Chapter 116: Chapter 116

"What exactly do you want to do?"

This young lady’s mood really is as unpredictable as the weather.

"I ate too much, can’t I go for a walk? It’s not like there’s a rule that says I can’t walk on this road."

Shen You’an was at a loss for words in the face of her unreasonable logic.

Gao Yuyue chased after her for just a few steps when, in a blink of an eye, Shen You’an had disappeared.

Gao Yuyue stood by the roadside and stomped her foot fiercely.

The driver opened the car’s back door, "Miss, please get in. Madam is still at home waiting for you."

Song Xiaojing witnessed this scene from a distance, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

It seemed Gao Yuyue was getting closer and closer to Shen You’an, and this was certainly not a good sign.

With a thought, Song Xiaojing’s lips curved into a fleeting smile.

When Shen You’an arrived home, there were two dishes already prepared on the dining table, one of which was her favorite—sweet and sour fish.

Except... why did this fish seem a bit burnt?

Could it be Jin Han who cooked it?

But Jin Han’s slippers were still in the entrance cabinet.

Shen You’an glanced at the tightly closed door of the room and understood immediately.

After changing into her home clothes, Shen You’an went over and knocked on the neighboring door.

When Rong Xianning emerged, Shen You’an noticed his right thumb was wrapped in gauze, with blood seeping through.

Rong Xianning instinctively tried to hide his arm behind him.

Shen You’an pretended not to notice, placing a bowl of rice on the opposite side and setting out the chopsticks.

Shen You’an picked up a piece of fish and placed it in her mouth.

Rong Xianning’s eyes lit up, staring intently at Shen You’an.

Shen You’an felt like all her acting skills had been used up in this moment—her eyes squinted into lines, looking as if she was thoroughly enjoying it.

But deep inside, her mind was screaming, "Does this guy think vinegar doesn’t cost money or what?"

The dish was so sour it tasted bitter.

Yet, seeing the effort he had put into making it, Shen You’an couldn’t bear to hurt his feelings, so she bit the bullet and offered praise.

It wasn’t easy—it really wasn’t easy.

Just as Rong Xianning was about to pick up chopsticks to grab a piece of fish, Shen You’an quickly snatched the plate away, "You eat this one."

She pushed the other plate of tomato eggs toward him.

The young man’s brows and eyes carried a gentle smile that was enough to melt hearts.

Yet, this smile did nothing to erase the bitterness in Shen You’an’s mouth—or the bitterness in her heart.

What was she even doing? Hurting herself ?

Why not flip the plate and just say, "What kind of awful stuff did you make?" What could possibly happen? After all, this was his house.

"The fish is tender, the sweetness and saltiness perfectly balanced—comparable to the skills of Wangyue Building’s top chef."

The young man’s smile became even gentler, almost enough to drown someone in his warmth.

Shen You’an didn’t expect herself to be so hypocritical one day—how shameful.

She merely didn’t want the young man’s gentle gaze to be stained with even the faintest trace of disappointment.

By the time she realized this, Shen You’an had already finished an entire plate of sweet and sour fish.

By the end, she couldn’t tell what it tasted like anymore.

So she started chugging water furiously.

Rong Xianning cleared the dishes and walked into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves as he slowly washed them.

Shen You’an took a sip of water, leaning against the kitchen door frame, quietly observing him.

The young man worked slowly, with an air of meticulous deliberation.

When it came to doing these tedious chores, he seemed remarkably skilled—so skilled it seemed he could perform them with his eyes closed, knowing exactly where to place each dish.

The young man’s figure was thin and frail, yet there was a pure, ethereal quality about him, lending him an aura of tranquility and grace.

Hardship hadn’t managed to drag him entirely into the mire; instead, he had grown upward, like a pristine lotus emerging from the mud, embodying unparalleled beauty and resilience.

Shen You’an seemed to see the youth of the past—this boy who had suffered so much, clawing his way out of despair step by step, eventually standing atop the highest summit.

There’s a saying: hardships don’t defeat me—they only make me stronger.

At that moment, Shen You’an felt a surge of emotion deep within her.

She realized that even without her offering him shelter, this young man would still somehow pull himself out of his struggles.

Because within him lay an unwieldy, indomitable spirit.

At the very least, he was much stronger than she had ever been in her past life.

After finishing her water, Shen You’an returned to her room and dialed Zhao Heng’s number.

"Boss, you finally contacted me! So your real name is Shen You’an? You totally tricked me..."

Shen You’an fell silent for a moment.

"Does knowing my name really matter?"

"Of course it matters! It’s a matter of trust."

"Alright, my name is Shen You’an."

"Such a nice name—sounds like it’s brimming with a sense of security."

After rambling on for a while, Zhao Heng finally remembered the main reason for her call: "Boss, is there something serious you need me for?"

"Actually, I..." Shen You’an was about to speak, but suddenly she noticed the skyline painted with splendid sunset hues, as a flock of swallows flew south.

"The setting sun and the solitary wild goose flying together—this sight was both majestic and grand."

One lone swallow landed on the balcony railing, calling out anxiously while watching its flock fly farther and farther away. Its cries became even more desperate.

Eventually, it tried once more to fly. Though it wobbled unsteadily, it stubbornly headed toward the horizon. Even if it meant going to its doom, it surged onward without hesitation.

Migrating birds—they were compelled by instincts embedded deep in their DNA, a force no one and nothing could stop.

Watching the distant flock of birds, Shen You’an fell into deep contemplation.

"Boss, why’d you suddenly stop talking?"

Zhao Heng’s puzzled voice came through the phone.

Shen You’an pursed her lips, "It’s nothing. I just wanted to ask how Jiang Han’s new album is coming along."

"It’s in post-production now, being handled by a top-tier music team. Don’t worry."

"Good. I’ve got other matters to deal with—I’ll hang up now."

Shen You’an ended the call and leaned against the railing, gazing at the horizon as the flock of birds turned into tiny black dots under the golden sunset.

Everyone has their own path in life to walk. By interfering too much, she risked triggering an unpredictable butterfly effect.

Perhaps that boy didn’t need her pity after all.

Tonight, Rong Xianning’s companion was a copy of "The Little Prince."

Outside the window, starlight sparkled, and soft moonlight spilled across the ground like silver.

In his dream, he arrived at a tiny planet called B-612, where he met the rose that had kept him company every day and night.

He told the rose, "Maybe there are five thousand roses exactly like you in the world, but only you are my unique rose."

Stars shine so that one day everyone can find their own star.

"Look, my star happens to be right above me, yet it’s so far away."

But where is my star?

Among the pitch-black sky, there was one exceptionally bright star.

Roaming alone through the vast world, the star above his head lit the path ahead of him.

From then on, whenever he looked up, he could see it.