Volume 1, Chapter 4: It’s a Boyfriend

Whether it was because of the chillingly powerful aura he exuded—one that repelled spirits and demons alike—Shu Wan found herself growing drowsy amidst the steady sound of Meng Huaijin swiftly approving documents.

Before long, her consciousness began to fade until she slipped into a deep sleep.

During the week she stayed in the hospital, Meng Huaijin came every night with paperwork to review, leaving only after Shu Wan had fallen asleep.

She found it difficult to describe her uncle.

At times, he could shatter her innocence with just a single word.

At other moments, his subtle gestures made her reconsider; he wasn’t entirely unfeeling after all.

When Shu Wan was discharged, Meng Huaijin did not come; instead, Meng Chuan was there to pick her up.

He explained, “Brother Jin has a very important meeting tonight, so I came to get you first.”

Meng Chuan arrived in an ostentatious Lamborghini that drew many admiring glances at the hospital entrance.

Shu Wan smiled and thanked him before getting into the car.

The August heat surged like a rolling wave, fierce and overwhelming. The girl lifted her hand, letting the breeze slip through her fingers.

“What a good family, yet fate dealt them a cruel hand...” Meng Chuan sighed inwardly, then said, “Little Shu Wan, I have a gathering tonight and wanted to take you along, but I’m afraid my brother would grill me. No choice—I’ll just take you back to the apartment first.”

Shu Wan was no fool; she knew exactly what kind of “gathering” he meant—one filled with dazzling lights, wine, and beautiful women.

She smiled and asked, “Uncle Meng Chuan, are you afraid of Uncle Meng Huaijin too?”

Meng Chuan shivered slightly. “No one in the younger generation isn’t afraid of him. But to be honest, there’s more respect than fear, because wherever he is, there’s confidence and peace of mind.”

That was true. Shu Wan probed gently, “Has he told you whether he’s coming back to the apartment tonight?”

“He hasn’t said. Mr. Meng is new in his position and has tons of engagements—more than all the cars on this street—so he probably won’t be back.”

Shu Wan fell silent, then asked casually, “Would he go to the kind of gathering you mentioned?”

Meng Chuan paused, then laughed, “Kids shouldn’t meddle in adult matters.”

By the time they reached the apartment, night had fallen. Meng Chuan gave her a brief reminder before rushing off to his next event.

As soon as the door closed, Sweet Cone—her cat—meowed and leapt into Shu Wan’s arms.

She shook him gently, surprised. “How did you get so fat?”

Glancing at the cat’s bowl, she understood immediately.

That good uncle must have been feeding him three days’ worth of food in one go—no wonder he’d gained weight.

Shu Wan could even imagine the expression on the famous Northern City tycoon’s face when feeding the cat or cleaning its litter box—surely quite a sight.

Sitting on the sofa with Sweet Cone in her arms, Shu Wan first smiled softly, then her smile faded into silence. She didn’t know whom to talk to.

At the hospital, Meng Chuan kept her entertained, and Dr. Zhou had shown concern.

At the very least, there was Meng Huaijin’s perpetually stern face overseeing it all. Though cold-hearted, his presence was an unyielding force.

Some matters she no longer tried to dwell upon, but whenever quiet settled, her inner fear and oppression became overwhelming.

She wasn’t sure if Meng Huaijin would come tonight; after all, he had never said he intended to move back.

Shu Wan looked at the door several times but heard no sound.

When the clock struck ten, she stopped waiting and dialed his number.

After three or four rings, it was answered—but there was no greeting.

She said softly, taking a deep breath, “Uncle, are you really not coming back to live here?”

The ticking of the second hand sounded three times before Meng Huaijin’s low, slightly husky voice came through: “Open the door.”

The cat meowed once and jumped onto the wooden floor.

Shu Wan stood up and headed toward the door but realized she was barefoot. She went back to put on her shoes.

Then, she cautiously checked the peephole before opening the door.

Meng Huaijin stood there, clutching a navy blazer in one hand. Dressed in a black shirt, he looked even colder and more unapproachable.

He strode inside and placed the bag he was carrying on the dining table. “You checked the peephole first, not dumb.”

Was that a compliment or an insult?

As they brushed past each other, Shu Wan caught a faint scent of alcohol on him.

“Did you cook?” Meng Huaijin glanced at the trash bin, where something dark and burnt lay.

Shu Wan strategically sipped hot water. “Just something simple.”

“Did it catch fire?”

“...No.”

“Then you’re really something.”

“...” Sometimes, it’s better not to praise at all.

During the hours waiting, Shu Wan hadn’t just sat still.

Seeing fresh vegetables in the fridge, she tried to cook but failed repeatedly, leaving the kitchen smoky and chaotic—almost causing a fire.

Realizing her limitations, she wisely stopped, quickly cleaned the mess, wiped and mopped, and opened windows to air out the smell.

She thought she’d cleaned everything perfectly—except she forgot to take out the trash.

Meng Huaijin didn’t really hold it against her. Opening the food container, he pulled out a steaming basket of buns and soup, then tapped the table.

Regarding meals during her hospital stay, they had developed an unspoken understanding.

More accurately, it was a rule Meng Huaijin had unilaterally established.

He wouldn’t force her to eat meat, but she had to follow his plan and consume nutritious food conducive to recovery—no pickiness allowed, no arguments.

Shu Wan pulled out a chair and sat down, sipping the soup first—egg-drop with fresh vegetables, fragrant and delicious. She then bit into a bun, savoring it silently. The crab roe soup dumplings were crisp-skinned with a fresh filling, melting delightfully in her mouth—absolutely exquisite.

“Shu Wan,” Meng Huaijin called softly as she neared the end of her meal, his voice low and even.

She looked up to see him, his tie loosened, lounging lazily on the balcony sofa, holding an unlit cigarette.

“Hmm?” she responded.

Still in that same relaxed posture, he said, “You’ve been in Northern City for almost a month. Have I ever properly talked to you?”

Such an opening usually meant a serious talk from the homeroom teacher.

Shu Wan instinctively sat up straight, wearing a good student’s expression.

“About your parents’ situation: no denying the facts. If mistakes were made, you have to stand at attention and accept the punishment. You are both a survivor and innocent. Whether you accept it or not, you must move on quickly—understand?”

Hearing his elder’s tone, deliberate and measured, for the first time took Shu Wan aback. After a long moment, she remembered to nod.

She had always known that one cannot live forever in sorrow.

Meng Huaijin continued evenly, “Before everything happened, your mother called me, asking me to take care of you. I refused.”

Shu Wan looked at him, then lowered her eyes. “I understand. I’m a burden; everyone should keep their distance.”

That was not the real reason. Meng Huaijin gave her a sidelong glance and said, “If you were a boy, I could have sent you to the military. But you’re a girl.”

“What’s wrong with being a girl? Girls can’t join the military? If you really wanted to, I would...”

“The slightest rough fabric makes your skin break out in allergies. The tougher camouflage uniform would cause your skin to ulcerate.”

“...”

Meng Huaijin looked at her. “What I mean is, I don’t know how to take care of a girl. And clearly, I didn’t do a good job.”

Shu Wan suspected it was the alcohol that made him reflect so openly.

Otherwise, she might never hear such softness from him in her lifetime.

But to be fair, despite his cold demeanor and harsh words, overall...

“You do have some redeeming qualities,” she murmured quietly, afraid he might hear. Taking advantage of his drunken state, she cautiously asked, “So, uncle, does this mean you’re moving back to live here?”

Meng Huaijin gave her a sideways glance, shielding a lighter from the wind, just as he was about to light the cigarette. He snapped the metal cap shut and dodged the question: “How are your grades?”

“...Pretty okay.”

“Do you have friends over in Southern City?”

Mentioning this, Shu Wan fell silent.

She had two childhood friends, but after the family tragedy, their parents severed ties to protect themselves, forbidding any further contact.

Lowering her head to hug the cat, tears fell onto its fur.

“It’s not worth crying over.” Even as encouragement, Meng Huaijin’s tone was firm and cold.

He was the iron-faced, impartial leader, a poker-faced man with no understanding of teenage girl friendships.

Thinking of those years of companionship, Shu Wan felt even sadder.

Meng Huaijin furrowed his handsome brows but, abandoning decorum, lit the cigarette. Taking a shallow puff, he narrowed his eyes and asked, “So sad... Is it a boyfriend?”