Wen Xian turned with a cold expression to look at the frozen Xu Chuwei. She casually slapped the documents into Xu Chuwei’s arms and said, word by word: “Weren’t you asking last time what our relationship was?”
Wen Xian walked to Xu Chuwei’s side, leaned close to her ear, and whispered something.
After speaking, Wen Xian left without even a backward glance.
She left Xu Chuwei standing there, her emotions in turmoil.
Shen Lingge stood up. It was only because of Wen Xian that he spared this woman another glance. His slightly cold, dark eyes fixed on her face: “What did she say to you?”
Xu Chuwei parted her lips. After hesitating repeatedly, she finally decided to tell Shen Lingge: “Mr. Shen, she… she said she’s your dad.”
Shen Lingge: “……”
Shen Lingge no longer paid Xu Chuwei any attention. Instead, he strode off to chase Wen Xian. The little girl was walking faster and faster, so he had to jog a few steps before grabbing her hand to stop her from running away.
Though Wen Xian was forced to halt, she still kept a stiff face, refusing to look at Shen Lingge.
Shen Lingge sighed helplessly: “When did you get here? Did you come alone?”
Wen Xian’s face remained taut, her tone rigid: “None of your business.”
The commotion they caused wasn’t small. Many people turned to look, especially when they saw Shen Lingge holding a woman’s hand—some were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out.
Zhao Cheng poked Chi Yanyu: “Yanyu, weren’t you just talking nonsense earlier?”
Chi Yanyu: “…This is the first time I’ve seen Lingge like this too.”
Shen Lingge led her in another direction. Wen Xian struggled slightly but, finding she couldn’t break free, let him have his way. She had already decided not to acknowledge him.
With so many eyes around, Shen Lingge didn’t want her to learn about his identity under these circumstances.
Only after entering a lounge did Shen Lingge finally stop. He lowered his gaze to look at the sulking girl and said softly: “What are you angry about? You didn’t even tell me you were coming.”
Wen Xian glared up at him and snapped: “If I’d told you, would I have been able to catch you sneaking around behind my back?!”
Shen Lingge guided Wen Xian to sit on the sofa. He knelt in front of her, tilting his head up slightly to meet her eyes: “Do you know that woman from earlier? If she upset you, I won’t see her again.”
Wen Xian pressed her lips together and stayed silent.
Seeing that Wen Xian didn’t want to speak, Shen Lingge had no choice but to call his assistant, Xiao Song. He had already investigated the backgrounds of everyone attending today. A minute later, he hung up.
He couldn’t help but tighten his grip on Wen Xian’s hand, his dark eyes tinged with guilt: “Xian Xian, today I was supposed to meet four project managers. I didn’t know she was Xu Chuwei.”
Wen Xian knew Shen Lingge had never met Xu Chuwei and didn’t recognize her. But she was still unhappy—so unhappy that it even surpassed how she’d felt when she discovered Xu Chuwei was with Qin Song.
None of this was Shen Lingge’s fault. It was the possessiveness in her heart acting up, her feelings for him making her utterly miserable in this moment.
Like a childish little brat.
Wen Xian lowered her eyes, refusing to look at him, and muttered: “I’m going back. Duoduo is waiting for me.”
Shen Lingge knew she wouldn’t calm down anytime soon. After a moment of silence, he replied: “I’ll have someone take you back. Wait here for me—I’ll go find Duoduo.”
Wen Xian gave a quiet hum and said nothing else.
The moment Shen Lingge stepped out of the lounge, his demeanor shifted completely. The last traces of gentleness vanished, leaving only a sharp, icy coldness on his face.
Duoduo and Assistant Xiao Song were standing not far away, waiting for him.
The moment they noticed Shen Lingge’s expression, both silently lowered their heads.
Shen Lingge frowned and said, “From now on, Shen Corporation will not participate in any projects related to the Xu family. Terminate all previous collaborations as well—the penalty fees will be covered by Shen Corp.”
Assistant Xiao Song immediately bent forward in acknowledgment: “Understood.”
After speaking, Shen Lingge turned to Duoduo. He rubbed his temples slightly irritably: “Later, you’ll accompany her into the car. The driver will take you back to Shen Residence. I’ll return tonight.”
Duoduo nodded hurriedly.
…
Shen Lingge watched as Wen Xian and Duoduo left together. From beginning to end, she didn’t glance back at him even once. He knew—when she came, she must have been brimming with joy.
Xu Chuwei, who had been left behind, had long since been escorted away.
Chi Yanyu noticed Shen Lingge’s grim expression and quietly exchanged a few words with the person beside him before walking over to pat Shen Lingge’s shoulder: “Brother, what happened?”
Shen Lingge withdrew his gaze: “I upset her.”
Chi Yanyu raised an eyebrow: “Is that your little sweetheart?”
Shen Lingge shot him a look but didn’t respond.
Chi Yanyu cleared his throat: “Brother, I’ve already said my goodbyes. If you have things to handle, go ahead and leave.”
Despite Chi Yanyu’s words, Shen Lingge stayed until the horse race ended. Once it was over, he hurriedly left—his urgency making Chi Yanyu even more curious about the girl’s identity.
—
Wen Xian wasn’t familiar with Mingcheng’s roads. Her face remained stiff as she listened to Duoduo whispering beside her: “Miss, are you angry with Sir? When I looked earlier, he didn’t even glance properly at that woman.”
Wen Xian sighed softly: “Duoduo, it’s not his fault. I’m just being petty.”
Duoduo ventured carefully: “Miss, do you know that woman from before?”
Wen Xian lowered her lashes and murmured: “She used to be my best friend. Later, she got together with my fiancé, so I called off the engagement.”
Duoduo’s expression immediately darkened: “Miss, was your ex-fiancé blind?”
Wen Xian drooped her head and fell silent. Now Duoduo understood why Wen Xian was upset—she hadn’t fully healed from the betrayal of her friend, and now she was afraid.
Afraid that Shen Lingge might be taken away too, leaving her alone again.
It wasn’t until the car began ascending the mountain that Wen Xian realized something was off. She stared blankly at the lush forest outside the window: “Duoduo, aren’t we going to the airport?”
Duoduo coughed lightly: “Miss, since you’re already in Mingcheng, why not stay and play for a day? We can go back tomorrow night.”
Wen Xian was stunned: “Then where are we going now?”
Duoduo smiled: “We’re going to Sir’s place.”
The car slowly entered the heavily guarded Shen Estate. Unlike the European-style design of the Wen family villa, the Shen residence resembled a more classical manor.
Stretching as far as the eye could see were vast lawns extending toward the back mountain. On the artificial lake in the distance, a few swans glided gracefully, while birds occasionally skimmed the water’s surface.
Wen Xian turned and asked: “Duoduo, is this where Gege works?”
Duoduo: “…You could say that.”
The butler had already received Shen Lingge’s message that a young girl would be coming to the house. He had rushed to prepare dolls and snacks that young girls usually liked.
When the butler saw Wen Xian, though he had doubts in his heart, not a trace showed on his face.
Wen Xian looked at the butler, who was nearly sixty years old. He wore a snow-white shirt and a pitch-black tailcoat, his bow tie made of fine satin, and the leather shoes beneath gleaming darkly.
She blinked and greeted softly: “Hello.”
The butler hurriedly bent at the waist in response.
While Wen Xian went to look at the swans, Duoduo quickly pulled the butler aside and whispered: “Uncle Shen, the young lady still doesn’t know the young master’s identity. Don’t slip up.”
The butler discreetly glanced at Wen Xian, who was squatting on the ground: “This is the little girl the young master transferred you to Licheng to take care of? Oh no—when I booked the art studio earlier, I registered for a toddler class.”
Duoduo stifled a laugh: “We already know. The young master said it’s fine as it is.”
The butler motioned toward them with his chin: “This little girl and the young master…?”
Hearing this, Duoduo couldn’t help but cheerfully reply: “She might very well be our future young madam.”
The butler’s expression turned solemn: “Then I must prepare dinner properly. Duoduo, take the young lady upstairs to rest for a while.”
Duoduo acknowledged the order.
When Wen Xian was led upstairs by Duoduo for a nap, she was still a little dazed: “Duoduo, isn’t this where Gege works? Isn’t it inappropriate for me to sleep in the main building?”
Duoduo nudged Wen Xian into the room: “It’s perfectly fine.”
Wen Xian: “……”
Though Wen Xian had her suspicions, she would never have imagined that this was Shen Lingge’s home. In her mind, Shen Lingge’s home was in Licheng, not here.
Yet, she grew increasingly curious about Shen Lingge’s job. Was he really working as bodyguard for Mr. Chi?
…
The sun was setting.
Shen Lingge got out of the car and headed straight for the entrance. As soon as he stepped inside, the butler took the suit jacket from his hands, and Duoduo hurried over behind the butler to say: “Young Master, the young lady hasn’t woken up from her nap yet.”
Shen Lingge gave a low hum and walked upstairs—he even forgot to change his shoes.
Apart from his and his parents’ rooms, there was only one guest room in the residence. Without hesitation, Shen Lingge headed straight for it. He gripped the handle and pushed the door open with slight force.
The curtains in the bedroom had been drawn, leaving the room in darkness.
Shen Lingge softened his footsteps as he approached the bed. He had originally planned to take a look at her and leave, but the moment he reached the bedside, he heard a faint rustling sound.
The little girl peeked out from under the blankets and glanced at him. Once again, Shen Lingge had been caught red-handed trying to sneak a look. He coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment and turned on the wall lamp.
Wen Xian was staring at him with bright, watery eyes, her cheeks flushed pink.
Shen Lingge sat down on the edge of the bed and asked softly: “Xian Xian, are you still angry?”
Wen Xian muttered under her breath, “I’m not angry.”
Shen Lingge: “You didn’t want to talk to me.”
Wen Xian denied it: “I didn’t.”
After sulking for a while, Wen Xian felt like she was just being unreasonable. But her chest still felt tight, a mess of emotions swirling inside her—sour, bitter, and achingly childish.
She yanked the blanket over her head. “I need to get dressed.”
Shen Lingge’s breath hitched. She was clearly on the verge of tears again, the tremor in her voice impossible to hide.
He sighed, wrapping his arms around the insecure little girl even through the blanket. “Xian Xian, I won’t see her again. No one can take me away from you.”
In the quiet, he suddenly chuckled lowly. “Besides, my Xian Xian is so fierce. You could always drag me back to your side, couldn’t you? Silly girl, don’t be afraid.”
Wen Xian secretly cried under the covers for a while, wiping at her tears before mumbling, “But I hardly ever see you. I don’t need a big house, or fancy cars, I can earn my own money—”
Her voice softened to a whisper. “I just want you by my side.”
Shen Lingge’s heart melted into something tender and aching at her words. He held her tighter.