Hello, Mr. Shen - Chapter 3

Shen Nanlang nodded approvingly. “Have you found anything in the accounts?”

I brought up several irregular figures. “Here, and here. These expenses are far above market price. And there were three major purchases last month that don’t match the household inventory.”

His eyes grew cold. “Butler Lin…”

“Let’s not alert him yet,” I said softly. “I’ll keep looking until I have solid evidence.”

He gave me an appreciative look. “You’re more capable than I imagined.”

“I’m only doing my part.” I shifted the conversation. “Incidentally, I’ve looked into the Su family. Su Ruoheng is twenty-four and recently returned from studying in Britain. Her family has a clean reputation. A marriage alliance with the Su Group would benefit the Shens as well.”

He considered this. “You really are concerned about Shen Zhao’s marriage.”

“Of course.” I gave him the smile of a dutiful wife. “He may refuse to acknowledge me as his mother, but I still think of him as my son.”

Moved, Shen Nanlang took my hand. “It’s good of you to care so much. I’ll contact the Su family and arrange a meeting.”

As I watched him leave, a cold smile curved my lips.

In my previous life, Su Ruoheng had been the unattainable woman Shen Zhao worshipped. But this spoiled, willful heiress had nothing but contempt for weak, sickly men.

Marrying her to him would be sweeter than any other revenge.

For dinner, I changed into a dark green qipao, pinned up my hair, and put on the jade earrings Shen Nanlang had given me. The woman in the mirror was poised and elegant, every inch the mistress of a wealthy household.

Several close relatives were already seated in the dining room. Shen Zhao sat near the foot of the table. Disgust flashed in his eyes when he saw me.

Ignoring him, I went straight to the seat beside Shen Nanlang—the place that, in my previous life, had been reserved for Shen Zhao’s mother.

“I hear Madam has been examining the accounts?” Shen Zhao’s aunt, Shen Li, said snidely. “Eager to grab power the moment you cross the threshold?”

I leisurely spooned up some soup. “You must be joking, Auntie. It’s a wife’s duty to ease her husband’s burdens.” I turned to Shen Nanlang. “Isn’t that right, darling?”

He nodded. “Manman is very capable. She’s uncovered some problems. I’ll deal with them.”

Shen Li’s expression changed. She didn’t dare say more.

“Oh,” I said, as though something had just occurred to me, and turned to Shen Zhao. “Your father and I have discussed your marriage. Miss Su will be visiting this weekend. Make sure you’re ready.”

His fork clattered onto his plate. “What?”

“Miss Su Ruoheng. Haven’t you always admired her?” I feigned surprise. “Or have I misremembered?”

His expression was a delight: first shock, then suspicion, and finally a twisted kind of joy. “You…you want Ruoheng and me to…”

“The families are well matched, and Miss Su has both beauty and talent,” Shen Nanlang said. “Your mother’s suggestion is an excellent one.”

The word mother darkened Shen Zhao’s face again, but the mention of Su Ruoheng kept him from exploding. He lowered his head and shoveled food into his mouth, his ears red.

I took a small bite of foie gras and laughed inwardly.

Go ahead and look forward to it, Shen Zhao. Your dream would soon become a nightmare.

The weekend arrived quickly. Su Ruoheng came with her parents, wearing a designer dress and ten-centimeter heels, her makeup as immaculate as if she were about to walk a red carpet.

“Hello, Uncle Shen!” she greeted him sweetly. Then she noticed me and faltered. “And this is…?”

“My wife, Jiang Manman. Manman, this is Miss Su Ruoheng.”

I nodded with a smile. “You really are as beautiful as everyone says.”

Su Ruoheng managed a strained smile, her eyes repeatedly straying toward Shen Zhao. He had made a special effort with his appearance, but his pale face and frail frame looked all the poorer beside his tall father.

Over lunch, her parents showed tremendous enthusiasm for the match. The Su family was wealthy too, but it still fell short of the Shens.

“Ruoheng has been indulged since she was little, but she has a good heart,” her mother said, smiling. “She and Shen Zhao are close in age. I’m sure they’ll get along.”

I noticed how forced Su Ruoheng’s smile was. When Shen Zhao eagerly poured her wine, she frowned slightly and edged away from him.

“What did you study in Britain, Miss Su?” I asked at just the right moment.

“Art history,” she replied with pride. “I’m particularly fond of Victorian painting.”

“What a coincidence. Shen Zhao enjoys art too,” I said. “He’s collected quite a few reproductions of famous paintings. Haven’t you, Shen Zhao?”

He blinked, then hurriedly nodded. “Yes! Yes, I especially like the…Mona Lisa!”

Her mouth twitched. “That’s Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci…”

An awkward silence fell. Shen Zhao flushed crimson, and the disdain in her eyes became even clearer.

After lunch, while the older people chatted, I deliberately steered the pair into the garden for a walk. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I watched Su Ruoheng stride ahead with folded arms while Shen Zhao trailed after her like an errand boy.

“They seem to be getting along,” Shen Nanlang said, pleased.

I smiled. “Yes. A perfect match.”