"Miss Qianxue, why are you up so early today?" The housemaid looked at Sheng Qianxue in her athletic wear and couldn't help asking curiously. She suspected she'd read the time wrong and checked her watch again, but she wasn't mistaken—it was indeed not yet six o'clock.
Sheng Qianxue walked to the entryway, opened the shoe cabinet, squatted down to change into running shoes, and replied to the housemaid, "I'm going out for a run."
"A run?"
The housemaid was truly surprised. In her impression, Sheng Qianxue was indeed very disciplined and excellent at studying, and her temper had improved considerably these past two years. But to say she loved exercise—absolutely not. At most on weekends she might go out for a run, reluctantly, for her health.
If she remembered correctly, today was Wednesday.
"Auntie, prepare an extra portion of breakfast for me."
The housemaid: "..." Didn't Miss Qianxue always worry about gaining weight and only eat a little?
"After all, I exercised, so naturally I need to eat more." Sheng Qianxue explained. "Anyway, just prepare an extra portion. I'll be able to finish it." Her family was quite wealthy, but she'd been raised by Xue Xuan since childhood not to waste food.
Under the housemaid's puzzled gaze, Sheng Qianxue opened the door and ran out.
When Sheng Wenbo came downstairs and heard that Sheng Qianxue had gone out for a morning run, he also found it quite unusual. "Perhaps Qianxue thinks studying requires a strong physique." Sheng Wenbo didn't think too much about it. "Going for a morning run is good. I was actually a bit worried she's been too tense lately and it would affect her health." Thinking that Sheng Qianxue would soon be leaving, Sheng Wenbo felt reluctant. He checked the time and saw it was still early, so he went upstairs to change into athletic wear and opened the door to go out.
Sheng Qianxue encountered Sheng Wenbo halfway. She paused for a moment and asked, "Dad's going running too?"
"Yes, getting older now, I want to exercise a bit. Without movement, the body gets stiff. Sitting all day isn't comfortable either."
Sheng Wenbo smiled broadly. "Qianxue, what made you think of going running?"
"To exercise." Sheng Qianxue said readily. She certainly wouldn't say it was to grow taller. To grow taller, she needed to eat more, and eating more made it especially easy to gain weight. If she exercised while eating more, she could grow taller without gaining weight. She'd decided—morning runs, evening yoga. She'd definitely grow taller.
Thinking of that Shorty who was actually half a head taller than her, she ground her teeth in hatred. That Shorty was probably still sleeping now, how blissful. She also loved sleeping in, but now to grow taller, she had to get up at five-thirty. Just thinking about it made her feel bitter. To grow taller, she was really going all out.
Once her height surpassed Shorty's, she'd definitely press down on the other's head and rub her face in the ground. How dare she mock her for being short—mocking was one thing, but then she still wouldn't confess to her! Her hair would turn white from waiting. The more she thought about it, the more upset she got. She'd waited so long, and Shorty was really holding out.
She'd already decided—when Shorty confessed to her, she absolutely wouldn't agree right away. She'd make the other anxious to death.
"Qianxue."
"What is it, Dad?"
"Remember to come back during holidays."
Hearing this, Sheng Qianxue's feelings were complicated. She said, "Okay." Mom was right—no matter what, for the past dozen years, she'd grown up in Dad's care. They would always be father and daughter. She inadvertently glimpsed a few white hairs among Sheng Wenbo's black hair and looked away. "I'll come back to see you during holidays, Dad."
Sheng Wenbo relaxed and smiled. "Having you come back isn't for playing."
Sheng Qianxue looked puzzled, not understanding Sheng Wenbo's meaning.
Sheng Wenbo continued, "Dad's getting older. Even if you study abroad, don't forget you're the Sheng family's heiress. In the future, you'll have to take over the Sheng family company. Taking advantage of holiday time, you need to start familiarizing yourself with company affairs. By the time you graduate, you'll be about ready to take over the company. Then Dad can confidently hand the company to you and enjoy retirement."
If this had been two years ago, when Sheng Qianxue had just started high school—that period when the Sheng family had just encountered trouble—hearing Sheng Wenbo's words, she definitely would have immediately retorted, "But isn't there still Sheng Qianling?" The current her was no longer the former Sheng Qianxue. She still had her own temper, her own pride, but she also knew some thoughtless words were like knives—no benefit to herself and would cut others to pieces.
The person before her was always her father.
"Okay, I understand." This was Sheng Qianxue's answer. "Since Dad has spoken like this, I won't be polite."
Sheng Wenbo felt somewhat happy. He'd already prepared himself for Sheng Qianxue to say some unpleasant things. Looking at his eldest daughter's calm face, he suddenly realized his Qianxue had truly grown up. Her character was still proud, but she was no longer the impulsive young miss from before. Speaking of which, this change was all due to his unintentional mistake. This kind of growth—the price was truly too great.
If possible, he didn't hope Qianxue would grow up so quickly—so fast it made his heart ache and hurt.
The father and daughter said nothing more after that, running several laps together. On the way back, Sheng Wenbo inadvertently heard Sheng Qianxue mutter, "If this continues, in three months I should be able to grow a few centimeters, right?"
Grow taller?
Sheng Wenbo suddenly understood. So Qianxue's early morning run was to grow taller. He couldn't help but smile—still a child after all.
Sheng Qianling, sitting by the dining table, saw the two walk in from outside. Her eyes brightened and she quickly greeted them.
"Qianling, Xiao Ye, you eat first." Sheng Wenbo was in good spirits. "We'll come down shortly."
Sheng Qianling quickly nodded. A-Xin looked at the food before her and gave Sheng Wenbo a slight smile. "Then I won't be polite."
"Haha, no need to be polite."
Sheng Wenbo's gaze at A-Xin grew more and more fond. It must be said, hiring this study companion was the right choice. Since this young girl came to their home, Qianxue had been consistently growing in positive directions, getting better and better. Speaking of which, he should thank this young girl. He knew A-Xin fairly well—her only hobby was probably eating. Girls like this were still quite rare nowadays. In his daughter Qianxue's words, "This girl is extremely easy to care for—except for eating a lot."
From that day on, Sheng Wenbo encountered Sheng Qianxue "by chance" every day during her runs. Sheng Qianxue couldn't help rolling her eyes. Being so obvious—did he think she couldn't tell? Of course, she had no intention of exposing it. Later, Sheng Wenbo simply came downstairs punctually every day, and the father-daughter pair went for morning exercise together.
"Miss Qianling gets up so early every day, why doesn't she go running together?" the housemaid asked.
Sheng Qianling shook her head. "Better not. I don't really like exercise." She glanced at the two running away and smiled. Being able to see Qianxue and Dad getting along happily put her mind somewhat at ease. Butting in at this time—wouldn't that be annoying?
Perhaps because Sheng Qianxue worked too hard, the heavens saw her sincerity. On the day they left the country, she compared heights with A-Xin. She'd grown quite a bit—just a tiny bit shorter than A-Xin now. She was happy about this for a long time.
"See, heaven won't let down those who work hard." Sheng Qianxue smiled so wide her mouth wouldn't close. She pressed down on A-Xin's head. "Shorty, without effort you can only stand still—same goes for height."
Shorty?
Sheng Qianxue's voice wasn't small. This "Shorty" was heard by everyone around. They all looked at them uniformly—two girls both around 170cm tall, one calling the other who was just a tiny bit taller "Shorty"—their expressions were peculiar. They weren't too tall, but they shouldn't be called shorties, right?
Especially standing not far from them was a 160cm girl. Her eyes went wide. She stared at their heights, then saw her own short reflection in the glossy wall. She immediately felt like she didn't want to live anymore. She was from the south—her height was already at a disadvantage. She'd heard people abroad were all tall and big. She hadn't even left the country yet and... she was already injured by height.
On the day they left, Sheng Qianling also came with Sheng Wenbo.
Long after Sheng Qianxue's figure disappeared, Sheng Wenbo still hadn't withdrawn his gaze. Sheng Qianling called to him, "Dad?"
"It's nothing." Sheng Wenbo came back to himself and smiled. "Just suddenly feeling reluctant and somewhat emotional—you've all grown up."
Sheng Qianling understood that Sheng Wenbo must have many words left unsaid. Because those words might hurt her. She hugged Sheng Wenbo's arm and smiled comfortingly. "Dad, didn't Qianxue promise to come back to see you during holidays?"
"Mm." Sheng Wenbo nodded and patted Sheng Qianling's hand. "There's only a few months until the college entrance exam. Don't get distracted by other things." Saying this, he suddenly asked, "Qianling, I heard you have some relationship with that young fellow newly emerged from the Jiang family?"
Sheng Qianling's face paled. Sheng Wenbo quickly said, "Dad doesn't mean to blame you. I know you have your boundaries. I just wanted to ask. Even if I don't inquire about what happened between you two at school, people will still tell me."
"Dad already knows?" Sheng Qianling felt somewhat guilty. "I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize." Sheng Wenbo shook his head. "Does Qianling really like him?"
"Mm." Sheng Qianling lowered her head, a bit embarrassed. "Before, I had almost no friends. The only one I could really talk to was him. Actually he's very good, Dad. He's always helped me, never bullied me. His grades are excellent too, and he has a gentle mother. His background is also pitiful." Saying this, her face reddened. "He originally didn't want to return to the Jiang family. Mother Jiang said he went back to the Jiang family and competed for those things he didn't care about because of me."
"So, Dad, will you oppose us?"
"Dad won't oppose you." Sheng Wenbo said. "The prerequisite is that he continues being single-mindedly devoted to you like this. But unchanging hearts are very rare, especially for someone from the Jiang family. Growing up in that Jiang family environment, very few people can maintain their original intentions.
I'm not saying this because I think he's bad. I just want Qianling to understand that many things aren't so simple. You're still young now. Dad doesn't oppose you interacting with him. It's too early to talk about other things. I also don't want to judge a person because of the Jiang family. But you must promise Dad that if one day you discover this person isn't as good as you imagined, or he's already forgotten his original intentions—no matter how much you like him, you must immediately stop any thoughts of continuing with him."
"Qianling, I hope you can understand. Dad is just afraid you'll be hurt. You're too pure."
Sheng Qianling felt Sheng Wenbo's concern and quickly nodded. "Yes, Dad. I'll definitely remember these words. However, I believe Yanxi won't change. He's different from others."
To this, Sheng Wenbo only smiled. The Jiang family had made big moves these past two years. He'd known the name Jiang Yanxi very early. Including that the friend Sheng Qianling often went out to find was Jiang Yanxi—he knew this too. He just hadn't exposed it. His daughter had no friends. If he deprived her of the only person she was familiar with, that would be too cruel. He hadn't said these things before because Jiang Yanxi was just an academically excellent small-time thug. He wasn't afraid this small-time thug would do anything to harm Qianling.
Now he was saying these things because this excellent small-time thug had already become one of the Jiang family's key cultivation heir candidates. What kind of place was the Jiang family? A mixed bag—getting entangled with that surname meant countless troubles. Qianling was too pure. If possible, he didn't hope Sheng Qianling would get entangled with the Jiang family. Moreover, with Jiang Chongjun's character, who could guarantee he wouldn't think of using Qianling for something? That person was ruthless—let alone women, even his own biological children might not matter to him.
What he feared was that Jiang Yanxi would be changed by Jiang Chongjun and do bad things to Qianling.
Thinking this, Sheng Wenbo narrowed his eyes. It seemed he needed to make some decisions earlier. As long as Qianling had ties with Jiang Yanxi, she could very likely become Jiang Chongjun's target.
"Qianling."
"Dad, what is it?"
Sheng Wenbo smiled gently. "Do you truly not want to enter the company?"
"Mm, Dad. I really don't have that ability. What I like is a simple life. No matter what happens in the future, having work I enjoy doing, having someone who likes me and whom I like, being able to come see Dad regularly—this is the life I hope for." Sheng Qianling spoke with longing on her face.
Sheng Wenbo nodded. "You want to open a flower shop and a dessert shop, right?"
"Yes."
Sheng Wenbo laughed aloud. "Then once you enter university, you can open the shops. How about that?"
"Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay. With Dad supporting you, there definitely won't be any problems."
Sheng Qianling was very happy. She vaguely felt Sheng Wenbo had some plan. She didn't think deeply about it and didn't want to.
Three years later.
Same airport, same place. Sheng Wenbo and Sheng Qianling waited anxiously outside. About five minutes later, two tall girls walked out from inside—they couldn't help but catch everyone's eye.
These two girls—one wore a T-shirt, shorts, and flat pointed shoes; the other wore a T-shirt, casual short skirt, and height-increasing white sneakers. Hand-in-hand, each pulling a suitcase, as soon as they appeared, many people's gazes were attracted to them.
"They're out." Sheng Qianling called out. "Dad, that's them, right?"
Sheng Wenbo was much calmer than Sheng Qianling, though his voice still carried some excitement. "It's them."
Sheng Qianxue felt extremely displeased inside. Clearly she ate a lot and exercised every day. The lazy bum beside her ate a lot, didn't exercise, didn't gain weight, and still grew taller—wasn't heaven being too unfair? Now she had to wear height-increasing shoes. She couldn't wear those beautiful flat crystal-studded pointed shoes. Wearing the same as the other person meant being a head shorter.
She couldn't stand it. Absolutely couldn't stand it.
"Qianxue doesn't look very happy?" Sheng Wenbo was a bit curious—who exactly had angered Sheng Qianxue?
Sheng Qianxue put away her unhappy expression. "No, I'm especially happy, really. Dad, let's go home."
"Shorty." After speaking, she leaned close to A-Xin's ear through gritted teeth. "I'm only twenty this year. I can still grow."
A-Xin showed an encouraging expression and said softly, "Keep at it."
So infuriating.
"Hey, we've already graduated and we're adults now." Sheng Qianxue whispered with A-Xin in the back. "Don't you have something you want to say to me?"
Like a confession or something. Calculating the time, three or four years had passed—time to confess already.
Sheng Qianxue glanced at A-Xin, but A-Xin just looked at her with focused attention, not saying anything. At this moment, she turned her gaze to Sheng Qianling. Sheng Qianling was still made to shrink her neck from being looked at—probably an unconscious action.
"Twenty years old—not early dating anymore. Right, Dad?"
Sheng Qianling thought Sheng Qianxue was talking about her situation. Her face immediately flushed red. Sheng Wenbo also thought it was about this. "Right. Qianling, speaking of which, you and that Jiang family boy have known each other so many years. Why not find time to bring him home for dinner?" No matter what, he should meet the person. Other things could be discussed later.
"Shorty, did you hear that?" Sheng Qianxue gently pushed A-Xin, her arm hooking around her waist. It was clearly an intimate gesture, but the two had long been accustomed to this closeness. People didn't suspect they had any unusual relationship at all. "If you like someone, act quickly."
Confess soon! If we keep waiting, this miss's hair will turn white.