If You Could Hear My Heart

Shen Chi stared intently at her for a moment, his eyes sweeping across with endless implications, deliberately pausing at the collar of her shirt.

He crossed his arms lazily and said, “An affair? Have you ever seen a man have an affair with a woman who lacks everything?”

Xu Chaomu choked for a moment, rolling her eyes several times in frustration.

Lacks everything, wasn’t he just complaining about her lack of bust?

“Get lost, I don’t want to see you anymore, insufferable man!” Xu Chaomu glared at him with disdain.

“Be a good girl, take a bath, and go to bed early; it’s getting late.” Shen Chi patted her cheek and a faint smile spread across his lips.

Shen Chi then left Xu Chaomu’s room and walked to his own.

Xu Chaomu felt depressed for a long time, even absent-minded while taking a bath. Looking at herself in the mirror, was she as bad as he said?

After bathing, she put a lot of effort into applying her breast-enlargement essential oil, but despite many days of usage, it didn’t seem to have any effect.

Angry, she threw the bottle aside. Why should she apply it? Even if she really became like Bai Man, Shen Chi probably wouldn’t spare her a glance!

Feeling unhappy, she covered herself with the quilt and went to sleep.

Two days later, Bai Man had not yet left the Shen Family, and everyone in the Shen Family was quite polite to her. Plus, Bai Man was very good at socializing, often giving small gifts to the Shen Family members, even the servants received them.

Of course, she also bought some for Xu Chaomu.

Early Saturday morning, when the family was relaxing in the garden, Bai Man came over with a pile of gifts.

Shen Chi sat with his legs crossed on the chair, flipping through his financial newspaper, checking the latest economic trends. Xu Chaomu sat beside Shen Chi, shelling pistachios and tossing the shells onto a small plate next to her.

Liu Rumei, Shen Yanrou, and Shen Shihan were all present. Liu Rumei and Shen Yanrou chatted quietly, their laughter bright and cheerful despite being a bit far from Shen Chi.

As for Shen Shihan, just back from A City, he sat alone on a chair, sipping coffee and reading a magazine.

The sun shone in the garden, the air was heavy with floral fragrance, full of lovely atmosphere.

Shen Chi occasionally glanced at Xu Chaomu, his mouth curling into a smile.

Xu Chaomu, shelling pistachios with diligence, sat on a little stool beside him, focused and methodical.

With a “dong”, each pistachio shelled was tossed into the plate, the pile within growing.

Time passed slowly, a rare sensation for Shen Chi to experience. He recalled the night she was taken away, almost drowned in a culvert, and felt how close death had been to him.

Now, she was safe and sound.

Shen Chi watched her and couldn’t help but reach out to touch her hair.

Xu Chaomu, having retracted her sharp little claws, was especially good-natured.

“You’ve shelled so many, can you finish them all?” Shen Chi bent down and asked her.

“Half for you, half for me. You want some?” Xu Chaomu blinked her large eyes and looked up at him.

Her lashes were long and fine, quivering slightly, glistening in the sunlight.

“Alright,” Shen Chi replied softly, a smile in his voice.

Xu Chaomu was mesmerized, her eyes affixed to the man who looked so charming when he smiled, irresistibly so beneath the gentle sunlight.

He was nothing like the man who had grabbed her shoulders harshly, interrogating her that night.

Xu Chaomu flashed him a smile; she still preferred this version of Fourth Brother.

“Good morning, everyone!” Just then, Bai Man approached.

The Shen Family’s garden was extensive, and she greeted everyone warmly.

In the Shen Family, Bai Man was already quite popular; as she arrived, the servants also greeted her with smiles, “Good morning, Miss Bai.”

Xu Chaomu turned her head; today, Bai Man was dressed in a very pretty blue silk cheongsam and wore a shawl, looking graceful, elegant, and demure.

Her agent followed, hands full of shopping bags.

“I went out this morning and happened to buy a lot of things,” Bai Man said with a smile.

Her agent set a basket of fresh fruit on the table in the garden then placed the shopping bags down one by one.

“Let everyone try, these are all fresh fruits,” Bai Man said with a smile.

Liu Rumei and Shen Yanrou were the first to approach, “Miss Bai, you are so thoughtful.”

“Third Brother, Shen Chi, Chaomu, come over here too!” Bai Man beckoned to them.

Xu Chaomu exchanged a glance with Shen Chi; he closed the newspaper and rose from his chair.

Shen Chi extended his hand, “Come on, let’s go over,” he said.

“My legs are numb; I don’t want to go,” Xu Chaomu pouted.

Shen Chi looked at her; she was still an eighteen-vear-old child after all, her every little expression clear as day, unable to play the social game.

Shen Chi pulled her up with a yank, “Do I need to carry you there?”

Xu Chaomu dusted her hands, flicking away the pistachio residue, stood up, and looked up at Shen Chi, “For your sake, I won’t snub your fiancée’s kindness.”

“Should I be thanking you then?” Shen Chi’s lips curved up in amusement.

“No thanks, no thanks, it’s what I should do.”

Bai Man handed jewelry boxes to both Liu Rumei and Shen Yanrou, “Aunt Liu, this is the jade bracelet I’m giving you; I hope you like it.”

“Yanrou, this is the crystal necklace I bought for you,” she said.

Liu Rumei’s smile reached her eyes, “Miss Bai, you are too generous; we haven’t even given you any gifts yet!”

“I have been staying at the Shen Family for several days, and I appreciate your care, so these little gifts are a natural gesture,” Bai Man replied.

Liu Rumei said, “Being Achi’s fiancée, living with the Shen Family is natural, and giving us gifts— you’re being too polite.”

Bai Man then passed a box to Shen Shihan, “Third Brother, this pen is for you; I hope you like it.’

“Thank you,” Shen Shihan replied with a slight smile, accepting the gift.

Bai Man’s agent distributed small gifts to several servants, ranging from clothes and chocolates to cosmetics, a variety for everyone, reflecting Bai Man’s careful consideration.

As Shen Chi and Xu Chaomu approached, Liu Rumei teased, “Miss Bai, what are you giving to Achi?”

Bai Man’s cheeks flushed, and with a poised smile, she said, “I’ll give his gift when we get back.”

Shen Yanrou chuckled, “Must be something nice.”

To Chaomu, Bai Man said, “Here, this music box is for you,” while handing her a paper bag.

“Thank you,” Xu Chaomu replied, accepting the gift with an indifferent expression.

Bai Man instantly became the center of attention in the garden, the place alive with laughter and conversation.

Liu Rumei addressed Shen Chi, “Achi, Miss Bai truly has the makings of a good wife and mother, so sensible; you must not let her down.”

“Yeah, Fourth Brother,” Shen Yanrou added with a smile, “Today is Saturday, you should at least accompany Miss Bai on an outing. It’s spring, perfect for enjoying the great outdoors.”

Xu Chaomu looked at Shen Chi again, yet this man, always keeping his feelings hidden, his face revealed nothing about what he was thinking..