Twenty-Seventh Blood Orange

The light in the entrance hall was dim, making it hard to read each other's expressions even face to face.

Liao Xue pointed at herself, confused. "Me? Didn't you say I couldn't go to the company with you?"

Shen Qiancheng took Liao Xue's coat from the hook, shook it out, and draped it over her shoulders. Instead of answering, she urged, "Quick, change into something else. We're not going to the office—you're coming out with me to a dinner."

Liao Xue, holding the coat she'd been thrust into, frowned and widened her round eyes. A dinner? Did that require a companion?

Shen Qiancheng raised a finger and stressed, "Pick something formal from the clothes I bought you. I'm taking you to meet someone very important."

Liao Xue resignedly took off her apron and set it in the kitchen, then opened the shared wardrobe in the bedroom. Rows of suits in various colors were squeezed onto one half, while the other half was filled with clothes Shen Qiancheng had bought for her alone last night, still in sealed packaging. She didn't even know what some of them looked like.

Liao Xue was lost in thought when she casually pulled out a sealed bag. The zipper slid open with a crisp, smooth sound, revealing a striking red dress.

The dress felt like a hot potato in Liao Xue's hands, and she let go abruptly.

This dress was too revealing—a deep V-neck and a large expanse of bare back.

Liao Xue's face flushed slightly. As she reached for the next one, a polite knock came at the bedroom door.

"Liao Xue, are you ready? I left my files at the office, so we'll need to stop by the company first," Shen Qiancheng's voice came through the door, making Liao Xue startle.

Liao Xue snapped back to reality and called out, "Coming, I'll be right there."

Shen Qiancheng rested her index finger on the metal casing of her phone. Her slender, warm-toned skin had a subtle sheen, meticulously cared for as if coated with a satin highlight.

She nodded as she listened to the person on the other end. "Okay, see you at the company entrance in eight hours."

Shen Qiancheng pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaustion evident. She looked up and saw Liao Xue emerge from the bedroom.

Shen Qiancheng's brow furrowed even more as her gaze swept from Liao Xue's head to toe. "Why aren't you wearing the clothes I bought you last night?"

Liao Xue's throat tightened at the question, and she pinched the hem of her shirt at her lower back. "They're too flashy; they don't suit me."

Shen Qiancheng had a camel coat draped over her arm. She tilted her head, displeased. "How don't they suit you? I think those clothes are lucky to be worn by you."

Shen Qiancheng brushed past Liao Xue, walked straight into the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and ran her fingers along the row of clothes. Against the sunlight, her hand paused at one sealed bag.

A lucky garment was chosen by Shen Qiancheng and tossed onto the neat, flat bed. She almost commanded, "Wear this one. Change, and then we'll go."

Liao Xue, who had hurried in, stood still, staring at Shen Qiancheng with a dazed expression.

Shen Qiancheng shrugged, nonchalant. "Fine. You change first; I'll wait outside, okay?"

Shen Qiancheng stood long and lean against the wall, like the perfect waiting statue. The sound of the door opening was very clear in the quiet space.

Shen Qiancheng looked up to see Liao Xue come out. She instinctively straightened her back, and a smile curved on her lips—the calm appreciation of an artist admiring her finest work.

Liao Xue, nearly 170 cm tall, had a slender waist and long legs, her delicate face the exquisite centerpiece of her figure.

They had been delayed about half an hour. Shen Qiancheng, holding her bag, stood by the car with an air of elegant authority.

Liao Xue followed her outside. Shen Qiancheng pointed to herself and asked, "Assuming there are no issues, I should be your boss, right?"

Liao Xue was puzzled. "No problem."

Shen Qiancheng took a deep breath, casting a slightly aggrieved glance at the door handle, but the latter still looked clueless.

Shen Qiancheng nearly stomped her foot. "I'm the boss, and you're the employee. Shouldn't you open the car door for me?"

Liao Xue was bewildered, then gave a rueful smile, and finally complied.

As the door was opened, Liao Xue thought to herself, Hasn't Shen Qiancheng always been the one driving? Is there a driver today? Or does she not want the driver to know something?

Liao Xue held the door, and Shen Qiancheng closed her eyes and placed her hand on top of her head to avoid hitting it on the roof.

Once Shen Qiancheng was seated comfortably, she rested her head against the plush leather, but before she could close her eyes, a figure followed her in.

Shen Qiancheng looked at the empty front seats. "Why are you in the back? You're the driver."

Liao Xue halted mid-motion, glanced nervously at the driver's seat, and said, "I don't have a driver's license."

On the road, a luxury car sped along at the maximum speed limit.

In the driver's seat, Shen Qiancheng wore a mermaid skirt that was hardly suitable for driving, with high heels pressing the accelerator. Her arms were tense and strong, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the road ahead.

In the passenger seat, Liao Xue clutched her seatbelt, breathing in sync with Shen Qiancheng's, her eyes fixed on Shen Qiancheng without blinking.

Shen Qiancheng's slightly upturned eyes shimmered with sparkling eyeshadow, the tip of her upturned nose had a rosy hue, and her lips were smooth and glossy.

Liao Xue didn't realize she was staring; she just felt that sitting in the front seat was wonderful, as she could see Shen Qiancheng's profile.

"Are you cold?" Shen Qiancheng's voice carried a hint of guilt, regret for her earlier tone.

The passenger window was wide open. Today's wind in Tang City was mild, but it still blew Liao Xue's bangs upward.

Liao Xue said softly, "I'm not cold."

The window rolled up, and Liao Xue tilted her head to watch the rows of trees recede outside, like a movie that could never be replayed.

At the company entrance, having learned her lesson, Liao Xue hurried to open the car door for Shen Qiancheng. Shen Qiancheng's expression improved, and she stepped out with her coat draped over her shoulders.

Sui Shi had come down ten minutes early and had just steadied herself when she saw Shen Qiancheng's car.

Even by rocket, it couldn't have been that fast from the residential area to the company!

Shen Qiancheng strode forward like a queen, and Sui Shi only noticed after a closer look that someone was following closely behind her.

One wore pants, the other a skirt. Walking together, they looked like a mistress and her kitten, with an effortless, natural aura.

Little did anyone know, those were matching outfits, but not exactly couple's wear—more like friendship sets that turned into something more.

Sui Shi respectfully handed the documents to Shen Qiancheng and greeted Liao Xue. "Miss Liao."

Liao Xue nodded, seemingly afraid to speak more in Shen Qiancheng's presence. "Hello, Assistant Sui."

Shen Qiancheng was still checking the documents, and the silence between the other two was a bit awkward. Sui Shi broke the ice. "Miss Liao, your outfit is lovely. Could you share a link?"

Shen Qiancheng snapped the file shut and shot a piercing glance. "She doesn't know where it's from. Want a link? I'll give you one."

If the salary weren't so generous, who would put up with this...

Sui Shi forced a smile. "Never mind. I probably can't afford it."

Shen Qiancheng snorted. "Good to know. I'm leaving."

Sui Shi watched them get into the car and rubbed her eyes to confirm it was indeed Shen Qiancheng driving, with Liao Xue sitting in the passenger seat, arms crossed.

At Haber Restaurant, the Western decor was elegant and graceful, with the melodious strains of violin and piano lingering in the air. Under the dazzling lights sat Tang City's elite.

The first floor had been reserved for a private event. Shen Qiancheng learned from the manager that Qiao Manbo had already arrived.

A private room on the second floor was a hidden gem. Behind the heavy, ornately carved doors, amidst the intricate decor, a person sat at the head of a redwood table.

Qiao Manbo sported a new look—trendy perm with curls and a white blouse. Her expressionless face softened into a slight smile when she saw who it was.

"Chengcheng's here?" Qiao Manbo greeted warmly.

Last time, they had met because Shi Jianren had arranged it.

Qiao Manbo had been living abroad, in Sweden, working in investment banking.

Shen Qiancheng had pretended to run into her in Sweden, and after recognizing each other, they had gotten along very well.

Shen Qiancheng had to return home to honor the marriage contract, and Qiao Manbo, who had just lost her husband and was considering returning to China, came back around the same time.

Shen Qiancheng said politely, "Aunt Qiao, you didn't tell me you were coming back. Father set up this gathering for us. This time, I insist on treating you."

Liao Xue had never been to such an upscale restaurant. Listening to the elegant music and seeing the opulent decor, she didn't know where to look or what to do with her hands.

Qiao Manbo noticed Liao Xue. "Who is this little one? Why are you hiding behind Chengcheng? Come, come..."

Liao Xue smiled politely at Qiao Manbo. That smile seemed to captivate Qiao Manbo, freezing the smile that had been warming her face.

Shen Qiancheng pulled Liao Xue to sit down and said with a smile, "This is Liao Xue, my personal assistant."

As Shen Qiancheng's words landed, Qiao Manbo seemed to snap back to reality and, aware of her lapse, smiled. "Xiao Xue looks a lot like a friend of mine."

Shen Qiancheng understood in her heart; half of her goal for today had been achieved.

"Aunt Qiao has many friends," Shen Qiancheng added, not wanting to scare Liao Xue. "You can call her Aunt Qiao just like I do."

Liao Xue then called out shyly, and Qiao Manbo responded with a complex expression.

The menu had been communicated in advance. Once everyone was present, exquisite dishes were brought to the table.

Shen Qiancheng chatted leisurely with Qiao Manbo about old times, talking about Switzerland's customs and culture, in a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.

The Western-style meal was mostly served individually. Liao Xue, having never had Western food before, looked at the several plates in front of her and didn't know where to start.

She glanced at Shen Qiancheng, who was using her knife and fork with practiced elegance, seemingly unaware of her awkwardness and helplessness.

Liao Xue lowered her lashes, her shadow falling over her heart.

Was Shen Qiancheng humiliating her? Using this meal to remind her of the gap between them, like a river in the sky?

Liao Xue's mind wandered as she heard their soft laughter.

Suddenly, a hand reached over and took away the plate in front of Liao Xue.

Liao Xue looked up: Was it... not even letting her eat?

The next moment, a plate of prepared steak was placed before her.

Qiao Manbo's gaze had been lingering on Liao Xue from the corner of her eye. Seeing Shen Qiancheng's instinctive action, she covered her mouth with her fist and let out a soft laugh.

"The first time I had Western food was when Yaya took me," Qiao Manbo said, lost in memory. "It was also steak."

Shen Qiancheng added, "Father always said you and Mother were like sisters."

Qiao Manbo sighed. "Yes. Your mother had a good family background, was beautiful, and had a gentle personality. She was many people's dream girl. I was just a poor student on a scholarship back then... Your mother was truly kind; she kept helping me."

Shen Qiancheng couldn't empathize with Qiao Manbo's genuine sentiment. Shen Ya had been infuriated to death by Shi Jianren when Shen Qiancheng was only two. Since she wasn't Shen Ya's biological daughter, and Shen Ya had been mentally unstable, Shen Qiancheng had little attachment to her.

But hearing Qiao Manbo speak this way, Shen Qiancheng couldn't help but feel indignation.

Such a good person, and Shi Jianren had brought about her death.

Liao Xue, however, was moved to tears. She put down her knife and fork and said, "Aunt Qiao, President Shen, I'll go to the restroom."

Shen Qiancheng turned and met Liao Xue's tearful eyes. Even all the world's colors paled in comparison to that gaze.

As Liao Xue disappeared, Qiao Manbo let out a long sigh. "You took her place?"

Shen Qiancheng's heart skipped a beat. Was that a tone of reproach?

Qiao Manbo observed that Shen Qiancheng was still too young; despite trying to hide it, she couldn't mask the fleeting flicker of emotion. Qiao Manbo suddenly laughed. "She's Yaya's biological daughter. She looks just like her; I could almost see Yaya in her."

Shen Qiancheng breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "The Shen family is a den of dragons and tigers. She never grew up in that environment, so she's timid and seems easily bullied. And to make matters worse, Su Zeye has set his sights on her."

In Qiao Manbo's eyes, Shen Qiancheng's explanation wasn't the real reason.

Her bond with Shen Ya made her willing to get involved with the Shen family, but it didn't matter who ultimately inherited what was meant to be Shen Ya's.

Shen Qiancheng? Liao Xue? Either was fine—there was no real difference.

Time had left few marks on Qiao Manbo's face, but one's heart always grows with experience. She could see it clearly, so she spoke it.

"You like her, don't you? Other than that, I can't think of another reason you'd willingly stay in the Shen family."

Shen Qiancheng's breath caught. She heard her own heart speak, with a soulful sigh. "Yes, I like her."

Qiao Manbo was surprised at Shen Qiancheng's candor and then realized. "It's more than just liking, isn't it? Only love can make one disregard oneself for another's well-being."

Before Liao Xue's mother's friend—an elder with ties to Liao Xue—Shen Qiancheng made a solemn promise. "I will return the position of the Shen family's daughter to her without a stain."