Zhu Yuan leaned closer to Shen Nanyue with a teasing grin, her eyes curved into crescents as she spoke in a low voice.
“Back at the bar, didn’t you swear up and down that nothing would ever happen between you and this handsome guy? And now? How long has it even been before you completely slapped yourself in the face?”
Speechless, Shen Nanyue shoved Zhu Yuan’s face away with one hand. “Get lost.”
But Zhu Yuan paid no attention to her cold attitude.
Turning toward Zhou Yushen, she asked curiously, “Handsome guy, you seem pretty extraordinary. Let me ask you something—what’s your connection to the Zhou family in the capital?”
It was only a casual question.
But Zhou Yushen’s hand paused slightly around his cup.
Still, he quickly concealed the shift in his emotions and calmly took a sip of milk.
“I work at Huansheng Group.”
His voice was low and cool.
Realization dawned on Zhu Yuan’s face.
“So you work for the Zhou family’s company? Then what do you do exactly? How many people are in your family? And do you mind Xiao Yueyue’s reputation outside?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Shen Nanyue smacked Zhu Yuan on the head.
“Are you done yet?”
Holding her forehead, Zhu Yuan yelped twice before muttering resentfully while staring at Shen Nanyue, “Repaying kindness with cruelty!”
Zhou Yushen chuckled softly, not avoiding Zhu Yuan’s questions at all.
“I’m an investment banking manager. There are quite a lot of people in my family. As for Nanyue’s reputation outside…”
Turning his head toward Shen Nanyue, the faint curve of his lips carried a trace of gentleness.
“We haven’t known each other for long, but I believe she isn’t as ruthless as the rumors say. I trust my own eyes.”
Wow.
Zhu Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
Shen Nanyue pressed her lips together and broke eye contact with Zhou Yushen.
Looking at Zhu Yuan’s expression, she seemed about to say something but stopped herself.
“Can you go get me some fruit?”
Pointing toward the self-serve fruit area, Shen Nanyue asked Zhou Yushen.
Zhou Yushen nodded and stood up to leave.
Only Zhu Yuan and Shen Nanyue remained at the table.
Zhu Yuan grinned mischievously and bumped Shen Nanyue’s shoulder.
“This one’s not bad. Even if he’s not some rich young master and his status is nowhere near yours, at least he’s handsome and sees clearly. Worst case, you can just keep a pretty younger husband. That’s still better than your mother throwing you into a wolf’s den.”
Shen Nanyue had already guessed Zhu Yuan’s intentions.
“I already have my own plans for this matter, so stop worrying about it.”
She shot Zhu Yuan an unmerciful glare.
Zhu Yuan shrugged helplessly and grabbed Shen Nanyue’s milk to drink from it.
Then Shen Nanyue spoke again, her expression already turning serious.
“You promised me before—if I helped you win the race, you’d tell me what you found.”
At the mention of this, Zhu Yuan stopped fooling around too.
Setting the milk down, she lowered her voice and answered seriously.
“The hospital belongs to the Chen family. When Chen Mu’s younger sister’s hemophilia acts up, she absolutely needs blood transfusions. And because her rare panda blood type can’t be supplied directly by close relatives, they need blood from outsiders.”
“Panda blood is extremely rare. If I remember correctly, An’an has panda blood too, right?”
*only about 0.3% to 0.5% of the Asian population
Shen Nanyue’s heart sank slightly.
An’an was her adopted younger sister.
They had grown up together since childhood, but after her mother married Lin Shu, An’an moved out of the Shen family.
A few years later, she disappeared.
“You mean… An’an might be with the Chen family, providing blood whenever they need it?”
Zhu Yuan shook her head.
“I’m not sure. It’s only a guess.”
Shen Nanyue had once visited the Chen residence and seen a painting in Chen Mu’s younger sister’s bedroom.
From the painting style and brushwork, she could vaguely see traces of An’an in it.
Chen Mu’s sister didn’t know how to paint, so Shen Nanyue had instinctively suspected that An’an was somehow connected to the Chen family.
And now, it seemed the Chen family was highly suspicious!
“Help me investigate the person donating blood to Chen Mu’s sister. If you can’t find anything, then go to Xiao Qi.”
As she spoke, Zhou Yushen returned carrying a plate of fruit.
Zhu Yuan tactfully excused herself under the pretense of catching up on sleep and left.
After breakfast, the two returned to Fengcheng.
Over the next several days, Zhou Yushen appeared around Shen Nanyue without fail, rain or shine.
According to him, seeing each other every day would help “cultivate their relationship.”
Shen Nanyue tried stopping him several times, but when nothing worked, she eventually gave up.
Old Master Shen’s condition had improved quite a bit lately.
Following the doctor’s instructions, he took his medicine on time, let go of company affairs, and began tending to the flowers and plants in the back garden.
Even though his legs remained weak and he could only move around in a wheelchair—
He still wore the traditional Tang suit Shen Nanyue had made for him and tirelessly watered flowers and trimmed branches every day.
Yet instead of feeling relieved at seeing her grandfather like this, Shen Nanyue felt as though a giant stone were pressing against her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
“Miss, Mr. Zhou is waiting for you outside.”
Shen Nanyue had been spacing out in the living room when the butler came in to inform her.
Just as Old Master Shen emerged from the elevator, his face instantly broke into a broad smile.
“Good, good! Romance really is a wonderful thing.”
Shen Nanyue rolled her eyes helplessly, too lazy to explain anymore.
“Grandpa, I have something to do today, so I’m heading out first.”
“Go, go!”
Old Master Shen waved his hand rapidly, practically shooing her out impatiently.
Shen Nanyue became even more speechless.
But the moment she stepped out the front door, she saw Zhou Yushen standing beside a limited-edition Maybach, along with— Her mother!
The two seemed to be chatting quite happily.
From afar, Zhou Yu’s smile was so wide it nearly reached her eyes.
Shen Nanyue approached with a dark expression and overheard Zhou Yu saying:
“The Zhou family is the most powerful wealthy family in the capital. Young Master Zhou has been pampered like royalty since childhood—how could he possibly fancy my daughter?”
“My girl may be a bit crazy, but she’s beautiful. I spoiled her rotten growing up, so her temperament is difficult. Look at her—she publicly rejected the Meng family’s marriage alliance last time. As her mother, I can’t exactly force her. But if Young Master Zhou is interested in my daughter, then perhaps this marriage can still be discussed…”
Before Zhou Yushen could respond, Shen Nanyue quickened her pace and spoke first.
“Mom, didn’t you tell me before to stay away from Zhou Yushen? What now? The moment you found out he’s a young master of the Zhou family, you changed your attitude this quickly?”
Being exposed in front of Zhou Yushen caused Zhou Yu’s expression to stiffen instantly.
She glared fiercely at Shen Nanyue.
“Back then you were engaged to the Meng family, of course I had to tell you to stay away from other men. Now that you’ve completely ruined the marriage with the Meng family yourself, what else am I supposed to do? Stop you from dating too?”
Shen Nanyue didn’t want to waste any more words on her.
She gave Zhou Yushen a shove, signaling for him to get in the car.
Still smiling, Zhou Yushen politely nodded to Zhou Yu before walking around the front of the car and taking the driver’s seat.
Meanwhile, Shen Nanyue cast Zhou Yu a cold glance.
“Stay out of my business.”
With that, she got into the passenger seat, leaving Zhou Yu’s low mutters of resentment behind.
The car started and quickly disappeared beyond the gates of the Shen residence.
Shen Nanyue rested her hand against the groove by the door, her calm eyes casually observing the scenery outside the window.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yushen glanced at her several times, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.
“If you want to ask something, then ask.”
“Why does your mother think I’m a young master from the Zhou family?”
He asked lightly, causing a trace of surprise to flash through Shen Nanyue’s eyes.
Had she guessed wrong?
She lightly patted the body of the car.
“Your surname is Zhou, you work at the Zhou family’s company, and you drive a limited-edition luxury car. If you’re not a Zhou family young master, then who else could you be?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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