Chapter 28: Losing the Gu Family’s Face
Shi Jingyan silently observed the people around him as Lin Yueyue’s friends steered the conversation, freely mocking Shen Xi’s husband, making him sound terrible.
Even though he knew what they were saying wasn’t true, he couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction. In this moment, Gu Hanling seemed to be inferior to him.
People always love hearing things that work in their favor, even if they know they’re false.
Meanwhile, outside the hotel, the three of them stepped out. Shen Xi lagged a few steps behind and walked over to the still-dazed Keke. She subtly signaled Shen Zekai, who immediately understood and grinned, making an "OK" gesture before striding ahead toward the parking lot to fetch his car.
Shen Xi took a moment to choose her words carefully before speaking softly.
“Keke, you saw what happened today. Jiang Bailang isn’t right for you. If you stay with him, you’ll only get hurt even more in the future.”
Su Kexin bit her lip, hesitation flickering in her eyes. Her fingers instinctively brushed over the ring on her hand as she spoke with a shaky voice.
“Bailang isn’t usually like this. He said he’ll love me forever. Maybe… maybe there’s a reason behind his actions.”
Hearing this, Shen Xi frowned deeply, feeling helpless.
[I have a friend who’s hopelessly love-struck. Is there any way to save her? Please reply ASAP, it’s urgent!]
She felt like posting on a forum to ask for help from the internet.
Looking at the once-lively Keke now appearing so drained, Shen Xi’s heart ached. She gently held Su Kexin’s soft hand and said,
“Keke, he already hit you once. Domestic violence isn’t a ‘one-time thing.’ It’s either never or it happens over and over. A guy like Jiang Bailang isn’t even as good as my little brother. Why don’t you consider him instead?”
Honestly, Shen Xi almost wanted to say, Why not consider her instead?
But alas, her younger brother was long gone. Not wanting to let such a good girl like Su Kexin be wasted, she officially started promoting Shen Zekai.
Keke was momentarily stunned, subconsciously glancing at the tall figure leading the way ahead. A slight blush crept onto her face, and a hint of nervousness flashed in her eyes as she quickly muttered,
“Xixi, what nonsense are you talking about? I’m older than your brother by a few years, and besides… I just accepted Bailang’s proposal.”
“So what? They say if the woman is three years older, it’s like holding a gold brick. Better to rip the bandage off now than suffer later.”
Hearing the conversation behind him, Shen Zekai suddenly turned around and interrupted,
“Sister, don’t try to play matchmaker. I already have a girlfriend.”
“…Huh??”
Shen Xi’s eyes widened in surprise, as if she had just discovered a new world.
“Wait, don’t tell me she’s one of those flashy ‘internet girls’?”
Shen Zekai crossed his arms, looking smug.
“No way. She’s—”
Before he could finish, hurried footsteps approached from behind. Jiang Bailang had caught up, reaching out to grab Su Kexin’s hand. His face was filled with urgency as he pleaded,
“Keke, let me explain! What just happened was just an act for Shi Jingyan. This business deal is really important to me. It’s all for our future.”
Su Kexin saw the sincerity in Jiang Bailang’s eyes. She had already been wavering, and now she felt even more uncertain.
She glanced back at Shen Xi and saw the clear disapproval in her furrowed brows and darkened gaze. After an internal struggle, she hesitated before speaking,
“Xixi… I think I should go back with Bailang and talk things through.”
She bit her lip nervously, afraid that Shen Xi would be angry.
In her eyes, Su Kexin was just an ordinary girl. If a wealthy businessman’s son had chosen her, what else could she be tricked for besides her body? And he had even proposed.
Shen Xi looked at Su Kexin’s pitiful expression and couldn’t help but soften. Even though she knew Keke would go back and get sweet-talked by that smooth-talking jerk again, there was nothing she could do for now.
She would have to think of another way.
“Go ahead, Keke. Keep in touch if anything happens.”
"I will silently protect you from behind until you find true happiness of your own."
Su Kexin nodded slightly, gratitude filling her eyes as she left with the man.
Watching Jiang Bailang lead Keke away, Shen Xi felt a mix of emotions.
She was a woman, but she wouldn’t let her emotions control her. She wasn’t the type to get overly sentimental over something like this.
Taking a deep breath, she turned around and gave Shen Zekai, who was still dazed, a pat on the shoulder.
"Let’s go. What are you spacing out for? I haven’t eaten enough yet. Dinner’s on me."
"And while we eat, we’ll have a little chat about your ‘internet girl’ friend."
Shen Zekai snapped out of his thoughts and grinned, following behind her.
"Sister, she’s not an ‘internet girl.’ She just got back to the country not long ago. Her name is Susie, and she’s a jewelry designer. The first time we met…"
As Shen Zekai animatedly continued his story, Shen Xi suddenly felt a loud buzzing in her head. She didn’t hear another word he said.
A strange feeling surged inside her, making her heart pound uncontrollably.
It was like seeing her own shadow detach from the ground and greet her with a casual "hello", utterly bizarre.
Another Susie? Another me?
"Sister, what’s wrong?"
Seeing Shen Xi suddenly stop in her tracks, Shen Zekai looked at her with confusion.
Shen Xi snapped out of it, shook her head slightly, and let out a slow breath.
"Let’s go. Tell me more about this Susie of yours on the way."
……………………………………
By the time Shen Xi returned to the villa, it was already late at night.
She pushed open the door, only to find the living room empty. The only thing on the coffee table was a stack of documents. There was no sign of anyone.
Just then, a door on the first floor opened. Shen Xi turned her gaze toward it and suddenly felt her breath catch.
Standing there was Gu Hanling, shirtless, with a white towel draped casually around his neck as he wiped the sweat from his face.
Clearly, he had just finished working out. Sweat glistened on his skin, highlighting his well-defined muscles, lean and strong, without the excessive bulk of a typical gym addict.
Okay. Shen Xi had to take back all her past complaints about "cold CEO types" never needing to work out yet still looking effortlessly fit. Turns out, truly exceptional people put in the work when no one is watching…
Sensing someone in the living room, Gu Hanling lifted his gaze. Their eyes met.
For a moment, silence filled the air.
He hadn’t expected Shen Xi to return so soon. Under normal circumstances, his self-discipline would never allow him to appear shirtless in front of a woman.
Most women would probably be thrilled at the sight of his physique, eager to admire it.
But Gu Hanling noticed that Shen Xi’s expression was… strange.
Unlike the usual lustful gazes from other women, hers didn’t seem interested at all. In fact… was that jealousy in her eyes?
"You’re back early, Madam?"
"???"
Shen Xi blinked, confused.
"What do you mean?"
Gu Hanling let out a faint chuckle, his tone carrying an odd edge.
"I thought you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. Oh? The gift wasn’t enough to win over that Shi guy? He didn’t ask you to stay with him?"
"???"
Shen Xi was about to snap back with “Of course not”, but then she suddenly remembered the persona she was supposed to maintain in front of him.
Her expression darkened slightly as she lowered her gaze, looking a little aggrieved.
"He had his girlfriend with him. He didn’t need me there. Besides, he didn’t seem to like my gift very much."
Of course he didn’t like it, because she never even gave it to him.
Gu Hanling had assumed that Shen Xi had dressed up so carefully today because she was planning to present herself as the gift.
That thought alone made his voice turn colder.
"I don’t care who you like."
"But right now, you are my wife, Mrs. Gu. Don’t get too close to other men and bring shame to the Gu family."