Chapter 32: Are you jealous?
"Sir, it's about Miss Susie. Assistant Liu would like you to return to the office."
"Got it."
Gu Hanling gave a slight nod, responding simply. Butler Wang quickly left to make the necessary arrangements.
The man glanced at Shen Xi, who had been distracted since earlier. A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips as he leaned closer and whispered,
"Are you jealous?"
The warmth of his breath brushing against her ear made Shen Xi shudder, goosebumps rising all over her skin.
‘Oh, trying to test if I have feelings for you? Not happening. No way am I letting you "sleep" with me for free.'
Shen Xi turned to him, rolling her eyes before retorting,
"If I were jealous, I'd be jealous of Jingyan, not you."
Gu Hanling let out a cold laugh and straightened up. Just hearing the name "Shi Jingyan" irritated him for some reason.
"I'm just curious, who exactly is this Susie? I feel like I’ve heard the name before. Not sure if it's the same person you're talking about."
"Eat your breakfast first."
Gu Hanling didn't answer her question. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving Shen Xi standing there.
"Did I piss him off again?"
Watching his retreating figure, Shen Xi frowned in confusion.
In the original novel, there was no mention of a "Susie" character. Now, this was the second time she'd heard the name, and somehow, “she” was connected to Gu Hanling.
This didn’t make sense. Maybe her arrival had unknowingly altered key plot points, causing a butterfly effect that slowly veered further and further from the original storyline.
The uncertainty of the future unsettled her. Her hidden identity, which originally belonged to her but had been erased by the author, was now being used by someone else.
Was someone trying to completely block her from reclaiming the heroine's spotlight? Was this the fate of a villainous supporting character?
After handling today's matter with Keke, it was time to meet her brother’s girlfriend, “Susie”.
At the breakfast table, Gu Hanling didn’t keep her guessing for long. He briefly explained that the "Ocean Star", a jewelry piece that had been auctioned for 800 million yuan, was a crucial stepping stone for Gu Corporation’s expansion into international luxury markets. Essentially, they had spent 800 million on a top-tier advertisement.
As per the European client’s request, they had been searching for a returning Chinese designer for days. Susie had passed the identity verification process, and Gu Hanling was heading back to discuss further business matters.
After hearing all this, Shen Xi suddenly lost her appetite. Even the most delicious breakfast now tasted like cardboard.
Especially when she learned that Susie’s compensation was no less than 20 million yuan.
Now, she was even more eager to meet this fake "Susie."
How was it that she herself couldn't even prove she was Susie, but someone else had managed to pass the company’s verification process?!
Shen Xi clenched her fists under the table, feeling incredibly frustrated.
I will take back everything that belongs to me!
Stealing her money so blatantly? That person must have some serious guts!
After breakfast, Gu Hanling personally drove Shen Xi in his Bentley, first to Su Kexin’s house, then to the office. His reason? "It's on the way."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Shen Xi suddenly had a random thought and asked,
"Big Brother, am I the first woman to sit in the front passenger seat of your car?"
"No."
"Oh, good."
Hearing his immediate response, Shen Xi figured he was telling the truth. She let out a small sigh of relief. Her supporting character status was still holding strong. Her dignity was intact.
But this time, Gu Hanling had lied.
He rarely drove himself, which meant no one had ever sat in his passenger seat before.
A trace of amusement flickered in Gu Hanling's eyes. He was starting to figure out Shen Xi's way of thinking.
As the Bentley pulled into Su Kexin’s neighborhood, it quickly drew the attention of passersby. After all, luxury cars like this were rarely seen in the area.
By the time they arrived, Keke was already waiting outside the house. The moment she saw Shen Xi step out of the car, she rushed over like a startled deer, her eyes slightly red.
"Xixi, I think I lost my job… A lot of my colleagues said the main store was shut down today. Did something happen to Jiang Bailang?"
Shen Xi had heard before that Jiang Bailang had promoted Keke to a supervisor position. Feeling a little awkward, she cleared her throat and muttered,
"Uh… it was probably my big brother's doing… And it’s probably not just about losing your job…"
"Your brother?"
Keke looked confused and glanced past Shen Xi toward the man stepping out of the car. When her eyes landed on Gu Hanling, they widened in shock as she instinctively examined him from head to toe.
The man stood tall with an elegant demeanor, and his sharp features were even more stunning than her favorite top-tier idol, An Yufei.
"This is my best friend, Su Kexin."
"And this… is my big brother."
Gu Hanling gave a polite nod and smiled like a true gentleman.
"Hello, I'm Xixi’s husband."
Keke was stunned. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her. Her mouth fell open in an "O" shape.
She had only known that Shen Xi’s husband was rich, but she never expected him to be this handsome.
No wonder Shen Xi never introduced her husband to anyone.
What girl wouldn’t fall for him at first sight? If she showed him off, wouldn’t other women try to snatch him away?
"H-Hello!"
Keke quickly waved at him, flustered.
Then, unable to contain herself, she leaned in to whisper excitedly to Shen Xi,
"Xixi, you've been hiding something this big!"
"Now I get why you never spare Shi Jingyan a glance. Your husband standing next to him is like heaven and earth!"
"...Haha."
Shen Xi let out an awkward chuckle, sneaking a glance at Gu Hanling, worried that he might overhear.
Gu Hanling, however, simply smiled with amusement at her reaction.
"I’m heading back to the office."
With that, he turned and got into the car, driving off without another word.
Shen Xi watched his car disappear in the distance, silently fuming.
She had assumed he would drop her off and leave. Who knew he’d even get out of the car, introduce himself to Keke, and call himself her husband?!
"Come on, Keke. Find somewhere quiet. I need to talk to you."
Noticing Shen Xi’s serious expression, Keke quickly nodded and led her into her house.
Keke’s home was simple but cozy. She poured Shen Xi a cup of coffee before sitting down on the sofa.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Xi handed over a file, Jiang Bailang’s report, and told Keke everything.
As she listened, Keke’s face turned pale. Tears began streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.
She might not have believed anyone else, but she believed Shen Xi.
"Xixi… what should I do…?"
Her hands clenched the fabric of her shirt, her voice trembling.
She never imagined that Jiang Bailang was such a horrible person.
All along, everything he did was just to destroy her in the end.
Shen Xi felt a pang of heartache for her friend. She pulled Keke into an embrace, her voice filled with pride.
"Don’t worry. My brother said the Jiang family is finished. You won’t see him in Su City ever again."
Keke, still teary-eyed, lifted her face from Shen Xi’s shoulder.
"Xixi, your husband treats you so well. I’m just your friend, and he was willing to help me."
Shen Xi wiped away Keke’s tears, snorting playfully.
"You’re my best friend. What do you mean, ‘just a friend’?"
"And besides, he didn’t do it just for me. It was just convenient for him."
After that, the two of them threw everything related to Jiang Bailang into the garbage bin downstairs, including that fake engagement ring.
They exchanged a knowing smile.
Just then, two young people passed by, their phone speakers blasting a TikTok clip.
"I know you still love me… even though we had to part ways…"
"The live vocals are insane! It already has three million likes, and you’re just now hearing it?"
Keke turned to Shen Xi in shock, noticing her frozen expression.
"Xixi… that voice sounds just like you."