We agreed not to date, so why are you crying now that I've become the richest man?

In the loft café, jazz music was still playing on a slow loop.

The iced latte on the table was empty, and a fine layer of water droplets condensed on the outside of the glass.

The sky outside the window was gradually darkening.

The streetlights came on, and their glow shone through the carved wooden window, landing on the black and red bracelets on the two people's wrists.

At 5:30, the two left the coffee shop and went down the narrow wooden stairs.

Ye Chen walked ahead, occasionally stepping aside to shield Xia Shiqing from oncoming tourists.

Half an hour later, the two returned to the Sun Moon Light Center.

It was lunchtime, and long queues had formed outside all the restaurants, with electronic queue numbers beeping incessantly.

Ye Chen chose a relatively quiet local Shanghainese restaurant.

The waiter led the two into a small private room by the window.

Once the glass doors are closed, the noise inside the mall is immediately shut out.

Ye Chen took the menu and casually pushed it in front of Xia Shiqing.

"Let's see what you'd like to eat."

Xia Shiqing didn't stand on ceremony either.

She flipped through a couple of pages, ordered a steamed sea bass and blanched bok choy, and then handed the menu back.

"I've ordered, you can finish the rest."

"OK."

Ye Chen glanced at the menu and ordered a plate of signature braised pork, a plate of stir-fried eel with hot oil, and a bowl of matsutake mushroom and chicken soup.

After the waiter finished taking down the order, he left with the menu.

The private room fell silent.

Xia Shiqing picked up the teapot and poured Ye Chen a cup of barley tea.

Steam rose slowly from the rim of the cup.

She held her cup in both hands and asked casually:

"Did you enjoy your time back in your hometown during the National Day holiday?"

"fine."

Ye Chen took a sip of tea.

"I spent a few days with my parents and took care of some things. I thought the seven-day National Day holiday would be quite long, but it actually passed by in the blink of an eye."

Xia Shiqing gently stroked the rim of the cup.

She originally thought that someone like Ye Chen, who drove luxury cars and ran a company at such a young age, would probably have a lot of social engagements during his holidays.

Unexpectedly, he actually returned to his hometown safely.

"You started your own company right after starting university. Don't your family care about you?"

Ye Chen put down his teacup and smiled.

"I usually make my own decisions about things."

Xia Shiqing couldn't help but ask:

"Have you always been this opinionated since you were little?"

"Not when I was a child."

Ye Chen said in a serious tone, "I was quite obedient when I was young, but I changed a lot in my senior year of high school. How should I put it, I was selectively obedient."

Xia Shiqing was taken aback for a moment, but quickly became amused by him.

What does "selective obedience" mean?

"Listen to what's right."

"What if it's wrong?"

"That means it goes in one ear and out the other."

Xia Shiqing chuckled.

The dishes were served quickly.

The two ate and chatted, and the atmosphere became more and more relaxed.

Xia Shiqing gradually let go of her usual professional demeanor at the store and started talking about her work-related worries.

"We salespeople may look glamorous, but behind the scenes it's all hardship."

She gently poked at the rice in the bowl with her chopsticks.

"When you encounter a difficult customer, you have to smile and be agreeable no matter what they say."

"Sometimes I stand in high heels all day, and my feet are swollen when I get home."

"normal."

Ye Chen picked up a piece of braised pork, speaking casually.

"Others pay for services, and you exchange services for commissions; it's essentially a transaction."

"If you encounter an oddball, just treat it as watching a free show."

Xia Shiqing sighed.

"It's easier said than done. Some customers still get angry when they think about it after get off work."

"Then let's just stop thinking about it."

Ye Chen raised his hand and tapped the table.

"Working all day is tiring enough; the time after get off work is for myself."

Having lived alone in Shanghai for so long, she had long since gotten used to handling everything on her own.

If you get upset at work, go back to your shared apartment and sleep it off. The next day, you still have to put on high heels and greet your clients with a smile.

Ye Chen, however, did not offer platitudes or preach grand principles.

He can explain things clearly in just a few words and make her laugh without even trying.

Being with him is very relaxing.

This meal took almost an hour.

Near the end, Xia Shiqing made an excuse to go to the restroom and quietly went around to the front desk.

"Hello, could you please settle the bill for the private room by the window?"

The receptionist glanced at it, then shook her head with a smile.

"Ma'am, your table has already paid."

Xia Shiqing was taken aback.

"When?"

"Your husband got married right after we ordered."

Xia Shiqing glanced back at the direction of the private room.

She had originally hoped to use this meal to turn the tables, but she didn't expect Ye Chen to have already blocked her path.

This person looks casual, but when it comes to doing things, they are meticulous.

She returned to the private room empty-handed.

Ye Chen had already stood up and picked up his car keys.

"Let's go."

Looking at his matter-of-fact manner, Xia Shiqing couldn't help but ask:

When did you pay the bill?

"After ordering the food."

"Didn't we agree that I would treat you?"

"You've already bought the bracelet."

Ye Chen raised his wrist and shook the black bracelet.

Xia Shiqing looked at the bracelet, and the words she had prepared suddenly stuck in her throat.

That reason sounds a bit off.

But she just really liked it.

"Don't try to take it from me next time."

"We'll talk about next time."

Ye Chen opened the glass door and looked back at her.

"I'm gone."

Xia Shiqing gave a soft "hmm" and quickly followed.

At 7 p.m., the two left the mall and drove to the Bund.

A black Mercedes drove onto the Yan'an elevated highway.

The evening rush hour hadn't completely subsided, and the traffic ahead moved in fits and starts, with red taillights stretching out in a continuous line.

Xia Shiqing lowered the seat back a little, sinking into the soft leather seat.

Soothing instrumental music was playing inside the car.

A faint woody scent wafted in the air.

She glanced at Ye Chen, who was driving.

Ye Chen rested one hand on the steering wheel, his gaze calmly fixed on the road ahead.

When the traffic stops, he occasionally taps the steering wheel lightly with his fingers.

Xia Shiqing's nerves, which had been on edge for the past few days, gradually relaxed.

Forty minutes later, the car was parked in the underground parking garage near the Peace Hotel.

The two took the elevator to the ground, crossed the pedestrian crossing, and walked towards the Bund observation deck.

It was early autumn, and the river breeze already carried a hint of coolness.

On the last day of the long holiday, the observation deck was still crowded with tourists.

People taking photos with digital cameras, following tour guides, and taking their children to see the night view were all crammed together, and you had to step aside to let others pass every few steps.

Ye Chen walked on the outside.

Whenever someone tried to squeeze in front of him, he would quietly shield Xia Shiqing from the crowd.

Xia Shiqing followed beside him, her hands behind her back, walking very slowly.

Across the river, Lujiazui was brightly lit.

The neon lights fell on the river surface, and the ripples created by the cruise ships cut them into fragments of light.

A long, deep whistle sounded from afar.

A river breeze blew in her face, instantly messing up the stray hairs on Xia Shiqing's forehead.

She raised her hand to tidy her hair and turned her head to look at Ye Chen.

She had only been in the workforce for a short time, and the pressure of rent and performance targets was already overwhelming.

Ye Chen is several years younger than her, yet he can already manage his studies, company, and life in an orderly manner.

But he never flaunted these things.

Such an outstanding man will never lack female companionship in the future.

Xia Shiqing knew this better than anyone else.

If today is just about having a meal, going shopping, and then going our separate ways, then who knows when we'll see each other again.

She didn't want their relationship to remain just "sales and customer".

I don't want to be just an ordinary friend who occasionally sends messages and meets up with me.

The opportunity is right in front of us.

If we keep holding on, we might really lose it.