Female-dominated society: After becoming fake young ladies, the older sisters stopped pretending.

The soft, jade-like hand stopped struggling, but Shen Yan felt no sense of relief.

He knew that Chen Qingning just didn't want to make a scene in the car and was too lazy to pay attention to him.

In response, Shen Yan could only console himself, "This counts as getting involved, doesn't it?"

Suppressing the bitterness in his heart, he took the gift box containing the watch out of his pocket.

Upon opening the gift box, the watch face shone brightly in the dazzling sunlight, appearing even more radiant and captivating.

Holding the watch, Shen Yan glanced at Chen Qingning's empty left hand and felt that the watch suited her perfectly.

The next second, he sat down to the side and casually pulled Chen Qingning's hand to his side.

Because her right hand was still hooked with her fair little finger, it was still a bit difficult to help Chen Qingning put it on with one hand.

However, Shen Yan was still very careful, and carefully put the watch on her wrist with his head down.

On the other side, Chen Qingning had already stopped caring that Shen Yan had taken her hand.

But the subtle texture she felt on her wrist made her frown and glance back.

What exactly is Shen Yan up to?

In the blink of an eye, she saw Shen Yan awkwardly fastening her watch strap with one hand.

That serious look of his seemed to remind her of the Shen Yan of the past.

Although the boy was quite arrogant at that time, he had eyes for her and always cared about her, taking care of her in every little way.

But now...

Those painful memories flashed through my mind, causing those beautiful ones to gradually fade away.

Chen Qingning remained silent, watching Shen Yan help her put on her watch.

The watch is beautiful; its simple style and elegant appearance are exactly what she likes, and it matches her temperament perfectly.

It's clear that Shen Yan carefully selected them and put some thought into it.

The dazzling golden light made her skin look even whiter than snow, adding a touch of nobility to her cool and aloof temperament.

Looking at the watch, Chen Qingning recalled what Shen Youchu had just told her.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yan actually prepared a gift for her, and this time it wasn't just a perfunctory gesture.

She remembered that since Liu Qingqing came to the Shen family a year ago, Shen Yan had never personally chosen a gift for her.

Each time, she would instruct the servants to prepare it, and a few times she would even say that she had forgotten and would make it up to her later.

But she knew that it wasn't because Shen Yan had forgotten.

Instead, Liu Qingqing saw it and liked it, so she pitifully begged Shen Yan to give her the gift on the spot.

Even though Chen Qingning's heart was already broken, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pain when she thought about these things again.

As Shen Yan painstakingly fastened the watch strap, she looked up and was met with a cold, indifferent gaze.

He paused for a moment, then apologized again in a low voice:

"I'm sorry, Qingning. I was wrong before. I shouldn't have treated you that way."

I know that belated affection is worthless, and I don't ask for your forgiveness; I just want to sincerely apologize to you.

As he spoke, Shen Yan smiled and presented Chen Qingning's left hand to the two of them.

Do you like it?

"I fell in love with this watch at first sight; it really matches you perfectly."

Under the sunlight, the exquisite watch paired with her jade-like skin is simply a perfect work of art.

Chen Qingning watched quietly, her gaze fixed on Shen Yan's stunningly beautiful smiling face.

Putting aside all the wrong things he had done in the past, that gentle and sincere smile was absolutely the most beautiful sight she had ever seen in her life!

Suddenly, she felt that the boy in her heart had returned.

Do not!

It should be said that Shen Yan at this moment is even more perfect than the boy in her heart!

Although Shen Yan had smiled at her like that before, it always carried a hint of arrogance and condescension.

The current Shen Yan seems to have shed his arrogant young master demeanor and is now very gentle.

Having finished speaking, Shen Yan, accustomed to Chen Qingning's indifference, gently placed her hand back where it was and said in a deep voice:

"What happened before was my fault. If there's anything else you need me to do, just let me know, and I'll make it up to you."

After saying that, he let go of her hand and sat back down on the other side.

The gift was given, and the apology was offered.

He did everything he could think of and do, and in the end, he just let things take their course.

Chen Qingning stared blankly at the scene before her, a tingling sensation rising in her heart.

She was utterly captivated by the feeling; the scene before her was one she had always dreamed of.

The exquisite watch face still retained a trace of the boy's body heat, which continued to invade her heart as the hands moved!

However, the moment she felt love, reason brought her back to her senses.

He was furious with himself for his earlier wavering.

Chen Qingning, haven't you been hurt enough yet?!

Have you forgotten how Shen Yan has treated you this past year?

Stop being a licking cat!

He's just feeling sorry for you right now. Once he gets back to the Shen family, he'll definitely abandon you and run off to Liu Qingqing's arms again!

The joy that Chen Qingning had just felt vanished instantly upon thinking of Liu Qingqing.

Yes, it's just that Liu Qingqing isn't here right now, so Shen Yan is showing her some of his concern.

Once she gets back, she'll definitely take back all that concern.

Because it always happens like this, whenever Liu Qingqing sees Shen Yan being nice to her, she gently pulls Shen Yan away, leaving her standing alone in the same spot.

Shen Yan would always tell her to wait, but he would never appear until it got dark and she was disheartened.

Unfortunately, a phone call came in at that very moment.

Shen Yan picked up his phone and glanced at the contact name; it was Liu Qingqing's number.

Chen Qingning, who hadn't turned her head yet, also saw the caller ID. Her previously hesitant expression suddenly became firm, and she turned her head away with a cold face.

His fingernails dug deep into his flesh, and a self-deprecating smile played on his lips.

It's like every time I wish for something, it happens; Liu Qingqing always appears at just the right moment.

Never mind, she's tired too.

Looking at the ever-changing scenery outside the window, Chen Qingning took a deep breath.

This time, she will absolutely not be Shen Yan's lapdog again!

Seeing Chen Qingning's reaction, Shen Yan's expression stiffened, and he rolled his eyes inwardly.

What a coincidence!

He had just managed to ease the tension between the two of them a little when Liu Qingqing called.

It's like he's been fitted with a surveillance camera.

Shen Yan instinctively wanted to hang up, since he wasn't interested in this green tea bitch at all.

With Chen Qingning right there, he didn't want to upset her any further.

However, just as his finger was on the hang-up button, a thought quietly surfaced in his mind.

Thinking of what Shen Youchu had said that morning, Shen Yan seemed to guess why Liu Qingqing was calling at this time. She probably wanted him to pick her up at the station.

If he answered the phone at this moment and then harshly rejected Chen Qingning in front of her, would Chen Qingning feel any better?

He thought, "It definitely will!"

Shen Yan glanced at the indifferent woman beside him, smiled slightly, and switched his finger from hanging up to answering the call.

To ensure the desired effect, he even turned on the speaker so that Chen Qingning would know what they were saying.

The next second, a whistling sound came from the other end of the phone.

"Brother Shen Yan, I'm back from Grandma's house today. Could you pick me up at the station?"