SM Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Moon Book, Red Cord “Then say you love me a few more times.”…

Chapter 78: Moon Book, Red Cord “Then say you love me a few more times.”…

Sitting in the car, Tan Zhi Xu drove with the same steadiness as his current state of mind. The person next to him was openly scrutinizing him as he sank into contemplation, still pondering the issue of “old debts.”

But clearly, judging from her furrowed brows, she hadn’t figured it out yet.

Tan Zhi Xu glanced at her: “Looks like you really can’t remember.”

Zhu Shihao pursed her lips, staring intently at him, not letting go of the slightest change in his expression.

“Young Master, are you sure you’re not teasing me?”

He snorted: “Don’t worry, Little Miss, I’m not playing with you.”

And so, Zhu Shihao fell into deep thought again.

The whole way was quiet. After a long while, taking advantage of a red light, the car slowly came to a stop. Tan Zhi Xu turned his head to look at her, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

“Looks like you really have a clear conscience.”

Zhu Shihao thought for a moment, then nodded reservedly: “I’ve always avoided doing things against my conscience.”

Which, to be fair, didn’t really qualify as something against her conscience.

Tan Zhi Xu nodded slightly: “Yeah, that’s right.”

Regarding the love letter, to be honest, he wasn’t angry, just mostly annoyed and frustrated.

He didn’t blame Zhu Shihao for writing the letter, nor did he blame her for keeping it to this day. He was just annoyed that this person had left a deeper mark on her heart than he had thought.

Even though he knew that no one could surpass his position in her heart, he still had some unknown anxieties.

The sound of a horn honking urged them on. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, faced forward, and stepped on the gas. Only the slight tension in his lips betrayed his otherwise calm face.

Admit it, Tan Zhi Xu, you’re just jealous and afraid.

Afraid that there was someone like that in Zhu Shihao’s world.

“Zhi Xu, Zhi Xu?”

“Hmm?” He responded faintly.

Zhu Shihao was still trying hard to recall, asking him for a hint: “Did I make you angry?”

Tan Zhi Xu drove on, not even glancing at her, and countered: “How many times have you seen me get angry with you?”

That was a denial of that direction.

“If we’re talking about genuine anger, the high school love letter incident counts as one, last year’s blind date incident counts as one, and the others…”

She answered without even thinking, then, after a moment’s recollection, said: “Seems like there aren’t any others?”

Her attention was focused on the question, and she didn’t notice Tan Zhi Xu’s hand tightening unconsciously on the steering wheel.

“There’s still a question about that? Zhu Shihao, you have no conscience.”

Being accused, Zhu Shihao gave two dry laughs, her eyes clear and innocent.

Most of the time, Tan Zhi Xu’s words were sharp and unforgiving, whether in his clear youthful voice from the past or his deep, magnetic voice now. Paired with his tricky wording and light tone, it often sounded like sarcasm and ridicule.

However, he had never truly hurt her with harsh words, and he had never harbored malice.

Thinking of this, Zhu Shihao’s eyes curved into a smile, and she felt extremely happy: “Yeah, yeah, Zhi Xu is the kind of person who will give me a tissue for my runny nose, pinch my cheeks, and hug me even with a cold face.”

At least 90 percent of those faults that were picked out of her were thanks to him.

Tan Zhi Xu nodded in appraisal: “Not bad, you can always reflect on something with a conscience after I accuse you.”

“I’ve always known that, Zhi Xu, I love you so much.”

Hearing that, no matter how many times, always made him feel good.

However.

“Don’t think that just because you’re being cute and trying to please me, I’ll let this matter go. Shihao, instead of trying to be good and hoping I won’t bring up old debts, you should think about how to coax me to make me feel better.”

The arc of Zhu Shihao’s lips disappeared, and she opened her mouth slightly in astonishment, not speaking for a full half minute before finally uttering a sound.

“Is it that serious? I have to coax you?”

She really hadn’t expected that.

Although she had been thinking about it the whole way, she hadn’t actually taken it to heart. Most of it was just for fun and to cooperate with him, because she really didn’t think there could be any old debts to settle.

Tan Zhi Xu didn’t look at her, his tone light, but his voice was somewhat soft.

“Shihao, I get sad too.”

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Shihao’s expression changed. The curiosity and surprise on her face completely disappeared, and her lip line straightened. Her expression became slightly serious as she focused her earnest gaze on his face, and memories churned in her heart once more.

What was it? What could have really made her Zhi Xu sad?

After that, the whole way was silent.

Tan Zhi Xu knew what she was thinking, but he didn’t say anything, nor did he stop her.

They returned to Shen Yi, and it was almost three thirty when they got home. Tan Zhi Xu had no intention of ignoring her. After getting out of the car, he took her hand and they rode the elevator.

Over the past year, the house had acquired many more knick-knacks. He casually hung the car keys on the rack on the entrance cabinet, where seven or eight keys dangled, making the cactus look like a lush little tree.

“What do you want for dinner tonight? Should we eat out, have it delivered, or should I cook?”

Facts proved that cooking skills could be learned. At least, at this point, Tan Zhi Xu’s cooking skills weren’t much worse than Zhu Shihao’s.

Zhu Shihao was still a little distracted, and before she could react, she opened her mouth and said: “You cook, I want to eat small ribs.”

After she said that, she came back to her senses, changed into slippers, and slowly looked up at the man holding her hand.

“Okay, I’ll have someone deliver the ingredients.”

They walked together to wash their hands and change into their house clothes, never letting go of each other’s hand.

Because of this, Zhu Shihao felt more grounded. It wasn’t until she was lying in the rocking chair in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, in his arms, that she belatedly realized that he was probably afraid of scaring her.

Zhu Shihao rubbed against the hollow of his neck: “Zhi Xu, are you sad?”

Tan Zhi Xu stroked her head, looking down at her: “Sorry, I should apologize for looking at your things without your permission, but if it happened again, I think I would still look.”

He had remembered this love letter for so many years; it was difficult not to care.

Zhu Shihao half-leaned on him, and upon hearing that, looked up. Something flashed through her mind.

Just as she was about to grasp it, his deep, magnetic voice came from in front of her.

“Shihao, do you remember that set of comic books?”

That’s right, she remembered now too.

Being so close allowed him to see the tremor in her pupils. Her clear eyes held a pool of captivating water, vividly reflecting his face.

Perhaps it was too sudden, and Zhu Shihao’s mind was blank for a moment. She couldn’t hide the hint of panic on her face.

Silently watching her, seeing her open her lips several times but hesitate and not say anything, Tan Zhi Xu could no longer voice his frustration.

He sighed and set her aside.

He had just gotten up when she grabbed him, and when he turned around, he saw an expression on her face that was hard to hide her unease.

“Zhi Xu.”

“I’m going to get something, not leave you behind.”

He was helpless, but her expression made his heart ache. He simply leaned over and picked her up, one hand around her waist and the other supporting her bottom, bringing her along.

“Shihao, I told you, I will never leave you alone again, no matter what the situation.”

That incident in their third year of university had been enough.

Back in the room, he put her down on the sofa and pressed her shoulders: “Sit down, I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll go with you,” she said.

“You’re not wearing shoes.” He glanced at her feet, and his wife pouted.

Okay, Zhu Shihao pouted and didn’t say anything more.

Actually, it was only a moment before he appeared in her sight again. Zhu Shihao’s gaze completely landed on the light pink envelope in his hand.

Tan Zhi Xu sat down next to her and handed her the envelope: “I’ve already read it. I can tell you put a lot of heart into it back then. I’m giving it back to you now.”

“Shihao, I’m not going to press you about who it is. I’m not asking you to tell me. If you’re willing someday, then tell me.”

She was stunned for a moment before reaching out to take it. Lowering her eyes, she looked at the envelope in her hand, and after a long while, she said: “What if…what if I never want to?”

What if she never wanted to…

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Tan Zhi Xu’s mouth. He stroked her head and said in an incredibly calm tone:

“Then say you love me a few more times.”

Suddenly, there was a dull ache in her heart, and the hand holding the envelope clenched tightly.

Zhu Shihao raised her eyes to look at him, her voice so soft it was almost a murmur, a slight breeze could have blown it away.

“Is that all it takes?”

“It’s not a low requirement. It’s enough.”

She looked silly, and somewhat sad.

Tan Zhi Xu smiled faintly: “It shouldn’t be wrong for you to like anyone.”

He just regretted and was annoyed that he had come too late.

“So, my Shihao once liked that person so much.”

It sounded like a lament, and a hint of melancholy.

For a moment, she almost didn’t care and told him, “That person is you.” But reason returned, telling her, then what? Would she watch him blame himself, watch him feel guilty?

Not telling him was frustrating and depressing, telling him would cause self-blame and guilt. It was up to her to choose.

Zhu Shihao was speechless, silent for a long time.

“Shihao, you don’t need to…”

“Zhi Xu, give me some time.”

She interrupted him, stopping him from saying the indulgence and concession that were about to come out of his mouth.

Zhu Shihao didn’t want to be coddled in his heart forever, at the expense of his own emotions.

Making a decision was a momentary thing, but once she made it, she would never regret it. That was just how she was.

Seeing the seriousness in her expression, and the firmness in her tone, Tan Zhi Xu focused his gaze on her face, confirming something.

The two looked at each other for a long time. Tan Zhi Xu gently pulled her into his arms, stroking her thin back, his soft voice right next to her ear.

“Okay.”

The warmth of his breath was not as intense as the sunlight outside the window, but it was warmer.

This embrace could always soothe her the moment she sank into it, no matter when.

Before the love letter incident that had occurred ten years ago was completely resolved, they first received a summons from both sets of parents.

The reason was simple: they could start writing the invitations, which naturally meant the wedding.

It hadn’t actually been long since they had decided to have a wedding. In theory, it would be difficult to book popular hotels, but the problem was that the Tan family didn’t care about how popular the hotels were. The only thing they needed was for the young couple to pick the one they liked best.

Of course, it was mainly for Zhu Shihao to choose. Liu Ruoyin felt that the wedding was a matter for both of them, so she let Tan Zhi Xu pick as well.

Xu Ting, on the other hand, was very generous, waving her hand: “What are you asking him for? Shihao can just decide.”

It wasn’t that she was ignoring her own son, but that she deeply understood his behavior patterns and psychological state.

Sure enough, Tan Zhi Xu was twirling Zhu Shihao’s hair around his fingers: “Let Shihao choose.”

Xu Ting shrugged, putting on a “See, see, that’s how it is” expression.

Without Zhu Shihao, Tan Zhi Xu might choose A, or B, or maybe neither, but with Zhu Shihao, he would definitely choose the one Zhu Shihao picked without hesitation.

“Zhi Xu, you don’t always have to consider Shihao’s thoughts. You should choose what you like.”

The young Tan Zhi Xu, who was still short, glanced at her, then looked back at “One Hundred Thousand Whys,” turning a page.

“I like Shihao.”

Xu Ting choked, unable to speak.