In the night, a black Rolls-Royce parked downstairs at Tianfu Restaurant.
Passing students couldn’t help but take a second look, whispering to their companions:
“Wow, fiction becomes reality—the CEO is here to pick up his little wife!”
“Real-life CEOs are all bald with receding hairlines!”
Their companion snorted disdainfully. Little wife? More like a mistress.
The female student cast a contemptuous glance, but that one look stirred her heart. Years later, recalling it still made her heart flutter.
When the car door opened, passersby unconsciously slowed their steps.
Under the streetlight, the man leaned against the car door wearing a white shirt and gray pants. His sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing his wrists. Tall and slender, he held a cigarette between long, distinct-knuckled fingers. The crimson glow of the cigarette tip contrasted with his pale complexion. Under the warm yellow light, his features appeared exceptionally handsome, though his gaze remained aloof. His thick black hair rustled slightly in the wind—like a swift breeze circling a flag, unavoidable.
Jiang Shu had just stepped out with her new colleagues when she witnessed this scene.
In the darkness, their eyes met like a timeless shot from a classic film. Jiang Shu felt dazed, as if her heart had been struck.
Cheng Xiyu extinguished his cigarette and walked toward her amid everyone’s awe and surprise.
“What are you staring at?” He lowered his head slightly, asking nonchalantly.
Jiang Shu blinked. “You’re good-looking.”
“…” Her blunt words caught him off guard.
The crowd finally snapped out of their daze, murmuring about what a perfect match they made.
Even Yu Meng, who had feelings for Bai Shuxi, was momentarily captivated by the scene, feeling both jealous and relieved.
So Jiang Shu had a boyfriend—and such a handsome one at that. Then she probably wouldn’t end up with the young master. But… the young master seemed to like her so much.
Yu Meng’s heart ached as she watched Bai Shuxi’s expression darken.
Human nature thrives on gossip. Several supervisors and employees had assumed Jiang Shu and Boss Bai were a couple. Discovering Jiang Shu already had a boyfriend, they were curious to see what their young master’s rival looked like. One glance was all it took to shock them—why did he look so familiar?
This… wasn’t this Mr. Cheng? They wiped cold sweat, thinking, “No wonder she didn’t like our young master—she’s with Mr. Cheng…”
Bai Shuxi watched Cheng Xiyu with a complicated expression. Cheng Xiyu wrapped his arm around Jiang Shu’s shoulder, his eyes warning Bai Shuxi as their gazes briefly clashed before parting.
Jiang Shu was puzzled. Earlier on the phone, Cheng Xiyu had asked who she was dining with. Upon hearing Bai Shuxi’s name, his tone had turned icy.
She was certain he had been displeased, though she couldn’t pinpoint why. Probably possessiveness—he’d always been like this. Once someone or something was in his territory, even if he didn’t particularly care for it, he wouldn’t allow others to touch it.
Cheng Xiyu himself didn’t understand his actions. He had rushed through the acquisition deal and returned to Nangang, calling his “girlfriend” right after landing as if reporting in—as if they were truly dating.
Learning she had gone to that so-called senior’s family company and was dining with others stirred an indescribable irritation in him. Without thinking, he had insisted on picking her up.
Now that he realized the so-called senior colleague was actually Bai Shuxi, the fire in his heart suddenly died down, replaced by a wave of restlessness.
He thought, she’s just a paid stand-in, so why am I so invested?
Maybe it’s because she likes me so much. Yes, after all, she’s so fond of me, and now she’s my girlfriend in name. Everyone can see how much she likes me, and she hasn’t done anything wrong. I can treat her a little better. If she behaves, I can treat her even better. Even though I don’t love her, I’ll do my best to be good to her during the contract period.
“A’Cheng, these are my new colleagues,” Jiang Shu stepped forward and took his hand, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness that was different from her usual calm demeanor. Her peach blossom eyes stared intently at him without blinking. Cheng Xiyu’s heart stirred, and he instinctively tightened his grip on her hand. He then turned and nodded at the uneasy crowd. A female employee, as if just snapping back to reality, felt her heart race as she looked at Cheng Xiyu’s profile. A man like him—it was hard for any woman not to be captivated.
Once in the car, Jiang Shu kept looking at him. Hmm, his lips were nice, his nose bridge was high—everything about him resembled…
Her gaze traveled upward, and she paused. Cheng Xiyu was watching her, his eyes filled with aggression and an overpowering aura.
She blinked, the small red mole beneath her eye flickering in and out of sight. In the next moment, her expression turned somewhat dejected—his eyes weren’t the same. Such beautiful eyes ought to be gentle, brimming with laughter, like a clear spring.
Cheng Xiyu exuded a sense of dominance, cold and easily commanding submission. She didn’t like it.
Seeing Jiang Shu’s sudden shift in mood, Cheng Xiyu’s heart sank.
It seemed that every time she looked into his eyes, she grew sorrowful. That hint of emotion was subtle, and she hid it well, but he had still noticed it.
Unwilling to dwell on it, he brushed aside the faint, budding unease in his heart.
“You can come work at Shiyun. Baili’s prospects are too limited,” Cheng Xiyu said casually.
Shiyun was a subsidiary under Cheng’s main company, Shengjing, and its development was far better than Baili’s.
Most importantly, there wouldn’t be any irrelevant people bothering her there…
“But I’ve already signed the employment contract with Baili, and my colleagues are really nice,” Jiang Shu said softly, tugging at his sleeve in a somewhat pleading manner.
She wanted to earn more money. If she worked at Shiyun, it would still feel like taking Cheng Xiyu’s money for nothing, and she didn’t want that.
Cheng Xiyu: She loves me. Even though I don’t love her, I can’t hurt her.
Jiang Shu: ………Whatever makes you happy.