If You Could Hear My Heart

"Don't like it?" Shen Chi smiled faintly and looked at him, his eyes filled with gentleness and indulgence.

"I like it… but if you mismanage it, wouldn't I be the one paying for the losses? And I don't have money to pay, so wouldn't I end up in jail?"

"Do you think your husband would put a risky project under your name?" Shen Chi raised an eyebrow.

"What if you want to change wives one day?"

"…"

Xu Chaomu saw Shen Chi choking on his words. She sneakily squeezed his hand under the table and smiled to console him.

Unexpectedly, Shen Chi didn't let her pull her hand back; instead, he held it tightly.

Xu Chaomu gave him a look, "There are so many reporters here. Let go of my hand quickly."

"…" Shen Chi stayed silent.

"…" Xu Chaomu covered her forehead. Must he be like this? So petty.

"Old Shen…" Xu Chaomu tried calling him softly.

Shen Chi glared at her. Xiaobao called him Old Shen, and now she started calling him that too. One of these days, they'd make him feel like he really was old!

Xu Chaomu said earnestly, "I mean, Old Shen, if one day I decided I didn't want you anymore, wouldn't all these projects, dividends, properties, and so on be mine? You'd have nothing left?"

"Yes," Shen Chi replied.

"Wow, so after a few years, I could go find some young hottie?" Xu Chaomu's eyes sparkled mischievously.

Shen Chi leaned in close, his expression carrying a dangerous note. "Just remember one thing: without me managing it, you'd lose everything in no time."

"I could find someone who understands finance," Xu Chaomu countered.

"You really have it all planned out," Shen Chi's dangerous aura deepened.

"…" Xu Chaomu secretly squeezed his hand again. "I was joking, okay?"

"I know," Shen Chi said. "Besides me, honestly, no one else would want you."

"…" Xu Chaomu was rendered speechless.

While the two of them were sneaking a conversation, several other speakers had swapped places on stage, delivering speeches about the project. From the initial concept to the design, then to construction, Shen Group presented a flawless commercial street project to the audience.

In the auditorium, there were many merchants and representatives of relocated households. After listening to the presentation, all of their doubts were dispelled.

Finally, there was an official launch ceremony for the project. Shen Chi took Xu Chaomu up to the stage.

With fingers interlocked, Shen Chi held Xu Chaomu's hand tightly.

He noticed that while the little woman was talkative in front of him, the moment she stepped onto the stage, her palms were sweating.

Looking at her, Shen Chi saw that she was very nervous, though she maintained a smile and carried herself with grace and poise.

Shen Chi gave a brief speech, and whether intentionally or not, he smiled and handed the microphone to Xu Chaomu.

Xu Chaomu reacted as if she had received a hot potato and glared at Shen Chi.

Fortunately, back in college, she had taken public speaking classes. She improvised a few courteous remarks.

After speaking, Xu Chaomu handed the hot potato back to Shen Chi.

This man—so annoying! Didn't he promise she wouldn't have to say anything?! Didn't he say she just needed to stand by his side?!

What a liar!

Shen Chi smiled again, his expression brimming with tenderness.

The reporters in the audience rare caught sight of President Shen smiling; they hurriedly clicked their cameras.

They noticed that Shen Chi only showed such a warm and genuine smile when facing Xu Chaomu.

Below the stage, Xiao Mo chuckled. It seemed President Shen never missed a chance to sprinkle couple affection everywhere.

This was outright public displays of romance, generously spreading it around.

For single people, it was simply a thousand-point emotional blow.

After the launch ceremony, Shen Chi, worried that Xu Chaomu might be tired, instructed Xiao Mo to take her and Xiaobao backstage to rest.

Xu Chaomu held Xiaobao's hand and followed Xiao Mo onto the elevator.

"Mom, you look so beautiful today!" Xiaobao exclaimed, shamelessly giving his mom a compliment.

"Since when is your mom not beautiful?" Xu Chaomu teased.

"When you're angry, you're not beautiful. You even hit me," Xiaobao countered.

"That's because you're disobedient."

"No way! Just earlier, those uncles and aunties outside were praising how smart and well-behaved I am," Xiaobao protested.

"That's because, for once, you happened to be smart and well-behaved today," Xu Chaomu shot back.

Xiao Mo patted Xiaobao's head and chuckled. "Later, go upstairs with your mom to rest. Be good, okay?"

"But I still want to see Dad," Xiaobao said.

"Your dad will come find you later. He still has things to take care of right now," Xiao Mo patiently explained.

"Dad is amazing! I want to listen to him from now on," Xiaobao said, full of admiration.

"Of course. That's why Dad asked Uncle Xiao Mo to pass on a message: don't run around and stay in the room. Got it?" Xiao Mo said seriously.

"Got it," Xiaobao replied.

The elevator arrived at the twenty-fifth floor, the top floor's lounge. It was quiet, and the noise from below couldn't be heard.

"Uncle Xiao Mo, why don't you have kids?" Xiaobao asked curiously.

"Because Uncle hasn't gotten married yet," Xiao Mo replied.

"Why not? You and Dad plus Little Dumpling's dad look around the same age." Xiaobao tilted his head. "Wait, you're younger and even more handsome."

Xu Chaomu couldn't help but sweat. Xiaobao seemed to flatter anyone he met—definitely devious.

Xiao Mo chuckled, "Because I'm younger than them, I haven't reached the age to get married yet."

"Oh…" Xiaobao, being a child, didn't think too much about it.

"Mm," Xiao Mo hummed.

Xiao Mo escorted the mother and son into the suite to rest. Inside, there was already an array of food and plenty of toys.

Seeing the toys, Xiaobao couldn't look away. He leapt onto the trampoline.

"Chaomu, you rest here. I'll head back downstairs to help President Shen host the guests," Xiao Mo said.

"Alright, thank you for your hard work," Xu Chaomu replied.

Xiao Mo closed the door and headed toward the elevator.

Xiaobao was jumping back and forth on the trampoline. There were also heaps of blocks, toy guns, and miniature cars—truly a wonderland.

Xiaobao was beyond thrilled, thoroughly absorbed in play.

Xu Chaomu walked over to the dining table and glanced at the food—plenty of delicious dishes, including a kids' meal set.

"Xiaobao, do you want to eat something?"

"No, no, no," Xiaobao said, completely engrossed in playing.

"You've been without food all morning. Come over here," Xu Chaomu urged.

"I don't want to eat," Xiaobao insisted, shaking his head emphatically.

Left with no choice, Xu Chaomu grabbed a piece of Orleans-style chicken wing and walked over to him. "Chicken wing? Didn't you keep pestering me that you wanted to eat one?"

Xiaobao caught a whiff of the aroma and gave in, tossing aside the toy ball.

"I want it."

"Go wash your hands," Xu Chaomu instructed.

Xiaobao couldn't resist the delicious smell any longer. He hurried off the trampoline and dashed toward the bathroom.

In this regard, he was very obedient, especially since Shen Chi often warned him that eating without washing hands would result in a stomachache.

And Xiaobao was terrified of stomachaches—once he had one, he couldn't eat anything.

He washed his hands thoroughly and ran back out energetically.

"Mom, my hands are clean! Can I have it now?"

He grabbed the plate with the chicken wing and sat at the dining table to eat.

Xu Chaomu stood silently by the side, watching Xiaobao.

Just then, the doorknob turned slightly, but none of them seemed to notice.