In the dark, she couldn't see his expression but could tell that he was not happy with her rejection. "Husband, can you wait until I finish my studies ?" she asked softly, her voice hesitant.
"Hmm. Sleep," he murmured after a long pause, his tone unreadable.
As she drifted off, Qin Yuheng stared into the darkness, his mind restless.
The next day...
After their breakfast, Shen Ning dragged Qin Yuheng to the piano room. She excitedly took a seat and asked Qin Yuheng to sit down.
Qin Yuheng smiled helplessly.
He walked over, his tall frame towering over her for a moment before sitting beside her. The bench creaked slightly under their combined weight. His long fingers rested lightly on the keys, testing them with a casual press.
Shen Ning leaned closer, curiosity shining in her eyes. "So? What will you play for me?"
Qin Yuheng's fingers paused, hovering over the keys. He turned to her with a raised brow. "You dragged me here without a request in mind?"
Shen Ning grinned and stuck out her tongue playfully.
Qin Yuheng shook his head with an amused sigh and began playing a soft, melodious tune. The notes resonated through the room.
Shen Ning tilted her head and looked at him in awe. There was something deeply personal in the way he played, as though he was sharing a part of himself that words couldn't express. Her gaze lingered on him—the gentle curve of his lips, the way his brow furrowed slightly in concentration and the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the cool, fresh air of the room.
"That was beautiful," she whispered, her voice soft with admiration.
Qin Yuheng turned to her, a rare, soft look in his eyes. "Did it meet my wife's high expectations?"
"It exceeded them," she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Good." His lips curved into a faint smile as he leaned back.
-----
For the next few days, Qin Yuheng grew unusually quiet. Shen Ning assumed it was work-related, and she chose not to press him.
On Friday after the class ended, both Lu Nan and Yun Xi left hurriedly, claiming to have something urgent to take care of.
Shen Ning stepped outside the gate.
"Shen Ning!" a voice called from behind.
She turned to see Shi Xiao approaching, looking hesitant. "Huh?" she stopped and asked, glancing back at him.
Shi Xiao stammered shyly, "Um... Are you free for... lunch?"
Beep...
The sharp honk of a car interrupted them. Shen Ning immediately recognized it as Qin Yuheng's.
She turned back to Shi Xiao with a polite but apologetic smile. "Sorry, my family's here to pick me up."
Shi Xiao hesitated for a moment there was a subtle disappointment on his face, then nodded. "Alright. No problem. How about another day?"
"Sure," she replied, offering a smile before turning to walk toward the car.
Inside the vehicle, Wang Xu from the driver seat, glanced at his boss's cold demeanor. "Sir, should we look into this guy?" he asked carefully.
Qin Yuheng's gaze lingered for a moment on the two students outside, a quiet stillness settling between them. After a long pause, he answered, his voice low and steady. "No need. As long as that person isn't Mu Chen I am confident in my charm."
Wang Xu's eyes widened in shock. If it's Mu Chen, he is not confident?
Click.
"Are you going back to the company later?" Shen Ning said while buckling her seat belt.
"No. I took a day off."
"Oh."
"That guy... was your friend?" He asked when she stopped talking.
"Classmate." She replied.
"He invited you to a meal?" He asked again.
"Um."
"Are you jealous?" Shen Ning said slyly.
"No." He refused.
Wang Xu, listening from the front, snickered quietly. Hehe. He still doesn't admit he is jealous.
"You agreed?" Qin Yuheng asked again.
"Um."
He stopped talking, sulking beside her.
"Hey! Ok, don't be jealous. I just agreed out of politeness."
Qin Yuheng's expression lightened as he turned to Wang Xu. "Give Shen Ning's classmate who invited her to a meal an invitation card."
Wang Xu raised an eyebrow but quickly nodded. "Yes, sir."
Shen Ning's brow furrowed in confusion. "What invitation?"
"Nothing." Qin Yuheng's lips curled into a faint, mysterious smile. "We're going somewhere. I've prepared a dress for you at home."
"Okay," she said, her curiosity growing.
(. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)