Hello, Mr. Shen - Chapter 4

A month later, Shen Zhao and Su Ruoheng celebrated their engagement in grand style.

As mistress of the Shen household, I handled every detail, from the decorations to the guest list. Shen Nanlang relied on me more and more, even praising me publicly as the indispensable partner behind his success.

At the banquet, Shen Zhao wore a bespoke suit, yet still failed to fill it out properly. Su Ruoheng looked stunning in white, but could no longer conceal her reluctance.

“Congratulations, Shen Zhao.” His younger cousin Shen Ming slapped his shoulder and waggled his eyebrows. “Su Ruoheng’s temper is famous. Think you can handle her?”

Shen Zhao forced a smile. “Ruoheng is very gentle.”

“Really?” Shen Ming jerked his chin toward the other side of the room. “Then why is she having such a great time talking to that model?”

I followed his gaze. Su Ruoheng was laughing with a tall, handsome young man, occasionally resting her hand on his arm.

Shen Zhao’s face darkened at once. “I’ll go and see,” he said through clenched teeth.

I followed discreetly and watched from behind a pillar.

He approached Su Ruoheng and said something quietly.

She frowned. “What’s wrong with talking to a friend? Who are you to tell me I can’t?”

“But this is our engagement party…” His voice was pleading.

“So?” She sneered. “Should I kneel and thank Your Majesty for this great honor?”

She deliberately raised her voice. “If my father hadn’t forced me, who would want to marry a sickly wreck like you?”

Shen Zhao stood as still as if he had been struck by lightning. Su Ruoheng linked her arm through the model’s and swept away.

I appeared at just the right moment, pretending to have happened by. “Shen Zhao, what’s wrong? You look awful.”

He whirled toward me, his eyes full of resentment. “Happy now? This is the wonderful match you found for me!”

I looked innocent. “What happened? Doesn’t Miss Su like you very much?”

“Like me?” He gave a bitter laugh. “She despises me! This is all you! You did it on purpose—”

“Shen Zhao!” His father’s voice came from behind us. “Remember where you are!”

He shut his mouth, though fury all but blazed from his eyes.

I slipped my hand through Shen Nanlang’s arm. “The boy’s probably nervous. It is his first engagement, after all.”

He patted my hand. “You’re always so understanding.”

That evening, the Shens held a small family dinner to celebrate. Shen Zhao excused himself on the grounds that he felt unwell. Su Ruoheng came, but remained distracted throughout, constantly checking her phone.

“I hear Shen Zhao has always been in poor health?” she asked suddenly during the meal. “What exactly is wrong with him?”

The table fell silent.

Shen Nanlang set down his wineglass. “He’s simply a little frail. Proper care will improve things.”

“Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “Then why did my friend say he has a long medical history at Renhe Hospital? They also said he…” She broke off abruptly, apparently realizing she had said too much.

Shen Nanlang’s eyes sharpened. “Which friend?”

She looked flustered. “Just…a friend who studies medicine…”

I stepped in smoothly. “Miss Su is only concerned about Shen Zhao. Here, try the lobster. It was flown in from Australia this morning.”

After dinner, Shen Nanlang called me into the study. “There’s more to Su Ruoheng than meets the eye. She’s been investigating him.”

“Young people want to know who they’re marrying. That’s natural.” I poured him tea.

He shook his head. “It’s not that simple. I suspect she has another agenda.” After a pause, he added, “But it’s done now. We can’t break the engagement. The family can’t afford that humiliation.”

I was secretly delighted. This was exactly what I wanted: a marriage steeped in suspicion and resentment.

“By the way,” he said, changing the subject, “how have you been feeling? Have you noticed any…particular symptoms?”

I knew what he meant. Since the wedding, we had taken almost no precautions against pregnancy. In my previous life, I had conceived three months after marrying Shen Zhao. This time should be much the same.

“Nothing yet.” I touched my flat stomach. “But the doctors say I conceive easily. It shouldn’t be long.”

Hope flickered in his eyes. “If you need any supplements, just tell me. I’ll have them prepared.”

“You’re so good to me.” I leaned against his shoulder, hiding the coldness in my eyes.

Early the next morning, I arranged to run into Shen Zhao as he got up. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. Clearly, he hadn’t slept.

“Why didn’t you come to dinner last night?” I asked with concern. “Were you feeling unwell?”

He stared at me coldly. “Drop the act. I know you engineered all this.”

I blinked. “Engineered what?”

“Ruoheng doesn’t want to marry me!” he snarled under his breath. “You knew that all along, didn’t you?”

I sighed. “Marriage is a serious matter, Shen Zhao. Parents arrange it, and matchmakers bring it about. Miss Su may need time to adjust, but affection can grow.”

I paused deliberately. “Or were you hoping to follow your father’s example and marry someone seventeen years younger?”

His face turned livid. His fists tightened until his knuckles cracked. “One day, I’ll make you regret this, Jiang Manman.”

“Watch your language, son.” I smiled. “Remember, I’m your mother now.”

I watched him stalk away, thoroughly pleased. This was only the beginning. I would repay every bit of the suffering he had given me.

Back in the bedroom, I stood before the full-length mirror and stroked my stomach. Soon. There would be good news soon.

Then Shen Zhao’s standing in the family would plummet, and my revenge could truly begin.