A Warm Moment

At dusk, they arrived at the Private Kitchen Restaurant they often visited near the school.

Shen Zhiyi had deliberately chosen the quietest booth in the corner and had even arrived Twenty Minutes ahead of schedule.

She knew that if Shuhua and the others found out, they would definitely insist on coming along.

It was not that she did not want to share, but tonight, she wanted a quiet corner that belonged only to the two of them.

When Zhao Chen pushed open the door, a faint fatigue he had not shed since daytime still lingered on his face. But the instant he saw her sitting there quietly and giving him a gentle wave, the hard lines of his features visibly softened.

Shen Zhiyi had ordered the dishes in advance, all light, home-style food meant to soothe the stomach.

"Have some soup first." She naturally rose to ladle him a small bowl of Yam Pork Rib Soup, then gently pushed it toward him.

"Looking at your complexion, you definitely didn't eat properly at lunch again."

Her movements were practiced, and the concern in her tone was impossible to hide, yet she restrained it with careful caution.

As though she feared that her concern might be too trivial and disturb him while he was thinking about more important matters.

Throughout the meal, she listened more than she spoke.

Zhao Chen picked out the things he could tell her, such as how he had stabilized the stock price that afternoon and some Company Affairs he would need to handle next. His tone was calm, as though he were discussing someone else's work.

But Shen Zhiyi could hear the turbulent Anliu beneath that calm surface. From the times he paused and fell into thought, she could sense the crushing pressure weighing on him.

She placed food on his plate, silently refilled his tea whenever she noticed his cup was empty, and lowered her head to pick at the rice in her bowl whenever he took work calls.

A sense of helplessness quietly spread through her heart.

She could not understand those complicated financial statements, nor could she make sense of the financial jargon. She was even less capable of helping him shoulder his burdens like the capable Lawyer Zhang from the news or the calm Teacher Chen at his side.

Her world consisted of classrooms, notes, club activities, and late-night dormitory talks. His world, meanwhile, had suddenly expanded into Capital Game, Family Feud, and the livelihoods of hundreds of people.

Between them seemed to stand a transparent yet incomparably solid wall.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Chen keenly noticed her brief distraction and the faint disappointment in her eyes.

He set down his chopsticks and looked at her intently across the small square table.

"It's nothing." Shen Zhiyi instinctively shook her head and forced out a smile.

"I just think... you work so hard. I can't help you with anything."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was nearly a murmur. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the edge of her napkin.

Zhao Chen fell silent for several seconds. Then he suddenly reached across the table and gently took her slightly cool hand in his.

The warmth of his touch made Shen Zhiyi tremble slightly. She raised her head and met his deep, tender eyes.

"Zhiyi," his voice was low and earnest, carrying a power that soothed the Human Heart.

"You being here, quietly having a meal with me, listening to me talk about whatever comes to mind, letting me see you when I'm tired... that's already the greatest help you could give me."

He paused, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

"Do you know? Those numbers, reports, and schemes can sometimes make a person forget that they're still human. But when I see you, I remember that I'm working this hard not just to take something back or defeat someone."

"It's also so that... there can be many more nights like this in the future, where I can sit down and eat with you without a care."

Shen Zhiyi's eyes suddenly grew warm.

All the helplessness born of self-doubt quietly melted away in his simple yet heartfelt words.

So her very existence was such an important source of strength to him.

"Mm." She nodded firmly and clasped his hand tightly in return. Every emotion she felt turned into a blossoming smile glimmering with tears.

"Then you have to promise me that no matter how busy you are, you'll eat on time. I... I can come 'help' you often."

"I'd love nothing more." Zhao Chen smiled, a relaxed and genuine smile, the most unburdened one he had worn all day.

The latter half of dinner became noticeably lighter.

Shen Zhiyi began telling him amusing little stories from school, while Zhao Chen temporarily cast aside all those troubles and listened attentively, occasionally laughing at something she said.

Inside the warmly lit little restaurant, the two young people sat facing each other.

The traffic and neon lights outside belonged to that complicated, cold world, while this small space by the window belonged to them—a simple, warm moment.

After dinner, Zhao Chen escorted Shen Zhiyi back to her dormitory before driving back to the Villa.

It was already late at night, but the lights on the first floor were still glowing warmly.

Su Wantang was indeed still awake. Wrapped in a soft knitted cardigan, she sat on the sofa in the Living Room reading a Book, with a cup of tea beside her.

At the Door Opening Sound, she immediately looked up, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "You're back."

"Mm." Zhao Chen responded as he changed his shoes and walked over. The rich scent of simmered soup still lingered in the air. "You're not resting yet?"

"I'm not sleepy." Su Wantang set down her Book and looked at him naturally. "Did you have a nice dinner with Zhiyi?"

"It was good." Zhao Chen sat down in the Single Sofa opposite her, paused for a moment, and decided to bring it up himself,