Chapter 102: I Want to Dig That Too

Huangpu Shenqing carefully skewered the sliced fruit with a toothpick and placed it on the small table to help the young lady settle her stomach. She had been waiting expectantly for the entire day.

Flashback to the morning: At the Bay Villa, the butler and maids were preparing breakfast when they saw a figure trudging in. She looked completely devoid of vitality, much like a little koala. The butler stepped forward respectfully, "Miss Ranran, why are you here so early? Have you eaten yet?"

Shangguan Ranran forced a smile—one that looked even more wretched than crying. Beneath her bright eyes lay heavy shadows. "Uncle Butler, I don't feel like eating." She couldn't even bring herself to go to work, fearing she would burden her colleagues with her negative emotions. Since Ye Xin and Ye Zuo were also at home recovering from their injuries, she had run over here first thing in the morning.

"Has something happened?" The butler asked with concern; she was, after all, a treasure even more precious than the young master himself.

Huangpu Shenqing came down from upstairs and beckoned to her, "Come here." Shangguan Ranran trotted over, and the butler led the others away, leaving the space to the two of them.

"Have you eaten?"
"I don't want to."
"Be good, have a little. They have your favorite red bean porridge."

Huangpu Shenqing pulled the girl into his arms, reached for the red bean porridge nearby, and fed her with practiced, gentle movements. Shangguan Ranran frowned, but she obediently took a few bites before refusing any more. She curled up in his arms, watching him eat in silence.

The man drank his white porridge, one arm wrapped around her while the other held the spoon. His movements were elegant and indescribably noble. With his high-bridged nose, thin, rosy lips, defined jawline, and the subtle movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed, he was devastatingly seductive. Shangguan Ranran was momentarily mesmerized. When he looked down and saw the girl’s dazed, silly expression, he couldn't resist pressing his thin lips against hers.

After the meal, the butler and maids quickly cleared the living room. Here, the girl sat on a rug, holding the remote control, unsure whether she should turn the television on. The man sat on the sofa, using his laptop to handle some affairs. He sent a message to Mo Yi, informing him that he would not be going to the company today.

"Why aren't you watching it?" The television screen remained dark.
"It's not time yet." The girl turned to look at him.
"Then I'll have them move it up."
"No, I want to wait for it to air." It would be more meaningful that way, she thought.

"Then how long must we wait?" The man set aside his computer and lifted the girl from the floor.
"Probably until tonight."
The man glanced at his watch. "It's only seven in the morning. There's still plenty of time; let me take you out to play."
"Play what?"
"Shall we go for a walk on the beach?"
"Alright, then."

The man changed his clothes and took the girl's hand as they walked toward the beach outside. The girl wore sunglasses, which hid most of her expression, but Huangpu Shenqing could tell she was in low spirits, so he brought her here to relax.

The beach was crowded with people gathered in small groups, enjoying themselves. On the water, people were surfing, rowing, swimming, and sailing. Cameras and phones were constantly clicking and snapping. Suddenly, a picture-perfect pair appeared in everyone's view: the man cold and haughty, the woman pure and ethereal. Walking together, they formed a stunning landscape. People couldn't help but press their shutters, capturing every moment of beauty. The butler led the bodyguards over, politely asking them for the photos. They could only regretfully hit the delete key. Many recognized the man as the eldest master of the Huangpu family, but they didn't dare approach.

Feeling the sea breeze and listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves, Shangguan Ranran’s mood improved significantly.

"Do you want to paint, Ranran? I can have the butler prepare the supplies."
"No need, I can't paint anything right now." She lacked inspiration and the right mood; any painting she produced would be devoid of soul.

Seeing people nearby digging into small mounds of sand with little shovels, she suddenly became interested. She tugged at Huangpu Shenqing’s clothes and pointed. "Mr. Huangpu, I want to dig for that too."
"Very well, I'll have them prepare the tools."

The butler immediately ordered the staff, and soon, a heap of small shovels, buckets, gloves, and other tools were piled on the sand. Huangpu Shenqing took a pair of gloves and gently put them on the girl. She began scouting for a small sand mound, hoping to dig up some strange creature just like the others.

Finally, she found a spot next to a little boy and carried her bucket over. "May I dig here?"
The boy looked up, saw a beautiful big sister, and nodded. "Of course! I already dug up a crab. What did you dig up, Sister?"
"You're amazing. I haven't even started yet; I don't know if I'll find anything."
"Sister, you're so pretty, how could you not find anything?"

Shangguan Ranran squatted down, took her shovel, and answered the boy gently, "But being pretty has nothing to do with finding a crab."
The boy waved his hand, his large eyes filled with earnestness. "Look, I'm so cute, and I found a crab, didn't I?"

Shangguan Ranran burst into laughter. Huangpu Shenqing also squatted beside them, holding a shovel and digging. It was the first time she had smiled all day, and it was all because of a little rascal. She dug through the sand mound she had chosen, but after reaching the bottom, she found nothing. A bit discouraged, she moved on to another spot to continue digging.

Watching the girl's disappointed expression, Huangpu Shenqing dropped his tools and walked over to the butler.
"Young Master?"
"Go find some crabs and bury them in the sand. Make sure they are piled into mounds."
"Yes, I will arrange it immediately."

And so, everyone on the beach witnessed a line of bodyguards dumping bucket after bucket of crabs into the sand, burying them, and piling the mounds high. The only person who didn't notice was the girl, shielded by the man's tall frame.

Shangguan Ranran had dug in four places with no luck. She felt defeated. "Mr. Huangpu, why isn't there anything?"
"Be good, we'll find some if we try another spot."
"Really?"
"Mm, when have I ever lied to you, Ranran?"

Huangpu Shenqing led the girl to another area. There were many small sand mounds there, all piled impressively high, as if fearing someone wouldn't notice them. He cursed the stupidity of his subordinates under his breath but could do nothing about it.

Shangguan Ranran noticed these mounds were higher. Could it be that crabs only hid in such tall mounds? She took her shovel and dug diligently, not missing a single spot. She even called out to Huangpu Shenqing, "Mr. Huangpu, you have to watch them! Don't let them run away, or I won't be able to catch them!"
"I will." Huangpu Shenqing smiled tenderly, his eyes never leaving her.

She was almost at the bottom of the pile, and still, there was nothing. Just as she was about to be disappointed, something moved in the sand. She gently brushed the sand aside, and there, to her surprise, was a large crab.