Chapter Twenty-One

A song came to an end.

Shen Huaiqing was about to explain herself, but to her surprise, Mu Jinghuai let go of her hand first. "I know you have your reasons for this," he said. "I just want to make sure I didn't mistake you for someone else. I can stay out of your life, but I hope you'll remember that I exist."

"I'll always wait for you where I am. As long as you come to find me, I'll be there." Mu Jinghuai silently pressed a slip of paper into Shen Huaiqing's palm, hope shining in his eyes.

Watching Mu Jinghuai walk away, Shen Huaiqing, for the first time, felt that a man's silhouette could look so frail—like a thin, spindly tree, ready to topple with the slightest breeze.

A wave of sourness rose from her nose. She lifted her chin and inhaled sharply, afraid that tears would betray her and slip from the corners of her eyes.

"Thank you all for coming to my art exhibition tonight. I am sincerely grateful," Lin Yiqing said, wearing a white, mid-length dress as she stood on stage and bowed deeply to the audience. Her dress was adorned with countless pearls, her chestnut hair was coiled at the back of her head, and silver heels accentuated her slim, long legs. She resembled a pure lily in full bloom.

Thunderous applause erupted below, mingled with whispered gossip.

"Haven't you heard? President Fu apparently has an unclear relationship with her," a woman with bold red lips whispered animatedly to her companion.

"I've heard that too. But things like this are pretty normal in our circle. Still, Shen Huaiqing is here tonight—who knows what story lies between them?" The woman's voice wasn't loud, but everyone nearby heard her clearly.

In an instant, all eyes converged on Shen Huaiqing and Lin Yiqing.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from somewhere, "Miss Lin, at the last charity auction, President Fu spent a fortune for you. Why didn't you invite him tonight?"

The crowd was stunned, glancing around for the source. The hall fell into an eerie silence.

Lin Yiqing's lips went dry, panic flickering in her expression. She forced herself to reply, "I did invite President Fu. Maybe he's just too busy with work tonight to come."

Meanwhile, Lin Yu was stooping outside the door, squinting through the crack in a rather suspicious manner. "Isn't it about time, Young Master Fu? My back's killing me! I said let's just go to the security room, but no—you had to stand here and send me to peek through the door!"

Fu Chen shot Lin Yu a sidelong glance, his tone cool. "I only asked you to observe. I didn't tell you to be so sneaky."

Lin Yu straightened up at once, glaring at Fu Chen through gritted teeth. "How long are you planning to wait? Yiqing is about to cry on stage!"

"Look at Shen Huaiqing," Fu Chen replied.

"The one in the black dress?" Lin Yu pointed in her direction.

Shen Huaiqing, paying no attention to the stares around her or to Lin Yiqing's words, was leisurely nibbling on desserts, occasionally revealing a look of delight.

Fu Chen gave Shen Huaiqing a long, meaningful glance, then nodded. "She seems to know exactly what's coming."

Moments earlier, Shen Huaiqing had glanced toward the main entrance and thought she'd seen someone lurking outside. At such a private, upper-class gathering, security at the main door was tight—no ordinary person could be peeking in.

Anyone sneaking around outside must be someone with status.

It was late, and Fu Chen hadn’t sent a single call or message—not his usual behavior.

So it was almost certainly Fu Chen outside.

A mocking smile played on her lips as she calculated quietly: Fu Chen was probably waiting for a chance to play the hero.

Perhaps the person who’d just questioned Lin Yiqing had also been sent by Fu Chen, hoping to embarrass both women and then make a timely, righteous appearance.

If he thought she’d give him that chance, he was dreaming. Shen Huaiqing was determined to enjoy her dessert in peace. He wanted her to play along with no warning? Not a chance.

Just as expected, the main doors suddenly swung open.

Fu Chen and Lin Yu entered the hall one after another—two men as different as day and night.

Fu Chen wore a black shirt neatly tucked into tailored trousers, tall and upright, his presence radiating a chill that seemed to drop the temperature around him.

Lin Yu, on the other hand, had tousled dark hair and the face of a pop idol—sparkling eyes, thick, curled lashes, a sapphire stud in his earlobe, a high nose and lips tinged with pale pink. A single smile from him would send countless innocent girls swooning.

So full of himself—making such a dramatic entrance! Shen Huaiqing cursed under her breath, digging her fork into her plate with a screech.

Fu Chen’s gaze lingered on Lin Yiqing for only a moment before he walked straight toward Shen Huaiqing, catching her fierce expression. A smile tugged at his lips. "What’s wrong? Has your plate upset you?"

Shen Huaiqing wanted nothing more than to scratch his handsome face—such a good-looking man, yet so infuriating.

She rose on tiptoe, pinched his cheek, and smiled. "I’d like to tear your mouth apart!"

Fu Chen wasn’t the least bit annoyed, still smiling. "That depends on whether you have the skills."

To others, the scene was a display of flirtatious affection, pink bubbles floating in the air. But for Lin Yiqing, it was pure torment.

She gripped the microphone so tightly her knuckles turned white, her eyes never leaving Fu Chen and Shen Huaiqing. The look in her gaze was so intense it seemed blood might seep from her eyes.

Seeing that Lin Yiqing was about to lose control, Lin Yu hurried onstage. "Please, everyone, enjoy yourselves." Without waiting for an answer, he pulled Lin Yiqing down from the platform.

As soon as they were offstage, Lin Yiqing yanked her hand free and, taking advantage of Lin Yu’s distraction, strode quickly toward Fu Chen and Shen Huaiqing.

Shen Huaiqing was the first to notice Lin Yiqing approaching, and seized the moment—she rose on tiptoe and kissed Fu Chen’s cheek, her voice gentle as water. "Darling, why didn’t you tell me you were coming tonight?"

Fu Chen was briefly stunned, but seeing the mischief in her eyes, decided to play along. "I didn’t know you’d be here either. You didn’t tell me, so I worried about you."

Shen Huaiqing nearly gagged—those words sounded so strange coming from Fu Chen’s mouth!

From a distance, Lin Yiqing watched the pair bantering and forced herself to stay calm, even as her fists clenched. She said, "Ah Chen, I thought you wouldn’t come tonight."

Just those two words—"Ah Chen"—were enough to reveal the unusual bond between them. Around them, people pretended to chat, but their eyes and ears were all focused on this group.

Top-tier gossip in their social circle wasn't something one could hear every day.