If You Could Hear My Heart

Her nose twitched with a sense of sourness, and warm, moist liquid swirled in her eyes. She ran away from the pavilion, holding onto the last shred of her dignity.

Bai Man stood on the pavilion watching Xu Chaomu leave; the wind lifted her long hair, her expression unreadable.

Yet, she couldn’t feel any happiness inside. She had asked Xu Chaomu out alone because she had been provoked.

When Shen Chi was drunk and lying in bed, she heard him call out “Chaomu” softly.

So lightly and faintly that even Bai Man doubted herself—had she misheard… ?

But she was no child; she wouldn’t deceive herself.

Perhaps, Shen Chi had called the name unintentionally, so she tried her best to forget it. But the less confidence she had in herself, the more she felt the need to have a proper talk with Xu Chaomu.

She had to tell her that Shen Chi would definitely marry her, Bai Man, for certain!

Xu Chaomu hadn’t walked far, just past the grand lawn, when she ran into Shen Shihan.

Shen Shihan drove his car out of the garage. He was dressed especially casual today, in sports attire, with a lively, sunny smile on his face.

“Chaomu, I heard you were going mountain climbing?” Shen Shihan rolled down the window and greeted her.

Xu Chaomu nodded: “Mhm.”

In fact, she had no plans to go hiking; it was just something she made up on the spot to fool the butler. Since she’d lied already, she might as well go.

Staying at the Shen Family’s only added to her vexation.

“Perfect, I’m going hiking too. Shall I take you with me?”

No wonder Shen Shihan was dressed so casually, he was also going hiking. Xu Chaomu looked at him: “Can I go with you, Third Brother?”

She hadn’t actually arranged to meet any friends, so if Shen Shihan was going, it was the perfect situation to be looked after.

“Of course you can. I was planning to go alone, so it’s just right to take you along. Hop in!”

Shihan’s face, basking in the sunlight, seemed extra handsome, his usual calm composure now replaced with a vibrant energy.

Xu Chaomu jumped into the passenger seat: “Third Brother, won’t you find me a nuisance? I’m quite lazy; I’ll probably need a break after just a few steps.”

Shen Shihan chuckled: “Having someone to talk to is exactly what I’ve been hoping for.”

Xu Chaomu tilted her head: “Which mountain are we going to?”

“Tianju Mountain.”

“Isn’t that a bit far?”

“Not at all, I’ll drive us there quickly.”

Xu Chaomu soon forgot all her troubles, the sunshine on her face transforming her back into that simple and carefree Xu Chaomu.

She felt tired talking to Bai Man and drained seeing Shen Chi, so hiking was the perfect way to relax.

“Chaomu, how’s your studying going recently?” Shen Shihan asked with concern.

“It’s the same, I scored near the bottom again in the monthly exam,” Xu Chaomu replied, looking down.

The monthly exam had just finished, and midterms were approaching.

She remembered someone had said that if she made it into the top ten in the midterm exam, they would give her whatever she wished for.

Now, she didn’t want anything from him, but she still really wanted to do well.

Not for anything else, because aside from herself, she had no one else to rely on.

This was a feeling of crisis she had never experienced before, an unfamiliar loneliness and helplessness.

Like being left on a deserted island, with no one around for as far as the eyes could see. No matter how wide she opened her eyes or how hoarse she screamed, no one would come to take her away…

“I’ll find you a tutor, if you want,” suggested Shen Shihan.

Xu Chaomu was noncommittal. Lou Yanli had already promised to coach her in her studies. So she declined Shen Shihan’s offer: “Third Brother, no need to trouble yourself, I’ll study harder in the future.”

“We’re family; there’s no need for formalities. Whatever difficulties you face, just tell me, and I’ll help you,” he said.

Xu Chaomu’s eyes moistened; she felt like crying all day today.

She wasn’t sentimental by nature, but Shen Shihan’s words came as a comforting warmth.

“Third Brother, may I ask you a question?” Xu Chaomu’s eyelids drooped, her eyes shrouded by a layer of inscrutable somber sadness, “Do you think… the Shen family might drive me away?

The warm sunlight on her face seemed to amplify her sorrow manyfold. She remembered the words Zhou Ran had said to her, words she never forgot.

“Why would that happen?” Shen Shihan smiled gently, turning to glance at her, “No one’s going to drive you away, don’t overthink it. Just study and eat well at the Shen’s; leave the rest to us. If anyone dares to send you away, I will definitely not allow it.”

“Third Brother… will you stand by me?”

“I will.”

Xu Chaomu’s heart settled a bit more. Although she admitted disliking Liu Rumei and Shen Yanrou, she truly liked Shen Shihan.

The car drove on, Tianju Mountain was quite a distance from the Shen estate, requiring a full two-hour drive to reach.

Xu Chaomu was in no rush, chatting with Shen Shihan, and before they knew it, the sun was directly overhead.

Shen Shihan offered her a beverage: “Are you thirsty?”

Xll C.hanmll accented the drink langhin?_ “T camp nnt with von _ Third Brother

Xu Chaomu accepted the drink, laughing, “I came out with you, Third Brother, without bringing anything.”

“What I’ve brought is enough for you to eat, drink, and be merry,” Shen Shihan laughed too, “Rest now, because later on, you’re not coming down until we reach the summit.”

“Alright! I’m sure I can make it to the top! During our class’s spring outing, not many girls made it, but I was one of them!” Xu Chaomu’s face glowed with pride.

“So impressive, Chaomu. And here you were saying you’d need breaks after just a few steps.”

“Third Brother, after chatting with you for a while, I feel much better. I’m going to be great today, and you’ll remember to take photos of me, alright?”

“Sure.”

Talking as they went and likely due to the previous night of insomnia, it wasn’t long before Xu Chaomu dozed off by the window.

With her eyes closed and a hand propped against the window, she quickly fell into a deep sleep. She was especially quiet while sleeping, like a little cat, her claws retracted, revealing only a docile face—to which anyone would be tempted to reach out and touch.

Through the car window, sunlight streamed in, illuminating her face and her body, even outlining her delicate eyelashes that seemed to flutter like butterfly wings.

Fearing she might be cold, Shen Shihan draped a jacket over her.

Xu Chaomu slept soundly, smacking her lips without waking.

She slept so deeply that when they arrived at Tianju Mountain, Shen Shihan found it hard to wake her up.

He parked the car in the parking area just as the sun reached its zenith. He glanced at his watch; it was after ten. After gathering the backpacks, he gently woke up Xu Chaomu.

“Chaomu, wake up, we’re here. Let’s go hiking.”

“Hmm?” Xu Chaomu rubbed her eyes, still incredibly drowsy, wishing she could continue sleeping.

When she opened her eyes, the sun was almost too bright. There was Shen Shihan’s face, not too close nor too far, his handsome features crisp and proud, incredibly good -looking.

For the first time, Xu Chaomu realized just how handsome her Third Brother was..