Chapter 7: Public Display of Affection (PDA)

At those words, An Ling's grip on her cup tightened.

After a brief silence, she let out a helpless laugh.

"No."

Jiang Mai was taken aback. "Why not?"

"Because I don't dare to."

An Ling leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples, nursing a headache. "Judging from the memories I inherited, my parents and my brother have exhausted a lot of their connections over the past two years just cleaning up my messes. I heard they even lost several business deals. Besides, I don't know if they'd even believe that my body was taken over by someone else. It's not like they read web novels."

Jiang Mai rested her chin on her hand, staring at her for a long moment before suddenly speaking up.

"But have you ever thought about it? If even I could notice how much you changed over those two years, how could your parents not feel it?"

An Ling paused her movements. "They talked to you about it?"

"Of course."

Jiang Mai wore a complicated expression that screamed, Don't even get me started.

"They thought you were possessed by some evil spirit and even wanted to hire a Taoist priest to perform an exorcism. But it didn't work. Later, when they realized you weren't going to self-harm and were just chasing after a man every day, they finally relaxed a little."

"..."

The melancholy in An Ling's heart dissipated in an instant.

That did sound exactly like something her parents would do.

Having said that, Jiang Mai flashed an intriguing smile. "Since you just came back yesterday, you must have seen your husband, right? How is it? How does the great Miss An feel? Are you satisfied? A lot of people have their eyes on the position of Mrs. Shen."

An Ling's hand twitched, her expression turning odd. "Are you serious?"

Jiang Mai shrugged and waved her hand. "What else? If you ask me, Shen Linyan is way more handsome than Lu Jingshen. I have no idea why Lu Jingshen is the male lead."

So when the other An Ling married Shen Linyan, Jiang Mai had thought the girl's eyesight was finally cured.

Who would have thought that after getting married, this wicked female supporting character would continue her usual antics, stirring up a whole series of scandals.

An Ling silently averted her gaze. "What if I told you... Shen Linyan is actually the gentle second male lead?"

Jiang Mai was instantly dumbfounded. "...Are you kidding?"

"I'm serious."

An Ling was about to say more when her phone suddenly rang.

She picked it up and saw the caller ID was saved as Secretary Chen.

She gestured to Jiang Mai and answered the call.

On the other end, Secretary Chen spoke in a respectful tone. "Madam, the clarification documents you requested earlier are ready. The company will also release the relevant statements."

An Ling gave a hum of acknowledgment, turned on the speakerphone, and placed the phone on the table. She took a sip of her coffee, then, as if suddenly remembering something, asked, "Is Shen Linyan at the company right now?"

Secretary Chen paused, glancing toward the office.

"Yes, he is."

"Can I come see him now? It's about the news."

Huh?

Secretary Chen silently swallowed his shock. "You are coming... right now?"

"Yes. Is it inconvenient?"

"..."

Unable to figure out what this unpredictable lady was plotting, Secretary Chen could only placate her for now. "I will relay your message to Chairman Shen first and get back to you shortly."

After she hung up, Jiang Mai looked down, scrolling through her phone. "Are you clarifying the news from last night? It's already trending. Everyone is discussing the Shen family's love triangle. It's escalating so fast. Some people are even taking bets on when you and Shen Linyan are going to get a divorce."

How could it not be fast? After all, this was the plotline in the novel that caused Shen Linyan to go bankrupt.

An Ling had already read the news on her way here.

Things couldn't be allowed to develop like this. Until she could safely extricate herself, Shen Linyan could not go bankrupt.

Just then, Secretary Chen sent a reply indicating that Shen Linyan had agreed to see her.

She picked up her bag and stood up. "I'm heading out."

Jiang Mai looked up in confusion. "Aren't things already arranged? What are you going to see Shen Linyan for?"

An Ling raised an eyebrow and slowly enunciated.

"To flaunt our love."

-

Meanwhile, at the An Group.

An assistant placed a tablet playing a video on the desk, looking at the man opposite him. "President An, the video from last night spread too quickly. The Chairman and his wife saw it this morning."

An Zhou's gaze swept over the familiar woman in the video, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose in irritation.

"Where is An Ling? She did something like this, and there's no word from her at all? Not even a phone call?"

Ever since his sister had suddenly turned into this version of herself, he had been doing his utmost to minimize the damage she caused.

Her usual embarrassing, petty antics were one thing, but was she trying to ruin herself this time?

The assistant shook his head. "After Chairman Shen took Miss An away from the bar last night, he locked down the news. But I heard Lu Jingshen's forehead was busted open. Some say Miss An... smashed him in a fit of rage after her advances were rejected."

An Zhou fell silent. He couldn't even offer a single word of rebuttal.

Because his sister was indeed fully capable of doing something exactly like that.

After dismissing his assistant, he dialed a number with a dark expression.

An Ling, who had just arrived downstairs at the company, saw the incoming call and a flicker of surprise crossed her face.

She had figured it out by now: the more she dreaded dealing with someone, the more likely they were to show up.

She paused, stopped in her tracks, and answered the phone. "Brother?"

On the other end of the line, An Zhou's tone was icy. "Don't call me brother. I don't dare claim a sister like you. An Ling, didn't I tell you? I don't care who you chase after, but don't take it too far."

"..."

"Did you also smash Lu Jingshen in the head?"

She silently rubbed her nose. "Ah, I think I did."

She thinks so??

An Zhou's face instantly darkened. "Are you really crazy, An Ling? Do you like Lu Jingshen that much? You smash someone just because they reject you?"

"What rejection? I hit him because he was asking for a beating!"

"I knew it was because of that. Even if he was asking for it, you shouldn't—"

An Zhou's voice abruptly cut off.

"Wait, what did you just say?"

His hopelessly love-struck sister, who normally couldn't even utter a harsh word to Lu Jingshen, had just said what?

An Ling was just about to answer when Secretary Chen's voice suddenly rang out from behind her. "Young Madam, the boss suddenly has a meeting. I will take you upstairs first."

She turned to look, covering the receiver as she spoke in a low voice. "I'm hanging up now. We'll talk later. I'm going to clear up the news."

The call disconnected. An Zhou frowned at his screen.

Was it his imagination? Why did it feel like this girl was somewhat different from before?

That tone... felt inexplicably familiar.

On the other side, An Ling put away her phone and followed Secretary Chen into the building.

As soon as she walked in, probing gazes were cast her way from all directions.

Acting as if she couldn't perceive the stares, An Ling stood by the elevator doors without changing her expression.

"Mrs. Shen is here again..."

"She must be here to see President Lu, right? Could the news be true?"

"What do you think? She can't possibly be here to see Chairman Shen. The last time she came and made a scene, she was almost thrown out by security."

"I heard that after that incident, Chairman Shen got an earful from the board's shareholders. Do you guys think a leader who can't even handle his own family affairs can really manage a company well? If you ask me, President Lu is far more capable than Chairman Shen."

The chatter from the crowd drifted clearly into her ears.

Secretary Chen's face stiffened.

Seriously, didn't these people know how to whisper??

From behind him slowly came the woman's thoughtful voice.

"Secretary Chen, is what they're saying true? Shen Linyan got reprimanded because of me?"

Secretary Chen's mouth twitched. "That... is completely false, of course."

He really wanted to ask what this unpredictable lady was doing here. Was she going to throw another tantrum?