Chapter 13

Lin Shanchu approached him with slow steps. “Is that why you thought I’m the only one who’s capable of lying? ”

Lu Shiyuan’s expression was hesitant.

When she was young, she would cry when she did something wrong due to her timid nature.

In the past few years, whenever she confronted him, she would be reduced to tears as well.

He had always felt that the reason behind those tears was her fear and guilt of doing something wrong.

However, whenever he asked her to apologize to Tang Qidai, she became very stubborn and refused to do so.

After a few times, Lu Shiyuan started to get tired of her.

As a result, he was even more biased toward Tang Qidai.

Hence, no matter what happened, he would choose to believe in Tang Qidai and not Lin Shanchu.

He had never doubted his own choice, but he felt guilty for no reason as he stared into Lin Shanchu’s clear, cold eyes.

Was he really in the wrong the whole time?

The sudden ringing of his phone interrupted his thoughts.

He took a look at his phone and answered the call hurriedly.

He even accidentally tapped on the speaker.

“Qidai, what’s wrong?”

His tone was gentle yet nervous.

Tang Qidai was so understanding. Something urgent must have happened for her to suddenly call him.

Lin Shanchu heard Tang Qidai’s sobbing voice from the phone.

“Brother Shiyuan, can you come over…?”

Lu Shiyuan looked at Lin Shanchu hesitantly before replying, “Alright…”

After hanging up the phone, he looked up at Lin Shanchu.

She had a disdainful smile on her face, and her eyes were cold.

He had never seen Lin Shanchu with such an expression.

There was a trace of ruthlessness in that distant expression of hers.

Another thought popped into his mind. They had grown up together, so he knew Lin Shanchu’s personality the best.

She loved him so much that it was impossible for her to have a change of heart. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have returned.

Lu Shiyuan suppressed the uneasiness and guilt in his heart. “I’m going out for a while. We’ll talk about this later.”

“Have a safe trip,” Lin Shanchu said with a smile.

She looked as gentle as before.

Lu Shiyuan became more and more relaxed. His tone gradually softened. “Wait for my return.”

Lin Shanchu was still smiling.

Lu Shiyuan started to feel that there was something wrong with that smile. However, he was still thinking about Tang Qidai, so he didn’t dwell on it.

Lin Shanchu stood in front of the window as usual and watched Lu Shiyuan drive away.

Just now, she had given Lu Shiyuan one last chance.

She had grown up with Lu Shiyuan, after all. He did treat her well when she was young.

She thought that perhaps the plot forced Lu Shiyuan to always listen to Tang Qidai.

That was why she wanted to have an open and honest talk with Lu Shiyuan.

Now, it seemed that it was a waste of time.

Lu Shiyuan was a stubborn, conceited, selfish, and irritable person. He only believed in what he was willing to believe.

She still sincerely hoped that Lu Shiyuan would die outside.

Otherwise, she would have to do it herself.

…

Lin Shanchu went downstairs with the antique vase.

The maids happened to be cleaning the living room.

“Help me find a gift box. I want a pretty one.”

While waiting for the servant to take the gift box, Lin Shanchu sent a private message to Sugar Ginger.

Actress Lin Shanchu: [Hello. When are you free? I’ll bring the vase over.]

Sugar Ginger: [Let’s meet somewhere tomorrow.]

The other party replied within seconds, as if waiting for her reply.

Actress Lin Shanchu: [Where do you want it to be?]

Sugar Ginger: [Is Yong Shui Pavilion alright with you?]

Yong Shui Pavilion was the top club in Xu City.

It had a membership system, so regular people couldn’t enter it.

It was a symbol of identity and status.

It seemed that Sugar Ginger really was a rich girl.

After wrapping up the vase and returning to her room, Lin Shanchu logged onto Weibo to take a look.

The lucky draw that she had hosted on her livestream was a popular topic.

Other than a portion of Tang Qidai’s fans mocking her for putting on a show, there were also a few netizens who joined in to criticize her.

[Money always comes from a source. I refuse to believe that Lu Shiyuan would let Lin Shanchu offer a 30 million dollar vase as the lucky draw’s prize. I’ll sit here and wait for Lin Shanchu to revoke the prize!]

[Yup. Lin Shanchu has always been a person who doesn’t keep her word. She stood the film crew up and even made it to the trending list. Has everyone forgotten that incident?]

[Don’t tell me that someone really thinks that Lin Shanchu will give the vase to the winner!]

[Judging from Lin Shanchu’s character, only idiots would believe her!]

Lin Shanchu posted a thread on Weibo.

Actress Lin Shanchu: [I will give away the prize on a livestream at tomorrow noon.]

Lu Shiyuan did not return for the entire night.

The next day.

When it was almost noon, the hashtag #12 o’clock started trending.

The entire internet was waiting for Lin Shanchu to give away the prize on a livestream.

Lin Shanchu rummaged through the closet incessantly, only to discover that it was filled with pastel-colored clothes.

She frowned in disgust.

After that, she grabbed a white dress.

It was half past eleven when she arrived at Yong Shui Pavilion.

“Please show your membership card.” The doorman stopped Lin Shanchu.

How ironic.

The fiancée of Xu City’s top upstart, Lu Shiyuan, didn’t even have her own membership card of Yong Shui Pavilion.

Her parents had contributed greatly to the Lu Corporation, not to mention she was also the daughter of the Lu family’s saviors.

She had a good hand of cards, and yet she messed everything up, causing her to live such a wretched life.

“Ms. Lin?”

Lin Shanchu turned around with squinted eyes as she looked at Nan Mu. “Mr. Nan.”

“What a coincidence. Shall we go in together?” Nan Mu glanced at the doorman. A flash of understanding appeared in the latter’s eyes.

“Thank you.” Lin Shanchu nodded slightly.

The girl in a white dress had a faint smile on her face.

Nan Mu felt rather chilly the moment Lin Shanchu shot a look at him.

He touched his cold arm and thought of how he had tricked her into accompanying Huo Xunzhou to the cocktail party. Then, he apologized to her awkwardly.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lie to you about the party. It’s just that I was running out of time and it wasn’t easy to find a compatible companion…”

“Mhm.”

Lin Shanchu’s expression was calm, but Nan Mu felt even more embarrassed.

“Let me know if you need help with anything.”

“Alright,” she replied.

Her voice and expression were warm and soft. There was no fault to be found.

However, Nan Mu was inexplicably terrified.

As soon as Nan Mu reached his floor, he quickly slipped away.

He pushed the door open and said to Huo Xunzhou excitedly, “Guess who I just saw?”

“Lin Shanchu.” Huo Xunzhou did not even raise his head.

“How did you get it right on the first try? This isn’t interesting at all.” Nan Mu was disappointed.

…

Lin Shanchu found the room number.

She knocked on the door.

“Coming!”

The crisp voice of a young girl drifted from inside the room.

The door was then opened.

A girl in a traditional Chinese dress smiled. “You’re here.”

She had delicate features and a bright smile. One could tell that she had been pampered since she was young.

Lin Shanchu asked, “So you’re Sugar Ginger?”

“Yup. My real name is Jiang Tang.”

“Tang as in ‘sugar’?”

“The ‘Tang’ came from the word ‘sea anemone’.”

Lin Shanchu felt that this name sounded quite familiar.

“You’re even more beautiful in person than in the livestream.” Jiang Tang’s eyes sparkled.

Lin Shanchu replied, “You’re very beautiful too.”

“Come in.” Jiang Tang covered her face shyly.

The two of them entered the room.

Seeing that Lin Shanchu had set up the tripod and was ready to start the live broadcast, Jiang Tang put on her veil while speaking to her. “Wait, someone still isn’t here yet.”

“Who are we waiting for?” Lin Shanchu was puzzled.

Jiang Tang smiled, revealing her cute little canine teeth. She said in a friendly tone, “You’ll find out once they’re here.”