A Flower Blooms Only for One Tree

Cheng Tianwei looked over the evaluations of Shen Yi that his secretary had collected.

One was from his team members, and the other was from the advertising department manager.

The evaluations were quite polarized. Among his colleagues, Shen Yi had a good reputation.

He was described as stable in character, low-key, introverted, and easy to get along with.

However, the feedback from the leadership level was less impressive, with phrases like "hardworking and diligent" being the most positive.

To put it bluntly, he was seen as unremarkable.

It was like the kind of comment a homeroom teacher would write on a student's report card: "This student is obedient, well-behaved, healthy, and loves to work."

There really wasn’t much to praise.

Cheng Tianwei flipped the thin piece of paper back and forth, his frown deepening.

From any angle, this was just an ordinary entry-level employee.

An ordinary background, mediocre abilities, and a lack of ambition.

The only thing worth mentioning was that he had graduated from a prestigious university, but his major wasn’t particularly competitive.

Cheng Tianwei couldn’t understand the reason behind it.

He knew his daughter’s personality and preferences all too well.

Although Cheng Jun usually seemed carefree and easygoing, she was actually quite strong-willed and intelligent, with a knack for adaptability. As her father, Cheng Tianwei often found it hard to keep up with her.

Without a special reason, it was difficult for anyone to get close to her.

Thinking about his daughter, Cheng Tianwei felt a headache coming on.

Recently, she had changed quite a bit, arriving and leaving work on time, and being so diligent that it was like she had become a different person.

According to the live-in housekeeper, she had stopped staying up late and had even given up her favorite games and TV shows.

She would come home and spend her time painting, going to bed on time every night.

Cheng Tianwei was almost shocked. Such a well-behaved version of his daughter usually only appeared when she wanted something from him or was about to ask for money. He couldn’t imagine what had caused this change.

If it were just that, he would have been secretly pleased.

But the problem was that Cheng Jun had been acting mysteriously lately, disappearing as soon as she got off work, leaving him feeling unsettled.

He wasn’t worried about her safety, but he had a vague premonition.

The little girl he had doted on for over twenty years might soon be slipping away.

The old father tossed the paper aside, leaned back in his executive chair, and let out a sigh of mixed emotions.

...

In the afternoon.

At a restaurant in the Jianyuan District, in a corner seat.

Cheng Jun and Shen Yi sat across from each other.

"Cheng Jun, now you can tell me what the secret is," Shen Yi said in a low voice, holding a glass.

Around 10 a.m., Shen Yi had been taking a break when Cheng Jun called, inviting him to lunch.

At the time, Shen Yi was preoccupied with some system issues and wasn’t in the mood, so he declined.

But Cheng Jun insisted, using the secret she had mentioned before as leverage, which made him reconsider. Plus, his mind was in turmoil, and he couldn’t make a decision.

That’s why he agreed to meet.

She was wearing a black knee-length dress that was simple yet elegant, with a fitted style that accentuated her graceful figure.

Her face was beautiful, with delicate, fair skin that resembled a peach blossom in spring, exuding a natural fragrance.

Such a radiant person sitting next to Shen Yi naturally drew the attention of other diners, who couldn’t help but glance her way, losing their appetite in the process.

Facing Shen Yi’s subtle aloofness, Cheng Jun simply smiled and said,

"Don’t be in such a hurry. Since we’re here to eat, let’s eat first."

"And please, call me Zhu Yun."

As she spoke, she naturally picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it in Shen Yi’s bowl.

Just like Shen Yi used to do for her.

Shen Yi silently picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

The restaurant had been chosen by Cheng Jun, and she had clearly done her research.

She knew that Shen Yi preferred spicier food, so she had picked this place.

The dishes on the table were all to Shen Yi’s taste. He had only eaten a sandwich in the morning, and by now, he was naturally a bit hungry.

So he set aside his questions and focused on eating.

When he really dug in, he could eat quite a lot, and his chopsticks moved swiftly.

Cheng Jun’s eyes never left Shen Yi, and seeing him enjoy the food, she put down her chopsticks and rested her chin on her hands, watching him intently.

It was as if no food blogger could compare to the joy of watching him eat.

Shen Yi paused for a moment, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and asked,

"Why aren’t you eating?"

Cheng Jun smiled, refilled Shen Yi’s glass with water, and then said,

"I’ve been dieting recently, so I’m not very hungry. Watching you eat is enough for me."

Shen Yi glanced at Cheng Jun’s tall, slender figure and instinctively advised her,

"You’re already so slim. If you diet any more, what’s left for the rest of us? Eat a bit more; your health is what matters most."

Cheng Jun’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling with a hint of something deeper as she said,

"Can I take that as you caring about me?"

Shen Yi frowned. He had come here solely to hear the secret Cheng Jun had mentioned and didn’t want to get involved with her any further, so his responses had been lukewarm.

He picked up his glass, using the act of drinking water to mask his emotions, and said,

"Think whatever you want."

"That’s my glass you’re holding."

"Huh?"

Shen Yi froze, instinctively looking down at the table.

"Pfft..."

Hearing Cheng Jun cover her mouth and laugh, Shen Yi realized he had been tricked.

"You..."

"Alright, just a little joke," Cheng Jun said, waving her hand with a charming smile that made it impossible to stay mad. Shen Yi was no exception.

Then she lowered her gaze, her fingertips tracing the edge of the table, and said,

"More than this, I actually prefer the food you make..."

At these words, Shen Yi’s thoughts instantly returned to the little house where they had lived together, and the memories of their daily life came flooding back.

"Thank you..."

"My cooking is just average, just some home-style dishes."

Shen Yi wasn’t being modest; his cooking skills were indeed average—not great, but not bad either. Just passable.

Back then, they didn’t have the luxury of being picky, and as long as the food was cooked and hot, it was good enough. Shen Yi didn’t feel he deserved such praise.

"But I like it."

Cheng Jun said without hesitation, her tone suggesting that no amount of money could buy her happiness.

She leaned in closer, her beautiful face inches away, her gaze intense as she looked at Shen Yi, her words carrying a double meaning.

Shen Yi’s heart seemed to skip a beat. Cheng Jun’s intentions were clear.

When it came to food, everyone had their own standards, and what suited one’s taste was what they liked. The same could be said for people.

He wasn’t a fool, so he avoided her gaze and pretended not to understand.

To be honest, when a woman like Cheng Jun—with her looks and family background—was willing to lower herself and go out of her way to please someone,

especially when that someone was you,

who could resist? Who wouldn’t be moved? Who could remain indifferent?

Shen Yi didn’t have the extraordinary detachment required, so he awkwardly changed the subject.

"Didn’t you say you had a secret to tell me the next time we met?"

Cheng Jun didn’t push for an immediate response, especially since Shen Yi had just rejected her before.

Instead, she turned around and pulled out a rolled-up piece of drawing paper from her bag.

She pushed the rolled paper toward Shen Yi and gestured for him to take a look.

Shen Yi, filled with curiosity, unrolled the paper.

It wasn’t just one drawing but several, and Shen Yi looked through them one by one.

"This is..."