Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

Chapter 621: Warlord Cousin in the Republic of China (113)

The ship cut through the murky waters of the Huangpu River, slowly approaching Shanghai.

The evening breeze in late summer carries the unique damp and fishy smell of the river, dispelling the daytime heat and leaving behind a cool breeze.

There were few passengers on the deck; most had gone back to their cabins to pack their luggage, leaving only a handful of people leaning on the railing, gazing at the approaching lights of Shanghai.

Lin Xi leaned against the ship's railing, the river breeze ruffling her stray hairs and causing the hem of her pale yellow dress to flutter slightly.

Looking up, one can see the neon lights of the Bund lighting up one after another in the dimming light of the sky, gradually outlining the blurry silhouette of the entire city of Shanghai.

She endured hardships and dangers along the way, but she longed to return to the peaceful home that had given her birth and raised her, to the Lin Mansion that had sheltered her from the storms of life.

However, when the ship was actually about to arrive in Shanghai, she couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions—a sense of trepidation at the prospect of returning home.

When she stormed off in a huff, her parents must have been furious. I wonder if they've calmed down yet. And the Xu family—the marriage between the two families was ruined by her scheme, so it's definitely off. I wonder if the Xu family has come to make trouble.

However, it was Xu Yucheng who fell in love with someone else first; she was just playing along. I wonder if this fool has realized it yet.

Thinking back to the past ten years, she realized that she had been so infatuated with such a stupid and greedy man, and had even been willing to die for him... Lin Xi felt ashamed, as if she had a criminal record with the police.

Thinking of this, she glanced guiltily at Shen Jingyuan, who was standing half a step away from her.

Perhaps because the mission was already completed and there was no need to disguise himself anymore, the yellow powder used to change his skin tone had been washed off his face, and his posture had returned to its usual uprightness.

At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun cast a soft golden edge on his profile, clearly outlining his deep brow bone and high nose bridge.

Unlike his usual serious and meticulous appearance in military uniform, and unlike Xu Yucheng's meticulously combed slicked-back hair and three-piece suit, he was now wearing only a simple white shirt with the top button undone at the collar and the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms.

It was an extremely ordinary outfit, but the more you looked at it... the more captivating it became.

Perhaps her gaze was too focused, because Shen Jingyuan, who had been calmly gazing at the river, suddenly turned his head and his eyes met Lin Xi's gaze before she could look away.

"What's wrong?" Shen Jingyuan asked with a gentle smile.

Lin Xi felt a burning sensation on her cheeks as if stung by the curve of his lips. She hurriedly looked away and stammered, "No, nothing."

"Mmm." Shen Jingyuan responded, his gaze falling on her cheeks, which were flushed from the wind, and his tone softened a little, "Tired?"

"no!"

Lin Xi vehemently denied it, but her gaze still couldn't help but quickly sweep over his sharply defined profile, and then she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

I must have been away from Shanghai for too long; my aesthetic standards have declined. This person is as dark as a lump of charcoal, so how could I find him handsome?

In fact... the more you look at it, the more beautiful it seems.

Thinking of this, Lin Xi pursed her lips, and as if to distract herself, she held onto the railing, stood on tiptoe, and pretended to be gazing into the distance. "Are we almost there?"

"Yes, almost there, about 15 minutes." Shen Jingyuan nodded upon hearing this, and casually placed one hand on the railing.

"Um... how are we going to tell Dad and Mom about our situation when we get back?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Lin Xi felt a little annoyed. The question was abrupt and carried a strange hint of coquetry, making it seem as if she was so impatient.

Realizing this, she quickly turned her head, coughed as if to cover it up, and turned her gaze to the river. However, her peripheral vision involuntarily fell on Shen Jingyuan's hand resting on the railing beside him.

The setting sun gilded the skin on the back of his hand with a light gold, neutralizing his originally dark complexion and giving it a healthy and vibrant hue.

His hands were large, with long, slender fingers. The knuckles, etched with the sharp, powerful lines of years spent holding pens and guns, were not thick or large. They were completely different from her pampered hands, which had never lifted a finger. Yet, for some reason, she found them...very beautiful.

Thinking this, she turned her face away, pretending to gaze into the distance, while subtly and unconsciously moving her fingertips along the cold iron railing little by little.

She only felt a jolt when her little finger touched something warm, and she deliberately stopped what she was doing.

Shen Jingyuan lowered his eyes, looking at the hand that was pressed against his, then turned his face to look at Lin Xi’s head, which was deliberately turned to the other side, and his expression softened instantly.

He couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a smile, then slowly raised his hand and covered Lin Xi's hand.

Feeling the warmth on the back of her hand, Lin Xi trembled and instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Shen Jingyuan had already tightened his fingers, completely enveloping her hand.

Lin Xi's heart skipped a beat. She bit her lip and didn't pull her hand away. Instead, she turned her palm over, curled her fingers, and lightly scratched Shen Jingyuan's palm.

The next moment, a warm chest pressed against her from behind, the crisp scent of soapberry mixed with his unique, calm aura, gently enveloping her.

Shen Jingyuan took her other hand, which was hanging by her side, and with a little force, turned her around and gently pulled her into his arms.

"What...what are you doing?" Lin Xi blushed so badly that her eyelashes trembled violently as she felt the breath spraying on her head. Her eyes darted around, but she dared not look at the person in front of her.

Shen Jingyuan looked down at her blushing earlobes and said in a low, soft voice, "When we get back, I will explain things to the Commander and his wife."

He paused, his smile deepening, his tone indulgent yet earnest, "Don't be afraid."

"Who's afraid?" Lin Xi retorted immediately, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, but her voice was a little weak with embarrassment. "Those are my father and mother... If anyone should be afraid, it's you."

"Okay." He replied good-naturedly, seemingly oblivious to the insincerity in her tone. His gaze, however, slowly moved down from her trembling eyelashes, finally settling on her slightly pursed lips, his voice growing deeper, "It's me who's nervous."

"Then what should I do?" He leaned down slightly, getting closer to her, and whispered in her ear, "Xixi."

The crisp, refreshing scent, mixed with a faint aroma of soapberry, completely enveloped Lin Xi. Her eyelashes fluttered, her heart pounded like a drum, and she almost instinctively closed her eyes to escape, yet she still refused to admit defeat.

"How...how am I supposed to know what to do?!"

Shen Jingyuan's breathing became slightly heavy, his eyes as deep as the gradually darkening river surface, as if there were sparks quietly burning within them.

He unconsciously tightened his grip on Lin Xi's waist and slowly lowered his head.

"Woo——!!!"

Just as their breaths were about to mingle, a loud and long whistle sounded without warning, breaking the peaceful twilight.

The ship has entered the port.

The enormous sound made Lin Xi tremble and instantly open her eyes.

At the same time, Shen Jingyuan straightened up and abruptly withdrew his hand from her waist, as if he had been burned.

The romantic and ambiguous atmosphere that had just been there, ready to erupt at any moment, was completely shattered by the sudden blast of the steam horn.

Lin Xi's face instantly turned bright red, filled with embarrassment, anger, and a hint of inexplicable disappointment.

She hurriedly pushed Shen Jingyuan away, turned her head to look at the dock, trying to hide her frantic heartbeat and burning cheeks.

The next instant, her eyes widened suddenly.

Not far away on the dock, in stark contrast to the bustling and crowded loading and unloading area, a section of the dock seemed to have been deliberately cleared out. Soldiers in uniform gray cloth stood at attention with their guns, forming a cordon.

Inside the berth, at the very front, stood two figures she knew all too well, craning their necks and looking towards the ship.

It's my father and mother.

Commander Lin, dressed in military uniform, stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as upright as ever. His wife nestled beside him, clutching a handkerchief, her head tilted back as she gazed intently at the ship.

All the shyness and excitement instantly transformed into a surge of longing and sorrow upon seeing her parents, rushing straight to her nose and eyes.

"Mom! Dad!"

Lin Xi's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She suddenly leaned over the railing, half of her body hanging out, waving her arms wildly. The river wind blew her stray hairs into a messy dance, but she didn't care.

At the dock, Commander Lin and his wife, who were eagerly waiting, also saw her at almost the same time.

Upon seeing her daughter, Mrs. Lin immediately covered her mouth, raised her handkerchief with her other hand and waved it vigorously, her shoulders trembling slightly, clearly she was crying with excitement.

Even the usually dignified and composed Commander Lin softened his expression instantly, took a half step forward with his hands behind his back, and squinted as he tried to make out his daughter's figure on the deck.

As soon as the ship docked and the gangway was not yet fully in place, Lin Xi, like a bird eager to return to its nest, lifted her cumbersome skirt and rushed down the slightly swaying gangway, not forgetting to turn back and urge Shen Jingyuan behind her.

"Shen Jingyuan, hurry up! Father and Mother are waiting for us."

"Slower!"

Shen Jingyuan, carrying their luggage, watched as Lin Xi rushed down the gangway without a care, her heart pounding with fear. He hurriedly followed behind her.