"Were you scared today?" Yancy Shaw asked as he drove, anxiety lingering in his voice as he recalled what Le Sheng had gone through.
He had just come out of surgery at the hospital when Henry Mills called him. Today was his day off, but by a stroke of luck—or maybe fate—he happened upon that group of troublemakers.
"Yeah. But fortunately, Claire Xu and Henry Mills were both there today. Otherwise, I can't imagine how frightened I'd have been." Le Sheng shivered at the memory. A handful of burly men had stormed in, looking downright menacing. Anyone would have been shaken up.
Yancy Shaw grabbed her hand, kissed it gently, and said, "I'll arrange a few bodyguards for you. If anyone ever tries to hassle you again, we'll make sure they won't know what hit them."
She chuckled at his words. "I doubt something like that will happen again."
Other than someone boring like Yana Quinn, no one would do anything that brainless.
Back at the studio, Xiaomei and Maya Wells were still cleaning up.
Seeing Le Sheng, they both looked rather distressed. "So many things are ruined. The custom gowns we finished ahead of schedule were all destroyed."
They had poured so much effort and overtime into those dresses, and now everything was wasted.
"Don't be upset," Le Sheng encouraged them. "Worst case, we just make them all over."
Xiaomei and Maya Wells looked at her, faces scrunched with worry. "But Shengjie, you’re about to compete in that big design contest! How will you have time? Several clients are coming in the next couple of days to pick up their dresses. There’s no way just the two of us can finish them on time."
"Then how about I join in?"
A familiar voice came from the doorway. Xiaomei and Maya Wells immediately perked up, jumping with excitement.
Le Sheng cleared her throat, smiling at their enthusiasm. "I know I'm asking a lot, but let's hang in there for now. Once we're through, I'll treat you all to a big feast."
---
Once they finished tidying up the studio, everyone finally headed home to rest.
After a shower, Le Sheng lay in bed and tapped out a message to Claire Xu: Had you frightened today?
Claire Xu replied: [Just those little punks? Please, I've seen far worse.]
Le Sheng: [I'll treat you to a meal tomorrow to help you unwind.]
Claire Xu: [Sure, but let me pick the place.]
Relieved that Claire Xu didn't seem shaken, Le Sheng relaxed. After all, they had only gotten caught up in this mess because of her.
Turning it over in her mind, she sent Henry Mills a message too, asking if he'd been hurt today.
He hadn’t been injured by the punk with the knife, but he’d still gotten into a scuffle.
Henry Mills’s reply came quick: [Just a few street thugs—no way they'd hurt me. I'm fine.]
Yancy Shaw sat down beside her and, seeing Henry Mills’s message, let out a quiet laugh. "Don't worry. The guy's trained. Those punks never stood a chance."
"Trained?" Le Sheng recalled Henry Mills's moves in the studio—he’d definitely held his own. Surrounded by several guys, he hadn’t suffered a scratch, while the thugs kept getting the worst of it.
"Really have to thank him today. Otherwise, the studio would’ve lost a lot more." As she spoke, she started typing a message.
Within seconds, Henry Mills replied.
[Sis-in-law, if you really want to thank me, why not buy me dinner? Invite Claire Xu too.]
Le Sheng: ...
He really could ask for what he wanted.
But how had he just happened to show up today? Such a coincidence?
Le Sheng voiced her suspicion.
Yancy Shaw looked at her with an expression that seemed to say he saw right through it all, and the answer dawned on her.
"Did he...follow Claire Xu there?"
"You think he's a stalker?" Yancy Shaw pinched her cheek, grinning.
Ever since they got together, she’d not only gained a little weight, but even her cheeks had taken on a healthy glow.
"Henry Mills went to see you today to ask about Claire Xu," he explained.
Le Sheng let out an 'Oh.' "So why'd he want to know about Claire Xu, anyway?"
She glanced at Yancy Shaw and, in his eyes, saw her own reflection—looking every bit the fool.
"I get it—he’s interested in Claire Xu." The realization was a beat slow, but it finally came.
He’d come to ask her about Claire Xu because he wanted to pursue her. And by sheer luck, he’d gotten caught up in today’s chaos.
Her phone buzzed again; Henry Mills clearly hadn’t gotten a reply and quickly sent another message.
[Sis-in-law, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not some player.]
Le Sheng hesitated to answer—romantic matters weren’t for her to decide.
When it came to Claire Xu, she felt it was only fair to ask her opinion first. She couldn’t meddle in someone else’s business.
"What do you think of Henry Mills?" she asked. They hadn’t known each other long, but Yancy Shaw and Henry Mills had grown up together, so he’d definitely know.
Yancy Shaw looked at her seriously. "He just talks too much. Otherwise, he’s great."
Henry Mills: I talk too much? Bro, have some decency!
Le Sheng’s mouth twitched. What kind of answer was that? Might as well not have asked.
She picked up her phone and replied to Henry Mills: [Let me talk to Claire Xu. If she’s okay with it, I’ll treat you both to dinner tomorrow.]
After all, chasing someone can't be that easy. He’d have to pass the test.
Henry Mills replied with an ‘OK’ sticker.
Just as she was about to drift off, Yancy Shaw’s phone rang.
Le Sheng glanced at the screen—a string of unfamiliar numbers.
Yancy Shaw got up and answered the call in the living room.
A few minutes later, he returned to bed, pulled her into his arms, resting his chin in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath.
She could tell immediately—his mood had dropped after the call.
She hesitated for a moment, then gently asked, "Who was that?"
"Family. Tomorrow’s the anniversary of Grandpa’s passing."
Her heart lurched. She knew he must be remembering all those painful memories.
Le Sheng squeezed his hand tightly, trying to smooth out the pain inside him.
She wanted to offer comfort, but realized nothing she said could erase the scars in his heart.
Seeing your loved one killed before your eyes, utterly powerless and burdened by guilt for the rest of your life...
Every year on his grandfather’s death anniversary, Yancy Shaw would wrestle with insomnia. He couldn’t forget—and didn’t want to forget—because his grandfather’s true murderer was still out there.
Le Sheng turned over, hugging him tightly, one hand soothing his back.
"Don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault. Your grandfather would want you to live happily."
Yancy Shaw said nothing, only hugging her tighter.
The bedroom fell silent, but even without words, they healed each other’s wounds.
Though neither said it aloud, love quietly settled into their bones. Maybe, without realizing it, he’d already laid down roots in her heart—and she only knew that every time he was upset, her own heart ached with him.