Chapter 46 p2
They reached North City half an hour later. Xu Jinnan had a meeting at the office and didn’t have time to change, so she dropped Shen Shu off at her apartment and went straight to work.
After a quick lunch, she went into a meeting, which ended around 3 p.m.
She finally had time to check her messages.
Several messages from Lu Yun were at the top.
Lu Yun: [Nannan, how are you feeling? Can I come visit you?]
Lu Yun: [Why aren’t you answering your phone? Why aren’t you at the office?]
Lu Yun: [Where are you? Call me back when you see this.]
Xu Jinnan felt a sense of aversion towards Lu Yun now. The Xu family’s secrets were unraveling, layer by layer, but she knew it wasn’t the right time to confront them directly.
She sent a brief reply: Busy. In a few days.
She had intended to visit the Xu residence eventually, as the original Xu Jinnan had planned, but she needed time to think.
She quickly scanned the other messages, then opened Tong Jia’s group chat.
Tong Jia had changed the group name to “Shu Shu Protection Squad.”
Xu Jinnan: “…”
Tong Jia replied quickly: [@Xu Jinnan CEO Xu! You’re finally here! What’s wrong? Don’t you like the new group name?]
Tong Jia: [@Shen Shu Shu Shu, what do you think?]
Xu Jinnan ignored her, scrolling through the chat history.
Tong Jia had tagged her while they were driving back from Rongxiao, and she saw their conversation, mostly work-related arrangements.
No wonder Shen Shu had been on her phone the entire time.
She scrolled to the bottom.
Shen Shu: […]
Tong Jia: […Seriously? You two are so in sync!]
Xu Jinnan smiled faintly. [It’s fine. But it’s a bit… suggestive.] She actually liked the name “Shu Shu Protection Squad.”
Tong Jia: [Can you think of a better one? Or we can just use this for now. Since you’re both here, let’s discuss something more exciting.]
Tong Jia and Xinxin were probably together, because Xinxin immediately sent a screenshot.
Tong Jia: [Shu Shu’s super topic has over twenty thousand followers! And the post about her new drama already has almost five thousand comments!]
Tong Jia couldn’t contain her excitement and sent a voice message.
“After Into the Dream airs, Director Zhang’s new drama will be almost finished. I don’t recommend taking on multiple projects at the same time. We’ll focus on promotion and maintaining your popularity, but we also have to be selective about scripts and prioritize quality over quantity. That way, you won’t be overwhelmed, and we won’t overexpose you.”
So, Shen Shu’s meeting with the director had gone well; the new drama was confirmed.
“One more thing. With your growing fan base, we need to consider fan management, specifically appointing moderators for your fan groups and organizing events, like airport greetings and promotional activities…”
Xu Jinnan listened to the message, then Shen Shu replied: [Sounds good. I agree.]
Shen Shu: [As for fan management, I haven’t even finished a single project yet. Most of my followers are probably from the recent trending topics. The actual fan base is probably much smaller. Can we wait on the fan groups?]
Tong Jia: [It doesn’t matter how they found you. They’re your fans now. And my dear, you’re underestimating yourself. You have no idea how many people adore you! Right, CEO Xu?]
Xu Jinnan, leaning back in her chair, was suddenly addressed. She typed: [Yes, she’s adorable.]
Tong Jia: [You two are so cute! I’m starting to ship you!]
Xu Jinnan had been busy with the live streaming platform these past two days, while Shen Shu, who had signed an endorsement deal and a magazine shoot, was busy with work outside, besides memorizing lines and studying scripts. They hadn’t had much time to talk.
When Xu Jinnan returned home that evening, she knocked on Shen Shu’s door, holding a package. “Delivery,” she said.
Shen Shu, organizing books on her desk, stood up and nodded. “Try it again,” she said, referring to the locked box.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Xu Jinnan replied.
A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, wearing the same black slip dress as before, the lace trim at the bust fitting perfectly, the length reaching her knees.
She had put on the matching satin robe.
“How does it look?” she asked, tying the sash of her robe.
Shen Shu looked at her, her face slightly flushed from the shower, her hair still damp. It looked more than fine; it looked beautiful.
Xu Jinnan had a unique beauty, not conventionally striking, but captivating, her delicate features drawing you in.
“Well?” Xu Jinnan asked, as if prompting her.
She noticed Shen Shu’s lingering gaze and smiled faintly. “I guess it looks alright.”
“It looks good,” Shen Shu murmured softly.
Xu Jinnan, who had simply been trying to ease the awkwardness of being caught staring, hadn’t expected a compliment. Her heart skipped a beat.
As Shen Shu turned away, Xu Jinnan opened the wardrobe. “Try this again,” she said.
“Try what?”
“I thought of a new password. 0323.”
Shen Shu paused, and Xu Jinnan took out the locked box.
She sat down on the armchair behind Shen Shu, placing the box on her lap, her crossed legs revealing a sliver of skin beneath her black slip dress.
She entered the code.
It didn’t work.
“Let’s just break it open,” she muttered, exasperated after hundreds of failed attempts.
She shuffled the numbers, frowning slightly. “0323 sounds familiar, but I can’t remember what it is. This thing is annoying.”
“It’s your parents’ wedding anniversary,” Shen Shu said.
“How do you know?”
“I saw it somewhere,” Shen Shu replied casually, continuing to organize her books. After a long silence, she turned around to see Xu Jinnan staring at the box, lost in thought, her expression troubled.
“It’s not a good date,” Xu Jinnan said, her voice cold.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Just reminded me of something unpleasant,” she replied, snapping out of her thoughts.
Shen Shu had been thinking she should tell Xu Jinnan about the correct password, 3230, not 0323, since Xu Jinnan already knew the date.
But hearing her words, she was glad she hadn’t.
She handed Xu Jinnan a book. “Don’t think about it. Want to read?”
“Full Dress?”
“It’s the novel they’re adapting for my next drama.”
“I’ll take a look,” Xu Jinnan said, putting the box away and chatting briefly with Shen Shu before returning to the guest room.
“Xu Jinnan, are you going home anytime soon?” Shen Shu asked.
Xu Jinnan paused at the doorway, looking back. “Why?”
“Let me know next time you go,” Shen Shu said.
Xu Jinnan tilted her head, puzzled, but Shen Shu didn’t explain, her gaze clear and serious, so she simply nodded. “Okay, I will.”
Back in the guest room, Xu Jinnan lay down on the bed, the book resting on her chest. Her thoughts were racing.
Based on her guess, 0323 was a dangerous date.
The original Xu Jinnan’s words echoed in her mind: When you remember how to use the key, don’t forget, 0323 is the day your life, and theirs, will end. I’ll be waiting.
If it was also Xu Tao and Lu Yun’s wedding anniversary, it made things even more complicated.
A wedding could be the beginning of a happy family, or the beginning of a tragedy.
Xu Jinnan sighed, unconsciously tightening her grip on the book, as if seeking comfort from its familiar weight.
…
Two days later, busy at the office, Xu Jinnan hadn’t had time to eat, and then Tong Jia, of all people, sent a photo of herself and Qiao Rui having hot pot in the group chat.
Xu Jinnan’s stomach rumbled, and knowing Shen Shu was free that afternoon, she sent her a message.
[Home?]
Shen Shu: [Yes. Are you coming home for dinner?]
Shen Shu: [Easy to cook.]
Xu Jinnan smiled at her phone. [Are you saying you won’t cook for me if I don’t ask first?]
After a few seconds, assuming Shen Shu wouldn’t reply, she sent another message. [Let’s have hot pot tonight?]
[Okay.]
Just as they agreed, Cai Ying’s message popped up in the group chat.
Cai Ying: [Bored! What are you two doing?]
Shen Shu: [At home.]
Cai Ying: [I want to come over and hang out, but my dad is giving me an exam in a few days, and he made it even harder! I have to study! He gave me this the other day… it’s so difficult!!!! Look!]
Cai Ying: [Photo]
Xu Jinnan clicked on the photo, recognizing several obscure import/export terms.
Xu Jinnan: [Don’t you have a tutor? What are you afraid of?]
Cai Ying: [She’s busy these past few days, not replying to my messages. I don’t think I can seduce her anymore.]
Xu Jinnan: [Just focus on your studies. Seduction isn’t your forte.]
Cai Ying: [Shut up!]
Shen Shu: [If your father is giving you more difficult material, it means you’re improving! Great job!]
Cai Ying: [You’re the best, Shu Shu!]
Cai Ying: [@Xu Jinnan Just you wait! When I’m free, I’ll monopolize Shu Shu and drive you crazy!]
Xu Jinnan chuckled. [Let’s see about that.jpg]
…
A little after 6 p.m., Xu Jinnan met Shen Shu at a high-end hot pot restaurant Zhou Pei had recommended, with a wide variety of options.
Tonight, it was all about Tong Jia’s favorite spicy broth.
The restaurant’s decor and service were excellent. As the waiter led them to their private room, Xu Jinnan heard a familiar voice.
She turned around and saw Han Wenling, her fox-like eyes meeting hers.
Han Wenling was on the phone. Seeing Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu, she paused, then said, “Come in, darling.” She hung up and smiled at them.
“It’s been a while,” she said.
“It has, Mr. Han,” Xu Jinnan replied.
Han Wenling’s lips curved into a smile. “It’s rare to see Miss Xu out and about since the wedding,” she said, glancing at Shen Shu.
Xu Jinnan casually placed a hand on Shen Shu’s shoulder. “Is that so? I occasionally hear about your own… exploits.” Now that Han Wenfang was in their group chat, the two sisters were constantly bickering, their relationship similar to Xu Jinnan and Xu Li’s. She had seen Han Wenfang complaining about her older sister to Chen Bo in the group chat.
Han Wenling was a notorious heartbreaker.
Just then, a woman called out to her from a few tables away. “Mr. Han, you said you would meet me outside.”
Han Wenling’s expression didn’t change. She gestured towards the room behind her. “Well, I won’t disturb your romantic dinner,” she said to Xu Jinnan and Shen Shu, then left.
Xu Jinnan exchanged a brief look with Han Wenling, then followed Shen Shu into their private room.
“No wonder Cai Ying’s tutor sounded familiar. Han Ling, Han Wenling. Just one character different,” Shen Shu said. “She’s a schemer.”
“Mm.” Xu Jinnan, seeing her expression, realized she was overthinking it. “I was just joking. Don’t worry about it,” she said, sitting down beside Shen Shu and leaning in close, her voice half-teasing, half-serious. “If Han Wenling tried anything, I’d rip her head off.”
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