"Serena, since we were children, I have viewed you as my most important kin. To protect you, I would do anything. That day, when Dad asked me my opinion on the arranged marriage, I told him straight out that there was someone I loved."

"Dad guessed it was you very quickly. In fact, they have always known, they just never exposed it. Before, you had someone you loved, and I couldn't do anything about it. Now, can you look at me?"

Chapter 19

The thing Shen Zhiheng regretted most in his life was letting Serena marry Preston.

When he found out Preston had the audacity to let Serena suffer, he wanted to kill him. The person he had held in the palm of his hand since childhood—by what right was she treated this way by him?

So, after Serena’s divorce, Shen Zhiheng unleashed unprecedented retaliation against Preston.

He not only found ways to freeze all of Preston’s assets and saddle him with massive debt, but he also ruined his reputation and made it clear to the Pei family that they were never to extend a helping hand to him.

That was why Preston was so desperate to come back and find Serena; he knew that only Serena could save him.

And now, since Serena had returned to the Shen family, he would never let her escape from his side again.

He couldn't rest easy leaving Serena to anyone else.

Upon learning of Shen Zhiheng’s intentions, Serena found herself intentionally or unintentionally avoiding him.

Every time she saw Shen Zhiheng, she felt flustered and didn't know how to act, yet she knew deep down that she didn't find the feeling of being with him disagreeable.

Shen Zhiheng remained as he always was: he would buy from the dessert shop she liked, take her to see the musicals she enjoyed, and walk with her by the river. He knew all her preferences and understood every one of her reactions. With Shen Zhiheng, Serena could rely on him completely and carelessly without ever worrying about whether she would displease him.

Just like that, Serena’s heart gradually leaned toward Shen Zhiheng.

Serena’s birthday arrived soon.

Shen Zhiheng wanted to throw a party for her, but Serena refused: "This year, I only want to spend my birthday with my family. Keep everything simple."

Shen Zhiheng naturally followed her wishes, carefully selecting gifts and decorating the house; he even filled the garden with the red roses she loved.

"This garden has always been managed by Zhiheng himself. He wouldn't let anyone else touch it. He said that because you like them, he hoped that when you returned one day, the first thing you would see was this garden you loved."

Mother Shen’s voice sounded in Serena’s ear.

Serena’s eyes turned red before she knew it. So, in places she didn't know, Shen Zhiheng had done so much for her.

But for so many years, he had suppressed his feelings and never let her know. At any time, he couldn't bear for her to suffer the slightest bit of harm.

And her? What had she done to Shen Zhiheng?

At her most excessive, when he tried to persuade her not to clash with her parents, she had told him to mind his own business.

What had Shen Zhiheng been thinking then?

On the day of Serena’s birthday, Preston came to find her again, but before he could even see her, he was involved in a car accident nearby.

The gift he had intended to give her was scattered across the ground, and he was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

When Shen Zhiheng told her the news, she merely frowned indifferently. Her heart was calm and ripple-free; she felt nothing at all.

"Do you want to go see him?" Shen Zhiheng asked her.

She shook her head: "I have no relation to him anymore; why should I go see him? Whether he lives or dies, I don't care at all."

Shen Zhiheng understood Serena; she truly didn't care anymore. When she spoke of Preston, she was expressionless, as if she were talking about a stranger.

In the Shen villa, the family of four sat together, eating a simple birthday meal, but it felt more like a long-overdue reunion dinner.

Father Shen’s attitude toward Serena had finally softened significantly, and Serena hadn't expected him to have prepared a gift for her as well.

It was equity in the Shen Corporation: "If you are willing, come to work at Shen Corporation tomorrow. Let Zhiheng take you under his wing."

Serena’s eyes grew moist, and it was a while before she spoke: "Thank you, Dad."

Father Shen: "We are all family, no need for formalities."

After dinner, Serena was watering the flowers in the garden alone when Shen Zhiheng suddenly appeared behind her, placing a custom-made necklace around her neck.

"Birthday gift," he said with a smile.

Serena touched the necklace; deep inside the pendant, her English name was engraved.

"Thank you, I love it."

Shen Zhiheng suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace to face him.

"Don't you still owe me an answer?"

Serena’s heart rate accelerated rapidly, and she was too flustered to look him in the eye.

"I actually do like you a little, but I don't know if this is the right thing to do..."

Hearing her say she liked him, a joyful smile finally surfaced in Shen Zhiheng’s eyes.

"It doesn't matter. You can discover your feelings slowly; we have a long road ahead of us."

He bowed his head and kissed her forehead gently.

In this moment, Serena’s heart beat wildly for him.

————————————————————

Full Story Complete