If You Could Hear My Heart

Chapter 169: Habit is a Terrible Thing

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Habit is a Terrible Thing

Translator: 549690339

Xu Chaomu gradually calmed down and continued to eat her meal, as if she hadn’t seen Shen Chi come in.

But sitting here while the young couple dined together, what was she doing?

With that thought, she couldn’t help but speed up her eating.

Finish early, return to school early.

“Young Master, had I known you’d be coming, I would have prepared a few more dishes,” the butler Ling said.

“It’s quite alright, no need to make extra on my account,” Shen Chi said, pulling back his chair, his movements candid and graceful.

Xu Chaomu glanced at him from the corner of her eye, wondering why he sat opposite her at such a long table, spoiling the view.

As Shen Chi had just come in from the rain, his hair tips still carried a hint of moisture.

“Chaomu, why did you come back today?” Shen Chi asked, his voice muted and deep, casting a casual glance at her.

“To get some clothes,” Xu Chaomu replied, without looking up, poking at the rice in her bowl.

A weasel paying respects at a chicken’s house is never up to any good.

The butler Ling, aware of their recent spats, quickly added, “Young Master, it’s been raining for several days in a row and the temperature has dropped, so Miss Xu came back to fetch some clothing to ward off the cold.”

“Oh,” Shen Chi responded indifferently.

Bai Man chimed in from the side, “Shen Chi, why don’t you let Chaomu move back in? It’s not great for her to be alone at school. Staying in a dorm is hardly the same as being at home.”

Bai Man was just trying to do a good turn, saying it offhand.

To her surprise, Shen Chi actually gave it serious thought for several seconds before nodding, “Since you’ve pleaded on her behalf, let her move back in then.”

Bai Man was immediately choked up, having only made a passing remark without expecting Shen Chi to agree.

After all, Shen Chi was stubborn too, his spoken word as irrevocable as spilled water.

But… he actually agreed, following her lead.

Bai Man was filled with regret.

On the other hand, Butler Ling was rather pleased: “It’s good for her to move back in. I can look after Miss Xu better. It’s really inconvenient for her to be alone at school.”

Xu Chaomu, on the other hand, did not appreciate the gesture: “I’m not moving back in. I’m quite happy living at the school, and my classmates are good to me.”

Butler Ling hastily winked at Xu Chaomu, trying to signal that the Young Master was making a significant concession.

Unfortunately, Xu Chaomu, her head bowed, saw nothing of it.

Why come back to watch a couple show off their love day after day? The man was a cornucopia of cliches, needing an audience even for showing affection.

“You really are growing quite a temper,” Shen Chi remarked dryly.

“Takes one to know one,” Xu Chaomu fired back fearlessly.

Butler Ling listened on, sweating bullets, knowing that probably only Xu Chaomu dared to talk back to the Young Master.

Bai Man felt a tad uncomfortable listening to their exchange.

She pretended to laugh, “You siblings start squabbling the minute you see each other. Shen Chi, look at you, you’re older than your sister, you should give her some leeway.”

Xu Chaomu said, “Sister-in-law, you’re intelligent and not only pretty but also very considerate. To marry someone like my brother, you’re truly aggrieved.” “You!” Shen Chi shook his head in frustration.

Bai Man smiled charmingly, “Chaomu is actually quite sensible too. Shen Chi, you shouldn’t always be so critical of her. Today, she even told me she would be my bridesmaid when we get engaged.”

“Is that so?” Shen Chi deepened his voice, his eyes as unfathomable as the depths of dark waters.

“Yes,” Xu Chaomu said simply.

“Let’s eat, it’s getting cold; if we don’t, the food will be chilly,” Bai Man diverted the topic.

She always felt that whenever Xu Chaomu was around, Shen Chi became more talkative.

It made her feel uneasy.

Shen Chi habitually served a bowl of soup, a habit can be a frightening thing; filling only half a bowl, he placed it in front of Xu Chaomu.

He had always been the one to serve her soup while she ate, sparing her the effort.

Yet, she had been staying in the dorm for many days, and he hadn’t shaken the habit.

Just as he set the bowl down, Shen Chi himself was the first to be taken aback.

Habits truly are terrifying things.

Xu Chaomu was also startled and looked up at him.

In that moment of eye contact, Shen Chi wore an expression of helplessness, while Xu Chaomu looked surprised.

The meal went by quietly, contrary to the usually talkative Xu Chaomu, who had now learned to chew in silence.

In the past, she would have snuggled up to Shen Chi, piling up his plate with a heap of food: “Big brother, eat up, I’m telling you, more food gives you strength—you know what I mean.”

Xu Chaomu used to be so irreverent; Shen Chi, frustrated but helpless, would end up eating all she offered.

Now, with Xu Chaomu silent, the dining table was quiet.

Xu Chaomu was the first one finished. Standing up, she said, “Big brother, sister-in-law, enjoy your meal. I’m heading back to school.”

Butler Ling interjected, “Miss Xu, why don’t you let the Young Master drive you? Young Master, are you busy?”

“Hmm,” Shen Chi responded, not indicating whether he was busy or not. Xu Chaomu found herself in a dilemma—should she let him drive her or not?

That man had no good intentions.

“Miss Xu, come on, let me carry your clothes to the car for you. You take a seat and wait for the Young Master to finish his meal.”

Butler Ling took her backpack without waiting for a reply, leaving Xu Chaomu with no choice.

Bai Man wasn’t very happy but, since things had come this far, she had to offer a friendly warning, “Be careful on the road later. The roads are slippery after the rain—it’s better to be safe.

Shen Chi soon finished his meal.

Xu Chaomu was already sitting in the car, idly looking out the window.

The rain had stopped, but it was still very cold. The car was warm with the heater on, quite comfortable.

This man was still indulging as always, with the faint scent of eucalyptus in the car, quite enchanting.

She casually turned on some music, and soft strains of classical music began to drift through the air.

After listening for a while, she felt that her tastes and the man’s were misaligned; even sophisticated classical music seemed less appealing than “Happy Sheep, Pretty Sheep, Lazy Sheep, Fiery Sheep…” to her.

So, she turned off the music and started humming a tune to herself.

Over and over she hummed, “Happy Sheep, Pretty Sheep, Lazy Sheep, Fiery

Sheep…”

When Shen Chi arrived, she was just humming, “No matter the problem that tries to trip me up, I won’t let it hurt my heart; no matter the danger before me, I won’t panic.”

Shen Chi didn’t interrupt her, listening instead as she sang until the last line,

“In all sorts of weather, I possess the power to make people laugh. Although I’m just a sheep…”

After finishing, Shen Chi couldn’t hold back a laugh.

He casually opened the car door and sat down in the driver’s seat.

“You’re not a sheep; you’re a cat, a little wild cat,” Shen Chi couldn’t stop his laughter.

He tucked his long legs into the driving area and closed the car door.

The car was warm, filled with a diffusing fragrance.

“A homeless little cat is naturally a wild cat,” Xu Chaomu pouted..