Chapter 63

Shen Zhirou felt a warmth bloom in her heart, but her thoughts drifted to the time she had spent with Lu Yao.

If it had been Lu Yao, scouting out tasty street food stalls for her or tagging along to the movies—those things would probably just strike her as a colossal waste of time. Shen Zhirou let out a sigh, pushed Lu Yao from her mind, and focused on devouring the assortment of snacks Fu Ning had bought.

As the two finished eating and prepared to go their separate ways, Fu Ning gazed at Shen Zhirou with obvious reluctance, drawing a laugh from her. “We see each other every day. What’s with that look?”

“Aw, I just hate being apart from Jie Jie for so long. Bye, Jie Jie—be safe heading home. I’ll call you a cab.” Fu Ning spoke as she flagged down a taxi, lingering until Shen Zhirou had climbed in and driven off before summoning one for herself.

Riding in her cab, Fu Ning mused to herself: Jie Jie had gone with her to play claw machines, they’d shared meals, and even caught a movie together. If you rounded it all up, weren’t she and Jie Jie basically like any other sweet little couple?

Shen Zhirou was in unusually high spirits; even her footsteps felt lighter as she headed home. She could have been living this carefree, joyful life all along—why hadn’t it occurred to her over a month ago? She’d done so many foolish things for someone who didn’t love her. With a sigh and a light chuckle, Shen Zhirou shook her head. People really ought to keep moving forward.

Over the next couple of days, Lu Yao threw herself into handing off her workload like a woman possessed. Near the end of each day, as Shen Zhirou’s shift wound down, she would drive over and wait. She never approached or interrupted—just watched from a distance. Yet every time she spotted Fu Ning and Shen Zhirou emerging from the Company, chatting and laughing, a sour ache twisted in her chest. Fortunately, they usually just walked together to the Company entrance, where Fu Ning would wait nearby for a cab while Shen Zhirou continued on foot.

Lu Yao pinched the bridge of her nose. As long as they weren’t living together yet, she still had a shot. Once she wrapped up all her work handoffs this week, she’d have more than a month’s annual leave—plenty of time to properly pursue Jie Jie.

~~~

On Thursday morning, Fu Ning arrived bright and early with a haul of snacks, which she piled onto Shen Zhirou’s desk. Huang Qingqing, spotting the girl’s thoughtfulness, teased her with a light laugh. “Our little Fu really knows how to dote. You’re spoiling Zhirou rotten—never repeating the same breakfast two days in a row.”

Fu Ning’s ears flushed faintly pink, but she grinned back. “It’s the least I can do. Jie Jie looks after me so well; I have to return the favor.”

Huang Qingqing winked at her. “When you finally win her over, don’t forget to share the wedding candies with us.”

“You got it—I’ll get the priciest ones for everyone.” Fu Ning only realized she’d walked into the trap after the words were out, and she beat a shy retreat to her own desk.

Shen Zhirou arrived at the office shortly after and immediately spotted the bounty on her desk. With a helpless chuckle, she leaned over Fu Ning’s shoulder. “Didn’t I tell you not to bring so much?”

“I was worried you wouldn’t eat enough.” Fu Ning gazed up at her with shining eyes, derailing every objection Shen Zhirou had prepared.

“Fine, then. Come over and help me eat some more.” Shen Zhirou scooped up a portion of the breakfast items and handed them to Fu Ning. When it still looked like too much, she shared some with Huang Qingqing. They all ate until they were stuffed before managing to polish off what Fu Ning had brought.

As Shen Zhirou worked on her report, Fu Ning soon scooted her chair over with sneaky, puppyish stealth.

Shen Zhirou chuckled at her. “What now?”

“Jie Jie, are you free tonight? I have to go somewhere this evening, but I don’t want to go alone. Will you come with me?” Fu Ning fixed her with wide, sparkling eyes, one hand tugging playfully at Shen Zhirou’s clothes in a coquettish plea.

Shen Zhirou simply couldn’t hold out against the girl’s wheedling, especially not with those puppy-dog eyes boring into her. With a soft laugh, she relented. “Where to?”

“It’s just a private banquet. Jie Jie, after work, we can go change together.” Fu Ning had long since arranged for evening gowns—a matching couple’s set for her and Shen Zhirou. The thought of wearing couple outfits with Jie Jie that night made her eyes gleam even brighter.

Shen Zhirou couldn’t help but see the girl as an eager puppy begging for treats. If she had a tail, it would have been spinning like a propeller by now.

“We have to change clothes? That formal?” Shen Zhirou asked on reflex. As far as she knew, the girl was just your average recent college grad from an ordinary family—she hadn’t expected a private banquet to call for special attire.

“It’s not that big a deal. Jie Jie, there’s something I need to tell you.” Fu Ning whispered, but with others around the office, she simply pulled out her phone and began typing a message to Shen Zhirou.

Fu Ning typed out her message and then showed her phone to Shen Zhirou. Shen Zhirou took one look and froze. So Fu Ning was the sister of their company’s current boss?

“Jie Jie, actually, this company we’re in right now is owned by my family. My brother and I took different surnames—one from our father, one from our mother.”

“Really?” Shen Zhirou still couldn’t quite believe it. After all, rich second-generation heirs like Fu Ning, who acted so normally, were few and far between. She clocked in and out right on time every day, carried no airs whatsoever, and came across as friendly as the girl next door.

“Really, Jie Jie. Just help me out, pretty please?” Fu Ning leaned against Shen Zhirou’s shoulder, nuzzling it playfully while batting her eyes. She had zero interest in bringing anyone else along—that would be no fun at all.

Shen Zhirou couldn’t withstand the onslaught and let out a sigh, nodding her assent. “Fine, then. Tell me what I need to do.”

“You don’t have to do a thing, Jie Jie. Just stick with me, eat, drink, and enjoy. Leave everything else to my brother. We’re basically just there to make up the numbers and show our faces for a bit.” Fu Ning was over the moon at Shen Zhirou’s agreement, practically vibrating with joy. She felt like sprinting laps around the block right then and there. Finally, she’d have company for a private banquet—no more flying solo like a fifth wheel.

Those words eased Shen Zhirou’s mind a little. Fu Ning might act childish at times, but as the “big sister,” Shen Zhirou was invariably the one being looked after. Time spent with Fu Ning always felt relaxing and carefree.

With Shen Zhirou’s acceptance secured, Fu Ning buzzed with excitement the entire day—like a puppy shot full of caffeine. She was grinning from ear to ear even while working.

The moment work ended, Fu Ning grabbed Shen Zhirou and whisked her away. Having laid her family cards on the table, she didn’t hold back this time. She summoned the family driver to pick them up in the Maybach and head straight to the boutique for custom gowns, with makeup to follow.

Shen Zhirou felt a flicker of unease settle in once they were seated in the luxurious Maybach. Was she about to walk into some elite high-society gala?

Fu Ning picked up on her anxiety right away and scooted closer. “Don’t worry, Jie Jie. It’s just a quick appearance with me—no big deal. I’ve got everything under control.”

“Alright, then I’m in your hands.” Shen Zhirou smiled in reply. She didn’t know anyone there anyway. She’d just stand prettily by Fu Ning’s side like a decorative vase; nothing more was required of her.

A little after eight that evening, Shen Zhirou and Fu Ning arrived at an upscale private club in Jiangbei City, both clad in bespoke evening gowns. The event was billed as a charity banquet, where various conglomerates donated to impoverished regions. In truth, it was little more than a networking excuse for the corporate heads to schmooze and scout business opportunities.

They were among the early arrivals. This was Shen Zhirou’s first such gathering, but Fu Ning’s constant presence at her side went a long way toward steadying her nerves.

No sooner had they entered than Fu Ning steered her toward the dessert station for some nibbles. Her brother’s sole directive had been to handle the donation when the moment came; the rest was irrelevant. Looking after Jie Jie came first.

With her sweet little companion in tow, Shen Zhirou loosened up even more. They wandered the hall together, pausing only when someone approached Fu Ning with a greeting. Fu Ning would exchange a few courteous words before smoothly extracting them and moving on.

Lu Yao arrived at the banquet just as Wen Jin was stepping out of her car at the entrance. Wen Jin approached with a smile.

“Yaoyao, you’re here too.”

“I really didn’t want to come. What a waste of time.” The project handover wasn’t fully wrapped up yet, but as New District Construction Group’s representative, Lu Yao had no choice but to put in an appearance. She planned to show her face and slip out. Things at her company were nearly squared away; tomorrow, she’d hand off the rest to Jiang Chen and Chen Qingqing for the final interface with the counterparts. Next week, she could finally start her annual leave. The thought brought a measure of relief.

“Let’s head in together.” Wen Jin smiled at her.

Lu Yao gave a slight nod. There was no point clashing with Wen Jin here—and she’d be on vacation soon enough, free from further encounters.

Utterly unenthused, Lu Yao entered the hall and exchanged pleasantries with a handful of familiar CEOs before making for the lounge area. Half an hour, and she’d make her exit.

As she strode toward the rest zone, her eyes caught a familiar silhouette amid the snack table in the distance. Shen Zhirou was chatting animatedly with a young woman at her side, both of them beaming with smiles. They were even dressed in matching couple-style gowns. Lu Yao’s hand shook on her wineglass, her face turning ashen.

She looked toward Shen Zhirou, took a few steps forward, and soon got a clear look at the girl standing beside her. It was that very girl who had smeared lipstick on Shen Zhirou’s shirt and clung to her every day after work. Lu Yao felt her legs go weak, and the half glass of wine she’d just drunk roiled in her stomach.

Wen Jin had been keeping an eye on Lu Yao’s every move. Seeing her stare in that direction, Wen Jin spotted Shen Zhirou’s figure as well. She simply hadn’t expected Shen Zhirou to show up at a place like this—and with another girl in tow, no less. Glancing at Lu Yao’s face, the corners of Wen Jin’s lips curved into a lovely smile. This banquet wasn’t turning out to be so dull after all.

“Aren’t you going to go say hello?” Wen Jin said with a light chuckle.

“That’s my business, and it has nothing to do with you.” Lu Yao was already in a foul mood, and with Wen Jin hanging around, she was terrified of Shen Zhirou getting the wrong idea. She wanted zero association with Wen Jin.

“I’ve met Miss Shen before too, so how is it none of my business? If you’re not going, I’ll head over myself. By the way, who’s that girl with Miss Shen?” Wen Jin replied with a smile. Without waiting for Lu Yao’s answer, she strode straight toward Shen Zhirou.

Afraid Wen Jin might say something careless, Lu Yao hurried after her.