Chapter 19: I Used to Like Him, But Not Anymore

Gu Luosheng shrank her neck, feeling somewhat awkward. Just a moment ago, she had texted that she was resting at home, only to be caught red-handed by the very person she was hiding from. Shen Mo couldn’t help but smile at her embarrassed look. Changing the subject, he asked, “What are you doing here?”

Gu Luosheng explained, “I came with my brother.”

“The little cakes here are delicious! You have to try them.”

Shen Mo hadn’t felt the slightest bit hungry before, but at Gu Luosheng’s urging, he picked up a small cake and took a bite. The taste was acceptable, though a bit heavy on the cream. Watching Gu Luosheng, who seemed interested only in eating and paid no heed to anyone or anything around her, Shen Mo couldn’t help but wonder, “This banquet isn’t as simple as it seems. People say it’s actually a matchmaking event for the wealthy. Have you seen anyone you like?”

Gu Luosheng wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked at Shen Mo with wide, innocent eyes. “Forget it! My circumstances aren’t great—even if I did like someone, they definitely wouldn’t like me back.”

She was only the Gu family’s pretend heiress, and her parents’ attitude toward her was lukewarm at best. Who would be interested in someone like her? If a fake heiress married out, she probably wouldn’t even get much of a dowry. Gu Luosheng was very clear about her own situation.

Shen Mo let out a subtle sigh of relief. Good—no one had beaten him to it.

“And you haven’t told me why you’re here?” Gu Luosheng noticed that Shen Mo had been asking all the questions while he hadn’t answered hers.

Shen Mo replied vaguely, “I came with my brother, just for some fun and to have something to eat.”

“Then you should eat more. The food at Drunken Immortal Pavilion is really good—too bad it’s so expensive.” Had she not mentioned the price, it wouldn’t have bothered her, but once she did, Gu Luosheng realized that even a month’s salary wouldn’t be enough for a dessert here.

“But you’re so handsome, I bet plenty of beautiful women are trying to strike up a conversation with you.”

Shen Mo felt secretly pleased at her words—Gu Luosheng thought he was handsome!

As they chatted and ate, the other well-heeled young ladies and gentlemen who didn’t know them looked on with disdain.

“Who comes here just to eat?”

“Who knows? Maybe they can’t afford to eat here normally and are taking advantage of the opportunity.”

“But they’re both good-looking—are they a couple?”

“A couple of paupers?”

“Sigh, what a waste.”

…

Lin Yichen was also at the banquet that evening, discussing business with a few partners. Having drunk quite a bit, he excused himself for the restroom.

“Excuse me, everyone. I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Of course, President Lin. We’ll wait for your return.”

After raising his glass to the group, Lin Yichen left the banquet hall. When he emerged from the restroom, he didn’t hurry back. Instead, he pulled out his phone and sent a token reply to a message from Gu Qingwan. Rubbing his stomach—he’d been drinking all night and now felt a little hungry—he strolled along the buffet table, looking for something to eat.

A familiar voice caught his ear. Turning, he saw Gu Luosheng chatting with a handsome young man. The lights of the hall illuminated her face, making her look strikingly beautiful.

Suddenly, Lin Yichen felt a heavy pressure in his chest; his appetite vanished. Setting down his plate, he headed straight for Gu Luosheng.

Unaware of his approach, Gu Luosheng nearly leapt out of her skin when Lin Yichen wrapped an arm around her waist.

She was genuinely startled!

In her panic, she pushed Lin Yichen away. “What are you doing?”

He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. Leaning in, Lin Yichen lowered his voice, “Are you in trouble?”

He assumed the young man with her was hitting on her and thought he could help send him away.

Seeing them so close, Shen Mo’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. But in the next instant, Gu Luosheng’s reaction eased his mind. She moved to Shen Mo’s side. “You’ve misunderstood. He’s my friend.”

“Young Master Lin, next time, please don’t touch a woman’s waist without warning. It’s very impolite.”

Lin Yichen’s expression darkened, his eyes fixed on Gu Luosheng, as if searching her face for something.

The scene took Shen Mo by surprise. He knew Lin Yichen, and he’d always thought Gu Luosheng liked him. But now, she didn’t seem to care for him at all.

Gu Luosheng wanted nothing more than to avoid Lin Yichen. Grabbing Shen Mo’s arm, she led him away.

A flash of anger crossed Lin Yichen’s eyes, and he slammed his fist into the stone wall beside him.

Could it be… Gu Luosheng liked that other man?

Pulling Shen Mo through the crowd, Gu Luosheng finally found two empty seats and sat down with him. Embarrassed, she said, “Sorry about just now.”

Shen Mo looked at her with interest, teasing, “Who was that man? Is he your boyfriend?”

At the word “boyfriend,” Gu Luosheng’s expression soured. “As if! I’m happily single, thank you very much.”

“Then what was all that about? Tell me?” Shen Mo was genuinely curious about Gu Luosheng’s feelings toward Lin Yichen. No matter how he tried, he hadn’t been able to find out anything useful from others.

Gu Luosheng sighed, picked up a glass of red wine, and drained it in one go.

“Take it easy!” Shen Mo hesitated, but still reached out to gently pat her back.

“It’s nothing, really,” Gu Luosheng said as she pressed her lips together.

“I used to like him. But not anymore.”

A faint pang pricked Shen Mo’s heart, though he kept his feelings in check. “Why did you stop liking him?”

Gu Luosheng gave a wry smile. “I chased after him for a long time, but he always ignored me.”

“Then, after I finally decided to give up, it seemed like he suddenly started liking me. It’s all very strange.”

“Oh, forget about him. Let’s drink. Isn’t the wine here tens of thousands per bottle? Let’s have more.”

A trace of distress flickered in Shen Mo’s eyes. He knew how Gu Luosheng had been hurt while pursuing Lin Yichen.

Why should someone he cherished endure such pain because of another?

But at least she’d said it herself—she didn’t like Lin Yichen anymore.

Lin Yichen’s appearance had ruined Gu Luosheng’s good mood. She sipped her wine absentmindedly.

Unable to watch her drink in such a state, Shen Mo took her glass away and replaced it with orange juice.

“Drink in moderation. Don’t get drunk—it’s dangerous out here. Aren’t you afraid of being taken advantage of?”

Gu Luosheng sobered up a little and nodded. “You’re right. I shouldn’t get drunk; otherwise, my brother would worry.”

“Shen Mo, you don’t have to keep me company. Go mingle! Maybe you’ll meet someone you like.”

Shen Mo’s gaze flickered as he watched Gu Luosheng’s profile. Some indefinable impulse surged within him, and before he realized it, he blurted out, “I’ve already found someone I like.”