Please Marry Me (GL) - Chapter 8

No person would be unfazed by their significant other inviting a former benefactor to dinner, and certainly no one would be okay with their wife living in a house provided by that benefactor.

Jiang Yi might as well have tattooed the words “We’re living off her” on her forehead.

Shen Siyun glared coldly at this so-called professor from the Yingyu Academy of Sciences. People with status care about their reputation; she didn’t believe for a second that this woman wouldn’t mind.

Song Rao, however, truly didn’t mind. Her gaze was flat as she first nodded slightly. “I appreciate President Shen acknowledging that I am her wife.”

Shen Siyun’s expression shifted.

Then, Song Rao gazed at Jiang Yi with warmth, placing her hand over Jiang Yi’s slender, porcelain fingers. “My wife is so capable; I’m proud of her.”

Shen Siyun found the scene unbearable. Without thinking, she reached out and yanked Jiang Yi toward her. “Enough, both of you!”

Before Jiang Yi could steady herself, Song Rao pulled her back, not forgetting to retort, “President Shen, Jiang Yi is my wife. It’s inappropriate for you to hold her like that.”

Looking at her empty hand, Shen Siyun took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Anyone who knew her temperament knew her rage had reached its breaking point. Who knew what might happen next?

Jiang Yi felt like they were dancing on a landmine; one wrong step and everything would explode. “Alright, alright. Shen Siyun, come in and eat. I’ll cook for you.”

Song Rao might be a professor, but she wasn’t a blockhead. She put on a look of grievance that made it hard for anyone to be harsh. “Wife…”

Shen Siyun’s mood suddenly lifted a fraction.

Jiang Yi comforted her, “It’s fine, just one meal. After all, President Shen’s wedding gift was so valuable—it’s saved us decades of hard work. We can’t not repay this kindness.”

Song Rao preferred a low-profile look, often gathering her mid-length hair into a low ponytail against her pale neck. Combined with her tall, slender frame, she possessed a refined, intellectual grace.

Jiang Yi tidied Song Rao’s collar and brushed two stray locks of hair from her forehead. “Especially since you’re busy with research. If we ever fail to get a research grant, we can just sell the apartment, right? I heard prices in Fu’an are quite high—over a hundred thousand per square meter.”

Song Rao seemed convinced, nodding in agreement. “Wife, you really know how to manage a household.”

Compared to the affectionate couple, Shen Siyun’s face was as dark as charcoal.

“President Shen, why are you still standing there? Come in,” Jiang Yi and Song Rao invited her warmly.

Shen Siyun felt these two were utterly shameless, especially Jiang Yi. In her twenty-some years of life, she had never felt this humiliated. She crossed her arms, looked at the ceiling, tightened her jaw, and breathed deeply—eyes closing and opening, closing and opening.

If she stayed any longer, she feared she’d lose ten years of her life!

“You two are truly something!” Shen Siyun suddenly sneered, threw out that sharp remark, and left.

Song Rao stood at the door, watching the retreating figure. “Did we go too far? She won’t do anything extreme, will she?”

Jiang Yi didn’t want to discuss that woman anymore. “She’s Shen Siyun. Give her a few days and she’ll be fine.”

In the conference room of Jiayu Trading Group, a massive screen displayed a summary report from the overseas branch. The report was finished, but President Shen remained silent.

The staff member didn’t know whether to sit or stand, hesitating to ask if there were any questions. The other employees sat in terrifying silence. Everyone in the Jiayu conference room stole glances at Shen Siyun.

Shen Siyun, who hadn’t “gotten over it” after several days, pressed her lips together and closed her eyes.

—After all, President Shen’s wedding gift was so valuable… We can’t not repay this kindness.

—If we ever fail to get a research grant, we can just sell the apartment…

The mockery from her lover of two years had been playing in her mind like a nightmare for days, refusing to fade.

“No questions. Meeting adjourned.”

The people in the room felt like they’d received a royal pardon. They grabbed their laptops and fled.

Ding Lanqi watched them with annoyance. President Shen might be in a foul mood now, but she was usually fine. When she was good, the world was at peace; when she was bad, everyone fled.

“Lanqi.”

Shen Siyun called her name unexpectedly. Ding Lanqi’s heart jumped. She put on a professional smile. “President Shen.”

“I have a gathering at seven.” Shen Siyun rose coldly, picking up her documents. She cast a cool glance at her stiff secretary. “I’m leaving.”

Ding Lanqi immediately knew what that meant. A private gathering at seven meant Shen Siyun wouldn’t eat dinner between 5:30 and 6:30. She needed a fat-reducing meal replacement shake prepared, and at 5:00, she’d need time for makeup and a change of clothes.

“Understood, President Shen.” Ding Lanqi tucked the files under her arm and hurried after her.

Private gatherings were usually hosted by Shen Siyun’s friends. Ding Lanqi sincerely hoped that after tonight, her boss would move on. There were plenty of fish in the sea; it wasn’t worth hanging oneself from a single tree.

At 6:40 PM, Ding Lanqi drove the Porsche to BEATING HEART, a famous high-end lounge. Shen Siyun walked in with a cold face.

Her friends exchanged looks.

“Did we do something to offend her?” Tan Yiqi rested her chin on her hand, her fresh manicure catching the light. She looked exquisite from head to toe.

“Unlikely. It’s probably her subordinates. Siyun is always like this,” Guo Qingqing said, trying to liven the mood. She ordered a dozen songs and plenty of food. To a foodie like her, this was heaven.

Guo Qingqing glanced at the door. “Xie Fulan isn’t here yet. She’s probably still coaxing her new girlfriend. Honestly, isn’t being single better? Isn’t food more satisfying?”

“Qingqing, you don’t understand. You haven’t tasted love. If you had, you’d want to be glued to your partner every day,” Tan Yiqi teased, looking at Guo Qingqing’s constant eating with mock disgust.

“All you know is food.”

“And all you know is being a ‘Pillow Princess’?” Guo Qingqing shot back. “You won’t even let my sister go when the sheets are soaking.”

Tan Yiqi: “…If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re a mute.”

Guo Qingqing: “Right back at you.”

Xie Fulan arrived late, her expression matching Shen Siyun’s.

Tan Yiqi poured wine. “Honestly, one after the other. It’s just me and Qingqing now. Why even gather? Let’s just go home and play cards.”

Guo Qingqing rolled her eyes and asked Xie Fulan, “Babe, how did it go? Is she coaxed?”

Xie Fulan brushed her shoulder-length hair aside in frustration and took a sip of the wine Tan Yiqi had poured. “We broke up. She said she doesn’t like people with chests bigger than hers, who are three years older, or who have too many exes.”

Guo Qingqing went quiet. “Have you considered she might just… not like you?”

Xie Fulan: “Thanks a lot!”

“Shen Siyun, she works at your company. A fresh graduate intern,” Xie Fulan said, clearly fuming. “Find a chance to fire her or make things difficult. Let her taste the brutality of society.”

“Your business is your own,” Shen Siyun replied dismissively, holding her glass. “If you’re so capable, fire her yourself.”

“Siyun, we’ve known each other for years. Even if there’s no friendship, there’s family. You won’t help with this small favor?” Xie Fulan was Shen Siyun’s cousin, they had grown up together.

Shen Siyun ignored her.

“Fine! Who are you pouting for? Don’t think I don’t know—your little lover ran off and got married!” Xie Fulan, enraged, was biting whoever was nearby.

“Really?!” Guo Qingqing and Tan Yiqi both stared at Shen Siyun in shock.

“Doesn’t that mean Siyun is wearing a massive green hat (cuckolded)?”

Guo Qingqing elbowed Tan Yiqi to shut her up. Sure enough, the moment the words left Xie Fulan’s mouth, Shen Siyun’s face hit freezing point.

“Shen Siyun, I was wrong, I was wrong, okay?” To avoid being targeted later, Xie Fulan surrendered. “We finally got out to hang out, don’t be so stiff.” She poured her more wine.

Whether Shen Siyun was giving her face or not, she didn’t refuse the refill. Xie Fulan felt she had escaped a disaster. When the bottle ran out, she called for another.

A waiter in a black vest and white shirt pushed the door open. “What do you need?”

“A bottle of Romanée-Conti.”

“Certainly, one moment.” The waiter left to get the wine but, perhaps in his haste, forgot to close the door.

The booth door faced a corner where a striking, elegant figure stood. Xie Fulan’s “Gaydar” went off instantly.

She nudged Shen Siyun. “Siyun, Qingqing, Yiqi—look over there. Isn’t she beautiful?”

The others followed her gaze. A spark of surprise flashed in their eyes.

The figure wore a simple, waist-cinching spaghetti-strap dress paired with a coffee-colored cardigan—vintage and quiet. White heels added a youthful touch. Long, wavy black hair cascaded over her chest. She stood in the corner, head slightly bowed, hands behind her back as if waiting for someone. Occasionally she looked up with an expectant expression. Her light makeup revealed a beauty hard to describe; her watery eyes were enough to draw anyone in.

“That is exactly my type—a gentle, mature lady,” Xie Fulan said, downing her drink. “Forget immature college students. I want a proper lady.”

Guo Qingqing: “Are you going to pursue her?”

Tan Yiqi: “Making your move now?”

Xie Fulan glanced at them. “Of course, I—”

Before she could finish, Shen Siyun unexpectedly joined the discussion. She crossed her legs and let out a cold snort from her red lips.

“If you can actually get her, I’ll take care of that intern for you.”

“Really?” Confirmed, Xie Fulan set down her glass, smoothed her hair, and walked over full of confidence to strike up a conversation.

Two minutes later, she returned with an embarrassed look.

Tan Yiqi: “What happened? Why that face?”

Xie Fulan sat back down, reluctant to recount it. “She said she’s married. My love died in the cradle.”

Guo Qingqing picked up a piece of fruit. “Hilarious.”

Tan Yiqi laughed out loud.

“Stop laughing!” Xie Fulan turned to Shen Siyun, clutching her hands and gazing at her. “Siyun, my love just died. I’m so pitiful, so about that intern…”

“Do you even know who she is?” Shen Siyun’s gaze was icy as it landed on her.

“Who?” Xie Fulan blinked.

“She is exactly who you just mentioned—my ‘little lover’ who ran off and married someone else.”