Blazing Flames Club, sixth floor.
Shen Yu was the last to arrive. The moment he entered, he drew everyone’s attention. The man stood tall and straight, with handsome features and a gentle countenance, exuding the graceful demeanor of a refined gentleman.
Wang Zihui was the first to tease: “Brother Yu, you’re late! You have to drink as punishment!”
Shen Yu scanned the room. Men and women were seated in a row, including several unfamiliar faces.
He furrowed his brow slightly, feeling somewhat annoyed that he had forgotten to ask in advance who would be attending the gathering. Initially, he had thought it would only be a few childhood friends.
Shen Yu didn’t like these kinds of mixed gatherings.
But since he was already here, he couldn’t disrespect his friends. Shen Yu found an empty seat and replied to Wang Zihui with a faint smile: “You didn’t set a specific time in advance, so how can you say I’m late?”
Wang Zihui continued joking: “I would have liked to arrange it earlier, but your phone is just too hard to reach.”
Shen Yu: “I was on a flight.”
Zhao Yan watched Shen Yu chatting and laughing effortlessly, then glanced at the door that hadn’t opened again. He realized what was missing—one person!
“Brother Yu, didn’t your wife come with you?” Zhao Yan asked Shen Yu curiously.
Shen Yu picked up a glass of water that the bartender had just poured, nodded, and his expression darkened at the thought of not seeing his wife for the next seven days: “She went back to Shanghai.”
His words caused an uproar. The room fell into complete silence. Seeing Shen Yu’s displeased expression, no one dared to make a sound.
Those who heard this were inwardly shocked. She went back to Shanghai? Did they have a fight? Just one month into their marriage, and the bride was already angry enough to return to her parents’ home?
Everyone’s imaginations ran wild. Some looked at Shen Yu with concern, secretly worried for him. If they were already arguing and she left home so soon after marriage, what would happen in the future?
Some wore expressions that said “I knew it.” What good could come from an arranged marriage? It was just tying two people who didn’t love each other together for the sake of利益. True love was always worth pursuing and fighting for!
Others felt secretly pleased. If his marriage was unhappy, then she still had a chance. She truly loved him, not his wealth!
Shen Yu stared at the glass in his hand, his mind filled with memories of moments spent with his wife Yao Yao: her acting cute asking to be held, her glaring at him in anger, her delighted expression when she saw gifts…
The images were so vivid, as if they had happened just yesterday.
Shen Yu was completely unaware of others’ speculations, while everyone else believed he was in a state of suppressed rage. No one dared to ask him anything, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Zhao Yan rubbed his nose, feeling awkward. He stiffly changed the subject, trying to lift the frozen atmosphere in the room. He hadn’t meant to expose his friend’s vulnerability: “Your wife must be homesick!”
Shen Yu: “Hmm.”
Zhao Yan: “…”
Li Jiacheng timely raised his glass, full of enthusiasm: “Come on, friends! Our gathering is fate. Let’s all toast together!”
Everyone chimed in: “Cheers!”
The atmosphere heated up again.
After finishing his drink, Shen Yu returned to his original seat, took out his phone, opened WeChat, and fixed his eyes on the chat page with Yao Yao.
The latest message was still the one Shen Yu had sent after getting off the plane: Yao Yao, I’ve arrived in the capital.
The other party had not replied. Shen Yu felt a bit disappointed. He knew his wife was a health enthusiast.
Normally, the two didn’t speak much in the evenings. Yao Yao always went to bed early, strictly adhering to her “early to bed, late to rise” routine.
Wang Zihui had initially considered getting up to have a heart-to-heart with Brother Yu, sharing some tips on how to woo girls, but then he noticed Brother Yu’s expression had somehow turned even darker.
Wang Zihui: …
Better drop it. No need to invite trouble. He still believed in his Brother Yu’s capabilities!
This was the second time Zhao Yan had brought his girlfriend to a gathering, and this time she had her best friend with her. Chen Ke had told Zhao Yan that her best friend had helped her a lot in the past, and now she wanted to repay her by giving her friend more exposure.
“Coco, are you or your best friend tired? If you are, I can take you back first, or we can go to the hotel upstairs in the club. This will probably go on until after midnight,” Zhao Yan asked considerately.
“I’m not tired! I’m not tired at all!” the cute-looking girl sitting next to Chen Ke hurriedly replied.
Chen Ke also smiled and agreed, “A Yan, don’t worry about me. Jiaojiao and I are full of energy!”
Zhang Jiaojiao nodded repeatedly. She hadn’t even managed to strike up a conversation with her crush yet—how could she possibly leave so easily!
Seeing both his girlfriend and her best friend say this, Zhao Yan felt relieved. “Then Zihui and I will play dice for a while. You two can do whatever you like—order whatever you want to eat. There’s also a ladies’ spa nearby; feel free to go if you’d like. It’s on me!”
Zhang Jiaojiao looked at Chen Ke with envy and teased, “I’m so jealous that Coco has such a caring boyfriend! Of course, I’m also jealous that I have such a wonderful best friend like Coco. I’m really benefiting so much from this!”
Chen Ke blushed shyly and pretended to swat her leg. “Keep teasing me, and I won’t bring you along next time!”
“Alright, alright, I surrender! I won’t dare anymore!” Zhang Jiaojiao laughed as she leaned back.
Zhao Yan gazed adoringly at his girlfriend. His usually icy expression melted instantly when he was with her.
The playful banter between the two girls drew the attention of several people nearby. Noticing the glances, their postures became even more delicate and graceful.
Zhang Jiaojiao tried hard to Control herself from paying attention to Shen Yu, but every time she inadvertently looked up, her eyes seemed equipped with radar, swiftly and accurately locking onto Shen Yu’s figure.
A few times, Zhang Jiaojiao’s gaze met Shen Yu’s, and her heart instantly raced wildly, as if it were about to leap out of her chest. She hardly dared to breathe, afraid of missing those few precious seconds of bliss.
Each exchange of glances made Zhang Jiaojiao’s heart tremble. She felt sparks flying between them, as if fate had mysteriously brought them together, weaving an ambiguous atmosphere around her and him.
Zhang Jiaojiao had fallen in love with Shen Yu at first sight, and today, he had noticed her too!
Shen Yu simply felt unusually irritable tonight. His wife ignoring him was one thing, but why was that woman across from him staring at him with a constant smile? When Shen Yu met her gaze, she grinned even wider, baring her teeth.
Shen Yu thought she must be crazy. They didn’t even know each other—what was the point of grinning at him so creepily? Why had they even invited someone like that? Shen Yu was struggling to maintain his composure.
“Coco, how is Shen Yu’s relationship with his wife?” Zhang Jiaojiao whispered into Chen Ke’s ear.
Chen Ke stole a glance at Shen Yu’s gloomy expression and remarked casually, “It’s obvious things aren’t going well. Marriage alliances among wealthy families are all about mutual benefits—there’s no real affection involved. They’re probably both doing their own thing. Just now, Shen Yu mentioned that Ji Yaoyao has returned to Shanghai—chances are they’ve had another argument!”
Zhang Jiaojiao’s suspicions were confirmed, and her expression grew even more excited: “Really?!”
Chen Ke: “Of course! Judging by the situation, I doubt Ji Yaoyao will be returning to the capital anytime soon! Look at how few arranged marriages actually work out. What a shame for a man as good as Shen Yu.”