Murong Xue was very satisfied, a happy smile blooming on her lips as she nestled in Su Jiamu's embrace.
Unseen, her gaze was cold, fixed on Jiang Shiyu's retreating back.
Jiang Shiyu, head bowed, walked quickly forward, completely oblivious to the man approaching her.
She bumped squarely into his chest.
"Ouch—"
How could this man's flesh be so hard! Was it made of cement!
Jiang Shiyu grumbled internally. Before her hand could even reach her forehead, a large palm landed on her head.
The warm palm instantly soothed her forehead.
"Not watching where you're going?" Murong Cheng's icy gaze shifted to one of helpless exasperation the moment he recognized Jiang Shiyu.
She was still as reckless as ever.
"Why are you here?" Hearing the deep, familiar voice, Jiang Shiyu looked up and was surprised to see Murong Cheng.
Didn't Murong Cheng work at a small company? How could he be at the Ling Sheng Group building?
"A friend is here, and I just happened to run into you," Murong Cheng said, then pulled Jiang Shiyu's hand and led her away.
"What are you doing? Where are you taking me?" Jiang Shiyu's brow furrowed in annoyance, and she was forced to keep pace with Murong Cheng.
"Your interview went well, didn't you say you'd treat me to a big meal?" Murong Cheng raised an eyebrow. A rare, joyful, and light expression graced his usually cool face, making his handsome features even more captivating when he smiled. Ling Sheng employees passing by looked at them with shocked eyes.
Jiang Shiyu, thinking they were simply admiring Murong Cheng's good looks when he smiled, cursed him internally as a charmer. "What do you want to eat? I can't afford anything too expensive."
The thought of a big meal still made Jiang Shiyu wince. She had just graduated, and money needed to be saved.
However, on second thought, Murong Cheng's monthly salary was only five thousand. What high-end places could he afford? At most, a hundred to two hundred per person. She could still afford that.
It wasn't until they were in the car that Jiang Shiyu belatedly realized that Murong Cheng was driving the most expensive model of Mercedes-Benz. Although she couldn't recall the specific model, the car and its interior clearly indicated a hefty price tag!
"Where did you get the money to buy this car?" Jiang Shiyu asked, already pulling out her phone to search for the car's price.
"A friend lent it to me."
"Oh!" Jiang Shiyu found the information, which showed a startling number of zeros.
A car worth over a million, and this model was a high-end private car from Mercedes-Benz.
"Which friend of yours is so wealthy? Could it be the CEO of Ling Sheng Group?"
"Something like that," Murong Cheng vaguely replied, an unreadable smile flickering in his dark eyes.
She had expected a trendy restaurant with a per-person cost of one to two hundred, but instead, Murong Cheng drove into an elegantly decorated high-end commercial district. After parking, Jiang Shiyu got out of the car and followed the man, only to discover they were at Cui Jing Xuan. Cui Jing Xuan was the most expensive Chinese restaurant in Haicheng, bar none. The per-person cost here was even higher than Michelin-starred establishments. Even with meals costing tens of thousands, it was always fully booked and impossible to get a table; reservations were booked three months in advance.
"Murong Cheng, I don't have that much money!" Jiang Shiyu froze.
It wasn't that she didn't have *that much* money, it was that she didn't have *any* of that much money.
"My friend owns the restaurant, so it's free," Murong Cheng said, pulling Jiang Shiyu along. His expression was nonchalant, as if he frequented the place often. He led Jiang Shiyu familiarly through the entrance of Cui Jing Xuan.
Jiang Shiyu's heart finally settled back into her chest. As they entered, she saw two familiar figures.
Jiang Shiyu's expression changed slightly.
Noticing Jiang Shiyu's unusual reaction, Murong Cheng stopped and followed her gaze, seeing Su Jiamu and Murong Xue.
Murong Xue had gone to the restroom, leaving Su Jiamu standing there.
Su Jiamu immediately noticed Jiang Shiyu and Murong Cheng.
"Xia Xia?" Su Jiamu's face lit up. "What are you doing here too?"
Seeing Murong Cheng beside Jiang Shiyu, Su Jiamu frowned. "Who is this?"
Jiang Shiyu was about to say it was none of his business when Murong Cheng spoke first, "Xia Xia's husband, Murong Cheng."
"Murong Cheng?" Hearing the name, Su Jiamu's expression turned peculiar. How could this man share the same name as Murong Xue's brother, the CEO of Ling Sheng Group?
Then Su Jiamu realized, "Husband? You're married?!"
"We got the marriage certificate," Murong Cheng stated, his expression cold and his tone indifferent, showing no pleasure in seeing Su Jiamu.
"Xia Xia, even if I hit you that day, you shouldn't be so careless and marry a stranger!"
Su Jiamu couldn't believe Jiang Shiyu would impulsively marry a stranger out of anger. He grabbed Jiang Shiyu's arm, intending to pull her away.
Before his hand could touch Jiang Shiyu, Murong Cheng placed a hand on Su Jiamu's shoulder.
The man, nearly six feet three inches tall, was a head and a half taller than Su Jiamu. Coupled with his regular gym visits, his physique was far more imposing than Su Jiamu's. The powerful aura emanating from him instantly pressed down. "Xia Xia is my woman. Please be respectful."
His tone was cold and indifferent, yet it carried a chilling air, as if he had just been taken out of a freezer.
"You..."
Su Jiamu, unwilling to back down, gritted his teeth, wanting to retort, but was utterly suppressed by Murong Cheng's powerful presence, unable to utter a single word.
"Where does Mr. Murong work? What's his salary?"
Su Jiamu suddenly thought of something and blurted out the question.
"A small company, not worth mentioning. My salary isn't high," Murong Cheng replied indifferently after a few seconds of silence.
Jiang Shiyu thought Murong Cheng was being honest. Even in this situation, he hadn't exaggerated or boasted about his capabilities.
"Not high? Xia Xia, how could you end up with a man like this? You don't need to do this just to anger me. Marrying a kept man?"
Upon hearing this, Su Jiamu's sense of superiority surged, and he couldn't help but start mocking.
"I'm trying to anger you? Su Jiamu, your face is thicker than a city wall! He's taller and handsomer than you, and if his income is less than yours, he's a kept man? Not to mention anything else, he's much more honest than you!"
Thinking of Murong Xue, Jiang Shiyu was filled with rage.
It was one thing for Murong Xue and Su Jiamu to betray her. At most, she felt like a fool. But Murong Xue had also drugged her, intending to completely ruin her!
And Su Jiamu still thought it was her fault!
Her heart was full of grievances and hatred with nowhere to vent!
Murong Cheng lowered his gaze, glancing at Jiang Shiyu. Seeing her anger, a hint of annoyance flickered in his heart, his brow slightly furrowing. Before he could speak,
"Let's forget it! I'm hungry, eating is more important!"
Jiang Shiyu didn't want to argue anymore, as it would spoil her appetite. She tugged at Murong Cheng's sleeve.
Only then did Murong Cheng release Su Jiamu. He then took out a handkerchief and meticulously wiped his fingers, as if he had touched something dirty, before taking Jiang Shiyu's hand and walking towards a private room.
Looking at the man's tall back, Jiang Shiyu felt a mix of happiness and surprise. This man, with a monthly salary of only five thousand, possessed such a powerful aura, moving with such ease in a place like Cui Jing Xuan. An ordinary person would likely not even have the courage to enter.
When Lin Nan arrived at the private room, he saw a woman sitting beside Murong Cheng.