Shu Nian lived in an old-style residential complex with a good location—there was a bus stop right outside and a subway station just a short walk away. The security wasn’t particularly good, with guards who didn’t restrict people from entering, but fortunately, there was a police station nearby.
This place always had considerable foot traffic, with many people entering through the main gate and exiting through the side door as a shortcut, significantly reducing their travel distance.
At this moment, the two of them stood at the entrance of the complex, surrounded by people coming and going.
Afraid that others might bump into Shu Nian, Xie Ru He instinctively grabbed her wrist and pulled her slightly to the side.
Shu Nian was still thinking about what he had just said and obediently moved a few steps following his lead. She thought for several seconds, completely clueless, and could only carefully ask, “How to coax…”
Xie Ru He didn’t speak, still holding her wrist, as if it were a natural gesture. He didn’t continue to stand there but raised his foot to walk toward the subway station.
Shu Nian was pulled forward by him and looked back, asking, “Wasn’t Assistant Fang the one who drove you here?”
Xie Ru He said, “Mm.”
Shu Nian asked, “So we’re not waiting for him?”
Xie Ru He didn’t answer but instead asked, “Aren’t you going to the recording studio today?”
Shu Nian nodded, “Yes, near the South Tower Building.”
“The subway is faster,” Xie Ru He looked back at her. “Or would you prefer to go by car?”
Hearing this, Shu Nian lowered her eyes, staring at his hand holding hers. She licked her lips, and her palm instinctively curled a little, without any consideration: “No.”
The two continued walking forward in silence, neither initiating conversation.
The atmosphere was quiet, with a hint of awkwardness.
If not for one person holding the other’s hand, they would have looked like strangers.
Shu Nian secretly observed him, only able to see his profile.
Three-dimensional features, clean-cut curves, still with that cold, indifferent appearance—it was impossible to tell what his current mood was. She worried he might still be angry and didn’t know what to do.
Coaxing someone… she had no experience with this either.
Shu Nian felt a bit dejected.
How had she managed to upset him on their very first day of dating?
Because of the cold weather, Shu Nian wasn’t dressed lightly. Besides her base layer, she wore two wool sweaters and a pink and white fluffy hoodie on the outside, with a pleated skirt revealing a pair of slender legs.
Being small and thin, she didn’t look bulky.
Xie Ru He wasn’t directly touching her wrist but was holding onto her hoodie. His hand was handsome, with protruding palm bones extending to four fingers, long and clean, nails trimmed neatly with a slight shine.
Perhaps from the cold wind, his hands looked somewhat dry.
Shu Nian stared for a while and suddenly thought of an idea.
She freed the hand he was holding while extending her other hand, using both hands to envelop his. But her frame was small, her hands and feet were tiny, and even with both hands, she couldn’t completely wrap his hand.
Noticing her action, Xie Ru He looked over: “What’s wrong?”
She blinked and said softly, “I’m wearing gloves.”
Xie Ru He said, “Hm?”
As if trying to please him, Shu Nian explained mildly, “Holding like this, your hand shouldn’t feel cold.”
It was a very gentle way of appeasing him.
“…” Xie Ru He paused, the gloom between his brows dissipating somewhat. “Mm.”
Seeing this, Shu Nian breathed a sigh of relief.
The displeasure caused by He You earlier seemed to be dispelled by her small gesture. She thought for a moment but couldn’t help explaining: “That person I told you about, he’s my neighbor.”
“…”
“He lives upstairs from me, his name is He You, and he’s a police officer.”
Xie Ru He nodded: “I know.”
“It’s just, just—” Shu Nian emphasized, “My relationship with him isn’t that close normally, and we rarely have physical contact… not like what you saw.”
Hearing the nervousness in her voice, Xie Ru He turned his head: “Did I scare you?”
“…” Shu Nian thought about it and honestly said, “No, I just worry you might misunderstand.”
“I won’t misunderstand,” Xie Ru He answered quickly. “I’ll just be unhappy.”
Shu Nian made an “ah” sound: “Then…”
“But I won’t stay unhappy forever,” Xie Ru He lowered his eyes, staring at their clasped hands. “I just want to honestly tell you my thoughts.”
Shu Nian nodded in confusion: “Oh.”
He looked away and said softly, “So don’t be nervous.”
The two entered the subway station.
Xie Ru He almost always traveled by private car, so he didn’t even have a subway card. Shu Nian led him to one of the machines to buy a ticket, pushing the small coin into his hand.
“Just take Line 3, it’s direct.”
After going through the ticket check, the two rode the escalator down.