The Male Lead's Sister Reborn (GL) - Chapter 17

“Come, let’s eat. I haven’t cooked in a while, so I’m a little rusty. Please don’t mind it.”

Shen Xiruo carefully approached, holding a plate in both hands, and placed it on the dining table.

She looked up and offered Jiang Qian a slight smile.

In this moment, she looked like an ordinary, domestic older sister. The warm sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, scattering over her face and body, giving her a fuzzy, golden outline.

Jiang Qian stared for a moment, then quickly reacted, helping to arrange the plates. She smiled and said, “It’s so rare for someone to make breakfast for me. How could I possibly mind!”

Shen Xiruo pursed her lips in a smile, then turned and brought over the soup tureen.

On the blue and white Nordic-style plates was a simple but good-looking spread of sandwiches, fried eggs, bacon, and shredded pork floss slightly revealing their tempting shapes between the toasted bread slices.

Jiang Qian took a bite and squinted her eyes: “Wow, this is really delicious!” The freshly fried ingredients tasted completely different from those bought outside, absolutely delicious.

Shen Xiruo ladled a bowl of soup and handed it to Jiang Qian: “Try this.”

Jiang Qian ate half of the sandwich in a few bites, then picked up the small spoon to taste the Borscht.

Inside the rich, tomato-based broth lay tenderly cooked beef chunks, dotted with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions.

The combination of beef and broth was delivered to her mouth, and the warm, soothing beef aroma immediately filled her senses. Her entire body and stomach were immersed in the fresh, sweet, and savory soup.

Jiang Qian felt warm all over. She drank half a bowl of soup, one spoonful after another, before finally having the leisure to look up at Shen Xiruo, giving her a sincere thumbs-up: “It’s too delicious, really. I’m not just saying this, it’s seriously too delicious. I’m practically ascending to heaven from how comfortable this is! If you ever get bored of running the company, you should seriously consider becoming a chef. I’ll come and eat every day, no matter the cost!”

Shen Xiruo smiled, seeing her eating so contentedly.

She chuckled and said: “Just tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll make it for you.”

Jiang Qian’s heart warmed at the sound of that.

As she looked up, her eyes met Shen Xiruo’s deep gaze, which held a very complicated meaning.

Jiang Qian, out of curiosity, asked: “President Shen, why are you so good to me?”

Shen Xiruo was taken aback by her question.

She then moved her gaze away, looking at the tablecloth, seemingly unwilling to answer.

Seeing this, Jiang Qian knew better than to push and lowered her head to continue eating.

The atmosphere at the dining table slowly grew quiet.

“I once had a friend. She cried in my arms, treated me as her best friend, and shared her secrets with me. But I did something wrong. I watched her suffer so much, and in the end, she barely got what she wanted, but she was no longer the innocent person she used to be… I’ve been very sad about this.”

Shen Xiruo suddenly spoke, and what she said was a long passage.

Jiang Qian held her spoon frozen in place, looking up at her in astonishment.

It wasn’t that Jiang Qian was being overly suspicious, but Shen Xiruo’s words reminded her of many things.

In the sparse descriptions of the original novel, she, the original female lead, had indeed cried in the arms of the Eldest Miss of the Shen family, Shen Xiruo, and considered Shen Xiruo her best friend.

However, rationally speaking, the current Shen Xiruo shouldn’t have any such memories!

Jiang Qian tentatively asked: “This friend you mentioned… where is she now?”

Her heart pounded, afraid Shen Xiruo would say something like, Right across from me.

However, Shen Xiruo only looked at her for a moment and then said softly: “She died. She died a long time ago.”

Jiang Qian immediately felt relieved, then began to mock herself for being so suspicious.

Shen Xiruo was clearly talking about a childhood friend, probably a personal background story not written in the book. How could everything be related to her, Jiang Qian! One cannot be so narcissistic!

Jiang Qian warned herself sternly, then smiled sweetly at Shen Xiruo: “Then her soul in heaven must be very comforted to see you now.”

Shen Xiruo looked at Jiang Qian, without smiling, her voice growing lighter, as if afraid of waking someone. She said: “She taught me to treat my friends correctly and to try my best to help them.”

Jiang Qian nodded.

Shen Xiruo looked deeply into her eyes and whispered: “You are also my friend, my very precious… friend.”

Jiang Qian felt somewhat flattered, her heart pounding like a startled deer.

She really is… so good.

After breakfast, Shen Xiruo drove Jiang Qian to the entrance of the film set, and the two said goodbye.

Outside the set, Zheng Yang poked his head out. Seeing her, he immediately looked relieved and rushed over, grabbing her arm: “Why are you only just arriving? The director has been looking for you to talk about the script!”

Jiang Qian smiled awkwardly: “Ah, I had something going on last night and stayed at someone else’s place. I came a little late.”

Zheng Yang looked her up and down, sighing: “You’re so foolish, don’t let anyone trick you.”

Jiang Qian: “Huh? How am I foolish? Don’t you know my nickname? Smart Jiang!”

Zheng Yang chuckled, pulling her along: “Alright, alright, Miss Smart Jiang, let’s get to work quickly.”

Jiang Qian hurried to apologize to the director, not noticing the strange look in Zheng Yang’s eyes as he watched her back.

Time passed quickly on the set, and before long, the entire drama wrapped up filming.

At the wrap party, almost all the main creators of the crew were present, and Shen Xiruo naturally came as well.

Jiang Qian arrived a little late. When she came, there was only one seat left, right across from Shen Xiruo.

Most of the crew members didn’t know about her relationship with Shen Xiruo… And last time, Shen Xiruo had also specifically instructed her not to expose their relationship, which was also for her own good.

Thinking this, Jiang Qian sat down, maintaining a straight-ahead gaze, only daring to sneak a glance at Shen Xiruo.

The other woman was indeed not looking at her, listening intently to Director Zhu Yu, as if she hadn’t noticed Jiang Qian at all.

Jiang Qian breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that she wasn’t looking at her. That way, after the first round of toasts, she could feast.

She finally didn’t have to restrict her diet for the role! She had been eating salads, chicken breast, and boiled eggs every day. She felt like she was turning green. Now her eyes were glued to the braised pork on the table.

Director Zhu Yu raised his wine glass, said some formalities, and specifically praised the professionalism of all the actors in the crew. The more he talked, the more emotional he became, causing everyone to wipe away tears.

“…I won’t elaborate on how much effort we put into this drama; everyone saw it. But besides our main creators, the one we need to thank the most is our Sugar Daddy! That is President Shen next to me! If it weren’t for President Shen’s strong support, giving us whatever money we needed, this drama wouldn’t have been filmed so well and so meticulously! Everyone, let’s applaud!”

The entire room erupted in cheers and applause. Jiang Qian also clapped with a smile, openly looking at Shen Xiruo.

Zhu Yu held the wine glass like a microphone, his face showing a mischievous smile: “So, here, I have to ask President Shen, what is the reason for your deep affection for this drama? Is it for some special person or event?”

Jiang Qian: ! Director, do you know something?

She felt Shen Xiruo’s light gaze sweep over her.

Eldest Miss Shen, you, you, what are you going to do! Are you going to go public now! Shouldn’t you think about it before making a decision!

Jiang Qian was intensely nervous, sitting bolt upright, not daring to look at Shen Xiruo.

The room was silent. Everyone was waiting for the somewhat ambiguous answer, looking at Shen Xiruo with gossip on their faces.

Shen Xiruo’s cool voice rang out: “I read the original novel of this drama before, and I liked it very much. That’s why I hoped to film this drama well and present a good result. Now, I am very satisfied with everyone’s outcome.”

Director Zhu Yu immediately led the applause: “Great!”

The crew members followed suit with applause.

The breath Jiang Qian had been holding was released back into her stomach, and she clapped along happily.

She then saw Shen Xiruo raise both hands and gesture downward for silence. When everyone quieted down, she added: “Of course, there is also one special person in our crew.”

Jiang Qian: ! Aah aah aah, I’m going to die, I’m going to die!

Shen Xiruo’s eyes drifted over her again, a smile gracing her lips, her gaze full of meaning.

Jiang Qian felt like the constant startling was too much for her heart. She clutched her chest and used her eyes to signal Shen Xiruo not to speak.

Shen Xiruo’s gaze slid past her face with no reaction, seemingly looking at her just as she looked at others, but then it settled on Zhu Yu’s face.

Zhu Yu: “Hmm? President Shen, why are you looking at me?”

Shen Xiruo: “That special person is you.”

Zhu Yu: “…”

Jiang Qian: “…Whew.” She accidentally let out a sigh of relief.

Shen Xiruo said unhurriedly: “We have been old friends for many years. I trust your ability. You were primarily responsible for all the major and minor affairs of this drama. Thank you, Zhu Yu. This toast is to you.”

She raised her red wine glass and smiled slightly at Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu was also touched. After drinking the wine, he thanked Shen Xiruo with a big smile, then waved his hand: “Dig in!”

The people at the table cheered and mingled. Jiang Qian immediately aimed her chopsticks at the braised pork on the table.

There were only a few pieces of glossy, bright red braised pork. She was a little slow, and the largest and best piece she was eyeing was picked up by someone else.

She watched the chopsticks with regret, then saw that pair of chopsticks, holding the braised pork, deliver it to her own plate.

She turned her head, and next to her was the shyly smiling Zheng Yang: “I saw you looking at this dish for a long time, so I helped you get a piece.”

Jiang Qian smiled radiantly: “Thank you, then I won’t be polite!”

Zheng Yang nodded and said to her: “What kind of soup do you want? I’ll get it for you.”

Jiang Qian pointed to the Taro and Pea Shoot Soup. Zheng Yang immediately took Jiang Qian’s soup bowl and went to ladle soup for her.

Since Zheng Yang was already quite familiar with Jiang Qian on the set, Jiang Qian didn’t think anything was amiss. But when she looked up, she suddenly met Shen Xiruo’s eyes.

Shen Xiruo’s gaze was deep, moving back and forth between Zheng Yang and her.

Jiang Qian immediately backed down. She pulled on Zheng Yang’s sleeve and whispered: “Um… you can just get your own. I’ll get mine.”

Zheng Yang placed the bowl of soup he had just filled in front of her, his eyes looking a little dim as he withdrew his hand: “Then you get your own. This bowl is already filled. You eat this one.”

Jiang Qian felt a little guilty. She took the soup bowl and glanced at Shen Xiruo again.

She saw that Shen Xiruo had already shifted her gaze elsewhere, as if she hadn’t noticed anything on their side.

Why does even the braised pork taste bland now… Jiang Qian ate a piece of braised pork and complained inwardly.

After eating for a while, a waiter suddenly opened the door and respectfully said to everyone in the room: “Someone sent flowers. They are for a Miss Jiang Qian.”

Jiang Qian looked up in astonishment.

Behind the waiter, a staff member from the florist was carrying a huge, gaudy bouquet of red roses, and a gift box in hand. He walked in enthusiastically and said to Jiang Qian: “Miss Jiang, hello. This is a wrap party gift for you from Mr. Shen Xizhou.”

Jiang Qian: I’m going to punch him! Is it too late to go out and beat him up now!