This response was not easy to follow up on.
Could she say she understood?
There was no guarantee he wouldn’t misinterpret her words again.
But since they started interacting last year, Qiao Xi could indeed testify to the changes in Shen Dang before and after.
"Of course, how could I not understand?" Qiao Xi’s eyes curved with mirth, "Boss Shen is lofty, cold and proud, indifferent to everything. You would have never been the busybody you are now in the past."
Qiao Xi wasn’t oblivious to Shen Dang’s attitude towards her, or even the mere two intimate moments they had previously shared.
Those factors might have been uncontrollable due to certain thoughts, yet the person drunk in them deserved a thousand deaths.
She didn’t want to be a sinner.
"You said it yourself, that was in the past," Shen Dang’s voice was husky, the low tone conveyed some profound meaning, "People change."
He could have never imagined himself in this situation before. The most update n0vels are published on ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
Qiao Xi neither agreed nor disagreed with this statement.
Shen Dang’s lips curved slightly in a careless manner, "You’re not going to accept my concern for you? Teacher Qiao wouldn’t be that domineering, would she?"
Who taught him to speak such cheesy lines?
Shen Dang’s gaze turned sharp yet seemed to retract its blade, appearing utterly non-threatening, "You seem very afraid of my concern."
The tone was even and straightforward.
As if he was merely stating a fact.
Qiao Xi felt indescribable emotions flooding through her from his gaze, which continually impacted her.
The sagging softness in Shen Dang’s eyes made Qiao Xi feel as if she’d been burnt, and she shifted her gaze away in a panic.
She knew the topic should not proceed further.
Nor did she want to confront his probing eyes.
It shouldn’t and couldn’t continue.
"Whatever!" Qiao Xi dropped the words coldly, her face sternly warning him, "You can stay here, but you mustn’t be seen by anyone! Otherwise, I can only reveal the truth about our marriage and divorce."
Qiao Xi hurried back to the bedroom, her steps quick, her tense nerves finally relaxing against the door.
Shen Dang watched the direction of her bedroom and seemed to laugh lightly, the displeasure already replaced with contentment.
He shouldn’t push her too hard.
Being chased away last time and managing to stay this time was already good progress.
Before sleep, Shen Dang sent Qiao Xi two words.
[Doggish Man: Good night.]
Qiao Xi read it and ignored it.
While yawning, Qiao Xi opened the door to her room and was momentarily stunned upon seeing the man standing outside.
His hair was messy, yet naturally voluminous and dense, with handsome features emerging through his casual look, exuding an innate nobility.
Shen Dang had already greeted her.
With an air of dignity about him and a faint smile on his lips, his perfect facial features carried a hint of warmth.
Qiao Xi pursed her lips, "Morning."
She hadn’t expected him to be up earlier.
Shen Dang stood by the dining table, breakfast laid out, giving her a sense of both familiarity and alienation.
It was a deja vu moment.
Qiao Xi’s heart skipped a beat, then she heard Shen Dang’s laid-back voice, "Have you washed up? If you have, come have breakfast."
She hadn’t freshened up yet, and she was still in her pajamas.
Sleeping had made her forget Boss Shen had stayed the night.
Qiao Xi glanced down at herself, relieved. Her pajamas were conservative enough, not revealing.
But still, in front of Shen Dang, she felt a bit embarrassed.
"I haven’t yet, I’ll go get ready."
Qiao Xi slipped away.
With a "bang", she closed the door a bit too loudly, as if even shaking it somewhat.
Shen Dang chuckled with a sound steeped in mirth.
After freshening up and changing into a new outfit, Qiao Xi emerged, and hearing footsteps, Shen Dang looked up from his phone.
She was wearing a creamy white knitted sweater with a skirt below, simple yet demure.
Hair naturally cascading, jet black like satin, each strand appearing to glow.
Her unadorned face was delicate and lovely; her naturally rosy lips had a tantalizing appeal.
Shen Dang looked away casually, "I went out and bought breakfast. See if you like it."
Qiao Xi paused, "You went out to buy it?"
Shen Dang lifted his eyelid slightly, "Otherwise?"
Otherwise? Annoyed, Qiao Xi bit her lip, "What if someone from the crew saw you? This doggish man really doesn’t know discretion!"
"Relax, I wasn’t seen."
Boss Shen’s reply was nonchalant.
She knew she shouldn’t have softened at that moment, Qiao Xi coldly said, "You go back to your place tonight!"
"But I really don’t have a place to stay," Shen Dang smiled rakishly, "I can only bunk here."
She dared not face the possibility from the previous night, but she absolutely couldn’t let Shen Dang stay tonight.
"Okay, I’ll listen to you."
Shen Dang suddenly compromised.
Qiao Xi had heard this too many times before.
But it always gave her an itching feeling.
There came a knock at the door; seeing Shen Dang ready to get up, Qiao Xi immediately snapped, "You stay put!"
Shen Dang gave her a careless smile.
Qiao Xi glared at him, went out, and opened the door.
Bei Bei stood outside with a bag of breakfast, smiling broadly, about to enter, "Sister Xi, I thought you hadn’t gotten up yet—perfect for breakfast."
Qiao Xi stopped her at the door, smiling faintly, "You have it. I’ve already bought some. You go wait downstairs for me; I’ll be there after I’ve eaten."
Bei Bei was still puzzled as Qiao Xi shut the door.
Bei Bei scratched her head, finding Sister Xi a bit odd today.
Qiao Xi returned to the breakfast table with an unchanged expression, carrying on elegantly without further regard to Shen Dang.
After she finished, she wiped her lips and then curtly said, "I’m off to the set, Boss Shen, leave later."
Shen Dang leaned back in his chair, his posture lazy, with a nonchalant smile.
Qiao Xi’s face was unsmiling, "In an hour, when this floor is empty, then you can leave."
"Okay, I’ll do as you say."
Shen Dang propped his chin with both hands.
As if he really took her words into account.
Qiao Xi swept a silent glance at him, put on her coat, donned a hat and mask, and left.
Bei Bei was waiting downstairs, quickly opened the car door when she saw Qiao Xi, and the nanny car headed towards the set.
Bei Bei leaned back against the window, her gaze fixed on Qiao Xi.
That look was something Qiao Xi couldn’t ignore; she looked towards Bei Bei, "Is there something on my face?"
Bei Bei giggled, "No flowers on your face, but you look prettier than any flower."
Her Sister Xi was naturally more charming than flowers.
How could anyone ever tire of such a face?
Qiao Xi curved her lips, her features animated, "Just speak properly. There’s no need for such flattery."
Bei Bei propped her chin, "Sister Xi, you seem a bit strange today."
She, Bei Bei, today was the Sherlock of the North!
Qiao Xi raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Strangely good-looking?"