Chapter Thirty-Four: Just Give It to Them Directly

"Zhouzhou, if you need anything over there, call me immediately," Shen Ruizhang said, his voice pausing for a moment before he reminded her once more before hanging up. His voice was hoarse and tinged with exhaustion.

Jiang Yunzhu replied flatly, her tone devoid of emotion, "Alright."

Suddenly, the car jolted sharply. Jiang Yunzhu frowned instinctively and turned her head. She saw a sleek black luxury car had rammed squarely into the back of hers. A wave of displeasure welled up within her—were people always so reckless behind the wheel these days?

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone rapped on her window, the sound steady and commanding. Jiang Yunzhu drew a deep breath, suppressing her irritation, and slowly rolled down the window. The moment her gaze landed on the figure outside, she was momentarily stunned—it was Shen Tingxiao.

His features were cold and stern, and his voice was low, tinged with a hint of apology. "Sorry, I hit your car..."

Were it not for the evident bewilderment on his face, Jiang Yunzhu would have suspected he had done it on purpose.

When Shen Tingxiao saw her, a flicker of complicated emotion passed through his eyes. He raised his brow, and his tone unconsciously softened, "Zhouzhou?"

Jiang Yunzhu had never expected to run into him here. Circling to the back, she examined the dent, lightly brushing her fingers over it before sighing helplessly. "It's not serious. I can fix it myself."

But Shen Tingxiao was insistent. He stepped forward, the faint scent of tobacco clinging to him, his presence forceful and brooking no refusal. "Since I caused it, I should take responsibility. Let’s exchange contact information. I’ll have your car repaired and delivered back to you."

Jiang Yunzhu lifted her gaze, meeting his deep-set eyes. A strange feeling stirred within her. She gave a light laugh, attempting to decline, "Really, it’s nothing. I can handle this small matter myself."

But Shen Tingxiao had no intention of giving up so easily. He bent slightly, bringing himself to her eye level, his gaze burning. "No need to be polite with me. Take it as my way of making amends."

His intense stare made Jiang Yunzhu uncomfortable. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally took out her phone and added his contact.

When Jiang Yunzhu got back in the car, she caught a glimpse of Shen Tingxiao still standing where she’d left him, staring at her departing car, lost in thought. She felt a flicker of unease—there was something dangerous about him.

When Jiang Yunzhu returned to the Jiang family home, Chen Li was in the kitchen preparing lunch.

"Where's Dad?" Jiang Yunzhu had some company-related matters she wanted to discuss with Jiang Zhen.

"He's entertaining a guest. You can look for him later," Chen Li replied, bringing out a platter of crabs. "There are a few more dishes. Help me bring them out, will you?"

Jiang Yunzhu helped set the table.

Chen Li pulled her aside, probing gently, "Tingxiao is a fine young man. He’s handsome, polite, and, more importantly, seems to be quite taken with you. At your age, it’s time you started thinking about romance."

In the past, she and Jiang Zhen had both worried that Jiang Yunzhu’s attachment to Shen Ruizhang might cross the line.

Though there was no blood relation between the two, in the end, Shen Ruizhang was much older than Jiang Yunzhu. The age gap was too great, and the one who’d suffer for it would always be the girl.

"Mom," Jiang Yunzhu took a sip from her glass, "I’m back in M Country for business. Please, don’t try to set me up with anyone. I really have no head for such things right now."

She glanced around the Jiang house, assessing the situation in her mind. She had brought quite a few artists from back home. Now that she was back in M Country, her first priority was to host a banquet to connect with others and build her network.

"How can I not worry?" Chen Li muttered. "It's not that I want to force you into marriage. But you haven't dated anyone yet—could it be… is there some problem?"

Her expression changed abruptly. She grasped Jiang Yunzhu’s arm tightly. "Zhouzhou, be honest with me. Do you even like men?"

"…"

Jiang Yunzhu stared at Chen Li expressionlessly. "Mom, what are you even talking about?"

"Just tell me the truth, I can accept it," Chen Li insisted, though her eyes brimmed with tears. "I’m not so close-minded. If you really don’t like men, then I’ll help you find a good, responsible girl."

Thump, thump, thump.

Loud footsteps sounded from the staircase.

Both Jiang Yunzhu and Chen Li turned to look. Shen Tingxiao was bracing himself on the banister.

"Are you alright, Tingxiao?" Jiang Zhen asked in confusion. "Strange, there’s nothing on the stairs. How did you trip?"

"I’m fine," Shen Tingxiao replied, glancing in Jiang Yunzhu’s direction. "Auntie, what were you just saying about introducing someone to Zhouzhou?"

Chen Li instinctively looked at Jiang Yunzhu.

Jiang Yunzhu’s mind whirled, but she smiled and said, "My mother wants to introduce me to a girlfriend."

Shen Tingxiao asked casually, "A girlfriend?"

"Exactly that," Jiang Yunzhu stood up and walked over to him. "Are you leaving, Mr. Shen?"

Shen Tingxiao’s expression was cold. "Yes."

"Take care, then," Jiang Yunzhu replied with a radiant smile.

Shen Tingxiao pressed his lips into a thin line. After a moment, he said, "So Zhouzhou likes girls?"

"I’ve never tried, but I’d like to. Do you have an opinion on that, Mr. Shen?" Jiang Yunzhu clasped her hands behind her back and paced calmly.

Shen Tingxiao’s expression visibly relaxed. "Then I wish you the best of luck."

Jiang Yunzhu frowned slightly.

Had she really misunderstood Shen Tingxiao? Did he not have those kinds of feelings for her after all?

Either way, as long as it placated her parents, it was enough.

"Thank you," Jiang Yunzhu said brightly, seeing Shen Tingxiao off.

When she returned, she was met with the worried faces of Jiang Zhen and Chen Li.

Both of them looked as though they wanted to speak, but hesitated.

"Alright, I was just joking. I don’t like girls," Jiang Yunzhu said, unable to bear their obvious concern. "Mom, on a more serious note, I registered a film company today. I’d like to set up on Film Street—are there any good office spaces for rent? And my artists will be arriving tomorrow, so I need to plan a welcome event."

Chen Li let out a huge sigh of relief, her anxious heart finally put to rest.

For now, she didn’t dare bring up matchmaking again.

"Old Jiang," Chen Li called to Jiang Zhen, "your daughter wants to start a business. What do you think?"

"Our family happens to have a two-hundred-square-meter office building on Film Street. You can use it. As for the welcome event, you can host it at the city’s largest hotel. I’ll have someone make the arrangements now," Jiang Zhen replied. "And your mother and I will invite some of our friends to help you out."

"That works," Jiang Yunzhu agreed without protest.

As she had said, her focus this time was on her career.

When Sang Bai arrived, the professional manager Jiang Yunzhu had hired had already taken care of everything. The staff were in place, and all that remained was for the artists to arrive.