Chapter Eleven: I Just Love You So Much, Smooch~

As soon as the words left her mouth, Gu Yichao emerged from the elevator.

After the ordeal with the unscrupulous teacher, Shen Jin’an fully understood the importance of seizing the initiative.

So, before Gu Yijuan could react, she scooped up Gu Lili and hurried over to Gu Yichao’s side, speaking first, “Honey~ This woman just bullied your son and then used you to threaten me.”

This move completely cut off Gu Yijuan’s chance to play the victim first.

Although Shen Jin’an wasn’t yet sure what Gu Yichao thought of her or whether he would take her side, she was holding Gu Lili in her arms. Gu Yichao wouldn’t side with someone who bullied his son in front of Gu Lili.

A trace of malice flashed in Gu Yijuan’s eyes, but she quickly replaced her earlier arrogance with a composed smile. “It’s just a joke between children. Sister-in-law is exaggerating. Yichao, I came to see you today. I heard you woke up—I can’t even describe how excited I am.”

“Heh,” Shen Jin’an let out a barely audible scoff that nonetheless pierced everyone’s ears clearly. “You say it so nicely. Gu Yichao has been awake for days, and this is the first time you’ve come? Really moving.”

Though Gu Lili didn’t grasp the subtle implications in his stepmother’s words, he keenly sensed that she was calling out the wicked woman. His sense of justice surged, and he puffed out his little belly, lifting his head proudly. “Exactly, exactly!”

Gu Yijuan shot Shen Jin’an a sharp look but then forced a sheepish smile at Gu Yichao. “Yichao, don’t overthink. I was just too busy the past few days to come see you sooner. Otherwise, I definitely would have been here right away.”

[What nonsense. She spent the whole day yesterday playing with male models—three of them, in fact.]

Wow.

Shen Jin’an silently marveled, then ruthlessly exposed Gu Yijuan’s true nature. “She’s just a lazy, good-for-nothing old woman, talking as if she’s some overwhelmed CEO. Oh wait, spending the whole day with male models is indeed exhausting.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

Gu Lili nodded repeatedly like a little chick pecking at rice, waving his chubby, pale arms enthusiastically in support. Although he didn’t know what fun male models were, it sounded scary enough.

No wonder Auntie was so terrifying.

Unable to tolerate Shen Jin’an’s repeated undermining, Gu Yijuan glared fiercely, “I’m talking to my brother-in-law, why are you butting in?”

“Honey~ She’s being mean to us. I’m so scared, boohoo.”

Shen Jin’an shrank behind Gu Yichao’s wheelchair, speaking softly and fearfully, but her smile was radiant.

“You!”

“Gu Yijuan, there’s no need to waste time beating around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it.”

Caught so plainly by Gu Yichao in front of Shen Jin’an, Gu Yijuan’s embarrassment nearly spilled over.

Suppressing her fury and humiliation, she forced a more concerned smile. “Yichao, what are you saying? You just got out of the hospital and your health is fragile. The company’s affairs are so complex—why not let your brother-in-law help out? If you overwork yourself, I would feel so sorry.”

After finishing, Gu Yijuan saw Gu Yichao remained silent, her confidence faltered. She pushed herself to continue, “I don’t mean anything else. I just worry about your health. Your brother-in-law has experience managing companies. He’s reliable.”

[That’s true, but the company is nearly bankrupt. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be scheming to pin things on the villainous father.]

Shen Jin’an couldn’t help laughing aloud. A short, mocking laugh shattered the silence of the living room.

“You mean his experience managing the company to bankruptcy? That’s really reliable.”

“You’re spying on me!”

Gu Yijuan finally caught a handle on Shen Jin’an’s weakness, her crimson nails almost poking Shen Jin’an’s face. “Yichao, look at this Shen Jin’an. She’s no good. She might be a corporate spy sent by a rival company!”

“That’s enough.”

Gu Yichao’s voice was soft but immediately silenced Gu Yijuan’s rising arrogance.

“If you want to apply for a secretary position, go submit your resume to the company. I’m not responsible for personnel recruitment at the Gu Corporation.”

The casual remark landed like a slap.

Gu Yijuan never expected such a direct refusal from Gu Yichao, and her fake smile nearly faltered.

“Yichao, I’m your sister. Can you really treat me like this? Honestly, even if you don’t use your brother-in-law, Dad will assign someone else to help manage the company. You wouldn’t want the power to fall into that old man’s illegitimate son’s hands, would you? We’re family.”

At her words, Gu Yichao looked up, staring at Gu Yijuan with an expression both condescending and sarcastic. His fingers tapped the wheelchair armrest lightly. “Stop pretending. Regarding my accident, can you honestly say you weren’t at all aware?”

Gu Yijuan’s pupils contracted, her face drained of color, but she still stubbornly denied it.

“Yichao, what are you talking about? How could I hurt you? That accident was just an accident. Did that shameless woman Shen Jin’an tell you something?”

Gu Yichao ignored Gu Yijuan’s futile struggle. Leaning slightly forward, a cold curve curled at the corner of his lips. “Go back and tell that old Gu Zhenshan, if he’s got the guts to do it, then he better hide the evidence well. Don’t let me find out.”

Within seconds, Gu Yijuan fled in disgrace, nearly forgetting her son at the Gu residence.

Victorious, Shen Jin’an proudly bumped fists with Gu Lili. But the next moment, she heard Gu Yichao’s ruthless question:

“Explain how you know so much about Gu Yijuan’s family affairs.”

“Honey, don’t listen to her nonsense. I just love you so much that I hired a private detective, eager to learn everything about the people around you.”

Shen Jin’an said, then playfully pinched Gu Yichao’s arm.

“Muah~”

Gu Yichao’s body stiffened slightly, but he said nothing more, turning to wheel away.

Meanwhile, on Weibo, a video just a minute or two long exploded in popularity at an astonishing speed, trending under the title “Who is this dream man?”

The video showed the entire process of Shen Jin’an winning a stuffed toy at an amusement park shooting game.

[OMG, black clothes, shorts, high ponytail—one second, I need all the info about this beauty!]

[Sis, what’s your zodiac sign? I’m made for you!]

[She looks so familiar. Is she an influencer or a celebrity?]

[No, that’s Shen Jin’an, right? Didn’t she quit the industry to marry a rich old man and become a stepmother?]

[Probably that old man and stepson treated her badly, so she wants to get back into showbiz to make money.]

Alongside countless netizens refreshing the trending page, Shen Jin’an’s manager, Wang Qi, watched the likes soar. Stroking his chin, he murmured, “I didn’t expect Shen Jin’an to still have this kind of heat. It’s a pity not to make good use of it.”