If You Could Hear My Heart

Xu Chaomu could find no more excuses, yet she felt it was somewhat unfair to Lou Yanli.

After all, she had liked someone, once filling her heart to the brim with thoughts of that person…

But then again, she thought, Shen Chi was about to get married; he didn’t want her anymore, and she didn’t want him either. Was she really supposed to remain an old maid forever?

It was just that emotional hurdle within her heart that seemed insurmountable.

“Chaomu, please agree,” Lou Yanli saw the hesitation in her eyes, unsure of what she was wavering over.

Perhaps it was about her brother?

Lou Yanli had not missed the headline in the newspaper. When he saw it, he was taken aback for a moment—wasn’t that Xu Chaomu’s brother?

Normally, Xu Chaomu would tell others her brother worked moving bricks on a construction site. But Lou Yanli wasn’t so easily fooled; he had personally seen Xu Chaomu’s brother driving a Maybach.

That certainly wasn’t a car just anyone could afford.

But, if Xu Chaomu’s brother truly was Shen Chi, the president of Shen Group, then it meant his family’s company and Shen Group had a very close collaborative relationship.

“Let me think about it…” It was the first time Xu Chaomu was so indecisive.

Once she agreed to Lou Yanli, she would no longer be allowed to think about Shen Chi. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to Lou Yanli.

“I thought you might reject me.” Lou Yanli chuckled, “Go ahead and think about it, I can wait.’

Xu Chaomu nodded, holding the doll Lou Yanli had given her.

She looked down and caressed the doll’s black hair, feeling hesitant in her heart.

After a long silence, she asked again, “Yanli… I’m afraid I’m not good enough for you.”

She was genuinely scared; when she liked Shen Chi, there was already a world of difference between their statuses. Now, she feared that she might not live up to Lou Yanli either…

All mismatches in love tend to end up with no good result.

“Why would you think so? You know, my mother said the same thing to my dad, but he loved her so much. Now, after so many years, they are still in love, living happily together. Forced love is the least stable. Oh, by the way, I told you before, your temperament is very much like my mother’s.” “I would really like to meet your mother someday.” Xu Chaomu smiled.

“There will be a chance.”

Clutching the doll, Xu Chaomu chatted aimlessly with Lou Yanli. They began by standing and talking by the window but soon, Xu Chaomu suggested moving up to the rooftop.

The school’s rooftop was high; standing there felt almost like standing at the peak of a mountain.

The wind “whooshed” by, lifting Xu Chaomu’s hair.

Xu Chaomu realized that it was only in front of Lou Yanli that she felt like a proper young lady.

They talked a lot, but Lou Yanli cleverly avoided mentioning anything about Xu Chaomu’s “brother.”

After a very long while, Xu Chaomu said to Lou Yanli, “Yanli, wait for me to think it through, I will definitely give you an answer.”

“Alright.” Lou Yanli smiled, his lips curving up.

It was the afternoon, the sunlight was clear, and the years were peaceful.

Strands of golden sunlight shone on Lou Yanli’s shirt, and Xu Chaomu recalled a line from the poem they had learned in Chinese class today: In my youth, my spring garments were light.

She never cared much for studying; perhaps it’s true what they say about being influenced by your surroundings. By staying with Lou Yanli, she herself could become more cultured.

Of course, if one stays with a rogue, they would likely become a rogue as well.

Throughout the weekend, Xu Chaomu stayed with Lou Yanli, who was there for her during the hardest times in her heart.

He kept her company talking, eating together, and helping her with study problems.

Life without Shen Chi might not be so bad after all.

Aside from a small, spreading ache in her chest…

After the Shen Group’s press conference, Shen Chi, as usual, drank himself into a stupor. Countless people toasted him at the banquet, and he refused none, drinking glass after glass.

It wasn’t until the early hours of Saturday that the crowd started to disperse.

Butler Cheng propped Shen Chi into the car, fortunately, Shen Chi was a good drunk, just silently leaning on the seat, not uttering a word. It was as if he was asleep, or maybe deep in thought.

Shen Chi’s brows were tightly furrowed, probably feeling sick due to too much alcohol.

Starting the car, Butler Cheng looked back, “President Shen, you can’t drink so much anymore.”

Shen Chi did not respond, and Butler Cheng wasn’t sure if he had heard.

The car fell silent for a few seconds, before Butler Cheng sighed.

Shen Chi’s hand clenched into a fist supporting his head, his expression pained.

“President Shen, are you alright? Shall I stop and take you to a nearby hotel?” Butler Cheng slowed down the car.

Shen Chi rubbed his forehead: “No need, let’s go home.”

“Then please bear with it a little longer, we’ll be there soon.”

After saying that, Butler Cheng drove with full concentration, escorting Shen Chi back to the villa.

It was nearly three in the morning, the roads were eerily quiet, growing even more so as they neared the villa area.

The Maybach raced down the road with a “whoosh” sound, exceptionally clear in the dead of night.

Butler Cheng had already called Butler Ling in advance, so as soon as the car reached the Shen family gate, Butler Ling came out to help.

“Fourth Young Master,” Butler Ling called out and hurried over to assist Shen

Chi.

“I’m fine, I can walk,” Shen Chi’s voice was deep, his eyes downcast.

“Fourth Young Master, I’ve made some sobering tea for you. Please have a few sips later, it would help you feel better.”

Butler Ling tried to support Shen Chi, but he insisted on walking by himself. Sighing inwardly at Shen Chi’s stubbornness, he never allowed himself to appear the slightest bit weak in front of anyone.

Butler Ling followed close behind as Shen Chi, supporting himself against the walls, climbed the staircase.

Stopping in front of Xu Chaomu’s door, perhaps out of habit, he halted and glanced at Butler Ling.

“Is Chaomu asleep?”

Butler Ling was taken aback, feeling a sudden warmth in her eyes.

Her voice lowered, “Fourth Young Master, Miss Xu has gone to stay at school.”

Shen Chi’s drunken gaze lingered on the door for a few seconds, then, as if remembering something, he smiled bitterly, “Oh, I forgot.” A hush fell over the hallway. Not a sound was heard.

With Shen Chi walking ahead, Butler Ling followed close behind.

The tall figure wrapped in a suit, usually so commanding and cold, seemed to Butler Ling to be filled with a touch more solitude now.

Shen Chi opened the door to his own room, slowly undid his tie, and methodically hung his suit on a coat hanger.

Butler Ling brought the tea for sobering up and then bowed out quietly.

Butler Cheng hadn’t left yet, and Butler Ling took the opportunity to speak with him.

“Butler Cheng, how much did the Fourth Young Master drink tonight?”

“Quite a lot. You should take extra care tonight. If President Shen calls for you, hurry up to him,” Butler Cheng said with a hint of concern.

“Sigh, why did he drink so much again? No matter how young, this is not a way to drink. It was the same a few days ago; he got utterly drunk.”

“There’s a lot on his plate with the company, and drinking is part of the job. Besides, President Shen has just taken over the company, and with so many things to handle, it’s inevitable,” Butler Cheng seemed to understand better.

“Try to advise him when you have a chance. No matter how important the socializing is, it can’t compare to one’s health,” Butler Ling sighed..