Chapter 13: Holding Hands?
Lin Yueyue, who had been silent the whole time, glanced at Shen Xi’s expensive jade jewelry.
She remembered how Shi Jingyan had once given her a piece of jewelry worth tens of thousands for her birthday. Back then, she felt like the happiest woman in the world.
But now, jealousy burned inside her. Biting her lower lip, she stepped forward with a sweet smile.
"So, you must be Mr. Gu! We’ve been looking forward to meeting Xixi’s husband. Now that I see you, I have to say. She's very lucky!"
She spoke playfully, as if she were an old friend teasing Shen Xi. Her eyes were full of amusement as she turned to her.
"Xixi, Mr. Gu is so outstanding. Why are you still thinking about your high school crush?"
Before Shen Xi could respond, a large hand wrapped around her shoulders.
"Xixi is so beautiful. I'm the one who is lucky," Gu Hanling said.
"If she’s still thinking about someone else, then that only means I’m not good enough."
He gazed at her with what seemed like deep affection. Their eyes met, and his words sounded perfect. But to Shen Xi, his gaze was as cold as ever, like an icy, bottomless lake.
Lin Yueyue's jealousy twisted like a knife in her heart. She wanted to say more, but Shi Jingyan suddenly turned and walked away.
Feeling anxious, she quickly followed.
"Brother Jing!"
"You… do you still have feelings for Xixi?"
Her voice was soft and pitiful, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Shi Jingyan had been looking grim, but when he saw her like this, his heart softened. He had never been able to resist Lin Yueyue when she acted this way.
Shaking his head, he said, "No. Let’s go."
Shen Xi remained where she was, watching Shi Jingyan’s back as he walked away. She reached out slightly as if she wanted to stop him, but then hesitated and slowly pulled her hand back.
Her eyes turned red, misty with unshed tears. She glanced at Gu Hanling with a hint of blame.
"Why did you say those things in front of Jingyan on purpose?"
Since both of the "victims" had been present earlier, she hadn’t been able to act. Now, she was putting on a heartfelt performance to make up for her lack of reaction before.
Gu Hanling let out a faint, cool smile.
"This is the ‘male human’ you’re so obsessed with?"
Shen Xi lowered her head, avoiding his gaze. She sniffled.
"He was my first love."
"Pretty average. You should get yourself a pair of sunglasses."
Shen Xi looked up at him, confused.
Compared to you, of course, he seems average. But… what do sunglasses have to do with anything?
"Because you’re blind."
"You—!"
Shen Xi wanted to argue back, but she decided not to overact and make it too obvious, so she stayed silent.
"Let’s go."
Gu Hanling didn’t wait for her response. He turned and walked toward the hotel entrance, where a sleek black luxury car was already waiting.
Shen Xi followed behind, surprised when she saw the car.
Wait… it’s not a Rolls-Royce? Isn’t that the standard for CEOs like him?
The driver handed the keys to Gu Hanling, who got into the driver’s seat himself.
After a moment of hesitation, Shen Xi climbed into the passenger seat.
The ride was completely silent.
The heavy, awkward atmosphere in the car made Shen Xi uncomfortable.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Su Kexin, her best friend, whom she hadn’t spoken to in days.
"Keke! You finally remembered me!"
"Huh? I didn’t want to bother you… You usually only call when you need something."
The car's soundproofing was excellent, but even with the phone held to her ear, the conversation was crystal clear inside the cabin.
She didn’t lower the volume, afraid Gu Hanling might get suspicious.
"Of course not! You should call me more! Chat with me more. I’m so bored I could die. Anyway, Keke, what’s up?"
"Xixi, don’t tell me you forgot… The day after tomorrow is Shi Jingyan’s birthday!"
"Didn't you say we'd pick a gift together today?"
Hearing those words, Shen Xi's heart tensed up. She instinctively glanced at the man beside her. He must have heard it, yet Gu Hanling remained focused on driving, showing no reaction at all.
As expected… As long as she isn't interested in him, he doesn't care if his ‘wife’ is chasing after a married man.
"Of course, I remember. But today, I have something important to do, so I can't go."
On the other end of the call, Su Kexin panicked.
"What do we do then? I heard that green tea Lin Yueyue has been preparing a gift for a long time. If this keeps up, Xixi, it'll be even harder for you to win back Shi Jingyan’s heart!"
"Don't worry! Of course, I wouldn’t forget such an important day. I already prepared a gift for him, way better than Lin Yueyue’s."
Yeah, right. As if she would prepare anything. Honestly, she would rather send him a funeral wreath.
Though she sounded confident, deep inside, she was completely disgusted.
After a bit more small talk, the call ended.
Shen Xi quickly ran through their conversation in her mind, making sure there were no mistakes. With a sigh of relief, she thought to herself, Next time, I need to buy headphones. This is no different from putting the call on speaker.
Seeing her put down the phone, Gu Hanling spoke casually.
"You’d better be prepared to miss that man's birthday. You might have to stay here for a few days."
Shen Xi's eyes widened in shock before she slumped back into her seat like a wilted eggplant. On the outside, she looked defeated, but inside, she was thrilled.
Great! I was worried I'd actually have to go and keep up the act.
But then she replayed his words in her head.
He said ‘you’ have to stay for a few days… not ‘we.’
Wait… Am I going to be left alone at the Gu family estate? I don’t know how to play these noble family games!
The rest of the ride was silent.
……………………………
An Hour Later, The Gu Family Estate.
Shen Xi had dozed off with her eyes closed when she felt the car stop. Opening her eyes, she saw that Gu Hanling had already stepped out of the car. She was about to complain about his lack of gentlemanly manners. Until her passenger door was suddenly opened for her.
"Get out," he said.
At the entrance of the mansion, over a dozen luxury cars of various brands were parked neatly. In the pavilion not far away, several drivers were leisurely cracking sunflower seeds. Now that their boss had entered the mansion, so this was their most relaxing time.
"Hey, isn't that President Gu's car?" one driver whispered.
"Yeah. Why is he driving himself today?"
"And look! He’s personally opening the door for someone? Who is that woman? She’s stunning!"
"That must be the new Mrs. Gu! Have you ever seen any woman beside President Gu before?"
"Now that you mention it, this is the first time he’s brought his wife to the estate. They really look like a perfect match, truly a handsome couple."
The other onlookers silently nodded in agreement.
………………………………
Inside the Gu Family Estate.
Walking into the grand estate, Shen Xi was captivated by its traditional beauty. The intricate wood carvings, the elegant garden layout. Every corner exuded the deep heritage and understated luxury of the century-old Gu family.
They stepped onto the stone-paved path, following the winding corridors. Shen Xi, dressed in a cheongsam, blended perfectly with the picturesque surroundings.
Even the ancient imperial gardens probably weren’t this beautiful! she thought in awe.
"Big bro—"
She had just started speaking when Gu Hanling cut her off.
"Call me by my name here."
Shen Xi hesitated for a moment before reluctantly saying,
"Hanling…"
The name felt strangely intimate, making her whole body shudder.
Before she could dwell on it, Gu Hanling suddenly took her hand in his warm, firm grip.
Shen Xi’s first instinct was to pull away, but he held on tightly.
Her beautiful eyes widened, just as she was about to speak...
"Shh, we’re here."