“Have you been enjoying yourself so much that you forgot to come and see me?” Jiang Shizheng shook his head as he pinched Shi Nuan’s nose affectionately.
As Fu Chengyan brought the presents in, he could hear Shi Nuan speak to Jiang Shizheng in an endearing tone. Her face was filled with joy as she greeted him, “Grandpa!”
Jiang Shizheng nodded. “Have a seat!” When his gaze fell upon Fu Chengyan, he stared at him for a moment. He then nodded his head in approval and said, “I thought you would let Nuan come here alone.” He had not expected Fu Chengyan to visit him together with Shi Nuan.
Jiang Shizheng had always disapproved of how they rushed to get married. However, he couldn’t change her mind, so there was nothing else he could do. From Jiang Shizheng’s perspective, Fu Chengyan was no more than just one of his students.
A student that simply performed better than others. This is in contrast to the public perception that placed Fu Chengyan on a pedestal, giving others the impression that he was unattainable. To him, Fu Chengyan had gotten more than he deserved in Nuan.
However, Shi Nuan didn’t see it that way. That was the reason why she had no plans to make their marriage public despite being married for more than half a year. Just the day before, Jiang Shizheng had wanted to visit the Fu residence for the New Year out of courtesy. He sent Aunt Fei to check what the situation was and found out that Fu Chengyan had not visited the Shi residence.
Although Jiang Shizheng didn’t really like the Shi family, he felt that Fu Chengyan was obliged to visit the Shi residence with Shi Nuan now that they were married now. The fact that he didn’t only show that they were still keeping their relationship under wraps. Hence, that was what made Jiang Shizheng upset.
Nevertheless, he felt comforted that Fu Chengyan had made the effort to visit him with Shi Nuan today.
Fu Chengyan’s observational skills were sharp. He could deduce that Jiang Shizheng didn’t approve of his methods just by reading his gaze.
“Missy, Sir, please have some tea!” Aunt Fei brought in some tea and served all of them. She said, “I’m going back to the kitchen since I still have lots to do. Just now, Sir was so happy to hear that Shi Nuan was coming for a visit!”
“Aunt Fei, let me help you!” Shi Nuan said as she followed Aunt Fei back into the kitchen. Fu Chengyan stared at Shi Nuan’s silhouette before smiling at Jiang Shizheng and greeted, “Grandpa!”
Jiang Shizheng snorted coldly. “Join me in the study!”
Fu Chengyan nodded as he followed Jiang Shizheng into his study. Jiang Shizheng observed Fu Chengyan and noticed that he was sat up straight. He didn’t seem to have any fear and wasn’t nervous at all. This was the reason why Fu Chengyan had attracted Jiang Shizheng’s attention then.
In those days, he had a lot of students under his wing. Every one of them was exceptional. Though Fu Chengyan was among the youngest of them, he had the largest presence among all.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
Jiang Shizheng didn’t waste any time beating around the bush. “I understand how you feel about Nuan, but both of you…”
“I’m afraid that you must have heard the recent rumors about us?” Fu Chengyan was clever enough to know that Jiang City wasn’t a big place. Given all the drama that had happened recently, there was no way Jiang Shizheng wouldn’t have heard about it. Despite that, Jiang Shizheng had never asked to see him. So Fu Chengyan knew Jiang Shizheng had his own plans.
“I’m sure you understand my character very well to have handed me the responsibility of taking care of May. What you heard about recently isn’t what it seems. I apologize for not being able to tell you more than that. However, I guarantee you that my feelings for May are true, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
Fu Chengyan helped Jiang Shizheng to sit while he spoke. He smiled and added, “Prof, would you like a game of chess?”
“Hmph!” Jiang Shizheng snorted but allowed Fu Chengyan to bring over the chessboard. “Don’t think that I’ll be lenient on you just for calling me ‘Professor’. If you do anything to hurt May, I’ll teach you a lesson. I don’t care if you’re the head of the Fu clan too!”
“I understand!” Fu Chengyan smiled instead as he put the chessboard on the table. “Do you want to be white or black?”
“White will do!”
Fu Chengyan passed the chess box to Jiang Shizheng as they started to play seriously. Throughout the game, Jiang Shizheng would ask him questions now and then. Fu Chengyan finally put moved a black piece after studying their positions for a long time. He hesitated a while and asked, “Something happened when May visited the Shi residence for the New Year, but I’m not sure if you have heard about it?”
Jiang Shizheng’s hand trembled a little as he raised his gaze towards Fu Chengyan.
Although he was old, his eyes were still exceptionally sharp. He could see through anyone. However, he still couldn’t see what his student was thinking after all these years.
Fu Chengyan understood what was going on in Jiang Shizheng’s mind when he saw his reaction. “I understand that you won’t tell me about it. But May is your granddaughter, and that is an undeniable fact!”
Jiang Shizheng closed his eyes gently and sighed. “I wonder if I did the right thing taking you in as my student!” Jiang Shizheng put down the chess piece in his hand and stood up. Next, he went to sit in front of his desk and fiddled with the pipe on his table.
Right across him, Fu Chengyan put down his chess piece too as the game was already decided. It no longer mattered whether they continued or not.
“Do you have something you need to get off your chest?”
“There’s no way I can hide it from you, but I will keep it a secret for as long as I can. That’s my answer. You’re very smart, so I’m sure you will figure out my intentions!”
Fu Chengyan pursed his lips and grinned. “Are you sure that that’s in May’s best interest?”
“Regardless of whether it is, things are certainly fine as they are now!” Jiang Shizheng waved his hand. “You can stop trying to find out more. I know that there is more to your visit than just coming to see me. I’ve told you everything that I can. Hence, you should stop looking into this matter!”
Jiang Shizheng shook his head. “You should also stop Nuan from trying to investigate further. She may not like what she finds.”
Fu Chengyan furrowed his brows in frustration when he heard Jiang Shizheng repeat himself. “Professor…”
There was a knock on the door which interrupted their conversation. Fu Chengyan and Jiang Shizheng stopped their discussion when they saw Shi Nuan enter. She was still holding an apron. “Grandpa, Yan, what are you talking about?”
“Nothing much, we’re just playing chess!” Fu Chengyan stood up as he spoke. “What is it?”
“Aunt Fei wanted me to let you know that the dishes are ready. It’s time to eat!” Shi Nuan laughed. “I’ll get back to work. Yan, you should come down with Grandpa quickly!”
Jiang Shizheng gestured with his hand after Shi Nuan had left. “There you go. Nuan is a simple girl. It doesn’t matter what you give her as long as you’re good to her. She will do the same to you for the rest of your life. Yan, listen to my advice. Stop digging into this!”
Fu Chengyan’s deep eyes sparkled but nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Shi Nuan enjoyed the meal a lot as there were not many people at home, and the atmosphere was pleasant. On top of that, she was glad that Fu Chengyan had accompanied her here today.
Aunt Fei’s sharp eyes caught sight of the rings on Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan’s hands. She signaled Jiang Shizheng with her eyes to look. “Sir, look!”
Jiang Shizheng looked towards their fingers and felt overjoyed to see the rings on them. “That’s wonderful! Come, please have more food!” Jiang Shizheng served a piece of braised pork to Fu Chengyan as he spoke. “Yan, about the wedding…”
“Grandpa!” Shi Nuan yelled as she blushed. “Why are we talking about this at the table?” Despite her response, Shi Nuan looked towards Fu Chengyan in anticipation.
Fu Chengyan smiled and said, “Once everything is stable, I plan to announce our marriage to the public.”
Jiang Shizheng let out a smile of approval. “Alright!”
Shi Nuan hung her head as she continued eating. However, everything she put in her mouth tasted a lot more delicious now.
She then felt a warm sensation on her knee. Shi Nuan lowered her gaze and saw Fu Chengyan’s hand stroking her thigh gently. Shi Nuan knitted her eyebrows and slapped his hand away. She glared at him and said, “Excuse me. Please be more respectful!”
Fu Chengyan smiled back at her instead. “Well, you do seem happy about it.”
Shi Nuan raised her eyebrow and pretended to be angry. “Do I?”
“I saw it with my own eyes. Not only did I see it, but I also felt it in my heart.” Fu Chengyan took Shi Nuan’s hand and put it on his chest.
Shi Nuan looked up at Jiang Shizheng and Aunt Fei staring at the two of them. An instant blush crept up her face as Shi Nuan slapped away Fu Chengyan’s hand. “Don’t play the fool while we’re eating. Finish your food!” She then served Fu Chengyan another piece of braised pork as she spoke.
Fu Chengyan couldn’t help but smile. He drooled at the sight of the braised pork and forced himself to finish it at one go.
After the meal, Shi Nuan helped Aunt Fei to clean up while Fu Chengyan played a few more games of chess with Jiang Shizheng. After that, they sat in the living room together to chat. When it was finally getting late, Shi Nuan suggested that it was time for them to go home.
Jiang Shizheng nodded in agreement. “It’s indeed late. However, Yan, do you still need to go over to the Fu residence?” Jiang Shizheng thought that if Fu Chengyan had to go there, Shi Nuan could stay back at the Jiang residence and accompany him for a while longer. However, he was to be disappointed.
“I’m not going over today. Since May and I are married, Wutong Residence is now our home. We will be spending our first New Year’s Eve as a married couple there. I hope to spend some time alone with her!”
Fu Chengyan’s words were straight to the point. Jiang Shizheng had nothing to counter with, even though he was an experienced lecturer. Though he remained silent, he did think that Fu Chengyan could’ve cut him some slack, considering that he was Shi Nuan’s grandpa and also an elderly.
Shi Nuan noticed Jiang Shizheng’s disappointed expression and said with a smile, “Grandpa, I promise you I’ll come to visit again on New Year’s day itself!”
“Just go!” Jiang Shizheng grumbled as he motioned to Aunt Fei to bring out two red packets. “Come, I’m not rich but not short on sincerity. Yan mentioned that both of you just got married, so here’s a wedding gift. Take it!”
“Thank you, Grandpa!” Shi Nuan received the gifts and put them in her bag. She then held onto Fu Chengyan’s hand as if it was second nature. “Grandpa, Yan and I will be leaving now!”
As they said their goodbyes, Shi Nuan opened the gifts in anticipation. She received a lock and was stunned to see it. When she opened Fu Chengyan’s gift, there was only a piece of paper and nothing else.
“What does this mean?”
