If You Could Hear My Heart

At this moment, Shen Di in Wen Zhiyuan's eyes seemed entirely different from the woman he had observed outside.

Gone was her gentleness, gone was her calm demeanor—she could lose her temper with him too.

Wen Zhiyuan chuckled bitterly. Perhaps he should feel "lucky"—Shen Di probably only ever threw her tantrums at him.

Trapped on the chair by Wen Zhiyuan, his breath, warm and heavy, brushed against her face. Shen Di squirmed uncomfortably and pushed him away. "I don't want to discuss this with you. Please leave. I need to change my clothes."

"You can't change with me here?"

The words had barely left his mouth before Wen Zhiyuan froze, surprised at himself. Alcohol truly was no friend of his.

Shen Di was stunned as well, her cheeks slightly flushed. She kicked Wen Zhiyuan with her leg and quickly rose from the chair.

Luckily, Wen Zhiyuan dodged in time; otherwise, her kick would have landed.

Had the high-heeled shoe hit its mark, he'd probably have to visit Yu Weiwei's research institute.

"Wen Zhiyuan, don't make people misunderstand. I'm engaged," Shen Di said in a flat tone, fishing out her makeup kit from her bag without even looking at him. "After all, a man and a woman alone in a changing room—it's hard to explain."

"A man and a woman who once lived together for years—if something were truly hard to explain, it would have become unclear long ago!"

Shen Di's hand froze mid-touch as she stared at herself in the mirror, doubting she had heard him correctly.

Wen Zhiyuan had always been patient with her, accommodating her all these years. He must truly be drunk tonight, or else he wouldn't be saying such things.

Seeing Shen Di unresponsive, Wen Zhiyuan suddenly grabbed her shoulders, turning her to face him.

He could no longer remember how long it had been since he last got such a close look at her. At this very moment, he could clearly see each of her long, delicate eyelashes.

Shen Di attempted to shake off his hands, moving her shoulders.

But her strength was no match for his—eventually, she chose to give up.

"Wen Zhiyuan, stop this. Let go, or I'll call someone." Shen Di threatened him.

"And then? Let people see us in such an ambiguous situation?"

"Wen Zhiyuan, when did you become so shameless?"

"Years ago, I was too proud." Wen Zhiyuan muttered to himself.

If he had cared less about pride back then, would he still be by her side now?

"Speak properly." Shen Di looked at him. "There are guests outside; today is my younger brother's wedding. I don't want to cause a scene—my fiancé is here too."

"You care deeply about Qin Chen's feelings."

"Yes."

"Then no matter what I do to you, you probably wouldn't scream, right?" Wen Zhiyuan stared at her, his reddened eyes intensely focused on hers.

Gone was his usual gentle facade. In truth, his tolerance had its limits.

"Wen Zhiyuan, you're drunk!"

While speaking, Shen Di tried to move again.

But this time, Wen Zhiyuan didn't give her a chance to resist. He turned his head and kissed her pale lips.

Eight years…

It had been eight years since he left her…

Wen Zhiyuan held Shen Di's shoulders, his lips soaked in the scent of alcohol lingering on her soft, rosy lips.

Her lip color carried a faint peach fragrance, and the familiar scent of rose perfume wafted from her body. These scents, so distinctly hers, seeped into his nose bit by bit. He kissed her deeply, unable to stop himself.

Shen Di felt a trace of anger—how had Wen Zhiyuan become like this!

She raised her hand, intending to slap him, but he swiftly pinned down her wrist.

Her nose picked up the warmth of his scent—a smell once achingly familiar…

After what seemed like ages, Wen Zhiyuan finally let go of her, his breathing ragged and uneven.

"Adi…" He gazed into her eyes, his voice tinged with a dangerous charm and raw hoarseness.

"Wen Zhiyuan, stay away from me!" Shen Di's gaze turned icy as she looked at him. "I'm engaged. If you continue this, don't blame me for forgetting any sentiment between us."

Wen Zhiyuan's eyes flickered with a hint of shock. He stared at her as if she were a hedgehog bristling defensively.

She had already banished him to the edges of her world…

His face carried a bitter smile as he looked at her and said, "In eight years, I've only seen you a handful of times. Tonight was so hard-won, and yet, you've rejected me again."

"Wen Zhiyuan, we've already broken up. Don't tell me you still feel love for me."

"Yes, you're absolutely right. Pretty foolish, isn't it?"

"It is. Utterly foolish, hopelessly so!"

Wen Zhiyuan continued to corner Shen Di against the chair, his eyes fixating on her from such a close distance.

He thought, if time could just pause, it would be perfect. At least they'd still be together.

"Wen Zhiyuan, you're drunk. I won't mention tonight's events, but I hope we stop running into each other." Shen Di's tone carried an edge of coldness and warning. "My life is steady now; don't disrupt it."

Wen Zhiyuan looked at her for a long time. Her eyes remained as calm as ever, unruffled and serene.

"I'm sorry." Wen Zhiyuan finally released her, his face awash with palpable sorrow.

This simple "I'm sorry" sent a pang through Shen Di's heart—a fleeting ache.

She stood up from the chair, her back to Wen Zhiyuan, casually touching up her makeup and tidying her cosmetic bag.

Speaking lightly as though unaffected, she remarked, "Wen Zhiyuan, the best way to move on is to start a new relationship. But I can't help you—you'll have to sort it out yourself. We were never meant to be. It's been eight years since we broke up. What are you still hoping for?"

With that, Shen Di picked up her bag and walked out of the changing room.

The ache in her chest had dulled significantly, becoming easier to bear.

The scent of her rose perfume still lingered in the changing room as Wen Zhiyuan lowered his head, his hands gripping the edges of the table.

After a long time, he closed his eyes.

Yes, what was he still hoping for?

But that kiss earlier—it felt so real, real enough to bring back memories of their past.

Memories of them—from their first meeting, to becoming close, to speaking freely to one another—they had once shared a time meant solely for the two of them.

At first, like others, he had assumed Shen Di was gentle, elegant, and a little stubborn, carrying an aura that kept strangers at bay.

Gradually, as they spent time together, he discovered she wasn't like that at all. She had her moments of stubbornness and tantrums—she'd argue fiercely with him too.

Just like when she once stood by the window with him, smiling, and said, "Wen Zhiyuan, I only lose my temper with you. Do you feel honored?"

She once told him, "I only feel like myself in front of you. Does that make you happy?"

That was likely the peak of their relationship—but somehow, over time, they went from sharing everything to an awkward silence, into heated arguments.

Eight years ago, after quarreling for half a month, followed by another half-month of cold war, the normally patient Wen Zhiyuan finally lost his temper.

Shen Di no longer loved him and gradually gravitated towards Qin Chen.

Wen Zhiyuan had his pride too; ultimately, he chose to leave and return to his home country.

Perhaps, like every ordinary couple, they had simply gone through the typical cycle—from meeting, to breaking up, fading out over eight long years.

But why couldn't she leave his thoughts…

She had taken up every corner of his heart, and even years weren't enough to erase her.