Chapter 153: The Lady Within (Additional Chapter for The Crystal Slipper) For Ten Thousand Stars

For more than half a year, the two had not lacked chances to lie together on the same bed. Yet, moments where they could simply lean quietly against each other and talk were rare. Their time together mostly embodied the adage that the essence of life is “motion.”

Liang Jinshang had heard that during this special time, some women became particularly irritable, or had ravenous appetites. Others might become especially intense. But she exhibited none of these symptoms, passing through her menstrual cycle as if chosen by fate to remain unaffected. Still, perhaps all women shared one common trait during this period: a fragile heart yearning for warmth.

So, when Shang Yucheng held her in his arms, teasing her casually, her body relaxed into comfort and lazily ceased all movement.

He could feel her shift from stiff to gradually loosening in his embrace. Liang Jinshang was slight in build; though she appeared slender, she was soft to hold. Shang Yucheng’s hand, initially massaging her lower back, instinctively moved upward as she sank into him.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, the sudden movement stirred her awake, leaving her both irritable and alert. “Hey, Shang Yucheng... Second rule of the Fang family: maintain purity and restraint; men and women must keep their distance.”

She meant to warn him, but in that groggy moment, her voice lacked the usual coquettish charm.

Shang Yucheng chuckled at her feigned admonishment. With how she’d burrowed into his arms the moment she fell asleep, she hardly seemed one to follow family rules.

“Do I, an outsider, really have to obey your Fang family rules?” he teased.

Liang Jinshang lifted her drowsy eyes. Though the darkness obscured their features, she felt his deep gaze fixed on her, warm and intent.

Without thinking, she murmured, “But you want to be my husband, don’t you?”

The moment the words left her lips, a flush crept over her cheeks. Whether it was his heated gaze or her own embarrassment, she couldn’t tell.

Afterward, silence fell between them, thick with an unspoken, elusive intimacy.

At every moment one wishes to be remembered, life seems to mark it with special details.

At that instant, a few brilliant fireworks exploded outside the window, their dazzling light spilling through the curtains and illuminating the room.

For those few seconds, they etched each other’s faces into their memories.

Liang Jinshang’s delicate, fair face framed by her raven hair was innocent yet held a unique charm.

As the room darkened again, Shang Yucheng’s hand, which had moved from her waist to the nape of her neck, pressed gently on her back, drawing her completely into his embrace.

When the next burst of fireworks blossomed, Liang Jinshang closed her eyes as if afraid of the brightness.

Even with eyes shut, one can sense a shadow drawing near. Yet she did not pull away.

His kiss landed softly, her lips intertwining lightly, quivering like jelly as they brushed his thin lips.

From what she knew of him, Shang Yucheng might have deepened the kiss impulsively then, but today he did not.

She buried her face in his chest, unable to resist a faint smile.

Not every kiss stirred the heart so profoundly.

He patted her back gently. “Baby.”

She responded softly, “Hmm?”

“You just broke the second rule of the Fang family.”

Go away!

Time quickly rushed to the day of the auction.

When Liang Jinshang arrived, she finally grasped the grand scale of the event.

She had expected her standing sculpture to command a spectacular price, far ahead of others.

But after reading the catalogue, she realized she was still inexperienced in the wider world.

Since Zheng Shan was in charge, Gong Xueyuan naturally reigned as the undisputed hostess.

She wore an ornate gown and heavy makeup, beautiful like a rose in full bloom.

Standing beside the unimpressive Zheng Shan, even the uninformed could tell this man was immensely wealthy.

Many guests had come today.

Shang Yucheng brought not only her but also his rarely free brother, Shang Aor.

When Gong Xueyuan spotted Liang Jinshang behind Shang Yucheng, her expression darkened instantly, though she restrained herself from causing a scene before so many.

Shang Yucheng already knew that Liang Jinshang’s breakup with him was tied to some deal with Gong Xueyuan.

So when Liang Jinshang told him that Gong Xueyuan’s gaze was murderous, Shang Yucheng coolly mocked, “Who told you to play her?”

He even seemed to defend his ex-girlfriend.

“I didn’t play her,” Liang Jinshang muttered, serious about the breakup. Who was clinging on now was her own secret.

She left the rest unsaid.

Shang Yucheng was soon cornered by a few sharply dressed men, and Shang Aor ran off to join his childhood friends.

Liang Jinshang had no choice but to walk alone to the buffet table to find something to eat.

Unexpectedly, she spotted an “old acquaintance.”

Gong Nian, likely tagging along with Gong Xueyuan for the occasion, hid in a corner, playing with a few balloons.

From a distance, Liang Jinshang couldn’t help but tut.

Even a wealthy heiress could be pitiful—had she never played with such “common” toys? Her face smeared with cream, she looked more like a little beggar.