Although Qiao Hailou had plopped down right next to Shen Yuan, he didn’t make any move to touch him, nor did he speak directly to him. Instead, he naturally started chatting with Li Chen.
Qiao Hailou explained casually, “The old man at my family chased me out. He doesn’t exactly welcome me, so I had to find a place to hide. Sorry for making you all witness that.”
Li Chen nodded. “It’s fine. You’ve taken good care of our boy.”
Qiao Hailou glanced at Shen Yuan with a small smile, as if noticing him for the first time. “And you, Shen Yuan? Not troublesome at all. He’s well-behaved.”
Shen Yuan couldn’t figure out whether Qiao Hailou was praising him or mocking him.
Earlier, when Shen Yuan had met Li Chen with Qiao Hailou, he felt a certain embarrassment. But this time, the feeling was different—not shame about himself, but a nervous self-consciousness about Qiao Hailou’s every move.
Qiao Hailou casually talked with Li Chen about recent business trends and market shifts, while Shen Yuan sneaked glances at him. Qiao Hailou seemed to treat him as invisible—Shen Yuan’s initial wariness faded, but he also felt uncomfortable, thinking stubbornly: “If you’re going to pretend not to know me in public, could you at least not act completely unfamiliar?”
Qiao Hailou likely hadn’t noticed Shen Yuan’s scrutiny, but then he suddenly shifted the conversation back to him. “Speaking of which, our Director Lan really likes Shen Yuan. He told me Shen Yuan is his little apprentice.”
Li Chen smiled. “Is that so?”
Qiao Hailou sighed slightly. “It’s a pity the summer break is almost over. Shen Yuan will have to return to school. If his schedule allows, I’d welcome him to come by anytime.”
Li Chen found himself wondering: Does Qiao Hailou really value their boy so much? Is Shen Yuan that talented? Trying to mentor him personally? Though Li Chen thought highly of his son, could it be enough for Qiao Hailou to insist on this? Or is he discussing business in a roundabout way? Something didn’t feel quite right, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Li Chen asked Shen Yuan, “Can you manage your junior year schedule?”
Shen Yuan hesitated, then answered honestly. “I’m not sure yet. Next semester will be busy with certificates, exams, student council duties, and a few big competitions. Auntie also introduced me to some work, so I want to give it a try. I may not have time for Uncle Qiao’s place.”
“I see. Then focus on school first,” Qiao Hailou said.
Shen Yuan felt Qiao Hailou’s tone was somehow off today. Concerned, he wanted to ask, but with family around, he didn’t dare speak openly.
So he thought for a moment, then quietly reached under the tablecloth to take Qiao Hailou’s hand.
Just as he did, his younger brother tugged at his sleeve. Startled, Shen Yuan almost pulled back, but Qiao Hailou grasped his hand firmly, not letting go. Shen Yuan turned to speak to his brother, cheeks heating: “What’s up, Xiao Lin?”
Xiao Lin showed him a funny post on his phone, giggling. Shen Yuan glanced briefly but barely registered it, stiffly laughing a couple of times, his heart racing—Qiao Hailou was holding his hand and lightly tickling his palm.
Meanwhile, the engagement party’s host began speaking, and the guests quieted down. The Qiao family, wealthy and influential, had even hired a well-known TV host for the event.
Xiao Lin whispered excitedly, “Wow, that’s a celebrity!”
Shen Yuan, however, had no interest in chatting with his brother. He kept holding Qiao Hailou’s hand under the table, trying to write a message in his palm. Qiao Hailou didn’t catch on and continued to play with Shen Yuan’s hand, fingers intertwined, refusing to let go.
Shen Yuan adjusted their hands, flattening one on his thigh, and used the other to write: “You… okay…?”
From the host’s direction, no one could see. Qiao Hailou chuckled softly, making Shen Yuan’s face flush.
Qiao Hailou took his left hand and wrote: “Worried about me?”
Shen Yuan wrote back: “I’m not.”
Qiao Hailou: “Little liar.”
Though Qiao Hailou’s grip wasn’t strong, it felt incredibly warm and gentle. Shen Yuan’s hand seemed to burn with heat. He tried to hide his flustered reaction but felt both angry and embarrassed.
Thinking, Forget it. This old fox is untouchable anyway. Shen Yuan yanked his hand away, making his shoulder twitch slightly.
Qiao Hailou, watching his back in the dim light, recalled the sensation of Shen Yuan’s fingers sliding through his palm, and his earlier irritation vanished. This little one has grown increasingly delicate… gets annoyed so easily, dares to give me attitude… but he’s still so cute.
He leaned close, whispering softly, “Still mad?”
Shen Yuan’s neck and spine were extremely sensitive. The breath so near made him shiver, especially with family nearby. He ignored Qiao Hailou, subtly scooting away and dragging his chair forward to put distance between them.
Qiao Hailou didn’t care if anyone noticed—they were only fleeting seconds, the lights dim, almost no one would see.
Perhaps due to intuition, Lin Zhiwei noticed something off between Shen Yuan and Qiao Hailou when he first sat. Shen Yuan, usually composed around elders, became stiff and withdrawn at Qiao Hailou’s presence, unable to lift his head.
Given how attentive Qiao Hailou had been toward Shen Yuan, his coldness was suspicious. Lin Zhiwei quietly kept an eye on him. Shen Yuan’s stiff posture, then withdrawing his hand as Qiao Hailou leaned in, confirmed her worst suspicions: he was avoiding Qiao Hailou’s attention. First confusion, then blushing, then irritation, yet too polite to retaliate.
She had spent years in the entertainment industry, seeing people put on virtuous faces while hiding all kinds of vices. Qiao Hailou’s reputation was notorious—scandals and affairs were nothing new. She had sensed from the start that Shen Yuan, attractive and clever, could easily be a target.
She was irritated that someone like Qiao Hailou, with decades of friendship with Li Chen, could be so shameless as to pursue a friend’s child.
Yet Shen Yuan seemed cautious, clever, and unwilling to cause trouble, trapped between fear and politeness. It made her heart ache.
Lin Zhiwei calmed herself—these were only her conjectures, not yet proof. It was too early to act rashly, and Shen Yuan’s reputation mattered. Even if Qiao Hailou were harassing him, she didn’t know how far it had gone. Shen Yuan had been at Qiao Hailou’s company all summer. She couldn’t interfere recklessly.
The host’s speech ended. Guests applauded, and the table reluctantly joined in. Lights brightened, and a string orchestra began playing.
Qiao Jun and his fiancée went first to the dance floor, followed by other young and old couples.
Li Chen teased Shen Yuan, “Everyone’s dancing. Want to join? Plenty of girls would love to dance with you… Eh? Not feeling well?”
Shen Yuan thought: It’s that shameless uncle again… and lied, “I had a bit of wine. Feeling dizzy, I’ll sit this one out.”
Li Chen glanced at his cup—only half a drink. Strange, Shen Yuan drinks well…
After a while, Shen Yuan stood. “I need some air. I’ll walk in the garden to clear my head.”
Xiao Lin quickly followed. “I’ll come too, bro.”
Shen Yuan gently rebuked him, “No, I want to be alone.”
Xiao Lin nodded silently.
Li Chen added, “If you feel unwell, we can head home. It’s fine.”
Shen Yuan shook his head. “Just a walk should help.”
The Qiao estate, a sprawling private villa, offered a perfect garden retreat. Shen Yuan needed space, away from the awkwardness at the table.
Feeling somewhat relieved, he pulled out a cigarette, but heard approaching footsteps—familiar, unmistakably Qiao Hailou.
Shen Yuan frowned. “Why are you following me?”
Seeing no one around, Qiao Hailou reached for his hand. “Still mad at me?”
Shen Yuan ignored him, speaking in a low voice, half-annoyed. “Don’t touch me. You’re getting out of line, even with my family around. Are you trying to make sure they notice?”
Qiao Hailou, unusually silent, looked melancholy in the soft light. “I just wanted to talk…”
Both had slipped away, bound by shared quiet sympathy.
Shen Yuan felt a pang of pity, sensing some of Qiao Hailou’s struggles were beyond his control. He hesitated, wanting to offer comfort.
Just then, the sharp click of heels echoed across the marble floor.
“Shen Yuan, so this is where you are?” Lin Zhiwei’s voice came with a smile. She stepped forward, subtly separating them, and said, “I need to talk to you. Come with me.”
Before Shen Yuan could respond, she had whisked him away from Qiao Hailou.