If You Could Hear My Heart

How does one stop loving someone they truly love?

Wen Zhiyuan spent eight years searching for an answer... and still couldn't find one.

When Shen Di emerged, she walked directly to Qin Chen's side.

Xiaobao had already gone to play somewhere else. Qin Chen glanced at Shen Di and smiled faintly, "Are you feeling alright? Let me know if you're uncomfortable—I can take you to a room to rest."

Shen Di shook her head and tilted her face upward to look at Qin Chen, who was much taller than her.

Qin Chen smiled again, unexpectedly charmed by the way she looked at him—it was more playful and vibrant than her usual demeanor.

When Wen Zhiyuan left the dressing room, he happened to see Shen Di and Qin Chen gazing at each other affectionately, completely lost in their own world.

He quickly avoided them, looked away, and quietly returned to his own seat.

Fortunately, Xiaobao noticed his return and cheerfully scooted closer to him.

Having Xiaobao by his side made Wen Zhiyuan feel less awkward. He spent some time playing with her and telling her stories.

By lunchtime, the guests finished the cocktail party and proceeded to eat.

Xu Chaomu nestled against Shen Chi like a delicate bird, whispering to him from time to time.

Shen Chi made an exception and allowed Xu Chaomu to have a little wine. After all, he could tell that Xu Chaomu was truly happy today—and not the least bit tired.

The wedding banquet went on until late at night, with every seat still filled with guests.

Xiaobao, after spending the entire day playing, grew tired and followed Ling the butler home to sleep.

Shen Chi and Xu Chaomu stayed to accompany the guests, with Xu Chaomu now dressed in a light pink evening gown.

A group of female guests chatted enthusiastically, especially the bridesmaids, who kept the conversation lively.

One of the women seemed rather fond of Xiao Mo; after hesitating all day, she finally asked Xu Chaomu, "Mrs. Shen, is that groomsman still single?"

She pointed toward Xiao Mo's direction as she said this.

Xiao Mo happened to be standing up and walking outside, oblivious to the conversation.

Xu Chaomu glanced at Xiao Mo and softly replied, "Yes, he is. Handsome, isn't he? He's Shen Group's vice president."

"Wow, even the vice president of Shen Group is so good-looking," the woman sighed, her cheeks slightly flushed. Then, she asked shyly, "Mrs. Shen, could you introduce me? Among all the groomsmen, I find him to be the most pleasing to the eye."

Xia Chuqing overheard this but said nothing.

It was no surprise—men like Xiao Mo, unattached and attractive, often drew women to them effortlessly.

"Pleasing to the eye" is just another way of calling it "love at first sight"...

But then again, she had fallen victim to the same impulse once, too.

Without saying a word, Xia Chuqing quietly lowered her head, staring at the red wine in her glass.

She had drunk quite a bit today, celebrating Xu Chaomu's wedding—she was genuinely happy for her.

However, tomorrow afternoon, she would fly back to Paris.

"Xiao Mo has a rather aloof personality, and I can't say I know much about his preferences," Xu Chaomu said to the woman. "Jiajia, why don't I give you his WeChat? You can add him yourself."

"Really? Oh, Mrs. Shen, you're the best!"

Xu Chaomu handed over Xiao Mo's WeChat ID, and the woman immediately added him.

Xu Chaomu felt a bit guilty—knowing full well that Xia Chuqing liked Xiao Mo. Still, they were likely a thing of the past.

After all, Xia Chuqing had said that her boyfriend now was Song Heng.

Xia Chuqing took a few more sips of wine, feeling overheated and short of breath.

Just then, her phone rang.

She looked down—Song Heng was calling.

"Sister Chaomu, I'll step outside to take this call."

"Go ahead!" Xu Chaomu smiled warmly.

With her phone in hand, Xia Chuqing left the banquet hall, stepping out into the quiet corridor. She walked to a window and gazed down from more than twenty stories up.

The lighting in the corridor was dim and warm, bathed in a subdued yellow tone that felt atmospheric. The air was filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers.

The hallway was adorned with colorful balloons—some floated above, while others bounced around on the ground, creating the ambiance of a dreamy castle. Walking along it was like being a princess.

Xia Chuqing couldn't help but envy Xu Chaomu—envy her for having a life where Shen Chi was her one and only.

She picked up the call, leaning against the window.

The faint glow of light fell on her, drawing out a long shadow.

She spoke on the phone while gazing outside, completely unaware that the elevator doors behind her had opened, and a man had stepped out.

"Hey, Heng, how come you're calling me tonight?" Xia Chuqing asked.

"Night? I'm in Paris right now—it's afternoon here," Song Heng replied.

"Oh, did you finish your exam? How did it go?"

"It was alright. I was worried that if I scored too well, your scholarship might be in jeopardy."

Xia Chuqing chuckled, "No problem! If you get the scholarship, you can still treat me to a meal and buy me gifts."

Xiao Mo's footsteps paused. From his angle, he could see Xia Chuqing's slender, graceful figure.

With his hands in his suit pockets, he leaned silently against the wall.

It seemed... she was on the phone with Song Heng.

"When are you coming back?" Song Heng asked.

"I have a flight tomorrow afternoon."

"Want me to pick you up?"

"Yes, please. I'll probably be exhausted after the flight—drive over to the airport."

"Sure, consider it done." Song Heng chuckled.

Song Heng could tell Xia Chuqing was in a good mood. From the sound of it, she still hadn't discovered the truth about her father.

As expected, Xiao Mo was quite the sly fox.

Xia Chuqing would be staying in France for three years. It seemed Xiao Mo planned to keep the truth hidden from her for that long.

Xia Chuqing chatted casually with Song Heng for a while. The wine had caught up with her, leaving her slightly dizzy.

Xiao Mo didn't leave; he continued standing in the shadows of the corridor.

After what felt like an eternity, Xia Chuqing ended the call and tucked her phone away.

She never noticed Xiao Mo, who remained in the background without revealing himself.

Instead, she chased after the balloons scattered on the floor for quite some time, giggling as she ran after them.

With no one else in the corridor, she could play freely, without restraint.

It was as if she'd returned to her childhood—a time when her favorite thing to do at amusement parks was to play with balls of all kinds. They were simple but endlessly entertaining to her.

Unexpectedly, playing with so many balloons now still brought her such pure joy.

From the shadows, Xiao Mo watched Xia Chuqing skip around under the lights, a slight smile curving his lips.

He had never seen her lifting her cocktail dress and jumping about like this.

Perhaps she was drunk—that would explain why she seemed so carefree, utterly lost in the fun. She played for a long time before tiring, eventually sitting on the ground with her eyes half-closed and gazing at the balloons scattered nearby.

"So nice..." she murmured hazily, "When I get married someday, I'll need lots and lots of balloons..."

She seemed to be imagining that day, smiling softly as her thoughts carried her away.

She sat in the dim corner, captivated by the colorful balloons drifting on the ground.

If only every balloon contained a little surprise—that way, each one could bring her a moment of happiness!

Just like when she was a child—her father loved hiding little surprises in her pillow or in her cup, and every time she found one, she'd be delighted for the whole day!

Sometimes it was a pen she had wanted for ages; sometimes it was a beautiful dress...