Master of Time Management?

"I..." She searched for an excuse to leave.

Shen Wan thought the girl was simply shy, so she spoke up. "Zhiyu's still at the office. He should be home soon. Stay for dinner, and let him take you back afterward."

Sang Ya hurriedly declined. "N-no, that's okay. I was just passing by, and my friend's waiting for me."

Worried she sounded too eager to distance herself from Xie Zhiyu, she added, "I promised ages ago that I'd go violin shopping with my friend."

"I see. All right, then." Shen Wan didn't press her.

Sang Ya breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the sea cucumbers she had come for, and left. She had kept her distance the entire time.

Shen Baili narrowed her eyes. "There's something odd about her."

Sang Ya instinctively avoided Xie Zhiyu, yet she had come to the Xie Residence of her own accord?

Master of Time Management?

After leaving the Xie Residence, Sang Ya got into the black luxury car parked outside and set the gift box of sea cucumbers beside her.

"Uncle Li, take me to Haicheng Department Store Center."

The driver hesitated. "Miss, Elder Sang..."

Sang Ya took out her phone, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Haicheng Department Store Center. I won't say it again."

"Yes, miss." The driver glanced in the rearview mirror. Sang Ya was looking at her phone, and something on the screen had brought a smile to her lips.

The driver looked away and headed for the department store center.

When they arrived, Sang Ya said, "Uncle Li, you can go back."

"If Grandpa asks, tell him I went violin shopping with a friend."

Uncle Li nodded. "When should I come pick you up, miss?"

Sang Ya paused. "I'll take a taxi home when I'm done."

With that, she walked into the mall without looking back, her steps light and cheerful.

The driver watched her disappear inside, then started the car and drove away.

Sang Ya knew her way around the mall. She went straight to a bookstore café and spotted the man she was meeting at once.

He reclined against the sofa, looking out the window. His sharp jawline was clear in profile, and he was as handsome and refined as ever. As though he sensed Sang Ya watching him, he turned toward the entrance and gave her a dazzling smile.

Sang Ya smiled sweetly back, as if she were floating in honey.

... Back at the Xie Residence, Shen Baili went upstairs to change into loungewear, then returned to the living room to keep chatting with her mother.

They still had plenty to discuss from their conversation in the car. The two of them never ran out of things to say.

Shen Wan had nearly finished her lessons on high-society etiquette and suddenly found herself with time on her hands. She had lost touch with most of her old colleagues and friends. Occasionally, she attended tea parties with wealthy wives, but honestly, she found them dull.

She was sometimes bored at home. Going back to her old job was out of the question, so she had been thinking about what to do next.

Plant another garden? Or learn flower arranging? That seems popular with the wealthy wives...

Truthfully, Shen Wan felt a little lost and couldn't make up her mind.

Shen Baili listened closely, then suggested, "Mom, why don't you learn to paint or design clothes?"

She had never thought Shen Wan's life should revolve around her or Xie Chengyue. Her mother shouldn't be confined to the family home when there was a wider world outside.

"I remember the little dresses you made for me. They were so pretty." Shen Baili wrapped her arms around her mother's arm and wheedled.

Shen Wan was tempted. "Could I really?"

"Why not?" Shen Baili said. "We can ask Butler Lin if he knows a suitable teacher."

"And once you've learned, you can make clothes for me. I'll wear them every day." She had complete faith in Shen Wan.

Shen Wan dashed that dream. "You have to wear a school uniform. You can't wear them every day."

"But I'll make you a dress when the time comes." She had accepted Shen Baili's suggestion.

Shen Baili kissed Shen Wan on the cheek. "You're the best, Mom."

Shen Wan's lips curved upward. "You got slobber all over my face, you little cuddlebug."

Shen Baili planted another kiss on her. "I'm going to kiss you anyway."

"I'm going to stick to Mom like glue. I'm Mom's little shadow."

Shen Wan hugged her back and popped a peeled orange segment into her mouth. "Here, little shadow. Have some fruit."

Shen Baili swallowed the orange and opened her mouth again. "Ah."

"Is it sweet?" Shen Wan asked.

"Sweet," Shen Baili said.

They heard someone at the entrance and turned together. Xie Zhiyu stood there in a crisp suit, his expression solemn. He looked every inch the commanding CEO—except for the pastel-colored takeaway boxes in his hand, which softened his icy air considerably.

Xie Zhiyu seemed unsurprised to see them. "Aunt Shen," he greeted her calmly.

"You're back," Shen Wan said. "Are you having dinner at home tonight?"

He had come home much earlier than usual.

"I don't have to work late today," Xie Zhiyu said. "I'll eat... at home."

"A new dessert shop opened downstairs from the office. I heard it's pretty good." He set the desserts on the coffee table. "You two can try them."

Shen Wan and Shen Baili exchanged surprised looks. Neither had expected Xie Zhiyu to bring desserts home.

"Thank you. We'll enjoy them," Shen Wan said with a smile. She also told him that Sang Ya had stopped by that afternoon.

Xie Zhiyu's expression didn't change. "All right. I'll get in touch with Sang Ya."

"I'm going upstairs."

Shen Baili watched Xie Zhiyu curiously. She wondered how things stood between him and Sang Ya. She had heard their grandfathers had arranged their marriage when they were children. Were they

childhood sweethearts?

Eyeing the table laden with desserts, Shen Baili asked, "Eldest Brother, aren't you having any?"

He had bought so many desserts but hadn't kept even one for himself.

"I don't like sweets," Xie Zhiyu said. "You two have them."

He didn't like sweets, yet he had brought some home?

A bold thought occurred to Shen Baili: Did Eldest Brother buy these especially for us?

She dismissed the thought as soon as it arose.

Shen Baili knew better. Xie Zhiyu was friendly to them mostly out of a sense of duty to the Xie Family. He was a responsible man.