"How could that be," Sheng Jiaqi said with a giggle. "I'm going to Bali anyway. Wouldn't it be better if you came with me?"
"No need."
"You don't like me?" Sheng Jiaqi pouted. "Then forget it. I was planning to use this opportunity to foster some feelings between us, but since you're unwilling, so be it."
"It's not that I'm unwilling. It's just that I'm not accustomed to flying on a stranger's private jet."
Sheng Jiaqi froze. "Then shall I send a driver to pick you up?"
"No need. I have my own car," Sheng Chenjin said and hung up.
Sheng Chenjin left the company with his documents and went to the bank to deposit money.
He returned to the villa by noon.
"Young Master, lunch is ready," the butler reported, approaching him.
"Understood," Sheng Chenjin said and went straight upstairs.
He pushed open the bedroom door and saw Qiao Muchen packing his things.
Qiao Muchen stopped what he was doing and looked at Sheng Chenjin.
"Sheng Chenjin, are you going abroad?" Qiao Muchen asked.
"Mm."
Qiao Muchen frowned. "Are you going to Bali for your honeymoon?"
"Mm."
Qiao Muchen shook his head helplessly. "I thought you would at least seek my opinion first."
Sheng Chenjin walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "You won't mind."
"Of course, I won't mind. It's just that I find your sudden decision to go to Bali very strange."
"I'm just going for business."
"Oh," Qiao Muchen nodded. "I figured it would be some excuse like that."
Sheng Chenjin looked up and gave him a cold glance. "I don't need to tell you about my relationship with her."
Qiao Muchen shrugged and spread his hands. "Okay! Okay! I promise not to eavesdrop."
Sheng Chenjin remained silent, got up, and walked towards the bathroom.
"Sheng Chenjin," Qiao Muchen called out to him. "Are you really planning to give Shi Xinxin a try?"
Sheng Chenjin's steps didn't falter, and he said indifferently, "That's my private matter."
"Then when do you plan to marry her?"
Sheng Chenjin frowned. "Who I marry is none of your business."
Qiao Muchen sighed helplessly. "You know I don't mean it like that. While I admit you marrying her is quite suitable, you must know that your current wife is your first love. Are you really willing to let her go?"
Sheng Chenjin's body stiffened for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.
"We broke up five years ago," he said calmly. "And we didn't have a romantic foundation."
"I understand," Qiao Muchen nodded. "So, I respect your choice."
A sarcastic curve appeared on Sheng Chenjin's lips.
In the afternoon, Shi Xinxin woke up early.
"Mommy! When will Daddy be back?" Shi Xinxin, wearing cartoon pajamas, looked at Shi Xinqi with her big, blinking eyes.
"Daddy is very busy lately, he probably won't be back for a long time," Shi Xinqi said, stroking her daughter's soft, dark hair.
Shi Xinxin pouted. "Daddy must be working overtime again. He works so hard every day."
"Good girl, don't worry. Your daddy will get better soon," Shi Xinqi hugged her daughter.
"Mm!" Shi Xinxin clenched her fist. "I believe Daddy will get better soon!"
"Such a good girl," Shi Xinqi kissed her daughter's tender cheeks. "Aren't you supposed to go to the amusement park with your classmates today? You should go."
Shi Xinxin stood up and walked to the vanity, pulling open a drawer.
She took out a photograph from the drawer.
The photo showed a cute, beautiful boy with a ponytail, wearing a blue and white striped school uniform.
Shi Xinxin put the photo into her bag.
...
Sheng Group, Chairman's Office.
The assistant entered with a document and respectfully handed it to Sheng Chenjin. "Young Master, this is the information you requested."
Sheng Chenjin took the document and scanned it carefully. "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard, Young Master," the assistant said, lowering his head. "There's also one more thing to report."
"Speak," Sheng Chenjin looked up, glancing at his watch. "Two minutes until boarding."
"We've found out that Miss Shi has already booked her ticket. And her flight is scheduled to land just before you board."
Sheng Chenjin's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this. "What is she going to Bali for?"
"We're not sure for now, but according to my investigation, she's going for her honeymoon," the assistant said. "Therefore, I speculate that she intends to use the sights of Bali to create a false impression of an accidental meeting with you."
Sheng Chenjin curled his lips. "She is rather clever."
"Young Master, should we intercept her flight?"
Sheng Chenjin pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, it's not necessary."
"Yes."
Sheng Chenjin put down the documents and stood up to leave the office.
"Boss, where are you going?" the secretary followed him.
Sheng Chenjin didn't look back, his long legs carrying him out of the company.
"You say, is Sheng Chenjin still harboring feelings for Shi Xinxin?"
"I don't know, but what I'm certain of is that the boss definitely doesn't want Shi Xinxin to have any connection with him."
"Alas, I really don't understand what Sheng Chenjin is thinking. Haven't you noticed? For the past three years, he's never dated any woman. Unless it's absolutely necessary, he hardly attends any events. He's as good as imprisoned."
"This just proves that he can't forget Shi Xinxin."
"Tsk, what do you know?" another employee said. "The boss can't possibly have any feelings for Shi Xinxin anymore."
"Why?" the secretary asked, confused. "Is it because they broke up too long ago?"
"No," another employee explained. "Haven't you noticed? The boss actually has a problem with his sexual orientation."
"What?"
"Our boss... likes men?"
"Shh—" the employee next to him immediately stopped him from gossiping further. "You can't just say such things."
The secretary was shocked. "No way? Is the boss gay? I always thought he was homosexual before."
"Is it strange for the CEO to like men?" that employee scoffed. "Didn't you know? The boss had a girlfriend when he was studying in high school in America."
"Ah?" the secretary exclaimed in surprise. "Really?"
"Absolutely true."
The secretary's eyes widened. "My goodness!"
...
Shi Xinxin changed her clothes and was about to go out.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. It was an unfamiliar number. After a moment of hesitation, she answered.
"Hello, may I speak to Miss Shi Xinxin?"
Shi Xinxin was startled. "Yes. Who is this?"
"Miss Shi, my name is Chen Nan. Your father, Mr. Shi Jinsong, has asked me to convey his thanks to you," Chen Nan said with a smile. "Thank you for allowing him to attend your wedding."
Shi Xinxin froze. Her head buzzed as if it were about to explode. After a long pause, she couldn't comprehend. "What did you say? My father went to Bali?"
"Yes."
"He... he went to attend my wedding?"
"Yes," Chen Nan said with a smile. "I've just helped Mr. Shi complete his hotel check-in procedures. Please rest assured, Miss Shi."