Chapter Thirty-One: Reconciled as Before

"How interesting! Luo Yichen, you look so adorable right now," Shang Qi said with a smile, her expression tinged with coquetry.

Luo Yichen found himself staring, captivated. It took him a long moment to snap out of it, and he reached out his hand, saying, "Let me teach you how to ski."

"Okay!" Shang Qi took his hand and walked carefully across the snow.

The first step in learning to ski is to master sliding down a slope, which is relatively simple. Shang Qi and Luo Yichen took the tow lift to the top of the mountain. Looking down, the vast white expanse was crowded with dense figures. Shang Qi felt a flutter of nervousness and clutched Luo Yichen's hand, saying, "Maybe I shouldn't learn after all."

"It’s alright. I’m here with you! I won't let you fall," Luo Yichen encouraged.

Shang Qi took a few tentative steps forward. Luo Yichen instructed, "Lean forward slightly and lower your center of gravity. Gravity will pull you down automatically; you just need to control your direction. If you want to stop, point your skis inward in a 'pizza' wedge. The wider the angle, the more resistance you’ll get. Did you understand?"

Shang Qi nodded, pulling a wry face, and said, "I understood. But I’m still scared!"

"There’s nothing to be afraid of. Come on, move!"

With that, Luo Yichen pushed her toward the slope. Having no choice, Shang Qi began to slide down. The sudden acceleration terrified her, and she cried out, "Luo Yichen, make me stop!"

Luo Yichen followed her closely, calling out, "Make a wedge! Didn't I just teach you how to stop?"

Shang Qi tried to do as he said, but she failed to stop.

"Watch your direction!" Luo Yichen shouted. "You’re about to hit the safety barrier!"

"What?"

Shang Qi looked up and tried to adjust, but she steered the wrong way. She crashed right into the padding. Luo Yichen was startled, terrified that she might have been injured. Her ski boot had snagged on the padding, and no matter how she tried, she couldn't get it free. Luo Yichen had no choice but to kneel and help her.

After that incident, Shang Qi was too scared to continue. She insisted on going back. Fearing she might actually get hurt, Luo Yichen didn't dare take her back up. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he took her to a small, elevated area nearby. The slope here was gentle and low, intended mainly for children and the elderly.

Luo Yichen helped her up and carefully guided her down. Gradually, Shang Qi mastered the basics and was able to slide on her own. She even forgot about being annoyed with him. It was a rare chance for them to spend time together like this; why ruin it with tension? Seeing her softened attitude, a smile spread across Luo Yichen's face.

Just then, a woman in her forties standing nearby gestured toward them and said, "Look at that, how attentive that young man is to his girlfriend. Why can't you be that kind to your wife?"

Shang Qi immediately blushed and explained, "He’s not my boyfriend!"

The woman widened her eyes, clearly unconvinced, and retorted, "If he's not your boyfriend, why is he taking such meticulous care of you?"

In a moment of desperation, Shang Qi blurted out, "He really isn't. He’s... my father."

"What? He's so young?"

The couple, along with Luo Yichen, were stunned.

Shang Qi continued with a straight face, "He’s my stepfather!"

Luo Yichen, seeing that she was getting more and more ridiculous, silenced her with a kiss. Shang Qi was both embarrassed and furious, but she couldn't push him away. The couple opposite them watched and laughed. Luo Yichen pulled back and said, "Wife, even if you’re angry, you can’t call me your stepfather. Wouldn't that make us incestuous?"

How did I become his wife? What kind of logic is this? Shang Qi was completely bewildered. She heard the couple say, "Little girl, your husband is so good to you, you shouldn't be so mischievous!"

With reinforcements, Luo Yichen felt even more confident. "Wife, let's go! Let's not let others laugh at us."

Seeing the "situation" was highly unfavorable, Shang Qi kept quiet for the time being. Once they were far enough away, she punched him and said, "When did I become your wife? Why do you keep spouting nonsense?"

Luo Yichen laughed and pulled her into his arms. "How about being my wife, then?"

"I..."

Shang Qi felt flustered, not knowing how to answer. Was he proposing? She couldn't figure out the true meaning behind his words.

"I love you!" Luo Yichen said. "Give me a chance to take care of you, okay?"

"Is this a proposal?" Shang Qi finally asked.

"Let's call it a rehearsal."

Shang Qi felt a wave of disappointment and pouted, ignoring him. Then she heard him add, "I’m preparing a formal one. I want to give you a memory you'll never forget."

Shang Qi shyly lowered her head and whispered, "Even if you proposed properly, I wouldn't agree."

Seeing her coy demeanor, Luo Yichen immediately understood what she was thinking. He pulled her tighter and said, "Whether you agree or not, I’m going to marry you regardless."

Leaning against him, Shang Qi felt a warm glow. This man was full of "mischief" and had her spinning in circles, but she was helplessly in love with him. Thinking about marriage, however, made her anxious. She didn't know if she could be a proper wife to the CEO of the Luo Corporation, and she feared her parents would object.

On the way back, Shang Qi was exhausted from playing. She fell fast asleep in the passenger seat. Luo Yichen drove all the way to her apartment building, but she didn't wake up. He didn't disturb her, choosing instead to wait in the car. Just then, Yu Xiufen came downstairs to take out the trash and happened to see Luo Yichen’s loving gaze fixed on Shang Qi’s sleeping face.

The news that a Rolls-Royce had come to pick up Shang Qi that morning had already spread through the residential complex, and Yu Xiufen had heard about it from the neighbors. She had planned to ask her daughter that night about her relationship with the CEO and how things were progressing with Mu Lichen. She hadn't expected them to return right at that moment.

Yu Xiufen walked over and knocked on the car window. Shang Qi woke up, startled to see her mother’s face. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

Suddenly realizing Luo Yichen was sitting in the driver’s seat, she became fully alert. Luo Yichen rolled down the window. Yu Xiufen asked, "Qiqi, why are you sleeping in the CEO's car? You should come home to sleep!"

Before Shang Qi could answer, Luo Yichen said, "Ma'am, Qiqi was exhausted from skiing today. It doesn't matter how long she sleeps in the car."

Shang Qi shot a glare at Luo Yichen. Wasn't he practically telling her mother that their relationship was extraordinary? Yu Xiufen’s eyes were full of suspicion as she looked at him, but Luo Yichen remained calm and collected.

He continued to show concern for Shang Qi, saying, "Put on your coat before you get out; it’s cold outside."

Shang Qi was speechless. After she got out, Luo Yichen followed. He stood respectfully before Yu Xiufen and said, "Ma'am, it’s a bit late today. I will definitely find another time to come by and pay a formal visit. Please, take care."

Shang Qi had never seen Luo Yichen so polite. Yu Xiufen was even more surprised, wondering just how far the relationship between her daughter and the CEO had progressed. Judging by his tone, it sounded like marriage was on the table.

"Safe travels, Mr. Luo," Yu Xiufen said.

Those four simple words subtly distanced her from him. Luo Yichen didn't say more and drove off. *The Shangs don't know I exist yet,* he thought. *I need to give them time to accept it. But poor Qiqi is in for a long night of 'interrogation'.*

Sure enough, Shang Qi was questioned by her parents all night. "Daughter," Shang Wende said, "you can't play both sides!"

"Dad, what are you talking about? I’ve already broken up with Mu Lichen."

"What?" Yu Xiufen exclaimed. "Did you break up with him because of this CEO?"

"No. We just weren't compatible."

Shang Wende thought for a moment before saying, "A breakup is a breakup, we'll leave that aside for now. I need to have a serious talk with you about this CEO. Qiqi, your mother and I warned you long ago—we can't afford to climb the social ladder into the Luo family. Why won't you listen?"

Shang Qi kept her head down, silent.

Yu Xiufen immediately guessed her daughter’s feelings. "When did you and this CEO start? I heard he just got a divorce."

"We... haven't officially started," Shang Qi said, too afraid to tell the truth given her parents' tone.

Shang Wende asked, "Not started? Then why did your mother say he’s planning to visit us? Someone of his status wouldn't joke about such things."

"That’s just his wishful thinking," Shang Qi replied. "I haven't decided whether to agree or not."

Yu Xiufen said worriedly, "You can't drag this out. You need to make it clear to him as soon as possible, or it will affect your work."

"I know. I'm tired, I’m going to sleep."

The couple felt that their daughter’s relationship with Luo Yichen was far from simple, but since she wouldn't talk, they were at a loss. Shang Qi tossed and turned in bed, filled with an indescribable anxiety. She barely slept, and when she opened her eyes the next morning, she was already late.

She rushed to get dressed and hurried to the company. After a frantic sprint, she clocked in at the very last second. While she stood panting by the elevator, Luo Yichen arrived. He glanced at her, wanting to ask something but holding back. With colleagues all around, Shang Qi didn't say anything to him either.

Back in her office, she sat blankly in front of her computer. Suddenly, the internal phone rang; it was Luo Yichen. "Did you introduce me to your parents properly last night?" he asked.

"No! They don't want me seeing you."

Shang Qi’s answer left Luo Yichen disappointed. "What’s wrong with me? Why do they look down on me so much?"

"They think I’m not good enough for you. That’s enough—I need to work. Don't talk to me about personal matters during office hours anymore. If I make another mistake, I’ll really get fired."