Chapter 1

Mr. Huo asked in surprise, "Do you know each other?"

The car drove quickly and steadily, stopping in front of a wooden house next to Green Island Villa after half a minute

This seemingly casual question suddenly left Xu Ke feeling short of breath. A glance at his proud and aloof demeanor, calm and composed, instantly stirred a subtle discomfort in her heart. She too possessed a sense of pride, but unfortunately, life is the best tool for tempering that pride

She does not mind waiting for others, the problem is that today she is wearing a pair of 7 cm high heels, because he is 185 cm tall, she does not want to keep looking up at him while talking.

He neither expresses belief nor disbelief, but simply gazes at her quietly, his eyes deep and complex

Shen Muwei made the simplest introduction for the two, so simple that it could be summed up in one sentence: "Rongrong, this is Xu Ke"

After a while, she heard the sound of a car, and then a beam of light shone towards her. She quickly turned around, and a black sports car came racing in.

In the past, she often enjoyed stealing glances at his profile, finding his nose and chin very charming

Afterwards, Mr. Huo inquired about the relationship between Xu Ke and the other person. When he learned that Shen Mu's father was once Xu Ke's stepfather, he became so excited that he was at a loss for words

"I haven't eaten yet; how about treating me to a meal?" He spoke in a relaxed manner, with a hint of weariness.

Xu Ke smiled faintly and politely said three words to Shen Mu: "I am flattered"

The streetlights were bright, illuminating her exquisite and beautiful features, with a pair of bright eyes shimmering like waves, slightly disheveled, which made her appear very charming

What she said was so natural that Xu Ke felt that if she thought otherwise, it would be a sign of improper intentions; however, she could not help but think otherwise

Everything you desire is available

Xu Ke smiled and said, "Everything has its internal causes; harboring resentment towards others and being entangled in the past is fundamentally meaningless. Let us talk about the present instead. For instance, are you willing to accept President Huo's olive branch?"

The car stopped at the entrance of the villa, and a person got out. In the light, this person has a great physique, an attractive appearance, and an even better demeanor

Shen Mu glanced at her feet and stepped forward to knock on the door

Shen Mu cast a sidelong glance at her, half-smiling, and said, "You should be confident. Why not give it a try?"

She feels that as she ages, she has become increasingly courageous, and things she once dared not even think about are now within her reach, such as now

However, what was merely an exceedingly simple question was imbued with a blend of concern, playful reproach, and lingering resentment, creating an ambiguous atmosphere that left Xu Ke, who stood to the side, deeply impressed

Xu Ke couldn't help but exclaim, "So close." Her underlying message was, wealthy people are indeed lazy, even a half-minute walk is done by car.

Twenty minutes had passed, and she was feeling a bit bored. Holding her shoes, she strolled back and forth slowly on the cobblestone path by the roadside, treating it as a form of massage

Shen Mu casually found a table to sit down and rubbed his forehead, saying: "I am not feeling very well in my stomach today, is there any congee available?"

Standing in front of her, Xu Ke felt that even though she was wearing 7 cm high heels, she still did not feel womanly enough

Only a woman like this can keep him in check... She really hopes that there is a woman who can subdue him, discipline him, and torment him mercilessly... Just thinking about this makes her feel a sense of relief, but she also thinks her thoughts are quite childish. His matters, what concern are they of yours?

She no longer harbors hatred; the initial pain has become like grains of sand within a shell, polished into pearls over six years, merging into her very being as the price of growth and experience

The meal was served promptly, as if it had been prepared for him all along, simple yet abundant, with a perfect combination of color, aroma, and flavor

Xu Ke expressed her difficulty, "Mr. Huo, his father has already passed away, and my mother and I have long ceased to have any contact with him, making him almost a stranger to us."

Mr. Huo stared in astonishment with wide eyes

The woman wore a floor-length rose-red gown, her long curly hair cascading down to her waist. With a languid expression, every gesture exuded an indescribable charm and allure, reminiscent of a peony in spring slumber

Shen Mu looked at Xu Ke and said to President Huo, "She is considered my sister."

As Xu Ke opened the car door, she initially intended to sit in the back seat, but the sports car only had two seats, so she had no choice but to sit on his right side. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him driving with meticulous attention, his profile exuding a cold and proud demeanor

At the entrance of the hotel, Mr. Huo bid her farewell. She was about to step down the stairs and go ahead, when he suddenly said to her: "Long time no see"

This question came six years late, but fortunately, it came six years late, and the answer is no longer the same

Xu Ke gazed at the villa in the night, feeling as if she were in a different world. She had lived here for three years. At that time, she thought it would be the most beautiful period of her life, but upon reflection, it turned out to be a joke in her life. She has always been unable to understand how she could have been so foolish back then

Shen Mu asked lightly, "Did Huo Peng send you?"

She believed that she had long since let go of the past grievances and grudges, and upon seeing him again, she felt calm and unperturbed, treating him as an ordinary client. If the deal went through, there would be hope for the down payment on the house

The past stirs restlessly, like a leaf that falls out while turning the pages of a book, yellowed and dried by the passage of time, no longer possessing the colors and brilliance of its former days, nor does it astonish. However, it reminds you of the old days when it was carefully treasured with great care, when love was like a precious gem, yet ultimately forgotten in the end

At that time, neither her composure nor his calmness left any doubt that the two were acquainted, nor would anyone believe that they had lived under the same roof for three years

After a while, the door opened

Shen Mu looked up silently at her and asked, "You don't hate me?"

She pressed her lips together and smiled faintly: "If I said I don't hate, would you believe me?"

She put on a professional smile and got straight to the point: "Mr. Shen, would you be so kind as to join me for tea? It will only take ten minutes of your time."

At the banquet, when the gazes of the two inadvertently met, neither of them showed any sign of recognition. As the drinking came to an end and everyone dispersed, she secretly let out a sigh of relief; it seemed most appropriate to pretend not to know each other upon their next encounter

Xu Ke, do your best to try. If you can bring him over, I will give you one-thousandth of the commission as your year-end bonus

Xiao Lafei's price is something Xu Ke is somewhat aware of, thus he bluntly refused: "You cannot drink and drive"

After six years, she never expected to meet Shen Mu again. However, last month, while accompanying President Huo to a social gathering, she unexpectedly encountered him at a dinner. He was even more mature and charming than six years ago, exuding an impressive presence with every gesture.

The lighting is bright as day, and the interior is a hidden paradise. This family-style restaurant is exquisitely decorated. The European style is luxurious and extravagant, yet the furniture and decorations are rich in Chinese elements. These two distinctly different styles are thus strangely fused together, creating a strong visual impact. However, what creates the most visual impact is the hostess of this place

Therefore, she is coming here tonight to wait for him. This road is the only way for him to return home. He is quite particular in certain aspects, for instance, no matter how late the social engagements are, he must return home to sleep.

Shen Mu Yuan caught sight of a graceful figure by the roadside, but did not expect it to be her. When she bent down to put on her shoes, the car headlights illuminated her face just at that moment, and he was somewhat taken aback.

Shen Mu narrowed her eyes, glanced at her twice, and suddenly curved her lips into a smile

Half an hour later, she began to regret it. An hour later, she could no longer endure it and took off her shoes, standing barefoot on the ground. When his Porsche came roaring in, she would have time to put them back on.

The exterior walls of the villa are adorned with blooming roses. On an April night, the flowers under the streetlights exude a dreamy light pink hue, as if washed by moonlight. A faint fragrance mingles with the gentle night breeze, barely perceptible.

Xu Ke held a cup of clear water, contemplating the word "special". The only thing she could associate with being special was probably "particularly foolish". As she thought of this, recalling various embarrassing incidents from the past, she couldn't help but smile, wondering if she had choked on a sip of water, as her nose felt a bit tinged with discomfort

It's nothing, I will walk back in a while

Since he already knows her intentions, she simply spoke frankly: "Mr. Huo is probably trying to play the emotional card or employ the beauty trap. However, I believe he overestimates my abilities."

Xiao Xu, you have made our conditions clear. It is evident that with such a large amount of capital, the transaction fees saved from a single trade are substantial.

She raised her wrist to check the time, it was exactly 9:00. It seemed that inviting him to dinner today would not be possible, so she decided to change it to tea instead. This was better. Firstly, he was very particular about food and difficult to please. Secondly, she did not intend to spend too much.

He has an account with Galaxy Securities. I have always wanted to bring him over, but the president of Galaxy Securities is also his friend. I have invited him countless times but have not been able to persuade him. Now, with you going to speak to him, it is sure to succeed.

Xu Ke's heart began to race, one in a thousand

He glanced at the bar by the door, nodded his chin at Xu Ke, and asked: "A bottle of Little Lafite?"

Rongrong smiled at Xu Ke as a form of greeting, then turned her gaze towards Shen Mu, asking, "What brings you here?"

Whether it is her overthinking or not, she always feels that his smile carries a hint of mockery. Does he secretly disdain her, having capsized such a boat in his hands, yet still having the audacity to approach her?

Shen Mu remained silent, gazing intently into her eyes. Her eyes were clear and transparent, remarkably clean and calm

Xu Ke straightforwardly said: "I only brought 1,000 yuan today. If you are willing to transfer to our company, I will treat you to drinks once I receive my bonus."

Shen Muchui lowered his eyelids, stirring the porridge in his bowl, and casually said: "I have known General Manager Fu of Galaxy Securities since childhood. There is no particular reason; I will not leave."

Mr. Shen

Xu Ke felt it was unlikely, "He is so wealthy, he wouldn't care about this small transaction fee, would he?" Compared to Galaxy Securities, her company was simply too small, probably unable to accommodate such a great figure.

She hurriedly put on her shoes

Shen Muchui lowered her gaze and took a few sips of porridge. Suddenly, she looked up at her with a half-smile, saying, "If you are willing to be my girlfriend, I will tell President Fu that I have forgotten my friends for the sake of beauty."

She gritted her teeth and chose to remain silent

In the latter part of the sentence, his enunciation was somewhat heavy, inexplicably carrying a hint of profound meaning

If it were five years ago, she would have immediately refused, but now, looking at her age on her ID card and then at the skyrocketing housing prices approaching ten thousand, she feels that even hesitating for a moment is a luxury

It is already 9:30 and we haven't eaten yet? Xu Ke was a bit surprised, but had no choice but to respond affirmatively.