The two men stared at each other, neither willing to back down.
The atmosphere turned sharply tense. The waiter stood frozen at the side, ready to step in at any
moment. Not far away, Shen Fuyue covered her mouth, watching the drama unfold with
gleaming eyes—thinking only: fight, fight, fight.
But Chu Xia showed no interest in their childish standoff at all.
Her soft hand lifted, gently brushing away Sheng Jingshi’s grip. She lowered her head and said in
a fragile, almost pitiful voice, “Tonight was already planned in advance with Lou Fan.”
In other words—don’t interfere.
Lou Fan’s sharp brows instantly softened like melting ice. He walked over, took her hand, and
pulled her back beside him. Then he raised his chin at Sheng Jingshi.
“Even though we’re both exes, looks like there’s still a hierarchy, huh?”
He looked like he had just won some important match.
Chu Xia was genuinely afraid he’d get punched. She tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Let’s
go.”
Sheng Jingshi said nothing.
But the anger in his chest churned violently, like it was about to tear him apart from the inside.
He stared at Chu Xia’s departing figure, then pulled out his phone and sent a message.
At the same time, Shen Fuyue’s phone buzzed.
A reply from Shen Siren.
“Don’t go looking for trouble with her.”
Shen Fuyue scoffed.
She turned and left the restaurant in high heels, then immediately called her mother.
“Mom! What kind of man did you introduce to me? Just because he has money doesn’t mean he
can act superior. A total arrogant jerk. The only decent thing about him is his face… If it weren’t
for seeing Chu Xia’s drama today, I would’ve wasted this whole trip!”
On the other end, Mrs. Shen froze when she heard that name.
“She’s still in Jing City? You saw her?”
Shen Fuyue immediately relayed everything she had just witnessed—adding dramatic
embellishments at the end.
“I think my brother still hasn’t gotten over her. Otherwise, why would he be working so hard to
get transferred back? And just now he even told me not to trouble Chu Xia. Isn’t he obviously
still protecting her? Honestly, I’m his real sister, okay!”
But Mrs. Shen had stopped listening halfway through.
After hanging up, she became increasingly unsettled and called Shen Shenyuan.
“Control your son.”
Shen Shenyuan was confused the moment he picked up.
“What did he do this time?”
“He’s involved with that little vixen again,” Mrs. Shen said anxiously. “This is a critical stage in
his career. He cannot afford any mistakes. You need to keep an eye on him at work—don’t let
some improper woman distract him from serious matters again.”
Shen Shenyuan had already semi-retired and was enjoying a rare peaceful life. Now he was
being dragged back into family chaos.
He sighed heavily.
“He’s not a child anymore. Stop interfering so much. He’s always been measured.”
“I won’t interfere? You think he won’t bring that woman home if I don’t? I won’t accept it! Find
me suitable marriage candidates immediately. If necessary, he should be the one going on blind
dates—not Fuyue.”
Eventually, Shen Shenyuan reluctantly agreed.
After the call ended, there was a knock at the office door.
Shen Siren walked in, dressed neatly, hair combed back, holding a document.
“Director Shen, there’s an urgent file for your signature.”
Looking at his son, Shen Shenyuan sighed.
“It’s just the two of us. You don’t need to be so formal.”
Shen Siren said nothing.
After signing the document, he turned to leave, but was stopped.
“Sir—are you… still used to living outside?”
Shen Siren paused slightly.
He didn’t understand why his father was suddenly asking this. He had moved out over two years
ago, only returning home during holidays.
His father had never been a warm man. Strict, upright, always distant. Only now, in old age, did
he try to soften—but it was too late.
Shen Shenyuan sighed.
“Are you still blaming me and your mother for separating you and Xia Xia?”
At that moment, Shen Siren’s gaze flickered.
Something passed through his otherwise expressionless face—too fast to catch.
After a moment, he said calmly, “Fuyue must have said something.”
His phone had already shown a message from Shen Fuyue earlier. Now his father was
mentioning Chu Xia.
A trace of irritation rose in his chest, though his face remained still.
Shen Shenyuan waved his hand.
“Your mother is just like that. Just listen to her. It’s all for your own good.”
Shen Siren gave a cold laugh.
“For my own good?”
He looked at his father.
“I have followed every condition you set for me all these years. I hope you keep your promise as
well—don’t disturb her.”
With that, he turned and left.
Shen Shenyuan stared at the closed door for a long time, then sighed deeply.
“…It’s been two years, and he still can’t let go.”
In the car.
Chu Xia looked at Lou Fan strangely.
“What do you mean I can’t let go? I didn’t even leave with him tonight.”
Lou Fan’s chest felt sour, like a spring constantly bubbling up with acid.
He gripped the steering wheel, visibly unhappy.
“Why did you never tell me about him? Or about Shen Siren?”
Chu Xia looked at him, suddenly feeling that something about him felt unfamiliar.
Since when did he become so clingy?
“Because you never asked,” she said lightly. “And when we first met, didn’t you forbid me from
asking about your past relationships?”
Lou Fan choked.
It was like a boomerang hitting him straight in the face.
He had forbidden her from asking because he couldn’t even remember how many women he had
dated. To him, women always became “the same type” anyway. Names were forgettable.
Relationships were short. There was nothing worth mentioning.
He cleared his throat.
“Let’s not talk about the past. From now on, we’ll be honest with each other. I used to be… a bit
wild. But after meeting you, I don’t feel like playing around anymore.”
Chu Xia absentmindedly nodded, already thinking about dinner.
Lou Fan pressed on.
“Besides Sheng Jingshi and Shen Siren… were there others?”
“No.”
She looked at him with clear, innocent eyes.
Lou Fan softened instantly and kissed her cheek.
“Baby… can we try seriously this time?”
“I’ve always been serious about you,” she replied with a gentle smile.
When she got out of the car, she was handed a supplementary black card.
Lou Fan didn’t know why he was so obsessed with her.
Maybe because she was always calm. No matter how he teased her, tested her, or tried to
provoke her, she remained steady—soft, composed, untouchable.
At first, he thought she was easygoing.
Later, he realized she actually had a backbone.
He told her once: “You’re just my ex’s substitute.”
Chu Xia simply smiled. “My honor.”
If it were any other woman, she would have exploded.
But the more indifferent she was, the more he wanted her to care.
He felt like he was going insane.