Shen Nanyue nodded.
“Did you buy it?”
Zhou Yushen merely smiled and took the bracelet out of the box.
“Let me put it on for you.”
Shen Nanyue extended her hand.
The green jade bracelet made her fair wrist appear even more flawless and delicate.
“It looks beautiful.”
When it came to beautiful things, Shen Nanyue had no resistance.
“Will you wear it from now on?”
A mischievous gleam flashed in her eyes as she looked up at him.
“Beg me.”
Zhou Yushen narrowed his eyes.
Uh-oh.
Sensing danger, Shen Nanyue turned to flee.
Before she could take a step, he caught her wrist and pulled her back.
The next second, she was forced into his embrace, and all her breath was stolen away by a kiss.
By the time Shen Nanyue left Yunding Apartment, she still felt that she had been at a disadvantage.
Next time, I have to gain the upper hand for once!
Wu Jinshu’s gaze fell on the bracelet around Shen Nanyue’s wrist more than once.
“This bracelet…”
Shen Nanyue raised her hand to show it off and smiled as she explained.
“Zhou Yushen bought it. He just gave it to me.”
“He told you he bought it?”
Shen Nanyue nodded.
“Didn’t he?”
Wu Jinshu smiled.
“Whether he bought it or not, only Ah Shen knows. But it looks beautiful on you.”
There was an emotion in Wu Jinshu’s eyes that Shen Nanyue couldn’t quite understand.
It seemed like nostalgia.
Like relief.
Like being deeply moved.
But shouldn’t she be the one feeling moved?
…
These past few days, Zhou Yu had been busy handling all the affairs of the Shen Group.
She was exhausted.
Yet Shen Nanyue could tell that her mother seemed far more spirited than before.
One day, she found an opportunity to discuss something with her.
“Mom, I want to hand the Shen Group over to you.”
Zhou Yu rejected the idea immediately.
“No. I’m only covering for you temporarily. Don’t tell me you’re really planning to become a hands-off boss?”
“But I think you’re in much better shape when you’re working than when you’re sitting around at home with nothing to do.”
Zhou Yu looked at her.
Shen Nanyue continued, “Mom, have you noticed? Whenever you’re working, you’re full of energy and determination. You seem more confident, too. Your whole spirit is different. Unlike me—every day at work feels like it takes half my life away.”
She had only taken over the Shen Group because she was forced to.
If not for fulfilling her grandfather’s dying wish, how could she have tolerated being trapped between home and the office, living the life of a corporate worker?
Zhou Yu smiled at her, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
“Have you started slacking off because you’re in love now?”
“Of course not—”
Before Shen Nanyue could finish, Zhou Yu’s face darkened.
“Listen carefully, Shen Nanyue. Absolutely not! Zhou Yushen may be wealthy, but if you decide to build a life together, you cannot rely on the idea of being supported by your husband. In a family, the one without a job is always in the weaker position.”
“Whether or not Zhou Yushen would ever argue with you over everyday matters in the future isn’t the point. You need to keep your dignity and independence. You cannot give up your career. Your career is the only thing you can truly rely on for your entire life.”
Shen Nanyue hadn’t expected Zhou Yu to say something like that.
It sounded like a mother’s stern warning, born from concern for her child’s future.
She wasn’t upset.
Instead, warmth filled her heart.
Smiling, she said, “Mom, that’s not what I meant.”
Zhou Yu looked at her, confusion written plainly across her face.
“Actually, ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to create my own fashion brand. A brand that’s completely separate from the Shen Group—one that belongs to me, Shen Nanyue. It’s not that I don’t want a career. I just want to pursue my dream.”
Only then did Zhou Yu understand.
She vaguely remembered Shen Nanyue mentioning years ago that she wanted to establish her own fashion label.
She had never been interested in running the company.
Back then, Zhou Yu had thought it was just a passing comment.
She hadn’t realized that Shen Nanyue had held onto that dream for so many years.
Looking at her daughter with affection, Zhou Yu listened as Shen Nanyue continued.
“Mom, I’ll transfer all my shares in the Shen Group to you. In exchange, let me pursue my dream, okay?”
Now that it had risen to the level of a lifelong dream, how could Zhou Yu find a reason to refuse?
“I don’t want the shares. I’ll take over the company.”
“But if you’re managing the company, how can you not have shares?” Shen Nanyue replied.
“How about this—you leave me ten percent. I’ll just collect some dividends every year.”
Zhou Yu looked at her daughter for a long moment, seeing not the carefree girl she used to be, but someone finally ready to choose her own path.
And for the first time, she felt completely at ease letting her go after it.
Zhou Yu thought about it for a moment.
After all, everything she earned would eventually be left to Shen Nanyue anyway.
Whether the money was in her hands or Shen Nanyue’s made little difference.
She nodded.
“Alright.”
After the mother and daughter reached an agreement, they completed all the necessary procedures for transferring management of the Shen Group.
Once everything was settled, Shen Nanyue went to Nan’an Studio.
During this period, she had devoted all her attention to the Shen Group and had neglected the studio far too much.
When Lu Sheng saw Shen Nanyue return, she was overjoyed.
One familiar face after another greeted her warmly, and for the first time in a long while, Shen Nanyue felt she had found the true place where her career belonged.
“Dinner’s on me today! Order whatever you want—your boss is paying!”
“Long live the boss!”
“Long live the boss!”
“Long live the boss!”
“…”
At everyone’s request, the group chose a hot pot restaurant.
After the first toast, Lu Sheng eagerly asked, “Sis, are you really coming back for good?”
Shen Nanyue smiled.
“Of course.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Unable to contain her excitement, Lu Sheng threw her arms around Shen Nanyue.
Then she immediately added, “I’ll organize all the orders, financial reports, and records from the past six months and send them to you tomorrow. Nan’an only has a small reputation in the fashion industry right now, but one day we’re definitely going international!”
Everyone was delighted by Shen Nanyue’s return.
And Shen Nanyue felt incredibly grateful for the people in her studio.
When she had irresponsibly shifted all her attention to the Shen Group and neglected Nan’an Studio, not a single one of them had blamed her.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t touched.
She felt that everything in her life was finally getting better.
Ever since she and Zhou Yushen had cleared up their misunderstandings, it was as though the storm clouds over her world had finally parted.
After the gathering ended, Shen Nanyue arranged rides home for everyone.
When she was finally left alone, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of her.
The window rolled down, revealing Zhou Yushen’s handsome face.
“Your boyfriend is here to pick you up.”
Smiling, Shen Nanyue opened the car door and climbed inside.
Without a word, she grabbed Zhou Yushen’s face and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips.
“A reward for you.”
Just as Zhou Yushen was about to pull her closer and deepen the kiss, she had already retreated.
She fastened her seatbelt, leaned back against the passenger seat, tilted her head, and looked at him with smiling eyes.
Her slightly upturned fox-like eyes were irresistibly alluring.
Zhou Yushen felt an itch in his heart.
Reaching out, he lightly pinched her cheek.
“Have you been drinking?”
Shen Nanyue nodded.
“A little. Not much.”
“Not much? Then why is your face so red?”
Her cheeks were flushed pink, making her look especially radiant and captivating.
Zhou Yushen forced himself to look away.
Grinding his teeth, he said, “I’ll deal with you when we get home!”
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 50 chapters of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
