"I'm sorry, the number you dialed is currently busy..."
Busy, busy, still busy!
Shu Yunyi dialed repeatedly, but Shen Yi's phone remained engaged.
Frustrated, she set her phone aside and headed to the bathroom to freshen up and tidy her hair, planning to try again later.
Meanwhile, Cheng Jun was already seated at the dining table.
She scrolled through her phone while eating the breakfast prepared by the housekeeper.
She, too, couldn’t reach Shen Yi, but unlike Shu Yunyi, she wasn’t the least bit agitated.
Cheng Jun assumed Shen Yi was already on a call—otherwise, the line wouldn’t stay busy for so long.
Of course, there was also the possibility of being blocked, but she dismissed that thought outright.
Setting her phone aside, Cheng Jun focused on her meal.
Since her daily routine involved little physical activity—mostly sitting at her office desk—her metabolism was sluggish.
Thus, her breakfast was light and modest, just enough to replenish her energy.
The spoon clinked softly as she finished the last bite. She wiped her lips and set the bowl down.
"Ding!"
Her phone chimed—a new message.
Cheng Jun’s eyes lit up. She snatched up her phone and, sure enough, it was from Shen Yi.
Opening the chat, she found a single sentence and a location pin.
Her brows relaxed as she checked the address.
‘What does this mean?’
‘Jianyuan District… Not too far.’
Overthinking wouldn’t help. No matter what, she had to go.
Cheng Jun wasn’t one to hesitate. Breakfast was done, so she grabbed her car keys and left without delay.
Shu Yunyi stepped out of the bathroom, a hair tie clenched between her teeth.
As she walked, she gathered her hair into a ponytail, twisted it into a bun, and secured it with a clip.
After smoothing the stray strands framing her face, she picked up her phone to call Shen Yi again.
If he didn’t answer this time, she’d storm straight to his apartment.
The moment she unlocked her phone, she saw Shen Yi’s message—an address and a brief note.
The message was straightforward: I know you’re full of questions. If you want answers, come here.
Shu Yunyi frowned and immediately tried calling him, only to be hung up on.
At least he was reachable. Undeterred, she dialed another number—a colleague.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Yu Cen, it’s me."
"Listen… I have something urgent today. Can you cover for me?"
"Yeah, thanks. I owe you a meal next time."
With her work responsibilities temporarily delegated, Shu Yunyi returned to her room to change.
Soon after, she grabbed her phone, slipped on her shoes, and left.
...
Fu Nanzhi parked in a public spot—she’d driven all the way from Shangyang District early that morning.
"Lakeside Residence… Number 17."
She checked the location on her phone as she strolled down the tree-lined path.
Though Lakeside Residence’s location wasn’t as prime as her own Peaceful Lake Residence, its scenery far surpassed it.
The two areas weren’t far apart, but this one bordered the lake, offering breathtaking views.
Nearby, the autumn breeze rippled the water’s surface, and the morning sun cast shimmering reflections.
The sight alone lifted her spirits, filling her with quiet delight.
“So mysterious… telling me to come here to find him.”
Fu Nanzhi woke up first thing in the morning and immediately called Shen Yi.
Unable to contain her emotions, she laughed and cried as she recounted the events of last night’s dream.
After being comforted by Shen Yi, she was given this address and told to come find him.
As she turned the corner, a towering ancient tree came into view, its slightly yellowed leaves spiraling down in the autumn breeze, carrying a lonely beauty unique to late fall.
Fu Nanzhi walked up to the gate—the first barrier was an automated wrought-iron fence.
The décor had a somewhat vintage charm. She brushed aside the vines clinging to the wall and pressed the doorbell.
“Ding-dong…”
“Coming!”
The sound of the bell was followed by Shen Yi’s voice from inside, bringing a spark of joy to Fu Nanzhi’s eyes.
Before long, Shen Yi came over with a broom in hand and opened the gate.
Looking at Fu Nanzhi, he chuckled and said,
“You’re here.”
Fu Nanzhi’s shoulders trembled, her lips pursed as she fought back tears, her gaze fixed on Shen Yi.
Shen Yi leaned on the broom, noticing her puzzled expression, and gestured with it.
“Oh, this?”
“Got bored waiting, you know.”
He turned and glanced around the courtyard.
“This old tree’s been shedding leaves like crazy lately. If you don’t sweep for even a bit, they pile up everywhere. Since I had the tools handy, I figured I’d tidy up.”
Shen Yi rambled on, just like he always did.
Before he could finish, Fu Nanzhi rushed into his arms.
Caught off guard, he barely had time to toss the broom aside and catch her with one arm.
“I missed you…”
Fu Nanzhi’s face pressed against Shen Yi’s chest, her muffled voice piercing straight through to his heart.
Though only a night had passed in reality, to her, it felt like an eternity.
Shen Yi lowered his head and gently kissed the top of hers, whispering,
“Me too.”
Then he cupped her face, carefully brushing aside her disheveled hair and wiping away her tears with the back of his hand.
“Look at you, crying like this.”
“If you keep it up, you’ll turn into a little tear-streaked mess…”
Fu Nanzhi puffed her cheeks, laughter breaking through her tears, and playfully bumped her head against him.
“None of your business!”
Seeing her calm down, Shen Yi grabbed her hand excitedly.
“Come on, let me show you our new home.”
Fu Nanzhi let him lead her forward, confusion in her voice.
“Our… home?”
“Yep.”
Shen Yi pulled her through the entryway, not even bothering to take off their shoes before stepping into the living room.
With a sweep of his left hand, he announced,
“Pick whichever room you like—any one’s yours.”
Fu Nanzhi stood in the center of the room, scanning the space. She wasn’t stunned—just puzzled.
“You… bought this place?”
“Where’d you get the money?”
“Don’t worry about that. Do you like it?”
Faced with Shen Yi’s evasion, Fu Nanzhi softened her tone, her voice gentle.
“This place must cost at least ten or twenty million. Please don’t push yourself too hard…”
“Don’t stress about the money. If it’s not enough, I’ve got more.”
“And if it really comes down to it, I can always ask my parents for help…”
Shen Yi paused, touched by her concern, then smiled.
“Really, it’s fine. I’ve got the money.”
“What’s yours is mine, anyway. Besides, you know I’d never overextend myself like that.”
At this, Fu Nanzhi burst into laughter.
Indeed, whether in his past life or the present one, Shen Yi has never shied away from the fact that he lives off women.