Jingxia Rose

Chapter 223 [Irresistible Sweetness 022]

Watching Shu Tang walk away, Xiao Guxing felt a strange sense of melancholy and bewilderment.

There was even something indescribable lingering in my heart.

Only after Shu Tang was out of sight did he silently withdraw his gaze, turn around, and leave the airport.

On his way to the company, he handled business, ate, socialized, and went home as usual.

Shu Tang's departure left the villa, which had gradually gained color and warmth, cold and deserted once again.

As May approached, Moscow had long since stopped providing heating. Xiao Guxing hadn't thought the villa would be cold at night before, but today, when he came back, he felt a chill in the air.

The lights in the room came on, and the most eye-catching thing was undoubtedly the landscape relief painting in the living room.

He stopped, tilted his head slightly, and gazed at the painting. Images of Shu Tang standing on the easel painting this picture flashed through his mind, including the scene of her falling down when she lost her footing.

Turning back, his gaze fell on the kitchen, where he saw her cooking with him and making desserts by herself.

Even though we've only known each other for a little over a month, her presence is everywhere in the house.

Xiao Guxing shook his head helplessly and went upstairs.

Around 10:30, he received a WeChat message from Shu Tang: I'm home.

Xiao Guxing replied: Okay.

A few minutes later, Shu Tang's message flashed again: How should I return your phone? Should I mail it?
Xiao Guxing: It's alright, you can keep it.

A few minutes later, Shu Tang transferred some money to him via Alipay, with the note: "I calculated this myself, I don't know if it's a small amount."

Xiao Guxing glanced at the six-digit number and frowned: Too much.

Shu Tang: Consider this my treat, you're not allowed to return it!

It was followed by a cute emoji of someone standing with their hands on their hips as a warning.

Xiao Guxing: What did you ask me to do?
Shu Tang: Let's eat.

Xiao Guxing: How many meals do I have to eat?
Shu Tang: Eat well, it'll be finished in five or six meals. Or you can treat your friends to a meal.

Xiao Guxing laughed: So generous?
Shu Tang retorted: "Have I ever been stingy?"

Xiao Guxing: No, no, you've always been very generous.

Shu Tang: Exactly! It must be getting late there, you should get some rest. Goodnight.

Xiao Guxing: Okay.

On the third night after Shu Tang returned, she asked Li Shu out to a bar. Li Shu couldn't detect anything unusual on her face and didn't ask about Xiao Guxing.

She mentioned this in the group chat the night after Shu Tang confessed her feelings to Xiao Guxing.

The three of them chatted enthusiastically in the group for two or three hours, despite the time difference.

The night before she returned to China, the three of them chatted for more than half an hour.

Shu Tang said that forced love is never sweet. He has someone else in his heart now, so it's understandable that he doesn't accept her. She should feel lucky that at least he was honest with her and rejected her. If he clearly had someone else in his heart but was still with her, it would be a great hurt to her.

Did Song Ting ask her if she would wait for Xiao Guxing?
Shu Tang remained silent for about ten minutes, thinking about this question, before finally saying: I don't know.

Li Shu said that she had thought about it for so long for nothing, and all she came up with was a pointless statement.

Shu Tang: Who can predict the future? If he's moved on from his unrequited love, and I still like him, and he reciprocates my feelings, maybe we'll try to be together. But what if he's moved on, and I've found someone new? It's hard to say. There's no such thing as waiting; we can only let things take their course.

Her words were so clear-headed and rational that neither Li Shu nor Song Ting could offer any further advice; they could only support her decision.

Fate is something that can't be explained or described. Shu Tang's personality has always been somewhat Buddhist.

She never forces things; if she's tried her best but it doesn't work, she's done it.

I called her out today, mainly to talk about the art studio.

She had been thinking about opening a mural studio before the Lunar New Year, and coincidentally, Li Shu also wanted to open a painting studio, so the two of them had been discussing it.

However, both of them had things to do before the Lunar New Year, and she went to Moscow after the holiday. They had been discussing this matter on WeChat, so naturally they needed to talk about it face-to-face.

When partners go into business, the involvement of interests makes it easy for relationships to break down.

They've known each other since high school and went to study in Paris together. They've maintained a very good relationship for so many years.

But precisely because of the good relationship, we should be even more clear about business matters, in order to avoid any embarrassing situations that might arise in the future.

This is definitely not what either of them wanted to see.

"You said yesterday that the address of that store has been finalized?" Li Shu has a cool and stylish short haircut and a rather androgynous style of dress, which is completely the opposite of Shu Tang's style.

“My second brother owns two shops in good locations, and my sister-in-law also owns one. She said they used to run a beauty salon, but it wasn't very profitable, so they closed it down. They told us to go and take a look together tomorrow when we have time, and they'll give me whichever shop we like.”

Her whole family is very supportive of her starting her own studio.

Her sister-in-law transferred two million to her yesterday afternoon, and her second brother and sister-in-law gave her shops and such.

Li Shu nodded in agreement, "Okay, I'll go take a look tomorrow."

The next morning, Shu Tang and Li Shu drove to several shops owned by her second brother and sister-in-law and finally chose the beauty salon where her sister-in-law used to work.

Because of its large area, three-story layout, and favorable location, the interior space is easy to design.

The renovation is estimated to take two to three months.

Since the shop was provided by Shu Tang, Li Shu suggested that it be considered rented to her, and that they could split the rent 50/50 each year during their partnership. Shu Tang had no objection to this.

They also lowered the rent by about 30%.

A week later, the shop began renovations. The interior design was done by the two of them and an interior designer, and several walls needed murals.

The studio was not fully completed until the end of October in the fall.

When choosing a date for the opening, Shu Tang, unusually superstitious, consulted a feng shui master for a consultation.

The opening date was set for November 26th.

These twenty days or so also provided an opportunity for Shu Tang and Li Shu to prepare for the upcoming publicity.

That evening, she dragged her tired body back from the studio.

Shu's mother was painting her nails in the living room when she saw her daughter and called out, "Sister Yun, bring out the bird's nest for the Third Miss."

The nanny responded and quickly brought out the bird's nest soup. Shu Tang took it, thanked her, and started drinking it.

Shu's mother asked, "How is it going? The studio should be almost ready, right?"

"Okay, that's about it. I can sleep in tomorrow and wait for the 26th." She took a sip of bird's nest soup and turned to ask, "Mom, I'm a little anxious right now. I'm actually worried about what will happen if my studio loses money?"

Shu's mother smiled and said, "What are you afraid of? The one who should be afraid is Shu Shu. Her parents only supported 50%, and the rest is all hers. Yours is all your older brothers' money."

Upon hearing this, Shu Tang immediately became displeased. "Mom, how can you say that? Am I no longer your most beloved princess?"

Shu's mother looked up at her and said, "My dear little princess, I have something to tell you now. Next Tuesday is Grandma Xiao's 80th birthday. You will be coming with us to attend."