Better Than Summer: A Marriage Before Love Romance - Chapter 30

At Monday’s meeting, Shen Tingxia and Lin Muning each reported their work progress and follow-up plans.

Surprisingly, Kevin was very satisfied with both of their work situations. This gave Shen Tingxia even more confidence in her own creative ideas.

After the meeting, Lin Muning discussed their online multi-channel promotion strategy with her. During this discussion, Shen Tingxia gained new inspiration.

As planned, Shen Tingxia took Libby (Zhuang Wenshu) and Bella (Zhao Xuening) to inspect the exhibition venue on Tuesday.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Li Junmu there.

At that moment, Li Junmu was the curator for Lunoo’s pop-up store.

However, he hadn’t been the one Shen Tingxia had previously liaised with.

“The world really is small, isn’t it?” Li Junmu quipped.

Shen Tingxia ignored his remark. She handed him a tablet displaying her idea, adopting a strictly professional tone: “Nate, you can take a look.”

Li Junmu took the tablet and began reviewing the content on the screen. Shen Tingxia professionally explained her ideas and concepts.

Lunoo’s new featured fragrance was rose-scented. They planned to build an actual rose garden. The headquarters was collaborating with a master florist to design floral installations. For the Puxi location, besides the atomized fragrance diffuser installations, they would incorporate local elements, combining roses with embroidery to create an art wall.

Although it was an offline pop-up store, social media participation was essential. It needed to become a viral hotspot to achieve a multiplier effect.

After a long while, Li Junmu finished reviewing and listening to Shen Tingxia’s entire idea. He smiled at her. “Shen Tingxia, you’ve grown a lot in all this time.”

Though Shen Tingxia sensed his praise was genuine, she merely returned a polite, social smile.

“You were previously only dealing with my assistant. Here’s what: let’s exchange WeChat. I’ll create a complete proposal later and liaise with you directly,” Li Junmu said, opening his WeChat.

Shen Tingxia didn’t hesitate. She pulled her phone from her small bag. “I’ll scan you.”

With a beep, after more than four years, they had re-added each other on WeChat.

After changing his contact name, Shen Tingxia immediately created a group chat. She added Libby and Bella. Once done, she looked up at Li Junmu. “Nate, add the colleagues responsible on your side. We’ll liaise through the group going forward.”

Hearing this, Li Junmu’s mouth twitched. “Avoiding impropriety?”

Shen Tingxia gave a light laugh. “Unnecessary. That’s all for today. We have work to do. Just send the proposal directly to the group when it’s ready. Goodbye.”

With that, Shen Tingxia turned and walked away. Regarding work, she felt she had conducted herself appropriately. Beyond that, she had no desire for any further contact with him.

Libby and Bella followed behind Shen Tingxia, whispering:
“Does Nate know Tingxia-jie? Their interaction seemed calm, but there was definitely an undercurrent.”
“You felt it too, right? I think there must be something between them. The way Nate looked at Tingxia-jie was different.”

Despite their hushed tones, Shen Tingxia heard every word clearly. She stopped and turned to face the two young women. “Curious?”

Zhuang Wenshu and Zhao Xuening nodded in unison, like little chicks pecking at rice.

Shen Tingxia satisfied their curiosity: “Ex-boyfriend.”

Zhao Xuening’s eyes widened. Boldly, she asked, “Tingxia-jie, is there any chance you’ll get back together? That Nate is so handsome, you’re so beautiful, and you’re both strong professionally. It’s such a perfect power couple! Breaking up is such a shame.”

Shen Tingxia remained unmoved. Perhaps Li Junmu was objectively good-looking – over 180cm tall, double eyelids with peach-blossom eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. But in a crowd, he was just average, nothing particularly outstanding.

“…No chance of getting back together. I don’t go back to old flames. Shipping any couple will only lead you astray. Focus on learning more, ship less CPs.”

Zhao Xuening pouted but didn’t say anything else.

Shen Tingxia turned back around. As she walked forward, she added, “I plan to hand over liaison for this project to you two. Confirm with me afterward. Understood?”

They answered in unison: “Understood.”

Shen Tingxia spent the entire week immersed in busyness.

Just as she wished, being busy helped her forget many things. She had no time to dwell on messy thoughts.

As adults, they tacitly avoided mentioning the events of the previous period. It seemed as if the matter had truly been resolved, or perhaps as if nothing had happened at all.

During the week, Shen Tingxia visited her aunt on the day of her surgery. Her aunt was in recovery.

However, the person caring for her aunt switched from Ms. Qu (Shen’s mother) to her aunt’s partner.

It was her aunt’s personal life. Shen Tingxia felt it wasn’t her place to comment much. She planned to visit again after her aunt was discharged.

Finally, Saturday arrived. Shen Tingxia slept until the sun was high in the sky.

Waking around 10 AM, she washed up and went to the living room for water. She saw Xi Chengnan busy in the kitchen.

He had been on night shift yesterday. Knowing she wouldn’t wake up early, Shen Tingxia hadn’t locked her door last night.

“Are you making breakfast or lunch?” Shen Tingxia pulled out a high stool and sat at the island counter, pouring herself a glass of warm water.

Xi Chengnan glanced at the woman in her pajamas, flipped the pancake in the frying pan, and answered, “Lunch.”

“Are you free this afternoon?”

“Yes. Have you finished packing your things over there?”

Shen Tingxia finished her water, slumping slightly to half-lean on the island counter. She shook her head: “Not yet. Just a few small, loose items left. I’ll pack them later. No rush. Rest after eating; we can go over later.”

Xi Chengnan gave an “Mhm,” transferring the cooked pancake onto a plate and placing it on the island counter.

Seeing the soft, fluffy pancake, Shen Tingxia straightened up, reached out, pinched off a piece, and popped it in her mouth. It was soft, chewy, and surprisingly tasty.

Xi Chengnan focused on making pancakes while Shen Tingxia sat at the counter eating.

Before long, the large pancake, nearly the size of the plate, was entirely in Shen Tingxia’s stomach.

By the time Xi Chengnan flipped the second pancake onto a plate, the first one was already gone.

Xi Chengnan looked at the empty plate, then raised his eyes to meet Shen Tingxia’s gaze. He smiled. “That was for stir-frying. Was it good?”

Shen Tingxia looked at him in surprise, feeling a bit embarrassed. She swallowed the last bite before speaking: “It was good. I thought it was the main dish.”

“It can be the main dish if you want. Keep eating.”

Shen Tingxia stopped, wiped the grease from her fingers with a napkin, and shook her head. “No, I’m done. You keep cooking.”

Having eaten the pancake, she felt satisfied. She stepped away from the stool and said casually, “I’m going to do laundry. Do you have anything to wash?”

Working in a hospital meant clothes were covered in germs. Xi Chengnan had the habit of showering immediately after returning home, throwing his clothes into the washing machine before doing anything else.

He had showered and done his laundry right after getting home that morning. So he replied, “I already did mine. Just wash yours.”

Shen Tingxia responded with an “Okay” as she walked back to her room. She gathered her dirty clothes and brought them out of the bedroom.

Xi Chengnan’s washer-dryer combo was on the balcony.

Truthfully, Shen Tingxia really liked both the hard and soft furnishings of his home. It clearly reflected an owner with excellent taste and a high standard for quality of life.

After loading the clothes into the drum, Shen Tingxia started the machine. The screen displayed a warning: low detergent.

She called out, “Do you have more laundry detergent? The machine says it’s almost out.”

Hearing her, Xi Chengnan turned the stove down to its lowest setting and walked to the balcony. He stood behind Shen Tingxia, raised his arm, and opened the cabinet above the washing machine. Peering inside, he saw no detergent – it was likely used up.

At that moment, Shen Tingxia was standing right in front of the machine. Suddenly enveloped by a shadow, she felt the unexpected closeness above her. Tilting her head back, she looked up and met his deep, dark eyes. From this closer distance, she could clearly see his eyes – one lid single, one double.

The next instant, she saw Xi Chengnan’s lips move as he said, “We’ll buy more tonight. There’s still a little left in that box; it should be enough for this load.”

As his words faded, Shen Tingxia, slightly flustered, shifted her gaze to the washing machine’s electronic display. She restarted the cycle, masking the flutter inside her, and replied softly, “Oh.”

They’d had countless physical encounters, slept together numerous times, and done far more intimate things. Yet, why did a mere meeting of eyes make her unable to hold his gaze now?

After a pause, sensing the person behind her step back, Shen Tingxia turned to look. Xi Chengnan was already heading back to the kitchen.

It was only then Shen Tingxia noticed Xi Chengnan was wearing grey sweatpants.

Just yesterday, she had scrolled past a video featuring a man in grey sweatpants. The content itself wasn’t remarkable, but it was highly popular. Curious, Shen Tingxia opened the comments. The top comment declared, “Men in grey sweatpants are the equivalent of women in black stockings.” The second top comment remarked on the man’s “impressive endowment.” Initially puzzled, Shen Tingxia followed the commenters’ focus to the suggestive area of the man’s anatomy and instantly understood!

Shen Tingxia knew Xi Chengnan was well-endowed and skilled, but she’d never seen him in grey sweatpants before.

So, just as Xi Chengnan was about to enter the kitchen, Shen Tingxia suddenly called out, “Xi Chengnan!”

Xi Chengnan stopped and turned, his expression calm. “What’s up?”

As he faced her, Shen Tingxia’s gaze went directly below the hem of his T-shirt. Even from the front, the bulge there was unmistakable.

Though she’d long known Dr. Xi’s endowment was first-rate, seeing evidence of it outside the bedroom felt different somehow.

Unconsciously, Shen Tingxia’s lips curved in a hint of pride.

Xi Chengnan waited for her response. Seeing her slight smile, he spoke again: “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Shen Tingxia snapped back to reality, suppressing her smile and regaining a neutral expression. She shook her head. “Nothing. Just wanted to say your name.”

Just wanted to say his name?

Xi Chengnan was unexpectedly amused. He chuckled softly. “Alright.”

Since it was nothing, Xi Chengnan went back into the kitchen to finish lunch.

Shen Tingxia retreated somewhat awkwardly to her room.

After a while in her room, she heard a knock. Shen Tingxia walked over and opened the door, once again meeting his eyes.

She had to admit, Xi Chengnan’s eyes were truly captivating. The unique combination of one single-lidded and one double-lidded phoenix eye – she’d only ever seen it on him. His gaze could be sharp, carrying a potent intensity, or soft, like a vast ocean capable of embracing everything.

“Lunch is ready,” Xi Chengnan said.

“Okay.”

Shen Tingxia followed Xi Chengnan to the dining table.

As they ate, Shen Tingxia chatted idly with Xi Chengnan, feeling the silence might otherwise become awkward.

When talking about her aunt, Shen Tingxia said, “I’ve been busy with work this week and haven’t visited my aunt. But my mom said her partner is taking care of her. When my mom was hospitalized, it was entirely my dad taking care of her. I don’t think I have the patience to care for a sick person myself. This is my aunt’s fracture, and it is what it is. Call me biased, but if it were her partner who fractured something and my aunt was caring for him so diligently, I’d think it’s somewhat unnecessary. They’re just companions in old age.”

Shen Tingxia spoke in an even tone. She then picked up another piece of the savory pancake from the plate. It was filled with a mix of carrots, onions, wood ear mushrooms, and matsutake mushrooms. She’d already eaten a few bites and found it far more flavorful than the plain version. She hadn’t eaten this dish before and didn’t know its name, but it was unexpectedly delicious.

Xi Chengnan listened carefully to Shen Tingxia’s words, pondering them. Something felt off. When he realized what it was, he suddenly laughed. “Shen Tingxia, ah, Shen Tingxia. I truly never realized you were such a fickle-hearted, love-’em-and-leave-’em kind of woman.”

Shen Tingxia mentally reviewed her words. She didn’t see anything particularly wrong; she genuinely felt that way. Though others might find it abnormal. She smiled in response. “You exaggerate, Dr. Xi.”

She continued eating.

“What if I get sick someday in the future? Would you take care of me?” Xi Chengnan asked.

Shen Tingxia paused, chopsticks in hand. She thought for a moment, then answered seriously: “Hard to say. If it’s just a cold or fever, I believe Dr. Xi can take care of himself. But if I had to wait on you hand and foot because you were bedridden… Hmm, let’s just hope that day never comes.”

If he couldn’t move, how could they have s3x? How could she enjoy the pleasure? Frankly, if that happened, she’d probably consider finding a new bed partner.

Seeing Shen Tingxia’s utterly serious expression, Xi Chengnan’s mouth twitched. He said wryly, “I’ll do my best to stay healthy then. Otherwise, it seems I’d be left uncared for.”

Shen Tingxia laughed at this.

The topic passed, and soon they were both finished eating.

Xi Chengnan put the dishes in the dishwasher, wiped the table, and said to Shen Tingxia, “Is four o’clock okay?”

Faintly, Shen Tingxia detected a note of fatigue in his voice.

Of course. He’d come straight off a night shift and prepared their lunch, not resting until now. Despite being in his thirties, he hardly looked it, though traces of exhaustion from long hours sometimes showed.

Her own eight-hour workday often left her tired; his frequent shifts of over ten hours inspired genuine respect from her.

“No rush. You must be exhausted, Dr. Xi. Rest well first, we can go later. You really need to take care of your health. My moving can wait.” Shen Tingxia paused, leaving the rest unsaid. She had two reasons for urging him to stay healthy: firstly, he truly was an outstanding doctor needed by many; secondly, she personally didn’t want to lose such a high-quality bed partner like Xi Chengnan.

Unaware of Shen Tingxia’s inner thoughts, Xi Chengnan’s lips curved slightly at her casual concern.

As he walked past her towards his bedroom, he leaned close to her ear and murmured softly, “Won’t kick the bucket just yet. Got a few decades left in me.”