Tempt Flirting/Camp With Love - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Zheng Shuyi admitted that when she first got into the car, she deliberately adjusted her posture, managed her expression, and even discreetly repositioned her legs to look the most graceful.

She didn’t know how good Shi Yan’s eyesight was, or whether he could appreciate her inner beauty, so her outer beauty had to be clearly on display.

But now, the car window was open, and the cold wind, as if it didn’t cost a penny, was furiously pouring into the car.

Zheng Shuyi had lost all her thoughts of being charming. Without a word, she drew her legs back, tightened her coat, pulled out her voice recorder, cleared her throat, and said, “President Shi, may I turn on the recorder now?”

Shi Yan leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, and gave a nonchalant “Mm” as a response.

He looked like he might fall asleep in the next second.

Do I really have so little charm? Zheng Shuyi cursed silently, but spoke obediently, “I’ll record the entire interview, and I’ll check the final draft with you before publishing.”

Shi Yan gave no reply, still sitting with eyes shut, resting.

Zheng Shuyi flipped open her notebook.

“This interview mainly focuses on the role of the Renminbi as a pillar currency in Asian monetary cooperation and its position in East Asia. First, I’d like to ask, in promoting the internationalization of the Renminbi, what preparations do you think major commercial banks should make?”

After she finished speaking, Shi Yan turned his head slightly and glanced at her, his chin slightly tilted down.

Zheng Shuyi couldn’t figure out what the look meant, so she looked back at him.

To her surprise, he didn’t look away. Their eyes met, and she didn’t know how to react. She could only blink a few times.

Setting aside other reasons, she had prepared thoroughly for this interview. The more she looked forward to it, the more nervous she felt.

After a moment, Shi Yan made a faint snort from his nose, barely audible, then looked away.

Zheng Shuyi: ?

If I weren’t trying to win you over, I’d absolutely demand you explain that micro-expression.

While she was silently fuming, Shi Yan raised his hand and loosened his tie before he began to answer.

The moment he spoke, Zheng Shuyi was caught off guard. She paused for a second, then quickly lowered her head to start taking notes.

Shi Yan spoke with clear logic and a strong structure. Each sentence was concise but packed with information. Zheng Shuyi didn’t dare miss a word and listened attentively.

The car sped along, heading up a mountain road, entering a tunnel, circling around interchanges. Zheng Shuyi never looked up to check the scenery outside.

She continued to follow the interview outline, barely having time to consider where they were even going.

By the time she asked her last question, the recorder showed that one hour and fifty-six minutes had passed.

It was genuinely difficult to keep up with his train of thought. The level of focus required was practically exam-level, and she also had to analyze what he said to avoid asking repetitive questions and making herself look unprofessional. By the time she jotted down the final key point, her palm was covered in a sheen of sweat.

Zheng Shuyi lifted her head and glanced at Shi Yan. He appeared calm and collected, certainly not as tense as she was.

Her gaze lingered on his eyes.

From the side, the lenses of his glasses reflected a faint light over his eyelashes. It was impossible to read his emotions, but she found it hard to look away.

“All done?” Shi Yan suddenly turned and looked at her.

Zheng Shuyi quickly averted her eyes. “Yes, all done.”

The next second—

Zheng Shuyi: “……”

The already quiet car became even more silent.

She capped her pen and pretended nothing had happened, lowering her face to flip through her notes, trying to cover up the awkwardness of getting caught staring.

After a few moments of silence, Zheng Shuyi started to feel uneasy. She cautiously looked up at Shi Yan—

Only to meet his gaze again.

He slowly sat up straight, raised a hand to adjust his tie, and his expression turned unreadable.

At that moment, the car slowly came to a stop.

Zheng Shuyi grew even more nervous.

That was dumb. I should’ve just stayed professional.

The car remained quiet. A gust of cold wind blew in, making Zheng Shuyi shiver involuntarily.

In that moment, Shi Yan looked away, opened the door, stepped out, and left her with a single sentence:

“Two hours are up.”

Zheng Shuyi: “……”

His movements were so fast that she was still caught in the tension of their earlier eye contact.

She immediately looked up and peered out the car window.

Vast fields of grass, rows of wooden fences, a few horses grazing in the distance, a forest in the far background with yellowing leaves, and a sky heavy with dark clouds, like they were about to crash down on the woods.

???

Where the heck is this place?

Shi Yan stood beside the car, gazing into the distance, as if he’d completely forgotten she was even there.

Zheng Shuyi clutched the edge of the car window, full of anxiety.

His back seemed to scream “indifference” in bold letters.

Just as she was about to speak, Shi Yan turned around and lifted his eyelids slightly. “You can leave now.”

Zheng Shuyi: ?

How the hell am I supposed to leave in the middle of nowhere?

Ride a horse?

Seeing that Shi Yan was really about to walk off, Zheng Shuyi hurriedly got out of the car and chased after him.

“President Shi, I have one last question.”

She bit her lip slightly. “Maybe… something a bit more casual?”

Shi Yan, eyes on his phone, didn’t look at her.

“Go ahead.”

Standing behind him, Zheng Shuyi asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Shi Yan paused for a beat, then turned his head toward her.

Zheng Shuyi beamed at him, her expression seemingly innocent. After all, lots of reporters ask a light-hearted question at the end of a serious interview.

In truth, her hand resting at her side was clenched tightly.

Shi Yan’s gaze dropped, clearly assessing her face with a hint of curiosity and something else.

Just as he was about to speak, a male voice rang out from not far away.

“Shi Yan!”

Shi Yan immediately looked up. An older man with white hair dressed in equestrian gear was quickly walking toward them.

At first, Zheng Shuyi simply followed Shi Yan’s gaze, thinking the voice sounded familiar.

As the man came closer, and his face became clearer, Zheng Shuyi suddenly recognized him.

Or more accurately, she recognized him from a distance—he was a legend in the financial world.

Guan Xiangcheng.

Zheng Shuyi studied finance journalism in college, and his name was mentioned in her very first lecture.

Ever since then, the name “Guan Xiangcheng” had accompanied her entire academic and early professional career—on TV, in magazines, newspapers—his face and name were everywhere.

Though retired now and rarely seen in public, his reputation remained towering.

She’d also heard that his biggest hobby was horseback riding.

Which meant… she was now at Guan Xiangcheng’s private stable.

Guan held a leather riding crop and casually walked over, his gaze settling on Zheng Shuyi.

Seeing a young woman with Shi Yan, his pace naturally slowed, curiosity in his eyes.

But then again, a man bringing a woman with him wasn’t so strange.

He pointed at Zheng Shuyi and asked, “Who is this?”

Before Shi Yan could answer, Zheng Shuyi stepped up with a smile. “Hello Mr. Guan, I’m Zheng Shuyi, a reporter with Finance Weekly.”

“Finance Weekly, huh…” Guan nodded. “I think I’ve read some of your articles. Not bad—thoughtful and insightful. I didn’t expect you to be such a young lady.”

Whether he was being sincere or simply polite for Shi Yan’s sake, Zheng Shuyi took the compliment gracefully.

She smiled. “You flatter me.”

After the brief introduction, Guan turned back to Shi Yan, smiling cheerfully. “I thought you were coming alone. Didn’t prepare anything. Not many women visit my humble place.”

Judging from his words, it was clear that Guan had misunderstood—he thought she’d come with Shi Yan, maybe even that they were close.

Zheng Shuyi lowered her head, subtly rubbing her fingers together as she quickly calculated her next move.

“Uncle Guan—”

“Oh wow!”

Just as Shi Yan began to speak, Zheng Shuyi suddenly gasped.

Shi Yan turned to see her gazing at the racetrack with sparkling eyes.

“It’s so beautiful here!” she said in awe.

She twirled around, eyes shining, her long hair lifted by the wind. “And the horses are gorgeous!”

She looked just like an innocent girl charmed by the scenery.

Zheng Shuyi thought her acting deserved an Oscar—at least the Chinese version.

Shi Yan closed his mouth, furrowed his brow, and studied her.

“This isn’t even my best horse,” Guan said, unable to resist a bit of showing off. “The real treasures are inside.”

“There’s more?!”

Zheng Shuyi looked fascinated.

Guan was pleased, put away his crop, and waved. “Come on, let’s go in.”

He turned and walked ahead, leaving the two behind.

The wind howled through the wide-open area.

Though Shi Yan didn’t speak, Zheng Shuyi could feel his gaze on her.

She knew exactly what she was doing—banking on the fact that Shi Yan wouldn’t explain anything to Guan Xiangcheng. With Guan’s status, there was no way Shi Yan would make a scene about something so petty.

But that stare was torturous—each second dragged out like an eternity.

Her breathing faltered slightly. She clasped her hands behind her back, fingers twisting nervously. After a few more seconds of silence, she bit the bullet and looked up at him.

Sure enough, their eyes met again.

Zheng Shuyi blinked, her expression as innocent as ever, as if to say: “He invited me. What’s the problem?”

Whether or not Shi Yan had a problem, he didn’t say. He just gave a vague, amused smile and walked away.

Inside the stables, Guan stood outside the changing room.

Shi Yan walked directly toward it. Just before stepping inside, he turned slightly toward Zheng Shuyi.

“I’m going to change.”

His voice was calm, but clearly carried a warning.

Zheng Shuyi smiled sweetly. “Mm! I’ll wait right here.”

Shi Yan: “……”

He said no more and went inside, leaving just Zheng Shuyi and Guan Xiangcheng.

—
For strangers, Guan usually kept conversation minimal.

But today, he clearly assumed Zheng Shuyi was with Shi Yan. After hearing their exchange, he had made his own judgments—and his tone toward her was just as warm as toward Shi Yan.

He led a horse over, stroking its mane as he chatted casually.

After a few industry-related comments, he suddenly asked, “How long have you known Shi Yan?”

Zheng Shuyi was stunned for a moment before she realized what he meant.

She lowered her eyes and replied shyly, “Not long.”

Today, to be exact.

Guan nodded with a smile and patted a young horse. “Do you know how to ride?”

Zheng Shuyi said she didn’t.

Guan pointed toward the changing room. “My wife’s old riding gear is in there. If you don’t mind, you can put it on and give it a try. Since you’re already here, might as well learn.”

“Really?!”

Horseback riding was such a rare experience that even if it weren’t for Shi Yan, she’d still be excited. Her delight in that moment was completely genuine.

Guan led her inside the changing room.

It was spacious, with four stalls on each side.

As she passed one, she glanced through the curtain—and saw Shi Yan.

The curtain covered only from chest to ankle. Shi Yan turned around and their eyes met.

He had taken off his glasses, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Though the lights were bright, his gaze carried a distinct chill.

Zheng Shuyi, with a guilty conscience, looked away.

She could still feel that cold stare on her back, so she quickened her pace.

—

Guan led her to a cabinet, opened it, and a faint fragrance wafted out.

Inside hung a red riding outfit—slightly aged, but made of high-quality material and cut sharply.

“You go ahead and change. My wife had a similar build. It should fit.”

He left the room.

Now alone, Zheng Shuyi pulled out the outfit and chose a stall to change.

As she passed by the divider again, she peeked toward Shi Yan’s side.

But the storage shelf blocked her view, and she couldn’t see if he was still there.

He’s probably gone by now, she thought.

Zheng Shuyi stepped into the stall.

She carefully changed into the riding outfit. Just as she was about to button the collar, she heard footsteps.

She paused, trying to tell if they were coming her way.

They weren’t.

They were moving away—probably leaving.

Zheng Shuyi touched the belt around her waist and suddenly called out:

“President Shi!”

The footsteps stopped.

Smiling to herself behind the curtain, Zheng Shuyi said sweetly:

“This belt—how do I fasten it? Could you help me?”

A few seconds later, the footsteps started again.

The floor was wood, and each step was heavy and slow.

He’s coming.

Zheng Shuyi let go of the belt and quickly adjusted her hair.

But then—something felt wrong.

The footsteps were getting farther away.

And then—slam—a door shut, sending a breeze that lifted her curtain.

Shi Yan’s voice echoed cold and clear in the dressing room:

“If you can’t fasten it, then don’t ride.”