Chapter 89: Moved

Antong hesitated for a moment, then finally suppressed her urge to share. The feelings of a young girl's first love are always hard to express aloud; apart from embarrassment, there's also a possessive desire at play. She did not wish to share their moments with outsiders, longing instead to savor the vibrant and tender emotions alone.

Before long, the car stopped in front of the fence surrounding the stacked villas. Ling Qi and Antong pulled their suitcases out together, then stood before the gate, exchanging uncertain glances.

“Madam, why are you looking at me? Enter the password.”

Antong looked aside, utterly innocent. “I thought you had it.”

Ling Qi tilted her head back, eyes toward the sky, tapping the ground with her toes as she pondered for three seconds. She suggested, “Why don’t you call the boss and ask?”

Antong found the idea reasonable. She took out her phone and stepped away. “Okay, I’ll ask him.”

Ling Qi: “?”

It's just a phone call for the password—did she really have to walk a dozen meters away from her?

On the other side, Antong walked to the edge of the fence, holding her phone to her ear, waiting for the man to answer. Time dragged on; ten seconds passed and still no response. She thought perhaps he was busy, and today’s visit might end fruitlessly.

Just as the automated disconnect tone was about to kick in, a deep, magnetic male voice finally came through the receiver. “An’an?”

Antong’s heart skipped a beat, reflexively wanting to lower her head, but a sweet, lingering warmth immediately blossomed within. He called her An’an—not the way Aunt Ruan did, but in a low, gentle tone, more like the intimate whisper between lovers.

Moved and shy, Antong smiled, her voice softening, “Are you busy?”

“Not busy. Is there something you need?”

The moment he spoke, the packed meeting room fell utterly silent. The executives quietly flipped through their files, pretending they hadn’t heard a thing.

Antong tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked lightly, “What’s the gate code for Xiangzhang Residence?”

“At the apartment?” Rong Shen’s voice was rich and mellow, and he laughed softly. “It’s six digits—your birthday.”

The executives: “……”

Was that a shameless display of affection?

Perhaps the executives’ attentive listening was too obvious. The man glanced around the room, noticing the way everyone was feigning busyness, and pressed his lips together. He rose and walked out of the conference room. As the door closed, the room burst into noisy chatter.

On the other end, Antong had learned the code, her lips curving upwards uncontrollably. “Oh, got it. Then I’ll let you get back—”

“How long do you plan to stay at the apartment?” He interrupted before she could finish.

Leaning against the black fence, Antong answered softly, “I’m not sure yet. I’ll put my suitcase inside first, maybe… have a look around.”

After all, this was the place where they would live together in the future; curiosity mingled with anticipation.

Rong Shen checked his watch. “Did you go alone or with Ling Qi?”

Antong said, with Ling Qi.

“Alright.” He roughly calculated the time and reminded her in a low voice, “Don’t go back to the garden. After four, let Ling Qi take you to Jinbao Street. Call me when you arrive.”

Antong asked, “Are we eating out?”

After receiving a certain answer, she glanced at her outfit. “Who else will be there? If there are many people, I’d better go back and change. Sportswear isn’t suitable for a dinner.”

Although Antong always dressed comfortably and casually, if outsiders were present, she wouldn’t be too self-indulgent, lest her informal attire invite ridicule.

Over the phone, she caught the faint sound of his low laughter. “You still want to invite others?”

Antong immediately understood. “No, I thought it’d be like last time…”

“There’s no one else tonight.” Rong Shen didn’t mind her worry, his words carrying the mature patience and warmth unique to older men. “It’s windy outside. Open the door and go in. Call me when you reach Jinbao Street.”

After hanging up, Antong pursed her lips and giggled foolishly for a while. When she turned around, her smile froze.

In front of the stacked villa, Ling Qi sat on her suitcase with arms crossed, shivering in the cold wind, her expression stiff.

“Sorry, Qiqi.” Antong hurried over, rubbing her back apologetically. “Why didn’t you wait in the car? Are you cold? Let’s get inside quickly.”

Ling Qi sniffed, hinting, “I didn’t expect, madam, that asking for a password would take ten minutes… Achoo.”

Antong was momentarily distracted and didn’t reply. Lengthy phone calls are a lover’s delight, but she thought Ling Qi probably hadn’t experienced it and wouldn’t understand even if she explained.

…

On the second floor of the duplex villa, Antong put her suitcase in the dressing room and wandered through the various rooms. Unlike the desolate and messy state during her last visit, the finished rooms now radiated elegant warmth. The sketches on the walls, the decorative items on the side cabinets, even the bedding in each bedroom were neatly arranged and complete.

Moreover, Antong discovered a study at the far end of the second floor. It bore a striking resemblance to the reading room she had at her Yunhai Road apartment, even the placement of the tea table and sofa was identical.

Seeing all this, Antong couldn’t help but feel a surge of indescribable emotion.

Later, she forgot how she left Xiangzhang Residence; her mind was occupied by a single, urgent thought—to see him as soon as possible.

It was just three o’clock. Ling Qi hummed a tune, leisurely driving back toward the garden. Antong sat quietly in the passenger seat, unable to resist urging her, “Qiqi, drive faster. I need to change clothes first, and later I’ll trouble you to take me to Jinbao Street.”

Ling Qi glanced at the speedometer—sixty miles per hour—and recalling Antong’s driving style, she instinctively shrank her shoulders. “Madam, the speed limit here is sixty. I’m already at sixty-one…”

Antong sighed, anxious, lowering her gaze as she started pondering what to wear to meet… Ninth Brother.

…

Jinbao Street was the CBD of Zhanzhou City. Towering commercial buildings lined the avenue, the streets bustling with cars and hurried pedestrians, epitomizing the fast-paced urban life.

Antong got out near the landmark Zhanzhou Tower, made her call, and then stood quietly amid the crowd, waiting for the man to appear.

She, a beautiful young woman of marriageable age, inevitably drew attention on the street.

Today, Antong was clearly dressed with care. She wore a mist-blue and ivory loose wool coat in a color-block design, paired with pencil pants and tall boots. A dark scarf covered her chin, revealing only her palm-sized cheeks and a pair of jet-black, almond-shaped eyes. She exuded a pure yet charming aura, somewhere between girl and woman.

At that moment, from behind her, the stately black silhouette stepped out of the elevator in Zhanzhou Tower. As the man crossed the lobby, the automatic doors slid open.

When a shadow fell beside her, Antong glanced sideways, her fingertips already enveloped in the warmth of his dry, steady palm. “You just got here, so why are your hands so cold?”

(End of chapter)