Chapter 23: Unreasonable Thoughts

Chen Peiran’s chest heaved violently, his face turning red like a pufferfish about to explode. Suddenly, he spotted a man with a receding hairline and pointed at him, shouting:

“Mr. He, your company’s Director Fan personally promised me a collaboration with Chenxing. You took so much from me and then went back on your word. Even if your He family has the most power, you can’t bully people like this!”

In front of everyone, he threw the blame at the He family. Director Fan’s forehead broke out in cold sweat, and he pushed Chen Peiran away, scolding him: “Think before you speak!”

He Tingzhou didn’t care about the onlookers. He condescendingly took out his hand from his pocket, pointed at Chen Peiran, and his sharp eyes swept over Director Fan’s bald head:

“You deal with him, or I’ll deal with you.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, I’ll take care of this!” Director Fan assured him repeatedly, dragging Chen Peiran away. “Let’s settle this privately, don’t make a scene in front of Mr. He!”

Xiao Liao called, probably in a hurry.

Shuangxu said: “Tingzhou, I’ll go first.”

She picked up the phone and was about to walk past him to go upstairs.

He Tingzhou looked down at her figure passing in front of him and said meaningfully: “So eager to sleep with me?”

Xiao Liao’s voice on the phone, “To n…” was cut off abruptly, followed by a loud “Oh oh~ Oh oh~”, like a group of monkeys on a company outing.

Xiao Liao had put the phone on speaker!

He Tingzhou probably heard it too: “Are you talking to monkeys?”

Shuangxu froze for a moment, quickly hung up the phone that had only been connected for less than ten seconds, and subconsciously glanced at the men behind He Tingzhou.

The group immediately looked around, at the ceiling, the floor, the air, wishing they could put a sign on their heads that said “I’m deaf, I didn’t hear anything.”

“I didn’t…” she felt embarrassed for the first time, “have any unreasonable thoughts about you.”

“Then how do you explain the rumors that were spread about you, and you didn’t even clarify them?”

“You said it was a rumor, it doesn’t matter what he thinks, there’s no need to explain to him.” Shuangxu pretended to be calm. “If others suspect something, I have to prove myself, isn’t that being led by the nose?”

“Really?” He Tingzhou questioned. “Isn’t it because you, a toad, want to eat a swan, and you deliberately created misunderstandings to spread rumors about me?”

“…You’re the toad.”

Shuangxu blurted out and regretted it immediately.

She used to only dare to complain in her heart. Since they ate noodles together last time, she didn’t know why, but she started talking to He Tingzhou a little recklessly, her mouth was too fast to control.

“Okay, you’re the swan, you want to eat me, this toad, are you satisfied?” He Tingzhou didn’t bother to argue with her about these meaningless titles.

Shuangxu: “…”

He Tingzhou said slowly: “You should also manage your desires for me. You’re so passionate every day, I’m quite scared.”

…What are you scared of!

The faces of his subordinates behind him all read: “Ha, I heard something I shouldn’t have.”

Shuangxu felt that even if she had ten mouths, she couldn’t explain herself now.

Being spread rumors about by Chen Peiran in person wasn’t as speechless as this.

After He Tingzhou finished speaking, he put his hands in his pockets and walked past her, leaving.

His subordinates followed behind him, and each one, when passing by Shuangxu, would give her a subtle smile that combined respect, caution, and mutual understanding.

She took a deep breath, with a “whatever, do what you want” attitude, walked into the elevator, and pressed the close button three times.

As soon as she entered the private room, a pair of eyes shot at her like searchlights, and her colleagues’ gazes were more ambiguous than ever.

“Oh my, who was that on the phone just now?~”

“It was a couple talking, I just happened to pass by.”

Shuangxu’s calm and composed attitude was very convincing, but Xiao Liao didn’t believe her. She clearly heard another sentence…

Before she could question her, Shuangxu took the initiative: “I met Chen Peiran downstairs just now.”

Everyone’s attention was immediately diverted: “What was he doing here? So annoying.”

“This guy is just short-sighted. If he had gone out and started his own business, everyone would have looked up to him. But he went to lick Chenxing’s shoes, I can’t even look down on him!”

“I say, that rotten Chen Peiran left just in time. If he hadn’t left, you wouldn’t have come, Boss.”

While everyone was gossiping and cursing Chen Peiran, Shuangxu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She should have clarified it immediately. If this continues, the whole world will know that she has a crush on He Tingzhou.

Who knew that a momentary lapse in judgment would lead to such a…steep development.

Shu Yang squinted at her and whispered in her ear: “That voice sounds familiar to me, I just can’t remember, who was it?”

“Don’t ask.” Shuangxu took a sip of juice. “Unless you give me two million now, I won’t say a word.”

Shu Yang immediately put her pulse back: “Forget it, he’s not worth two million.”

The Shen and Lu families were both of equal status. Shen Yu was exceptionally outstanding among the younger generation, with no flaws in any aspect. Lu Manman fell in love with him at first sight, and this marriage of equal status was welcomed by both families. The discussions about the marriage went smoothly without any obstacles.

The first official meeting between the two families was scheduled for the end of the month.

Shuangxu had been raised in the Shen family since she was young, even though she didn’t have the Shen surname, she was considered half of the Shen family. She would definitely have to attend such an occasion.

“Actually, I think it’s okay if you don’t go.” Shu Yang said. “The Shen family raised you, it’s a favor, but you’re just a dry sister, not going wouldn’t be considered disrespectful.”

“That’s my brother.” Shuangxu said. “How can I not go?”

Shu Yang was about to have her second chemotherapy. She had just had her blood drawn and was lying in bed, feeling sorry for her: “I’m afraid you’ll be so miserable then–>>

“You’ll get used to it sooner or later.” Shuangxu was trying to force herself to accept it.

If liking Shen Yu was a small flower that bloomed in her teenage years, that flower grew in barren and infertile soil, and had long since withered. She was trying to pull it out.

Even if it wasn’t Lu Manman, it would be Zhang Manman, Wang Manman, or Li Manman. She had to accept that Shen Yu would marry another woman.

That day, Shuangxu arrived at the restaurant for dinner ten minutes early. She wore a new Chinese-style modified sleeveless cheongsam, black and formal, not eye-catching but not wrong.

Fu Yun patted her hand, admonishing, “Today is the first time we’re formally having dinner with the Lu family. When you meet your Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu, be polite, okay?”

She was still worried about Shuangxu.

Shuangxu pretended not to know and said obediently, “I know.”

The Lu family arrived just then. Hearing the voices in the courtyard, Shuangxu turned her head and looked out the window.

At this glance, she froze.

Lu Manman was also wearing a black cheongsam today. Although the style was slightly different, at first glance, both the clothes and the way she tied up her hair were too similar.