Volume One, Chapter 72: Consideration

After the team-building event ended, a new week unfolded much as usual. The only difference was that since Shen Xinghe had been taken away by Lu Wenzhou at the scenic area, he had not returned to Jiang Design. All matters regarding the store's design were handled by Jiang Wan, who negotiated directly with Andrew. If he didn’t bring it up, she didn’t press for details. It was the employees of Jiang Design who found themselves somewhat unaccustomed to the change. Without Shen Xinghe, the company felt less lively and seemed a bit cold.

*

That evening, as the end of the workday approached, Jiang Wan was reviewing her tasks and preparing to continue with her materials when Yan Yan suddenly called her. She invited Jiang Wan to dine at a restaurant to discuss the land issue. From Yan Yan’s tone, Jiang Wan sensed that things were not progressing smoothly. She set aside her work and accepted the invitation.

The dinner was set at a popular restaurant in Rongcheng, specializing in local Chinese cuisine. Jiang Wan arrived early and waited in the lobby. As soon as Yan Yan arrived, a group entered that immediately caught their attention.

“Jiang Wan?”

Shen Xinghe’s greeting made both Yan Yan and Jiang Wan turn around. Lin Hongguang, Lin Zhi, Lu Wenzhou, and Shen Xinghe walked in together; their presence was impossible to ignore. With Lu Wenzhou’s commanding aura and Shen Xinghe’s distinctive appearance, they drew even more attention.

It was Yan Yan’s first time meeting Shen Xinghe. Seeing that he knew Jiang Wan and was friendly with the Lin family, she asked, “And who is this…”

Yan Yan paused and walked over with Jiang Wan. Seeing Yan Yan didn’t recognize him, Lin Hongguang chuckled smugly and introduced, “He’s the youngest son of Secretary Shen—a retired top leader in the capital, and the younger brother of Wenzhou’s grandmother.”

As Lin Hongguang explained, Yan Yan’s smile faltered. Everyone knew that the previous head of the Lu family had two marriages. The first was an arranged match from childhood; they were married for years but had no children, only adopting a daughter—the very mother-in-law of Gu Huaixu’s uncle. After the first wife passed away, the Lu family head married a second wife, younger by more than ten years, who became Lu Wenzhou’s grandmother. The union of two powerful families established the Lu family’s unshakeable position in the capital. The Gu family could only connect to the Lu family through the adopted daughter and had no ties to the Shen family.

As long-standing rivals, Yan Yan never imagined that in just a few months, the Lin family would forge close ties with both major families in the capital. The gap between the two families grew invisibly wider.

Yan Yan could no longer maintain her smile, and Lin Hongguang saw it, unable to hide his satisfaction.

“Why didn’t your mother-in-law come?” Yan Yan forced herself to ask with a strained smile after exchanging greetings.

“Auntie wasn’t feeling well, so…” Lin Zhi began, but Shen Xinghe interrupted her.

“Mother-in-law?” Shen Xinghe caught on, eyes wide as he confirmed with Jiang Wan, “Is that your mother-in-law?”

He asked bluntly, without the slightest hint of propriety.

Jiang Wan smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“So it’s just you two? Why not join us for dinner?” Shen Xinghe suggested, “I told them there was no need, but the Lin family insisted on hosting me. I thought it’d be a hassle, but if you join, it’s not so bad.”

He spoke openly, unconcerned about anyone else. Lin Hongguang’s smile faltered at this, but Yan Yan was eager, “If you don’t mind, we…”

“Aren’t we all family? What’s there to mind?” Shen Xinghe replied immediately.

His matter-of-fact attitude left Lin Hongguang unable to refuse. So, the two parties merged into one table, taking a private room.

In the luxurious room, six people sat around a round table. To welcome Shen Xinghe, Lin Hongguang ordered nearly all the signature dishes. Despite his efforts, Shen Xinghe’s attention was focused entirely on Jiang Wan.

“It’s been days since I visited Jiang Design—I really miss the company lunchboxes.”

“Do your employees miss me? I bet they talk about me a lot.”

“Did you have any other team-building activities on Sunday? Without me, it must have been half as fun…”

He spoke to Jiang Wan almost exclusively, ignoring everyone else. In the spacious private room, only Shen Xinghe spoke with enthusiasm. The others watched him and Jiang Wan intently, the atmosphere growing subtly awkward.

Jiang Wan felt uncomfortable.

“Cough, cough.” After answering, she coughed to break the tension and took a sip of water for cover.

“Perhaps we should stop talking about Jiang Design.”

“What should we talk about, then?” Shen Xinghe leaned back naturally in his seat. It was this movement that made him realize everyone was staring at him, each with their own expression.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” He was unfazed, popping a pastry into his mouth. “You don’t think I have other intentions toward Jiang Wan, do you? I’m not a pervert—why would I covet a married woman?”

Shen Xinghe’s remark hit the mark. The room’s atmosphere instantly cooled.

“If I really had intentions, would I chat openly with her in front of you all? Wouldn’t I try to secretly woo her?”

The temperature seemed to drop further. Jiang Wan struggled with his frankness, feeling increasingly uneasy.

“All right, I’ll stop talking. You all carry on.” Shen Xinghe spread his hands, utterly unbothered, as if no one else mattered.

Yan Yan stepped in to diffuse the situation. “Mr. Shen, you flatter Jiang Wan—it’s her honor to have your regard. If you ever have the chance, you’re welcome to visit the Gu family; Jiang Wan and I would be delighted to host you.”

“Sounds good,” Shen Xinghe agreed promptly, upright and straightforward.

With the atmosphere somewhat eased, the dishes were nearly all served. Lin Hongguang helped smooth things over, inviting everyone to eat.

“No wonder the Lin family has such a firm grip on that piece of land,” Yan Yan remarked halfway through the meal, after a few drinks, unable to hide her displeasure.

Her candid admission surprised the others. Jiang Wan hadn’t expected Yan Yan, always so competitive, to openly concede in front of her rival.

Was she preparing to give up?

Jiang Wan frowned slightly; Lin Hongguang, unable to contain his joy, replied, “It’s all thanks to Wenzhou.”

Their brief exchange made Jiang Wan realize something. While she was unaware, the competition over the land had shifted. Though the auction hadn’t begun, it was already assumed to be Lin’s for the taking.

All Yan Yan’s previous efforts had amounted to nothing. With Lu Wenzhou involved, the Gu family was no match.

Jiang Wan’s hand tightened around her chopsticks. Yan Yan drank another glass, speaking through the haze of alcohol, “That’s a big piece of meat—Lin Group might not swallow it all at once.”

“If there’s anything you need, Gu Group can help.”

She was now seeking cooperation.

Lin Hongguang saw through her intention and smiled, “If Gu Group is sincere, we can consider working together.”

His answer surprised the others. Yan Yan could hardly believe it, and Lin Zhi called out, “Dad!”

She widened her eyes, smiling without warmth, “Have you had too much to drink?”

“There’s a happy event in the family—it’s not like you’re outsiders,” Lin Hongguang replied, his face flushed, not entirely from the wine.

“Happy event? What happy event?” Yan Yan asked in confusion, glancing at Lin Zhi and Lu Wenzhou. “Could it be…”