Sharing Dreams with My Bestie's Cousin

Shang Hexing raised his hand to signal Chen Jinhai to speak later, but after hesitating for a moment, Chen Jinhai still mentioned, "It’s about Miss Wen..."

Shang Hexing didn’t respond.

His expression was cold.

Tang Qian looked up at Chen Jinhai, then looked away and chuckled darkly, "So it’s about the tender matters of young love. Maybe we should pause for a bit."

"No need," said Shang Hexing, his face slightly cold.

With no other choice, Chen Jinhai stepped aside and waited patiently. Though he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was filled with anxiety, fearing that Miss Wen would pack up her belongings and leave.

Since the day he left the Shang family, Mr. Shang hadn’t cooled off yet, and it had been a long time since Chen Jinhai saw Mr. Shang that angry.

He felt, Mr. Shang was waiting for Miss Wen to show weakness. But seeing Mr. Shang’s attitude, it seemed like he was determined to part ways with Miss Wen.

Chen Jinhai couldn’t figure it out. Forget it, he better call Aunt Lin first to stop Miss Wen from leaving.

Chen Jinhai turned to make the call.

He lowered his voice to give instructions, but the room was so quiet, with only three people in it, that his speaking voice still reached Shang Hexing’s ears, vaguely hearing the words "stop Wen Zhi."

Tang Qian, noticing Shang Hexing’s distracted state, joked, "It seems like a rather complicated matter."

Shang Hexing was silent.

Tang Qian teased on purpose, "You brought her out to introduce to everyone a while back, how come she’s hidden away again now?"

Shang Hexing glanced at Tang Qian, "Are you sure you want to talk about my private affairs?"

Tang Qian couldn’t help but laugh, "I just casually mentioned it."

Shang Hexing was obviously displeased.

Tang Qian immediately changed the subject, "The one above you, might be transferred by the end of the year."

Shang Hexing asked, "Who told you that?"

"The news is indeed fresh, and it’s normal that you haven’t heard about it. As for who told me, don’t ask for now. What I want to say is..." Tang Qian leaned forward earnestly and said, "The one above you is very likely to be transferred to Jin Province, away from the foot of this city wall, able to establish his own turf—ah, the ultimate pursuit for all of us on this path."

He would have power, and he would have his own turf.

Compared to the power beneath the city walls, a turf entirely under one’s control was equally enticing.

Shang Hexing tugged at his lips, "Is the news reliable?"

Tang Qian lifted his chin, "Eight or nine out of ten."

Shang Hexing looked down, pondering, "Jin Province..."

Tang Qian laughed, "You’re not also interested in that place, are you? You better not be. At least in my opinion, you should aim even higher. Hoping for a comfortable life so soon, it’s not your style."

"You advising me?" Shang Hexing’s eyes held a profound meaning.

Tang Qian joked, "While you’re young, you should first get a taste of all the powers available. Once you’re satisfied, then you can think about enjoying your life."

Shang Hexing didn’t reply.

Without realizing it, they had been talking for a while. Tang Qian stood up, brushed off his collar, and adjusted the emblem on his jacket, "I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I’ll be going now."

Shang Hexing nodded.

With Tang Qian’s departure, Chen Jinhai approached.

He carefully observed Shang Hexing’s expression and just as he hesitated to speak, Shang Hexing asked directly, "Has she returned to Qionglou?"

Chen Jinhai immediately nodded, "Yes, Miss Wen has returned to Qionglou."

Shang Hexing said, "She knows well that I won’t be at Qionglou at this time."

The implication was, she did it deliberately, to avoid him.

And as for what she would do by returning to Qionglou at this timed—

"Miss Wen has gone back to pack her luggage."

As Shang Hexing guessed in his mind, he also heard Chen Jinhai confirm it out loud.

His face instantly darkened.

Chen Jinhai asked, "Mr. Shang, shall we go back now?"

Shang Hexing didn’t answer and didn’t move either, leaving Chen Jinhai unsure and not daring to decide on his own, only able to wait patiently.

Finally.

Shang Hexing stood up.

"Back to Qionglou."

-

Meanwhile, Wen Zhi had finished packing her luggage.

She also took the time to tidy up the room she had lived in, inside and out, returning it to how it looked before she moved in.

Her jewelry box, and her Buddha Beads, had also been packed away.

After finishing, she looked back at the tidy bedroom and then pushed her suitcase downstairs.

Aunt Lin paced back and forth downstairs, just to watch over Wen Zhi, with strict orders from Chen Zhu to stop her if she tried to leave.

Sounds came from the staircase.

Aunt Lin looked up and saw Wen Zhi struggling to carry her suitcase down the stairs.

Aunt Lin clambered up the stairs: "Miss Wen, let me help you."

Wen Zhi indeed found it difficult, so she didn’t refuse, turning back to say, "Thank you for the trouble, Aunt Lin."

"Not at all, not at all. I do chores all year round; I’ve got a lot of strength." Aunt Lin took the suitcase from Wen Zhi’s hands.

However, when they reached downstairs, Aunt Lin refused to give back the suitcase, instead suggesting, "Miss Wen, I’ve baked some cookies. Why not have some cookies before you leave?"

Wen Zhi declined: "No, I’m in a hurry."

"You’ve already packed your luggage; it’s not urgent to leave this minute. Miss Wen, you haven’t stayed with us for long and haven’t tasted the cookies I bake. They’re particularly delicious; I guarantee you’ll want more after trying them." Aunt Lin was extremely enthusiastic, pushing the suitcase to the side to set it aside first.

Wen Zhi stretched out her hand: "Eh, Aunt Lin, my suitcase..."

"I’ll put it away for you first; it doesn’t look nice standing in the living room." Aunt Lin said while already pushing the suitcase away.

Wen Zhi faintly felt someone must have instructed Aunt Lin to do this; otherwise, she wouldn’t act this way.

Could it be Shang Hexing?

Did he know she was back, so he wanted to keep her here?

Wen Zhi, not knowing what she was feeling, ultimately stayed, patiently waiting for the baked cookies Aunt Lin mentioned.

But what she didn’t know was that the cookies Aunt Lin spoke of were to be baked fresh, which wasn’t going to be quick.

Wen Zhi, bored from waiting, decided to check out the kitchen, and there she saw Aunt Lin frantically preparing eggs and flour...

"Aunt Lin." Wen Zhi stood at the kitchen doorway, unsure what facial expression would be appropriate at the moment.

Aunt Lin had not yet realized her scheme was uncovered and waved her hand amidst the flurry of activity: "They’ll be ready soon."

Wen Zhi gave a wry smile, walking up to Aunt Lin’s side: "What flavor cookies are you planning to make, Aunt Lin?"

Aunt Lin paused, then looked up to ask Wen Zhi, "What flavor would you like, Miss Wen?"

Wen Zhi replied, "How about cranberry?"

Aunt Lin considered for a moment: "There might be dried cranberries in the fridge; just wait, Miss Wen, I’ll go get them."

Saying so, Aunt Lin set down the eggs and tools and turned to open the refrigerator.

A minute later, Aunt Lin came back beaming, holding an entire box of dried cranberries, and cordially invited, "Would you like to learn to bake cookies with me, Miss Wen?"

Wen Zhi hesitated only for two seconds before accepting: "Sure."

She knew full well that Aunt Lin’s insistence might be on Shang Hexing’s instructions.

And she should leave now, so she wouldn’t have to see him again.

But at this moment, she didn’t want to leave at all.

She just wanted to wait for his return, to see him once more.

Together, the two busied themselves in the kitchen, chatting and laughing.

Outside the house, the front door opened, and a car drove in slowly. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Shang Hexing entered the house, and seeing no sign of Wen Zhi in the spacious living room, his expression darkened, and he glanced at Chen Jinhai: "Has she left?"

Chen Jinhai had already checked the surveillance: "No, Miss Wen hasn’t left."

Shang Hexing was about to go upstairs.

Aunt Lin, coming out of the kitchen, hurried over, whispering, "Sir, sir."

"Mr. Shang, it’s Aunt Lin," Chen Jinhai reminded him.

Shang Hexing took a half-step back and looked at the approaching Aunt Lin, questioning, "Where is she?"

Aunt Lin pointed towards the kitchen: "Miss Wen is learning to bake cookies."

Shang Hexing furrowed his brow: "Learning to bake cookies?"

Aunt Lin nodded, chuckling.

Soon after, Shang Hexing appeared outside the kitchen. He didn’t go in; he just quietly stood at the doorway, looking inside.

Wen Zhi, wearing an apron and her hair half-tied, stood in front of the oven, holding a freshly baked cookie that she was eating.

As her hair came loose, she bit on the cookie and lifted her hand to tie her hair back.

The kitchen light was good, casting soft shadows that outlined her figure, graceful in its entirety.

Shang Hexing withdrew his gaze, his jaw clenched tightly, leaving without a word.

Aunt Lin immediately asked, "Where are you going, sir?"

Shang Hexing hadn’t gone anywhere but had simply sat down on the couch, his expression not looking any better.

Seeing this, Aunt Lin quickly entered the kitchen: "Miss Wen, are the cookies done? How do they taste?"

Wen Zhi turned around, saw Aunt Lin had come, and handed her a freshly baked cookie: "They’re just right, Aunt Lin, have a taste."

Aunt Lin took a bite of the cookie, her face lighting up with delight: "Mmm, delicious."

Wen Zhi felt a sense of accomplishment.

Just then, Aunt Lin suddenly said, "Miss Wen, Mr. Shang is back."

The cookie in Wen Zhi’s hand trembled, nearly dropping; he had returned...