Chapter 35
After they each finished showering, Jiang Shangwan held Shi Yu’s wrist: “Stay. Sleep with me.”
Before, many times when she stayed over, he would sleep in the side room. This was the first time he was invited to share the same bed with Jiang Shangwan.
They leaned on each other, feeling the warmth after intimacy, their chests full of happiness and contentment. Shi Yu picked up the washed grapes and fed Jiang Shangwan, then opened his palm to catch the seeds and skins she spat out.
On the TV screen was a variety show where participants were doing tasks. They seemed used to playing light and relaxed shows when cuddling. Jiang Shangwan leaned on his shoulder and suddenly said, “Let’s live together.”
Shi Yu was a little surprised.
“Move in and live with me, okay?” In her senior year, there wasn’t much left to study—just writing the graduation thesis. Undergraduate academic demands weren’t too high, most people were busy preparing for their future paths after graduation.
“Okay.” Shi Yu kissed her on the forehead. “Tomorrow I’ll go home to pack and move in.”
“I always felt lonely living alone before.” Jiang Shangwan chewed the sweet grape flesh, juice bursting in her mouth. “But after meeting you, I always feel very at ease.”
Jiang Shangwan used to occasionally feel lonely and crave companionship. But when she actually tried to fill that desire, her nausea and resistance made her realize that what she truly longed for was not desire itself, but a sense of belonging and security.
And Shi Yu magically had the ability to soothe her and help her relax.
“I will always be here.” Shi Yu said.
“No matter past, present, or future, I won’t leave you—even if you want to push me away, I won’t go.”
His gaze darkened as he said softly, “You can’t get rid of me anymore.”
Jiang Shangwan laughed at his teasing, eyes and brows smiling. “But I will be traveling for work a lot. After you move in, you might often be left alone at home.”
“It’s okay.” Shi Yu was still happy.
He knew this meant she had truly accepted him.
Jiang Shangwan got up and took out a set of brand-new ceramic tableware from the cabinet. The bottoms of the plates were inlaid with very intricate patterns.
She carefully laid them out one by one on the dining table, along with spoons and bowls.
“I suddenly feel a bit hungry, I want to eat hot pot,” Jiang Shangwan asked him, “What ingredients do you want? I’ll order some delivery.”
Shi Yu picked up a celadon-colored bowl and toyed with it in his palm. Blossoms bloomed on the surface of the bowl like a work of art. This bowl was going to be used for the hot pot later, and thinking of this, he found Jiang Shangwan incredibly adorable.
“What kind of ceramic is this? It looks very different from regular tableware.”
“(Notes: Yongfengyuan is a prestigious Chinese porcelain brand known for producing high-quality ceramic tableware, often used at state banquets and given as national gifts. It’s considered one of China’s “national porcelain” brands, famous for its elegant craftsmanship, intricate overglaze patterns, and oil-resistant, easy-to-clean surfaces.)Yongfengyuan. It’s national porcelain, made with overglaze enamel, so it comes out very beautiful when fired.” She held a bowl thoughtfully and said, “Do you know what’s special about this ceramic? It doesn’t absorb oil, so you don’t need to use detergent or other cleaners—just rinsing with water is enough to clean it.”
“Oh, it works like that too.” Shi Yu thought for a moment, “After we eat the spicy hot pot, we can quickly test that. I want duck blood, wide noodles, frozen tofu, and cilantro.”
“Alright.” Jiang Shangwan ordered some more meat and vegetables, then took out the beef tallow hot pot base from the fridge. She liked strong and spicy flavors, which was different from the usual tastes in Jiangcheng. Shi Yu’s tastes were more versatile and open, so whatever Jiang Shangwan ate, he ate along with her.
Shi Yu brewed a pot of Jin Jun Mei black tea to replace drinks for her, to relieve any stomach bloating or discomfort, worried she might feel unwell after eating spicy food.
The broth with chili oil was boiling in the pot. Jiang Shangwan carefully picked up a slice of lamb roll with chopsticks and dropped it in. After a while, she took it out and dipped it in sauce coated with sesame paste and vinegar, sighing happily.
“I never thought eating a meal could feel so happy.” After being intimate, casually eating with someone close felt so simple, yet so joyful.
The chili stained Jiang Shangwan’s lips bright red. Shi Yu used a wet wipe to clean the chili oil from the corners of her mouth. “What do you mean?”
She sighed, “Eating alone and eating with someone else really feel so different.”
Shi Yu lowered his eyes, remembering how he often ate alone before. Now, being together with someone he loved felt like a luxurious dream.
“Yes.” He picked up a piece of meat and put it into her bowl. “Food tastes better when eaten by two.”
In front of Shi Yu was a dipping sauce made with sesame oil soaked with rich minced garlic and sprinkled with cilantro. Jiang Shangwan glanced at the thick sesame paste in her hand and then at him. For the first time, she noticed this little detail: “We seem to be the opposite.”
In the north, people usually use more sesame paste, while in the south, oil-based dipping sauces are preferred. But pure southerner Jiang Shangwan and northerner Shi Yu actually had opposite preferences.
Jiang Shangwan barely ate any hot pot during the meal. Although she had a good appetite, her actual food intake was very small, and most of it was eaten by Shi Yu.
After washing up and getting into bed, it was already 10 o’clock in the evening. Jiang Shangwan received an unexpected phone call. On the other end, Shen Luo’s voice sounded eager, “Wanna go out for a drink? Same old place.”
“No,” Jiang Shangwan lazily snuggled closer into Shi Yu’s arms and passed the phone to his mouth. With a calm expression, he said, “Wanwan is spending her birthday with me.”
“Whoa,” Shen Luo raised his voice, as if suddenly startled by the man’s voice, “Who’s that with you? The student you brought along last time?”
News about Jiang Shangwan’s relationship hadn’t been spread around, nor posted on social media. She was simply enjoying a stable, peaceful romance every day. Ever since she took Shi Yu out once, her interest in drinking had greatly declined. After confirming their relationship, she hadn’t gone to any private social gatherings.
Turns out being in a steady relationship brought such comfort that even the desire for partying faded away.
Jiang Shangwan hung up the phone directly.
Shi Yu, holding his laptop, was replying to work emails. His fingers danced swiftly on the keyboard. When focused, his brows lowered, giving him a serious look. Even in his simple gray and white loungewear, he exuded an aura of restraint. Having just washed up, he still carried a faint scent of water vapor and toothpaste freshness.
Jiang Shangwan traced his smooth jawline, playfully curling her fingers to gently stroke his chin.
Shi Yu caught her mischievous finger and lightly kissed it by his lips, then closed his laptop and tilted his head to ask her, “Want me to keep you company?”
The background TV was still playing orderly scenes of laughter and cheerful voices. Jiang Shangwan withdrew her teasing hand and said, “Seeing you so serious, I just wanted to tease you. You focus on your work.”
“All done replying.” Shi Yu wrapped his arm around her and bent down to take a deep sniff of her, “Recharging.”
“Pfft.” Jiang Shangwan smiled with bright eyes, “Am I some kind of ultimate tonic?”
“Yes.” Shi Yu nodded, meaning exactly that.
“Suddenly remembered, I never asked before — you hardly ever go back to Haishi, right?”
“I remember you rented a place near Jiang University during holidays. I understand you want to work and earn money, but you’ve been away for so long. Don’t your parents worry?”
Shi Yu was silent for a moment before replying, “My parents passed away when I was very young. I stayed temporarily at my aunt’s house. When I was little, since we were low-income, I received government subsidies, later, I got scholarships. My aunt didn’t raise me herself, she remarried and has a new family. I’m grown now, and going back wouldn’t be appropriate, but I regularly send her money.”
Jiang Shangwan suddenly felt a sharp pang in her heart, and then thought of her own parents, causing her eyes to grow misty.
“It’s okay, it happened a long time ago,” Shi Yu noticed the change in her expression and, thinking she was sad for him, comforted her, “The past can’t be changed, but the future is something I can control myself. Besides, I’m very happy now.”
Jiang Shangwan suddenly buried her head into his waist and whispered hoarsely, “Me too.”
“Hm?”
“My parents too.” Jiang Shangwan rarely opened up about her painful past. “The year you were in your senior year of high school, my parents died in a car accident.”
Shi Yu was stunned and tightened his arms around her, “How did that happen?”
“It was sudden. At that time, I had just returned from a business trip in Paris. Not long after, I learned they were hit by a drunk driver on their way to a meeting and couldn’t be saved.”
That year, Jiang Shangwan spent a long time distancing herself from the grief. It was only after falling seriously ill that she started to recover. Now, hearing Shi Yu mention it, she sighed, feeling how fate had brought two similarly lonely people together: “Do you think we’re very fated? Even our misfortunes are shared.”
“Don’t say that.” Shi Yu gently stroked her back and spoke softly, “I’ve heard that people leave this world because their blessings in this life have been fulfilled, so they reincarnate to continue their spiritual journey. Perhaps our parents have completed their journey in this life and have started a beautiful new life in the next world.”
“The ones left behind must work hard to complete our own journey in this life, so we must live well and wait for the next reunion.”
“I’ve heard a similar idea,” Jiang Shangwan said. “Everyone is born with a mission. Some are destined to achieve great things in their careers, creating wealth and jobs, others just live a peaceful, simple life. Some dedicate themselves to teaching in their hometown, some spend their whole lives trying to extend others’ lives by even a day, a month, or a year. What do you think your mission is?”
“My mission?” Shi Yu couldn’t think of one. Maybe God’s assignment for each person is just a whim, with no real meaning. Meaning is given by each person’s life and what they write into each day.
So he thought for a moment and replied, “My mission is to meet you, to love you, and then to make love.”
Jiang Shangwan: “………”
She squinted and pinched his chin, “Why are you so naughty at such a young age?”
“I’m serious.” Shi Yu was forced to tilt his head back. His prominent Adam’s apple moved slightly under her gaze. He held her hand and said, “If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t have come to Jiangcheng. I wouldn’t have so desperately wanted to improve myself just to be worthy of you, or tried so many things. Without loving you, my world would definitely lack a lot of color.”
They held hands, hugged, and kissed, feeling each other’s hot breath and warmth. She made his life more vivid. He had once felt insecure because of her, but in her palm, he became like a kite tied to a string—pulled again and again by her, yet unexpectedly flying higher and higher.
“If it weren’t for you, there wouldn’t be Ting Wan today,” Shi Yu said earnestly.
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