A smile spread beneath Shen An’an’s mask, her eyes curving into crescents as she lowered her head and began typing on her phone.
“He’s an online friend of mine. We met in person once four years ago, and afterward we became good friends.”
Good friends.
Shen Nanyue silently repeated those three words in her mind.
The way she looked at Shen An’an deepened slightly.
The day she had met Li Che at the restaurant, she had already noticed the way he looked at An’an.
Even though his demeanor was cold, traces of affection would unintentionally leak through—an emotion both intensely restrained and deeply passionate.
That Li Che’s feelings for An’an were absolutely more than friendship!
When Shen An’an noticed Shen Nanyue had not answered her question, she continued typing.
“Big Sister, are you going to collaborate with Li Che?”
Only then did Shen Nanyue snap back to reality.
“Do you want me to work with him?”
Shen An’an instinctively nodded, then quickly shook her head again.
Shen Nanyue did not understand, so Shen An’an lowered her head and typed another message.
“I’m not trying to open a back door for Li Che. I just think the artists under Qianzhang Entertainment are less likely to get involved in scandals. Shen Group will definitely collaborate with celebrities for endorsements again in the future, and Qianzhang Entertainment is a very good choice. As for whether you actually cooperate with them or not, Big Sister, you don’t need to consider my feelings. You can just talk with Li Che directly.”
Shen Nanyue smiled teasingly.
“Choosing to work with Qianzhang Entertainment already counts as you giving me special treatment, doesn’t it? Don’t worry. I won’t be careless when it comes to work. And I should be thanking you for introducing me to such a huge business opportunity.”
Shen An’an waved her hand proudly, looking extremely pleased with herself.
She did not stay at the company for long before leaving.
After Shen An’an left, Shen Nanyue’s gaze drifted to the spot where Bai Youwei had been sitting earlier.
A strand of hair there reflected faint light beneath the office lighting.
Her mind replayed the tear Bai Youwei had shed earlier, along with the way she had suddenly noticed the birthmark on An’an’s neck.
A thought flashed through Shen Nanyue’s mind, and she began to suspect something.
Could Madam Bai and An’an…
Frowning slightly, Shen Nanyue stood up and picked up the strand of Bai Youwei’s hair.
The truth was something she would have to uncover herself.
After handing both Bai Youwei’s and Shen An’an’s hair to Assistant Xu for a DNA comparison test, she received a call from Lu Sheng.
Lu Sheng said the woman who had placed the wedding dress order some time ago had come personally and specifically requested to meet the head designer.
Shen Nanyue quickly reviewed her schedule for the day.
There was a meeting that afternoon.
If she returned to the studio now and wrapped up the conversation quickly, she should still be able to make it back in time for the meeting.
After thinking for two seconds, she agreed to head back immediately.
But on the other end of the phone, Lu Sheng sounded hesitant, as though something was difficult to say.
“What’s wrong?”
Lu Sheng sighed over the phone.
“Senior, you’ll understand once you get here. Just… prepare yourself mentally first. This customer is someone you know.”
Someone she knew?
Shen Nanyue still wanted to ask more, but the call had already ended.
Even if it was someone she knew, why would discussing wedding dress designs require mental preparation?
After thinking about it for quite a while without reaching any conclusion, Shen Nanyue gave up trying to figure it out and simply left the company for the studio.
Whoever it was, she would know once she saw them.
Unfortunately, Shen Nanyue mentally went through every person she knew—even Zhou Yushen crossed her mind—but she still failed to think of Gu Linlang.
That’s right.
It was Gu Linlang.
When Shen Nanyue walked into the office and saw Gu Linlang sitting there, she froze for two whole seconds.
But she quickly suppressed her surprise, walked over, and greeted her as if nothing was wrong.
“So the wedding dress order belongs to Miss Gu. I’m truly flattered that Miss Gu is willing to visit my studio again despite our past grievances.”
Gu Linlang sat on the sofa, watching as Shen Nanyue took a seat across from her.
A mocking yet faintly triumphant smile curled at her lips.
“Miss Shen, aren’t you going to ask who I’m marrying, since I’m customizing a wedding dress?”
“Does it have anything to do with me?”
Shen Nanyue answered without hesitation.
Her tone was indifferent, and her gaze gradually grew colder.
“You—!” Gu Linlang hated Shen Nanyue’s lofty, superior attitude the most.
But thinking about what she was about to say next, she forcefully suppressed her anger.
Let’s see how long you can keep acting so smug!
“Miss Gu, are you really here to discuss wedding dress designs with me, or are you simply here to pick a fight?”
“Of course I’m here to discuss the wedding dress design. After all, this wedding is something I’ve always dreamed of—my ideal wedding.”
As Gu Linlang said those words, a trace of anticipation appropriately appeared in her eyes.
Shen Nanyue felt somewhat puzzled.
Judging from Gu Linlang’s behavior during this period, she clearly harbored an obsessive love for Zhou Yushen.
So why was she suddenly preparing for a wedding with such excitement?
Perhaps sensing Shen Nanyue’s confusion, Gu Linlang smiled at her and asked meaningfully,
“Miss Shen, do you know who I’m marrying?”
“I’m not interested in your private affairs.”
“But this is someone you know very well.”
Gu Linlang refused to let the matter go, as if she would not stop until Shen Nanyue made a guess.
Shen Nanyue already had an answer in mind, yet her expression remained calm and composed.
There was even a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
She leaned slightly toward Gu Linlang, her cool gaze settling on her.
“Miss Gu isn’t about to say it’s Zhou Yushen, is she? We’re legally married, after all.”
“Legally married? Hahaha!”
Gu Linlang’s silver-bell laughter echoed through the office.
Her face was full of smug satisfaction.
“Miss Shen, even legally married couples can divorce. Don’t tell me you actually think Zhou Yushen likes you?”
Shen Nanyue remained silent, while Gu Linlang continued flaunting triumphantly.
“Miss Shen, I’ll tell you the truth. Half a year ago, Ah Shen and I had a bit of a conflict. Out of spite, he left the capital and came to Fengcheng. Being with you was nothing more than a way to get revenge on me. As long as I turn back to him now, he’ll still choose me.”
“And this wedding dress wasn’t even my idea—it was Ah Shen’s mother’s idea. Tell me, if Ah Shen had no intention of marrying me, why would his mother arrange for a wedding dress to be custom-made for me?”
His mother?
Hadn’t Zhou Yushen said his mother was already deceased?
Seeing the slight furrow in Shen Nanyue’s brows, Gu Linlang knew exactly what she was confused about.
“Oh my, don’t tell me Ah Shen still hasn’t told you about his family?” Gu Linlang covered her mouth in fake surprise before shrugging helplessly and explaining,
“Ah Shen’s biological mother did pass away, but his stepmother treats him very well. Because of him, she never had children of her own. She respects Ah Shen greatly.”
Gu Linlang suddenly looked at Shen Nanyue and asked in apparent surprise,
“Miss Shen… did Ah Shen never tell you he’s actually the young master of the Zhou family?”
Shen Nanyue’s pupils contracted slightly.
Seeing the answer in her eyes, Gu Linlang shook her head and sighed.
“Honestly, Ah Shen really went too far. Even if he married you just to make me jealous, how could he hide his true identity from you?”
“Miss Shen, let me tell you the truth. Ah Shen is the only son of the Zhou family in the capital—the sole heir to the Zhou Group.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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