Chapter 138: Extra: If Line 02

In the cafe, a melodious piano melody floated through the air, soothing and relaxing.

Sitting at a window seat in the corner was a man and a woman.

An Ling took a sip of her coffee, ignoring the burning gaze from Jiang Mai at the front counter, her expression calm.

"Mr. Lu, I'll be blunt. I have no intention of going through with this marriage alliance. Seeing as you have no interest in me either, let's not waste each other's time. I hope you can speak directly to Aunt Lu, explain the situation, and cancel the engagement."

An Ling had no interest in an alliance with the Shen family.

With the elders of both families having passed away, the engagement naturally didn't count.

They called it an engagement, but it was really just a business alliance.

An alliance could, of course, be rejected.

But if she were the one to bring it up, it would definitely offend the Shen family and make things ugly.

So it was best for Lu Jingshen to clear things up himself.

She could tell he wasn't interested in her either, which was why she spoke so straightforwardly.

However, hearing this, Lu Jingshen paused.

"No, I can't say it."

"?"

An Ling frowned. "Why not?"

Lu Jingshen's expression turned somewhat complicated.

Why else?

Because ever since his older brother returned, his mother's demands on him had grown higher and higher, insisting that he must secure this alliance.

He looked at the girl across from him. "I don't have feelings for you either, but I can't tell my mother right now. At least... we have to wait a while."

He paused, then added, "So for this period, it's best if we cooperate. When the time comes, I will bring up canceling the engagement with my mother."

"..."

An Ling looked at him strangely.

What kind of logic was this?

Well, at least she knew canceling it right now was impossible.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "How long do we have to wait?"

"At least half a month."

"..."

Meaning they had to pretend for another half month?

She stayed silent for a moment, then picked up her coffee cup. "Got it. You'll cancel it in half a month, right? Then you don't need to text me during this time. Let's just pretend the other doesn't exist."

Texting was just annoying.

Lu Jingshen was about to say something when a call suddenly came in.

Seeing the name on the screen, his face stiffened. He immediately hung up and placed the phone face down.

But An Ling still caught a glimpse of the caller ID.

[Zhou Wen]

Who was that?

Lu Jingshen hurriedly grabbed his phone and stood up. "I have something to do. I'll take my leave first."

An Ling glanced at him and gave a casual "Mm."

After the man left, Jiang Mai quickly slid into his seat.

"Was that your fiancé? How did it go? Did he agree to cancel the engagement?"

An Ling took a bite of the cake on the table. "He said it can't be canceled right now."

"Why not?"

"God knows. But as long as it gets canceled eventually, I can wait a bit."

Although this method was a bit slow, at least it wouldn't harm the An family's interests.

Jiang Mai nodded, her eyes lighting up. "Then do you want to go out and have fun tonight?"

An Ling shook her head. "No, I have a dinner to attend tonight."

Both families had a dinner arranged for tonight; she had only chosen today to bring it up because of this gathering.

Mainly, this dinner was arranged by the Shen family, so it was hard to decline.

"Ah, I was going to suggest we go to the Golden Palace again. I didn't even get to check out the second floor last time," Jiang Mai said regretfully.

Hearing this, An Ling paused, instantly recalling the man she met that night.

She took another bite of cake, lost in thought.

What did he look like again?

It was a pity she had a bit to drink that night; all she remembered was that he seemed quite handsome.

...

Inside the Shen Corporation building, the conference room doors were pushed open from the inside.

A man with a steady, commanding presence walked out with unhurried steps, returning to his office.

Secretary Chen followed behind. "Young Master, the financial reports for the past few quarters and the project proposals have been placed on your desk."

The man gave an "Mm" and put on his suit jacket. The sharp tailoring accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He looked down to adjust his cuffs. "Let's go."

Secretary Chen paused, asking tentatively, "...Young Master, are you going to the Golden Palace again tonight?"

"Mm."

Just as he thought.

He had been going to the Golden Palace for several days in a row now. He didn't know when the Young Master had become so fond of drinking.

Could it be that the recent constant nitpicking from the other board directors was putting too much psychological pressure on him?

Secretary Chen pondered inwardly but still spoke up to remind him.

"Then are you not attending the dinner? Tonight, Young Master Lu is having dinner with the An family. It looks like they'll be discussing the marriage alliance."

Shen Linyan slightly raised his eyes. "The dinner?"

So she hasn't refused yet?

His expression remained unchanged as he cast a faint glance outside. "Where is Zhou Wen?"

Secretary Chen's expression turned a bit complicated, and he lowered his voice. "She already found out about this matter and left work early today."

Everyone in the company knew about Zhou Wen and Lu Jingshen's relationship. Just recently, the two had gotten into a fight and nearly broke up.

Zhou Wen only found out about the marriage alliance today?

He had hidden it quite well.

It seemed something was going to happen at tonight's dinner.

Shen Linyan raised his hand to check his watch. It was still early to go to the Golden Palace.

"Let's go take a look at the dinner first."

...

On the second floor of the Chuandexing Restaurant, inside a private room.

Shen Fuyuan sat in her chair, resting her chin on her hand while playing on her phone. Her gaze occasionally swept over Father Shen and Mother Shen beside her.

"Mom, is Second Brother still not here?"

The An family was almost here, but her second brother hadn't arrived yet.

A cold female automated voice came from the phone. Mother Shen frowned, hung up, and spoke with a hint of irritation.

"No one is answering. Did he reply to your messages?"

That wretched boy better not cause any trouble for her.

"No, he's ignoring all my texts," Shen Fuyuan said, showing them her lit screen.

Father Shen frowned. "Where could he be at this hour?"

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door, accompanied by a waiter's voice.

"Sir, it's right in here."

The three of them looked up at the sound.

As the door opened, Mother Shen's face instantly changed, and she stood up.

"Why are you here?"

The man walked over with his long legs and sat down in a chair, his lowered eyes looking gentle and harmless. "I don't quite understand what you mean, Mother. Since we are discussing a marriage alliance, shouldn't I, as the eldest brother, be here?"

Mother Shen's eyes flickered for a few moments before she finally forced a smile. "No, I just meant this is your younger brother's engagement dinner. It's a bit inappropriate for you to show up, and aren't you very busy with work?"

Shen Linyan raised his eyes, a faint smile on his lips, though his tone was flat. "Why is it inappropriate? Is Mother worried I might steal his marriage alliance?"

Mother Shen's expression stiffened as her hidden thoughts were exposed.

"How could I—"

"Alright, the most important thing right now is, where did Lu Jingshen go?"

Father Shen interrupted her.

He looked at Shen Linyan. "Linyan, have you seen your brother?"

Shen Linyan lowered his eyes, adjusting his watch. "No."

Just as he thought, there was nothing worth seeing here.

It was about time to leave.

Just as he was thinking this, several footsteps echoed at the door.

The waiter pushed the door open.

A woman walked in with a smile. Dressed in a dark green qipao with jade pendants dangling from her ears, she exuded an elegant and dignified aura, her face kind and amiable.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Shen. We're late."

Seeing that it was the An family, Mother Shen's expression slightly froze before she forced another smile. "Mrs. An, you're here. Not at all, you're not late."

Hearing the voices, Shen Linyan looked up, his unhurried gaze landing on Father and Mother An.

The next moment, his gaze suddenly froze.

Behind Father and Mother An, a figure stepped out slowly.

The young woman wore a waist-cinching red dress that highlighted the slender, elegant lines of her shoulders and neck. Her collarbones were faintly visible, and her soft, jet-black hair cascaded down her back. Fine diamond earrings shimmered faintly under the lights.

The corners of her eyes curved upward, her gaze clear and beautiful. Just like that night, simply standing there made her incredibly captivating.

Ripples stirred in his heart. A faint light flickered in Shen Linyan's eyes as an unprecedented impulse surged within him, making him almost instinctively want to stand up.

As if sensing his gaze, the young woman glanced over.

But upon seeing him, her eyes first registered a blank surprise. The joy and pleasant surprise he had anticipated never appeared.

She furrowed her brows. The way she looked at him was clean, distant, and completely devoid of emotion.

It was as if she were looking at a complete and utter stranger.

Shen Linyan's expression suddenly froze, his movements halting in place.

It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, extinguishing the joy that had just begun to rise in his heart.

At this moment, the happiness of their reunion was entirely replaced by the panic brought on by this shift in identity.

Did she not recognize him, or... did she not want to recognize him?

Beneath the table, his hands slowly clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.

When An Ling withdrew her gaze, she took a few extra glances at him, her brows furrowing in suspicion.

Is this Lu Jingshen?

No way, right?

I don't remember him being this handsome.

After taking her seat, An Ling noticed that the man kept looking at her.

His pitch-black eyes stared straight at her, following her every move.

Puzzled, she turned her head to look back at him a few times.

Why is this guy staring at me?

Meeting the young woman's dissatisfied and confused gaze, Shen Linyan's eyelashes trembled. A certain light in his eyes wavered, and then died out.

He lowered his gaze, concealing the emotions in his eyes, and sat quietly in his chair, his jaw slightly tense.

He looked just like a husband who had been wounded by cold words.

An Ling was bewildered by her own bizarre sense of déjà vu.

What husband?

She stared at the man's face for a moment before slowly shifting her gaze away.

He looked inexplicably familiar.

But this face was genuinely good-looking.

At that moment, Mother An's voice sounded beside her.

"Why haven't we seen Lu Jingshen? Is he not here yet?"

Mother Shen offered a strained smile. "Something came up at the company at the last minute, and Jingshen went to handle it. He might be a little late."

Father Shen changed the subject. "Let's all sit down first. There's no need to wait for him."

At a time like this, such an excuse seemed exceptionally feeble and pale.

Sure enough, Mother An and Father An's expressions became somewhat meaningful.

"I see. Well, we should still wait for him."

After ten minutes of waiting, hurried footsteps finally echoed from outside the private room.

Lu Jingshen pushed the door open. His forehead was covered in sweat, and he was panting. "Sorry, I... I'm late..."

An Ling glanced at him, her brows lifting slightly as the corners of her mouth curled up.

It seemed like she wouldn't need to wait half a month anymore.

Fantastic. He just delivered an excuse right to her doorstep.

She turned her head gleefully, only to unexpectedly lock eyes with a pair of deep, dark pupils.

The man seemed to have been watching her quietly all along. His refined features were illuminated by the light, casting a layer of shadow over his brow bone, making him look even more handsome.

His thin lips were pressed together slightly, his eyes filled with a dark, obscure depth.

The smile on An Ling's lips froze.

After staring at the man in silence for a few seconds, that inexplicable sense of familiarity surged up again.

In a flash of realization, her body suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened slightly in disbelief.

Huh???

No way, right?

This looks like that man from the bar!

The man she had only met once was now appearing right before her eyes. An Ling never expected to see him again, let alone in this capacity and in such a setting.

Worst of all, she hadn't even recognized him at first.

So embarrassing.

No wonder he kept looking at her. He probably wanted to say hello, but she hadn't given him the time of day.

Her ears, hidden beneath her hair, turned red. An Ling touched her burning cheeks and stiffly turned her head, pretending to be calm as her gaze darted away.

Meanwhile, Lu Jingshen's arrival managed to break the deadlock.

Mother An cast a sidelong glance at him, took a sip of tea, and spoke mildly: "Mrs. Shen, regarding the marriage arrangement you wanted to discuss with me earlier, I stand by what I said. After all these years, it's merely a verbal agreement. The children are grown now. If they aren't willing, we can't force it upon them."

Mother Shen immediately sensed something was wrong. Knowing she was in the wrong, she struggled to find the right words. "No, Mrs. An, our Jingshen really likes Lingling. It's truly Jingshen's fault for behaving poorly today."

After saying that, she looked at Lu Jingshen beside her. "Isn't that right?"

Yet the man remained silent.

Her voice grew heavier. "Lu Jingshen!"

Lu Jingshen gritted his teeth. Recalling how Zhou Wen had cried in his arms half an hour ago, begging not to break up, he suddenly spoke up.

"Mom, I actually have someone else I like. I won't marry An Ling. I originally wanted to tell you after the project ended, but she is the only person I want to marry!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the private room instantly fell silent.

An Ling was also taken aback. Once she processed it, the corners of her mouth twitched from sheer joy, though she quickly forced the smile down.

This is great! She didn't have to wait half a month anymore!?

She didn't care why Lu Jingshen had changed his mind. All that mattered was that he had finally done something right for once.

Afraid she would look too happy, An Ling gently covered her mouth with her hand, feigning a look of disbelief.

She subconsciously glanced at Shen Linyan, but upon meeting his gaze, she quickly looked away again.

Her reaction, which looked akin to disgust and aversion, deeply stung Shen Linyan's eyes.

He stared blankly at the scene unfolding before him.

His mind kept flashing back to the young woman in the bar that night, winking and smiling at him.

But now, those very eyes held nothing but distance and unfamiliarity toward him.

Why did she smile at Lu Jingshen...

Why wouldn't she smile at him...

Why was she so cold to him, of all people...

It clearly wasn't like this that night.

Shen Linyan looked dazed, his breathing hitching slightly. He kept his head down, remaining silent as his fingertips clenched tight.

Why did his heart ache?

It felt as though he had lost something important.

The person he had yearned to see again, day and night.

In the end, turned out to be Lu Jingshen's arranged fiancée.

...

This dinner ultimately ended in a flurry of chaos.

Father and Mother Shen didn't even bother to apologize, angrily calling Lu Jingshen back home.

Mother An, however, remained calm. She picked up her bag and stood up. "Let's go, Lingling."

"Okay."

An Ling followed her out. Turning her head, she saw the man still sitting in the private room, and her footsteps paused slightly.

Is he not leaving?

An Zhou's voice came from ahead.

"What are you looking at? Let's go."

"Coming, coming." An Ling took one last look before turning and hurrying away.

Hearing her voice, Shen Linyan's eyelids fluttered slightly. He raised his eyes, only to see the young woman's retreating back.

As he sat in his chair, his phone screen lit up with a message from Secretary Chen.

[Young Master, are you still going to the Golden Palace?]

Lowering his eyes, he remained silent for a long time before slowly typing a reply.

[No need.]

Shen Linyan locked his phone. Just as he was about to stand up, the sound of footsteps reached his ears.

He paused and looked up.

The next second, he met a familiar pair of eyes.

The young woman poked her head in from the doorway, her hair swaying slightly with the movement. Her eyes curved as she blinked at him.

"Um... have we met before?"