Chapter 25

Shen Yan couldn’t imagine a more awkward situation than the one he was currently in.

Now here he was, sitting in a bustling food market, drinking beer and eating skewers with Su Yunzhe and Qin Mofeng.

Of course, the beer and skewers part wasn’t bad—just the company.

Truthfully, the moment he saw Su Yunzhe, he had almost bolted. But as soon as he heard Qin Mofeng’s voice, he forced himself to stay calm.

Clearly, Qin Mofeng had already gotten a good look at his face. If he ran now, wouldn’t it only make him look more suspicious?

Better to just stick it out.

And so, here they were.

Qin Mofeng poured him a drink, his eyes full of amazement as he stared at him. “Old Su, don’t you think it’s wild how some people look exactly alike? I mean, down to the same name, too! Shen Yan, isn’t that right, little brother?” Qin Mofeng said, chuckling. “And let me tell you, he looks exactly like this guy’s…”

He pointed at Su Yunzhe. “…this guy’s girlfriend.”

Shen Yan quickly took a gulp of beer to cover up his nerves, but hearing that nearly made him spit it all out.

Since when was he Su Yunzhe’s girlfriend? Su Yunzhe had already played the part with his grandparents, but now Qin Mofeng had bought into it too?

Involuntarily, Shen Yan glanced over at Su Yunzhe, only to lock eyes with that deep, intent gaze.

Su Yunzhe’s expression remained unreadable, giving nothing away.

But Shen Yan felt his nerves slipping and wanted to look away—though he ultimately held his ground.

He knew that any sign of nervousness would only make them more suspicious.

Despite the casual way Su Yunzhe and Qin Mofeng seemed to be taking his explanation that he was “Shen Yan” and not “Shen Yan,” he was sure that they were still wary.

So he flashed Su Yunzhe a smile and played along, “Is that so? Just how similar are we? Now I’m curious—does President Su have her photo?”

Su Yunzhe didn’t respond, but his gaze shifted to the small mole by the corner of Shen Yan’s right eye.

It was subtle and easy to miss, especially without Su Yunzhe’s sharp vision.

But it was that small tear-shaped mole that added an unexpected allure to his smile, a hint of mystery.

Not exactly the same after all, Su Yunzhe mused.

Qin Mofeng quickly took over. “Oh, he definitely has photos! Come on, Su Yunzhe, pull them out so our little brother here can see for himself.”

Before Su Yunzhe could respond, Qin Mofeng was already reaching for his phone.

Shen Yan was caught off guard. Did Su Yunzhe really have photos of him on his phone?

He had only asked to keep the conversation light, never expecting there to actually be a photo. After all, there was no reason either of them would have a picture of him.

But with how confidently Qin Mofeng spoke, it seemed like Su Yunzhe really did have a photo.

Just as Qin Mofeng reached for the phone, Su Yunzhe’s expression flashed with a moment of awkwardness before he reluctantly handed it over.

Shen Yan blinked, wondering if he’d just imagined it. Su Yunzhe, awkward? It was almost unthinkable.

For a few seconds, Shen Yan stared at his face, but Su Yunzhe looked as detached and composed as ever.

Maybe it was just his imagination.

Qin Mofeng handed the phone to Shen Yan, grinning. “Take a look, little brother! Isn’t this uncanny? Looks exactly like you, right?”

Shen Yan was curious now. “Really? Let me see.”

The picture showed him curled up on a sofa, his head slightly lowered. Long strands of hair fell beside his face, partly obscuring his profile. The sunlight streaming in through the window cast a gentle glow, giving the whole scene an almost dreamlike quality.

It was exactly how he looked a few afternoons ago, curled up on the sofa typing while Su Yunzhe worked on his computer.

When he sat like that at home, his mother would scold him for slouching, saying he looked like a limp noodle. Yet somehow, in Su Yunzhe’s photo, he looked… almost ethereal, beautiful enough to be in an ad.

But the strangest part? He thought Su Yunzhe had been working that whole time. When did he sneak this photo?

He glanced up at Su Yunzhe, but this time, the other man’s gaze wasn’t on him. Instead, he was glancing around the food stall, curiously surveying the surroundings as if he’d never been to such a place before.

Qin Mofeng leaned in eagerly. “Well? Isn’t it a perfect match?”

Shen Yan chuckled. “Uh… the angle’s not too clear on the face.”

“Good point,” Qin Mofeng replied. “No worries, there’s more! Just swipe—you’ll find some front-facing ones too.”

“More?” Shen Yan asked in surprise.

“Of course!” Qin Mofeng laughed. “Come on, if it’s his girlfriend, there’d be more than just one photo, right? Let me tell you, little brother, that’s the first rule. Take as many photos of your girl as you can! Trust me, it saves you a headache down the line. Look at my buddy here,” he said, gesturing to Su Yunzhe. “Acts all aloof, but even he wouldn’t dare delete a single picture of his girlfriend. Otherwise, ‘Yan’ here might not let him into bed!”

Good thing Shen Yan hadn’t taken a sip of his drink. He would have choked on the spot.

What the…? When did he become the one not letting Su Yunzhe into bed?

From the sound of it, Qin Mofeng seemed to think he and Su Yunzhe had done everything short of getting married.

At this rate, Shen Yan figured he’d never clear up the misunderstanding.

Sighing inwardly, he kept up appearances by flipping through Su Yunzhe’s gallery. Just as Qin Mofeng said, there were indeed several more photos. One was of him standing on Su’s balcony, staring out at the sea; another of him eating skewers on the rooftop. There was even one from the last time he’d sung at their gathering—all of which he’d been oblivious to.

Strangely, every photo of him captured an otherworldly, dreamy quality. Was Su just a fantastic photographer, or did his appearance really transform that much when he dressed up?

His finger slid over the screen as the pictures scrolled by, each one lifting his spirits a bit more. Until he stumbled across a video.

In it, he was clumsily trying to cook dumplings. One hand held his phone, while the other clumsily stirred the pot with a spatula. Occasionally, he’d scoop up a dumpling for inspection or glance at his phone to check the recipe. He looked as dorky as humanly possible.

And from how shaky the video was, Su Yunzhe must’ve been struggling to hold in his laughter while recording.

Ugh!

He looked up and glared at Su Yunzhe, who finally shifted his gaze back from the surroundings, raising a brow at him with a curious look that said, “Something wrong?”

Forcing a smile, Shen Yan handed the phone back. “It’s really uncanny. Without these photos, I’d never believe there could be someone out there who looks so much like me.”

“Exactly!” Qin Mofeng said excitedly. “When I first saw you, I thought I was seeing things! I mean, how did Yan suddenly become a strapping young lad? I thought she and Old Su here were just getting a little… creative in their relationship.”

Of course, Qin Mofeng was far more enthusiastic than Su Yunzhe, who hadn’t really said a word since they sat down.

However, that didn’t stop him from staring intently at Shen Yan almost the entire time, his gaze so direct that Shen Yan was ready to jump out of his skin.

Fortunately, Chen Rongbiao kept coming over with fresh skewers, chatting now and then. Combined with Qin Mofeng’s endless chatter, Shen Yan managed to put on a convincing show, chatting as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

When it was finally time for Qin Mofeng to head back for work, around nine o’clock, he prepared to leave.

Su Yunzhe wasn’t planning to stay much longer either. Just before he left, he turned to Shen Yan and, for the first time, spoke to him directly. “Need a ride? I can drop you off on the way.”

Shen Yan quickly declined. “Thanks, President Su, but I’ve got some things to discuss with Biao here. Besides, I live nearby, so it’s no trouble at all.”

Su Yunzhe nodded, casting a brief glance over Chen Rongbiao before leaving with Qin Mofeng.

The moment they disappeared into the distance, Shen Yan let out a long sigh of relief. Sitting down, he realized his T-shirt was damp with sweat, his palms cold and clammy.

This encounter had rattled him more than the last time he’d run into Duan Yang while cross-dressing.

But at least he’d made it through.

Judging by Su Yunzhe’s reaction, he likely hadn’t raised any suspicions… hopefully.

And if there was any doubt, it wouldn’t matter much. Once he got home and swapped his wig for a dress, the only way Su Yunzhe could confirm his identity would be by stripping his clothes.

When Shen Yan saw the incoming call from Su Yunzhe, he nearly leaped to his feet in a panic, furtively scanning the area to ensure Su Yunzhe wasn’t lurking nearby before answering. Clearing his throat, he adopted his “Yan” voice, speaking softly, “Hello, President Su?”

Su Yunzhe cut straight to the point. “Step outside for a moment. We need to talk.”

“Now?” Shen Yan hesitated, glancing at the clock. “But I…”

“Did you read your contract?” Su Yunzhe interjected coldly.

Stunned into silence, Shen Yan recalled their agreement, which stipulated that he must be available whenever summoned between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.—and, unfortunately, it was only 9:40. Damn it!

This couldn’t be a coincidence. Did Su Yunzhe suspect something? Why else would he call so precisely now?

Shen Yan glanced down at his current attire. No way he could meet Su Yunzhe like this, but running home to change was out of the question. A sly smile crossed his face as he typed out a reply: “Alright, President Su. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He added a location update: “I’m a bit far, so it might take a while. I’ll hurry, though.”

Feeling smug with his plan to delay just long enough for the clock to strike ten, Shen Yan put his phone away and continued savoring his meal.

Hours later, as he finally felt ready to leave, he noticed that it was well past midnight, and Chen Rongbiao’s bustling business had quieted down. The air was cool, and Chen Rongbiao slumped in his chair, tired from his long shift. Shen Yan’s initial intention to visit had been out of gratitude, just to let Chen Rongbiao see he was doing well.

Seeing Chen Rongbiao now, he hesitated, then smiled. “You look beat. Close up for the night and get some sleep. I should head out too.”

But Chen Rongbiao waved off his concern. “Nah, I’ve got a little time now. Let’s chat a bit,” he said, popping open a couple of beers. “Here, drink up, brother.” He downed half his bottle in one gulp, wiping away any spills with the back of his hand. “So, are you really going to divorce that jerk Duan Yang?”

Shen Yan chuckled softly, pushing his bottle to the side, content with a sip. “Yeah. But since he’s unwilling, I’ll have to wait.”

“Unbelievable!” Chen Rongbiao growled, smacking his bottle against the table. “The same guy who trashed you every chance he got? Now he’s the one not letting go? What, does he think he’s playing some kind of sick joke?”

Shen Yan shrugged, feigning indifference. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Guy’s definitely have issues,” Chen Rongbiao grumbled, pausing for a drink.

Shen Yan grinned. “Couldn’t agree more.”

Inwardly, Shen Yan didn’t actually think Duan Yang was just erratic—there had to be more to it. Otherwise, why go to such lengths to keep him close, only to use him as a prop whenever convenient? But he preferred not to delve too deeply into Duan Yang’s schemes. After all, his own identity was secure, and in two years, he’d file for divorce. There was no reason to overcomplicate things.

Seeing Shen Yan barely touched his beer, Chen Rongbiao smirked. “You’ve changed, you know?”

“Oh? How so?” Shen Yan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Chen Rongbiao shook his head, chuckling. “The old you would’ve downed half the bar by now, venting to me all night about Duan Yang and his lousy brother, bawling your eyes out. And then, the second I’d call out Duan Yang, you’d defend him like a saint.”

Shen Yan laughed, surprised at Chen Rongbiao’s sharp observations, while Chen Rongbiao’s own laughter continued.

“But here you are now, calm as can be,” Chen Rongbiao continued. “Not a tear in sight. Where’d that pitiful old Shen Yan go?”

Chen Rongbiao shook his head, laughing as he recalled Shen Yan’s past. His cheeks jiggled with the motion, accentuating his disbelief.

“To be honest, kid, if it weren’t for that time you got expelled for standing up for me, which ended your schooling, I would’ve never been friends with such a pushover. But look at you now…” He studied Shen Yan, eyes nearly hidden by his chubby cheeks. “You actually seem like a real man for once.”

Shen Yan brushed off the comment with a smile, but inside, he was taken aback. He’d never known the original Shen Yan had been expelled for standing up for Chen Rongbiao. In the original story, there hadn’t been any mention of how Shen Yan and Chen Rongbiao became friends. Shen Yan had always thought they were an odd pair. Now, knowing the backstory, it all made more sense. It seemed Shen Yan had underestimated the original’s character—a softer demeanor didn’t mean he wasn’t loyal or brave.

Then, Chen Rongbiao mentioned something else, interrupting Shen Yan’s thoughts. “Oh, by the way, that lawyer friend of your mom’s who had those kebabs with us a while back? He came looking for you the other day. Couldn’t reach you, so he tracked me down. Said he needed to talk to you. Something about your mom.”

“My mom? My…biological mom?” Shen Yan asked, confused.

Chen Rongbiao nodded. “Yeah. Said it was about her.”

Shen Yan was floored. He’d always assumed his biological mother had died in an accident when he was six; that was all he’d ever read. Nothing specific was mentioned about her. And now a lawyer, supposedly her friend, was looking for him?

Seeing Shen Yan’s troubled expression, Chen Rongbiao added, “Don’t overthink it. This guy’s always been good to you. Maybe it’s just something simple. Besides, you’re trying to get a divorce, right? He might be able to help with that, too.”

Shen Yan nodded, promising to reach out to the lawyer. Soon after, the bar got busy, so he took his leave, not wanting to get in the way.

The subway was already closed, so he flagged down a taxi and leaned back in the seat, debating whether to follow up with his mom’s friend. If he did, he risked getting tangled up in a life the original Shen Yan had left behind. But if he didn’t…was he ignoring his duty as her son? After all, in this world, he was Shen Yan. If someone was seeking him out about his mother, how could he ignore it?

As his head buzzed with thoughts, he almost forgot about the close call he’d had earlier with Su Yunzhe. He sat up suddenly and checked his phone. To his relief, there were no messages or missed calls from him. Shen Yan exhaled, and despite it being nearly 1 a.m., he sent a quick apology text: “Sorry, President Su, I got held up with some things.”

To his surprise, Su Yunzhe responded right away: “Sleep well.”

Staring at those words, Shen Yan was momentarily stunned. He had fully expected Su Yunzhe to be angry. After all, he’d ditched him without a word and only now remembered to text. But it seemed Su Yunzhe didn’t mind at all. This was nothing like the ruthless, cold-hearted villain the book had depicted. In fact, he seemed…understanding?

Feeling an odd sense of guilt, Shen Yan quickly typed a reply, “Alright, I’ll get some rest. You too, President Su.” There was no reply this time, and he figured Su Yunzhe had likely gone to bed.

Shen Yan finally got home around 1:30 a.m., showered, and crawled into bed. Sleep was elusive, though, and memories—both his own and those of the original Shen Yan—played in his mind. He recalled schoolyard fights, getting lectured in the principal’s office, and, most vividly, his mother guiding his hand as she taught him to write, then kissing his cheek and praising him as the smartest child in the world.

The scenes shifted, and he saw himself curled up on the couch typing, glancing up only to catch Su Yunzhe snapping a photo of him. When Shen Yan looked up, Su Yunzhe had quickly lowered his phone, straightening up and pretending to work.

Shen Yan stirred awake as sunlight crept in through the window, flooding his bed with warmth. Exhausted from the night of restless dreams, he considered staying in bed until he heard a message notification. It was from Su Yunzhe, with a location and a time.

No choice now—there was no way he’d risk standing Su Yunzhe up two days in a row. After washing up, Shen Yan examined his face in the mirror, paying particular attention to the tear mole by his eye, comparing it to how he remembered looking in Su Yunzhe’s phone last night.

Shen Yan admired himself in the mirror, satisfied with the look but feeling it lacked a certain ethereal quality. He chuckled, guessing that Su Yunzhe must have edited the photo after taking it.

Shrugging off why Su Yunzhe had so many photos of him, Shen Yan headed out around eleven. The weekend metro was packed, but after two transfers, he arrived at a sophisticated private restaurant. Following the hostess down the corridor, he spotted Su Yunzhe by the window. His calm profile framed against the bamboo trees outside was like an elegant ink painting, striking in its simplicity.

A flash from his chaotic dreams the night before—a flustered, camera-happy Su Yunzhe caught in the act of snapping a picture of him—came to mind. Smiling, Shen Yan stopped the hostess, signaling he’d go over alone. He whipped out his phone, discreetly took a picture of Su Yunzhe, and just as he snapped it, Su Yunzhe turned, catching him in the act, a faint smile in his eyes.

Shen Yan quickly approached, waving his phone. “Su Yunzhe, take a look at this masterpiece of yours,” he joked, showing the photo proudly. “Aren’t you looking handsome here?”

Su Yunzhe raised an eyebrow and glanced at the picture before giving Shen Yan an amused look. “Handsome, maybe, but that’s my face you’re so excited about.”

Shen Yan laughed awkwardly. “True… But I took the photo!”

“Did you ask me first?” Su Yunzhe made a move to delete it.

Shen Yan instinctively grabbed his hand. “No, don’t! It’s such a great shot; deleting it would be a waste.”

Su Yunzhe shrugged. “I don’t see the big deal.”

“But…” Shen Yan fumbled for a reason, though something inexplicably made him want to keep the photo. Giving up, he held on to Su’s hand, a bit helpless. “Just… let me keep it?”

Raising an eyebrow, Su Yunzhe replied, “So, you want to hold on to it?”

Shen Yan nodded earnestly. “Yes.”

“Secretly taking my photo and then stashing it away… sounds like a hidden crush to me.”

“What? That’s not even close to a crush!” Shen Yan stammered, his mind rushing to a counterpoint—that Su Yunzhe had way more pictures of him, after all—but he stopped himself just in time, swallowing the thought.

Su’s curious expression lingered for a moment. “And I…?”

Shen Yan forced a smile. “Nothing. I mean, it wasn’t really ‘secretly’ taken since I showed you right away, didn’t I? Anyway… forget it. If it really bothers you, delete it. I just thought it came out nicely, that’s all.”

Su Yunzhe looked at him for a long moment, then nodded and began fiddling with Shen Yan’s phone. Shen Yan watched, wanting to protest but ultimately holding back. It was only a picture, after all. If it got deleted, so be it… but why did he feel a pang of reluctance?

When Su finally returned his phone, Shen Yan didn’t bother checking it, tossing it aside as if uninterested. Meanwhile, Su Yunzhe, looking out the window, seemed quietly pleased. Even the view outside somehow seemed to mirror his faint smile.

Shen Yan’s spirits only lifted once he began eating. He enthusiastically praised the chef, savoring every bite with delight. Though clueless in the kitchen, his palate was sharp, instantly identifying good food. Whenever he found something delicious, his appetite would soar.

Across from him, Su Yunzhe maintained his usual composure, eating the same amount as always, unfazed by Shen Yan’s excitement. For most of the meal, he just watched Shen Yan stuff his cheeks like a content hamster.

“By the way, how much do you weigh?” Su Yunzhe asked suddenly.

Shen Yan blinked in confusion, mouth still full. Why was Su Yunzhe asking that?

Taking a leisurely sip of tea, Su Yunzhe continued, “Don’t girls always worry about their weight? Aren’t you worried about gaining weight, eating like this?”

Shen Yan glanced down at his waist, then shook his head, mumbling through his mouthful, “Doesn’t matter. I never gain weight, no matter how much I eat.”

This was one of his hidden talents! Otherwise, given his sedentary lifestyle and love for food, he’d have become a couch potato ages ago. Thankfully, this world’s Shen Yan shared his no-gain physique, leaving him carefree about his diet.

After the meal, they left the restaurant, and Shen Yan obediently followed as Su Yunzhe drove to a high-end shopping mall. He trailed Su Yunzhe up the escalator to the quiet, exclusive top floor, contrasting with the bustling lower levels. Here, the stores catered to elite clientele, boasting international luxury brands.

Curious, Shen Yan glanced around, wondering why they were here. They finally stopped in front of a store named “FLW.” The minimalist logo gave no hints about its wares, and Shen Yan didn’t recall ever hearing of the brand.

Once inside, he saw it was a hidden paradise for top designer apparel, jewelry, and even had an expansive makeup studio. Men and women were getting styled, and he vaguely recognized some from a recent anniversary gala. Could this be Yunkong Entertainment’s go-to studio for image design?

At that moment, the store’s owner approached with a big smile. “Well, well, what brings President Su here in person today?”

The boutique owner was a young man with a flamboyant sense of style. He spoke with a long, exaggerated drawl, and his gestures were even more elegant than those of a professional woman. Watching him, Shen Yan couldn’t help but think of the brothel madams from old-fashioned dramas.

Su Yunzhe nodded, getting straight to the point, and pulled Shen Yan forward. “Pick out a few outfits for him.”

Huh?

Shen Yan was caught off guard.

So, all this was actually for him?

The owner had already heard rumors about Su Yunzhe’s “kept lover,” and now the main attraction was here, personally escorted by Su Yunzhe himself. His enthusiasm was through the roof as he led Shen Yan off to try on clothes.

Shen Yan, already confused by all the women’s clothing and accessories around him, was even more bewildered when a professional gave him a full rundown. Finally, to cut it short, he picked out two pieces at random. “These are fine. I’ll try them on,” he said, and went into the fitting room.

For a girl, his height was pretty tall—model-like—so most clothes looked good on him.

The two outfits he’d grabbed fit well.

Most importantly, they were practical; he could wear them on any day.

The ones the owner had picked out earlier, on the other hand, were more like a fancy costume that would require help just to manage the train outside.

He was quite satisfied with his own choices. After a quick look in the mirror, he turned to Su Yunzhe. “What do you think?”

Su Yunzhe looked him over and nodded. “They’re fine.”

“Then these two, okay? I don’t want to try any more.” Shen Yan wasn’t really a girl, so he wasn’t into the whole “trying on clothes” thing.

Su Yunzhe didn’t push him and simply said, “Leave that one on. Wear it out.”

Shen Yan was about to change back into his own clothes but paused, confused. “Hmm?”

But Su Yunzhe had already turned to the owner. “Could you style his hair a bit?”

The owner eagerly accepted, immediately approaching Shen Yan to lead him to the salon.

With a smile, Shen Yan quickly excused himself. “Just a moment—I need to talk to President Su first.” He pulled his hand back and leaned in close to Su Yunzhe. “What’s going on? Why do I need a new outfit and a hairstyle?”

The new outfit was fine, but getting his hair done… he could do without that.

His hair was attached, after all.

It didn’t look like an issue, but if someone touched it, they’d definitely feel where it was attached. How would he explain that?

Su Yunzhe looked up from his magazine. “Didn’t you promise my dad that you’d come over for dinner?”

“Huh?” Shen Yan blinked, then remembered and nodded. “Oh, right. But… isn’t it just dinner with your family? Do I really need to go through all this? I already met him before, right? I didn’t embarrass you, did I?”

Was all this preparation really necessary? It felt like he was being dressed for a date.

Su Yunzhe looked him up and down, his lips curling into a slight smile. “You didn’t embarrass me last time, no. I just want you to look even better this time. I think a new hairstyle would really match that outfit.”

Despite his words, Shen Yan absolutely refused to do his hair.

He shook his head firmly. “Nah, I think I look fine as is.”

Su Yunzhe stared at him in silence, his deep eyes giving nothing away.

Shen Yan, already nervous, shifted uncomfortably under the gaze and was about to say something, but Su Yunzhe suddenly stood up. “Let’s go.”

Huh?

Before Shen Yan could react, he was being pulled along. “We’re leaving?”

Su Yunzhe glanced back. “What, you think I’m going to hold a knife to your throat to force you to get your hair done? Besides, I still haven’t brought up last night. And now you’re giving me attitude here?” He leaned in close to Shen Yan’s ear and whispered, “Have you forgotten who signs your paychecks?”

Shen Yan, ticklish from the whisper against his ear, hurriedly leaned away and forced a smile. “I’m not giving you attitude—I just don’t like getting my hair done, that’s all. About last night…”

Thinking it over, Shen Yan raised his hand in oath. “I swear it won’t happen again!”

“Hah! You said the same thing a few days ago.” Su Yunzhe scoffed and pulled him out the door.

The boutique owner was left behind, his eyes gleaming with the spark of juicy gossip.

Had he just overheard correctly?

Wasn’t this Shen Yan character just supposed to be a “kept lover”? He’d met the family already? This wasn’t a mere fling; this was practically the future “boss’s wife”!

And just now, with that little “look at me, so spoiled” attitude, paired with Su Yunzhe’s indulgent “I just can’t with this cute thing” expression… goodness, it was radiating that unmistakable scent of romance.

As he shook his head in amusement, the owner pulled out his phone to spread the gossip.

Meanwhile, after leaving the boutique, Shen Yan and Su Yunzhe drove straight to the Su family’s villa in Nanshan. They’d lost a bit of time on the way and arrived just before five o’clock.

Shen Yan had met Su Mubai before, and since he wasn’t really Su Yunzhe’s girlfriend, he didn’t feel any of that “meeting the parents” nervousness.

But as soon as they walked in, it wasn’t the “in-laws” they encountered—it was the younger sister.

Su Yingying recognized Shen Yan immediately and exclaimed, “You… you… you’re my brother’s girlfriend?”

Su Yunzhe was aware of their brief interaction, but Su Mubai was not. He smiled and asked, “How do you and Yan Yan know each other?”

Shen Yan nodded, about to answer, but Su Yingying coldly interrupted, “Who are you? Did my brother give you that bag you sold? Is this how you treat the gifts he gives you? If you can’t even treasure something from my brother, how can I believe you truly like him? Are you just after his money?”

Uh…

Shen Yan felt a bit helpless. He hadn’t expected the once-cute little girl to turn so aggressive this time, and she seemed quite good at jumping to conclusions.

“You’ve misunderstood. That bag was actually a gift from someone else. I didn’t need it, so I sold it online. I didn’t know you were… Yunzhe’s sister. If I had known, I would have given it to you directly,” he explained.

Having stepped through the door, he felt he had a clear identity as Su Yunzhe’s girlfriend.

Since he was the girlfriend, he naturally couldn’t call him “President Su” anymore.

He would’ve preferred to call him “Old Su,” but with Su Mubai present, that didn’t seem appropriate.

So, he temporarily decided to refer to him as “Yunzhe.”

However, Su Yingying didn’t seem to notice that point at all; it was as if she hadn’t heard Shen Yan’s explanation. She shot him a cold glare and snapped, “I’m not eating dinner anymore!” before turning and stomping upstairs.

Shen Yan was left feeling bewildered and couldn’t help glancing at Su Yunzhe for clarification.

Su Yunzhe shook his head. “Don’t mind her.”

Su Mubai also smiled, trying to reassure him. “Right, don’t take it to heart. Yingying can be like that—sometimes she’s really nice, and other times she has quite the temper. It’s probably just a phase. Come on, Yan Yan, you sit down first. Or let Yunzhe show you around. I’ll be cooking dinner myself tonight and making something delicious for you.” With that, he happily headed to the kitchen.

That left just Shen Yan and Su Yunzhe in the spacious living room.

Shen Yan hesitated, wondering if he should go help in the kitchen since he was now Su Yunzhe’s girlfriend and should show some initiative.

“You don’t need to go and complicate things,” Su Yunzhe said, having seen through his thoughts and dousing his intentions with cold water.

Shen Yan rolled his eyes. “Hey, President Su, who do you think I’m doing this for? And you’re mocking me. You think I want to go into the kitchen?”

Suddenly, Su Yunzhe sat beside him and countered, “President Su? Didn’t you just call me something else a moment ago?”

Shen Yan nodded readily. “Yeah, isn’t this all part of the act? Am I supposed to call you ‘President Su’ in front of your family? Honestly, I don’t even want to call you by your name; it feels a bit awkward. Calling you ‘Old Su’ feels better. What do you think?”

Su Yunzhe’s lips curved into a smile that reached his eyes. “Hmm, I think that’s better too, Yan Mei.”

The two of them were still playing their roles, so of course, they couldn’t let anyone else hear their conversation. Su Yunzhe leaned in closer, speaking almost into Shen Yan’s ear.

His breath was light and playful, sending a shiver down Shen Yan’s spine. He quickly pushed him away, feeling flustered. “I admit defeat! I won’t call you ‘Old Su’ anymore. Yunzhe, Yunzhe is fine, okay?”

Su Yunzhe raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Not bad. Now say it again for me to hear.”

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