CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: BAI YUEGUANG’S STAND-IN

Aunt Liu seemed to have discovered something and summoned the courage to continue speaking.

"Yesterday, a lot of people came to our place. They were all friends of Young Master Shen. There was also a very pretty girl who brought Mr. Shen a cake, and then the two of them stayed in Mr. Shen’s office for quite a while before coming out together."

Hearing this, Jiang Lai looked at Aunt Liu, her face carrying a slight, sardonic smile amidst her somber expression.

"Aunt Liu, do you know what happens to those who gossip about their hosts behind their backs?"

Aunt Liu trembled inside, instinctively feeling a bit frightened. But recalling what she had heard them say yesterday gave her some inexplicable confidence, and her gaze towards Jiang Lai became more mocking.

"I’m just stating the facts. Besides, if anyone were to deal with me, it would be Mr. Shen, not you trying to play the big shot here..."

Despite her words, she felt a bit guilty, knowing Jiang Lai had been living there for so long—if Mr. Shen felt nostalgic for her, she might get into trouble.

Luckily, Jiang Lai didn’t do anything, only asking her calmly.

"Do you know who the girl with Shen Liao last night was?"

"How would I know that..."

At this point, Aunt Liu remembered the instructions given to her last night and quickly added another sentence.

"While cleaning yesterday, I found this under Mr. Shen’s bed. See if it’s useful. If it is, pass it on to Mr. Shen."

Jiang Lai took the document Aunt Liu handed over, opened it to take a look, and on the cover of a moderately thick stack of A4 papers, saw the bold title.

Contract of Sponsorship.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Lai’s eyes brightened at once, immediately stuffing the document back and hurried up the stairs.

This scene in Aunt Liu’s eyes turned into utter despair, feeling heartbroken.

In the bedroom, Jiang Lai carefully read through the contract from beginning to end. The final signature column already had Shen Liao’s name penned in, unmistakably his handwriting. It seemed he had prepared this from the start to prevent any future entanglement with Jiang Lai.

The terms of the contract were simple: once either party proposed to terminate the relationship, there would be no more ties between them. Gifts given during the contract would belong to the recipient, and the current villa would be given to the recipient as emotional compensation.

True to a big boss’s style, generous in one go, Jiang Lai couldn’t help but feel tempted by the terms, even feeling a bit of secret joy.

"Were you just thinking that being Shen Liao’s mistress isn’t so bad?"

Little Buding said coolly.

Jiang Lai vehemently denied.

"I wasn’t thinking that, stop making stuff up."

"Give it a rest. He’s got an eighty percent heartbeat value for you, that’s rare unwavering affection in today’s society. Keep it up, focus more on your career."

For now, it seems the storyline with Shen Liao is mostly complete.

In relationships, thirty percent is intrigue, fifty percent is fondness, seventy percent is infatuation, and eighty percent could be considered love.

"Tsk, Shen Liao is quite innocent."

Jiang Lai truly benefited greatly.

"Wait a little longer, let’s see how things go after tomorrow."

——

That night, Shen Liao indeed did not return. The next day was Grandma Shen’s eightieth birthday. He definitely had to stay at the old house that night.

However, Shen Liao still knew Jiang Lai had returned and called her late at night.

"Why didn’t you say anything about coming back?"

"What’s there to say."

"There’s something going on at home tonight, so I can’t come back to keep you company. Behave yourself at home."

Jiang Lai simply replied with an "Mm."

After a moment of silence, she asked softly.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?"

On the other end of the phone, Grandma Shen was urging Shen Liao to join her for some TV. Shen Liao motioned with his hand, indicating he was on a call.

"Mm, I’ll tell you when I get back tomorrow night. If you’re bored tomorrow, go stroll around the mall."

"Mm, you go ahead."

With that, Jiang Lai hung up the phone directly.

Shen Liao frowned, vaguely sensing something was off with Jiang Lai, but the current situation left no time for deep thought as Grandma Shen was already approaching.

"Who were you talking to on the phone?"

Shen Liao hesitated for a moment, finally answering.

"A friend."

"Don’t make friends with those shady people, spend more time with friends like Chenchen. That kid is really nice, the first thing she did after returning to the country was to bring me gifts. That cheongsam is quite nice, I plan to wear it tomorrow."

Shen Liao didn’t say anything, silently gazing out the window.

After Grandma’s eightieth birthday, he would talk to her about Jiang Lai.

The next day, the gates of the Shen Family mansion were open wide, with a succession of luxury cars driving in. The footmen standing at the manor were busy guiding each guest inside. The sprawling Shen Family estate was bustling with rare liveliness.

Shen Liao, clad in a deep blue suit, stood at the entrance of the banquet hall with Grandma Shen, greeting each guest who came to offer their birthday wishes.

Soon, Mu Chen arrived holding her father’s hand. As soon as she appeared, Shen Liao noticed her outfit.

It was also a deep blue, gem-studded gown, simple and elegant, with silver-white shimmering thread accents that closely matched the style of his suit, looking very much like a matching couple’s set in the eyes of outsiders.

Grandma Shen took Mu Chen’s hand with a smile, patting it as she praised her.

"Chenchen is getting more and more beautiful as she grows up. How has life been abroad all these years?"

"Pretty good, but no matter how nice it is abroad, it’s not as good as here. Now I plan to start a business locally and will have more time to spend with you in the future."

Hearing this, the smile in Grandma Shen’s eyes grew even more radiant, as she led Mu Chen towards the banquet hall like they were a close granny and granddaughter-in-law. Everyone present could see clearly that Mrs. Shen already considered Mu Chen part of the family.

Looking at their matching outfits, everyone had a clearer understanding.

It seems there might be another happy event at this birthday party.

Shen Liao looked around, noticing Shen An hadn’t shown up yet. Right after, he saw the group that often hung out with Shen An hanging by the entrance, peering out as if waiting for someone.

Seeing this, Shen Liao felt oddly uneasy.

Just as he was about to step out and call Shen An, Grandma Shen waved him over from not far away.

"Ah Liao, come over here and have a drink with these uncles and aunties for Grandma."

Shen Liao glanced outside, confirming all guests had arrived and the doors were closed, he then returned to accompany Grandma Shen.

As the banquet was about to begin, guests were ready to take their seats when the piano piece, gracefully playing in the background, suddenly shifted to a lively, romantic waltz. The previously bright lights dimmed, leaving a single spotlight on two people in the center of the banquet hall—Shen Liao and Mu Chen.