Chapter 512: Extra: Yuan Shimo - Chasing the Moon, Flowing Shadow (3)

Not long after they had confirmed their feelings for one another, Jiang Qingli realized that Yuan Shimo’s logic was different from most people’s.

When he was interested in something, he wouldn’t express it directly. Instead, he would first feign indifference to gauge her thoughts.

It was likely a habit born from a childhood of never getting what he wanted.

This tendency had improved significantly since their marriage, but he still reverted to it when faced with what he considered a major issue.

Jiang Qingli leaned against the back of her seat. “I’m fine with whatever. I see paparazzi almost every time I go out, so I’m used to it. What about you? You don’t hate the exposure anymore?”

“I hate it.”

The light turned green.

Yuan Shimo started the car and drove on.

Neon light cast faint shadows across his refined features.

Yuan Shimo took a breath, then slowly exhaled. “But… with my female master, I don’t hate it.”

Jiang Qingli was a little surprised. “Alright. In that case, I’ll have my people keep an eye on things, make sure no rumors get started, and try to keep it to positive news.”

The corners of Yuan Shimo’s lips curved up. “Alright.”

Beside him, a shadow peeled away from his feet, transforming into a palm-sized kitten. It leaped gracefully over the center console and landed in Jiang Qingli’s lap, nuzzling her chin and letting out a soft, rumbling purr.

The shadow’s emotions were influenced by its master, which meant Yuan Shimo was in a very good mood.

Jiang Qingli didn’t know why he’d had such a sudden change of heart. ‘Maybe the photos just looked really good,’ she mused, ‘and it would prevent a repeat of what happened today.’

She lowered her head to text her assistant.

Yuan Shimo glanced over, his eyes sweeping across her profile, and the smile playing on his lips deepened.

It wasn’t that he merely didn’t mind.

In fact, Yuan Shimo desperately wanted his and Jiang Qingli’s names to be bound together.

It had been almost a year since their wedding.

Jiang Qingli’s relationships with her other Beast Husbands were widely known.

It was one thing with Qin Muye and Baili Jing; they were public figures, so gossip was inevitable.

Even photos of Ye Linyuan and Gu Nian with Jiang Qingli would occasionally pop up on gossip sites.

Yuan Shimo had heard people say they had a lot of “shippers.” He normally didn’t pay attention to such things, but after searching it online, it left a sour taste in his mouth.

He had always preferred a quiet life and didn’t want attention, and Jiang Qingli had respected his wishes, even making arrangements with the media.

But now, all the other Beast Husbands…

But that was one thing. What truly vexed Yuan Shimo was what he’d heard a few days ago while passing by the lab: many people at the academy thought Yuan Shiyao and Jiang Qingli were a couple.

They said Yuan Shiyao, the Secretary-General of the student council, visited the Melt Star Association even more frequently than Ke An, the student council president himself.

He would often discuss matters with Jiang Qingli alone in her office, staying for hours at a time.

What’s more, people had seen Yuan Shiyao emerging from Jiang Qingli’s office on more than one occasion with his clothes disheveled and his ears beet-red.

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like something was going on between them.

Yuan Shimo had confronted Yuan Shiyao about it once, but his brother had just looked innocent. “Big Bro, I was just discussing official business with Qingli. If you’re worried… I’ll invite you along next time.”

Despite his words, the rumors only grew more rampant.

Yuan Shimo sneered inwardly.

‘Before long, his restless twin brother will probably be appearing in public with Jiang Qingli as a proper couple, openly accepting everyone’s blessings.’

That was why Yuan Shimo wasn’t opposed to the news today.

‘It’s best to let those other consorts get a good look and learn to behave themselves.’

‘Especially Yuan Shiyao.’

…

The car stopped at Yuan Shimo’s villa, which was near the Jiang Family estate.

After moving out, he had chosen a place only two streets away from the Jiang estate, making it very convenient to see her.

Jiang Qingli was free tonight, so she was staying over.

While the sound of the shower pattered in the bathroom, Yuan Shimo went into the walk-in closet.

More than half of the clothes in the closet belonged to Jiang Qingli.

Besides reading, Yuan Shimo had recently developed a new hobby: buying clothes for Jiang Qingli.

His own side of the closet mostly contained shirts and lab coats, but Jiang Qingli’s was stuffed to the brim with all kinds of outfits.

In his spare time, he had read books on fashion and styling. He would put together outfits based on her preferences, hanging them up as complete sets to make it easy for her to choose.

His fingertips slid across the row of pajamas, and he picked out a pure cotton set. ‘Spring nights are still a bit chilly,’ he thought, ‘she needs to stay warm.’

After her shower, Jiang Qingli changed into the pajamas. Yuan Shimo had already showered and was sitting up in bed, reading a book.

In the soft light, he looked like a sculpture of warm jade, a truly breathtaking sight.

Yuan Shimo closed his book, the cat ears atop his head twitching. “Female master.”

In high spirits, Jiang Qingli walked over and plunged her hand under the covers.

Sure enough, her hand closed around a cat’s tail.

A smirk touched Jiang Qingli’s lips. Just as she was about to give it a pat, she realized the tail felt too thin.

A moment later, a small head burrowed into her palm.

Jiang Qingli threw back the covers to find Xiao Xue lying next to Yuan Shimo. The cat rolled over, meowing for attention.

“When did you get here?” Jiang Qingli picked up the cat, rocking it in her arms. “This little guy has been so elusive since he got neutered. It’s not easy to catch him.”

Right after the procedure, Xiao Xue would fly into a rage at the sight of anyone and had covered Yuan Shimo’s arms in bloody scratches. He’d only started to calm down recently.

Yuan Shimo’s lips curved. “He’s still young. He just needs time to recover.”

After watching her pet the cat for a moment, Yuan Shimo picked up Xiao Xue. “Alright, time for bed.”

Xiao Xue meowed at him in protest, but when Yuan Shimo tempted it with a treat, it shamelessly surrendered. Snatching the snack, it padded over to its cat bed in the corner and began to happily munch away.

With the little nuisance out of the way, Yuan Shimo placed his book on the nightstand, dimmed the lights, and leaned over the woman beside him, pressing his lips to hers.

“About today… Thank you, female master.”

“President Zheng is the one who should be thanking me,” Jiang Qingli said. “If I hadn’t been there, your shadow would have crippled her tonight.”

Caught, Yuan Shimo stiffened for a moment, slightly embarrassed.

“I’m not saying what you did was bad. It was a good thing,” Jiang Qingli said, tilting her head to kiss his lips. She had only been teasing him. “She’s clearly a repeat offender and deserved to be taught a lesson. I’ve already had my people take care of it.”

“Still, thank you, female master.”

Yuan Shimo tugged at the collar of his shirt, his breath warm against her ear as he murmured, “I have no way to repay you, except…”

He didn’t get to finish. Something grabbed her ankle.

A furry ball shot into their embrace, knocking Yuan Shimo aside and burrowing into Jiang Qingli’s arms.

It happened so suddenly that Jiang Qingli was stunned for a moment before she realized it was Xiao Xue.

The little guy had finished his treat and was back to being clingy.

Amused, Jiang Qingli pried Xiao Xue from her arms and coaxed gently, “Mommy and Daddy have things to do. Why don’t you go sleep for a little while?”

Xiao Xue ignored her, continuing to paw at her insistently.

Jiang Qingli felt a pang of pity. “He needs someone with him…”

“He’ll have company.”

As Yuan Shimo spoke, a pair of translucent hands lifted Xiao Xue into the air.

It was his shadow.

Jiang Qingli remarked, “You’re getting more and more adept at using your shadow.”

“I used to hate it.”

“But now… I can openly admit that my shadow is a part of me. We are one and the same.”

In the past, he had envied everything others possessed. He’d chased after it all desperately, but it was like trying to scoop the moon from the water; all he ever grasped was an illusion.

But now…

Yuan Shimo wrapped his arms around Jiang Qingli.

Holding her, feeling her warmth, his heart, which had been adrift in darkness, finally found its anchor.

Yuan Shimo thought, ‘I no longer have to chase after intangible phantoms.’

His sun was right here in his arms.