Chapter 10

Shu Shiran stared at the message for several seconds before replying, “Are you talking about the Wenguang Art Museum?”
The reply came quickly.
– Ji Xi: Heard about it?
– Shu Shiran: Just heard.
– Ji Xi: It’s no longer called the Wenguang Art Museum. The sign will come down tomorrow.
Shu Shiran: “……”
He really didn’t want the name Ji Wenguang to hang around for another day.
At that moment, Ji Xi sent another message.
– Ji Xi: Haven’t decided on the new name yet.
If Ji Wenguang knew Ji Xi had spent money just to remove his name, and that Ji Xi was so indifferent about the new name that he casually asked others, he would probably be furious.
– Shu Shiran: I don’t know what to call it either.
– Shu Shiran: Why don’t you ask others?
– Ji Xi: That name works, just a bit long.
– Ji Xi: “Not Otherwise” could be an option.
– Shu Shiran: ……
– Ji Xi: No rush, take your time.
Shu Shiran could almost hear the casual, carefree tone in his words.
Not knowing how to respond, she simply exited their chat.
Switching back to the group chat, she saw Zheng Tingyan quoting her line: “Or just pick a random name.”
– Zheng Tingyan: Shiran makes a good point.
When Shu Shiran sent that message, she didn’t expect Ji Xi to be so casual about letting others name it.
The topic about Ji Xi had already passed, and Zheng Tingyan was asking if they would attend the Wu family gathering.
Xu Ying said she couldn’t make it because her husband Cheng Yexiu had an event Saturday night.
– Zheng Tingyan: What about you, Shiran? Are you free?
Earlier that day, Wu Tianqi had specifically told her to make sure she attended.
– Shu Shiran: I’m going.

**

In the blink of an eye, Saturday arrived.
At dusk, Shu Shiran finished getting ready and stepped out.
The dinner was held at a hotel not yet officially open.
The hotel belonged to Wu Tianqi’s parents.
The Wu family didn’t work in their own company; Wu Tianqi’s parents were the kind who didn’t need to work and just pursued their passions.
They loved to travel, and if there wasn’t a hotel up to their standards in a location, they’d open one themselves.
The hotel where Shu Shiran had been helped to renovate was one of these ventures.
Unexpectedly, it marked the start of their new path, and they soon found great success in the hotel business.
“Shiran,” Mrs. Wu, who had been talking to others, saw Shu Shiran and came over.
She warmly took her hand, “Tianqi has been troubling you lately.”
“No trouble at all,” Shu Shiran replied honestly.
Although Wu Tianqi occasionally tried to be clever and slack off, it was only tentative. Once caught, he would obediently do the work.
Even Dai Jiao said he didn’t have the typical spoiled rich kid attitude.
Mrs. Wu said, “Ever since he started working with you, he’s mentioned becoming a monk less and less.”
Shu Shiran: “As long as he doesn’t feel tired, that’s fine.”
Mrs. Wu: “So what if he’s tired? He looks much better, not so listless anymore.”
Then Mrs. Wu lowered her voice and said, “He could even handle being more tired.”
Shu Shiran: “……”
Her place wasn’t some exploitative environment either.
After chatting a bit more with Mrs. Wu, Shu Shiran saw Zheng Tingyan arrive and waved to her.
Zheng Tingyan came over and greeted Mrs. Wu first.
Afterward, Mrs. Wu had something to do and said, “You two chat.”
Once Mrs. Wu left, Zheng Tingyan asked, “Were you talking about Wu Tianqi?”
Shu Shiran nodded, “I heard he even visited a temple.”
Wu Tianqi’s wish to become a monk was no secret.
Zheng Tingyan: “Which one?”
Shu Shiran: “Jinhu Temple.”
It was a popular temple in Nancheng.
Zheng Tingyan: “I went there with my mom once. Their vegetarian meals are quite good. He sure knows how to pick a place—won’t let himself go even if he becomes a monk.”
This evening’s banquet was a pre-opening support event, with many more guests than the last yacht party.
Some faces Shu Shiran had never seen before.
Zheng Tingyan clicked her tongue as she scanned the crowd.
Shu Shiran knew what she was reacting to.
In their social circle, any little rumor sparked endless chatter at gatherings and dinners.
Her breakup with Yan Yi had already been discussed thoroughly, probably with a lot of unpleasant words.
This was Shu Shiran’s first appearance in such a large gathering since the breakup. Many eyes subtly landed on her as soon as she appeared, accompanied by whispers.
“It’s all Zhao Siling’s loose tongue, spreading rumors that you got cheated on,” Zheng Tingyan said angrily.
Shu Shiran: “I can guess what she said.”
She and Zhao Siling had been at odds for a long time.
Given this opportunity, of course Zhao Siling would gloat and kick her while she was down.
Zheng Tingyan: “Not just that, she’s even helping that Yan guy.”
Yan Yi had cheated; people close to Shu Shiran couldn’t stand it and didn’t want the scumbag to get away with it.
They even talked to some of Yan Yi’s business partners to stall projects, enough to make things difficult for him.
Yan Yi hadn’t had an easy time recently.
Meanwhile, Zhao Siling helped Yan Yi and even got her company to cooperate with his.
She was deliberately opposing Shu Shiran just to make her unhappy.
Shu Shiran: “That’s why I dressed up nicely today.”
If she looked tired or had dark circles from overtime, people would think she still hadn’t gotten over being cheated on.
She couldn’t let people mock her.
Today she wore a black fitted dress with a side slit that subtly revealed her calf and a flash of thigh as she moved—fair and striking.
Over it, she wore a black oversized blazer, simple yet comfortable.
Zheng Tingyan: “I saw you as soon as I walked in. My girl is radiant, the most beautiful in the crowd! Zhao Siling is just jealous and can’t stand to see you doing well. That Yan guy is nothing; the next one will be better. She’ll be green with envy then.”
Shu Shiran: “……”
She didn’t know if the next one would be better.
Or what the next one even looked like.
Ji Xi had resolved Wan Leng’s crisis but hadn’t mentioned marriage. The last time they contacted each other was when he asked about the museum’s new name.
She didn’t know where he was or if he had returned to China.
If he never came back, should she keep the promise and wait for him?
Anyway, with no expectations, things probably couldn’t get worse.
Zheng Tingyan tapped Shu Shiran’s arm with a mocking tone: “Speak of the devil.”
Shu Shiran followed her gaze and saw Zhao Siling.
Zheng Tingyan glanced between Zhao Siling and Shu Shiran and muttered with annoyance, “Hey, you two are wearing almost the same dress.”
Shu Shiran had noticed it too; Zhao Siling was dressed similarly tonight.
“Well, it’s not me she’s bothered about.”

At that moment, Zhao Siling, who had just arrived, noticed them and looked their way.
Probably spotting the dress situation, her expression changed slightly before she averted her eyes.
Zheng Tingyan nodded, “Exactly, the one who’s upset is the copycat.”
The Zhao family’s business started with Zhao Siling’s grandfather, grew large under her father, and she was the third generation. It was quite prestigious, but since the Zhao family had arrived in Nancheng later, Zhao Siling struggled a bit to fit into this circle.
She worked hard to blend in during her early years.
At that time, she fixated on Shu Shiran and copied her style.
Then, whatever Shu Shiran did, Zhao Siling did too.
Especially in high school—wherever Shu Shiran went or whatever she did on weekends, Zhao Siling had to do the same and post it on social media.
That alone would be bad enough.
Once she was accepted, she stopped copying and started badmouthing Shu Shiran, belittling her wherever possible.
But all behind her back.
They never had a direct confrontation, especially not in public settings like this.
Shu Shiran’s circle and Zhao Siling’s group never mixed—they’d stick to their own.
Zheng Tingyan: “I was scrolling online yesterday and saw her posts.”
“What did she post?” Shu Shiran asked.
Zheng Tingyan: “Looks like she attended some brand’s dinner. You know, those usual photos she posts—she even pushed them to me. Hard not to see them.”
Shu Shiran: “Sometimes I see them too.”
Zhao Siling appeared as a glamorous heiress online, with many followers and even celebrities posting photos with her.
Zheng Tingyan: “So many people get into trouble because of their online posts. She really doesn’t know how to keep a low profile.”
Shu Shiran remembered that just last month, a family got investigated because their child posted a few photos online.
Those who flaunted online were mostly second-generation rich. Most in their circle kept a low profile; Zhao Siling was an exception.
More familiar faces arrived.
After chatting briefly with acquaintances, Shu Shiran absentmindedly checked her phone and saw a message from Ji Xi sent about five minutes earlier.
She opened it; it was a location pin.
Right at this hotel.
Shu Shiran paused, unsure if he forwarded someone else’s location or if he was actually here.
Had he returned from New York?
– Shu Shiran: Are you back in the country?
No sooner had she sent the message than Zheng Tingyan said beside her, “Isn’t that Ji Xi?”
She looked up, a strand of hair falling by her temple, the ends brushing her cheek.
Through the mingling crowd, Ji Xi’s tall, lean figure appeared, his expression both indifferent and casual.
He really had come back.
He easily silenced the Ji family and caused the Wenguang Art Museum to change its name—topics everyone had been buzzing about.
The name “Ji Xi” was being mentioned frequently.
Now that he appeared in person, many quickly shifted their attention and conversation to him.
Zheng Tingyan noticed something amusing: “His face is really popular—even Zhao Siling is looking at him.”
“He doesn’t seem to come to events like this often. The last time I saw him was at Cheng Yexiu’s birthday. Didn’t expect him to have ties with the Wu family.”
Shu Shiran tucked the stray hair behind her ear, “Maybe a little.”
People around them started talking about Ji Xi.
Those who knew him went to greet him.
Shu Shiran saw him exchange a few words. He seemed oblivious to the attention or simply used to it, exuding a relaxed, almost reckless ease.
While others spoke to him, he glanced at his phone, then looked up with his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance, as if searching for something.
Then, he looked directly toward her.