Once she got in the car, Jiang Lai let out a long sigh, and the pent-up frustration in her heart, accumulated over the years, was released, making her feel much better.
"Did you keep the things he wrote to you?"
Shen Liao asked abruptly.
Jiang Lai, sitting beside him, replied in a calm tone.
"He never wrote me love letters."
"..."
"I said that just to rile them up, Gao Peipei would definitely believe it."
Shen Liao glanced at Jiang Lai next to him, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on his usually stern face.
"You do seem to know them well."
"It’s not them I know, it’s feelings. As long as one has something to hide, the other will definitely sense it. At that time, no matter what I say, Gao Peipei would believe it."
After speaking, Jiang Lai glanced at Shen Liao with a faint smile.
"But I hope we can at least be honest with each other. Otherwise, once there’s suspicion, it’s exhausting to be together."
Shen Liao pursed his lips.
"So, have you ever doubted me?"
"Mm, of course. You’re a big boss, I do feel insecure, you know. Besides, you never introduce me to your friends and family."
At this point, Jiang Lai fell silent for a moment. She looked ahead and said heavily,
"I wouldn’t call it doubt, but I feel like you never truly liked me."
The tension in his heart was suddenly pulled tighter at this moment, and Shen Liao gripped the steering wheel, not knowing how to respond to her words.
After all, he did feel guilty.
Explaining it now would be rather complicated.
Jiang Lai’s clarity caused Shen Liao’s heart to tighten, and ironically, he had hoped more than once in the past that Jiang Lai would clearly realize that it was impossible between them.
And now? He, who had once personally built the wall between them, had changed his mind.
But now, it’s not so easy to tear down the wall.
He didn’t want Jiang Lai to suffer or to discover his past mistakes, but Shen Liao clearly knew that lies couldn’t make up for the not-so-great beginning, so he decided to explain everything clearly to Jiang Lai once they got back.
After tidying up briefly, Shen Liao returned to Jiang City first.
Jiang Lai stayed behind to finish her unfinished drawings.
Before leaving, Shen Liao went to a local jewelry store in Hong County to buy the biggest diamond ring he could find and put it on Jiang Lai’s finger.
"I’ll buy you a better one when we get back."
Jiang Lai was overjoyed, her eyes filled with love as she looked at the ring on her hand.
"Why did you suddenly give me a ring?"
"I’ll tell you when we get back."
He planned to settle things with the people in Jiang City first, and then he would be able to explain everything clearly to Jiang Lai.
Shen Liao’s car arrived at the villa late at night.
As soon as he opened the door, the room was pitch black, with not a sound to be heard.
He frowned, just about to fumble for the light switch, when blinding white light mixed with colorful streamers rained down on him as soon as he turned on the light. It startled him, knitting his brows, and his expression turned even colder as he saw everything more clearly.
"Bro! Surprise! Happy birthday!!"
Shen An’s face appeared in front of him, flashing a toothy smile that made Shen Liao impatiently tear off the streamers and just as he was about to say something, a woman wearing a navy blue long dress stepped out from the crowd.
She held a cake, singing the birthday song, and slowly made her way towards Shen Liao.
"Happy birthday, Shen Liao, at 28 you’re an old man."
The only person who dared to joke with Shen Liao like this was Mu Chen.
That’s why Shen An felt bold enough to hold a party in the villa and spray confetti cannons at Shen Liao.
"Bro, do you like this birthday gift?!"
A room full of notable figures from Jiang City’s elite gathered, but Shen Liao maintained his composure without getting angry. He simply said "Thank you" and moved forward, his indifferent reaction leaving everyone stunned.
"Shen An, what’s going on? Your brother doesn’t seem to be in a good mood."
Mu Chen, standing in the middle of the crowd, smiled helplessly, handed the cake to Shen An, and reassured everyone with a confident look.
"It’s nothing, he sometimes just gets like this."
"Ms. Chenchen, maybe you should go up and check on him?"
Fortunately, Mu Chen was there; otherwise, everyone wouldn’t dare stay seeing Shen Liao’s expression.
Especially Shen An, who was so frightened by his older brother’s cold, icy gaze that he didn’t dare move.
Mu Chen asked Shen An,
"Has he not been seeing the doctor lately?"
Shen An shook his head.
"The family doctor hasn’t been around for a while."
But what does it have to do with the doctor? His brother’s mood was quite good a few days ago.
Mu Chen nodded knowingly.
"It’s fine, you guys go on with your fun. I’ll go check on him."
"Ms. Chenchen, since you’re back, please have a good chat with my brother. He’s really missed you."
Mu Chen still maintained her calm demeanor, gently patting Shen An’s head and mockingly scolding him.
"Stop talking nonsense all day. Don’t say this again next time."
"Oh, Ms. Chenchen, I’m serious! My brother has been waiting for you for so long, and don’t you also have feelings for him? Take this chance and get together, so no opportunistic outsiders make a move on him anymore."
Mu Chen seemed completely unbothered by this.
"I know very well what kind of person your brother is; go and keep your friends entertained."
As Mu Chen went upstairs, everyone gathered around.
Qi Yage: "So, what did she say, Mu Chen?"
Shen An shook his head.
"I don’t know, but with her here, we can enjoy ourselves without worry."
Xiao Jun, who was nearby, commented dispassionately.
"A woman like Mu Chen would never settle for being a domestic help to your Shen Family. As long as Shen Liao doesn’t compromise, there’s no chance for them."
Shen An spoke confidently.
"I don’t think there will be any surprises this time. They’re both about the right age now, and didn’t Ms. Chenchen say she plans to shift her career back to the country? Isn’t that essentially telling us she’s planning to accept my brother?"
The logic is sound.
Everyone could see these two had feelings for each other back then, but Mu Chen left the country for her career, heading to Milan where she stayed for five years.
Shen Liao was also exceptionally talented, yet he waited for Mu Chen, remaining faithful and not allowing any woman to get close all these years.
Of course, Jiang Lai was an exception; she only managed to slip in because of her 70% resemblance to Mu Chen.
Now the main character has returned, and judging by Mu Chen’s demeanor, it seems she plans to develop her career locally from now on. The prince has finally found his true princess, and this story is about to reach its happy ending.