Chapter 5: The Dance

Shen Yue let out a mocking laugh. “My relationship with Xiaoyu is completely innocent.”

Shen Liangyan stood with his hands in his pockets, the bright light casting a thoughtful shadow over his features as he responded with a meaningful “Oh.”

Seated, Shen Yue tapped his index finger on the table, the second knuckle making a steady rhythm.

“Uncle, you’ve secured the ‘Yilan Mountain’ project. I haven’t congratulated you yet.”

“It’s too soon for congratulations,” Shen Liangyan replied without a hint of arrogance. “‘Development’ of Yilan Mountain will still go out for public bidding. I don’t hold the executive authority. Dad told me, Xiaoyu, that you’re more than capable for the job.”

Shen Yue’s gaze grew deeper as he stared into Shen Liangyan’s eyes.

“Grandfather told you that?”

“Dad will make the official announcement when we get back. Xiaoyu, do your best.”

Shen Yue’s face showed no joy, just a perfunctory grunt.

He left Shen Liangyan’s room.

Shen Liangyan’s gaze lingered on his departing figure for a long moment, his dark eyes clouded with unreadable emotion.

*

Once the short video shoot in Phoenix Ancient Town was over, it was time to leave Xiangxi and return to Qingcheng.

Wen Han and Shen Liangyan traveled together; Shen Yue, claiming a business trip, had already left Xiangxi on a late-night flight.

In the end, only Xu Yu was left alone.

Unlike the trip there, when Wen Han had covered her ticket, this time Xu Yu chose the cheapest hard seat for her return journey.

After a day and night on the road, she had barely arrived at the train station when Wen Han’s call came through.

“Your flight’s delayed? You’re not at the office yet?”

If she’d flown, she would have arrived in Qingcheng yesterday afternoon and been at work by ten this morning.

She checked her phone. It was nine in the morning.

If she caught a cab now, she could still make it.

Her fingers flew across the screen: “Half an hour.”

But on the way, she couldn’t help but think about Wen Han’s travel reimbursement rules. She wondered if they only applied to her. The whole team could claim expenses—everyone except her.

Her previous one-way ticket had only been granted because Wen Han insisted, fearing she’d fall behind schedule, and forced her to fly.

Because of traffic, Xu Yu arrived at Shenghan Network Technology Company forty minutes later.

She wasn’t late, but the moment she reached her desk, Xiao Dan from Operations leaned over. “Sister Wen wants to see you.”

Xu Yu didn’t ask why. It was probably just about her arrival time.

But when she pushed open the office door, she found Shen Liangyan there as well.

His lips slightly pursed, his brows arched, those captivating eyes held a faint, cool amusement.

Wen Han was cozily wrapped around his neck, her prominent chest brushing against his shirt, barely there and yet unmistakable.

With a single glance, Xu Yu saw what Wen Han was wearing.

A micro-mini skirt, black stockings, and red leather heels.

Alluring and coquettish—she was clearly dressed to impress.

Sensing Shen Liangyan’s gaze, Wen Han turned to the door and saw Xu Yu, her curved lips abruptly falling. “Don’t you knock before entering?”

Xu Yu hadn’t knocked, simply assuming Wen Han would be alone at this hour.

She apologized. “Since you’re busy, I’ll come back later.”

She turned to leave, but Wen Han’s voice called her back.

“Liangyan’s not an outsider. Stay.”

Right in front of her, Wen Han shifted her position, intertwining her fingers with Shen Liangyan’s.

Xu Yu stood beside the solid walnut sofa, back ramrod straight, waiting for her reprimand.

“Even though you’re my sister, company rules aren’t for show. Inside the company, there’s no room for family favoritism. We’re employer and employee. If you’re not here on time, you work an extra hour.”

Xu Yu was silent for a while, watching as Wen Han crossed her legs, her raised foot brushing ever so lightly against Shen Liangyan’s knee, her chestnut curls swaying flirtatiously.

She almost laughed. Putting on a show of authority in front of Shen Liangyan, and openly flirting with him as well.

From a distance, who knew how he’d react? All Xu Yu knew was that sitting on his lap would be dozens of times more effective than this.

She gave a soft “Mm.”

“I’ll work late tonight, then.”

Obedient and docile, like a puppet on strings.

Seeing she didn’t talk back, Wen Han’s face hardened, as if she’d punched into cotton. She gave Xu Yu a long look and waved her away.

As the door closed, Xu Yu heard Wen Han ask Shen Liangyan, “Will you think I’m bullying my sister for scolding her like that?”

Shen Liangyan’s voice was low and magnetic, casual as ever.

“No, you said it yourself—it’s exactly what she deserves.”

The heavy golden nanmu door swung shut.

Xu Yu finished editing her video that morning, had half a packet of boiled vegetables for lunch, then spent the afternoon stretching and practicing in the dance studio.

It was only at six, long after everyone else had left, that she emerged from the studio.

From the fifteenth floor’s floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see the vibrant red sunset.

The setting sun, blood-like, breathtakingly beautiful.

Xu Yu captured the scene with her camera.

She worked the extra hour, rehearsing the next shoot in her mind.

Just as she was about to wrap up, she received a message from her client on Tuchong.

The photos she’d taken in Xiangxi a few days before—three in total—had sold for thirty thousand.

She knew her own worth; thirty thousand was a high price.

Inwardly, Xu Yu bowed in gratitude to her generous client.

With this thirty thousand, she wouldn’t have to watch Wen Han’s moods for a good while.

Before the city’s steel and concrete swallowed the last of the twilight, Xu Yu switched off the lights, closed the windows, and hurried out of the company with her bag.