Shi Mengwan looked at the baby in Su Qingsangâs arms. There was a flash of envy and affection in her eyes.
Today was Su Qingsangâs baby shower. Previously, when Su Qingsang was giving birth, Shi Mengwan had come once. This was her second time coming to Rong City.
âSo cute. This is the younger sister, right?â
âYes. This is Nian Nian. Sheâs the younger sister.â
âHave you decided on her name yet?â
âYes. Her name is Huo Yanzhen.â Her face full of content, Su Qingsang hugged her daughter. âThe older one is called Huo Yanjing.â
âNice name.â
Shi Mengwan nodded and her gaze fell on the babyâs rosy-cheeked face. âThe most important thing is that sheâs really cute, so cute that I want to steal her home.â
âDo you like them?â Su Qingsang winked at her. âIf you like them, hurry up and find a man, then go give births to babies too.â
âMm-hm. I think sheâs right.â
Wan Xianyang had arrived at some point and was standing next to Shi Mengwan. He looked at her with a warm gaze.
âMaâam. Wanwan.â
Shi Mengwan nodded at Wan Xianyang as a form of greeting and quickly stood up.
âQingsang, Iâm going to the bathroom.â
âGo ahead.â
She was obviously avoiding Wan Xianyang, and that made Wan Xianyangâs expression sour. After Shi Mengwan left, he looked at Su Qingsang.
âMaâam, Iâm not that bad, right?â
Su Qingsang couldnât respond to his words. To each his own. Wan Xianyang was good, but Shi Mengwan didnât like him, so there was nothing she could do.
âXianyang, listen to my advice. Youâd better find another target.â
Wan Xianyang was just saying that he didnât want to give up. In fact, he had given up a long time ago. When he heard Su Qingsang say this now, he wasnât particularly irritated.
âOkay, I want to see who won over that goddess in the end.â
Shi Mengwan actually knew that Wan Xianyang wouldnât do anything, but she felt a little uncomfortable facing someone who had âpassionatelyâ pursued her before.
In fact, she believed that Li Junsheng didnât have deep feelings for her. It was just the desire to conquer, just like that personâs.
Shi Mengwan, who was a little absent-minded, walked a little faster. She didnât notice that there was someone coming towards her from the other corner. Her entire body accidentally fell into the other personâs arms.
âIâm sorry.â Shi Mengwan quickly apologized and wanted to leave the other personâs arms. She was wearing high heels today, and her right foot accidentally tripped her left foot. Not only did she lose her balance, but she also fell into the other personâs arms.
Shi Mengwan had never encountered such an embarrassing situation before. She didnât dare to look up.
However, she heard a burst of low laughter coming from above her head. Then, her body was caught by someone and she stood firm. Using this movement, she looked up and realized that the person in front of her looked very familiar. She felt like she had seen him somewhere before.
âIâm sorry. â Feeling a little embarrassed, Shi Mengwan bit her lip.
âItâs okay.â Li Junsheng shook his head. Today was the baby shower for Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyaoâs child. He had just flown over from Lin City today. He didnât expect such a romantic encounter as soon as he arrived.
âIâm really sorry.â Shi Mengwan knew that the people who came today were distinguished. They were all business friends of the Huo family. Therefore, she was indeed embarrassed.
âItâs really okay.â Li Junsheng smiled and took a step back. He looked at Shi Mengwan with some awe in his eyes.
Speaking of which, he had never met Shi Mengwan before. When he was in Lin City, Huo Jinyao had a gathering with them, but it was unlikely that he would invite Shi Mengwan.
When Shi Mengwan came to Rong City and was brought to have fun with Huo Jinyaoâs group of childhood friends, Li Junsheng was in Lin City.
Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao had been married for more than a year now, but Li Junsheng had never seen Shi Mengwan before.
Shi Mengwan came over today. She wasnât wearing a formal gown, but she was dressed very formally.
She was wearing a classic Hepburn-style black dress with a red blazer on the outside. The combination of red and black made her look lofty and passionate.
The coordination was very suitable. Plus, Shi Mengwan wore light makeup today. Her facial features were already very glamorous, so she appeared even more dazzling.
If one looked carefully, one could see the faint sorrow in Shi Mengwanâs eyes. She gave people the feeling that she was somewhat contradictory, but also surprisingly harmonious.
Shi Mengwan wanted to laugh. She rarely made a fool out of herself like she did today. It was really her first time.
âAre you here for the baby shower too?â
She looked at Li Junsheng and felt that this person looked a little familiar. After she asked this question, her eyes suddenly widened, as if she remembered something.
âYes.â Li Junsheng looked at Shi Mengwan. He had never seen her before. âYou too?â
âYes.â Shi Mengwan nodded. The moment Li Junsheng nodded, she completely remembered who he was. âYou, youâre Mayor Li?â
âYou know me?â After Li Junsheng heard Shi Mengwanâs words, he tilted his head. âYouâre from Lin City?â
âYes.â Shi Mengwan was really a little excited, although she knew that the people the Huo family knew werenât ordinary, and she had just seen some people who often appeared on television appear here.
However, Li Junsheng was different. He was the mayor of Lin City.
She was just an ordinary citizen, so this was the first time she had seen the mayor. This made her a little excited.
âHello, Mayor Li.â
âThis isnât Lin City. You donât have to be so polite with me.â Li Junsheng looked at Shi Mengwan. âAre you a friend of Jinyaoâs? Or a relative?â
Since he called Huo Jinyao by his name, it meant that Li Junsheng and Huo Jinyao had a good relationship. Shi Mengwan felt a little more relaxed now.
âIâm Qingsangâs friend.â
Li Junsheng knew that Su Qingsang was from Lin City. He didnât ask any more questions.
âI see. Please help yourself. Iâll go in and say hello to the Old Master first.â
âOkay.â
Shi Mengwan waited for Li Junsheng to disappear before she recovered from her shock.
She didnât expect that she would have the chance to meet the Mayor of Lin City? This feeling was really mindblowing.
She walked towards the bathroom at the other end of the corridor. At the corner, there was a menâs bathroom outside and the womenâs bathroom was across from it.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Before she could enter, her hand was grabbed by someone. Before she could react, she was pulled into the menâs bathroom.
Shi Mengwan was shocked. Her first reaction was that she had met a pervert. Her second reaction was that this was a five-star hotel. All the people who came today were famous people. It couldnât â
Her guess was quickly confirmed. A familiar smell wafted into the tip of her nose.
She already became very familiar with this smell over the past year. She suddenly raised her head, and what she saw was Zhan Haozeâs sinister face.
She didnât have time to care about his ugly expression. Instead, she realized the situation in front of her first.
âAre you crazy? Isnât this the menâs bathroom?â
She was so panicked that she wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, but Zhan Haoze covered her lips in the next second.
It was as if she was bitten by a piranha. She simply felt pain on her lips. She couldnât escape. She couldnât leave. Her entire body was trapped by him.
This was a five-star hotel. There were people coming and going outside. This was also the menâs bathroom. For a moment, Zhan Haozeâs attitude made Shi Mengwan feel as if she was a showgirl.
She struggled to get up, raised her hand, and was about to swing it at Zhan Haozeâs face.
Zhan Haozeâs reaction was faster than she thought. He quickly grabbed her hand, and with his strong hands, he restrained both of her hands behind her back.
Because of her resistance, the force of his lips became even stronger. Shi Mengwanâs lips were bitten by him until they hurt.
She wanted to retreat, but Zhan Haozeâs strength wasnât something she could compare to.
âWu wu.â Her eyes filled with resistance, dissatisfaction, and anger, she glared at him.
Zhan Haoze looked into her eyes for a long while before finally letting go of her. He stepped back a little, but he still trapped her in his arms.
Shi Mengwanâs breathing was a little irregular, and her lips hurt. She suspected that he had bitten her lip.
âZhan Haoze, let go of me.â
She wanted to push him away and leave this place. If she were to bump into someone in the menâs restroom, even if she didnât do anything, even if there was no one here that knew her, it would still be enough to make her feel embarrassed.
âWan Xianyang, Huo Jinyaoâs childhood friend, the second young master of the Wan family. He now runs two antique shops, and Gu Langxuanâs business is booming. Every year, it brings in hundreds of millions of yuan in profit to Wan Xianyang.â
Not understanding what Zhan Haoze meant by this, Shi Mengwanâs body froze.
âLi Junsheng, mayor of Lin City. His family had been prominent for generations. Li Junsheng became the Mayor of Lin City at a young age. In the past year, he had used a masterâs investment to develop and transform the Lin Cityâs old city area. His popularity in Lin City is very high.
Shi Mengwanâs back was leaning against the door. She didnât understand what he meant by these words.
âI didnât expect you to be so good at seducing men. To think that you could attract the attention of two men like them.â
Shi Mengwan discerned that he was speaking in a mocking tone. Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped his face.
However, before her hand touched his face, he had already grabbed it.
His body moved forward and pressed her between the door and his chest.
âAre you angry?â
âZhan Haoze, not every man is like you.â
âLike me? What do you mean by that? Hmm?â
Zhan Haoze leaned over and leaned close to Shi Mengwanâs face. The breath he exhaled blew onto her cheeks.
She turned her face away, as if she was trying to escape. She bit her lip. The fingernails of the hand that he didnât grab dug into her palm.
Like what?
She didnât understand how things had become like this.
..
More than a year ago.
Shi Mengwan hung up on Su Qingsang. She felt a little lonely.
Su Qingsang had followed Huo Jinyao back to Rong City for the mid-autumn festival. She was married. Although she wouldnât forget her friends, Su Qingsang didnât spend that much time with her anymore.
She felt a little lonely, but Huo Jinyao seemed to be a good person. Although he didnât have money, he still lived in Su Qingsangâs house, and his conditions were average, as long as he treated Su Qingsang well, it would be fine.
She looked through all the orders she had received in order. The studio had been doing well recently.
Ever since Su Qingsang got married, her orders had increased a lot. There was nothing she could do. Even if Su Qingsang was the illegitimate daughter of the Su family, her wedding was still quite eye-catching.
She designed her wedding dress herself. After the wedding, the studioâs business became much better.
âSister Shi, the customer from last time came again.â Secretary Xiao Qiu knocked on the door and poked her head in.
âWhich one?â
âItâs that Miss Chen.â
âIâll go take a look.â Shi Mengwan immediately thought of someone when she heard the name Chen.
There were two people sitting in the reception room. One was Chen Feifei, whom she had met the last time, and the other was Zhan Haoze.
Upon seeing the two people appear at the same time, Shi Mengwanâs expression was ambivalent for a moment. It was only for a moment. She quickly readjusted her expression and turned to look at Chen Feifei.
âHello, Miss Chen.â
Last time, Chen Feifei came over and said that she wanted to order a dress, but after she finished talking about the design requirements, there was no more follow-up.
âHello.â
Chen Feifei was gentle and mild-mannered. When she saw Shi Mengwan, she even stood up quite politely.
âMiss Shi, I might have to trouble you this time. I have a banquet in a few days, and I want to choose a dress for myself.â
Although Shi Mengwanâs main focus was designing wedding dresses, she also had gowns there.
Looking at Chen Feifei, she nodded. âNo problem. I wonder what Miss Chenâs requirements are?â
âWhite, and formal.â Chen Feifei smiled appropriately. âWhy donât you introduce me to Miss Shi?â
âOkay.â
Shi Mengwan nodded and brought Chen Feifei to try on her gown. Before she left, she glanced at Zhan Haoze.
He sat there with his legs elegantly crossed. He was casually flipping through a magazine in his hand.
Chen Feifei was already at the door, but she suddenly turned around and walked in front of Zhan Haoze.
âBrother Hao, Iâm going to try on some clothes. Wait for me.â
âUh huh,â Zhan Haoze replied. His gaze didnât even leave the magazine.
Chen Feifei seemed to be a little displeased. She couldnât help but bend down and kiss Zhan Haoze on the cheek.
âThank you, Brother Hao. Youâre so nice to me.â
With a straight face, Shi Mengwan didnât look at Zhan Haoze. Therefore, she didnât see Zhan Haozeâs eyebrows twitch slightly because of Chen Feifeiâs actions.
Chen Feifei also knew that she couldnât go too far. Zhan Haoze would be unhappy if she went any further.
She couldnât help but feel crestfallen and depressed, but she covered it up well.
Shi Mengwan brought Chen Feifei to try on some clothes. During the time, Zhan Haoze kept coming to her mind uncontrollably.
He had changed a lot, but no matter how much he changed, she could still recognize him.
Looking down, Shi Mengwan forced herself to focus on Chen Feifei.
âThis is our gown exhibition area. Other than our own designs, there are also some custom-made designs from abroad.â
As a studio, of course they had to try their best to meet the needs of people of different status.
âThis isnât bad.â Chen Feifei picked up a white gown and gestured it to her own body.
âMiss Chen, you can try it on.â Shi Mengwan looked at Chen Feifeiâs figure. âMiss Chen is so slim, so you should wearing an S size, right?â
âUh huh.â Chen Feifei nodded, but she put the gown in Shi Mengwanâs hand. âIâm sorry, but I donât like the lace on it.â
âItâs okay, you can take your time.â
âOkay.â Chen Feifei nodded and turned to look at her, as if she had thought of something. âMiss Shi, your studio is called Song Searching. Is there a reason?â
Shi Mengwan pursed her lips slightly. âLife is like a dream and also like a song, so my studio called Song Searching.â
âI canât tell that Miss Shi is a refined person.â
âMiss Chen, youâre too flattering.â
Shi Mengwan stood behind her, but she knew very well that this name didnât mean that.
Song Searching, searching for big brother.
But after so many years, after so long, she hadnât heard a single word or seen a signal sign of him. After she was finally reunited with him, he had completely forgotten about her.
âThese two.â
While they were talking, Chen Feifei had already picked out two dresses. Shi Mengwan led her to the fitting room.
When she turned around, she realized that Zhan Haoze had arrived at some unknown time and was standing at the entrance of the exhibition area.
Her assistant Xiao Ji accompanied Chen Feifei to try on the clothes. At this time, only Shi Mengwan and Zhan Haoze were in the exhibition area.
Since they were guests, Shi Mengwan tried her best to make her expression look normal and calm.
âMr. Zhan, Miss Chen will come out later. You can sit here and wait for her.â
Zhan Haoze glanced at her, then slowly walked to the sofa that Shi Mengwan pointed at and sat down.
The design of this exhibition area was very chic. The large piece of light pink and white geometric tiles had dark patterns, which were a variety of clothing styles.
If one looked closely, one could see the patterns on it. The sofa was geometric in shape. It didnât have a coffee table in the middle like other normal shops would.
Instead, there were small tables on both sides with catalogues on them. There was also a small, slim vase with a rose in it.
Zhan Haoze looked around and paused when he passed Shi Mengwan.
He couldnât tell that this woman had such good taste.
Shi Mengwan greeted him outside. Soon, Xiao Qiu brought in two cups of camellia tea.
âMr. Zhan, please have some tea.â
âBrother Hao, do I look good?â
Chen Feifei had already put on her clothes and came out. When she saw Zhan Haoze come in, she was obviously very happy and twirled around in front of him.
Zhan Haoze was indifferent. âNot bad.â
âOnly not bad?â Chen Feifei was obviously disappointed, but only for a moment. âThen Iâll go and change again.â
Zhan Haoze didnât say anything, so Chen Feifei seemed to be a little crestfallen. She went in to change into another set of clothes.
After she changed into the second set, Zhan Haoze still said that it wasnât bad.
Shi Mengwan stood there with her head lowered sheepishly. Chen Feifei didnât ask her, and she didnât intend to say anything.
In fact, both gowns were nice, and they were very suitable for her.
Chen Feifei changed to the third set, and Zhan Haoze said yes.
âThis one then.â Chen Feifei finally smiled and turned to look at Shi Mengwan. âMiss Shi, do you have menâs clothes here? Pick one for brother Hao too.â
âYes.â
Although she only designed womenâs clothes here, it didnât mean that she didnât have menâs clothes.
There were foreign high-end custom-made clothes, and she also cooperated with some brands.
âBrother Hao, you can also choose a set here.â
Zhan Haoze sat there without moving. âI have clothes.â
âThen you can treat it as accompanying me. Weâre going to a banquet together yet you wonât wear matching outfits with me?â
When she mentioned matching outfits, she seemed to be a little bashful. She then looked at Zhan Haoze with a tentative expression.
Zhan Haoze looked at her and finally got up to choose clothes.
âMiss Shi, help me choose a set.â
This was the first time Zhan Haoze had spoken to Shi Mengwan since he had been here for so long.
Shi Mengwan looked at him and finally gave him a set of clothes that she felt matched Chen Feifeiâs gown.
âThis set, matched with Feifeiâs.â
It wasnât that Shi Mengwan had never met easy customers, but there werenât many customers this easy.
She took the card from Zhan Haozeâs hand and asked Xiao Qiu to swipe the card for Zhan Haoze.
Chen Feifei was obviously very satisfied with Zhan Haozeâs cooperation. The smile on her face widened even more.
âBrother Hao, youâre really good to me. But, you have to try it out. If it doesnât fit, you can ask her to change it, right? Although I believe that youâll look good in anything, itâs better to try it out.â
As she spoke, she held Zhan Haozeâs arm. Zhan Haozeâs body stiffened for a moment, but it was only for a moment.
âThen Iâll try it on.â
Using the excuse of going to try on clothes, he successfully broke free from Chen Feifeiâs grasp and went to try on clothes.
The dark suit had a close-fitting cut on Zhan Haozeâs inverted triangle-like figure.
The suit suited him very well.
âBrother Hao is so handsome.â
Chen Feifeiâs eyes were full of unconcealed admiration. Just as she was about to approach, Zhan Haoze entered the fitting room again and changed his clothes.
âAre you ready?â
âYes.â
Shi Mengwan had already asked Xiao Qiu to wrap up the clothes. âMay I ask if you want to take them away or have us send them to your door?â
âWeâll take them with us directly.â Chen Feifei wrapped her hands around Zhan Haozeâs wrist. âBrother Hao, itâs getting late. Letâs go to Baishanfang for a meal. I heard that thereâs a new chef over there who knows how to cook Cantonese cuisine. Shall we go and have a taste?â
Zhan Haoze didnât say anything and just left.
Shi Mengwan looked at the figures of the two people leaving and her memory suddenly went back to that year. She could only watch her big brother getting further and further away from her.
She shook her head and reminded herself that Zhan Haoze was no longer her big brother.
She asked Xiao Qiu to pack up all the clothes. Shi Mengwan planned to go back to her office to finish drawing a design she had taken on previously.
However, as soon as she sat down, Xiao Qiu came in again.
âSister Shi, I found this in the article just now.â
It was a manâs wallet. The black leather was very high quality, and it was obvious that it was expensive.
âThis should be Mr. Zhanâs. Leave it. Later, contact him through the phone number left by the client.â
âOkay.â
Xiao Qiu took the wallet and was about to leave when Shi Mengwan suddenly called out to her, âWait a minute.â
âLeave it. Itâs almost time to get off work. Iâll call him and inform him. You guys can get off work when itâs time.â
Xiao Qiu didnât think too much about it. Shi Mengwan stayed in the office all year round to draw pictures until late hours. She had a lounge upstairs. If it was late, she would sleep in the studio directly.
Since she said she would personally inform him, she put down the wallet and left.
Shi Mengwan picked up her pen and notebook to continue drawing, but when she saw the wallet, she couldnât help but reach out to take it.
However, as soon as she picked it up, she forced herself to put the wallet down again. Youâve already accepted the fact that he isnât your big brother, so why bother looking at his things?
She focused on drawing again, and three hours soon flew by.
When she finished drawing, she realized that it was completely dark outside.
It was already very late. No wonder she was so hungry. She thought about eating something to fill her stomach, but her gaze landed on the wallet again.
She stared at the wallet for a long time. This time, Shi Mengwan couldnât resist and as if bewitched, she picked up the wallet.