Chapter 25: A One-of-a-Kind Gift
To have a proper conversation with Shen Xi, Keke took a seat in the back of the car early. As soon as the car came to a stop, Jiang Bailang eagerly got out, walked around to the other side, and opened the front passenger door for Shen Xi.
Although he only mingled with the usual rich second-generation circles, he had heard rumors that the powerful CEO Gu and his wife didn’t get along well.
He thought to himself, If Shen Xi has been neglected by her husband for so long, she must be feeling incredibly lonely and unsatisfied. If he could become her secret lover, wouldn’t that mean having both wealth and beauty at my fingertips?
Jiang Bailang's gaze shamelessly scanned Shen Xi from head to toe. She looked especially stunning today, making his throat go dry.
Shen Xi paused for a moment, her delicate brows slightly furrowing. She let out a cold, mocking chuckle.
“Heh, thanks, but I’ll sit in the back with Keke.”
With that, she ignored him, walked to the backseat, opened the door, and got in.
Jiang Bailang's face stiffened with embarrassment. He turned around, sat back in the driver’s seat, and started the car, driving away from the villa.
Not far away, Gu Hanling stood outside the house, silently watching everything unfold.
Taking out his phone, he checked the surveillance footage and noted the car's license plate.
Then, he dialed a number.
The person on the other end answered in less than a second.
“Mr. Gu, I was just about to call you.”
A clear and professional male voice came through the phone. It was Assistant Liu.
“What is it?” Gu Hanling asked.
“A woman claiming to be a designer named Susie contacted the company. We’re verifying her identity.”
“Mm.” Gu Hanling responded indifferently. After a brief pause, he gave another order.
“Look into the owner of the black Mercedes with license plate 4444 in Su City.”
“Understood, Mr. Gu.”
After hanging up, Gu Hanling turned and walked back inside. Not far away, Butler Wang stood silently, feeling a bit sorry for the unlucky Mercedes owner.
………………………………………
“Xixi, you look so pretty today!”
As soon as they got into the car, Keke clung to Shen Xi’s arm, her bright eyes sparkling, carrying a faint, youthful fragrance.
Shen Xi found it odd, Keke didn’t seem to notice anything off about Jiang Bailang’s behavior just now.
“You’re adorable too. My Keke is the cutest.”
Shen Xi smiled and lightly pinched Su Kexin’s soft cheek. Today, Keke was wearing a pleated JK-style skirt with black stockings, completely in line with Shen Xi’s aesthetic.
She thought to herself, If she wore black stockings, she wondered how that icy man at home would react.
Teasing Gu Hanling to make him show new expressions seemed pretty fun. But that was just a passing thought, she had no intention of actually seducing him. She was only here for the reward, and besides, she wasn’t interested in men.
“Xixi, why didn’t you put on any makeup?”
Noticing that Shen Xi had only applied a simple lip tint, Su Kexin was puzzled. After all, today’s event was going to be a ‘battlefield’, she had to look her best and completely outshine Lin Yueyue.
Shen Xi wanted to say it was because she didn’t know how to do makeup, but before she could explain, Su Kexin leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“I get it. You want to beat Lin Yueyue without even trying, so that green tea faker will feel completely humiliated.”
“Huh?”
Shen Xi twitched at the corner of her mouth, speechless at Keke’s wild imagination. Though, to be fair, she wasn’t wrong.
Shen Xi had naturally perfect facial features. Even without makeup, she had a pure and elegant beauty. The kind that made men want to marry her at first sight.
But she had no interest in competing with Lin Yueyue. In fact, she sincerely hoped the male and female leads would live happily ever after, get married, and have a bunch of kids, like those classic CEO romance novels. That way, they’d be too busy to bother her.
It was a nice dream.
Too bad she forgot one thing, without her as a stepping stone, how would their love story progress?
Jiang Bailang, sitting in the driver’s seat, kept glancing at the rearview mirror, sneaking peeks at Shen Xi in the back. It felt like a swarm of ants was crawling in his heart. Unfortunately, the two women were whispering to each other the whole time, leaving him no chance to join the conversation.
Shen Xi and Keke chatted and laughed all the way, and before they knew it, they arrived at their destination, the Shi family’s hotel.
This hotel was only one-tenth the size of the prestigious Yunding Hotel, but... at least it could be booked for a private event.
As soon as she got out of the car, Shen Xi spotted her so-called younger brother, still with that annoying yellow hair and his usual cocky, troublemaking look.
“Sister.”
“Uh... Sister Keke.”
Shen Zekai’s gaze lingered on Jiang Bailang, who was standing too close to his sister, making him inexplicably uncomfortable.
“And who’s this?”
“Keke’s boyfriend. What are you doing here?”
After a brief round of introductions, Shen Zekai grinned excitedly and said, “I’m here to help!”
“Help?”
Shen Xi frowned, a dark line forming on her face.
You helping? I’d be grateful if you didn’t make things worse.
And with that, the “Villainous Trio” was officially assembled. A full-on mid-lane team fight was about to break out. Three troublemakers plus a passerby versus the main character squad. Advantage: us!
Seeing that the three of them still had things to discuss, Jiang Bailang excused himself, saying he would go inside and greet Shi Jingyan. And so, the passerby left to do his own thing.
“Xixi, what gift did you prepare?”
“Yeah, Sister, didn’t you say it was a one-of-a-kind gift?”
Shen Xi cleared her throat, looking a little embarrassed.
“What did Shi Jingyan give me for my birthday?” she asked.
Hearing that, Su Kexin’s brows knitted together, and she huffed in annoyance.
“Xixi, did you forget? He didn’t even show up! He said Lin Yueyue was throwing a breakup tantrum and only sent you a birthday text. And you were so happy you couldn’t sleep all night.”
“......”
Shen Xi was speechless.
The original Shen Xi was such a pathetic simp.
See? That’s what happens when you keep chasing someone who doesn’t care about you.
Raising an eyebrow, she gave them a sly smile.
“So, you see, I’m just returning the favor. My gift is a one-of-a-kind blessing. Plus, I actually showed up in person. Face and formality, both covered.”
“???”
“???”
…………………………………
Inside the banquet hall, most of the attendees were their former high school classmates. Shen Xi, once the school’s most beautiful girl, had been the dream of every male student back then.
Leading the group, the three of them entered smoothly without needing an invitation.
Inside, regardless of their current financial status, most of the men were dressed in suits, looking like successful businessmen, while the women were all dressed to impress, adorned with expensive accessories.
Only the Villainous Trio stood out. One looked like a rebellious punk instead of a rich heir, another like an innocent JK-style schoolgirl, and then there was… the celestial beauty who had mistakenly wandered into the mortal world—Shen Xi.
The moment they walked in, Shen Xi regretted her outfit choice. Among this crowd, where everyone relied on clothing and accessories to flaunt their status, her effortlessly elegant look made her stand out even more.
“Is that Shen Xi? Still as gorgeous as ever.”
“Of course. Back in high school, she was the only school beauty.”
“But it’s her aura, she’s even more stunning now. Like a fresh lotus blooming from water. Pure and charming. No wonder she’s been my goddess for years.”
“Hah, pure? I heard from Yueyue’s old high school roommate that Shen Xi was always chasing after Shi Jingyan, trying to be a homewrecker.”
“For real? Spill the details.”
…………………………………
Whispers spread as onlookers gossiped, throwing quick glances in her direction.
Shen Xi ignored them completely and led her two friends to a quieter corner, picking up some desserts from the long buffet table.
She had only come to make an appearance, to keep up the lie she had told Gu Hanling.
Taking a bite of the mango mille-feuille, she thought, Mm... Not as good as the ones at the Gu family’s place.
Shi’s hotel desserts were certainly high-end, but they couldn’t compare to the ones made by the top-tier pastry chef Gu Hanling had hired.
Shen Xi couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Her mouth has indeed been spoiled by her big brother...