Right Now, She Only Wants to See You

As if he’d just heard a rather amusing joke, the man let out a derisive laugh. “You want to be impolite with me? And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

It seemed she’d chosen the hard way over the easy one. Tonight, Jiang Yunzhu wore high heels; she raised her foot, ready to deliver a kick to his most vulnerable spot.

But before she could make her move, a well-shaped, strong hand landed on the man’s shoulder from behind.

“Who is it?” the man barked, his voice slurred by drink. “Who dares interrupt my fun? I’ll make sure you regret it!” He turned his head—only to meet a fierce, punishing fist.

Staggering back a few steps, the man collapsed drunkenly to the side.

Jiang Yunzhu was freed. She found herself looking up at Shen Tingxiao’s cold, angular features. Awkwardly, she murmured, “Thank you.” Relief, raw and fragile, colored her voice.

Shen Tingxiao’s expression was thunderous, the kind of dark intensity that threatened an impending storm. The anger in his eyes seemed as though it might burn everything in its path.

For no reason she could name, Jiang Yunzhu suddenly felt as if she’d done something wrong. Her heart fluttered in unease.

He gave a faint nod. “As long as you’re unharmed.”

His voice was low and steady, yet it somehow brought her comfort.

A waiter hurried over, dragging the drunken man away as if hauling a sack of potatoes.

“Let’s go.” Shen Tingxiao’s gaze swept her up and down, taking in her disheveled appearance. A trace of tenderness flickered in his eyes. “I’ll take you home.”

Jiang Yunzhu frowned lightly. “But—”

“Let Sang Bai and Shao Shu audition tomorrow.” Shen Tingxiao stepped aside, his silhouette outlined in the corridor’s dim, honeyed light. The glow sketched his tall form in blurred gold, like a knight emerging from the shadows. “If they don’t pass the audition, even if you drink yourself to death with me, it will be useless.”

That, at least, was not a worry.

Sang Bai and Shao Shu were both talented, only held back before by others’ suppression.

Jiang Yunzhu smiled, her voice bright and crisp. “Thank you, Master Shen, but there’s no need to see me off. I drove myself tonight.”

Shen Tingxiao stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Then the audition is off.”

There was a note of imperious finality in his tone, as if to remind her that he was the one in control.

Jiang Yunzhu: …

“Very well, I’ll trouble you then, Master Shen.” She changed her tune immediately. Though resigned, she could only compromise.

Before leaving, she checked in with Director Shang, giving instructions to Sang Bai and Shao Shu to head home after things wound down. She was worried the young actresses might fall prey to opportunists amid the chaos.

Director Shang’s eyes darted meaningfully between Shen Tingxiao and Jiang Yunzhu, a knowing smile on his lips. “Don’t worry. With me here, I’ll take good care of your girls. No one will take advantage of them.”

“With your word, Director Shang, I’m at ease.” Jiang Yunzhu trusted him. He might love a lively scene, but he handled matters with care.

Once everything was arranged, Jiang Yunzhu followed Shen Tingxiao outside. A Maybach was parked at the restaurant entrance. Shen Tingxiao opened the door and signaled her to get in.

He shielded her head with gentlemanly care, making sure she wouldn’t bump it.

Jiang Yunzhu hesitated a moment before climbing in.

Though Shen Tingxiao always seemed aloof, there were moments when his actions were oddly warm, a curious contrast to his own aura.

He settled beside her and instructed the driver, “Let’s go.”

The streetlights cast their mellow glow. At some point, rain had started to fall, drumming dully against the car roof.

In the hush, Jiang Yunzhu’s phone suddenly lit up.

A message flashed on the screen.

[Yun, where are you?]

It was Shen Ruizhang.

Jiang Yunzhu hesitated, unsure whether to reply.

Another message soon followed.

[Grandmother wants to see you. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.]

She gripped her phone, uncertain. She didn’t want further entanglement with Shen Ruizhang, but the old lady was blameless.

Soon, yet another message arrived.

[Yun, I know this is asking a lot, but Madam Shen isn’t well. She only wants to see you right now.]

Jiang Yunzhu pressed her lips together, finally sending a reply: I’ll come over myself.

She turned to Shen Tingxiao. “Could you—”

“No,” Shen Tingxiao interrupted coldly, not even waiting for her to finish before withdrawing his gaze.

Jiang Yunzhu blinked, momentarily stunned, then continued, “I just meant, could you let me off at the next intersection.”

Shen Tingxiao’s face darkened, as though her words had greatly displeased him.

The driver glanced at the two of them in the rearview mirror, uncertain whether to stop.

As they passed the intersection, Jiang Yunzhu grew anxious. “Or the next one is fine too.”

Still, Shen Tingxiao said nothing, a stifling tension filling the car.

After several intersections had gone by, Jiang Yunzhu turned to look outside, trying to gauge their location. Then she faced Shen Tingxiao, grasping his arm and softening her tone, letting a note of pleading slip in. “Master Shen.”

That gentle entreaty stirred something in Shen Tingxiao’s heart.

Suddenly, he said, “Turn left.”

The driver snuck a glance at him. A left turn would take them straight to the hospital.

Ten minutes later, the car stopped at the hospital entrance. It was unclear when the rain had ceased.

Jiang Yunzhu immediately opened the door and stepped out. She turned, intending to thank Shen Tingxiao, but the car sped off before she could speak.

She stood there in a daze.

“Yun?” Shen Ruizhang’s voice called from nearby.

Jiang Yunzhu snapped back to herself and looked over. “How’s Grandmother?”

“She refuses to eat. Throwing a tantrum.” Shen Ruizhang pocketed his phone, wearing a helpless expression. “Sorry to trouble you.”

Jiang Yunzhu started walking. “It’s only right. She’s always been good to me.”

They walked side by side toward the ward. Suddenly, Shen Ruizhang asked, “Was that your friend who drove you over just now?”

“In a manner of speaking.” Jiang Yunzhu wasn’t sure how to describe Shen Tingxiao, still puzzled by his earlier behavior.

Shen Ruizhang frowned slightly, lowering his voice. “Things are different here than back home. Be careful who you befriend.”

“I know.” Jiang Yunzhu didn’t argue, though her thoughts lingered on how Shen Tingxiao had stepped in to help her.

Entering the ward, they found Madam Shen sitting up in bed, refusing the nurse’s attempts to feed her. “I won’t eat!” she declared crossly. “Always these bland porridges and simple dishes. I have no appetite.”

Jiang Yunzhu walked over, taking the bowl from the nurse with a gentle smile. “Madam Shen, if you don’t eat, how can you get better? And if you don’t recover, you’ll never get to enjoy the good food again.”

“Yun, you’ve come?” Madam Shen’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I just have no appetite. There’s no need for you to be troubled so late at night.”

Jiang Yunzhu smiled. “If Madam Shen misses me, of course I’ll come right away.”

“Such trouble,” the old lady grumbled, but her petulance faded.

With Jiang Yunzhu’s coaxing, Madam Shen finally finished dinner and chatted with her for a while before growing sleepy.

Shen Ruizhang spoke up, “Mother, Yun’s been with you so late. Let her go get some rest.”

“It is late.” Reluctance softened the old lady’s face. She held Jiang Yunzhu’s hand. “Yun, come visit again when you have time.”

A pang of sorrow welled up in Jiang Yunzhu’s heart. She smiled softly. “Of course.”

Only after Madam Shen had settled did she leave the hospital with Shen Ruizhang.

He walked her out. “I’ll drive you home.”

“I’ll take a cab.” Jiang Yunzhu was uneasy leaving Madam Shen alone.

“It’s late. You won’t get a cab easily. Let me take you home—it won’t take long.” Shen Ruizhang held a cigarette between two fingers. “What, you don’t want me to?”