Li Hengyan was momentarily taken aback, then casually remarked, “It’s nothing. I accidentally cut my hand while peeling fruit.”
In truth, it wasn’t an accident.
Li Hengyan had intentionally made a cut on his palm, letting the blood drip onto the bedsheet.
All to make Shen Nanci believe.
That they had already consummated their relationship.
After all, having experienced the regrets of his past life, it wasn’t until Shen Nanci’s death that Li Hengyan truly came to his senses.
He realized how laughably wrong he had been.
Therefore, last night, he couldn’t bring himself to touch Shen Nanci under such deceitful circumstances.
But he also wouldn’t let her escape.
After speaking, Li Hengyan subtly withdrew his hand.
Shen Nanci was half-convinced, half-skeptical.
Just yesterday, he had been perfectly fine.
He did have a business dinner in the evening, but she hadn’t accompanied him.
By now, Shen Nanci’s mind was nearly overwhelmed, unable to make sense of everything that was happening.
She needed some time alone to calm down.
Everything else could wait.
It wasn’t until they went downstairs for breakfast together that Shen Nanci realized this was Li Hengyan’s home.
She had thought she was in a hotel.
Originally, there were company arrangements for the day—a visit to an old client. But considering Shen Nanci’s state of mind, Li Hengyan gave her the day off.
Li Hengyan had no intention of going to the office either; he wanted to stay with Shen Nanci.
However, the Dowager Li called, insisting that Li Hengyan return home no matter what.
Shen Nanci also wanted to leave.
Li Hengyan was uneasy and wanted to bring Shen Nanci with him.
Now, he didn’t want to be separated from Shen Nanci for even a second.
If possible, Li Hengyan would tie Shen Nanci to his belt, taking her wherever he went.
Only with her under his watchful eye would Li Hengyan feel at ease.
From today onward, he absolutely could not let CiCi face even the slightest danger or mishap!
Shen Nanci refused, her tone firm. “I need to go back.”
Li Hengyan didn’t dare to command her harshly. He sighed and said, “Then rest well and don’t wander around. CiCi, don’t be sad or upset. I will take responsibility for you.”
Turning away, Li Hengyan instructed the butler, “Keep an eye on her and take good care of her.”
Shen Nanci’s mind was still in turmoil, her heart unsettled.
She was somewhat distracted and said without much thought, “Let me sort things out. I also need some time alone.”
Li Hengyan wanted to say more, but Shen Nanci hardened her expression. “Mr. Li, please don’t interfere with my personal freedom, okay?”
Seeing Shen Nanci’s anger, Li Hengyan reluctantly gave in.
He sighed, ruffling her hair. “Alright, as you wish.”
That’s what he said.
But as soon as Shen Nanci left, Li Hengyan secretly sent someone to follow her, emphasizing that they must not be discovered by CiCi.
“You don’t need to stick to her every step of the way. But you must protect her!” Li Hengyan said coldly. “If anything happens to her, there will be severe consequences!”
“Yes, Master Li.”
Shen Nanci didn’t go home. Instead, she went to Song Shinian’s shop.
Song Shinian ran a sizable tattoo parlor on a bustling commercial street, working as a tattoo artist.
Seeing Shen Nanci enter, Song Shinian smiled and paused her work.
She removed her work apron, washed her hands at the sink, and fetched a bottle of water for Shen Nanci.
Shen Nanci took the water without a word.
She remained silent.
Song Shinian found it odd. “CiCi, what’s on your mind?”
Shen Nanci let out a heavy sigh, propping her head on her hands as she leaned on the table, her tone restrained.
“Shen An set me up. How can there be a father like this in the world?”
Song Shinian didn’t know what had happened to Shen Nanci and thought Shen Nanci’s father had introduced her to a marriage alliance partner. “You’re the third daughter of the Shen family. Even if the Shen family doesn’t value you much, they wouldn’t just find someone random to set you up with, would they?”
Shen Nanci forced a smile, her expression desolate. “Forget it, it’s just upsetting. Better not talk about it.”
She asked Song Shinian, “I’m in a bad mood. Want to go drinking tonight?”
Song Shinian smiled apologetically. “What a coincidence, I have a guest tonight. Already made plans.”
Hearing this, Shen Nanci said nothing.
Song Shinian got up and went to attend to her work.
When she returned after a while, she saw Shen Nanci still sitting in the same position, lost in thought. Something seemed off.
“CiCi, what exactly happened to you? Can’t you tell me?”
Shen Nanci glanced around—there were employees nearby.
Song Shinian understood and pulled Shen Nanci into the inner room, closing the soundproof door.
“No one will eavesdrop. Go ahead.”
Shen Nanci touched the scabbed wound on her lip. “Li Hengyan kissed me.”
Song Shinian looked up sharply. “Really?”
No wonder she hadn’t asked earlier.
She had thought CiCi had bitten her own lip.
So it was Li Hengyan.
Shen Nanci had a crush on Li Hengyan for five years, wanting only to get closer to him. She had resolutely gone to work at the Li Group, something Song Shinian knew all about.
And she had done well.
In the end, Shen Nanci became Li Hengyan’s secretary.
Every day at work, they would inevitably run into each other.
Song Shinian’s eyes lit up. “Did you make the move, or did he?”
Shen Nanci sighed. “Listen to me first. Not only did he kiss me, we… also slept together. I’m starting to wonder if it’s me who’s not normal or if he suddenly became abnormal. He… toward me, it’s like he’s a completely different person.”
Shen Nanci told Song Shinian everything that had happened last night and today.
After listening, Song Shinian had only five words.
“CiCi, you’re amazing!”
Shen Nanci: “…”
More like bewildered.
Song Shinian pondered for a moment. “For Li Hengyan to suddenly change his attitude toward you—given his personality, it doesn’t make sense. Could it be that after sleeping with you, he developed feelings overnight?”
Shen Nanci: “…”
Did she believe that?
Song Shinian was about to say something else but suddenly stopped.
She stared at Shen Nanci’s face for a while and sighed. “Looking closely, you do resemble that Su Qingnuan by about forty percent.”
But Shen Nanci was much prettier than Su Qingnuan.
Shen Nanci was the type of cold, stunning beauty who rarely smiled—but when she did, it was breathtakingly enchanting, almost indescribably beautiful.
Su Qingnuan, on the other hand, had a gentler, milder temperament.
In front of the camera, she loved to smile.
When dressed up, she was indeed very beautiful.
As the saying goes, it’s easy to paint the skin but hard to capture the soul.
If they had to be compared, Song Shinian felt Shen Nanci was far superior—much more beautiful than Su Qingnuan!
But that Li Hengyan only had eyes for Su Qingnuan.
However, Su Qingnuan was now a female celebrity who had gained widespread fame through a Republican-era drama.
To thrive in the entertainment industry, she certainly had talent.
At the very least, she was clever.
As the pampered eldest daughter of the Su family, it was no surprise Li Hengyan took a liking to her.
…
Seeing Song Shinian fall silent after saying those words, the light in Shen Nanci’s eyes dimmed and faded.
“So, Niannian, you also think I’m Su Qingnuan’s substitute. That because of her, I was able to become Li Hengyan’s secretary, right?”
Shen Nanci was in a terrible mood. “Sometimes, I want to ruin this face.”
If her face were ruined, Li Hengyan wouldn’t even spare her another glance.
Shen Nanci’s heart was filled with bitterness.
Only those who have experienced unrequited love would understand.
Secretly loving someone who doesn’t love you back, who never gives you a second look—how bitter that feels.
Song Shinian comforted her, “CiCi, don’t say that.”
“In terms of beauty, Su Qingnuan isn’t even one ten-thousandth as beautiful as you. She just has the halo of a celebrity.”
“And she met Li Hengyan earlier than you did.”
“CiCi, you’re not lacking at all.”
These words offered little comfort to Shen Nanci.
Song Shinian suddenly remembered something and confirmed with Shen Nanci, “By the way, I heard from Lu He that the big-budget historical IP drama Su Qingnuan just signed on for in May—the one with massive investment pouring in behind the scenes—is backed by Li Hengyan?”
“The female lead had already been cast, and she’s a big star with powerful connections. Li Hengyan is truly willing to spend money, daring to offend people for Su Qingnuan’s sake.”
Hearing this, Shen Nanci lowered her eyelashes.
Even though she had slept with Li Hengyan, and he had even told her he would take responsibility for her…
Shen Nanci still felt deeply hurt.
Because the information Song Shinian had received was correct.
What she said was indeed the truth.