Chapter 95: A Sense of Crisis

Shuangxu finished her morning meeting and returned to her office, noticing a message from “Brother Tingzhou” on her phone.

It was a photo.

The basement background was dimly lit, with a blue-toned coldness. She was making a “peace” sign with her hand, looking bewildered at the camera. He stood behind her, one hand helping her hold up her hand, the other resting on her right shoulder.

Her face was small and delicate in the photo, while his sharp, sculpted features were very photogenic, his lips lazily curled up in a smile.

Their heights were staggered, their posture not suggestive, but it was clear they were close.

Shuangxu instinctively looked around her office.

Oh, it was her own office.

If this photo were seen by others, it would spread throughout Yan City within a day.

As the saying goes, a guilty conscience needs no accuser. She quickly deleted the chat history and scolded him:

【Are you crazy?】

He replied: Yeah

“…”

The WeChat group was buzzing with activity. She caught sight of Zheng Lao Ye’s name and clicked in, only to find out that Zheng Lao Ye had been so angered by Zheng Zu Ye that he had a heart attack that morning and nearly passed away.

Yue Zi Feng, in a snarky tone, typed: 【How come he almost died?】

He quickly retracted the message and followed it with a hypocritical one: 【Zheng Lao, please take care of your health! I heard the news at home this morning and cried in worry.】

A series of disgusted replies followed:

【Hypocritical】

【You cried because your sister beat you up, right?】

【I took a screenshot. If you don’t want to die, you’ll be my slave for life.】

Yue Zi Feng: 【@Zuo Zhong, you’re dead! I’m going to kill you right now!】

When Shuangxu saw this, she understood what He Tingzhou had meant that morning.

Zheng Zu Ye drugged her and tried to force himself on her. Even though Zheng Lao Ye had protected him, he only sent people to follow her, which wouldn’t have been enough to stop He Tingzhou.

He must have done something behind the scenes.

After work, Shuangxu drove home. She stopped at a red light, her gaze inadvertently sweeping across the street, where a bookstore stood on the opposite corner.

She paused for a moment, then looked away. The 30-second countdown for the red light was steady and regular.

The green light flashed, and she started her car, joining the flow of traffic. After passing the intersection, she turned around and parked her car outside the bookstore.

Even if she hadn’t made this deal with He Tingzhou, she owed him some concern for his help to the Shen family and his repeated rescues of her. She had figured it out and stopped worrying.

As she was choosing books according to the list, she heard the elegant sound of high heels approaching.

Someone called out to her: “Miss Song.”

Shuangxu turned around with the books in her arms. Mu Yan Shu took the initiative to greet her: “What a coincidence, are you buying books too?”

“Yeah.” Shuangxu turned back and continued to search.

She didn’t know much about Mu Yan Shu, but judging from her figure and demeanor, she seemed like a dancer. It was thanks to He Tingzhou’s good fortune that she had the chance to meet her.

Mu Yan Shu glanced at the bedtime stories in Shuangxu’s hands: “Are you buying them for Miss Yue?”

She was very intelligent, knowing that neither the Shen family nor the Song family had children. The only one in their circle with an eight-year-old sister was Yue Zi Feng, making it easy to guess.

“The one you’re holding is suitable for children over 12 years old, it might be a bit difficult for Miss Yue.” Mu Yan Shu picked up another very exquisite cartoon pop-up book, “Why not try this one? This one is more suitable for an eight-year-old.”

Shuangxu looked at her.

She seemed genuinely unaware of He Tingzhou’s bedtime habits.

Oh, right, she didn’t need to tell stories, she was the one fanning him.

Shuangxu’s lips twitched: “No need. This one is too childish for him.”

Mu Yan Shu smiled slightly: “Alright then.”

After putting the book back, she didn’t leave immediately but followed slowly behind Shuangxu，gently swaying her fan.

“I heard that Miss Song’s company is working on drones, right?” Her voice was naturally charming, and her speech was soft and gentle, making people feel comfortable and enjoy talking to her.

“Yes.” Shuangxu was unaffected by her, picking her own books at her own pace, “Are you interested in drones?”

“I just heard He Ye mention it a few times. I can’t handle these mechanical things, but He Ye likes them.” Mu Yan Shu chatted casually.

“Although he deliberately disagrees with the Commander and refuses to join the army, he still loves airplanes. When he was eighteen, he got his pilot’s license and flew solo across several continents. He wouldn’t come home, and he wouldn’t report his safety. The Commander was so worried back then. He’s a very carefree person, free-spirited and unrestrained.”

Shuangxu didn’t know about this.

He Tingzhou… was indeed a person who did whatever he pleased.

Mu Yan Shu continued: “Miss Song must have a lot in common with He Ye.”

Why was she suddenly talking to her about He Tingzhou?

Shuangxu quickly recalled the events.

Yesterday in the elevator, she hadn’t said much to He Tingzhou, and there was nothing wrong with the content.

She reached out and took a book from the shelf: “He Tingzhou and I mostly talk about work, we don’t have much in common.”

Mu Yan Shu carefully observed her expression. She was calm and flawless.

Although she hadn’t said much to He Tingzhou in the elevator yesterday, and the content was nothing special, some things were impossible to hide.

But she seemed polite to He Tingzhou, but she was actually a little bit fierce towards him. He Tingzhou’s response, and even his initiative to tease her, were all subtle clues worth pondering.

Of course, the most crucial thing was He Tingzhou’s gaze towards her.

It seemed casual and unconcerned at first glance, but when she spoke, he would focus on her eyes. The corners of his eyes would twitch slightly, as if he was observing the color of her pupils. At some point, he would glance down, gently sweeping over her moving lips.

He wanted to kiss her.

This was Mu Yanshu’s sixth sense. She had never seen He Tingzhou look at any woman with that kind of gaze.

She didn’t expect He Tingzhou would be interested in Shuangxu, this Miss Song, was born with a face that all men would love.

She was stunningly beautiful at first glance, unforgettable, but her eyes were pure, with a kind of clear innocence that others couldn’t imitate, even the length of her eyelashes was just right.

She worked hard to enter this circle, step by step, she stayed by his side for two years, she was patient and confident, she was not afraid of any woman competing with her.

But Shuangxu gave her a sense of crisis.

“Miss Song, which way are you going later? Can you give me a ride?”

“Where are you going?” Shuangxu asked.

“Huiying Street.” Mu Yanshu said, “The cheongsam I ordered last time is ready, I’m going to pick it up today.”

“Sure.” Shuangxu said, “It’s on the way.”

After paying the bill, Shuangxu carried her books into the car, Mu Yanshu sat in the passenger seat.

The way she fanned herself was gentle and graceful, Shuangxu remembered the scene of her fanning the sleeping He Tingzhou, she really knew how to enjoy life.

This ivory fan required extremely high craftsmanship, it needed to be carved from precious ivory into thin slices, with delicate patterns carved on it, thin as cicada wings, a cruel luxury.

Such a beautiful antique was perfect in Mu Yanshu’s slender jade hands.

Shuangxu had seen this fan many times.

“Your fan is very beautiful.”

“This fan, it’s from the Thirteen Trading Houses of the Qing Dynasty.” Mu Yanshu smiled softly, “I like old things, this was originally an old man’s collection, he wanted to please Master Zhou, so he gave it to me.”

She closed the fan and said generously, “Miss Song, if you like it, I can give it to you.”

“I don’t have the habit of taking things from others.” Shuangxu smiled, “Besides, I joined the animal protection association when I was in college.”

Mu Yanshu knew very well how ivory was obtained, but their values were different, she liked this “preciousness” more than her sympathy for animals.

When they arrived at Huiying Street, before getting off the car, she took the initiative to ask Shuangxu, “Miss Song, would you mind adding me on WeChat?”

After adding her as a friend, Shuangxu closed the car window and left, in the rearview mirror, Mu Yanshu was still smiling as she watched her leave.

Was she guilty? Why did everyone look like a sharp-eyed detective.