Volume One, Chapter 20: Try Shedding One More Tear

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At the mere thought that it might be the kind of unruly redhead Meng Chuan had mentioned, Meng Huaijin's expression darkened, deeper than the night itself.

“Not interested.” His tone was decisive, cold, and devoid of warmth.

Seeing that she was awake, the man directly placed her back on the bed, his movements far rougher than when she was asleep.

Shu Wan propped herself up on one side, words flooding her throat but unable to escape.

Meng Huaijin did not leave. Instead, he pulled a chair from beneath the dressing table and sat down lazily, watching her for a moment before saying, “Shu Wan, let’s have a talk.”

The girl perched on the bed, staring at his long legs that nearly reached her bedside, somewhat dazed. “I was wrong today. I shouldn’t have smoked and drunk on the rooftop.”

“That tactic won’t work on me.”

“...” Well, okay.

The man asked sternly, “Did the cigarette taste good?”

Shu Wan recalled the first puff—the sharp, spicy sting that rushed into her lungs, making her cough violently, tears streaming down her face.

“Not good.” She shook her head.

“Where did you get the cigarette?”

“...From your cigarette case.”

This was a revelation. Meng Huaijin narrowed his eyes at her. “And the alcohol?”

“A beer from the convenience store, just one bottle.”

“Did you enjoy drinking it?”

Neither yes nor no seemed appropriate, so Shu Wan stayed silent.

Meng Huaijin continued, “Shu Wan, I’ve raised you like a princess, not for you to hurt yourself over those messy men.”

The girl pursed her lips, whispering in defense, “He’s not messy. He’s outstanding.”

“Outstanding enough that even if he sleeps with others, you still defend him, cling to him, and even talk back to your uncle over him?”

“…”

At this, the clarity in Shu Wan’s eyes vanished, replaced by sparks of anger.

She collapsed onto the bed and pulled the blanket over herself. “I’ll find out the truth. Maybe nothing happened.”

Seeing the shape beneath the covers trembling, Meng Huaijin abruptly threw back the blanket, revealing a tear-streaked, shattered face.

Meng Huaijin was momentarily stunned. His usually sharp and fierce expression shifted repeatedly.

Feeling as though the precious cabbage he had carefully nurtured was being trampled by a pig, a complex wave of emotion surged within him.

“Shu Wan...”

He frowned and called softly, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his fingertip, his voice cold as an icy pond: “If you shed one more tear, I’ll have that man arrested immediately.”

He fumbled for his phone as if drawing a gun: “One call, and if you dare cry again, just try.”

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Shu Wan stopped abruptly, wide-eyed in shock, caught in the depths of his dark, vast, ink-blue eyes, like an endless cosmos, unable to regain her composure for a long moment.

His coldness, sharpness, and imposing aura—though only a fraction revealed—were enough to mesmerize her, to drive her mad, to kindle a flicker of joy and excitement deep in her heart.

She was hopelessly lost.

In the end, Shu Wan spun her pupils and swallowed her tears whole.

“I’m an adult now. I just fell in love with someone. Can you not overreact like this?” Her attempt was cautious, and she dared not meet his gaze.

Meng Huaijin, still thinking of the redheaded troublemaker Meng Chuan mentioned, spoke with his usual icy seriousness: “Your mother entrusted you to me; I have the duty and responsibility to take good care of you. You’d better take my words seriously.”

“...I understand.” Shu Wan sighed silently, then reached out from beneath the blanket, daringly tugging at the corner of his coat. “Don’t be angry anymore, okay?”

Meng Huaijin cast a downward glance at her but remained silent.

“I don’t have any close friends here to confide in. When I’m upset, there’s no one to talk to. Can you stay with me?” Seeing his silence, she grew bolder.

To accompany her, listen to her troubles, try to understand her, support some of her strange ideas—better to untie knots than to tighten them...

The incessant chatter of guard Zhao Heng echoed in his ears.

Meng Huaijin looked at the girl who dared not meet his eyes but still clung to his coat. He recalled her fragile state when she first arrived in Beicheng a year ago, so delicate it seemed she could shatter at a touch.

He stayed stern but shifted his chair a little closer.

Only when the girl gradually fell asleep, the air filled with her soft, steady breathing, did he pull his coat free and carefully tuck a pillow beneath her flowing hair.

---

The next day was Wednesday. Shu Wan had to go to school and woke very early.

After washing up and slinging on her backpack, she saw Meng Huaijin seated at the dining table.

“Good morning, Uncle.” She greeted as she had countless mornings before.

The man responded with a faint “Hmm,” signaling her to eat.

They ate breakfast in silence and went downstairs together. Shu Wan thought, as usual, he would drive himself to work and his guard would escort her to school.

Unexpectedly, after sitting in the driver’s seat, he simply said two words: “Get in.”

“Are you driving me?” Her eyes sparkled instantly.

Meng Huaijin didn’t look at her, merely grunted.

It had been at least two months since he last drove her, whether due to work or other matters. Afraid he would speed off, Shu Wan quickly got in.

To her surprise, Meng Huaijin also picked her up that afternoon.

She suspected her uncle was determined to watch over her closely until he caught the boy she liked.

Well, let him try. The girl enjoyed it.

On the way home, Meng Huaijin stopped at a supermarket.

Shu Wan followed him inside. When they came out, she carried a pile of groceries—all highly nutritious, high-protein, and energy-rich.

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“Do we have guests coming? Why buy so much, Uncle?” she asked, tilting her head.

He gave her a sidelong glance. “For your brain.”

“...” Shu Wan was easily pacified.

This nationwide, pre-college entrance exam indulgence was something to be cherished.

For the next twenty days, Shu Wan left early and returned late, always chauffeured by Meng Huaijin. He barely allowed her to interact with strangers, forbade her from going out with classmates without accompaniment, and no friends either, all until the exams were over.

On exam day, Meng Huaijin personally took her again.

Before getting out of the car, she shamelessly sought encouragement.

Without hesitation, he said bluntly, “Do what you can. Don’t force what you can’t. I’m not relying on you to support me.”

What kind of parent was this? No different from those jokes that say, “If you can study, study; if not, just eat more since you paid for it.”

The girl smiled brightly, her eyes curved with joy. “I’ll try to be like you and get a high score.”

Now, she no longer seemed like a rebellious girl blinded by love.

Meng Huaijin didn’t dampen her spirit. He ruffled her smooth, silky hair carelessly. “When you triumph, come find me right after the exams.”

On that June morning, the summer breeze was gentle, the sunlight warm. The girl’s smile was radiant, even the dimples glowing with sunlight.

She gave him a playful salute and turned to head to the exam hall.

Youth was embodied vividly in that moment—the sour and bitter, the joy and pain—all entrusted to those four answer sheets over two days.

The moment she finished the last subject and stepped out of the exam hall, Shu Wan felt a lightness and relief spread through her.

At the usual spot, she saw Meng Huaijin’s understated black sedan.

As she approached, a sudden “pop” startled her, and moments later, colorful streamers fluttered down.

“Congratulations, Miss Shu, on finishing your college entrance exams smoothly!” Meng Chuan waved a confetti cannon. “So? Doesn’t it feel great and relaxing?”

Shu Wan’s hair was covered in multicolored confetti. She smiled with pure innocence. “Uncles, I’m finally free!”

“That calls for a celebration, right, Brother Jin?” Meng Chuan said, climbing into the front passenger seat.

Only then did Shu Wan notice Dr. Zhou behind the wheel, while her uncle sat in the back.

She opened the rear door and greeted Dr. Zhou before asking, “Where are we celebrating, Uncle Meng Chuan?”

“Where else, Brother Jin? A bar or KTV? Last year on her birthday, I took her out and found out she sings really well—almost ready for a debut right then and there,” Meng Chuan said, turning back. “Now that exams are done, let her go.”

Meng Huaijin glanced at the colorful girl beside him and calmly asked, “Want to drink and smoke?”

“...” Shu Wan’s survival instinct surged. She shook her head vigorously. “No smoking, no drinking. I’ll sing for you. I’m pretty good at singing.”

The man withdrew his gaze from her youthful, radiant face, looking straight ahead. His voice was calm: “Then find a KTV and let our Miss Shu sing.”