Captivating Beauty 83p1

Chapter 83 p1

When Xu Jinnan emerged from the bathroom, Shen Shu was already in bed.

Xu Jinnan’s mind, which had been racing all day, finally slowed down, the events of the day – the Xu Corporation’s dealings, Xu Tao’s illness, the recording of Xu Li and Zhou Pei – replaying in her mind.

She sat down on the bed and took a deep breath, her thoughts suddenly coalescing around a nagging detail that had been bothering her since Lu Yun’s call, a persistent irritant, like a grain of sand lodged in her throat.

“What are you thinking about? It’s late,” Shen Shu said, her voice laced with weariness as she opened her eyes.

Xu Jinnan turned to her, noticing the faint shadows under her eyes, a testament to her late nights, and felt a pang of sympathy. She got into bed, about to tell Shen Shu to go to sleep, when Shen Shu interrupted her.

“Tell me,” she said softly.

Xu Jinnan turned off the bedside lamp and lay down, her arm instinctively reaching out to rest beneath Shen Shu’s neck, a habit formed during their brief nights of shared intimacy, making it easier for Shen Shu to snuggle closer.

Shen Shu’s demeanor at night was different from her usual daytime aloofness.

“When Lu Yun called today, I overlooked something,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice low. “I just realized – I never told her how many shares I actually have.” To avoid any complications, she hadn’t told Lu Yun about acquiring Xu Li’s shares. Lu Yun still believed she only had 12%, including Lu Yun’s own 5%.

But Lu Yun’s words had been very specific.

“You have 14% of the shares now, the second largest shareholder…”

Shen Shu frowned. “How did she know? It couldn’t have been Zhou Pei. Is there someone else?” she asked, then paused. “While Xu Li’s failed investment and the use of her shares as collateral were the main factors, Han Wenling and the person who accepted the collateral also knew about it.” She didn’t have to spell it out; Xu Jinnan understood.

“It’s possible, but unlikely. Viola used a completely anonymous intermediary. No one knows those shares are mine now. Even if Han Wenling suspected it, she wouldn’t betray Xu Li. There’s an unspoken rule against double-dealing in the business world,” Xu Jinnan said.

That was why this was so concerning.

Even the Xu Tao situation seemed less important now. She was more worried about the unknown player, the one lurking in the shadows.

Her mind, racing with possibilities, needed time to process everything.

She stared at the ceiling in silence for a few minutes, then felt Shen Shu’s head rest on her shoulder. “Xu Jinnan, you trust Viola completely, right?”

“Of course,” Xu Jinnan replied. Viola was her personal hire, and she was certain of her loyalty.

Before Shen Shu could even speak, a thought struck Xu Jinnan, and she gently squeezed Shen Shu’s shoulder. “Perhaps I should be looking closer to home.” The potential threats weren’t all external.

If Zhou Pei could plant listening devices in her car and office, couldn’t Lu Yun do the same?

Shen Shu had been thinking the same thing. While it seemed absurd, it felt like everyone around Xu Jinnan was weaving a web of deceit, a tangled net of lies and manipulation, trying to trap her.

The thought made Shen Shu’s heart ache, and her arm tightened around Xu Jinnan’s waist, as if seeking comfort, or perhaps just wanting to be closer.

Xu Jinnan, sensing her shift in mood, leaned her head against Shen Shu’s, her cheek brushing against her hair. “I’ll contact Li Lan tomorrow and have her send someone to sweep the apartment, and perhaps the office too…” she murmured.

Even as she said the words, she felt a chill, a sudden surge of anxiety.

It seemed unlikely, considering they had discussed so many sensitive topics at home, including the Qucheng investigation, even their current conversation. If there were listening devices, there would be no secrets left.

But Lu Yun’s knowledge had been limited.

She nuzzled her face against Shen Shu’s hair. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, though the words felt hollow even to her own ears.

“Shu Shu, I’m sorry you’re being dragged into this,” she added, her voice full of regret. The deeper she delved into the Xu family’s secrets, the more she regretted involving Shen Shu. But there was no turning back now; she could only do her best to protect her.

Shen Shu’s hand moved from Xu Jinnan’s waist to her ribs, her fingers gently tracing the curve of her ribcage.

“Stop talking. Go to sleep,” she murmured.

Xu Jinnan: “…”

Her thoughts, which had been racing with anxiety, now focused on Shen Shu’s touch, her fingers dangerously close to… a very sensitive area.

After a while, hearing Shen Shu’s breathing even out, she closed her eyes, carefully moving Shen Shu’s hand a few inches lower.

Even with her pheromone levels suppressed, Shen Shu’s touch was still arousing.

She had been so busy with the Xu family drama and work lately, their interactions limited to brief kisses and fleeting embraces, always ending too soon, their nights cut short by exhaustion and Xu Jinnan’s own anxieties.

They were both being careful, mindful of the potential consequences, the risk of losing control.

—

The next morning, Xu Jinnan contacted Li Lan, who sent someone to sweep the apartment for listening devices. They found nothing.

They also checked her car, but there were no devices there either.

Just as she was starting to think she had been paranoid, they found something.

In her quiet, soundproof office, a technician carefully removed a small device from beneath her desk – a miniature listening device.

Based on the conversation between Zhou Pei and Xu Li, it wasn’t Zhou Pei who had planted it.

And judging by the adhesive, the technician said, it had been recently installed.

It confirmed her suspicions – Lu Yun was behind this.

Removing the device now, with the Xu Corporation’s situation so precarious, would only arouse Lu Yun’s suspicion and could trigger a reaction.

After a moment of thought, Xu Jinnan made a decision.

She would leave the device there for now.

She messaged Viola, asking her to come to her office.

Without preamble, she told Viola about the listening device.

“Your office is always locked when you’re not here,” Viola said, puzzled.

Xu Jinnan’s office had a double lock, a regular lock and a fingerprint scanner, and she always used the fingerprint scanner when leaving, requiring her authorization through the app for anyone, even Zhou Pei, to enter.

Viola’s first thought was Zhou Pei, but Xu Jinnan said, “Besides Zhou Pei and you, it’s more likely that the device was planted while I was in the office.” The device was small and easily attached to the underside of the desk.

And since Viola was almost always with her, she knew who Xu Jinnan met with in her office. She had asked Viola for her input, knowing she might have missed something.

Xu Jinnan rarely met with anyone in her office besides Viola, Zhou Pei, a few department heads, and occasional clients.

Viola paused, then said, “Two new managers from the 8th floor live streaming studio came to your office last week. I remember one of them dropped a report near your desk.” She had thought it strange at the time, the report having landed quite far from where the woman had been standing.

Now that she thought about it, that woman was the only likely suspect.

“Look into it, but don’t do anything yet, even if you confirm it,” Xu Jinnan instructed.

Viola’s efficiency was unquestionable, and within two hours, after checking the woman’s background and making a few discreet inquiries, she confirmed that the new manager had indeed planted the listening device.

And she had previously worked for Lu Yun, having resigned after Lu Yun left the company.

Xu Jinnan wasn’t surprised. After everything she had learned about the Xu family, nothing shocked her anymore.

She was just glad the device had been planted recently, and that she had discovered it so quickly.

She mentally reviewed her recent conversations in the office, mostly about the Xu Corporation. Fortunately, she hadn’t revealed anything too damaging, especially… her secondary differentiation and the pheromone blockers.

Otherwise, it could have been disastrous.

But her feelings towards Lu Yun were becoming increasingly complex.

Whenever she felt a surge of anger and disgust, a deeper, more primal sadness, a pain that wasn’t hers, would surface.

The original Xu Jinnan’s feelings for her mother, despite the hatred, were still… complicated.

She pushed the emotions aside.

She would deal with Lu Yun later, after resolving the Xu Corporation situation.

—

Xu Tao regained consciousness two days later.

While she didn’t want to visit him, several of the major shareholders were going, and she couldn’t afford to be absent, considering her plans for the Xu Corporation.

Xu Tao’s attitude towards her was as cold and distant as ever, perhaps even more so due to his weakened state.

Since their near-confrontation, there had been a silent understanding between them.

He wasn’t a father.

And she wasn’t a daughter.

Lu Yun, however, pulled her aside in the hallway outside the ICU.

“Nannan, Xu Li was here this morning. I don’t know what they discussed, but it was definitely about the company. I think Xu Tao probably made a will. Whether he recovers or not, the Xu Corporation might end up in Xu Li’s hands. Even with your 14% stake, you still have to do something,” she said, her voice low and urgent.

Xu Jinnan looked at her. “Mom, you said 14%. I thought you knew,” she said, suspecting Lu Yun had realized her slip-up and was now trying to cover it up.

As expected, Lu Yun’s expression flickered. “Did I? I don’t remember. Didn’t you tell me it was 12%, including my shares and yours? Where did you get another 2%?”

What a terrible liar, Xu Jinnan thought. None of them have any acting talent.

She softened her voice, playing the role of the dutiful daughter. “Oh, you didn’t know? Mom, I forgot to tell you, actually…”

Lu Yun, hearing about the additional 2% from Xu Li, was genuinely pleased, thinking her daughter hadn’t kept any secrets from her, her earlier suspicions easing.

While their relationship had improved, a certain distance had remained.

Now, seeing Xu Jinnan’s apparent honesty, she smiled. “My Nannan has really grown up. That idiot Xu Li can’t compare to you. I told you, you’re the best. No one can compare to you.”

Xu Jinnan’s intention had been to reassure Lu Yun, whose anxieties stemmed from her fear of losing control over her daughter, of her secrets being exposed.

She had to appease Lu Yun for now.

It was all part of her plan.

She didn’t say anything more, exchanging a few polite words with the shareholders, who were all clearly scheming, then left the hospital.

—

It was late afternoon, time for Shen Shu’s work to end.

Xu Jinnan drove to Xingcheng International to pick her up.

She found Shen Shu outside the building and they walked towards her car.

“What did you do at home this morning?” Xu Jinnan asked.

It was a cold day, and Shen Shu was wearing a thin turtleneck sweater, a beige overcoat, and her usual black slacks, her dark hair pulled back loosely, her lips a soft, natural pink.

She looked down at her phone, seemingly replying to a message.

“Slept until 10 a.m., video chatted with Cai Ying, had lunch, and read,” she replied.

Xu Jinnan paused. It was a surprisingly detailed account of her day, yet something felt… off.

She turned to Shen Shu, a playful smile on her lips. “And you didn’t video chat with me?”

Shen Shu looked up from her phone. “Next time?”

“Deal,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice serious.

As they were about to get into the car, they exchanged a look.

Inside the car, Shen Shu asked, “Why are you driving the Bentley again?”

“Just switching things up,” Xu Jinnan replied, starting the car.

A few minutes into the drive, Xu Jinnan glanced at Shen Shu, who was still looking at her phone, and was about to ask what she was doing when a notification popped up on the screen, which was mounted on the dashboard.

Cai Ying had tagged her in the group chat.

Cai Ying: [@Xu Jinnan You’re up.]

Xu Jinnan: [?]

She couldn’t check the earlier messages while driving. “What’s she talking about?” she asked Shen Shu.

“She said she wants to give you a manicure,” Shen Shu replied calmly, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched Xu Jinnan’s reaction. “She’s been practicing lately, bought a whole kit. She wanted to give me a manicure, but I told her it wasn’t convenient with my filming schedule, so I suggested you.”

“…You’re selling me out?” Xu Jinnan asked, amused.

Shen Shu’s smile widened slightly. “What if she’s actually talented?”

Xu Jinnan, unable to argue with that logic, simply sighed. “Fine.”

As they waited at a red light, she scrolled through the earlier messages in the group chat.

Cai Ying: [@Shen Shu Superstar! Will you be my first manicure client? Starry-eyed emoji]

Shen Shu: [I can’t. I’m filming.]

Cai Ying: [But I really want to practice! Look at these designs! They’re so pretty! And Jia Jia refused too! Crying emoji]

Cai Ying: [Photo]

Cai Ying: [Photo]

Xu Jinnan clicked on the photos, each one showcasing several different nail art designs, mostly pink and sparkly.

Cai Ying: [Look at the second one, with the red diamonds and little chains! It’s so pretty!]

Xu Jinnan’s initial reaction was, It looks like a Christmas tree, but then she saw Shen Shu’s reply, and her resistance crumbled.

Shen Shu: [You should ask Xu Jinnan. She has beautiful hands.]

The light turned green, and Xu Jinnan turned off her phone, the afternoon sun reflecting in her eyes, a warm, pleasant sensation.

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the atmosphere comfortable and relaxed.

Then, they arrived at the company parking garage.

Xu Jinnan turned to Shen Shu, their eyes meeting, a silent understanding passing between them – it was time to set the trap.

Shen Shu’s plan was simple – since Zhou Pei had planted a listening device in the car, they would use it to lure her out.

But Xu Jinnan had underestimated the awkwardness of the situation.

While she could easily put on a show in front of Lu Yun and the others, with Shen Shu, alone in the car, it felt… strange.

They had been so natural and comfortable earlier, but now, at the crucial moment, they both hesitated.

As Shen Shu leaned closer, her arm brushing against Xu Jinnan’s, the faint scent of her perfume filling the air, Xu Jinnan felt a warmth spreading through her.

Shen Shu, her gaze fixed on Xu Jinnan, opened the glove compartment, her voice feigning surprise. “What’s this white powder?”

Xu Jinnan froze, then, remembering their plan as Shen Shu gently pinched her arm, said, her voice husky, “It’s something… interesting. Want to know more?”

“Of course,” Shen Shu replied, playing along, her tone like a student eager for her teacher’s attention.

Xu Jinnan lowered her gaze. “I can’t tell you,” she said, her voice a playful whisper.

Shen Shu leaned closer, her hand resting on Xu Jinnan’s shoulder, their eyes meeting, then drifting to each other’s lips. “Tell me,” she murmured, her voice soft and coaxing.

Xu Jinnan’s throat tightened, and she couldn’t resist.

Their lips met, and after a brief kiss, Xu Jinnan took Shen Shu’s hand in hers, her voice husky. “Remember that time in Rongcheng, when Yin Xue drugged me? This is the same thing. It wasn’t easy to get my hands on it…”

“Of course I remember. They still haven’t found the person behind it,” Shen Shu said. “What are you going to do with it?”

“My father is ill and can’t manage the company. It seems he intends to hand it over to Xu Li. I can’t let that happen,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice low.

“What are you planning?”

“A small amount of this is enough to make someone… lose their mind. Once he’s incapacitated, he’ll sign anything I want. Then, the Xu Corporation will be mine, and my mother’s.”

“My wife is so resourceful,” Shen Shu murmured, her fingernails gently tracing a path down Xu Jinnan’s arm, the tingling sensation spreading through Xu Jinnan’s body.

“But how are you going to administer it? The hospital is full of people. It’s not safe.”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan.”

—