“Wang-ge, not to lecture you, but you really can’t keep neglecting your ear like this. What if you completely lose your hearing again like before?” Fan Mengming sat across from him with his legs crossed.

Jiang Wang lowered his head to look at the report in front of him, seemingly unaware if he had heard Fan Mengming speaking.

Fortunately, Fan Mengming was used to this and didn’t mind at all. He swung his legs casually: “You went to that professor again today, right? What did he say?”

He replied indifferently: “He said I’m going deaf soon.”

“…” Fan Mengming rolled his eyes. “How old are you now? If you don’t take care of yourself now, what will you do later?”

Jiang Wang was annoyed by his nagging and looked up: “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

“…” Fan Mengming cursed under his breath, “I think only Shi Mei could keep you in line.”

As soon as he said it, he quickly realized his mistake. Over the years, he would occasionally mention Shi Niannian’s name when talking with Xu Ningqing, but he generally avoided mentioning her in front of Jiang Wang—he didn’t dare.

He quickly glanced at Jiang Wang and saw that his previously cold and indifferent expression had completely disappeared, his eyes dark as if immersed in memories.

Fan Mengming awkwardly coughed: “Ah, well, I’m just talking nonsense. But she should be coming back soon, right? She should be graduating by now, and her father’s situation was resolved not long ago.”

They had only learned the real reason for her departure later, as well as the recent news that Shi Houde had committed suicide while under investigation.

Jiang Wang was calm: “She’s pursuing graduate studies.”

“Ah.” Fan Mengming was startled, not expecting that with all of Jiang Wang’s current accomplishments and pride, he wouldn’t go find her but instead secretly investigated her. He sighed, “So she’s still not coming back.”

Jiang Wang’s pitch-black eyes glanced at him: “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

“…Eh.” He sighed and stood up to leave.

When Shi Niannian returned to her apartment in the evening, she received a trans-oceanic call from Jiang Ling, whose voice sounded notably distressed and low, not much different from high school. With dramatic solemnity, she declared: “Niannian, I’m finished.”

Shi Niannian put her textbook aside and went to pour herself a glass of water: “What happened?”

“Did you know that Xu Zhilin is an associate professor in the Mathematics Department at my school?”

The name seemed distant, and Shi Niannian had to think for a moment before remembering—Jiang Ling’s first crush. Though Jiang Ling had dated a few times in college, Shi Niannian hadn’t expected her to mention this name from the past again.

“What a coincidence, you two are quite fated.”

“But I don’t want that! It’s so awkward.”

“You’re not even in the Mathematics Department, so you probably won’t see him much,” Shi Niannian comforted her.

Jiang Ling hemmed and hawed for a while before carefully and cautiously saying: “Yesterday, I met my future roommates, all foreign girls, and we went to a bar together.”

Shi Niannian paused and folded the corner of a page: “And then?”

“I ran into Xu Zhilin.”

The two of them were truly in sync—Shi Niannian had unexpectedly seen Jiang Wang, and Jiang Ling had unexpectedly seen Xu Zhilin.

The image of Jiang Wang appeared in her mind again. Shi Niannian shook her head: “So he was at the bar too. Did you talk to him?”

“I was pretty drunk at the time. I can’t even remember if I talked to him or not.”

Shi Niannian listened quietly as she heard Jiang Ling take a deep breath on the other end of the phone and slowly say, “But I slept with him.”

She didn’t immediately process this, and just made a meaningless “Hmm?”

“I slept with Xu Zhilin,” Jiang Ling repeated, sighing. “I must have been out of my mind from the alcohol, Niannian. Maybe I was the one who made the move. I slept with my former math teacher. Do you think he’ll get the school to expel me for immoral conduct?”

“…” Shi Niannian couldn’t immediately process such a large amount of information. She swallowed before asking, “Did he… say anything to you?”

“As soon as I woke up and saw him sleeping next to me, I ran away! I don’t know if he recognized me, but my admission letter was in my bag! If he saw it, I’m done!”

“…”

Shi Niannian spent the entire night listening to Jiang Ling’s anguished ranting. She really couldn’t think of any solution for this situation and finally hesitantly said: “…Maybe you should apologize to Teacher Xu?”

After hanging up, Shi Niannian prepared to take a shower but realized she had forgotten to ship over her pajamas. She had to grab a loose white T-shirt to serve as sleepwear.

When she came out, her phone screen was lit up, constantly vibrating.

She picked it up and saw messages from Chen Shushu, more than a dozen of them.

They hadn’t been in contact for a long time either.

*Ahhhhh Niannian!! I just heard from Jiang Ling that you’ve returned to China!!*

*I thought you were still abroad, so I didn’t send you a wedding invitation.*

*I can’t believe you came back today!! What a coincidence—I’m getting married tomorrow!! Jiang Ling can’t make it, but you must come!*

*…*

Shi Niannian smiled and replied: *Congratulations, happy wedding. What time tomorrow?*

Chen Shushu quickly sent her an address, and Shi Niannian agreed to attend.

The next day, she went to her advisor again. He truly lived up to his reputation as a “demon advisor,” immediately assigning an enormous amount of study and work. Shi Niannian was busy until five in the evening before she could go home, change clothes, and take a taxi to Chen Shushu’s wedding.

Since Chen Shushu and Xu Fei were high school classmates, their private room that evening was filled with former high school classmates. Shi Niannian had been invited suddenly, and everyone was surprised when she walked in.

The girl had grown up, though without much change—still gentle, like the mildest spring breeze, but with an added firmness that wasn’t there before.

“Wow! Chen Shushu is amazing!! She even invited our top student back!!” Someone shouted first, and everyone reacted, greeting Shi Niannian.

Shi Niannian smiled as she was led to a table to sit down.

Her hasty departure back then, along with Jiang Wang’s series of unusual behaviors afterward, had left everyone curious about what had happened.

“You know, it’s incredible that Shushu and Xu Fei made it to this day,” someone at the table said. “I remember there were several couples in our year, right? Either they were broken up in senior year, or they split up in college. You two are the only ones who made it.”

No one thought Shi Niannian and Jiang Wang would still be together.

“Exactly,” someone agreed, pointing to a woman at another table. “Who could be more miserable than I? I have to see my ex-girlfriend because these two freaks are getting married.”

The group laughed cheerfully. After so much time had passed, they joked without restraint: “You’re secretly happy about it. Zhang Yixi was considered the beauty of Class 5 back then. If you don’t want to see her, don’t come. Don’t act like you’re not happy about it—you’re probably hoping to rekindle the old flame.”

He cursed back with a laugh: “Don’t talk nonsense! I have a girlfriend now. Don’t tarnish my reputation.”

“Speaking of which, from our old Class 3, besides Jiang Ling who’s studying abroad and couldn’t make it, only Jiang Wang didn’t come, right?” someone suddenly said.

The surrounding gazes instinctively turned toward Shi Niannian.

But she quietly drank her juice, seemingly unaware of those glances.

Someone changed the subject: “What do you know? The ones who don’t come are the ones who truly can’t let go, unlike Yu Li, who found a new girlfriend!”

Chen Shushu finished toasting everyone and walked to their table. Hearing their conversation, she scolded: “What are you all talking about? Jiang Wang is so busy with work now. I only found out yesterday that Niannian had returned to China. Jiang Wang doesn’t know she would be attending! Stop your wild fantasies!”

Xu Fei supported her, repeatedly comforting her: “Alright, alright, don’t get angry. What if it affects the baby?”

Shi Niannian wasn’t bothered by those comments and good-naturedly waved her hand: “It’s fine, everyone’s just chatting.”

In another grand banquet hall of the hotel.

At an auction hosted by Sheng Corporation, a beautiful hostess in a silk qipao was presiding over this gathering of celebrities and wealthy individuals. On stage were numerous valuable auction items, with a famous painting from Jiang Wang’s collection currently beside her.

The auction began.

“One million!”

“One million five hundred thousand!”

“One million eight hundred thousand!”

…

Given Jiang Wang’s pivotal position in the business world today, everyone wanted to use this opportunity to curry favor with him. At the very least, making an impression on him would be beneficial.

The auction price kept rising.

The man remained composed, the reflection of his watch dial visible, a cigarette between his fingers, wearing a precisely tailored suit. His open collar revealed pronounced collarbones, making anyone who looked feel instantly thirsty.

Many socialites around were secretly watching him.

Young and accomplished, with refined features, tall and lean, his eyes always held traces of melancholy and impatience, making people want to reach out and smooth his furrowed brow.

And also making them want to see what such a person would look like when consumed by desire.

Yet this Mr. Jiang was famously disinterested in women.

Suddenly, the banquet hall doors slowly opened. Sheng Xiangwan entered in a black evening gown, her exposed skin white as snow, instantly attracting everyone’s attention.

Jiang Wang turned his head slightly to look.

She raised her hand from across the room and announced loudly: “Three million.”

This was a wealthy young lady trying to win Mr. Jiang’s favor.

Everyone had to respect Sheng Corporation’s status, and besides, three million was already an astronomical price for the painting. No one raised the bid.

After the gavel struck three times, Sheng Xiangwan won the painting.

She looked around the hall and, under everyone’s gaze, walked directly to Jiang Wang’s side. She elegantly lifted her dress hem and made a posture with her feet before sitting down next to him.

“You came today!” she said excitedly.

Jiang Wang: “Mm.”

“I told your assistant about inviting you as my escort, but you declined. I thought you weren’t planning to come!” She leaned her upper body closer to him affectionately. To outsiders, the two appeared to have a very good relationship.

But the man’s cold expression remained unchanged. The fact that he hadn’t gotten up to leave seemed to be the result of restraint.

Sheng Xiangwan didn’t mind. She had long been accustomed to Jiang Wang’s demeanor, both before and now. She probably had some masochistic tendencies—disinterested in the wealthy second-generation heirs who courted her, she uniquely favored Jiang Wang’s cold attitude.

“But I bought your painting for 3 million. Would Mr. Jiang honor me with a meal?” she asked with a smile.

“Sorry, I’m busy,” Jiang Wang smiled, without any sincerity. “Miss Sheng has poor judgment. That painting is far from worth 3 million.”

He had come to secure a business deal, and soon it was time for the next auction item. Jiang Wang immediately bid an astronomical price and won the diamond necklace on stage with one strike of the gavel.

He looked across the room, met the gaze of a Mr. Yu on the other side, nodded slightly, and gestured to his assistant behind him. The assistant quickly delivered the diamond necklace to Mr. Yu.

The necklace was reportedly a possession of Mr. Yu’s late wife, which had changed hands multiple times through various circumstances. Jiang Wang had won it at an exorbitant price to return it to its original owner, as a gesture of friendship.

Soon after the auction ended, the banquet dispersed, and the crowd scattered.

Several people around him exchanged pleasantries about “Mr. Jiang’s extravagance” as they walked out together.

Sheng Xiangwan still walked beside him. She wore thin high heels but was still half a head shorter than Jiang Wang. From behind, they truly looked like a perfect match.

Recently, rumors had indeed been swirling. It was said that Chairman Sheng was also very interested in Jiang Wang and intended to marry his daughter to him. It truly seemed like good news might be on the horizon.

Sheng Xiangwan’s voice was melodious: “Jiang Wang, take me home later.”

Jiang Wang glanced at her and said coolly: “Where is your driver?”

“I don’t know,” she curved her lips and shrugged. “Just take me home.”

There were too many people around, so he neither agreed nor refused.

Walking out of the lobby to the outside, suddenly, the man walking at the front stopped in his tracks. He lifted his head in disbelief, and for the first time, a crack appeared on that always calm face.

Sheng Xiangwan turned her head to look at him and saw his black eyelashes trembling rapidly.

This young, accomplished, and arrogant CEO suddenly reddened at the corners of his eyes with just one glance.

Following his gaze, she saw a woman in a soft white dress standing by the roadside, laughing and talking with someone. In that instant, she understood who she was.

Someone beside them hesitated: “Mr. Jiang?”

He didn’t seem to hear and strode forward.

Shi Niannian had come out of the banquet hall with everyone else. Some had left in taxis, others had called designated drivers, and Shi Niannian was waiting for her car to arrive.

“You should go inside first,” she smiled at Chen Shushu beside her, gently placing her hand on her belly. “Be careful not to let him catch a cold.”

“Yes, yes, you should go in first. I’ll make sure everyone gets home safely,” Xu Fei quickly agreed.

Chen Shushu pouted: “Alright, be careful on your way home.”

She tugged at the jacket on her shoulders, then turned and saw a man coming straight toward them. She froze and instinctively called out: “Niannian.”

“Hmm?” She responded and turned her head.

The wind blew, gently lifting the hem of her dress and tousling her black hair that lay scattered on her shoulders. She narrowed her eyes slightly and met that pair of black eyes.

Both froze in place.

His steps were urgent and quick. He passed through the crowd, reached her in a few strides, wrapped one arm around her waist, pulled her into his embrace, bent down, and buried his head deeply in the crook of her neck.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. They were used to seeing him dominating the business world and couldn’t immediately recognize this man who was tightly holding a woman in his arms.

It was a humble posture—bent back, holding her tightly in his arms, with an attitude of extreme fear of losing someone.

Such an embrace was truly rare. Jiang Wang’s body had an unfamiliar scent, a faint smell of alcohol, mixed with various women’s perfumes—the scent of high society.

Shi Niannian felt her eyelids burning, a scalding sensation. She slowly raised her hand, gently hugging him back, her fingertips clutching his suit.

She spoke: “Jiang Wang.”

He cursed hoarsely, then abruptly stopped, his voice thick with choked emotion: “So you know how to come back.”

The next second, his shoulders began to tremble, like the rhythm of crying.

Shi Niannian was stunned again. Not just her—everyone around was stunned, and even this usually bustling street seemed to grow quieter.

She raised her hand to touch his hair, which felt a bit prickly. She stroked it and said gently: “I’m back, Jiang Wang. Don’t cry.”

In her arms, he cried silently, trembling.

The taxi she had called arrived. The driver stopped by the roadside and rolled down the window: “Are you the young lady? Get in quickly, there’s a camera capturing illegal parking here!”

Shi Niannian looked at Jiang Wang’s state, sighed, apologized to the driver, saying she would cancel the order and pay the fee. Then she gently took Jiang Wang’s hand and said softly: “Let’s go somewhere else, okay?”

Too many people were watching, and she didn’t want Jiang Wang to be made a laughingstock.

The two of them left under everyone’s gaze. Jiang Wang’s car was parked on the other side.

Once in the car, he fastened his seatbelt and was about to drive. Remembering the smell of alcohol she had detected on him earlier, Shi Niannian quickly asked: “Have you been drinking?”

He paused, leaned back in the car seat, and took out a cigarette from his pocket, but his hands trembled so much he couldn’t light it.

Watching his movements, Shi Niannian said softly: “Don’t smoke.”

His movements faltered slightly. He put the cigarette back in the pack and tossed it aside.

Jiang Wang closed his eyes briefly: “When did you come back?”

“Yesterday.”

“Yesterday.” He gave a cold laugh, turning his head to look out the window. “Then why didn’t you find me?”

The enclosed space of the car made people feel safe, yet suffocating. Shi Niannian suddenly didn’t know how to explain. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him; she just didn’t dare. She wasn’t prepared, and hearing him mention Sheng Xiangwan at the hospital yesterday made her even more hesitant.

But none of these were valid reasons.

Because the moment Jiang Wang saw her, he rushed over and embraced her without hesitation or doubt, determined yet disheveled.

All of this made Shi Niannian feel remorseful. She was the one who left back then, and she was the one who returned without a word. In this relationship, she had become the irresponsible one who came and went as she pleased.

Hearing her silence, five and a half years of waiting finally made Jiang Wang explode.

The boy had matured into a man through the years, the sharpness in his eyes more intense, with an extreme sense of aggression. His eyes were red as he looked at her, but his expression was gloomy.

“You told me to wait for you, so I waited here. I waited for five and a half years. Do you know how I got through each day? You told me you liked me, Shi Niannian. Is this how you like someone?”

His eyes spread with redness, his rage vivid and alive.

He pointed his index finger at his heart: “Yet you didn’t even tell me you were back.”

Shi Niannian looked at him and began to cry, tears falling one by one down her cheeks.

Jiang Wang watched her for a while, then gave up and leaned back again, no longer looking at her.

The car fell back into silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Shi Niannian heard him say: “Do you want to marry me?”

His head was still turned toward the window, not looking at her.

She slowly reached out her hand, covering the back of his hand. His watch pressed against the base of her palm, cold to the touch.

She said: “Yes.”

Jiang Wang turned his head almost instantly, looking at her in disbelief.

Shi Niannian repeated: “Yes.”