Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

And so?

Qiao Lian eyes shone, thinking that he had understood what she meant. She quickly added, “I hate it when men spend unnecessarily—for example, when they splurge a fortune on flowers that wilt after a day!”

“But don’t women like romance?” asked Shen Liangchuan.

“I’m not a woman! Oh! What am I saying- I mean, I don’t like it.”

“It’s true!” Qiao Lian promised. “I guarantee it! Whoever lies is a dog!”

Shen Liangchuan asked, “What’s the name of the director who directed Lord of Shanghai?”

Puzzled by the sudden change of topic, Qiao Lian replied, “Wang, of course!”

“What? Say it a few times.”

“Wang Wang Wang!” 1

Qiao Yi could not help but burst out laughing.

Qiao Lian turned to look at him quizzically, and only then realized that Shen Liangchuan had pulled a prank on her.

She was done for!

So he had figured out that she knew.

She twitched her lips and lowered her head with embarrassment.

Throughout dinner she did not speak a word, looking like an obedient wife.

She hoped that by putting on her meekest behaviour, she would earn Shen Liangchuan’s forgiveness.

Unfortunately, the man kept his cool calmness and did not show any emotions or expression.

The lack of anger or any sort of reaction on his part made Qiao Lian squirm with discomfort.

After the three of them finished dinner, Shen Liangchuan drove them home.

Once they arrived at the villa, Shen Liangchuan lifted the wheelchair from the trunk and said to Qiao Lian, “I’m going out and might be coming home a little late.”

Qiao Lian kept silent.

She watched as Shen Liangchuan got into his car and drove away.

She was still feeling very uneasy.

As though that was the end of her!

She feared that she might have offended Shen Liangchuan and he was upset by her remarks.

Oh no, what should she do now?

–

After Shen Liangchuan drove away from the villa, he stopped by the roadside.

He took out his cell phone and went into the call history. Indeed, there was a record of a phone call from Sun Tzi.

Hence, it was clear that Qiao Lian now knew that the bouquet and afternoon tea had not been from him.

He thought about the things she had said tonight.

Shen Liangchuan frowned.

He felt that perhaps it was true he was a stuffy man.

Given that Xia Yehua had complained that he was a bore, he wondered if Qiao Lian thought the same of him.

Could it be that eight years ago Qiao Lian had disappeared because he was a bore?

He frowned and loosened his tie, feeling a little frustrated.

He had never been in love, apart from that one online relationship eight years ago, hence he had no idea how to delight a girl.

But today, seeing the sparkle in her eyes had made him wish he had been the one bringing her that happiness.

He pursed his lips and dialed a number on his cell phone.

The line connected almost immediately and Mo Xicheng’s voice at the other end of the line said, “What’s up?”

“What would you do to impress a girl?”

Mo Xicheng paused and said in a relaxed manner, “Has your cell phone been stolen?”

Shen Liangchuan scowled, “Where are you?”

“Home”

Shen Liangchuan looked up at the night sky. “Wanna come out for a drink?”

Mo Xicheng was quick to agree. “Okay. I recall you have a bottle of Château Lafite-Rothschild in your villa in the new district?”

Shen Liangchuan raised his eyebrows.

“If you need a consultation, there’s a fee. Plus, it would be unwise for me to make an appearance at a bar at the moment.”

Shen Liangchuan nodded. “Fine. I’ll pick you up.”

It would probably be unwise for Mo Xicheng’s car to be spotted too.

After Shen Liangchuan picked Mo Xicheng, they drove to the outskirts of the city.

En route, Shen Liangchuan suddenly frowned and said, “We’re being followed.”