Volume One, Chapter Eight: He Wore the Red String Given by Another

Once assigned to the Legal Department, Lin Yuxia knew her efforts today had been in vain.

As expected, Manager Chen was very clear: Sheng Yue bore no fault in this matter, and the company would not assume any compensation responsibility.

She wanted Sheng Yue to rise above the petty disputes of right and wrong and assess the gains and losses from the company’s larger perspective. But such decisions were beyond the Legal Department’s authority—only Fei Xun could call the shots.

By the time she left the Sheng Yue Group building, it was already midday.

The scorching sun overhead left Lin Yuxia feeling a little wilted.

She hadn’t been entirely unprepared for Fei Xun’s difficult nature, but she hadn’t expected him to be so unyielding as to not even grant her five minutes to speak.

Lin Yuxia thought of her brother. If she went through Shen Yan, at least she could get Fei Xun to sit down and listen.

But she wouldn’t do that.

She had always emphasized to Shen Yan that she was no longer a child. If she asked him to intervene, wouldn’t that be like slapping her own face?

With a long sigh, she took out her phone to update Lawyer Li on the situation, when Shen Yan’s call came through first.

“Brother,” she greeted sweetly.

“What have you been busy with lately? You haven’t reached out to me on your own.”

“Not much,” Lin Yuxia smiled, kicking a pebble along the roadside with her toe. “Brother, I have good news to tell you.”

Shen Yan’s voice softened and slowed, sounding tender beyond measure: “Tell me quickly. What good news does my little Yu have?”

“I’ve found a job.”

“Oh? Since when? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? At least let me notify the hiring company…”

“Brother~~” Lin Yuxia’s tone carried a teasing wave, and the voice on the other end immediately fell silent.

“I’ve already signed the labor contract and started work today. Please don’t worry unnecessarily.”

“All right, all right. Brother was just nagging.”

After a moment’s pause, Shen Yan asked, “What kind of job? Where are you working?”

Lin Yuxia deliberately played coy: “Brother, how about lunch together? I’m near your company.”

The membership-only French restaurant was known for its exorbitant prices and sparse clientele, but Shen Yan was a regular.

Lin Yuxia chose a corner by the window and sat opposite her brother.

Shen Yan ordered according to Lin Yuxia’s preferences, then smiled warmly and patiently asked,

“Now you can tell me, what job did you find?”

Lin Yuxia deliberately prolonged the suspense. “Not so fast.”

She pulled a delicate box from her bag and pushed it toward Shen Yan.

“Brother, this is a gift I bought for you abroad. Open it and see if you like it.”

“Buying gifts for no reason?” Shen Yan said with a smile, though his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

He opened the box to reveal a men’s Patek Philippe watch resting on black velvet.

This was the first time Lin Yuxia had given her brother a proper gift. She nervously watched his expression and said,

“I didn’t spend the family’s money. I bought it with my own earnings from part-time work. I couldn’t afford the limited edition, so I got a regular version. Brother, do you like it?”

Shen Yan lowered his gaze, staring at the watch for a long time without moving.

His lashes shadowed his pupils, so Lin Yuxia couldn’t see his eyes, but she noticed his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

After a while, he slowly looked up, his eyes glistening with moisture.

“Fool, you’re the eldest daughter of the Lin family, studying abroad. Who told you to work so hard to earn this money?”

Lin Yuxia smiled to herself. She wasn’t some pampered heiress; without working, she could hardly cover her living expenses.

But there was no need to let her brother know such trivial matters. She said casually, “Working abroad isn’t that hard.”

Shen Yan tenderly ruffled her hair. “Brother really likes this gift, especially likes it. I’ll wear it always.”

Only then did Lin Yuxia reveal a relieved smile.

“I’m glad you like it. Brother, let me put it on for you.”

“All right.” Shen Yan extended his left hand.

On his fair, slender wrist lay a priceless antique watch.

Lin Yuxia winked playfully at him. “Are you really going to take off such an expensive watch to wear this worthless one?”

Shen Yan said, “Nonsense. Things you give me are priceless treasures.”

Lin Yuxia felt a warm glow inside as she removed Shen Yan’s antique watch and then noticed something beneath the strap—a red string?

Her smile faltered. She feigned casualness and asked,

“Brother, who gave you this?”

Shen Yan glanced at it and said, “Who else but Xiao Tian, the one you met last time?”

Lin Yuxia remembered the alluring woman in red.

Since meeting her, Lin Yuxia had been deceiving herself every day, hoping her brother was just casually involved with that woman and would soon be done with it.

But now, seeing him wear the red string she’d given him, did it mean their relationship was more than just casual?

Noticing Lin Yuxia’s sudden silence, Shen Yan added, “It’s just an ordinary string, nothing more.”

Trying to cover it up only made it more suspicious. Lin Yuxia knew all too well the special meaning behind it.

When she was eighteen, she had personally braided the same red string for him.

Only, she never got the chance to confess or tie it on his wrist before being sent abroad by the family.

Forcing herself out of painful memories, Lin Yuxia quickly fastened the watch on Shen Yan’s wrist.

Shen Yan withdrew his left hand, repeatedly admiring the watch.

“Beautiful, and the size fits perfectly.”

Lin Yuxia asked abruptly, “Brother, will you wear it forever?”

She wasn’t sure if she meant the watch or the red string.

Shen Yan answered naturally, “Of course. I’ll wear it always, forever.”

The waiter arrived with their dishes, and they began to eat.

Shen Yan cut the steak into small pieces, placing them on Lin Yuxia’s plate.

She took a bite but found it less delicious than she remembered.

“Brother, I found an internship as a lawyer in Zhong City.”

“Zhong City? That’s good. I’ll…” Shen Yan started.

Lin Yuxia put down her utensils, displeased.

“Brother, don’t try to pull strings for me. I can stand on my own merits in the firm.”

Shen Yan smiled. “Of course I believe in your ability. You finished your undergraduate credits in your first year, completed undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral courses in four years, and earned double degrees in economics and law.

“Brother wouldn’t dare doubt you. I just care about you too much.”

“Anyway… I don’t want you meddling in my work…”

Lowering her head, Lin Yuxia sulked, poking at the pieces of beef on her plate.

Why couldn’t Shen Yan direct his concern elsewhere?

If only he could see her as more than a sister, even just as an ordinary person, would he realize what giving him that watch truly meant?

After the meal, they got in the car. Shen Yan glanced at the unusually quiet Lin Yuxia and couldn’t help but ask,

“Why so silent? Didn’t you like the lunch?”

Lin Yuxia forced a smile. “No, it was good. I just ate too much and feel sleepy.”

Hearing that, Shen Yan took a jacket from the back seat and draped it over Lin Yuxia.

“There’s still half an hour on the road. You can take a nap.”

Lin Yuxia closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, though her mind was filled with the red string and she couldn’t rest.

Shen Yan slowed the car, driving steadily.

Suddenly, the phone on the dashboard vibrated. Shen Yan glanced at it, then took the phone but didn’t answer.

Lin Yuxia caught a glimpse of the caller ID through her half-closed eyes: “Darling.”

Darling…

So their relationship had become that intimate.