Huo Jin told her that Chang Qingchuan had also been indifferent at first, as if devoid of emotion. Later, Huo Jin seized an opportunity and initiated intimacy with Chang Qingchuan, only to discover that he was a man who was outwardly cold but inwardly warm.
Now, Chang Qingchuan doted on Huo Jin immensely, catering to her every whim, his eyes brimming with love that was almost palpable, as Shu Yan could tell every time she saw them together.
After showering, Shu Yan, clad only in her undergarments and a shirt belonging to Qin Tianyi, gazed at herself in the mirror, artfully arranging her damp hair into a disheveled style.
Huo Jin was her cousin, two years her senior. While Shu Yan felt somewhat distant from her own siblings, she was very close to this cousin. They often went shopping and chatted together, much like best friends.
She believed that if Huo Jin could capture Chang Qingchuan's heart, she should be able to truly win over Qin Tianyi.
Shu Yan braced herself and stepped out of the room. As she opened the door, she saw Chen Ma passing by with a glass of hot milk.
Chen Ma also saw her and frowned, asking, "Miss Shu, aren't you cold dressed like that? If you don't mind, I can get you some clean clothes."
The more Shu Yan looked at Chen Ma, the more she found her to be a nuisance.
Chen Ma had always seemed rather rigid. When Qin Tianyi's ex-wife was living there, Chen Ma had sided with her. Now, she was still so stern and unyielding towards Shu Yan.
Did this old servant not realize that she would be the future mistress of the house, or had she never taken her seriously?
"I do mind. Even if I had no clothes to wear, I wouldn't wear anything that a servant has worn."
Seeing Shu Yan's impolite response, Chen Ma decided not to bother with her and prepared to take the milk into the study.
Shu Yan, however, stopped her and asked, "Is this milk for Tianyi?"
Chen Ma nodded and tried to sidestep her.
But Shu Yan snatched the tray and commanded Chen Ma, "Go back to your room and rest. You're not needed here anymore. I'll take the milk to Tianyi."
Chen Ma, seeing that Shu Yan intended to seduce the young master in the study, reluctantly prepared to object.
Shu Yan sternly said, "Get out of the way! I am his fiancée. He has allowed me to stay. What are you still doing here blocking the way!"
Chen Ma regarded Qin Tianyi not only as her young master but also as family. Knowing she couldn't intervene, she turned and quietly went downstairs.
Shu Yan glared fiercely at her retreating back, vowing to deal with this old servant first thing after marrying Qin Tianyi.
Then, she put on a gentle demeanor and carried the milk towards the study.
Inside the study, Qin Tianyi faced official documents on his computer, but his mind was incessantly filled with Gu Susu's tear-streaked face, leaving him deeply unsettled.
Shu Yan gently pushed open the study door without a sound and placed the milk on the desk.
Qin Tianyi, without looking up, assumed it was Chen Ma and said, "Thank you. You're getting old, go rest early. I'll get anything I need from the kitchen myself."
"Chen Ma has already gone to rest. She asked me to bring it," Shu Yan said, standing before him and waving her hand.
Qin Tianyi didn't believe her. Chen Ma would never entrust his milk to anyone else.
He responded with a faint "Oh."
Shu Yan moved around in front of him, asking, "Do I look good like this?"
Qin Tianyi's eyes remained fixed on the computer screen, and he replied perfunctorily, "You're alright."
Hearing his acknowledgment, Shu Yan confidently moved behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders, gently massaging them. "Does this feel comfortable? I often massage my mother's shoulders and neck at home."
Qin Tianyi didn't respond. He rubbed his temples in exasperation and said, "My shoulders and neck are fine, I don't need a massage. Go to sleep and don't disturb my work."
From behind him, Shu Yan couldn't see his expression. Wishfully, she boldly kissed his cheek.
He recoiled as if stung by a venomous insect, springing up from his chair. He turned and forcefully pushed her away, wishing he could wash his face immediately.
Shu Yan was startled by his sudden reaction, stumbling back two steps and hitting a large bookshelf behind her.
The wooden bookshelf behind her was sturdy and well-built. Her impact caused it to sway slightly, and a few books that were not placed securely tumbled down.
Just as one was about to hit her head, Qin Tianyi stretched out his arm, blocking it and deflecting the book that was directly above her. It was a close call.
If Shu Yan were injured in his study, he wouldn't be able to explain it to Shu Zhongze.
Still shaken, Shu Yan stared at him, her voice trembling as she asked, "Why... why did you react so strongly? You promised Father you would marry me. Do you intend to never touch me for the rest of your life?"
Qin Tianyi was silent for a moment. He himself didn't understand what was wrong with him.
He only lost control when he was with Gu Susu. But the touch of any other woman, even the slightest touch, made him unable to accept it.
"Shu Yan, I don't want to hurt you. But it's best if you don't touch me suddenly," Qin Tianyi said with a grim expression.
Shu Yan couldn't help but think of something and asked, "Are you perhaps gay? Do you have problems in that area?"
Qin Tianyi replied coldly, "I don't like men, or rather, I won't like anyone. I know this is unfair to you, but I do have issues in that regard. You don't have to marry me. Talk to your father and tell him you can choose someone suitable to marry."
Shu Yan's eyes welled up with tears. She couldn't believe it. "That's impossible. Did your ex-wife never touch you either? Is there a child between you?"
Qin Tianyi didn't answer the first question but responded to the second, saying, "Let's just say she has a child, but that child isn't mine. Your father told me that you suffered an injury when you were young and might never be able to conceive. I don't mind this because after we get married, there will be no love or intimacy between us. We'll just be living under the same roof. Can you accept that?"
Shu Yan still couldn't believe that such a handsome man wasn't a normal man. "No, we can find the best doctors to see..."
"No need. You should go and rest," Qin Tianyi commanded her coldly.
He had made his position clear. If she continued to be oblivious, regardless of whose daughter she was, he would throw her out!
Shu Yan, filled with disappointment and a hint of despair, left his study and returned to her bedroom.
She lay on the bed, at a loss. She picked up her phone, wanting to call Huo Jin, but felt it was too difficult to explain if Qin Tianyi truly had issues in that department.
Should she really do as Qin Tianyi suggested and ask her father to cancel their engagement? But as soon as she closed her eyes, his exquisitely handsome and alluring face would appear in her mind.
She was captivated by his appearance, his physique, and his indescribable charm in every gesture. She had fallen for him long ago.
After meeting Qin Tianyi, all other men seemed dull and uninteresting. What should she do?
Qin Tianyi used several tissues, wiping his face repeatedly where Shu Yan had kissed him, yet he still felt disgusted.
To consolidate his business empire, he could marry Shu Yan, but he wanted Shu Yan to know that even if they were married, he would not touch her.
He had placed the decision-making power in Shu Yan's hands tonight.
Whether they would get married was up to Shu Yan to decide.