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Chapter 23 - Shen Qingqiu’s Change

“Okay…” Shen Qingqiu hesitated before agreeing. She didn’t particularly enjoy red wine but didn’t want to spoil Jiang Che’s mood.

“How was your life in the mountains these years?” Jiang Che asked after sipping the wine.

“It was okay. Mostly practicing martial arts, watering flowers, and playing the piano,” Shen Qingqiu replied, taking a small sip of wine, her cheeks flushing slightly.

This was only her second time drinking since returning to Linjiang City over a year ago.

“Why did you suddenly decide to learn martial arts?” Jiang Che inquired curiously.

“It was my grandfather’s idea. He said the Shen family would eventually be under my control, and it’s good to have some martial skills. So, I went to Fengming Mountain and stayed for eight years,” Shen Qingqiu said, reflecting on her time there.

During those years, she occasionally thought of Jiang Che, and as they spent more time together, the feelings she had buried deep in her heart began to resurface.

She looked at Jiang Che’s handsome profile, her expression slightly dazed. “What about you, Brother Xiao Che? How have you been these years?”

Jiang Che was somewhat surprised by Shen Qingqiu’s address, reminiscent of their younger days. “I guess everything was pretty standard for me. My life was all arranged, and I didn’t have to worry about anything,” he replied with a resigned smile.

Shen Qingqiu fell silent, understanding that being born into a prominent family often meant having little control over one’s life.

She thought Jiang Che was different, but it seemed they were similar in this respect. Little did she know that Jiang Che’s words were meant to resonate with her.

“Have you met a girl who truly moved your heart in these years?” Shen Qingqiu asked curiously.

“Yes,” Jiang Che replied, taking another sip of wine.

“Why didn’t you keep in touch?” Shen Qingqiu asked, feeling somewhat disappointed after hearing Jiang Che’s response. Her heart felt a tinge of sadness.

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t…” Jiang Che replied.

“Why not?” Shen Qingqiu was puzzled.

“Because she hasn’t been in Linjiang City all these years,” Jiang Che said, looking deeply at Shen Qingqiu.

He wasn’t lying; his previous self had never been in a relationship, always waiting for Shen Qingqiu. But Jiang Che himself wouldn’t have done the same. He would have enjoyed his life more freely than his predecessor.

Even if Shen Qingqiu was exceptionally beautiful, he wouldn’t forsake all other possibilities for her alone. That wasn’t his style, neither in the past nor would it be in the future.

Realizing what Jiang Che implied, Shen Qingqiu’s cheeks flushed with a sudden bloom of shyness, and the atmosphere became instantly charged with a hint of romance.

………………

Near the banks of the Linjiang River, under a sparsely starlit sky, Ye Chen stepped out of the taxi and began using his internal energy to search for Jiang Che and Shen Qingqiu.

“Where are they? I clearly saw them heading in this direction,” Ye Chen muttered, growing increasingly restless as he couldn’t find them.

“Huh? Why are there lights on by the dock at this hour?” He walked towards the light, puzzled.

Upon reaching the small cabin, he saw the bodyguard who had been with Jiang Che earlier. The bodyguard was chatting with another man. Since he was there, Jiang Che and Shen Qingqiu must be nearby.

“Where is my sister?” Ye Chen demanded from Ah Long, his tone harsh.

“Who’s your sister? How should I know?” Ah Long, annoyed at being interrupted from his bragging to the waiter, retorted.

“It’s Shen Qingqiu, the woman with Jiang Che. Where are they now?” Ye Chen inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself.

“Want to know? Call me ‘Dad’, and I’ll tell you,” Ah Long chuckled mischievously, intending to provoke Ye Chen.

Furious at being humiliated, Ye Chen, a formidable innate expert, couldn’t tolerate such insult. He could tell Ah Long had martial skills, but he wasn’t afraid.

In a swift move, Ye Chen lunged at Ah Long with a strike, but Ah Long dodged agilely. The spot where Ye Chen had aimed now had a deep crater about fifty centimeters deep, shocking the nearby waiter.

“Is this a movie? How can someone be so powerful???” the waiter thought, stunned.