Chen Feifei looked at Zhan Haoze with a fervent gaze. It was obvious that she was in love with him. She hooked her arm around Zhan Haozeâs, and they looked extremely intimate.
âBrother Hao. I didnât expect the President Huo we met last time to be the president of Tianyu Corporation. He looks really young.â
âMhm,â Not too surprised, Zhan Haoze replied perfunctorily. He had dealt with Huo Jinyao before.
âAlso, heâs really good to his wife.â
Chen Feifei looked in Su Qingsangâs direction, and her eyes couldnât help but show envy.
Who wouldnât be envious of a woman like Su Qingsang? She had a man like Huo Jinyao, who was not only rich and handsome, but also good to her.
Zhan Haoze didnât respond, and Chen Feifei couldnât help but stand in front of him. âBrother Hao, after we get married, youâll treat me like president Huo treats his wife, right?â
Zhan Haoze pursed his thin lips slightly and didnât respond to Chen Feifeiâs words. Chen Feifeiâs eyes were filled with disappointment, but she forced herself to reveal a faint smile.
âBrother Hao, you will always take care of me, right?â
Zhan Haoze responded very softly, and his voice was a little perfunctory. Chen Feifei wasnât angry. Zhan Haoze had always been like this. If she were to get angry, she would have died of anger long ago.
She believed that since she and Zhan Haoze had been together for more than ten years anyway, no one could compare to their relationship.
âBrother Hao, I saw Miss Luo and Miss Song. Letâs go and say hello.â
The Chen family had business dealings with the Luo family and the Song family, and she really wanted to bring Zhan Haoze to meet them.
âYou go. Iâm going to the bathroom.â
âThen go and come back quickly. You know, when youâre not here, I feel like Iâve lost my soul.â
Zhan Haoze didnât respond to Chen Feifeiâs words. He took her hand away from his and headed towards the bathroom.
Chen Feifei pursed her lips into a straight line. Where Zhan Haoze couldnât see, a gloomy look flashed through her eyes.
She had spent a month fighting with that Ling Xue. The Ling familyâs conditions were similar to her familyâs. She could be considered a difficult woman to deal with.
However, it was a pity that Ling Xue was someone who liked to play around. She relied on her family background and didnât take men seriously. It wasnât difficult to find something to hold against such a woman.
Chen Feifei spent a lot of effort to find something to hold against Ling Xue. She was sure that Ling Xue was now in a terrible situation. It was impossible for her to have the time to pester Zhan Haoze anymore.
Now that Ling Xue was no longer pestering him, Zhan Haoze should be free to accompany her. However, he had become very cold to her recently.
She asked him and he told her that he was busy with work. In fact, the company had indeed been busy recently. As a result, she couldnât even throw a tantrum.
He wasnât even willing to bring her to the banquet tonight. If she hadnât seen the invitation card sent to his office, she wouldnât have known at all.
Chen Feifei was a little annoyed, but all her negative emotions wouldnât show in front of Zhan Haoze.
As she walked towards the circle of socialites, the corners of her lips curled up into a perfect smile.
She was the eldest daughter of the Chen family, so she had to maintain her most graceful side at all times.
..
Shi Mengwan put down her wine glass when she saw Zhan Haoze. She tried her best to make it look like she didnât notice him. However, her movement of putting down her wine glass was a little forceful.
For more than half a month, Zhan Haoze didnât appear again.
She treated those two nights as her dream. During this period of time, she kept trying to convince herself of that.
She had already started to let go, but then she saw this scene again.
She had long heard from Su Qingsang that Zhan Haoze had a fiancée. She also remembered that she had once met Zhan Haoze and Chen Feifei together.
At that time, the two of them didnât have a real relationship, and she wasnât 100% sure that the other party was Qiao Ze.
But now, she couldnât bear to watch it any longer. She left the dining table and turned around to go to the bathroom.
When she left the banquet hall, Shi Mengwanâs cell phone rang. It was a call from home. She took her phone and walked to the corner at the end of the corridor to answer the call.
There was a stairwell next to it. It was very far away from the elevator, so she didnât have to worry about anyone coming over.
Mother Shi asked if she would go home on New Yearâs Day. Shi Mengwan didnât give a definite answer. At the end of the year, there were many things to do. She really couldnât guarantee that she would have the time to go back.
âYour sister misses you very much. She asked about you several times. She even said that she wanted to go to Lin City to see you.â
Shi Mengru was Shi Mengwanâs sister. The little baby girl from back then was already thirteen years old and was in middle school.
She had been close to this sister of hers ever since she was young. Every time she returned home, she wanted to spend time with her sister.
âAlright. I think Iâll go back when Iâm free.â
âYou should come back when youâre free. Your grandmother hasnât been feeling well recently and has been missing you.â
Grandmother would miss her? Didnât she always regard her as a money-losing commodity? Even though she had earned money outside and had even bought a house now, she still felt that she wasnât as good as her uncleâs son.
In her grandmotherâs eyes, she was inferior to her uncleâs son, so wasnât her grandmother missing her a little ironic? She was already used to it. Her grandmotherâs preference for sons over daughters was engraved in her bones and couldnât be easily changed.
Silence. Even if Shi Mengwan went back, she wasnât going to visit her grandmother, so there was no need to say anything else.
âWanwan?â Shi Mengwanâs voice sounded a little cautious.
âIs there anything else, Mom?â
âYou, are you still blaming your grandma?â
âNo, itâs nothing.â Shi Mengwan leaned her body against the wall behind her. The wall was a little cold, but she felt that this coldness would keep her sober.
âMom, donât overthink things. Iâm not going back because Iâm not free. Iâll naturally go back when Iâm free.â
âWanwan.â Shi Mengwan sighed. After so many years, she kept feeling like she had let her daughter down.
âIf thereâs nothing else, Iâll hang up. Iâm outside.â
âOkay. Your dad misses you too. Come back and stay for a few more days when youâre free.â
âGot it.â Shi Mengwan bit her lip. She thought about it and added, âItâs not that I donât want to go back. Itâs the end of the year and the studio has a lot of things to do. Why donât we wait for the New Year? Iâll come back and stay for a few more days.â
Shi Mengwan was just saying that. If it was really the New Year, she would have something to do for the New Year.
Ever since she graduated and opened a studio, she hadnât stayed at home for more than a week.
âOkay, okay. Iâll cook the dishes you like then.â
Mother Shi was very happy. She rambled on for a long time before hanging up. Shi Mengwan listened patiently and didnât interrupt her.
After hanging up the phone, she saw a dark shadow on the ground in front of her.
Shi Mengwan was shocked. She took a big step back. She looked up and saw that unbeknownst to her, Zhan Haoze had arrived.
He stood there as the light behind him shone on his body. The angle of the backlight made his facial features a little unclear.
He was tall. Perhaps it was because he was here for the party, but he was wearing a three-piece suit. The dark-patterned fabric stuck to his body and made him look even taller.
Shi Mengwan looked into his eyes and could clearly hear her own heartbeat.
One beat after another, it was something she couldnât control, a womanâs feelings for a man.
The other reason was that she knew that this man was her Dear Brother. For the first time, his existence and his appearance could make her lose her peace of mind.
She lowered her eyes and clenched her fists tightly. She actually had a lot to say and a lot to ask. However, in the end, she gritted her teeth and intending to leave, she walked past Zhan Haoze.
When she walked past Zhan Haoze, her arm was tightly grabbed by Zhan Haoze. Her body was frozen there.
With suppressed emotions, she looked at him with a cold gaze.
His gaze deep and unreadable, he was also looking at her.
Shi Mengwan was wearing a black gown that made her look like a goddess today. The V-neck design exposed the snow-white skin on her chest.
Behind her was a thin black gauze. From this angle, he could even see her waist line.
Shi Mengwan felt that Zhan Haoze was holding her arm a little too tightly. She looked at that hand, and then at Zhan Haoze.
âMr. Zhan, whatâs the matter?â
Mr. Zhan? Zhan Haoze narrowed his eyes and suddenly pulled her body in his direction. Then, he hugged her and pushed her towards the stairwell.
In a corner that couldnât be seen by the surveillance cameras, Zhan Haoze pressed Shi Mengwan against the wall.
âZhan ââ
Their lips touched, and all her words were sealed in the kiss. Shi Mengwan was momentarily stunned. She looked at Zhan Haoze, and for a moment, she actually forgot to resist.
His face was magnified in front of her, and the man in front of her was undoubtedly good-looking. He was not only good-looking, but he also had a temperament that mesmerized women.
With a hint of unruliness, he was cold, arrogant, and sullen.
Such a man was dangerously irresistible to women. He was like a poppy.
His lips were slightly cold. In this season, it was undoubtedly cold outside. Shi Mengwan had stayed outside for so long that her limbs were already cold.
Compared to his lips, his chest was much warmer. She was hugged by him and aroused by his kiss. Her limbs were warmed, but at the same time, her rationality returned.
What was he doing?
He was kissing her.
He brought his fiancée to this banquet hall, yet he was actually kissing her here?
What kind of person did he think she was? Shi Mengwan was furious.
She tried to push him, but she couldnât. She raised her foot to kick him, but he caught her foot.
Shi Mengwan struggle continuously, but no matter how hard she struggled, she couldnât break free. Her heart was filled with anger. She couldnât push Zhan Haoze away, so she opened her mouth and bit down hard on his lips.
Unexpectedly, Zhan Haoze, who was already prepared, loosened his grip on her. Shi Mengwan was caught off guard and bit her own lips instead.
The pain made Shi Mengwan cry out in a low voice. She bit hard just now, and her lips even had a slight cut.
The pain made her even angrier. She looked at Zhan Haoze, who was still trapping her between the wall and him.
Her gaze cold, she raised her eyes to meet his.
âLet go of me.â
The place wasnât appropriate for her to shout. She deliberately lowered her voice to suppress her anger.
âZhan Haoze, what do you mean by this?â
âYour fiancée is still inside. Zhan Haoze, let go of me.â
Zhan Haoze didnât answer her question. He saw the anger on Shi Mengwanâs face and narrowed his eyes slightly. âShe isnât my fiancée.â
That was an explanation. After all, he had never had any romantic feelings for Chen Feifei.
Who would believe it? The only two times Shi Mengwan had met Zhan Haoze when he was with Chen Feifei, Chen Feifei was basically clinging to him.
Even if she wasnât his fiancée, she was still his girlfriend.
Shi Mengwan was silent. Her body was pressed against the wall. Her eyes werenât focused on Zhan Haoze, but on an unknown spot behind him.
âI got it. Mr. Zhan, can you let me go now?â
Her reaction was out of his expectations. Zhan Haoze stared at her face and pursed his lips.
He looked at Shi Mengwan and had no intention of retreating.
âMr. Zhan?â She couldnât go back to the banquet hall if he didnât move. Although Su Qingsang wasnât the main character today, she wasnât that different from the main character.
Su Qingsang might not have the time to look for her, but she didnât want Su Qingsang to be suspicious.
âDid you take your medicine that day?â
This extremely abrupt question made Shi Mengwanâs expression change slightly. She suddenly understood why Zhan Haoze blocked her way.
âMr. Zhan, whatâs the matter? Are you afraid that Iâll use a child to threaten you or achieve some other purpose?â
Shi Mengwan sneered. She felt that even if the other party was her beloved Dear Brother, she wouldnât be able to suppress the anger in her heart.
âDonât worry, Iâve taken the medicine, and my period has already come. Iâm not pregnant, and I wonât use the child to do anything to you.â
After saying this coldly, Shi Mengwan pushed Zhan Haozeâs body and quickly headed towards the banquet hall.
The moment her body left him, Zhan Haoze raised his hand and was about to grab her hand, but in the end, he lowered it.
He stared at Shi Mengwanâs back, and his gaze was deep. No one knew what he was thinking.
... ..
After she returned to the banquet hall, Shi Mengwan wasnât in the mood to stay any longer. Her lips were still hurting and she bit them.
She went to the bathroom to touch up her makeup, and her lipstick covered the wound. She looked more normal, but it couldnât suppress her anger.
She was a little angry, but because of the current situation, she couldnât even have an outburst.
In the banquet hall, there were people who knew her and they came over to greet her. Shi Mengwanâs studio was now somewhat famous.
There were also some socialites who liked to order gowns from her place. Shi Mengwan couldnât leave even if she wanted to.
After chatting with those people patiently, Shi Mengwan finally found an opportunity. She got the chance to tell Su Qingsang that she would leave first.
Su Qingsang knew that she was the same as herself and didnât really like such occasions. She told her to go to her house for a meal in a few days, then waved her hand and let her go.
After coming out of the banquet hall, Shi Mengwan shrunk her neck when the cold wind blew.
The weather today was very good and the sun was shining brightly. When she came, she only wore a trench coat and coat.
It was already late at night and even though she was wearing a coat, she still felt cold.
She got into the car but before she went home, she realized that the refrigerator at home was almost empty. She immediately ordered some fruits and fresh groceries online.
It was already very late when she got home. Shi Mengwan entered the house but just as she put down her bag and changed into domestic attire, someone knocked on the door.
She thought that the fresh groceries she had ordered had arrived, so she got up to open the door. Unexpectedly, Zhan Haoze was actually standing outside.
Shi Mengwan blocked the door and glanced at Zhan Haoze. He was still wearing the three-piece suit from the previous cocktail party. The corridor light shone on his face. He was still expressionless, but his eyes were burning as he stared at her.
She felt her heart skip a beat again, and her hands behind the door couldnât help but tighten.
âWhatâs the matter?â
Zhan Haoze didnât say anything. His gaze swept over her. He had torn off her pajamas last time. The weather was a little cooler. She was wearing a pullover-style domestic attire.
The pink bear on her cotton domestic attire looked especially cute. It didnât match her appearance at all, but it was surprisingly harmonious.
Zhan Haoze didnât say anything. He took a step forward slightly. He was so close that Shi Mengwan could smell the faint scent of mint on his body.
She took a deep breath and tried her best to make her voice sound normal and calm.
âMr. Zhan, whatâs the matter?â
She deliberately kept a distance between them so that Zhan Haoze wouldnât notice the fluctuations in her heart. She also didnât want him to know that her heartbeat was irregular because of him, and that he affected her mood.
The way she kept him at a distance caused Zhan Haozeâs brows to furrow imperceptibly. âWhat? Youâre not calling me Dear Brother anymore?â
Shi Mengwanâs back, which was placed behind the door, tensed up. She raised her eyes and looked at Zhan Haoze. They met each otherâs eyes. âDidnât you say that you donât want me to call you Dear Brother? Mr. Zhan, since you donât admit that youâre my Dear Brother, then just take it that Iâve mistaken you for someone else. Itâs getting late, so feel free to see yourself out.â
Shi Mengwan slammed the door . Zhan Haoze, who didnât expect her to do this to him, let her shut the door.
Shi Mengwan didnât realize what she had done until the door was closed. Her expression extremely ugly, she leaned against the door.
Thatâs right. He clearly said that he wasnât her Dear Brother, and he clearly didnât admit it, so why did he have to tease her again and again?
There was another knock on the door behind her. Shi Mengwan felt angry and didnât want to bother with him at all.
The knocking stopped. In less than two minutes, there was another knock. Shi Mengwan still didnât bother with him, and she simply left him hanging.
Who cared what he wanted? Since he wasnât her Dear Brother, then she had nothing to say to him.
Shi Mengwan wanted to go back to her room to take a shower, but when she heard the knock on the door again, she really couldnât restrain herself.
She angrily ran to open the door and said without thinking, âZhan Haoze, what do you want? You clearly ââ
When she saw the confused deliveryman standing outside, Shi Mengwanâs expression suddenly became very embarrassed.
âIâm sorry. You ââ
âMs. Shi Mengwan, right? Weâre direct delivery from T Cat. This is the package you ordered from T cat ââ
âThank you.â Feeling a little embarrassed, Shi Mengwan took the express delivery box from Zhan his hand. After signing, she was still a little embarrassed. âIâm sorry. I wasnât angry at you just now.â
âI know. You were angry at that gentleman, right?â
The express delivery guy stood a little to the side, and only then did Shi Mengwan realize that Zhan Haoze hadnât left yet.
The express delivery guy misunderstood and thought that the two of them were a couple arguing. âMiss, even if youâre arguing with your boyfriend, donât lock him out. When I stepped out of the elevator just now, I was shocked when I saw him.â
âYouâve misunderstood. Weâre not ââ
âThank you for your patronage. If youâre satisfied, remember to give us a five-star review.â
The delivery guy completely ignored Shi Mengwanâs explanation. This matter had nothing to do with him. The other party took the form and walked towards the elevator.
When he passed by Zhan Haoze, he didnât forget to blink at him. âSir, if your girlfriend gets angry... you have to coax her. We, T Cat, can deliver flowers after you order online. If you need anything, you can order online.â
This unexpected advertisement left Shi Mengwan at a loss for words.
She hugged the big box and was about to close the door, but she failed this time.
Zhan Haoze wasnât prepared earlier, but this time he was. She was holding a box in her hand. Before she could close the door, he had already come in.
âYou ââ
Shi Mengwan wanted to chase him out, but Zhan Haoze closed the door directly.
âZhan Haoze.â Shi Mengwan stared at him for a long time. The box in her hand was really heavy. She turned around and went to the kitchen. She planned to chase him out later.
After entering the kitchen, Shi Mengwan organized things properly, as usual.
She took out the fruits and vegetables inside and sorted them into categories. She didnât eat much just now and planned to cook herself a bowl of noodles.
Knowing that Zhan Haoze wouldnât leave for a while, Shi Mengwan decided to settle her needs first. She would talk about it after she was full.
She took out tomatoes and eggs and planned to cook a tomato and egg noodles. The cabbage that was delivered today wasnât bad either. She washed it as weell.
She was different from other people, who put entire vegetable leaves into the noodles. Shi Mengwan didnât like to eat the whole vegetable leaves, so she had to chop the vegetables.
This was a very strange habit. Shi Mengwan cut the vegetables and prepared the ingredients properly.
Her cooking skills werenât bad. As the eldest daughter of her family, she had been studying and working outside for so many years, so her cooking skills were quite outstanding.
In less than 20 minutes, she had already cooked the noodles and scooped them out.
The eggs were fried until they were golden yellow. The tomatoes and vegetables matched well. It looked very appetizing.
Shi Mengwan had already forgotten that Zhan Haoze was still outside. Just as she was about to carry the noodles to the dining table outside, she turned around and found Zhan Haoze standing at the kitchen door while staring at her. She didnât know how long he had been there.
Shi Mengwanâs expression turned ugly again.
She didnât want to pay attention to Zhan Haoze. In fact, seeing him in front of her always made her involuntarily think of the things that had happened in the past. She thought of the time when she and her Dear Brother had lived together for more than a year.
She picked up the bowl of noodles, then passed Zhan Haoze and placed it on the dining table. Shi Mengwan was about to sit down and eat the noodles.
However, she realized that Zhan Haoze had also come out and sat in front of the dining table.
Shi Mengwan, who was about to eat the noodles, stopped for a moment. She looked at Zhan Haoze and didnât know what was wrong with him.
âMr. Zhan, you havenât left yet, so is it because you want to eat noodles?â
Zhan Haoze glanced at her. Before she could react, he took her bowl of noodles, including the chopsticks in her hand, and placed it in front of him.
She froze for a moment. Then, she saw Zhan Haoze acting like a bandit. He actually started to eat the noodles that she had cooked.
âYou ââ
Shi Mengwan wanted to say that she was just being polite. She didnât even think of treating him to noodles, okay? Didnât he know that this was just Chinese-style courtesy?
Also, who gave him the right to come uninvited? And now, he was sitting in her living room while eating the supper that she had originally prepared for herself?
âZhan Haoze, you ââ
She looked at Zhan Haoze attentively eating the noodles that she had cooked, but she couldnât say a word.