2 Don't Argue / 02

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Sheng Huaining stepped lightly in a pair of exquisite gem-studded velvet high heels, about ten centimeters tall. As soon as she finished speaking, she staggered back a step.

Out of the corner of his eye, the man, who had just stepped onto the electric scooter, suddenly pulled his foot back and placed it down, his right hand—previously stuffed in his pocket—also instinctively emerging before quickly curling at his side.

The two stood mere inches apart; Sheng Huaining naturally noticed the man’s subtle movements.

She frowned, her vision briefly dimming as she nearly stumbled forward.

Sheng Huaining swore that her initial intention was merely to scold the man for his lack of grace and manners.

He had clearly asked the waiter to call her out, only to watch her coldly and indifferently when she approached him first.

It was impulse that had driven her earlier.

Clutching the strap of her bag tightly, her knuckles whitening slightly, she steadied herself before muttering with a blush, “I... um... it seems your car was scratched by the pendant on my bag.”

After a moment of silence, the man’s gaze, which had been fixed on her, shifted away.

His refined, elegant face revealed a subtle smile, his eyes brightening considerably.

The person opposite remained silent, and the blush on Sheng Huaining’s cheeks lingered from embarrassment.

When she spoke again, her composure was steady. “If it’s inconvenient, I can have my assistant contact you later.”

A considerate and non-intrusive remark, but the man’s smile faded instantly. His eyes flickered as his long fingers reached into his pocket for a business card holder, from which he drew one and handed it to her.

Sheng Huaining hesitated briefly, then took it, silently reading in her mind:

Baixin Securities, Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, He Chenye.

Unnoticed, night quietly fell, the neon lights shimmering faintly.

Central District, the most popular spot for city walks and photography, bustled with people and flowing traffic.

He Chenye scanned the surroundings, then strode over to Sheng Huaining, his voice low, warm breath nearly brushing her face. “This is my private number. Regarding compensation, you will have to contact me personally.”

Up close, Sheng Huaining’s long lashes flicked, as if she could see the tiny hairs on his skin. The sudden proximity caused her to hold her breath slightly.

They stood face to face for an extended moment.

Sheng Huaining toyed with the business card in her hand, while He Chenye calmly took off his platinum gemstone cufflinks.

The atmosphere grew subtly tense until it was broken by Chen Huan silently approaching.

His probing gaze swept between the two, and with an easy gesture, he slipped an invitation into Sheng Huaining’s open bag.

With a teasing tone, he left four words: “Remember to come.”

Sheng Huaining glanced at it, suddenly finding the moment dull, the earlier excitement dissipating.

After watching Chen Huan drive away, she politely nodded to the man opposite, then stepped into her own car.

But after inserting the car key turned into two halves, the engine failed to start properly, the ignition sound muffled.

Sheng Huaining grew annoyed.

Since returning to Harbor City, nothing went smoothly—not even the car she had just picked up from maintenance.

She swallowed, easing the frustration in her chest, then leaned back against the custom seat, chin slightly raised.

By chance, she noticed the man still lingering nearby, his gaze fixed on her.

The dark, heavy sky was cloaked in gloom, while branches and leaves on the windshield formed a vast net, obscuring the emotions in his eyes from her view.

She turned her head just as a sudden knock sounded on the passenger-side window.

When it rolled down, the wind carried dampness inside, making Sheng Huaining shiver.

She pressed her lips together, blinking as she looked at the man outside. “Is there something else?”

He clenched the hand behind his back, brushing away stray hair as he bent slightly, speaking softly: “Do you need me to call a tow truck? Or, if you don’t mind, I could give you a ride.”

Sheng Huaining felt her mind go blank, her hand rubbing the steering wheel nervously.

To avoid seeming too disheveled, she replied evenly, “Thank you, no need. My phone has plenty of battery and signal.”

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“Very well, sorry to bother you.”

???

His voice faded into the distance. Sheng Huaining leaned forward just enough to see his resolute retreating back.

Her heart skipped a beat—first ignored, then toyed with.

Even the calmest temper would be tested.

She got out of the car, both embarrassed and annoyed. Her carefully prepared words somehow derailed: “Hey, you... just give me a ride.”

Beneath the dim streetlights, He Chenye’s eyes deepened, a slight curve of his lips forming.

—

The car finally moved steadily after passing through the bustling district.

Inside the cabin, silence reigned. Normally lively, Sheng Huaining now found the moments agonizing.

Her gaze flicked around the interior, almost memorizing every brand of decoration.

She loosened her grip on her bag, letting it drop to the corner lazily, then lowered her eyes.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed several pure white plush toys neatly placed on the back row’s airline seats.

They were identical in style and size.

A cat doll with a fluorescent pink bow around its neck sat arrogantly, head tilted back, eyes narrowed, cheeks tinged with pale pink.

Sheng Huaining glanced at the focused driver beside her. Rolled-up sleeves revealed strong forearms adorned with a simple tie clip and brooch; cufflinks lay discarded on the armrest, matching his attire impeccably.

She tugged at the corner of her mouth, marveling at how such a precise man could keep such girlish items in his car.

“The ride will take about half an hour longer. If you want music, you can control it yourself.”

He Chenye noticed her uneasy gaze and, as the car slowed, swiped the curved screen, thoughtfully bringing up the interface for her.

She tapped the screen, switching on the radio.

With the announcer’s pleasant voice, the air seemed to refresh, becoming comfortably serene.

Feigning casualness, Sheng Huaining smoothed her skirt, making her approach seem natural. “You actually managed to get so many Bubblu dolls. I remember they were limited edition worldwide.”

“What?”

He Chenye asked, not catching her words.

“That,” she pointed, “was a welfare doll I designed for N·Star restaurant’s VIP clients—only one per person, and only a thousand released online.”

He Chenye glanced in the rearview mirror at the dolls, some having tumbled during sharp turns, others shoved into corners.

He answered honestly, “A little girl liked them, so I asked a friend to grab some.”

“Oh.”

Sheng Huaining immediately quieted, pulling her neglected bag back, sitting upright—a bit restrained and proper.

As if uncertain, she subtly lowered her head to sniff the faint scent on her sleeve.

Thankfully, the fragrance was faint and fleeting. If the little girl He Chenye mentioned caught the scent, it could cause trouble.

They fell silent again.

Just when she thought the quiet would last until their destination, a deep, warm male voice brushed past her ear.

He said, “Well designed.”

Sheng Huaining snapped her head up, discomfort rising.

After trying to please him earlier, now he suddenly praised her without a change of expression.

So effortlessly sinister, she silently snorted, refusing to be outdone. With a forced laugh, she replied, “Right? They sold out as soon as they launched. Many customers even begged on the restaurant’s official social media.”

The car stopped slowly at a red light.

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He Chenye turned to the person beside him, his smile brightening, his rosy cheeks making his small red lips appear even more luscious.

Sheng Huaining, oblivious, continued chatter.

After boasting about her skills, she began promoting other designs she created for the restaurant.

Slowly, she realized the car had entered the Victoria Harbour area.

At that moment, it seemed as if she could peer directly into He Chenye’s eyes—ambiguous, not only gentle enough to squeeze water from but also sticky enough to draw one in deeply.

She paused, immediately deciding that after parting ways, it would be safer to have her assistant or Manager Luo handle the compensation.

Shortly after, the car entered an underground garage, parking near the elevator.

She pressed the button to open the door, turning her head with a businesslike tone. “I’ll call you now. Please save the number. If you’re not satisfied with the compensation, you can contact me anytime.”

After she finished, He Chenye remained silent for a moment.

Only when she started dialing from the business card did he hastily say, “Wait...”

Before he could finish, her phone—charging on the armrest—rang sharply, the ringtone and vibration startling her.

She glanced over as the man quickly picked it up and pressed the side button to mute it.

Yet Sheng Huaining caught sight of the phone’s screen glowing beneath his palm.

Uncertain, she asked, “You... already have my number?”

“S, H, N,” she forced calm, enunciating each letter, “just happens to be the initials of my name.”

Not fear nor excitement, but a chill swept over her, as if everything tonight was no coincidence but carefully planned.

Guardedly, she shifted slightly to the side. “Who exactly are you? What do you want?”

Except for a brief moment of panic seconds earlier, He Chenye regained his usual calm and composure. His outstretched arm to soothe her froze midair.

He raised his brow, keeping her fully within his sight. “Miss Sheng, no need to panic. We met a year ago at N·Star’s opening gala.”

“Really? I don’t remember,” she said cautiously, still uneasy.

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?” she asked.

“It was a trivial matter. Besides, since you’ve forgotten, why bring it up and create awkwardness?”

He Chenye maintained his poise, yet left Sheng Huaining speechless with embarrassment.

His tone relaxed. “It’s late. Let’s go up.”

Sheng Huaining clasped her hands, still wary, but nodded.

She stepped off the pedal, got out, and buried her head as she waited in the elevator lobby, not daring to look back once.

The display finally hit basement level one, and the doors slid open.

She exhaled deeply and stepped inside, then turned sharply, eyes wide.

In the seconds their eyes met, Sheng Huaining no longer sensed her earlier illusions, hastily asking, “You... you live here too?”

This spacious flat with Victoria Harbour views was one of her many properties, one she had started living in more after university.

At eighteen, she had never attended any corporate dinners or galas, so she could not have crossed paths with He Chenye.

He finally answered her unspoken question, “It’s the accommodation provided by my company since I arrived in Harbor City a month ago.”

After a pause, Sheng Huaining gave a stiff smile. “That’s quite a coincidence.”

He Chenye was momentarily taken aback, then looked down at her from under the bright ceiling light.

Without hesitation, he shook his head and remarked, “It’s all about what one makes of it.”