Whether Shang Xinglu wanted it or not, a successful start was still worth celebrating.

Besides, she was just pretending to be difficult; secretly, she was giving her friends a thumbs-up for a job well done!

After the order meeting, it was getting late.

But with such good business, it was only right to celebrate properly.

Yin Yao booked a nice spot for late-night snacks, and after a quick chat with Shang Xinglu, she left first.

After all, with Lin Zong being as petty as he was, if Shang Xinglu dared to be late, she’d better be prepared for “revenge.”

Shang Xinglu thought she could go to the gym for some training and aim for a comeback.

She even hired a personal trainer, one who could come to her house.

Then…

Aside from spending a little more time, there was no “then.”

Shang Xinglu sneaked off… originally, she was going out in the open, but for some reason, after grabbing a late-night snack, she felt guilty.

She made her way to the parking lot.

And once again… she was caught by her friends.

This time, they didn’t hire any professional muscle but handled it themselves: one grabbed her hands, another held her legs, and one grabbed her feet.

…It took them quite a while, but they couldn’t subdue Shang Xinglu.

Instead, during her struggle, she managed to punch one of them.

Shang Xinglu stood among the few squatting women, and for a moment, she had the illusion of being a martial arts master.

Hahaha, the personal trainer fee wasn’t wasted, invincible, this is the loneliness of victory!

The three friends—Shi Rui holding her stomach, Xue Shaoying holding her chest…

Jiang Lexuan stood up furiously, “Why did you hit people in the face?!”

Shang Xinglu said, “Sorry, sorry, I thought you were burglars, how about I hit you again? I promise not to hit the face this time.”

Jiang Lexuan: “…”

“How are you talking to your big investors? I think you want to die!”

Just moments ago, the enthusiastic investors dragged Shang Xinglu into the extended car.

This time, they didn’t go to Shi Rui’s small interrogation room but started questioning her in the car: “I saw Yin Yao went to celebrate, ordered late-night snacks.”

Shang Xinglu: “Yeah, I know about it.”

Shi Rui rolled her eyes, “You just let her win people over like that, and you’re doing nothing? What happens when it’s time to split the business? Are you stupid or what?”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

This was just the beginning… why are we already talking about splitting? Is it about splitting the debt and face masks?

So Shi Rui asked fiercely, “You’re not going to eat late-night snacks? Tell me, which seductive, cheap woman are you going to meet?!”

That seductive woman, Lin Zong?

Thinking about it, Shang Xinglu was stunned.

Honestly, the women in the car weren’t bad looking, but none of them were properly elegant.

Shi Rui had a standard glamorous face, Xue Shaoying had the mature, charming vibe with a big chest, and Jiang Lexuan, though flat-chested, gave off a cold, detached aura that felt a little harsh.

In short, if these women weren’t considered seductive and cheap, then other seductive women would be crying unjustly.

Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but say, “I think we’re already enough of a seductive, cheap bunch…”

Jiang Lexuan said seriously, “Do you know? Even though we waste money, party, and spend like water, with our side hustles… we still know we’re good girls!”

After saying this, she looked fine, while the others almost vomited.

“Back to the point, who are you meeting? I remember back in the U.S., right after your divorce, you were hiding a little handsome guy in the hotel, is it him again?” Xue Shaoying asked, “Confess honestly, we’re all concerned about you.”

When concern was mentioned, Shang Xinglu couldn’t hold back.

Although Lin Zong, the “ex-husband,” was quite an awkward identity…

She whispered, “…I’m going to meet Lin Heng…”

The three of them froze.

Especially Shi Rui, who couldn’t help but say, “When did you and Lin Heng get entangled again?”

But Xue Shaoying suddenly had a lightbulb moment. She said, “Wait, was he the one from the hotel that day?!”

Shang Xinglu nodded.

Shi Rui: “…”

Xue Shaoying: “…”

Jiang Lexuan rolled her eyes because no one had given her the “backstory.”

The car fell into silence.

Shang Xinglu looked at the time. It was getting late, so she said, “I’ll head out first.”

The two shocked people nodded absentmindedly.

After Shang Xinglu left in her car, the two finally came back to their senses.

They looked at each other and saw the answer in each other’s eyes.

Shi Rui and Xue Shaoying said in unison, “This is probably the thrill of an affair, right?”

“I suddenly realized, this might really help stimulate the couple’s relationship.”

“Such a pro at playing games!”

The two eagerly discussed the idea.

Jiang Lexuan: “…”

No, can someone please give me a backstory? I’m really lonely like snow!!!

When Shang Xinglu arrived at Lin Heng’s apartment, he had changed into comfortable clothes and was sitting on the sofa reading a thick paper book with text on the cover that Shang Xinglu couldn’t understand.

She walked in, and Lin Heng glanced up at her, saying, “Finished with the meeting?”

Shang Xinglu froze. Was there any secret left for her?

…Damn it, it must be Yuan Gonggong’s doing.

Shang Xinglu immediately lunged at Lin Heng, who smelled faintly of tobacco mixed with fresh shampoo and some kind of woody cologne.

It was… relaxing.

At least it was relaxing for her.

Lin Heng’s book was almost pushed into his face as her head nudged against it.

She was flushed, rubbing against his white T-shirt, and Lin Heng helplessly said, “…You should go shower first.”

Shang Xinglu muttered under her breath, “Big pig trotter, you just want my **!”

Lin Heng: “……”

Then Lin Heng tossed the book aside and stared at the head nestled in his arms. “Not going is fine.”

Saying that, he was about to scoop her up.

Shang Xinglu instantly chickened out. “I’ll go by myself! I’ll go by myself, okay? But let me give you a present first.”

It was rare for Shang Xinglu to give gifts.

She was never quite sure what Lin Heng liked. After all, President Lin had simple tastes—reading, desserts, and making money—all of which didn’t make great gifts.

So, Shang Xinglu always bought things she liked instead.

To be honest, rather than giving Lin Heng a gift, it was more of a self-indulgence.

She took out a small glasses case from her bag.

A luxury brand.

She didn’t even let Lin Heng open it himself. Instead, she unwrapped it and lifted the lid.

Inside was a monocle. To be precise, a gold-framed monocle with a matching gold chain—very vintage.

Shang Xinglu handed it to Lin Heng.

“I bought it with the first paycheck I earned at Bichen! Isn’t that meaningful?”

Pure self-satisfaction.

But Lin Heng didn’t mind her “self-satisfaction.”

However, just a few seconds later, Shang Xinglu turned her head away, feeling that something was off.

She mumbled softly, “…Wait a minute, why does this feel like a daughter using her first paycheck to buy a gift for her dad?”

Lin Heng, unfazed, replied, “I wouldn’t have such a useless daughter.”

Shang Xinglu: “……”

Oh, excuse me, sorry for embarrassing you!

Though she grumbled internally, Lin Heng still took the monocle and examined it.

Truth be told, Lin Heng had many pairs of glasses.

Although his prescription wasn’t strong, he still needed glasses when reading documents or staring at a computer. Having extra pairs was just practical.

…Definitely not because he enjoyed collecting them.

He raised an eyebrow. “A monocle isn’t practical.”

“But it looks good,” Shang Xinglu said confidently. “The important thing is that I like it. Try it on for me!”

Lin Heng looked slightly reluctant.

But despite his expression, he still removed his usual glasses and put on the monocle.

…It fit perfectly.

Monocles require more customization and tend to slip off easily, which is why they come with a chain. They’re also not the most comfortable for Asian face shapes.

But this one felt surprisingly comfortable—not too tight on the bridge of his nose, and it didn’t slide down.

It was novel, but still just a monocle.

Before he could think too much about it, he lowered his gaze—only to see Shang Xinglu covering her mouth, teary-eyed, as if she were in agony.

She suddenly started pounding the couch. “Wuuu… It’s just… too handsome… too handsome! How can anyone look this good?!”

Lin Heng: “……”

Shang Xinglu: “Just looking at your face makes me want to eat five bowls of white rice!”

Lin Heng: “…………”

Why did he feel so conflicted?

Then, Lin Heng curled a finger at her, motioning for her to come closer.

That one small gesture changed everything. His expression relaxed, his features softened, and a hint of mischief flashed in his eyes. With the vintage monocle perched on his face, he exuded a dangerous charm—a perfect mix of sophistication and roguishness.

Shang Xinglu’s face turned red, her brain overheated, and her CPU completely crashed.

Overwhelmed by his beauty, she leaned in, dazed.

Lin Heng leaned close to her ear and spoke softly, his voice gentle yet dangerous.

“I think you need to be taught a lesson.”

Yes, yes, you’re handsome, you’re always right—

But before she could process the moment, she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

Wait, no!

I just gave him a gift!

…What did poor Lulu do wrong?!

But Lulu had done nothing wrong—she was just too playful for her own good.

After her “punishment,” Shang Xinglu lay sprawled on the bed, pouting while scrolling through her phone, sulking for no real reason.

As she scrolled, her phone started buzzing like crazy.

Her group chat was blowing up.

“Louise, you made the news!”

“Louise, you’re in a trending media article!”

One after another.

“Idiot, you’re on the hot search!”

Shang Xinglu: Hey!

Something weird slipped in!

The one with bad eyesight is President Lin, okay?!

She sat up and grabbed a drink of water, opening the article while sipping.

The headline read: “From Hollywood Starlet to Abandoned Rich Wife, and Then to CEO.”

The subheading: “You think she’s miserable? You don’t know a thing.”

Shang Xinglu: “Pffft—!”

Lin Heng, the clean freak: “……”

Shang Xinglu choked and coughed violently. “Cough, cough… cough, cough, cough… I swear, cough, cough… I didn’t buy this trending topic!”

Lin Heng glanced at her phone.

Calmly, he said, “Mm, I know it wasn’t you.”

Shang Xinglu was still coughing.

Lin Heng added, “…It was probably Assistant Yuan.”

Shang Xinglu choked even harder.

NANI?!