SM Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Acting On It

Winter had arrived, bringing with it a truly biting cold. The air seemed to possess a magical quality, each gust of wind feeling like a natural assault.

Stepping out of the car, Zhu Shihao instinctively tightened her coat, shrinking her neck against the chill. Yet, within a second, she regained her composure, walking through the night with an air of effortless elegance. Her coat fluttered in the wind, her loose hair dancing along, capturing the attention of many as she strolled past the brightly lit bars.

Seeing her approach, the doorman held the door open for her.

Zhu Shihao nodded, said, “Thank you,” and walked inside, phone in hand.

The instant she entered, a wave of heat washed over her, the warmth relaxing her body slightly. Her steps quickened.

Familiar with the place, she headed toward a corner. The music and voices amplified the lively atmosphere, not to mention the passionate dancing on the floor. She even caught glimpses of intimate embraces and kisses.

Only after navigating through the crowd did the deafening noise subside somewhat. She raised her hand to rub her ears.

In the dim light, she spotted his silhouette, blurred and swallowed by the shadows, even before getting close. She paused, standing a few feet away, observing him.

As if sensing her presence, Tan Zhi Xu, who had been slouched, legs spread, idly toying with his glass, casually looked up. His eyebrows arched upon seeing her.

The glass hit the table with a crisp sound.

Tan Zhi Xu straightened up and beckoned her with a curved finger. His lips moved, but in the loud bar, the distant clamor, coupled with the distance between them, made it impossible to hear anything.

But Zhu Shihao didn’t need to see or hear to know what he was saying.

He never liked being crowded, this young master with his cold and unpleasant temper. People instinctively left a gap around him. Now, hearing him speak, they looked up.

“Make way, make way, Sister Hao’s here. Show some respect!”

Just as she walked over, she heard him ask, “Didn’t you say you were rushing a design? Why did you come?”

Her eyes swept over the table and then scanned the crowd of people sitting with him.

Zhu Shihao said lightly, “I was afraid the young master would be in a bad mood and go wild after drinking too much.”

Tan Zhi Xu scoffed at her words, his gaze icily sweeping over everyone. “What, did they call you over to be a fire extinguisher again?”

Those who were looked at fell silent, some pouring drinks, others toasting, hooking arms, or fidgeting—anything but meet his eyes.

“Hopeless!”

Mocked by him, a group of grown men didn’t dare argue.

Wei Wang, who had made the SOS call, sheepishly touched his nose and leaned over to grab a glass. “Hey—Sister Hao, want a drink?”

Tan Zhi Xu’s eyes flickered as he glanced at him, a smirk playing on his lips. “You’re the one who called her.”

Zhu Shihao shook her head. “No, I drove here.”

No one dared to offer her alcohol.

Wei Wang put down his glass and, stiffening his neck, said to Tan Zhi Xu, “It was me, so what? I’m just saying, Xu-ge, don’t you know how you get!”

It was almost midnight, and who wanted to sit drinking with this low pressure? It felt like working overtime with a demanding client. Was it too much to ask for a relaxing weekend?

“We’re being considerate, but who can talk you out of it when you get drunk? We had to call for reinforcements,” Wei Wang said, growing more confident.

Tan Zhi Xu chuckled lightly. “Don’t make it sound like I’m going to go on a drunken rampage.”

Wei Wang touched his nose, saying nothing.

Tan Zhi Xu also found it boring. He picked up his coat from behind him and patted Zhu Shihao on the head with it. “Let’s go.”

“Leaving?” she asked casually, standing up as well.

“Yeah, let’s go,” he replied lazily, saying to Li Chennan, “You guys do what you want, put it on my tab.”

He didn’t bother to acknowledge them, turned to glance at Zhu Shihao, and tilted his chin, signaling her to lead the way.

Zhu Shihao politely bid farewell to the group and walked out the same way she came in. Tan Zhi Xu followed her with a loose gait, occasionally raising an arm to shield her from the passing crowd.

Having just warmed up a bit, she came out to a blast of cold wind, prompting her to take a deep breath.

A mocking laugh came from beside her. Before she could turn, a long, pure black coat was draped over her shoulders, reaching her ankles. She reached out, grabbed it, and wrapped it tightly around herself, instantly feeling much warmer.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Tan Zhi Xu gently tapped the back of her head. “Hurry up, I’m not cold. I don’t want to catch a headache from the wind after drinking.”

She slowly said “Oh,” and headed toward the parking spot.

Settling into the driver’s seat, she asked as she fastened her seatbelt, “Where to drink? Your place or mine?”

His hand paused as he was buckling up. Tan Zhi Xu’s lips curled up. “As expected of someone I’ve watched grow up, you understand me.”

Zhu Shihao glanced at him speechlessly. “If you don’t want photos of you in your split pants appearing on my Moments, behave yourself.”

He laughed, his voice low and lazy. “Alright, alright, I won’t. Please protect my privacy.”

Zhu Shihao turned her head. She felt the car was just right when she drove it herself, but whenever she saw him in the passenger seat, the car seemed to shrink, the air growing thin.

She turned back and started the car. “So, where to?”

Tan Zhi Xu rested his right arm on the car door, his index finger tapping lightly on the window. “My place. I’ll let you try the new wine. You should like it.”

Zhu Shihao turned to look at the road and stepped on the gas. “Okay, get some sleep.”

“Mm.”

The temperature in the car gradually rose, making him comfortable.

Late at night, and with the cold weather, the car moved along without a hitch. Besides the brightly lit shops, there were few pedestrians.

This car had been to his neighborhood countless times. Tan Zhi Xu had even mentioned the license plate to the property manager. The car gradually entered the underground garage, slowing down as the light grew dimmer.

She stopped the car smoothly, about to call him when she saw that he had already opened his eyes.

“Put the coat on.”

Her movements paused, and she refused. “No need, it’s just a short walk, I’ll be home soon.”

Tan Zhi Xu threw the coat into her lap anyway and unbuckled his seatbelt, his tone a bit hoarse. “Mm, this little bit won’t freeze me to death.”

This person was sometimes hard to persuade, or rather, he was stubborn.

Helpless, she put the coat on.

The two of them entered the elevator, quiet and still. Even the weightlessness of the elevator rising became clear.

“What are you looking at?”

Her expression was clearly reflected in the elevator doors.

Zhu Shihao paused before answering, “Seeing if you’re grief-stricken.”

Tan Zhi Xu gave a slightly mocking “hmph.” “Did you drink or did I?”

A hint of a smile flashed across Zhu Shihao’s lips, quickly suppressed. Tan Zhi Xu, who was also watching her through the elevator doors, saw it clearly and chuckled.

Entering the house, Tan Zhi Xu opened the shoe cabinet, bent down, took out her slippers, and placed them on the floor. He changed his own shoes and went straight inside.

“Find somewhere to stay on your own.”

She glanced at his back, changed into her fluffy slippers. She had her own slippers here, which changed with the seasons.

Taking off his coat, she hung it up, then removed her own coat and hung it beside his.

She first went to wash her hands, but when she came out, she couldn’t see him. She went to the kitchen.

“Need any help?”

“No need.” Tan Zhi Xu, who was washing wine glasses, glanced back at her. Seeing her leaning against the wall, not planning to leave, he casually asked, “What did you eat for dinner?”

Zhu Shihao was silent.

After waiting a moment and not hearing an answer, he turned off the water and turned around, only to see her looking down at the floor as if searching for flowers.

How was this any different from when she was little? Her guilt was plain as day, and she couldn’t even lie.

Holding two wine glasses, he walked out, saying without much sincerity, “Good job.” He didn’t even ask her what she ate for breakfast. “What time did you get up?”

As he passed her, he glanced at her.

Zhu Shihao remained silent and followed him.

“Speak.”

“This morning.”

Wondering if he believed her, Tan Zhi Xu scoffed. “Be specific.”

After a moment of silence, Zhu Shihao honestly said, “Eleven forty.”

He pointed out sharply, “That’s noon, not morning.”

The wine cabinet was placed by the French windows. In front of the windows was a large, thick carpet with a low table on it. Two soft beanbag chairs were placed on opposite sides of the table, like two small tatami mats.

This was one of Zhu Shihao’s favorite places to be. Nestled inside the beanbag chair, she felt comfortable, like she was loosely wrapped in softness.

Setting the wine glasses down, he took out his phone, unlocked it, and handed it to her. “The private kitchen is probably closed. Order takeout yourself.”

It was past twelve thirty, the private kitchen would be closed already.

Zhu Shihao was silent. The phone hovered in front of her. Her gaze traveled up the cold, hard metal lines to a large hand with distinct knuckles, the joints of his fingers slightly bent and reddish.

She reached out and took it.

Tan Zhi Xu turned toward the wine cabinet. “Order. I want something to eat too.”

“What do you want to eat?”

He said indifferently, “Up to you.”

Zhu Shihao thought to herself, it’s always like this.

If it was up to her, she ordered barbecue. After she finished, she gave the phone back to him.

Tan Zhi Xu glanced at it and, while paying, reminded her, “Remember to eat breakfast and dinner. Don’t end up like a lazy slob with stomach problems, even if the CEO doesn’t have them.”

Watching him pour the wine, his movements smooth and elegant, Zhu Shihao rested her chin in her hand.

“How can working be called lazy?”

He retorted mockingly, “Oh really? Working from the night before until twelve o’clock the next day—are you being proactive in your dreams?”

Zhu Shihao: “…”

“Too lazy to talk to you.”

Tan Zhi Xu pushed one of the glasses towards her. “Is that because you don’t have the confidence to argue with me?”

After holding it back for two seconds, Zhu Shihao put down her hand, sat up straight, and looked up at the person opposite her. “You better know when to quit.”

He chuckled lightly. “Alright, I know when to quit.”

The wine was indeed good. It wasn’t bitter on the tongue and felt silky smooth going down. It really suited her taste.

The two of them sat drinking, chatting casually.

Zhu Shihao feigned nonchalance. “How did you break up so suddenly?”

“Finally getting to the point?” He looked at her amused.

Zhu Shihao sipped her wine. “I was giving you time to prepare, afraid you’d be sad.”

Tan Zhi Xu gave a dismissive laugh and leaned back. “She wanted too much. Purses and jewelry she wanted, and cars and houses, too. Do I look like a sucker?”

The Tan family had quit their jobs and gone into business in their third or fourth year of elementary school.

Even if they were truly business-minded, after some twists and turns, they only really crossed into a much higher class around high school. Even though ten years had passed and the accumulation of capital had become increasingly impressive and astonishing, Tan Zhi Xu, who had been sensible since he was a child and had his values formed early, and who had been taken care of by the Zhu family for many years, had not picked up any bad habits.

He was generous with money, but it depended on the person. He definitely didn’t want to be taken advantage of.

Zhu Shihao thought about it. “Dating for two months, that is a bit demanding.”

Purses and jewelry were one thing, but cars and houses were too much.

Tan Zhi Xu corrected her, “Pay attention, it was only a little over a month.”

“You remember pretty clearly?” she asked, surprised.

He said “Heh” sarcastically. “Thanks to someone’s illegal parking the other day to buy milk tea, I got a 200 yuan fine.”

Zhu Shihao decided to struggle a little. “…I had to go to the bathroom.”

“Do you think I don’t know where you parked?”

Unable to argue, Zhu Shihao changed the subject. “You really broke up?”

Knowing she was changing the subject, Tan Zhi Xu didn’t press the issue. His expression was indifferent. “What else? Still playing house?”

“Are you sad?”

“What are you thinking? Did your brain fall out?”

Looking at her expression, his words revealed some speechless feelings.

Zhu Shihao said with a serious face, “Jerk.”

Tan Zhi Xu stared at her, a half-smile on his face. “Are you looking for a fight? Don’t you know what she’s like?”

Of course, she knew. She was a very sophisticated woman who had prepared her reasons from the moment she confessed to Tan Zhi Xu.

Zhu Shihao picked up a skewer and continued to take small bites. While she ate, Tan Zhi Xu sat by himself, occasionally taking a sip, not saying anything. The atmosphere was nothing like the worried Wei Wang had anticipated at the bar. Instead, it was peaceful and quiet.

She drifted off slightly, her downward gaze landing on a familiar hand, the fingertips lightly swaying a tissue.

She looked up.

Tan Zhi Xu’s eyes were a bit lazy from the alcohol. He shook the tissue again and tapped the table with his other hand. “Wipe it.”

“Oh.”

She reached out and took it, pressing the tissue lightly against her bright red lips.

He only ate a few bites at the start, just to be polite.

That was right, he usually ate his three meals properly and had no interest in snacks or late-night meals.