The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Chapter 267 Sleep well, okay?

As expected, Cheng Zhi's father had preserved this short film, confirming Shang Yibo's speculation.

This short film, filled with the scars of youth, completely changed the life trajectories of Zhou Yanruo, Wang Jie, and Jian Zheng after that accident, becoming a memory they did not want to touch for many years to come.

Now, by a twist of fate, that story, buried for twenty years, has been brought back to life before their eyes in a unique way, accompanied by a damaged videotape. It evokes both sighs and profound emotions.

If, as Chu Yiming said, the video had already trended on social media by noon, it would likely have been widely circulated across various platforms by now. Regardless of whether the video's spread has a positive or negative impact on them, it's a part of what they should bear, so let nature take its course.

Shang Yibo felt relieved, believing that Zhou Yanruo would also let go.

The family enjoyed dinner together, chatting and laughing so much that time flew by. It was already past ten o'clock, but everyone was still talking and didn't want the conversation to end.

So Fang Xichen suggested, "Let's go to the tea room for tea. I'll offer you my treasured 'Aged Green Tea' for you to taste."

Chu Yiming responded quickly, "Mom really went all out, she actually gave us her precious drink."

Shang Yibo: "Then you are really wasting the good things. We are all people who 'drink like oxen' when we are thirsty, and we can't appreciate your elegance."

Chu Fanqing was very supportive of his wife, and for once he was very enthusiastic. He stood up first and said, "Let's go and try your precious green tea."

......

When Shang Yibo returned to Rushang Garden, it was already late at night.

She hadn't received any more messages from Zhou Yanruo all night. Perhaps knowing he was at Zimo Garden, she went home to rest after rehearsals. Knowing the finals were broadcast live tomorrow, she needed plenty of rest to recover her strength.

He sent Zhou Yanruo a message: "I'm back at Rushang Garden. You must be home by now. Get some rest, baby."

This time, Zhou Yanruo replied quickly: "Okay, I understand."

Afterwards, Shang Yibo took a shower and went to his study to carefully review the materials he needed for tomorrow's interview. He didn't plan to bring much luggage, as he intended to stay for a maximum of a week before returning. Besides meeting with school committee members and completing his pre-admission interview, he also needed to collect the keys to his apartment near the university. This trip to New York was for convenience, both for commuting and to have a cozy place to spend time with Zhou Yanruo. After all, both of them were public figures, and opportunities to meet in China would likely become increasingly rare, while being abroad offered much more freedom.

If he passes the interview, he will start school in two months.

The thought of finally getting together only to face separation filled Shang Yibo with a sense of melancholy.

Just then, the elevator in the lobby dinged, followed by the sound of the doors opening. Shang Yibo walked towards the entrance, thinking to himself, "Who would come in the middle of the night?"

Only two people knew his house access code: Ding Jiajia and Zhou Yanruo. And it was impossible for Ding Jiajia to come over in the middle of the night; Zhou Yanruo had just replied to a message and was already home resting.

Thinking this way, I secretly hoped that it would come.

As he walked into the foyer, Zhou Yanruo stood there, looking exhausted. Her face was somewhat pale, but her eyes held a smile as she gazed at him tenderly.

Shang Yibo strode forward and pulled Zhou Yanruo into his arms, excitedly saying, "Yanruo, you're here! Weren't you supposed to be resting at home? I'm so glad to see you! I missed you so much. I thought I'd have to wait until I got back from New York to see you again."

Zhou Yanruo was so exhausted that she leaned against Shang Yibo.

"Yes, Yibo, I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Silly girl, why are you apologizing?" Shang Yibo gently picked Zhou Yanruo up in a princess carry. "You look so tired, you're swaying all over. You seem to have lost weight, have you?"

Shang Yibo carried her into the living room, gently placed her on the sofa, and picked up a cushion to put under the back of her neck so that she could lie more comfortably.

Zhou Yanruo asked softly, "Is everything ready? Your flight is tomorrow at noon, I'll take you to the airport."

Shang Yibo shook his head and said, "I'll have Zhang Xinyi take me to the airport. You focus on preparing for the finals."

"The live broadcast doesn't start until tomorrow afternoon. I'll take you to the airport and then go directly to the show's location. There's enough time," Zhou Yanruo insisted.

"Be good, listen to me." Shang Yibo gently brushed the strands of hair from Zhou Yanruo's forehead with his fingers. "I'll be back in a week, and if all goes well, it might not even take a week. Be a good girl and wait for me to come back."

"Alright then, I..."

"Didn't you eat dinner again? Did that wicked Ding Jiajia prevent you from eating?" Shang Yibo asked with concern.

"Don't say that about her. She's only doing it for my own good. It's her job," Zhou Yanruo explained on behalf of Ding Jiajia.

"There are some wontons in the refrigerator that I brought back from Zimo Garden. They were made by Aunt Yan. I'll cook you a bowl."

"Don't cook it, I don't want to eat it."

“I also brought back some clear chicken soup. I’ll heat it up and cook some wontons. It’ll be good for you to have some soup to replenish your energy.” Shang Yibo gently patted her face. “You rest for a bit, I’ll be back soon.”

After saying that, he got up and walked towards the kitchen.

Shang Yibo cooked six wontons in clear chicken broth, carefully seasoned them, and the enticing aroma of the food quickly filled the entire house.

"The wontons are ready. I told you they'd be quick." Shang Yibo carefully ladled out a bowl, carried the tray back to the living room, and said, "Don't move, I'll feed you."

Zhou Yanruo did not respond; she had already fallen asleep.

Shang Yibo gently placed the bowl on the coffee table and turned up the air conditioner temperature by one degree. He then took an air-conditioning blanket from the bedroom and gently covered Zhou Yanruo with it.

Zhou Yanruo wasn't sleeping soundly. She woke up when Shang Yibo leaned over to cover her with the blanket and whispered, "Yibo, I miss you so much."

Shang Yibo sat down beside her and said gently, "You had only been asleep for a short while. I woke you up."

"Hmm..." Zhou Yanruo stretched out her arm and hooked it around Shang Yibo's neck, murmuring, "I don't want to sleep, I want kisses."

Shang Yibo smiled, his eyes full of doting: "Baby, you finally want me. Before you become a superstar, you'd better take a good look at me."

"You've always been in my eyes, in my heart," Zhou Yanruo confessed softly, her eyes dreamy. "I really miss you."

"You miss me that much? You don't even have the strength, what else do you want to do?" Shang Yibo teased her deliberately, leaning down and gently blowing his warm breath into her ear.

……

Shang Yibo wrapped the already limp Zhou Yanruo in an air-conditioning blanket, carefully carried her into the bathroom, and gently placed her in the bathtub. He meticulously adjusted the water temperature of the showerhead and helped Zhou Yanruo wash clean. Afterward, he carried her back to the bedroom and gently helped her lie down, saying, "Now you can sleep peacefully, okay? Be good."