Chapter 67: Chapter 34: First Time Calling Her Baby (Part 2)
She felt it was better to get things out in the open. All the guessing was just exhausting.
Jiang Li shook her head. "You don’t understand."
’If things could be spoken of so clearly, I would have confessed my feelings to Shen Yanzhi years ago.’
’But it’s a shame. Back when I asked him out, Shen Yanzhi never showed. Later, he even went abroad with Song Ning.’
’I still don’t know why Shen Yanzhi agreed to marry me, but I have to assume it’s because Song Ning found someone else.’
’They say a man can separate love from sex. So even if things are harmonious between Shen Yanzhi and me in bed, it’s no guarantee he has feelings for me.’
’I’m not some seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl anymore. I can’t just charge ahead recklessly like I used to. All I can do now is test the waters, cautiously.’
’People are greedy. Before I married Shen Yanzhi, all I wanted was to be his wife.’
’Now that we’re actually married, I find myself hoping for his love.’
Zhong Mufeng shrugged helplessly. "Okay, you’re right. I don’t get it."
Everyone sees love differently; she couldn’t impose her standards on Jiang Li.
Not wanting to dwell on matters of the heart, Zhong Mufeng asked, "So, since your dear Shen is here, are we still on for lunch?"
Jiang Li just giggled, avoiding a direct answer.
Zhong Mufeng shot Jiang Li a look of mock disgust. "Fine, then. You wait here for your Shen. This workhorse is going to get some food."
’One second she’s all upset because he won’t admit his feelings, and the next she’s ready to go eat with him.’
’No wonder they say women are such fickle creatures.’
Jiang Li knew Zhong Mufeng was busy and had already carved this time out for her. She waved at her friend. "Let’s catch up again when you’re free."
Remembering what she’d asked Xie Wan to do, Jiang Li grabbed Zhong Mufeng’s wrist just as she was about to leave. "I already had someone take care of the housekeeper situation. You’ll have a hot meal waiting for you when you get home from work."
Zhong Mufeng looked stunned. "Are you kidding me? I was just joking, and you actually went and hired someone for me!"
Jiang Li gave her a reassuring look. "It’s on me. You just enjoy it."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Mufeng immediately feigned a dramatic kneel before Jiang Li. "My lady benefactor! Please accept this humble servant’s bow!"
Jiang Li covered her face, unable to watch. "Oh, stop it," she said with a laugh. "Just get going already."
Zhong Mufeng gave a mock bow. "As you command! This servant will depart now and not disturb you two lovebirds in your private world."
Jiang Li shook her head, chuckling softly. "She’s really too much."
Shen Yanzhi returned just in time to hear Jiang Li’s comment. Seeing that she was the only one left in the dressing room, he couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong?"
"It’s nothing."
Shen Yanzhi didn’t press the issue. He took a new pair of slippers out of a shopping bag and squatted down in front of her.
With one hand, he lifted her foot, and with the other, he helped her slip it on.
Watching his focused expression, anyone who didn’t know better would think he was handling a priceless work of art, not just putting a slipper on her foot.
"Shen Yanzhi, have you..." ’...ever done this for another woman?’
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Shen Yanzhi looked up, his expression puzzled. "What is it?"
Jiang Li took a deep breath, composed herself, and asked with a placid smile, "What should we get for lunch?"
Shen Yanzhi looked back down, continuing to fit the other slipper on her foot. "What are you in the mood for?"
"I don’t know."
Shen Yanzhi ventured, "Hot pot?"
Jiang Li thought for a moment. "That works."
Once her slippers were on, Shen Yanzhi stood up and held out his hand. "Come on, let’s go eat."
Jiang Li naturally placed her hand in his, letting him help her to her feet.
Shen Yanzhi then crouched down to put her old shoes in the shopping bag, then picked up her purse from where it sat. Jiang Li didn’t have to lift a finger.
Shen Yanzhi walked ahead with Jiang Li following closely behind him, thinking to herself, ’Don’t get greedy, Jiang Li. This is already more than enough.’
Just as they reached the elevators, she bumped right into his back. Shen Yanzhi turned, his eyes scanning her face to make sure she was okay. "What were you thinking about? You’re completely zoned out."
Jiang Li rubbed the tip of her nose. "Nothing."
Shen Yanzhi pressed his lips together. After confirming she was alright, he reached out and pressed the "down" button for the elevator.
There were only a few people in the elevator when they got in, so the two of them stood in a corner.
But as the elevator descended, it became more and more crowded, until one man nearly knocked Jiang Li off her feet.
Thankfully, Shen Yanzhi had quick reflexes. He instantly pulled Jiang Li into his arms and shot the man a displeased look. "Watch where you’re going."
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