Shen Su’s hand touched Feng Feng’s shoulder. Beneath it, she wore a gray, high-necked sweater, a fitted style. Aside from blouses, Shen Su’s favorite look for her was in a high-necked sweater. Despite the style being impeccably modest, she had a way of wearing it that exuded allure. The thought of her wearing this very outfit to dinner with Li Yue tonight fueled the fire in Shen Su’s eyes.
Pressed against the doorframe, Feng Feng found it uncomfortable and nudged him, “Shen Su, my back hurts. Let go of me.”
Shen Su eased his grip and stood up from her. He was never one for rough handling. He checked on Feng Feng, “Does it still hurt? Did you hit the handle?”
“No,” Feng Feng shook her head, seeing his demeanor, she knew he had pulled himself out of his emotional state. “I have an early flight tomorrow. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back. You should rest early too.”
Shen Su asked her again, “Do you remember when my birthday is?”
Feng Feng replied, “May twenty-fifth.”
Hearing her recite the date so fluently finally eased Shen Su’s mood. In his original assumption, Feng Feng wouldn’t know his birthday, as they had never celebrated it together, and he rarely brought it up in front of her.
Shen Su’s voice relaxed considerably, “When did you remember it?”
Feng Feng said, “You’re a major client at the firm, my甲方 (client).”
Shen Su raised an eyebrow, “Do you remember every client’s birthday so clearly, President Feng?”
Feng Feng replied, “Not necessarily. I definitely remember those I have business dealings with. Is that answer satisfactory?”
Shen Su detected a hint of eagerness to be dismissed in Feng Feng’s tone. He chuckled softly and opened the door for her, “Very satisfactory. See you tomorrow, President Feng.”
After seeing Feng Feng off, Shen Su opened a bottle of wine and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought. Recalling his behavior that evening, he felt a headache coming on. As Gu Song had said, perhaps Feng Feng was born to be his undoing. He could move in and out of any romantic relationship with ease, but when it came to her, he became calculating and anxious.
When he managed to detach himself from his emotions, he would regret his actions.
As he mused, Shen Su’s lips curved into a smile. It seemed he was destined not to enjoy the process of being pursued. Instead of tormenting himself and being so meticulous, he might as well be with her and have a normal relationship.
Perhaps this trip to California would be a good opportunity. They were going to Los Angeles, then driving to San Francisco for Christmas. Traveling alone together, there would be countless chances to solidify their relationship.
Shen Su tried to rehearse the scenario in his mind and, surprisingly, felt a pang of nervousness. He took a sip of champagne and suddenly remembered that he hadn’t been this nervous even when he dated his first girlfriend in middle school.
The flight to Los Angeles was at eight in the morning. Before six the next morning, Feng Feng and Shen Su were already awake, dragging their luggage to the restaurant downstairs for breakfast.
Feng Feng noticed that Shen Su was exceptionally attentive today. While he was always considerate, his current behavior was markedly different from before. He not only brought her coffee and a breakfast plate but also fetched some fruits and desserts, including her favorite egg tarts.
“Try it? They don’t make egg tarts often. They’re said to be very popular,” Shen Su introduced enthusiastically.
Feng Feng picked up an egg tart and took a bite. After she tasted it, Shen Su asked again, “How is it?”
“It’s indeed very delicious,” Feng Feng commented briefly, then glanced at him, “What’s wrong with you today?”
Shen Su: “Hmm?”
Feng Feng: “A bit overly enthusiastic.”
Shen Su raised an eyebrow, “Does President Feng mean I was very indifferent to you before?”
Feng Feng shook her head, “Not exactly.”
Shen Su’s personality made it difficult for him to be indifferent to anyone, but his attitude today was indeed strange—similar to the care and attention he had shown Ji Tong before.
However, saying this out loud would sound like bringing up old grievances, so Feng Feng decided not to.
While she was silent, Shen Su suddenly asked, “As long as President Feng is willing, I can be this enthusiastic towards you every day from now on.”
Feng Feng’s egg tart eating paused. Shen Su’s statement was practically a direct hint, and she understood its meaning.
Perhaps because she had celebrated her birthday with Li Yue yesterday, it had made him feel insecure, and he had decided to officially establish a relationship with her. If she hadn’t known about Zhang Shuang’s matter, Feng Feng would have readily agreed. She had spent months trying to win Shen Su over, all for this outcome.
But now, remembering the things Shen Su had done behind her back, Feng Feng didn’t want to let him off easily. She wouldn’t be with him until this matter was settled.
After Shen Su spoke, the dining table fell into silence, which was completely different from the scenario Shen Su had envisioned.
He had guessed that Feng Feng wouldn’t agree immediately, but she should have given some indication, perhaps saying something like “Let’s see how you perform.” That way, he could easily follow up.
Shen Su was caught off guard by Feng Feng’s silent demeanor, “President Feng, aren’t you going to give me an answer?”
Feng Feng shook her head, “Then try. I’ll be waiting.”
Hearing the answer he wanted, Shen Su finally showed a smile. However, seeing Feng Feng still expressionless, as if she wasn’t particularly invested in the matter.
Shen Su comforted himself, thinking that this was just her personality. Being with her, he had to be mentally prepared. People like her might never experience great joy or sorrow in their lives.
After breakfast, they took the hotel’s shuttle to the airport. They arrived just in time, and after completing the check-in procedures, they boarded the plane.
The flight from New York to Los Angeles was over three hours. By the time they arrived, it was already 2:30 PM local time.
Shen Su had booked the hotel, and he had also arranged for the airport pickup, so Feng Feng followed him. After exiting the airport, they quickly met the driver who was picking them up.
On the way to the hotel, Shen Su discussed the afternoon’s itinerary with Feng Feng, “After we put our luggage away, we’ll grab something to eat. There’s a decent Cantonese restaurant near the hotel.”
Feng Feng played with her phone, casually responding, “Oh, I’m fine with anything.”
Compared to Shen Su, Feng Feng’s attitude seemed a bit distant. Shen Su glanced at her, “Tired?”
Feng Feng put her phone away, “No, just replying to WeChat.”
At three o’clock, the driver dropped them off at the hotel. Shen Su took his passport to check in. Seeing a man and a woman approach, the front desk staff asked, “One room or two?”
Shen Su instinctively started to answer, “One,” but he stopped himself in time and turned to look at Feng Feng beside him.
Feng Feng stepped past Shen Su and looked at the staff, politely saying, “Two, please.”
Shen Su narrowed his eyes.
Feng Feng met his gaze, “What’s wrong?”
Shen Su shook his head, “Nothing. I’m very disappointed that I can’t share a room with President Feng.”