“Sister Qianzhi…”
The voice echoing in Shu Qianzhi’s mind was all too familiar to her, and so was the person before her.
The other party was staring with round, bulging eyes – filled with surprise, curiosity, and cautious wariness. This was the pure nature unique to children.
Shu Qianzhi’s breath caught as she stared blankly at this child who didn’t even reach her waist in height. Suddenly, countless emotions surged within her.
His name was Shu Mingkai, Shu Qianzhi’s half-brother. But unlike other members of the Shu Family, he never made things difficult for her or targeted her openly or covertly. On the contrary, he treated her exceptionally well – he would comfort her when she was wronged, and secretly give her his own food when she went hungry.
Shu Qianzhi knew he was the only person in the Shu Family who genuinely wished her well.
But at this moment, she couldn’t let him recognize her.
Meeting the boy’s pure, untainted gaze, Shu Qianzhi took a step back to create distance between them, forcing a cold, detached expression. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I don’t know you.”
Her tone carried a hint of urgency. After speaking, she quickly glanced at the group of bodyguards patrolling outside the clothing store.
Fortunately, everything outside remained calm. It seemed no one had noticed Shu Mingkai’s appearance yet.
“Sister Qianzhi, don’t you remember me anymore?” The boy’s voice sounded even more hurt. His short legs took two steps forward as he reached out to grab Shu Qianzhi’s hand. “Sister Qianzhi, I’ve missed you so much.”
Shu Qianzhi’s heart jumped. She swiftly withdrew her hand before Shu Mingkai could touch it, coldly repeating “I don’t know you” while sidestepping several paces. Seizing the moment when the bodyguards weren’t paying attention, she slipped into the women’s fitting room and quickly blocked the door.
She could clearly hear Shu Mingkai’s calls of “Sister” growing louder outside the door, but his tone had lost some of its anticipation and gained more disappointment, piercing straight through one’s heart.
Shu Qianzhi’s heart sank to the bottom.
Sighing, she clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain resolute.
How she wanted to go hug Shu Mingkai right now, to comfort him, to tell him she missed him too. But given her current circumstances, she could only treat him as a stranger, not even allowing herself to be recognized by him.
However, as the cries of “Sister” grew increasingly loud outside, more people were drawn to the commotion. If this continued, it would likely alert the bodyguards at the entrance.
Shu Qianzhi knew she couldn’t stay here any longer, or she would definitely be discovered.
Biting her finger, she remained focused on the sounds outside. When she noticed the calls growing slightly more distant, she immediately pushed open the fitting room door and, taking advantage of everyone’s momentary inattention, swiftly slipped out through another exit, directly turning into the floor’s restroom.
Lock the door, stay inside.
Shu Qianzhi’s emotions were complex.
This dramatic life – if she had known Shu Mingkai would be here today, she would never have come no matter what.
Ji Zechen had always been thinking about how to get rid of her, this clingy burden, without any repercussions. If he learned of Shu Mingkai’s existence, with his capabilities, her identity would be exposed in minutes.
Shu Qianzhi would never allow such an outcome. So for now, she could only hide here, calculating the situation outside, cautiously staying a while longer.
She only began to move when she determined it was safe outside, carefully twisting the doorknob and cautiously preparing to step out. Every movement she made was deliberately light.
But less than half a second after the door opened, the moment she caught sight of two people standing in front of the sink touching up their makeup, she immediately slammed the door shut with a bang and retreated back into the stall, not daring to move a muscle.
“Damn,” she cursed under her breath.
The world is truly small—she had managed to avoid Shu Mingkai, yet she still ran into members of the Shu Family.
It had to be her dear sister and her dear stepmother.
Seeing them again in this life, in such a manner, Shu Qianzhi felt mostly indifferent. Perhaps she was simply tired of getting involved in their affairs; her desire for revenge wasn’t all that strong.
Just like now, her predominant emotion was shock, followed by decisively grabbing a handful of tissues, spreading them over the toilet seat, and sitting down directly to calm herself.
Outside, the two people heard the noise and instinctively turned to look in the direction of the sound, but found nothing.
“What was that noise?” Shu Zhishan paused for a moment before asking aloud.