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Psst! We're moving!
Fortunately, Mrs. Jiang was already mentally prepared.
For Jiang Chengyu to introduce Shen Tang like that, even before winning her over, was both unexpected and within reason.
She smiled sweetly at Shen Tang. “You’re even more beautiful in person than on TV. I championed you for Zhengzheng for half a year, and finally, I have the honor of meeting you in real life.”
Shen Tang was flattered by such praise.
“You two carry on with your things. Your Uncle Jiang and I will sit for a bit and then leave,” Mrs. Jiang instructed her son. “Go get the chessboard for your dad and me, have some coffee, and play a game of chess.”
Jiang Chengyu didn’t leave Shen Tang alone in the courtyard to face his parents by herself. He held her wrist. “I forgot where I put the chessboard. Come help me find it.”
Being with his parents unexpectedly put pressure on her. Shen Tang had never been so obedient; whatever he said now, she was willing to listen, following him into the villa very meekly.
Upon entering the house, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Chengyu released her. “Sorry, I didn’t expect my parents to come.”
“It’s nothing,” Shen Tang said, understanding.
Jiang Chengyu had the maid find the chessboard and send it over. He led Shen Tang to the kitchen, trying to distract her from her nervousness.
Shen Tang saw the familiar layout, inevitably feeling a surge of emotions. Here, Jiang Chengyu had washed fruit for her, and she had hugged him from behind.
She had also made him cereal with shrimp, wondering if he ever ate it later.
Jiang Chengyu pulled open the refrigerator door. “Come take a look.”
The refrigerator was now empty, used only for storing small snowmen.
A year and a half later, the six small snowmen were still safe and sound.
“I thought you’d thrown them away long ago.”
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t bring myself to,” Jiang Chengyu said. “I’m not like you.”
“You might as well just say I’m heartless,” Shen Tang closed the refrigerator, looking at him, dressed in a black shirt again today. “Didn’t you used to dislike shirts of this color?”
Jiang Chengyu: “Don’t you like it?”
He glanced out the French window; his parents had started playing chess in the courtyard.
“My parents’ hurdle is cleared. From now on, you don’t have to worry about my family’s approval; I’ll handle it.”
Shen Tang: “I didn’t say I necessarily want to marry you.”
“It’s that I want to marry you,” Jiang Chengyu turned her to face him. “Shen Tang, we’ve been apart for a long time. Do you really not miss me?”
“I used to,” she said, not looking like she was joking. “Not anymore. I can see you every day, so there’s nothing to miss.”
“...” Jiang Chengyu was speechless.
There was a pile of tomatoes on the counter, ready to be used. He casually picked one, washed it under the faucet, dried it, and handed it to her. “Not missing me is also good. As long as you’re in a good mood.”
Shen Tang ate the tomato, which was sweet and sour.
“Let’s go to the courtyard,” Jiang Chengyu said, lifting his chin slightly.
Then he remembered he hadn’t found an apron for her yet. “Wait.”
He got an apron for her. As she was eating the tomato, he put it on her, tied a knot behind her back, and looked at the tomato in her hand. “Is it sour?”
Shen Tang had just taken a bite and shook her head.
“Let me taste it.” Jiang Chengyu lowered his head. Standing behind her, when he leaned down, his chin was almost resting on her shoulder. Shen Tang subconsciously turned her head, their noses brushed, and their breaths mingled.
Jiang Chengyu leaned in and kissed her, holding the back of her head with his left hand, taking the piece of tomato she hadn’t yet chewed from her mouth.
Their breaths stopped for two seconds.
This kiss was sudden, and Shen Tang’s heart skipped a few beats.
Jiang Chengyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I was wrong. Punish me by pursuing you for another month after I finally win you over.”
Shen Tang stuffed the remaining half of the tomato into his mouth. “I think you did that on purpose.”
Jiang Chengyu smiled, ate the half tomato, and then washed another one for her.
Shen Tang had already walked out of the kitchen. He strode to catch up with her and put it in her hand.
Perhaps it was due to the heat, but her ears were the same color as the tomato in her hand.
Wen Di looked at her, smirking. “Did you do something naughty?”
“The scallops are about to burn,” Shen Tang quickly changed the subject.
Wen Di picked some grilled seafood and placed it on a tray, preparing to send it to Mrs. Jiang.
She whispered to Shen Tang, “Just now, Jiang Chengyu’s mom even greeted me and said she liked several dramas I scripted. It seems she’s approved of you, so keep up the good work.”
Mrs. Jiang was playing chess with Elder Mr. Jiang, the cool breeze from the air conditioner fan keeping them refreshed.
She lowered her voice and asked her husband, “You’ve seen the situation firsthand now. Chengyu is determined to marry Shen Tang, and Zhengzheng unequivocally supports her uncle. Are you going to be a stumbling block on your son’s path to dating, or a supply station?”
Elder Mr. Jiang put down his chess piece and raised his eyelids. “Being a stumbling block is too demeaning.”
Mrs. Jiang smiled, understanding.
They didn’t linger long, symbolically eating some of the barbecue Wen Di brought, pretending to play a game of chess, then stood up to say goodbye.
Before leaving, Mrs. Jiang told Shen Tang, “When you have time, come visit us at home with Chengyu.”
With words spoken to this extent, it meant she had agreed to her marriage with Jiang Chengyu.
Shen Tang responded politely, neither humble nor arrogant.
Jiang Chengyu saw his parents to the car. “Mom, thank you.”
Mrs. Jiang: “You said it yourself, we are the most important people to you, and you wouldn’t disregard our feelings. Then your dad and I can’t disregard yours either.”
She patted her son’s shoulder and got into the car.
As the car drove away, everyone relaxed considerably.
Qin Xing instantly livened up. “Sister-in-law, I heard your company is hiring. Do you have any suitable idle positions for me? I’m planning to submit my resume.”
“It’s a small company with less than twenty people right now. I’m afraid you wouldn’t be interested.”
“I wouldn’t go to a big company either, mainly because they wouldn’t want me.”
Shen Tang laughed, unable to tell if his intention to join her company was a joke or genuine.
“I’ll submit my resume to you then,” Qin Xing said, eating a grilled shrimp. “I’m not talking to you anymore; I’m going to watch Yan Heyu.”
Jiang Chengyu sat in front of the chessboard, spelling words with black and white pieces.
Just when he was almost done, with a ‘bang,’ the wooden table was knocked crooked, and all the pieces scattered.
“You okay?” Yan Heyu had deliberately bumped it. He picked up the tray that Wen Di had brought earlier, which still had uneaten barbecue on it.
Jiang Chengyu squinted at him. “If you have an opinion, just say it.”
Yan Heyu: “Your crimes are too numerous to mention. I couldn’t finish in three days and three nights.”
Qin Xing snatched the plate from his hand and put an arm around Yan Heyu. “Brother Yan, then I’ll give you four days and four nights. Is that enough for you to speak?”
Yan Heyu was fuming.
It wasn’t until midnight, when the gathering ended, that he managed to say a word to Wen Di.
________________________________________
The next day, Shen Tang met Zhou Mingqian at a cafe.
Shen Tang didn’t need to state her purpose; Zhou Mingqian had already guessed why she was there. News of his new drama had spread in the industry, and many people had come to him.
Chen Nanjin had also called him, strongly recommending Chen Yinuo.
Chen Yinuo’s acting skills were undeniable, but her appearance and temperament weren’t very suitable. He needed a female lead with a sharp, bold personality and strong versatility.
He hadn’t given an immediate reply to anyone who came to him seeking a role, saying they would discuss it further during the auditions.
“Are you here to get a role for Chu Ran?” Zhou Mingqian said bluntly.
Shen Tang answered indirectly, smiling, “I want to understand the script and the character. I’m planning to invest in your drama.”
She always surprised him and avoided owing favors. Zhou Mingqian liked dealing with straightforward people like her.
Shen Tang asked, “How many companies have invested so far?”
“Three,” Zhou Mingqian specifically reminded her. “Director Chen’s company is the main investor.” That meant, if she invested, she would inevitably have to meet Chen Nanjin.
Shen Tang was indifferent. “Since I’ve entered this circle, we’ll cross paths sooner or later, so it’s nothing.”
Zhou Mingqian felt relieved. As for investment matters, they couldn’t be discussed right now. He still needed to go back for a meeting, and both parties would slowly iron out the terms of the contract.
“What about next week?”
He set a time with her.
Shen Tang looked at the schedule Sister Li had sent her. Next week was mid-June, and she was flying to Shanghai to attend Time Apparel’s fashion show, where she would stay for three days.
“Friday, perhaps? I’ll be in Shanghai until Thursday.”
“No problem. You can contact me whenever you’re free.”
The discussion with Zhou Mingqian was pleasant. After finishing a cup of coffee, they said their goodbyes.
Shen Tang sent a message to Xie Yucheng: [I plan to invest in filming a drama. Please prepare another ten million US dollars for me.]
Xie Yucheng: [Spend wisely. Your money is almost running out.]
Shen Tang: [I’m not spending, I’m investing.]
Xie Yucheng: [Your financial product isn’t due yet. Are you in a hurry? If so, I’ll transfer it from my account.]
Shen Tang: [No hurry. Drafting the contract will probably take some time. End of the month is fine.]
________________________________________
In mid-June, the Time Fashion Show was held in Shanghai.
Shen Tang brought Chu Ran along. Chu Ran had a runway show scheduled, an opportunity Sister Li had secured for her through personal connections.
The influence of Time Apparel’s fashion show had been growing in recent years. This year, several celebrity guests were invited to support it. Sister Li mentioned that one guest was an artist from Fan Yu’s company.
Chu Ran had never walked a runway before, and it was her first time modeling, so she was inevitably nervous. Before coming to Shanghai, she had sought guidance from a professional teacher for several days, but she still felt uncertain.
On the plane, Shen Tang was sitting next to her.
“Don’t expect too much from me,” Chu Ran glanced at Shen Tang, who was reading a magazine, giving her a heads-up.
Shen Tang didn’t even look up. “I never had high hopes for you.”
“...” Chu Ran’s heart ached.
Ever since she signed with Shen Tang’s company, her heart had become more resilient to blows.
Now she was basically used to Shen Tang’s sharp tongue and didn’t bother arguing with such a person.
Chu Ran looked at her own legs, then at Shen Tang’s long legs. She was only three centimeters shorter than Shen Tang, but compared to Shen Tang’s legs, she felt like she was more than five centimeters shorter.
After a while.
Chu Ran spoke again, “With my height, I have no advantage on the runway. I’ll be completely outshone by professional models.”
Shen Tang was studying a dress in the magazine, casually replying, “If your legs aren’t long enough, high heels will make up for it.”
Chu Ran almost shut down, turning to look out the window, unwilling to engage with Shen Tang.
Shen Tang took a picture of the long dress and moved on to the next page.
When the plane landed, she had picked out three long evening gowns.
Sister Li arranged for a driver to pick them up. Chu Ran’s entourage was typically large, with seven or eight people following her, requiring two cars to accommodate them all.
Shen Tang and her bodyguard got into the sedan behind, while the minivan was given to Chu Ran.
Chu Ran, at the last minute, got out of the minivan and into the sedan.
“Just consider it a self-masochistic tendency,” she said mockingly before Shen Tang could speak.
Shen Tang didn’t engage in a verbal spat with her. She sent the few photos of evening gowns she had taken on the plane to Sister Li. [Buy them all.]
Sister Li was puzzled: [This style doesn’t match your temperament.]
Shen Tang: [They’re for Chu Ran, for events. It saves us from having to borrow them.]
[You can just borrow dresses for events. If you buy them all, how much will that cost?! My dear lady, we started this company to be bosses, not to flaunt wealth :)]
Shen Tang: [The cost of these three dresses will come from my private account. Consider them a signing gift for Chu Ran.] She put away her phone, finally having time to address Chu Ran.
Shen Tang told her about tomorrow’s fashion show. “You have four outfits, all carefully chosen by Time’s designers. Most of your flaws are covered. By then, you just need to exude confidence. It’s expected if you can’t, so don’t feel pressured.”
Chu Ran: “...”
She got into the car with Shen Tang to ask her about the progress of “How Should I Love You?” but by the time the car arrived at the hotel, she still hadn’t recovered.
On this trip, they were staying at the Evergreen Hotel.
Thinking back, Shen Tang and Chu Ran had even fought in the parking lot behind this very hotel.
As Shen Tang got out of the car, her phone rang.
“Look behind you.”
Shen Tang let go of her suitcase and turned to look for the person.
A black car slowly pulled up, the window halfway down. Jiang Chengyu was holding his phone, gazing at her.
The bodyguard pushed two suitcases to the hotel for check-in. Shen Tang walked towards Jiang Chengyu.
Jiang Chengyu got out of the car, his timing perfect.
“How did you guess I’d be staying here?” Shen Tang hung up the phone.
Jiang Chengyu didn’t need to guess. Chu Ran had been accustomed to staying at the Evergreen Hotel for so many years. Shen Tang was indifferent to accommodations, so she naturally followed her artist’s preference.
“Get in the car. I’ll take you on a night tour of the Huangpu River.”
The words sounded familiar. In October of the year before last, he had said something similar to her. At that time, their relationship was warming up, and she had a drama seeking investors for a TV station. He had asked Yan Heyu to support her.
Unconsciously, almost two years had passed.
It was still the same car, even the same yacht.
She and Jiang Chengyu sat in the same deck seats they had occupied before and ordered two cups of coffee.
At 8:30 PM, it was the busiest time along the Huangpu River.
Revisiting the old place, everything was as it was, and the people were too.
Shen Tang remembered that night the wind was strong, the temperature was low, and she wore Jiang Chengyu’s trench coat. Today, it wasn’t necessary. It was mid-summer, and the wind on her face carried heat.
She looked around at the dazzlingly lit banks, finally remembering to ask him a few questions, “Why did you suddenly come to Shanghai for a business trip?” After all, the night before he had said he’d be in Beijing recently.
“Some matters related to the acquisition case,” Jiang Chengyu didn’t elaborate, stirring her coffee, letting it cool.
There were many problems with the target company. He felt there was a trap somewhere but couldn’t figure it out.
“I’ll be busy tomorrow, and I won’t have time to see you again in the evening,” Jiang Chengyu reported proactively. “I have an appointment with Mr. Chu.”
Shen Tang looked at him. “Chu Yueli?”
“Yes. It’s a past favor.” Back when Chu Xiaoyue was twenty, she had given Shen Tang a large screen blessing. He had originally intended to connect Chairman Xiao with a project, but Chairman Xiao didn’t want it and said the favor should go to Chu Yueli instead.
This year, there was a suitable project, so he came to introduce it to Chu Yueli.
Incidentally, he would also consult Chu Yueli on some matters.
Shen Tang speculated, “Is that favor owed because of me?”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Jiang Chengyu denied. “It’s a business favor.” He gently placed the coffee spoon aside, indicating for her to taste the coffee.
Shen Tang sipped her coffee, looking at his white shirt. “Why aren’t you wearing black today?”
“Wearing black at night isn’t conspicuous.”
“...”
She could tell he was teasing, but Shen Tang still laughed.
Jiang Chengyu took out his phone and took pictures of the night view for her.
Shen Tang turned her face away, not looking at the camera.
The only difference from their night tour of the Huangpu River the year before last was that back then, she asked him to take pictures for her, and now he was taking them voluntarily. People with high standards, even a slight change, could always make one marvel at their effort.
After getting off the yacht, the car drove towards the hotel. Jiang Chengyu’s apartment was on the same road as the hotel, and the car turned when it reached the apartment building.
“It’s getting late. Just drop me off at the hotel.”
Jiang Chengyu: “I’ll make you a late-night snack. Eat it and then go back. The ingredients are already prepared.”
The car stopped, but Shen Tang showed no intention of getting out. The apartment was full of traces of their past together, and going there would surely bring back memories.
Jiang Chengyu stared at her for a few seconds, didn’t force her, and told the driver to go to the hotel.
Shen Tang teased him, “If this were before, and I didn’t want to get out and eat your late-night snack, you’d definitely say, ‘Shen Tang, you’re being temperamental again.’“
Jiang Chengyu met her gaze. “Haven’t I changed now?”
Shen Tang reached out and made a grabbing motion in the air beside him. “I’ve caught so many angry dust particles, all puffed up with indignation, and they all have the surname Jiang.”
Jiang Chengyu chuckled. Only she dared to tease him like this.
“Your hand must be tired,” he took her hand in his, brought it to his lips, and kissed it. “I carefully prepared the ingredients for this late-night snack. If you’re not coming, aren’t others allowed to feel a little emotional?”
Besides frying steak, he couldn’t cook anything else.
Shen Tang pulled her hand away from his. “What ingredients did you prepare? Can you cook them?”
Jiang Chengyu: “I learned a few dishes from the chef. I’ll cook for you and our children in the future.”
Shen Tang didn’t reply.
Words like that were a bit hard to respond to.
With the late-night snack falling through, Jiang Chengyu suggested having lunch with her tomorrow. He squeezed out time during his lunch break. “I’ll have the driver pick you up then.”
“I’m not free tomorrow lunchtime. I’m accompanying Chu Ran to the show venue for a fitting.”
She would also attend the evening show, as the organizer had given her a VIP seat ticket.
She was now a small boss, her company was just starting, and the team hadn’t been fully established, so she had to handle many things herself.
The next day, backstage at the show.
Shen Tang encountered Chen Yinuo. Chen Yinuo was there to watch the show and also to check on her own artists backstage.
Meeting on a narrow path, Chen Yinuo’s mindset was subtle and strange when she saw Shen Tang again. She remembered going to Manhattan in February to beg Shen Tang not to target her mother anymore.
At that time, she practically put her dignity under Shen Tang’s feet for her to stomp on.
Now, she and Shen Tang were competing for the same drama.
Interestingly, the investor was their father.
She was utterly unsure whose side her father’s emotional scales would ultimately tip towards.
That day, she went to her father’s office to plead with him. Although her father had agreed to recommend her, her heart remained suspended as long as nothing was finalized.
As before, Chen Yinuo addressed Shen Tang as “Teacher Shen.” “What a coincidence.”
“Not a coincidence,” Shen Tang smiled faintly. “Knowing that you and your mother might come, Chu Ran’s temper is fiery. If you provoke her, she might throw a fit again. Shouldn’t I be here to keep an eye on her?”
Chen Yinuo felt insulted. “You should indeed control her. Chu Ran has no manners.”
Shen Tang left her speechless: “Hmm. She gets that from her boss, me.”
Chen Yinuo was instantly at a loss for words. She had never seen someone so self-deprecating without holding back.
“The drama ‘How Should I Love You?’“ she brought up proactively. “I plan to act in it. My dad agreed to recommend me to Director Zhou, so it’s almost a done deal.”
“So what?” Shen Tang said with disdain.
Just as she had guessed, Fan Yu would not let her get the role smoothly. Even if Chen Yinuo wasn’t suitable for the role, Fan Yu would use any means necessary.
Shen Tang smiled. “I love snatching food from a tiger’s mouth; it’s more stimulating, isn’t it?” She then asked Chen Yinuo, “Do you know why I started this company?”
As soon as she said that, an alarm blared in her mind.
Jiang Chengyu’s “little secret” played automatically, like a devilish voice.
Chen Yinuo was not afraid; what was meant to come, could not be avoided. “I know what you’re thinking—to destroy my mother’s company and mine.”
“Wrong,” Shen Tang articulated each word. “To become a successful beautiful boss.”
“...”
“From now on, as long as it benefits the company, I will not hesitate to seize resources, no matter if it’s invested by Chen Nanjin or Liu Nanjin.”
Shen Tang nodded slightly, then left boldly.
After properly arranging Chu Ran’s show, Shen Tang entered the show venue half an hour early.
After she had just sat down for a few minutes, someone sat in the empty seat next to her.
Shen Tang instinctively turned to see if the person next to her was familiar. When she saw the face, it was indeed very familiar.
Chen Nanjin was also surprised to find himself sitting right next to his daughter. This ticket was given to him by a friend, and he had simply taken one at random.
His next project was related to the fashion industry, and he came to the show today to seek inspiration.
Time Apparel, as a local brand, had achieved such influence in the fashion industry in just a few years, which was one of the reasons for him creating this drama.
“Are you here alone today?” he initiated conversation with his daughter.
Shen Tang didn’t even bother to say “Mm.”
Chen Nanjin continued talking to himself, “Dad heard that you’ve also started a collaboration with Huo Teng’s studio. That’s good.”
“Dad, you’re here too? I thought I saw someone else,” Chen Yinuo’s voice cut in.
Chen Yinuo’s seat was on the other side of the runway. She looked up and saw her father and Shen Tang sitting together. At that moment, her heart felt subtly uneasy, a mix of emotions churning within her.
Perhaps her mother was right; if she didn’t get closer to her father, he would eventually give everything to Shen Tang, and she would get nothing.
Unable to sit still, Chen Yinuo walked around half the show venue to find her father.
She sat in the empty seat on her father’s other side, planning to switch seats with someone later.
Chen Nanjin: “I came to watch the show and find some creative inspiration.”
Chen Yinuo didn’t believe her father’s words; he was most likely there for Shen Tang.
She sat sideways, looking at her father. Chen Nanjin was leaning back in his seat. Chen Yinuo and Shen Tang’s gazes met coldly.
“Dad, what did Director Zhou say? My previous drama just finished filming, and now I’m just waiting for Director Zhou’s drama. You promised me.”
As for the drama “How Should I Love You?”, Shen Tang had already decided to invest in it herself, and the money from Xie Yucheng would be transferred to her soon. This would give her leverage to secure the role for Chu Ran.
However, since Chen Yinuo was openly challenging her, even if she didn’t need Chen Nanjin to secure the role, she still had to teach Chen Yinuo a good lesson.
Before Chen Nanjin could speak, Shen Tang interrupted Chen Yinuo, “Director Chen, speaking of Director Zhou Mingqian’s drama, I’m also interested in one of his, ‘How Should I Love You?’. I heard your company is investing in it. I want to secure the female lead role for my company’s artist.”
Shen Tang didn’t give Chen Nanjin a chance to say anything else, making him make a final decision in front of Chen Yinuo. “Just give me a straight answer: are you giving this role or not?”
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