"President Shen, your flight back is at eight tomorrow morning, so you need to be up by six at the latest. Don’t oversleep," Jiang Tang said at the hotel room door.
The matters in Jingnan had been complicated, but the two of them had worked tirelessly and resolved everything within two days.
Shen Yihan stood there in a tailored black suit, his fair and slender wrist accentuated by the black Buddhist beads he wore.
He nodded. "Got it."
Jiang Tang didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she added, "Zhang Nan just texted me saying she’s already taken Mo home, and the fourth brother has been settled as well."
Shen Yihan responded, "Mm. Tell the finance department to give Zhang Nan a bonus this month. She’s been a great help taking care of my sister these past few days."
A rare smile broke through Jiang Tang’s usually cool expression.
"Mo already transferred her five thousand yuan."
She was such an honest girl, always keeping her informed.
Shen Yihan’s brow lifted slightly. "That works too. We’ll increase her quarterly bonus a bit more."
Jiang Tang nodded. "Good. Zhang Nan has always been diligent. She deserves it. Don’t worry too much, President Shen. With Mo around, the fourth brother’s situation will be handled well."
Shen Yihan shook his head. "I’m more concerned about my sister."
She had messaged him earlier that morning after locating the fourth brother, telling him to focus on work and that they’d discuss the details later that night.
"After learning about everything the fourth brother has been through, she must be feeling awful. But my sister never lets herself grieve. She didn’t even cry when our parents passed away."
"Enough of that. You should get some rest." Shen Yihan’s voice was unexpectedly hoarse as he swiped his keycard and entered his room.
Jiang Tang wasn’t the type to easily empathize with others.
Even when scrolling through emotional stories online, she remained detached.
The same went for family and friends.
Her parents often called her cold-hearted and unfeeling.
But at this moment, her chest ached dully.
To endure the loss of both parents, to suppress her own grief just to support her three younger brothers—
Yet she still managed to get near-perfect grades and enter the best high school.
Just how difficult had it been for her back then?
Jiang Tang lowered her gaze and turned to open the door to the adjacent room, closing it behind her.
She took out her phone, crouched down, and snapped a few photos of the open suitcase.
It wasn’t even eleven yet—Lin Mo probably wasn’t asleep.
She sent the photos, then typed:
"Mo, I brought you some Jingnan specialties from the trip, plus a cute Devon Rex plush."
She had made time to buy them, wanting to bring something back for her.
A small gesture, but she hoped it might ease the emotions buried deepest in Lin Mo’s heart.
Back in his room, Shen Yihan splashed cold water on his face in the bathroom.
Taking a deep breath, he sat on the sofa by the window, idly spinning the Buddhist beads around his right wrist with his left hand.
He pulled out his phone, his long fingers tapping open the chat labeled "[Four Marriages to Understand Life]," then initiated a video call.
The buzzing vibration made the green velvet sofa tremble slightly.
A stunningly beautiful girl in gray pajamas curled up on the sofa, her hand pausing mid-reach for the glass of red wine Xie Guanyan had poured for her.
She had agreed to Xie Guanyan’s suggestion—she was an adult now, after all, so a little wine shouldn’t be an issue.
It was probably her second brother texting.
But when she picked up her phone, she saw Jiang Tang’s message instead.
Jingnan, being in the south, was known for its exquisitely crafted pastries.
Opening the photos Jiang Tang had sent, Lin Mo’s eyes curved into crescents as she replied:
"Thanks, Jiang Tang! I love them!"
Just then, another video call notification popped up.
Lin Mo adjusted her posture on the sofa, smoothing her hair before answering.
"The Buddhist Prince of Beijing is still awake this late?"
Her tone was light, teasing.
Shen Yihan’s fingers tightened slightly around his phone, but he played along, feigning complaint.
"No one else calls me that—just you."
Lin Mo shrugged. "That’s because no one dares say it to your face. Behind your back, everyone’s whispering it!"
Shen Yihan’s dark eyes searched his sister’s expression for any trace of sorrow, but found none.
He spun the beads around his wrist again.
"Sis, I’m coming back tomorrow."
Lin Mo smiled. "Good. You can take the fourth brother home with you then. Right now, he’s staying with that auntie in the hospital. Living in the slums makes injuries more likely—he’s fine, but she needs a few days of care."
"Once she’s discharged, buy them a place."
Shen Yihan frowned. "Why buy a place? My villa has more than enough room."
Lin Mo’s captivating peach-blossom eyes studied him seriously.
"I was worried you might not be comfortable with the auntie living with you. You don’t have to accept her."
Yes, the auntie had saved the fourth brother, and their bond ran deep.
But buying them a home was already generous—Shen Yihan wasn’t obligated to welcome her into his life.
"It’s fine. Living alone gets lonely. A full house is livelier." His tone was sincere.
His sister was always like this—outwardly strong, yet deeply considerate.
Seeing no reluctance in Shen Yihan’s expression, Lin Mo grinned.
"Alright then. Hire a butler and a few servants for the villa, just like Xie Guanyan’s place. It’s not like the Buddhist Prince of Beijing can’t afford it."
"Now that the fourth brother’s been found, don’t dwell on guilt anymore. The fault wasn’t yours—it was the traffickers’. Punishing yourself for others’ crimes isn’t right, understand?"
Shen Yihan nodded. "Understood."
He wanted to offer some comfort in return, but his sister’s emotions were too perfectly guarded—he didn’t know where to begin.
"Let’s hang up. Get some rest." Lin Mo smiled.
Shen Yihan’s gaze flickered, but in the end, he said nothing more. "Alright."
Noticing the untouched wineglass, Xie Guanyan didn’t reach for his either.
Earlier, her mood had seemed subdued on the sofa, but the moment she picked up her phone, it shifted effortlessly into something lighter.
Yet he couldn’t bring himself to feel glad about it.
This ease wasn’t forced—it was muscle memory, honed through repetition.
She must have practiced this countless times to suppress her emotions so seamlessly.
After ending the call, Lin Mo’s slender fingers curled around the wineglass again, only to find Xie Guanyan watching her.
Before she could speak, the strikingly handsome man parted his lips, his voice impossibly gentle.
"You’re allowed to not be okay, Lin Mo."
