Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Shang Huoyong was the first to regain his composure. He pulled the blanket back over Su Tinghe and angrily demanded, "What are you doing?" However, it was unclear whether his anger was directed more at himself or at Su Tinghe.

Su Tinghe hid under the blanket, half-embarrassed and half-timid, his voice muffled as if shrouded in mist: "...Don't turn on the light."

Shang Huoyong clicked off all the lights with a snap, plunging the room into darkness, which gave Su Tinghe a great sense of security.

Shang Huoyong said bluntly, "Put your clothes on." After speaking, he turned to leave the room.

Hearing Shang Huoyong's footsteps, Su Tinghe's trembling voice came from under the blanket: "Don't go."

Shang Huoyong stopped in his tracks, hearing Su Tinghe continue, "I don't have any clothes here."

Shang Huoyong went to the wardrobe, found a set of Su Tinghe's pajamas, and threw them onto the bed. "Come out and put them on yourself."

Shang Huoyong turned around, but as soon as he took a step, Su Tinghe hugged him from behind.

Su Tinghe's soft body pressed tightly against Shang Huoyong's back, his delicate arms wrapping around his waist.

Only a thin layer of pajamas separated the two of them. Shang Huoyong could clearly feel the warmth and trembling of Su Tinghe's body, and his own body began to heat up as if it might melt the pajamas.

Su Tinghe's voice, already soft and sweet, now carried a deliberate tone of pleading and caution as it sounded in Shang Huoyong's ear: "I was wrong, don't go."

Shang Huoyong took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Put your clothes on first, then we'll talk."

Su Tinghe still clung to Shang Huoyong, unwilling to let go. Shang Huoyong continued, "I won't leave, but you need to put your clothes on now."

Su Tinghe hesitated, then released Shang Huoyong. Seeing that Shang Huoyong remained in place without moving, he quietly retreated back under the blanket and, by the faint moonlight seeping through the window, put on his pajamas.

After a rustling sound, Su Tinghe whispered, "I'm dressed."

Shang Huoyong turned around and saw Su Tinghe kneeling obediently on the bed, his head lowered. The faint moonlight streaming through the window fell on half of his face, giving it a soft, jade-like glow.

Shang Huoyong's voice softened as he spoke: "Tell me, what's going on?"

How could Su Tinghe possibly say it out loud? He stammered, unable to utter the word "seduction."

Shang Huoyong knew all too well that Su Tinghe was trying to seduce him. But he had already given him money, he refused to come to the company, and the matter of going to Jiusong Academy tomorrow was settled. Shang Huoyong didn't know what else Su Tinghe could possibly want.

The thought of how, in their previous life, Su Tinghe had betrayed him for Shang Yizhi made Shang Huoyong's anger flare up uncontrollably.

Shang Huoyong bent down, lifted Su Tinghe's chin, and saw the glimmering light in his eyes. He pressed his thumb against his lips, applying pressure over and over again.

A soft whimper escaped Su Tinghe's lips: "It hurts."

A hidden sense of pleasure arose in Shang Huoyong's agitated heart. He pinched Su Tinghe's lips harder: "Good, it should hurt."

Two clear tears rolled down the corners of Su Tinghe's eyes. Shang Huoyong saw them clearly, froze for a moment, and then released him.

"I'm tired," Su Tinghe said, wrapping himself in the blanket and turning over to lie down.

Shang Huoyong, feeling irritable, added another blanket and lay down as well, still dressed. He closed his eyes but couldn't sleep.

In the quiet bedroom, Shang Huoyong heard faint sobbing coming from behind him. His mood grew even more agitated. He turned over and looked at Su Tinghe's back, calling his name twice. Su Tinghe ignored him, and the sobbing continued intermittently.

Shang Huoyong grabbed Su Tinghe's body firmly, turning him to face him. His brows unconsciously furrowed. "Why are you crying again?"

Su Tinghe sobbed, "You're a bad person. I don't want to talk to you."

"Why am I the bad guy?"

Su Tinghe looked up and glared at Shang Huoyong, "You're hurting me."

"Does it hurt?" Shang Huoyong gently touched Su Tinghe's lips and whispered, "Then why aren't you dressed properly?"

Su Tinghe looked at Shang Huoyong with resentment, "You don't want to share a bed with me."

Shang Huoyong: "We're sharing a bed now, just like yesterday."

"No," Su Tinghe immediately denied, recalling the picture book his mother had shown him before marriage in the previous world, "Married life isn't supposed to be like this."

Shang Huoyong feigned ignorance, "Then what's it supposed to be like?"

Su Tinghe couldn't bring himself to say it, insisting, "You must know what I mean."

Shang Huoyong said seriously, "I really don't know."

Su Tinghe looked somewhat confused. In his previous life, the person he was supposed to marry already had children, so he must have known. But Shang Huoyong hadn't heard of having children, so maybe he really didn't know.

Seeing that Su Tinghe seemed to genuinely believe him, Shang Huoyong changed his tone, "Actually, I do know, but I'm worried it might hurt you, so we need to be ready."

Su Tinghe looked at Shang Huoyong, waiting for him to continue. Shang Huoyong made up an excuse, "We need to find a time when we're both free. I have work tomorrow, and you need to go to the academy to register for classes. We both have to get up early, so it's definitely not possible."

Shang Huoyong concluded, "Let's hold off for a while. For tonight, let's just get some sleep."

Su Tinghe thought about it and felt that Shang Huoyong made sense, but still pointed out that they should share one blanket, just like yesterday.

Since they were already sharing a bed, Shang Huoyong didn't dwell on it. He pushed aside the blanket damp with Su Tinghe's tears and covered both of them with his own blanket.

With the matter settled, they both slept soundly.

The next morning, when the alarm went off, Shang Huoyong, just like the day before, closed his eyes and turned off the alarm, then went back to sleep.

Su Tinghe pushed Shang Huoyong, trying to wake him up, but recalling the memory of being pinned down and choked by Shang Huoyong the day before, he moved further away.

But today, Shang Huoyong remained motionless, continuing to sleep. Su Tinghe pushed him again, and Shang Huoyong pulled the blanket over his head, mumbling, "Let me sleep a bit more."

Su Tinghe was also covered under the blanket, lying speechlessly in bed, sleeping alongside Shang Huoyong.

It wasn't until the alarm had gone off three times that Shang Huoyong finally got up from bed. He sat on the edge of the bed, still groggy from sleep, and took a few minutes to fully wake up before getting out of bed.

Shang Huoyong went back to his previous room to wash up and get ready. After tidying up, he headed to the dining room, only to find that Su Tinghe was already seated and eating breakfast.

.

"You're up bright and early today," Shang Huoyong remarked casually.

Su Tinghe took a bite of a fried bun and said, "I have to attend classes at the academy today. I can't be late."

Shang Huoyong picked up his coffee, took a sip, and as he looked down at the coffee, he suddenly remembered that Shang Yizhi was also at Jiusong Academy. His expression briefly darkened, but as he put down the coffee cup, his face returned to normal. He said meaningfully, "You really can't be late."

Last night, Su Tinghe had made a point of seducing him, perhaps it was also for Shang Yizhi. Otherwise, why would someone who refused to let him touch her in their past life do so now?

*

Jiusong Academy was located in the city, a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle. The academy, designed in an ancient style, had a serene and elegant vibe.

Upon hearing that Shang Huoyong was coming, the dean personally greeted him. It wasn't until they met that the dean realized Shang Huoyong was there to enroll his partner.

Su Tinghe found the name of the academy interesting and asked the dean, "Is Jiusong Academy named after the line 'Nine pines soar among the white clouds, with visitors coming and going day and night'?"

"Not at all," the dean said slowly, shaking his head, "It's because there are exactly nine pine trees in the academy. If you don't believe me, go ahead and count them later."

Su Tinghe remained silent...

After a brief chat with the dean, Shang Huoyong had work to attend to and left first, leaving Assistant Song behind to arrange course selection for Su Tinghe.

Jiusong Academy offered a wide variety of courses. Some were even taught by university professors, covering many subjects from calligraphy and painting to the I Ching and Qimen Dunjia.

Su Tinghe signed up for courses like calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting as a formality but wasn't particularly interested in these. He inquired with the academy staff, "Do you offer any pinyin courses here?"

"Pinyin?" The registration desk teacher thought she misheard, but after seeing Su Tinghe nod, she continued, "We do, but those are classes for children, only available on weekends. If you have a child, they can come and attend."

Su Tinghe's eyes sparkled as he blinked and looked at the teacher sincerely, "Can I attend too?"

"Ah?" The teacher was completely stunned, "Do you like children and want to attend classes with them?"

Su Tinghe agreed, finding it a good reason, "Yes, I think it would be more lively to attend classes with them."

The teacher was puzzled by Su Tinghe's intentions and glanced at Assistant Song for guidance.

Assistant Song was very calm, "Just do as he wishes."

The teacher enrolled Su Tinghe in the elementary pinyin class and then recommended related courses, "We also have a course on ancient Chinese phonology here. Are you interested?"

Su Tinghe glanced at the course description and decided to give it a try, so he agreed. Then he asked, "Do you offer any arithmetic courses?"

After the registration, the teacher had a better idea and asked, "Would you like to sign up for the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, or basic math for toddlers?"

"Basic math," Su Tinghe hesitated, "Isn't that for toddlers? Never mind, I'll take this one for now. If it's not suitable, can I switch to another course?"

The teacher replied, "Of course you can."

After choosing his courses, Assistant Song showed Su Tinghe around the academy before leaving.

Before leaving, Su Tinghe gave Assistant Song a small gold nugget, "Thank you for accompanying me back and forth for so long. This is for you."

Though puzzled and surprised, Assistant Song remained composed on the surface and accepted it with a smile.

Upon reporting back, Assistant Song informed Shang Huoyong about the courses Su Tinghe had chosen and the fact that he had given him a gold nugget.

Shang Huoyong's gaze was intense as he spoke, "I know."

Holding the gold nugget, Assistant Song felt uneasy, "What about this..."

Shang Huoyong said, "Since he gave it to you, you should keep it."

Having been given the green light, Assistant Song naturally pocketed the gold nugget. He had previously only thought that the boss was generous, but it seemed that the boss's partner was equally so.

A generous boss is a boon for employees; a generous boss's partner is an even greater boon.

After reporting his work, Assistant Song turned to leave. Just as his hand touched the office door handle, Shang Huoyong's voice came from behind, "Assistant Song, remember who your boss is."

Assistant Song felt a chill run down his spine and immediately turned back, rushing to Shang Huoyong to express his loyalty, "Boss Shang, in my heart, no one is greater than you. You are not just my boss, you are my only god!"

Shang Huoyong showed a look of disgust and quickly stopped Assistant Song's exaggerated performance, "Don't flatter me."

Assistant Song returned to normal in a second, "Boss Shang, this small piece of gold isn't enough to buy me off."

"I know." Shang Huoyong certainly knew that such a small benefit couldn't buy off his chief assistant, especially since in the previous life, Assistant Song had remained loyal to him until the end. He had no doubt about Assistant Song's character.

But in this life, Shang Huoyong could sense that something was clearly different, which is why he went out of his way to remind Assistant Song.

Shang Huoyong's remark made Assistant Song realize that the marriage between Shang Huoyong and Su Tinghe was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. Assistant Song said, "Mr. Shang, Young Master Su is so generous because you give him a lot. Ultimately, you are the one who is funding."

"You are a smart person," Shang Huoyong said. "Go out, and while you're at it, find out who the children are in the two preschool classes Su Tinghe is attending."

The Nine Pines Academy caters to both adults and children, but without exception, the families all hold a certain social standing.

The academy's stated mission is to promote traditional Chinese culture, but it still retains basic courses in the preschool stage.

Could it be that there’s a child of some VIP in the preschool class? Otherwise, why would Su Tinghe, a mentally sound adult, attend such classes?