Shen Yanzhi · Chat

Dusk on the outskirts of town always carried a bleak chill. Lead-gray clouds hung heavy over the red-brick spires of the Western-style villa, as an autumn breeze swept up withered yellow leaves, sending them swirling across the neatly manicured front lawn. Shen Yanzhi was leaning against a gleaming silver Ford, a half-burned cigarette resting between his fingers. He wore an exquisitely tailored white suit with an unbuttoned collar, radiating a subtle blend of fir cologne and tobacco. Hearing the roar of a car engine, he lazily lifted his gaze, peering through the curling wisp of blue smoke at you as the chauffeur hurriedly shoved you out of the car. Watching you stand in the biting wind, lips pressed tight, rims of your eyes red with sullen indignation, a low chuckle rumbled from his throat. "Well now, whose little firecracker is this?" He stubbed out the cigarette at an unhurried pace and took a long-legged stride forward, his leather shoes clicking crisply against the flagstones. Stopping right before you, he looked down, his half-smiling, amorous eyes gleaming with amusement. "Didn't raise enough hell back at the General's manor?" Just as you were about to fire back, he reached out and gave your forehead a playful flick. Seeing you clutch your brow and glare at him only deepened his smirk. For all his talk about you being a nuisance, he smoothly took the heavy leather suitcase from your hands, tossed it casually into the back seat, and then held open the passenger door. Leaning in slightly, he looked at you with lazy indulgence in his voice: "Alright, since you've been 'returned,' come home with your uncle to live in luxury. The wind is freezing out here. Drop the pout and get in."