Shen Wanli felt that sometimes it was truly impossible to communicate with Jiang Rou, because Jiang Rou’s emotions always flared up at the most inappropriate times and occasions.
Looking at Jiang Rou with a helpless expression, Shen Wanli said in a low voice, “What kind of madness are you acting out this time?”
Shen Wanli had thought that after Jiang Rou forced Qin Miao out like that, her temper might subside a little, but instead, she had only become even more aggressive.
Jiang Rou grabbed Shen Wanli’s wrist directly, her grip so tight that it immediately caused a sharp pain in Shen Wanli’s arm. “I am asking you, does she like you?”
Faced with Jiang Rou’s interrogation, and remembering how Jiang Rou’s behavior earlier in front of their host had made her lose face, Shen Wanli’s temper finally flared up. “This is a matter between her and me. What business is it of yours?”
Hearing Shen Wanli’s words, Jiang Rou smiled even more eerily. “Is that so? Does that mean I hit the nail on the head?”
“Let go of me!”
Shen Wanli struggled, trying to break free from Jiang Rou’s restraint, but for some reason, Jiang Rou’s physical strength was immense, leaving her with no opportunity to escape.
Jiang Rou suddenly chuckled, her expression carrying an endless, eerie quality as she uttered words that completely caught Shen Wanli off guard. “I am just curious, President Shen, after sleeping with me, do you still feel anything for a little girl like this?”
This remark was exceptionally presumptuous. Jiang Rou’s words instantly dragged Shen Wanli back to those three intense days and nights, causing her face to turn pale and flushed by turns, looking quite distressed. “Such matters do not require the concern of the great artist Jiang.”
Taking advantage of the moment Jiang Rou was momentarily stunned, Shen Wanli forcefully stepped on Jiang Rou’s foot and broke free from her grasp the instant Jiang Rou winced in pain, heading straight outside.
“Why were you gone for so long?”
Mrs. Qin looked slightly surprised and puzzled when she saw only Shen Wanli walking back in.
Looking at Qin Miao, who had already recovered her composure, Shen Wanli could only offer Mrs. Qin a faint smile. “Xiaorou accidentally bumped her foot in the restroom, but she will be right here.”
The group finished lunch shortly after. Although it should have been Mrs. Qin’s afternoon rest time, she was a true art fanatic and deeply appreciated Jiang Rou, so she ended up calling Jiang Rou into her room alone for a private chat.
Remembering what had happened in the restroom earlier, Shen Wanli looked over at Qin Miao and took the initiative to start a conversation. “Would you like to go outside for a walk?”
Qin Miao nodded, and the two of them walked out into the Qin family’s garden.
“I am sorry about earlier. That was Xiaorou’s fault, and I apologize to you on her behalf.”
Shen Wanli looked at Qin Miao with an apologetic gaze.
Qin Miao offered a slightly sarcastic smile. “Why do you have to apologize for her? Why didn’t she come herself?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Miao instantly regretted them, because she wanted to leave a good impression in front of Shen Wanli. Yet, facing Shen Wanli, all these grievances just spilled out uncontrollably.
Fortunately, listening to Qin Miao’s words, Shen Wanli didn’t show any anger over the prickly remarks.
“She was brought here by me after all, and she also represents my company, so I should be the one to apologize,” Shen Wanli said calmly, feeling no offense at Qin Miao’s sharp tone.
“She likes you, doesn’t she?”
Qin Miao had always been direct and still hadn’t learned how to be tactful. Since the question was on her mind, she simply blurted it straight out.
“That is all in the past.”
Shen Wanli spoke lightly. Although Jiang Rou had indeed liked her in the past, after a whole month apart, Shen Wanli had no idea what that affection had turned into.
Would it simply fade away now that it had been obtained?
“But she still likes you right now,” Qin Miao insisted stubbornly.
Shen Wanli sighed. “To be honest, I do not know. And even if she still likes me, so what?”
Understanding what Shen Wanli meant, Qin Miao looked straight at her and asked, “Then what about me?”
Shen Wanli looked slightly dazed. “What?”
“I mean, how do you feel about the fact that I like you?”
Qin Miao blurted out the words with a reckless, throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude, watching closely for Shen Wanli’s reaction.
Shen Wanli froze for a moment. Qin Miao’s directness was so absolute that it temporarily left her completely speechless.
After a long pause, Shen Wanli calmed herself slightly and replied, “We have known each other for too short a time. You are a good girl, and you are very talented.”
Hearing Shen Wanli’s words, Qin Miao smiled faintly. “That sounds a lot like you are handing me a rejection card, Senior Sister Wanli.”
Hearing the teasing tone in Qin Miao’s voice, Shen Wanli finally felt a bit more at ease. “My personal affairs really are not sorted out yet, and I have no desire to jump into a new relationship right now.”
Shen Wanli was always straightforward, expressing her true thoughts. Aside from that single instance with Jiang Rou abroad, which was the only time she had completely botched handling such a situation, she was usually very clear.
“You are wonderful, and you are direct enough not to string me along. But I want to tell you, Senior Sister Wanli, that only makes me like you even more. So I am telling you now, I am going to pursue you.”
Qin Miao said this with her chin held high.
Shen Wanli smiled without answering, while Qin Miao pouted. “Hey! I just made such a grand declaration and you are not going to react at all?”
Looking at her, Shen Wanli said earnestly, “But this is your own choice, and I cannot change that, can I?”
Although any of these words, had they been spoken by someone else in the past, wouldn’t have been Qin Miao’s cup of tea, and might have even made her suspect the person of being deeply manipulative, when these traits were embodied by Shen Wanli, they simply made her look foolishly endearing.
“How much longer are you two planning to chat?”
A cold, eerie voice interrupted the otherwise tender atmosphere.
Seeing Jiang Rou suddenly appear, Qin Miao felt a flicker of timidity. After all, the murderous gaze in Jiang Rou’s eyes was genuinely terrifying.
However, remembering that she had just boldly declared her intention to pursue Shen Wanli, she refused to lose face in front of her rival.
“Are you finished?”
Shen Wanli asked with mild surprise. Judging by how much Mrs. Qin seemed to adore Jiang Rou, she had expected their conversation to last until evening.
“What, did my appearance interrupt your chat?”
Jiang Rou’s tone remained as sarcastic as ever.
Fearing that continuing the conversation would prompt Jiang Rou to say something even more shocking, Shen Wanli quickly reached out to grab her arm. “Since you are done talking, let us go.”
Hearing that, Jiang Rou’s expression softened just a fraction, and she didn’t pull away from Shen Wanli’s grip.
Only then did Shen Wanli let out a sigh of relief, turning back to bid Qin Miao a quick farewell before leaving.
Watching the retreating figures of Shen Wanli and Jiang Rou, Qin Miao finally relaxed her shoulders. Jiang Rou’s overwhelming aura was simply too frightening, and it was impossible for Qin Miao not to feel nervous in her presence.
“Miss, the old madam is calling for you,” the housekeeper said, stepping out to find Qin Miao as she stood there in a daze.
Qin Miao nodded, wondering what Mrs. Qin wanted with her. Stepping back into the house, she found Mrs. Qin looking at her with a beaming smile. “Miao Miao, what do you think of Jiang Rou as a person?”