She clenched her palm tightly.
After a long pause, she finally said, “Keep an eye on him for me.”
Shen Nanyue and Zhu Yuan’s group partied wildly until midnight before finally calling it a night.
The next day, after seeing that Old Master Shen’s condition had improved somewhat, Shen Nanyue returned to her studio.
Her senior sister came to find her, sending over the list of people who had entered the second round of review, then casually asked about her progress with Zhou Yushen.
“How are things between you two?”
Her senior sister smiled teasingly.
“From the way I see it, he seems pretty interested in you. But you, on the other hand, don’t seem all that enthusiastic.”
“You make it sound strange.” Shen Nanyue smiled sweetly.
“A talented and successful young man like him—how could I possibly dislike him? It’s just that he seems eager to get married, and I haven’t even considered marriage yet. I’d rather not waste his time.”
Her senior sister froze for a moment before hesitating.
“His family situation is pretty complicated. I don’t know the details either, but with Zhou Yushen’s personality, once he gets married, he won’t divorce easily. It really is something you should think carefully about.”
Shen Nanyue lowered her eyes slightly, lost in thought.
Her senior sister continued,
“Still, he’s joined an investment bank in Fengcheng. He’ll probably stay here for at least the next couple of years. There’s plenty of time ahead.”
As for how “plenty of time ahead” would actually play out, Shen Nanyue still felt there was no future between them.
Deep down, she had never believed in marriage to begin with.
“Maybe,” Shen Nanyue replied, suppressing her thoughts.
Her senior sister then changed the topic to the alumni gathering.
Every year around this time, the school invited a number of outstanding graduates back to give speeches.
This year, because of her collaboration with the school, Shen Nanyue had also been invited.
She didn’t refuse.
On Wednesday afternoon, she cleared her schedule and returned to campus to attend the alumni event.
Her professor had always valued and favored her greatly.
Even though Shen Nanyue had not pursued painting after graduation and had instead turned to design, the professor still specifically called her to the office after hearing she had returned.
The moment Shen Nanyue stepped into the office, however, she realized someone else was already sitting in the corner.
Shadows stretched across the room.
The man had changed into a suit, his features sharp as though carved by hand.
The cold dignity between his brows only accentuated his refined elegance and elite aura.
It was Zhou Yushen.
Upon seeing Shen Nanyue, the professor’s eyes filled with teasing amusement.
“Nanyue, why have I heard that Yushen is pursuing you?”
Shen Nanyue glanced toward him.
The man’s expression remained indifferent, carrying a chill that seemed ingrained in his bones.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of a man intoxicated by love.
He’s not pursuing me. He’s forcing a marriage proposal.
Shen Nanyue grumbled inwardly.
“You’re joking.” Shen Nanyue curled her lips into a smile. “A man like Mr. Zhou is probably admired by countless women.”
The professor had always been open-minded and didn’t pry into their private lives.
He merely touched on the matter lightly before moving on.
Both were his prized students.
Although Zhou Yushen had only studied under him briefly, the professor still regarded him highly.
If the two truly ended up together, that would naturally be wonderful—but if they became a resentful married couple instead, it would only ruin things.
As they chatted, the conversation turned toward Shen Nanyue’s career.
“You’ve always had vision. Modern Chinese style has become incredibly popular these past two years, and your studio is gaining more and more fame.”
The professor looked at Shen Nanyue and sighed softly.
“Still, among all the students back then, you were the most talented. If not for what happened back then…”
Shen Nanyue smiled faintly.
“What I have now is already very good.”
She lowered her gaze, memories from the past surging back over her.
Unconsciously, Shen Nanyue tightened her grip on her hand.
The professor didn’t say more.
After leaving the office, Shen Nanyue’s mood became somewhat gloomy.
Zhou Yushen offered to drive her back, and she didn’t refuse.
Inside the car, Zhou Yushen handed her a marriage agreement.
Looking at her calmly, he said,
“I know you don’t like being restrained by marriage. If you’re willing, I can wait until you accept it. Before then, I won’t interfere in your life. We’ll simply each take what we need.”
Shen Nanyue froze for a moment.
A few seconds later, she came back to her senses.
Her red lips curved slightly as she smiled.
“And what exactly do you mean by ‘each taking what we need’?”
Zhou Yushen stared at her, his tone calm and even.
“I don’t need a virtuous housewife who serves her husband, raises children, and waits on her in-laws. But I have cleanliness issues—both mentally and physically.”
Deep down, Zhou Yushen was an extremely disciplined man.
And people who were disciplined usually held others to the same standards they held themselves to.
Shen Nanyue didn’t reject him outright.
Smiling slightly, she asked, “When did you start taking an interest in me?”
Zhou Yushen’s gaze swept across her delicate, refined features.
Her makeup was light, yet it highlighted her beauty and seductive charm perfectly.
“Probably…” Zhou Yushen said slowly, “the first time I saw you.”
He lifted his eyes slightly and gave a faint laugh.
“Your waist is very slim.”
Very few people knew that he had a particular weakness for slender waists—waists that seemed easy to control within his grasp.
That was why he had opened the car door outside the bar and waited for her to take the bait.
Shen Nanyue blinked mischievously.
“So you’re just lusting after my body?”
“Probably more than that.”
Zhou Yushen looked at her while casually flicking his lighter on.
“We’ll start with the body first, and then move to the heart.”
The flame flickered and vanished instantly.
Shen Nanyue found herself strangely thirsty from his flirtation.
After all, nothing in this world was more intoxicating than watching a cold, restrained man become captivated by desire and affection.
Shen Nanyue had to admit that she was tempted by Zhou Yushen’s proposal.
“Let me think about it.”
Not giving Zhou Yushen another chance to flirt with her, Shen Nanyue got out of the car and disappeared into the studio.
Zhou Yushen watched her retreating figure without saying a word.
A while later, Xu Ping called him.
“You’re really planning to marry Shen Nanyue?”
Xu Ping was a lawyer, and the marriage agreement Zhou Yushen had handed over earlier was drafted by him.
Honestly speaking, he didn’t think Shen Nanyue was worthy of Zhou Yushen in the slightest.
With Zhou Yushen’s status, even the most beautiful woman in Fengcheng would still feel beneath him.
“Even if it’s just to deal with Old Master Zhou, aren’t you rushing things a little too much?”
Zhou Yushen lifted his eyes calmly.
“It’s not rushed. I’m already at marriageable age.”
Xu Ping frowned even more deeply.
“Couldn’t it be someone else? Why does it have to be Shen Nanyue? Chen Mu grew up with her for years and still dumped her in the end. If you just like that face of hers, you could simply keep her as a mistress outside. Why drag marriage into it?”
Shen Nanyue really was a disaster incarnate.
Even with her terrible reputation and scandalous behavior, she still managed to hook Zhou Yushen.
“Xu Ping.”
As if hearing the thoughts in his mind, Zhou Yushen coldly cut him off.
“The person I’ve chosen isn’t someone you get to criticize.”
“And in the future, stop believing every rumor you hear.”
….
Shen Nanyue had no idea about the conversation between Zhou Yushen and Xu Ping.
After returning to her studio, Lin Siwan came looking for her.
Smiling sweetly, the woman handed over a birthday invitation.
“Big sister, next week is Mom’s birthday. No matter how much you don’t want to see her, you can’t possibly skip the birthday banquet too, right?”
Shen Nanyue and the Lin family had never gotten along.
But blood ties were still blood ties.
No matter what, Shen Nanyue couldn’t completely absent herself.
“I know.” Shen Nanyue had little patience for her and merely said flatly, “What else do you want?”
“Nothing much.” Lin Siwan curved her lips smugly.
“I thought you’d found some powerful backer, but it turns out that Zhou Yushen is just an investment banking manager. Big sister, honestly, I think you’d be better off listening to Mom and seriously considering marriage with the Meng family.”
Zhou Yushen certainly had top-tier looks.
But power and status were ultimately more tempting.
Between an investment banking manager and Meng Yan, anyone would choose Meng Yan!
Setting down the invitation, Shen Nanyue lifted her eyes and smiled at her.
“Sounds like you’re pretty interested in the Meng family’s young master yourself. Why not start another secret affair? You’ve already done it once, so I’m sure you’re experienced by now.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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