"…Don't mention it," Shen Xianyu gave a faint smile and said, "Thanks."
While they spoke, Tang Wanwan had already pushed the door open herself and hopped out of the car.
"Careful," Shen Xianyu steadied her by the arm, lowering his head to check on her. "How do you feel? Anywhere uncomfortable?"
She'd heard this question so many times she could grow calluses on her ears. Shaking her head, she replied, "I'm fine, just a little hungry."
Seeing her complexion so healthy, Shen Xianyu's brows relaxed. "Alright then, let's get our Wanwan some food first."
Sure enough, the doctor hadn't been wrong—her body would only get better as she got older.
He called out to Jiang Yanzhi, then prepared to lead her inside.
"Hey!" Tang Wanwan turned back. "My suitcase is still in the car."
Jiang Yanzhi, walking behind them, smiled faintly at that. "Don't worry, it's not going anywhere."
Shen Xianyu explained gently, "Yanzhi lives in the same place as we do—just upstairs and downstairs from each other."
Tang Wanwan knew he'd moved out of the old family home after adulthood, living separately from his parents.
Since the university she'd be attending, A University, wouldn't start for another twenty-some days, and she'd come to the capital early, it was understood she'd be staying with him.
Still, hearing something that sounded vaguely like "cohabiting" made her cheeks warm a little.
Fortunately, Jiang Yanzhi didn't seem to catch that implication—his expression remained calm, silent as ever.
The private dining room was on the top floor.
The guest of honor hadn't arrived yet, so the banquet hadn't started. Inside, those who had been waiting were either playing cards or chatting idly, though all kept one eye on the door.
They had seen photos before, but curiosity still burned. This was the girl Shen Xianyu had kept close to his heart for ten years—what did she look like in person?
So when the door was pushed open from the outside, everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing and looked over.
For a brief moment, the air went still.
The girl at the doorway looked as if she had come straight from the airport, no time for makeup or dressing up—casual clothes, canvas sneakers, long hair swept up into a loose bun with a few wisps falling over her forehead.
Even in the sweltering summer heat, she was wrapped up head to toe, not even an arm exposed.
Her appearance could be called plain and unremarkable at first glance—something the rich young masters here were hardly used to.
And yet, none of them looked away.
There are some kinds of beauty that need no fine clothes. Even wrapped in rags, they still make you stare.
She simply stood there—graceful, poised—and it was enough to make one catch their breath.
A few people finally recovered from their daze.
Exclamations of "Holy—" rang out.
"I knew it—any girl who could make our Shen Young Master lose his soul definitely isn't ordinary," one man said, even stroking his chin for emphasis. He shot Shen Xianyu a teasing look. "They say meeting in person beats hearing a hundred times—Miss Tang, you are truly stunning."
Tang Wanwan had heard such blunt compliments since childhood; they hardly fazed her.
Even with so many eyes on her, there wasn't a hint of shyness.
Jiang Yanzhi was the first to step inside, going straight to the corner to tell two waiters to start serving the dishes.
Shen Xianyu, smiling, told his friends to tone it down, then turned to Tang Wanwan. "That's just how they are—no bad intentions."
He led her in and began making introductions.
There weren't many people in the room. Anyone present at this welcome banquet was part of Shen Xianyu's tightest inner circle. A few had brought female friends—dressed in fitted dresses, makeup immaculate, looking demure and sweet.
Shen Xianyu didn't seem to know his friends' girlfriends very well; he skipped them in the introductions.
Tang Wanwan didn't notice anything amiss—she greeted everyone politely.
When she heard them call her "Miss Tang," she smiled and said, "I'm Tang Wanwan—just call me Wanwan."
Her manner was confident and natural, unfazed by attention—clearly the product of good upbringing.
Still, though her lips and eyes held a smile, there was an aloofness about her, like she stood just beyond reach.
Finally, when they got to Jiang Yanzhi, someone chuckled. "No need to introduce Yanzhi—you two are fated, after all. Same flight here."
Same flight? That was an understatement.
Recalling the strange hint from her dream, Tang Wanwan felt a rush of complicated emotion.
Jiang Yanzhi, seated in the corner, had his head slightly lowered as if lost in thought. Hearing his name, he looked up.
At that moment, Tang Wanwan happened to be looking at him too.
Their gazes met briefly. Jiang Yanzhi lowered his eyes again. "Well, since we're all acquainted, let's eat—you must be hungry."
Just then, the door to the private room opened again.
Over a dozen waiters streamed in with dishes, lining up neatly to place them on the table.
Everyone rose and moved into the adjoining dining area.
This banquet was meant to welcome Tang Wanwan, so as soon as they sat down, someone came over to offer a toast.
Before she could reply, Shen Xianyu cut in. "She doesn't drink."
"No way," Gu Yunyi, sitting nearby, laughed, glancing at her. "I thought Miss Tang was already a soon-to-be college student—shouldn't you start learning to drink?"
It was an obvious attempt to coax her.
Tang Wanwan caught on, and though she knew better, she still looked tempted.
"No," Shen Xianyu refused firmly. "Your body can't handle it."
He ladled a bowl of sweet soup and set it in front of her. "Have some soup, then eat."
"My health has improved a lot," Tang Wanwan murmured, holding his wrist. "I walked so much today, sat in cars for ages, and I'm not tired at all."
She truly felt her body was no different from anyone else's now.
Shen Xianyu studied her face for a moment.
Seeing her complexion so good, he relaxed slightly.
"You really want to drink?"
She nodded.
With a sigh, he reached for a wine glass and poured her the tiniest splash of red wine—barely more than a sip.
Even so, he cautioned, "Drink slowly. Don't get drunk."
Tang Wanwan didn't mind the small amount at all, but the others at the table were stunned.
They all knew Shen Xianyu had a beloved childhood sweetheart, but none of them had imagined they were this… close.
Shen Xianyu, for his part, paid no attention to their reactions. Caring for her was second nature to him. After pouring her wine, he picked up a large crab and began cracking it open.
The sight left everyone speechless.
Gu Yunyi chuckled. "Since when did our Shen Young Master become so… domestic?"
Domestic to a degree that was downright eye-opening.
"Eat, or I'll shut you up," Shen Xianyu shot him a flat look, completely unfazed by the teasing. Tang Wanwan, however, felt a little embarrassed.
She accepted the crab meat he passed her, then handed him a tissue quietly. "Don't peel for me anymore."
"Alright," he agreed.
Crab was cooling in nature—he'd only planned to give her one anyway.
After wiping his hands clean, he lifted his wine glass. "Your first taste of alcohol—share it with me, okay?"
"Of course," she replied without hesitation.
Their glasses clinked softly. Tang Wanwan took a tiny sip.
"How's it taste?" Shen Xianyu asked with a smile.