Chapter 49
Xu Jinnan’s surprise was evident.
Xu Yincheng looked at her for a moment. “What’s that expression? Afraid I’ll steal your wife?” he asked playfully, though his serious demeanor and imposing presence didn’t lend themselves to jokes.
Xu Jinnan couldn’t quite place what felt off, then, glancing at Xu Tao’s sullen expression, she understood.
It was Xu Yincheng’s sudden shift in tone.
She realized he only softened his demeanor around her. Otherwise, his expression was usually cold and distant, with a hint of ruthlessness.
“Yes, I am,” she replied, playing along.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Xu Yincheng said, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I’m just following both your super topics.”
“…”
“But the autograph is for a colleague, and the wedding gift was from both of us,” he added.
“What colleague?” Xu Jinnan asked, hoping to glean some information about his background.
His answer was vague. “Haven’t you opened the gift yet? He’s at the same university as your wife, a couple of years ahead of her. He saw her perform in a drama club production and became a fan.” He gestured towards a plate of sliced mangoes a servant had just brought over. “You’ll find out when you open the gift.”
“Oh,” Xu Jinnan said.
“Still giving me that look?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Xu Jinnan: “…”
It wasn’t intentional.
She seemed to have developed a “Xu family complex,” analyzing his every word and action.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was out to get her.
“I’ll give it to you tomorrow,” she said.
Xu Yincheng reached out and ruffled her hair. “You’re so stingy.”
Xu Jinnan: “…”
Did he just pat my head?
“You two chat. I have some work to do in the study,” Xu Tao said, standing up. Xu Yincheng’s gaze shifted from Xu Jinnan, his expression turning cold. “Dad, let’s discuss something important,” he said.
Xu Jinnan suspected that if Xu Tao hadn’t been leaving, Xu Yincheng would have continued ignoring him.
“What is it?” Xu Tao asked.
“That land in the North District,” Xu Yincheng replied, leaning back on the sofa, his eyes sharp. “I might have been away for a few months, but I’m not oblivious. Nannan secured that deal. It’s not right to take advantage of her like this.”
“What are you talking about? She’s doing well now, isn’t she? The family supports her. It’s just that the North District project is too big for her to handle on her own,” Xu Tao said.
Xu Jinnan remained silent, listening intently. Was Xu Yincheng trying to get that land for her?
It seemed unlikely.
It might have been possible before the city’s urban planning reached that area, but now, with the government’s support, the development of the amusement park and surrounding areas was underway, and its future value was difficult to estimate.
Xu Tao, who clearly disliked her, would never give her such a valuable asset.
She wanted to see how this played out.
“Nannan, do you want to take over that project?” Xu Yincheng suddenly asked.
Xu Tao frowned. “She can’t handle it. If we give it to her, the project is as good as ruined! Yincheng, you don’t understand the pressure the Xu family is under. The HP Group is practically our equal now. That land is a major source of income for us in the short term! This isn’t a joke!”
Xu Yincheng ignored him. “Nannan?” he asked again, patiently.
Xu Jinnan, noticing Xu Tao’s gaze on her, met his cold, calculating eyes. She was now certain Xu Yincheng had the power to make this happen.
And she was more than happy to make Xu Tao suffer.
It was sickening to see a domestic abuser acting so self-righteous in front of her.
But she couldn’t push him too far, and there was also Xu Li to consider. She was a formidable opponent.
Even if Xu Yincheng genuinely cared for his younger sister, he wouldn’t be in North City forever. Once he left, Xu Tao and Xu Li might retaliate, and she wasn’t strong enough to fight them yet.
She had to think about the future, and about Shen Shu.
Besides, the Xu family’s situation was complex, and she still didn’t understand Xu Yincheng’s motives.
“I’m interested,” she said slowly. “But it’s a large project. I can’t handle the entire thing.”
“Then take half,” Xu Yincheng suggested.
Xu Jinnan paused.
“Alright,” she said, as if reluctantly agreeing.
Xu Tao: “…Yincheng!”
“Dad, it’s settled,” Xu Yincheng said firmly.
…
Upstairs, Shen Shu looked around the room.
A large, framed photo of a nude back, clearly Xu Jinnan’s, hung on the wall.
The room’s decor was similar to the rest of the villa, but the dark curtains made the atmosphere feel heavy and oppressive.
The room was spacious, a sliding door on the left leading to a walk-in closet.
As she was about to leave, she noticed a small desk tucked away in a corner, neatly stacked with books.
A diverse collection, from complex texts on finance and foreign languages, to simple manga and sketchbooks, even a couple of cookbooks.
So that was why Xu Jinnan was such a good cook. Self-taught?
Just then, the door opened.
Xu Jinnan entered, carrying a plate of washed grapes, which she placed on the coffee table by the window. “Have some grapes,” she said.
“Did the conversation not go well?” Shen Shu asked, sitting down opposite her.
Xu Jinnan seemed distracted. “No, it went well,” she replied.
She had just acquired half a billion yuan worth of real estate.
The Xu family had initially purchased the entire plot for two billion. After development, if managed properly, its value would increase tenfold, perhaps even more.
“Marital assets. Happy?” she asked, a smile playing on her lips.
Shen Shu looked at her. “Are you happy?”
Xu Jinnan paused. She was tired, mentally exhausted.
She had been tense since arriving at the Xu residence, unable to fully relax even now.
Before she could reply, a knock came at the door.
“Nannan, I brought you some mangoes. Can I come in?” Lu Yun’s voice called out.
Shen Shu noticed Xu Jinnan’s weariness at the sound of her mother’s voice.
“I’ll get it,” Xu Jinnan said, grabbing Shen Shu’s wrist. “Stay here.”
Lu Yun was hostile towards Shen Shu; she didn’t want to involve her.
She opened the door. Lu Yun’s expression was gentle, her voice warm and motherly. “Nannan, I personally picked these mangoes. They’re very sweet… Can we talk?”
“Let’s talk tomorrow,” Xu Jinnan said.
“Just for a moment. It’s still early,” Lu Yun insisted, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard. “Are you avoiding me? You don’t know how much this hurts me. I haven’t been sleeping well. Nannan, are you still angry about last time?” Remembering Shen Shu’s presence in the room, she lowered her voice further. “You know he hasn’t been like that in a long time. That night was just an accident.”
Xu Jinnan took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and took the mangoes from Lu Yun.
“If it was truly an accident, then he should be the one apologizing to me, not you. Clearly, you don’t think he did anything wrong.”
Lu Yun’s behavior towards her, her excessive concern and protectiveness, sometimes made Xu Jinnan want to ask, Why are you doing this to me?
Of course, Lu Yun would never answer.
If she would, the original Xu Jinnan wouldn’t have sent Wang Zheng to investigate, and Lu Yun wouldn’t have stopped him from revealing the truth.
Xu Jinnan knew there was no point in arguing with her.
While Xu Jinnan wasn’t concerned about being overheard, Lu Yun glanced at the hallway and into the room, her movements natural and subtle. “We’ll talk about this later,” she said.
“But Nannan, please don’t be so cold towards me,” she continued, her eyes reddening. “You used to spend time with me whenever you came home, always listening to me, never like this… I know you don’t always understand, but please believe that everything I do is for you, for your future.”
Xu Jinnan looked at her silently for a moment, then nodded. “I know.”
Lu Yun’s face paled. While Xu Jinnan had been distant in her recent phone calls and messages, it wasn’t as palpable as this face-to-face encounter.
“Nannan, you…”
“Xu Jinnan, can you get me a towel?”
Shen Shu’s voice interrupted her.
Lu Yun’s expression turned cold. Before she could say anything, Xu Jinnan replied, “Okay.”
“Get some rest. We’re going to bed,” she said to Lu Yun, dismissing her.
Lu Yun left, looking like a neglected mother.
Xu Jinnan paused at the doorway for a moment, then closed the door, turning to see Shen Shu, fully dressed, emerging from the bathroom.
“I haven’t even taken a shower yet,” Xu Jinnan said, smiling faintly.
“I was afraid you two would start arguing again,” Shen Shu explained.
“She wouldn’t dare,” Xu Jinnan replied.
Xu Tao was wary of Xu Yincheng, and Lu Yun was even more so.
Xu Jinnan checked the time, wondering if she should have Shen Shu stay at her apartment tonight.
Just then, a servant knocked on the door, bringing a plate of pastries. “Mrs. Lu made these herself,” she said. “She was worried you wouldn’t eat, so she asked me to bring them up.”
“I’m not hungry. Take them back,” Xu Jinnan said, not accepting the plate.
The servant didn’t argue, but as Xu Jinnan was about to close the door, she hesitated. “Third Miss, actually, Mrs. Lu has been…”
Xu Jinnan paused, waiting.
“She hasn’t been sleeping well lately. Her heart has been troubling her. She cries every time she mentions you.”
“Whenever she goes shopping, she always looks for things you like,” the servant continued, biting her lip. “I’ve been working here for seven years. You’re the most important person in her life. It pains me to see her like this.”
“If you don’t mind me saying, you shouldn’t treat her this way.”
Xu Jinnan understood.
The pastries were just an excuse; this was a subtle attack.
Seven years? Xu Jinnan looked at the servant. “This isn’t the first time you’ve said this, is it?”
The servant looked at her, puzzled, and Xu Jinnan continued, “Take these to my brother’s room. And tell my mother that if she sends anything else, I’ll send it to him too.”
She closed the door.
The servant’s words were like needles pricking her heart. She suddenly thought, If the original Xu Jinnan heard this, she would probably feel terrible, blaming herself, wouldn’t she?
Lu Yun was used to manipulating her daughter’s emotions through guilt.
The original Xu Jinnan’s anger and resentment, suppressed and bottled up, would be countered by guilt for her mother’s apparent fragility.
The reasons behind the original Xu Jinnan’s breakdown were complex and heartbreaking.
Xu Jinnan sat down on the armchair, Shen Shu still sitting opposite her. Having overheard the conversation, she wasn’t sure how to comfort Xu Jinnan, but she felt compelled to say something.
“Xu Jinnan.”
“Yes?” Xu Jinnan looked up to see Shen Shu holding out a toothpick with a piece of mango.
“Here,” she said softly. “You like mangoes.”
Xu Jinnan smiled faintly, taking the mango. “Copying me?”
She had done the same thing for Shen Shu at the hospital, in front of Wei Wuqing.
After a moment, she cleared her throat. “Shu Shu, the Xu family is complicated. There are a lot of things I don’t understand. And you’ve seen the situation here. You won’t be comfortable staying here. Why don’t you say you have something urgent to attend to, and I’ll have someone drive you back to Xingcheng?”
Shen Shu looked at her. “Why don’t you just tell me to leave?”
Xu Jinnan: “…”
The Xu family situation was still unresolved, and she had to go to the study tonight. Having Shen Shu here would be inconvenient, and she didn’t want her to get involved.
“Xu Jinnan,” Shen Shu said, “if we were at the Shen residence, would you leave me alone?”
No, Xu Jinnan thought.
Shen Shu’s serious tone made her slightly nervous.
She rarely expressed such strong emotions.
Shen Shu looked at her, taking a deep breath. “Do you really think I’m the type to abandon you when things get tough, to stand by and watch?”
Xu Jinnan didn’t hesitate. “…Of course not.”
“Then do you still want me to leave?”
Xu Jinnan sighed inwardly. She felt conflicted, torn between protecting Shen Shu and wanting her to stay.
She didn’t want Shen Shu to be burdened by the Xu family’s problems, but she also didn’t want her to leave.
“No,” she admitted honestly.
Shen Shu seemed different today.
Her expression softened slightly. “I don’t know what’s going on with your family, but I’ll be here with you, just like you were there for me when I needed you.”
“And you don’t have to pretend to be happy in front of me,” she added softly. “Seeing you pretend is more upsetting than seeing you unhappy.”
“What’s wrong with you today?” Xu Jinnan asked.
The uneaten mango in her hand slipped and fell to the floor.
She didn’t even notice.
Because Shen Shu said something else.
“You want me to be happy, and I want you to be happy too. At least in front of me.”
The chirping of cicadas outside reminded Xu Jinnan of a summer sunset, a single ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
“Okay,” she replied softly.
…
It was past 9 p.m.
Usually, Shen Shu would be showering and getting ready for bed by now, but Xu Jinnan was still working, so she asked if Shen Shu wanted to shower first.
Shen Shu shook her head, looking at her phone. “Tong Jia is explaining tomorrow’s schedule.”
They sat at the coffee table, both on their phones.
Xu Jinnan finished first and, remembering something, opened Weibo. Over two hundred notifications, mostly from new followers, and a dozen private messages.
Tong Jia had added her to Shen Shu’s fan group and made her a moderator.
She opened one of the private messages.
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Boss Lady!!]
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Are you the legendary Boss Lady who used her mysterious powers to delete those negative comments and expose those trolls?!]
Xu Jinnan: “…”
That was from last night. There was another message from this afternoon.
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Hello! I’m Shu Shu’s number one fan! We want to organize a fan event for her next month, with banners and signs, to surprise her when she starts filming her new drama. Do you have any ideas?]
Xu Jinnan opened the fan group chat and saw they were discussing the same thing.
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan, also a moderator, seemed to be handling things well, even specifically stating that minors weren’t allowed to contribute financially, although they were welcome to join the group.
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Let’s make a big banner, and some standees. Ten light boards should be enough for now. We can use them later too.]
ShuShu’sPuppy: [How about some merchandise? Keychains or something.]
MyNameIsKing: [I can handle the keychains. You guys take care of the rest. Fifty enough?]
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [Let’s not overdo it! It’s not about showing off; it’s about showing our support for Shu Shu! I’m waiting for our Boss Lady to reply. I wonder if she has any plans~]
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [I wonder when she’ll be online. Sad emoji]
RichSisterWithStamina: [Hi.jpg]
RichSisterWithStamina: [Go all out. No banners. Rent all the LED screens around the studio. Send me a cost estimate.]
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [!! Boss Lady! You’re here!]
ShuShu’sPuppy: […LED screens? The best ones start at 200,000 yuan…]
RichSisterWithStamina: [That’s fine. I’ll give you a budget of five million. Include the production’s name on the screens, and when the lead actors are announced, we’ll send them light boards too.] That way, even if it was extravagant, it wouldn’t be seen as showing off.
[Holy shit, that’s a lot of money…]
[Damn…]
[Damn…]
[Damn…]
…
Xu Jinnan, looking at the string of ellipses, sent ShuShu’sNumberOneFan a private message: [I’ll send you my assistant’s WeChat. Contact her for the funds. Just send her the receipts.]
ShuShu’sNumberOneFan: [!!! Do you need a daughter? The kind who spends money responsibly~]
Xu Jinnan chuckled, then, noticing Shen Shu looking at her, looked up. “It’s almost 10 p.m. Is Tong Jia still talking?”
“So are you,” Shen Shu replied.
“I’m done. What were you two talking about?”
“Work stuff. I have a costume fitting in a couple of days,” Shen Shu said, tapping on her phone. “They’ve cast the lead actress.”
“Who is it?”
“Xia Chun.”
Xu Jinnan paused. “You two are quite the pair. Meeting again like this.”
Shen Shu didn’t reply, turning off her phone and rubbing her eyes. “Do you want to shower first, or should I?” It was a casual question, but Xu Jinnan detected a hint of something in her slightly tired voice.
“You go first,” Xu Jinnan said, standing up. “I’ll find you some pajamas.”
Shen Shu went to her bag. “No need. I brought some,” she said, opening it. She had packed a change of clothes in case Xu Yincheng invited her to stay at the Xu residence.
“Impressive, Shu Shu,” Xu Jinnan commented.
Shen Shu’s lips curved into a faint smile, then quickly disappeared. “Can’t you think of a more original compliment?” She stood by the desk, her slim waist accentuated by her light purple two-piece suit.
Xu Jinnan rubbed her thumb against her forefinger. “You look beautiful. Stunning, in fact. I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful,” she said, repeating the compliment three times.
Shen Shu raised an eyebrow slightly, then turned and went to the bathroom.
…
Xu Jinnan’s bathroom, like the rest of the apartment, was spacious.
Shen Shu pinned up her hair, took a quick shower, and had just finished changing when she heard a loud thud from outside.
Like something heavy falling.
She buttoned up her pajamas and hurried out of the bathroom to see the books from Xu Jinnan’s desk scattered on the floor, the small stool overturned.
Xu Jinnan was crouching down, holding her shin.
“…What are you doing?” Shen Shu asked.
“Nothing. I was looking for a book and knocked over the stool,” Xu Jinnan replied. The stool was heavy, and the thud had sounded like metal hitting the floor. She wondered if she had fractured her shin.
Besides the key in Xu Tao’s study, there was something else she needed to find in the original Xu Jinnan’s room. After finding the notebook at the orphanage, she had wanted to see if there were any clues in the books.
Shen Shu looked at her reddened shin. “Go take a shower,” she said.
Xu Jinnan put the books back on the desk. “Okay.”
The pain in her leg intensified as she walked towards the bathroom, but it was bearable.
She undressed and turned on the shower, then heard a soft noise from outside the bathroom, then silence.
She assumed she had imagined it. The steam from the shower filled the small room, easing her fatigue.
She stretched, the warm water cascading over her body. The rose-scented shower gel filled the air, and she inhaled, catching a faint hint of vanilla beneath the floral fragrance.
She tilted her head back, letting the water wash over her face.
As she emerged from the shower, about to get dressed, her gaze fell on the counter…
A pale lace bra and matching panties lay on a pink towel.
Shen Shu must have left them there to take home later.
As Xu Jinnan folded the towel around them, her fingers brushed against the soft lace, the sensation reminding her of Shen Shu’s smooth skin.
Her hand trembled slightly, her heart racing.
After wrapping them in the towel, she paused, then, worried Shen Shu might be embarrassed, unfolded the towel again.
As she left the bathroom, Shen Shu stood up and went inside.
They exchanged a brief glance, both acting as if nothing had happened.
…
It was past 10 p.m.
Xu Jinnan retrieved a thick blanket from the closet, preparing to lay it out on the floor.
“Your bed is big enough. We can just put the blanket between us,” Shen Shu said.
Even with separate blankets, I still ended up in your bed. What good is a blanket? Xu Jinnan thought.
But she didn’t argue. She would be staying up late tonight anyway; she had more important things to do.
They lay down on opposite sides of the bed.
Xu Jinnan listened to Shen Shu’s even breathing, waiting until 2 a.m. before carefully getting up.
A dim light illuminated the hallway; the villa was silent.
Xu Tao’s study wasn’t far. He kept his documents in a safe, but since Lu Yun cleaned the study every day, the door was usually unlocked.
She just needed to get inside.
As she opened the door, she heard a soft noise from the bedroom and saw Shen Shu approaching, her voice husky with sleep. “What are you doing?”
Shen Shu had noticed Xu Jinnan constantly checking her watch since they went to bed and had guessed she was planning something.
She had woken up as soon as Xu Jinnan got up.
Xu Jinnan: “…”
“Just looking for something. Go back to sleep,” she whispered.
Shen Shu looked at her for a moment. “I’ll keep watch,” she said.
Xu Jinnan: “?”
“Hurry up.”
“…Okay.”
She felt like they were partners in crime.
Xu Jinnan opened the study door, the faint light from the window illuminating the room. The notebook had mentioned a key hidden under a drawer, but Xu Tao’s desk had over a dozen drawers, most of them under the bookshelves.
She started checking them one by one. As she opened a drawer in the third row, Shen Shu entered the room. “Someone’s coming,” she whispered.
Xu Jinnan quickly closed the drawer and went to the door.
The hallway lights suddenly switched on, and she pulled Shen Shu into the room, quickly closing and locking the door. In the dim light filtering through the window, she scanned the room, then noticed the curtains behind the bookshelves weren’t fully drawn.
Just then, they heard Xu Tao’s muffled voice from the hallway, answering a phone call.
Xu Jinnan’s face paled. She pulled Shen Shu behind the bookshelves, which were against a wall, the curtains creating a small, hidden space.
They squeezed into the narrow space, carefully adjusting the curtains to avoid being seen. Shen Shu’s hand, gripping Xu Jinnan’s, was damp with sweat.
Just as they finished, the study door opened.
Xu Jinnan, still holding Shen Shu’s hand, sensing her tension, gently squeezed it, wanting to reassure her.
As she looked down, her lips brushed against Shen Shu’s soft cheek, and she instinctively leaned in…
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