If You Could Hear My Heart

“Why aren’t you eating your vegetables? These are all your favorites.”

Shen Chi said as he picked up a few dishes and placed them into her bowl, but she did not even lift her head.

As he drew closer to her, she could clearly smell the fragrance on his body, the light scent of cherry blossoms and the aroma of alcohol. She knew without thinking who he had met with that night.

She wrinkled her nose and threw all the vegetables that Shen Chi had put in her bowl back out.

Shen Chi had a helpless look on his face as he watched her childish gesture, saying nothing.

He knew she was upset, so he let her throw them away.

Shen Chi went to serve himself a bowl of rice and sat beside her, eating together with her.

The living room suddenly became quiet, eerily silent, with not a sound to be heard.

In the past, Xu Chaomu had enjoyed sitting together and eating with Shen Chi, but ever since Bai Man arrived at the Shen Family, she had never again sat with him.

When they used to eat together, Shen Chi had set a rule, commanding her not to talk during meals, but she would always chatter on endlessly. He could do nothing about her and had to resort to violence, starving her a few times.

But it had no effect; she loved to talk. She could go on for three days and three nights, and she ate particularly slowly.

Over time, even Shen Chi’s eating speed had slowed down a lot.

But today, she was silent, not saying a word.

When he asked her to eat, she slowly picked at the rice in her bowl, eating it bit by bit, not taking any vegetables, just eating.

For some reason, Shen Chi felt somewhat uneasy.

He was afraid; it turned out he did not like this version of Xu Chaomu.

This Xu Chaomu was too quiet, so quiet it scared him. He would rather have her be noisy, noisy to the point of disturbing his peace.

“Mumu, I’m not busy tomorrow. Shall I take you to see a movie?” Shen Chi finally broke the unnervingly quiet atmosphere.

“No need,” Xu Chaomu answered without looking up, her tone devoid of emotions.

“Mumu, I was wrong about this afternoon’s incident.” Shen Chi furrowed his brows, paused, “I shouldn’t have been violent with you, but you…”

Shen Chi had wanted to say, “But you’re too disobedient,” but he swallowed his words.

She could be disobedient, but that was better than how she was now.

He had thought he was just teaching her a lesson and that it wouldn’t take half a day before she forgot. She was such a carefree girl, what did she know.

Xu Chaomu still did not speak, and now, the incessant talker at the dinner table was Shen Chi.

How cold a person he was, always sparing with his words. But now, he could do nothing about Xu Chaomu.

“I’m sorry, Mumu.” He retracted all his words and simply apologized to her.

Xu Chaomu did not want to listen to him at all.

She began to shovel her rice more forcefully, but it still tasted bland.

Her nose felt sour.

Soon, she finished her bowl of rice without ever lifting her head. Once finished, she naturally set down her utensils and pushed back her chair to leave.

Shen Chi barely ate a few bites. Seeing Xu Chaomu leave, he also stood up.

He had never seen Xu Chaomu like this before. In the past, even if she caused a fuss with him, it would only last for three minutes. After three minutes, she would forget all about it.

But now, it was different.

Xu Chaomu walked forward, and Shen Chi followed behind her, calling out,

“Chaomu.”

But Xu Chaomu did not respond and walked into her room, closing the door right in front of Shen Chi.

Shen Chi felt helpless. Let it be, perhaps she’ll forget everything after a good night’s sleep.

Shen Chi had no appetite to eat anymore and also returned to his own room. After he got back, he made a call to Li Beiting.

“Li Beiting.”

“Yo, Shen Four, what’s up for you to call me today? Haven’t you gone to be with your Bai beauty?” Li Beiting had a teasing tone, enjoying the drama.

“I’m talking about something serious.”

“Go ahead, I’m all ears. I always heed Shen Four’s words.”

Li Beiting was at the Li Family villa, listening to music and savoring red wine comfortably at that moment.

“Forget it, it’s complicated. Come over to the Shen Family for a bit, the billiard room.” Shen Chi’s brows were furrowed tight, and as soon as he finished speaking, he hung up.

“Hello, hello!” Li Beiting still wanted to say a few words, but, Shen Chi had already hung up the phone.

“What kind of person is that! So arrogant and domineering. Why should I listen to you! I’m perfectly fine at home, and you tell me to go just like that? Let me tell you, I won’t!” Li Beiting yelled into the phone a few times.

After his rant, he obediently put down his wine, took his coat, and went out to the Shen Family.

In the spacious and bright billiard room of the Shen Family, Shen Chi was holding a cue stick, bending over to measure the distance precisely.

Beneath the lights, his lips were tightly pursed, sharply handsome, and his obsidian-like eyes glinted, radiating an aura of dominance.

After a few seconds of consideration, there was a “pop” sound. With a stroke, all the balls went into the pockets.

“When Shen Four plays, he dominates the field, none can compete.” Li Beiting clapped, brown-nosing.

“Cut it out!” Shen Chi gave him a cold glare and pointed to a cue stick on the side, “Let’s play together. The loser drinks.”

Li Beiting’s mouth twitched, “You might as well just tell me to drink directly.

Can I even beat you? That’s a joke…’

“Can’t admit defeat?” Shen Chi glanced at him coolly.

“Alright, alright, here I come.” Li Beiting had no choice.

If he didn’t play, Shen Chi would definitely lose his temper. He reluctantly picked up the cue stick, glancing at the red wine bottles on the side table. There were at least seven or eight!

He was doomed to be carried home tonight.

After a few strokes, Li Beiting hardly won at all. He conscientiously drank glass after glass.

Shen Chi just played with him, not saying anything.

Li Beiting thought this man was really strange, inviting him out in the middle of the night just to play billiards? It definitely wasn’t for that.

He glanced at Shen Chi, whose gaze was deep and melancholic, like the sky in June before a storm, filled with gloom.

Li Beiting couldn’t stand the silence and after a few strokes, finally couldn’t help but speak.

“Look, Shen, if you call me here and don’t say anything, just play?”

“A few more strokes and my mood will improve.”

Li Beiting looked at him in disbelief, his eyes reflecting his astonishment. Shen Chi in a bad mood?

The man spent all day with a poker face; Li Beiting could never tell when he was in a good or bad mood.

“If you’re in a bad mood, just talk to me. I’ll help you sort it out! We are good brothers, after all!”

Shen Chi remained silent, and the atmosphere grew dull again.

“If you don’t speak up, I’m leaving!” Li Beiting said, “I still have to go home and take a shower. Oh, right, I have a video conference later tonight!”

Shen Chi replied indifferently, “If you want to leave, then go.”

“…” Li Beiting’s mouth twitched.

Alright then, he continued to accompany Shen Four in playing billiards.

His face instantly showed countless expressions, how cool!

Li Beiting was penalized several more drinks, his face flushed red. Shen Chi appeared to be tired; he crossed his legs and leaned against the table’s edge, silently watching the billiard table.

Shen Chi poured himself a glass of wine and held it in his hand, his gaze deep..