CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: BAI YUEGUANG’S STAND-IN

Everyone was eagerly anticipating.

Especially Li Yahan and Wang Nan Nan’s group, who couldn’t wait to see Jiang Lai’s embarrassment.

——

Outside the office, Mu Chen gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Pushing the door open and stepping inside, the room was as dim as ever. The dark-hued desk and sofas exuded a low-key luxury, but there was a sense of oppression in the air, especially upon seeing Shen Liao sitting across the desk, the entire space felt filled with his overpowering presence.

Mu Chen took a deep breath, smiled, and walked forward, turning on the lights in the room just as she had five years ago, then neatly hung up the suit casually thrown on the sofa.

"You still don’t know how to take care of yourself."

Shen Liao looked at her, her long dress and hair draped over her shoulders, it was the familiar look he often reminisced over the years.

Now the person was standing right before him, yet he felt no stir in his heart.

"What are you looking at? Haven’t seen me for five years and don’t remember me?"

Shen Liao withdrew his gaze, his tone was flat.

"Nothing, you haven’t changed since five years ago."

Mu Chen walked up to Shen Liao.

"You haven’t changed either; we both haven’t changed."

Shen Liao disliked the current state and didn’t enjoy having unfamiliar women in his private space, so he straightforwardly spoke up.

"I’m going to work now, please close the door on your way out."

The blunt, cold words felt like thorns piercing Mu Chen’s heart, making it tremble.

She was a bit incredulous, showing a disappointed expression, but the man opposite her made no attempt to change his tone.

Staying any longer served no purpose, Mu Chen forced a smile and turned to leave.

As she opened the door, she suddenly recalled the girl Wei Fu mentioned, an inexplicable unease filled her heart, although it was faint, she couldn’t help but glance back at Shen Liao.

The man had already lowered his head, messaging someone on his phone, seemingly with a slight smile on his lips.

This side of Shen Liao was something she had never seen five years ago.

Warm, calm, genuinely smiling.

"Shen Liao, I’m not leaving this time."

The man looked up at her for a moment and then subtly nodded.

"Hmm."

Shen Liao’s response was as indifferent as ever.

He must be angry, surely angry with her. When had Shen Liao ever been so cold towards her?

He’s doing this to get back at her for leaving without a word back then.

Thinking of this, Mu Chen gripped the door handle, bit her lip, and left the room.

Downstairs, Wei Fu, Wang Nan Nan, and Li Yahan surrounded her excitedly asking questions.

"How did it go? Did Shen Liao do anything to you?"

Mu Chen playfully slapped Wei Fu.

"We’re just friends, don’t say that."

"Oh come on, stop seeing Shen Liao as just a friend, everyone knows he’s been waiting for you all these years. Come on, did you agree to him?"

Mu Chen recalled Shen Liao’s earlier reaction, quietly uneasy, but with a hint of embarrassment on her face.

"Alright, look where we are, it’s impossible he’d..."

"You’re right, you’re right, Shen Liao will surely pick the perfect time and grandly propose to you... on second thought, maybe it’s a proposal! If that’s the case, Chenchen, you should say yes, there isn’t a man better than him in all of Jiang City."

"If you like him, take him, stop teasing me."

Wei Fu waved his hands repeatedly.

"I can’t keep up with our Boss Shen, besides, he’s only ever had eyes for you, don’t pretend otherwise!"

The other two eagerly chimed in, hoping Mu Chen would agree to move in right away.

Mu Chen said nothing, lowering her head silently.

After the party ended, on the way back Mu Chen casually asked.

"How long have Jiang Lai and Shen Liao been together?"

Wei Fu hurriedly handed over his phone.

"Look, this is her Weibo. While you were away, she kept claiming to be Shen Liao’s girlfriend, posting all sorts of nauseating things."

Mu Chen took the phone and scrolled through a few posts, her face hidden in the shadowy confines of the car.

"She’s quite beautiful."

"Tch, of course she’s beautiful if she looks like you, Shen Liao obviously couldn’t get you so he settled for a substitute, how disgusting."

Mu Chen handed back the phone, saying no more.

"But don’t worry, Shen Liao doesn’t take her seriously, she doesn’t even dare to publicly declare who her boyfriend is. But since you’re planning to continue with Shen Liao, it’s best to deal with her. If you won’t do it, I can help."

"There’s nothing to deal with, just a little toy. You’re my best friend, I would never let you do such a thing."

Wei Fu sighed helplessly.

"You’re too detached, even if you don’t care about that type, you can’t let her take advantage of the situation. I heard she’s spent quite a bit of Shen Liao’s money this year. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she pays it all back and learns her lesson about meddling."

"Alright, don’t take it too far."

"Don’t worry, those bottom-feeders require minimal effort."

Without Shen Liao, Jiang Lai would be easily dealt with.

——

Jiang Lai heard from Little Buding that today was Shen Liao’s birthday.

The original owner had stayed with Shen Liao for so long and still didn’t even know when his birthday was, truly pathetic.

"Someone like Shen Liao wouldn’t waste time celebrating a birthday, it’s normal you didn’t know."

But Jiang Lai still packed up to head back.

"I’ve got to go back; there’s a big show to put on tomorrow."

Little Buding immediately understood.

"Tomorrow is Shen Liao’s grandmother’s 80th birthday, Jiang Lai certainly won’t miss it."

This was the beginning of all her nightmares.

Thinking of this, Jiang Lai quickly booked a high-speed train ticket, then transferred to a flight back to Jiang City. Upon arriving in Jiang City, she didn’t rush back to the villa but booked a hotel room to finish the unfinished sketches.

The next morning, she took a cab straight to the villa.

Aunt Liu didn’t expect Jiang Lai to return suddenly and quickly stood up from the sofa to greet her.

"Miss Jiang, why didn’t you inform us before coming back?"

Jiang Lai put down her luggage and looked at the villa walls, still adorned with "Happy Birthday" English letter streamers, feigning ignorance as she asked.

"Whose birthday is it?"

"It’s Mr. Shen’s birthday, didn’t you know?"

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow, a trace of hurt appearing on her face, her eyes dimming.