Chapter 39: Like An Ling

Gu Xiaochi had a fleeting urge to hang up the phone.

But reason stopped him.

Because hearing that one sentence, he suddenly realized a situation.

Back then at the bar, those two really were just in an ordinary arranged marriage relationship.

And the act of pretending to be affectionate was also genuine.

Gu Xiaochi paused his game.

"We've all wanted to ask you for a long time but didn't dare. Didn't An Ling used to like Lu Jingshen? Something even happened just a few days ago. How did the wind change direction so suddenly?"

Shen Linyan sank into the soft leather sofa, lowering his gaze as he said calmly, "She said she doesn't like him anymore."

"..."

Gu Xiaochi fell silent. "You believed her?"

No way? Does Shen Linyan trust others that easily?

Hearing this, the man didn't speak, his gaze slowly drifting downward.

He slowly raised his hand. The silver wedding ring refracted a dazzling light under the lamp, softening the man's cool, refined features.

"I believe her."

"..."

Gu Xiaochi understood.

He propped up his leg. "It's simple. So many people liked you before; it's not the first time something like this has happened."

Gu Xiaochi was all too familiar with this situation.

Shen Linyan, the future heir of the Shen Group, possessed an elegant, steady demeanor, kept himself clean and proper, treated others with gentle consideration, and crucially, had a top-tier appearance.

Back when studying abroad, even though Shen Linyan's identity wasn't revealed, many people still liked him. All sorts of young socialites would ask him out to dinner.

Shen Linyan would only smile and gently decline, then take out his card, his tone apologetic: "I'm sorry, I have something on tonight. You and your friends go have fun, my treat, okay? If it gets too late, I'll have my driver pick you up."

The man's handsome looks, deep voice, gentlemanly manners, and the restrained nobility evident in his every movement.

No one could refuse.

But there was one strange thing.

Those women never confessed, as if they knew Shen Linyan wouldn't be with them.

As they put it: "We just like his face, but if we were to be together, we would never choose someone like Shen Linyan."

Although Gu Xiaochi didn't quite understand this statement, he thought those women were really sharp, their insight even keener than people in business.

Because Shen Linyan truly didn't like them.

Gu Xiaochi felt the current situation was somewhat similar—An Ling, that troublesome woman, had actually been moved by Shen Linyan.

The phrasing might not be quite right, but he couldn't think of a better way to put it.

"So now you like An Ling, and An Ling likes you. Isn't that a happy ending for everyone?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as he said this, the other end suddenly fell silent.

A few seconds later, the man's slightly hesitant voice sounded.

"I... like An Ling?"

Gu Xiaochi: ?

"????????"

His expression froze, and he hurriedly sat up straight.

"Wait, you don't like An Ling?? Then why did you tell us to call her 'sister-in-law,' and why did you hold her at the bar?"

Most importantly, the way you looked at her didn't seem indifferent at all!

"..."

The other end didn't speak.

After a moment, the man finally explained: "She is my wife in name. It's only right for you to call her sister-in-law. Our relationship is one of mutual benefit. These things are what I should do, and what she hopes I will do."

Gu Xiaochi: "........"

Damn! Those women were absolutely right!

You can't be with anyone, but you definitely can't be with Shen Linyan!!

A thought suddenly struck Gu Xiaochi: "Wait, did you call because An Ling likes you, and you're troubled that you don't want her to like you?"

"..."

The man's tone was indifferent, outright ignoring his question. "Keep an eye on Shen Furui. I don't want An Ling to face any trouble at work."

With that, the call was disconnected.

Gu Xiaochi: "..."

Good heavens! What on earth is Shen Linyan thinking!

After hanging up,

the room returned to quiet.

Shen Linyan looked at his own reflection in the black screen of the phone, his expression dazed.

"...Like?"

Like An Ling?

But he was only doing what a husband should do.

An Ling fulfilled her duties as an arranged marriage wife, so naturally, he would also meet her requests.

This was their mutually beneficial relationship, helping each other.

An Ling wanted him to wear the wedding ring; he could wear it.

An Ling skipped dinner because of him, so he cooked dinner for her.

An Ling didn't want him to help Lu Jingshen resolve matters; he could refrain from helping.

An Ling told him her secret; he was the only one who knew it.

He was her trusted husband.

So he would also try to give An Ling more trust and care.

Because she is his wife, the wife standing by his side.

The only person whose name is closely linked with his on the Shen family household register, devoid of any familial affection.

An Ling wanted to teach him to be a bad person; he agreed.

An Ling wanted him to reject everyone; he also agreed.

These things were not difficult for him to do.

He didn't dislike doing these things either. In fact, doing them for the first time gave him a sense of enjoyment.

Since An Ling hoped for it, An Ling wanted it, then he could do it.

Except... kissing.

Shen Linyan had never considered that one day, An Ling would want to kiss.

But this is also something a husband should do.

Right?

Shen Linyan lowered his eyes, then slowly raised his head to look at the tie on the table.

But if An Ling wanted love.

He couldn't give it to her.

He didn't know how to love.

He never learned how to love someone.

Hypocrisy and pretense were like a hard shell, wrapping him up tightly.

Beneath the glamorous exterior, Shen Linyan could no longer distinguish which part was the real him. It seemed even every breath carried traces of performance.

But he would still give it to An Ling.

Because she is his wife.

The first person he has ever wanted to maintain a relationship with.

Early morning the next day.

"Ring ring ring..."

The phone rang. An Ling frowned, keeping her eyes closed as she fumbled for her phone.

After finding it, she squinted with difficulty to see the caller ID and answered.

"Mom?"

"Lingling, it's already ten o'clock, are you still sleeping?" An mother's voice sounded in her ear.

"I stayed up late last night."

She had been reading a novel until three AM. In the latter half of the night, she was too tired and fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes.

An Ling yawned. "Why are you calling all of a sudden? Did something happen?"

"Nothing's wrong. Isn't it the weekend today? Want to come home? Your brother said we're having a barbecue in the yard."

An Zhou's voice faintly came through the phone.

"An Ling, hurry up and come! Don't leave me to do all the grilling! We bought a lot of ingredients!"

An Ling couldn't help but laugh twice. "Okay, okay, I'll be over in a bit."

Just as she was about to hang up, An mother's voice sounded again: "How about inviting Linyan along? Before, you caused that boy so much trouble, and we've barely met him a few times."

"...Huh?"

An Ling paused, memories from last night resurfacing in her mind.

Her face flushed, her tone vague. "He's very busy with work. He's probably already at the office now, no time to come. Let's not talk about it now, I need to get dressed."

After hanging up, An Ling touched her warm cheek and got out of bed.

Just as she walked into the living room, upon seeing the man on the sofa, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, and her footsteps halted.

On the sofa, a man dressed in casual homewear sat with his long legs crossed. His noble bearing was softened by a touch of languid ease as he looked down at the book in his hands. Sunlight streamed in, painting a scene that was both warm and cozy.

Hearing footsteps, the man looked up.

The moment their eyes met, An Ling felt an inexplicable flutter of nervousness, mixed with surprise. "You didn't go to work today?"

Shen Linyan looked at her for a few seconds, then slowly, his eyes curved into a smile.

"My dear wife, even a chairman deserves a weekend."

An Ling: "..."