SM Chapter 55

Chapter 55: An Understanding Gaze “Serving you is my specialty.”…

Regarding the blind date, Zhu Shihao received a reply from Liu Ruoyin’s side. It has to be said that her mother’s judgment of people was quite accurate. According to her mother, that Mr. Qi said, “We chatted quite well, and she’s very nice and pretty, but I didn’t feel any romantic spark at all.”

Zhu Shihao thought that was excellent, praised her mother, and rejected him decisively. Liu Ruoyin would definitely not want her to actively pursue it.

Perhaps satisfied with her performance, Liu Ruoyin simply said that she would continue to look for suitable candidates but didn’t immediately push her to choose a husband.

Or maybe she hadn’t figured out why the first blind date was so unsuccessful – how could someone not have romantic feelings for her daughter?!

Zhu Suiyi learned about this several days later from Zhu Yingqing. When the sisters chatted about it, they both agreed that their mother had let it go so easily because Zhu Shihao’s attitude had been good.

Zhu Shihao nodded secretly. That’s right, she had appeased her mother, but she had offended the one at home.

They were keeping their relationship a secret from both sides of their families for the time being, but they weren’t being so deliberate with others. They would just act naturally.

This afternoon, after contacting the factory and finalizing the fabric for the bulk order, Zhu Shihao felt completely relaxed. With no urgent tasks to complete, her shoulders felt so light that she felt she could take off with a gust of wind.

She and Shasha parted ways at the intersection, one going back to work at the studio and the other brazenly leaving early, taking a detour to Tiancheng.

She had an unimpeded journey. Before she even reached the office, she ran into A Dong, who was walking towards her. Judging by his direction, he had just come out of Tan Zhi Xu’s office. Seeing Zhu Shihao, he greeted her with a smile: “Shihao, you’re here to see Brother Tan again.”

Zhu Shihao nodded, pointing inside: “Is he busy?”

A Dong shook his head: “No, it’s just Brother Tan inside.”

In his mind, unless Tan Zhi Xu was meeting with a business partner, there was no time when Zhu Shihao couldn’t enter Tan Zhi Xu’s office.

Zhu Shihao smiled at him: “Okay, I’ll go in then. You continue with your work.”

As she walked past him, she felt an indescribable sense of strangeness. When she closed the door, she glanced back and saw everyone doing their own thing. It seemed like she was the only one who felt strange.

Someone opened the door directly, and Tan Zhi Xu frowned and looked up, only to find that the impolite person was from his own family.

Well, very forthright and lovely.

He leaned back, watching her walk over: “Finished being busy?”

“Yeah, I can relax for a while again.”

Zhu Shihao approached and leaned against the desk, taking advantage of the height difference between standing and sitting to look down at him.

His expression didn’t change at all. Maybe she was just overthinking things?

As her hand reached for his palm, Tan Zhi Xu closed his fingers around hers: “What do you want to eat tonight?”

Her gaze moved from their clasped hands to his face, and Zhu Shihao thought carefully: “Let’s eat beef.”

The beef that worked so hard to grow up, of course, deserved to be savored.

He smiled slightly: “Okay, I’ll make a reservation.”

It wasn’t until after dinner, back at Shen Yi, as they sat on the sofa cuddling while Zhu Shihao was looking for a movie, that she suddenly realized where that strange feeling came from.

It seemed that even though they hadn’t meant to hide their relationship outside, no one had actually noticed that the nature of their relationship had changed – truly no one!

Even when Shasha said, “Sister Shihao, you’ve been going to Tiancheng quite often lately,” it seemed like a casual remark. The same went for A Dong, who had said “again” countless times these past few days, but didn’t seem to think any further.

So, life was still very ordinary.

Zhu Shihao dropped the remote control and turned to look at the man beside her: “Why do I feel like our lives haven’t changed much before and after we started dating?”

Except for a certain someone’s possessiveness that had begun to manifest in words and deeds, occasionally even getting “handsy.”

Tan Zhi Xu glanced at her sideways, simply retorting: “Then tell me, what should dating be like?”

She almost answered without thinking: “Eating, chatting, playing, sticking together.”

Once the words were out, she felt a subtle sense of awkwardness.

Which was then confirmed by him.

Tan Zhi Xu nodded lightly, then threw back a question: “Right, weren’t we doing that before? What’s the problem?”

She couldn’t help but think back. Before, when Tan Zhi Xu went on business trips, he would tell her in advance. If not every day, they would eat together at least three times a week, not counting weekends. Occasionally, they would have a little drink together at her place or at Shen Yi. Tan Zhi Xu didn’t talk much, but she talked the most in front of him, telling him about any funny or upsetting things she encountered, needing him to express his opinion…

That’s right, there wasn’t really any problem. They had been eating, chatting, drinking, and playing before. There was no need to use the word “clingy,” but they did spend a lot of time together.

But Zhu Shihao wouldn’t admit it that easily. She argued: “…Then, according to you, it’s the same after marriage.”

Normal married life might not even be like this.

Tan Zhi Xu thought seriously about it and felt that she had a point. He slowly affirmed her statement and took the opportunity to express his attitude.

“There’s no problem with saying that. If that’s what you think, I wouldn’t mind getting a marriage certificate right away.”

How good you are at thinking!

Zhu Shihao choked, then pinched him: “Dream on.”

“I haven’t bossed you around enough, I haven’t had enough fun showing off my power, so there’s no way I’m letting you off so easily. Just you wait!”

He “hmm”ed, pulling her closer into his arms, adjusting his posture, and resting his chin lightly on her head. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his whole being filled with a deep sense of weariness and contentment.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you on this matter. My Little Miss has all the power, order me around as much as you like.”

He didn’t say that even if they got married, she would still be his supreme Little Miss, and that Zhu Shihao could always be reckless and do whatever she wanted in his life.

“When or whether we get married is up to you, but remember, there’s no one else but me.”

Tan Zhi Xu tapped his chin against the side of her head, lifted his eyelids, and said with a light but heavy warning: “Boyfriend or husband, it can only be me.”

Zhu Shihao pretended to sigh: “Oh dear, how domineering.”

Receiving this comment, Tan Zhi Xu’s breathing paused for a second, and he pinched her face.

“What did you expect? Little Miss, the state doesn’t allow you to find me a half-brother from another mother. I’m enough for the harem.”

The way he said it made it sound like she was the one who had taken him into her chambers.

Thinking that, she voiced it out.

This tall and mighty man didn’t feel ashamed but instead took it for granted, his slow and deliberate tone very casual.

“That’s fine, too. Either way, I’m serving you, and that’s what I’m good at.”

Zhu Shihao’s eyes widened.

“From childhood until now, when you’re cold, hot, thirsty, or hungry, you look for me more than you look for your parents.”

So, was that what he meant? She took a deep breath.

Tan Zhi Xu heard her and paused, looking down at her with a knowing smile: “Where did your mind wander off to?”

Zhu Shihao didn’t answer, picking up the remote control she had just tossed onto her lap and facing forward with an upright expression.

“Oh.” He drawled out the sound, making eight hundred turns, bowing slightly and getting close to her ear, “Did you think it went to the bed? No, it’s not just the bed.”

He deliberately got extremely close, his lips brushing against her earlobe with each word, the soft, warm touch and the slightly damp breath tickling her.

Her ear was itchy, and she tried to resist but couldn’t help turning her head, raising her hand to rub her ear, the remote control falling again, her hand pressing against his face and pushing him away.

“You’re so annoying, Zhi Xu.”

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the schools let out at noon. Liu Ruoyin and Zhu Yingqing said they were going out to soak up the sun. Jia Jia was the most enthusiastic respondent in the group chat.

The three generations happily settled on a location and then notified the remaining three in the middle.

When Zhu Shihao saw the message, she was at Huating. After thinking about it, she decided to participate in the family activity, tidied up, and was about to say goodbye.

Tan Zhi Xu leaned against the wall, watching her change her shoes, his indifferent expression revealing a hint of displeasure: “What about me?”

Taking down her coat, she put it on in front of the mirror, smoothed her hair, and without even turning her head, said: “You can go find your mom.”

Tan Zhi Xu: “…”

He was speechless for a few seconds but then got an idea.

He nodded calmly: “Okay, should I take you?”

It was a bit far to get there, and Zhu Shihao was in a hurry to leave, so she didn’t pay him much attention and replied thoughtlessly: “Okay, I’ll text you when I get there.”

With that, she turned and stood on her tiptoes in front of him, cupped his face with both hands, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before lifting her feet and leaving without looking back: “Bye-bye.”

The door closed quickly.

Tan Zhi Xu bit his teeth, almost laughing at her perfunctory behavior.

He stared at the door for two seconds, then took out his phone and dialed: “Mom, are you home?”

Xu Ting was indeed at home, but she was getting ready to go out for a beauty appointment.

Seeing the call, she frowned, her good mood slightly dampened. Knowing Tan Zhi Xu’s temper, his sudden, proactive call couldn’t be anything good.

Adopting a serious expression, she said solemnly: “What is it? You’re such a big boy now, don’t just call Mom for no reason. If you need something, you can ask your dad. Mom doesn’t have…”

Tan Zhi Xu coldly interrupted her: “…I’m not in trouble.”

Xu Ting instantly smiled: “Son, what do you want from Mom? Didn’t you make plans with friends for the weekend?”

As expected of Madam Xu, she got right to the point.

Tan Zhi Xu curled his lips: “Well, Shihao was invited by Auntie Yin and the others to soak up the sun. Also Sister Yi and them. I’m alone and was wondering what you’re doing this afternoon.”

Xu Ting paused: “You’re Auntie Yin, Uncle Zhu, Shihao, and Suiyi?”

“Yeah, the whole family all together,” Tan Zhi Xu said as he went to the bedroom, preparing to change.

Xu Ting slapped the vanity table, righteously indignant: “Hey, what’s wrong with Liu Ruoyin? Having an event and not telling me? Is she being distant?”

Tan Zhi Xu didn’t answer.

Sure enough, Xu Ting didn’t need a response, as she continued to ask, “Where are they?”

Tan Zhi Xu deliberately waited a few seconds before replying: “Shihao said it’s at the Jiangtan Wetland Park or something.”

“Okay, you come pick me up. I’ll give Auntie Yin a call and give her a piece of my mind. How could she be so unreasonable!” Before hanging up, Xu Ting didn’t forget to add, “Hurry up!”

After saying that, as if afraid of being rejected, she hung up the phone as soon as she finished speaking.

Looking at the phone screen, Tan Zhi Xu chuckled softly, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. He tidied himself up, changed his shoes, grabbed the car keys hanging up, and left the house. From the end of the call to getting into the car, it took no more than five minutes.

The two groups met at the wetland park. Xu Ting raised her chin high, pretending to be displeased as she looked at Liu Ruoyin, her eyes slightly raised in disdain.

This made Liu Ruoyin want to laugh. She patted Jia Jia’s head: “Go, make your Great-Grandmother Xu smile.”

Once Jia Jia came over, how could Xu Ting hold it in? After all, she had been susceptible to this tactic for twenty-seven years.

After greeting everyone, Tan Zhi Xu walked towards Zhu Shihao and sat down on the picnic blanket, completely unconcerned about his image.

Zhu Shihao surreptitiously glanced at everyone else, noticing that no one was paying attention.

Once he sat down next to her, Zhu Shihao leaned in slightly and whispered: “You’re so shameless.”

He was obviously scheming to follow them on purpose, using Auntie Ting to his advantage!