The Wen Yuan Group’s official Weibo normally only posted work-related content. Besides the latest post, there was only one other post related to Chen Die.

It was the opening Weibo for the food court a month ago, where Chen Die, as the spokesperson, had reposted the announcement.

Now this change in tone seemed quite jarring—a personal post suddenly appearing among a bunch of work-related Weibos, and such a high-profile declaration at that.

Is this how CEOs confess their feelings these days??

This doesn’t match the aloof face in the photos at all.

This Weibo immediately attracted widespread attention, with likes and comments climbing rapidly.

I’ve lived long enough to see it all; this is the first time I’ve seen such a refreshing pursuit declaration.

Is this the official account?

Wen Die is real!!!!

Saw the liked Weibo post, is this Mr. Wen personally confirming he’s Die Mei’s ex-boyfriend?

…

Not long after that Weibo was posted, Chen Die was tagged by many people.

Chen Die clicked in to see: “…”

This bold move probably wasn’t Wen Liang’s doing—it wasn’t his style.

Soon, Fang Ruan also sent her a message.

[Fang Ruan: What kind of game are you and Mr. Wen playing?]

[Fang Ruan: Or are you already together and testing the waters?]

Fang Ruan didn’t object to Chen Die’s contact with Wen Liang.

Some artists even had such financial backers providing resources to help them become famous. Having such a pursuer was not a bad thing for Chen Die.

Moreover, Mr. Wen’s face could satisfy many appearance-obsessed fans, inadvertently developing a batch of CP fans, while her solo fans remained quite zen about the incident, not affecting Chen Die.

[Chen Die: I’m innocent.]

[Fang Ruan: Is he pursuing you?]

[Chen Die: Mm.]

[Fang Ruan: You might as well participate in a dating variety show. If you agree, you can get together on the show; if not, you can reject his pursuit when the show ends.]

[Chen Die: Leaving aside whether I agree or not, do you think Wen Liang is the type of person who would agree to participate in such a show?]

[Fang Ruan: I originally thought not, but seeing today’s move, I think this man might be secretly passionate.]

[Chen Die: …]

[Chen Die: Don’t even think about the dating variety show!]

[Fang Ruan: No worries, if you two get together, there are other shows later—couple observation, father-son observation, mother-son observation, family observation variety shows—take your pick.]

Chen Die sent a string of ellipses back, too lazy to deal with Fang Ruan’s wild imagination.

After exiting WeChat, Chen Die took her pajamas to shower, then dawdled around steaming her face before coming out. There was a message from Wen Liang.

[Wen Liang: Are you asleep?]

Chen Die was shocked by his frequent appearances.

[Chen Die: Not yet.]

[Chen Die: What’s up with your company’s Weibo?]

[Wen Liang: What’s wrong?]

“…”

Chen Die thought to herself that the flamboyant Weibo wasn’t posted by Wen Liang.

Immediately after, Wen Liang sent another WeChat message.

[Wen Liang: I asked my assistant to post it. According to Assistant Zou, this is called “purging heresy.”]

Assistant Zou was one of Wen Liang’s life assistants, a prestigious university graduate, but the youngest, still a girl, who understood much more about fan circle matters than someone like Zhu Qicong.

Assistant Zou naturally wouldn’t dare say “purging heresy” to Wen Liang’s face; he had overheard her chatting with other colleagues.

Wen Liang didn’t fully understand how terrifying such fan circle terminology sounded coming from his mouth.

When Chen Die saw this, she momentarily felt like the person behind the screen couldn’t be Wen Liang.

[Chen Die: …]

[Chen Die: Act normal, please.]

Chen Die turned off the bedroom light, and after lying in bed, she couldn’t help but recall Wen Yuan’s official Weibo post from earlier. The more she thought about it, the hotter her face became, her heart pounding.

Although the action didn’t seem like something the usual Wen Liang would do, it still made Chen Die very happy—surprised and happy.

She had been with Wen Liang for so long before, but not many people knew about their relationship.

Firstly, because their relationship wasn’t very presentable at the time, Chen Die didn’t bother letting people know. Secondly, the fact that she was Chen’s family’s biological daughter made it inconvenient for Chen Die to attend on many occasions.

But now Wen Liang had used the most direct and forceful method, posting a Weibo that was like announcing it to the world.

Chen Die strangely felt as if she had been given official status.

“…”

This illusion only swirled in her mind for a second before she raised her hand and knocked her head hard.

Was she some old-fashioned woman?!

It was just a Weibo post!! Just a standard pursuit tactic!!!

But Miss Ye wasn’t so pleased.

Although the matter between her and Wen Liang had been denied by both parties, their parents’ matchmaking intentions were strong, and some people still knew about it.

Ye Chuqing was different from the typical socialite young lady.

She was capable and had excellent academic performance. After graduating from one of China’s top universities, she went abroad on a government scholarship and returned with a master’s degree in just one year.

Because of this, many socialites of the same age would intentionally exclude her from gatherings.

Now with Wen Yuan’s Weibo post, they became active, coming to console her one after another.

[Chuqing, how is Mr. Wen saying he’s pursuing that actress? Didn’t he go on a blind date with you before?]

[This Mr. Wen is unfair; isn’t he slapping your face?]

[Chuqing, what other types do you like? Let me introduce you to someone.]

Hmph.

Ye Chuqing rolled her eyes.

Invisible on ordinary days, but now they were all rushing to appear.

Ye Chuqing couldn’t be bothered with them. From childhood, she had never been one to fit in, especially among these peer wealthy daughters—they all disliked each other.

Unfortunately, there was a fashion show to attend tomorrow, and she would have to see those people then.

Ye Chuqing looked at her phone, and suddenly a person came to mind.

Chen Die.

For some reason, Ye Chuqing just felt that Chen Die would be someone she’d enjoy interacting with.

She opened Chen Die’s WeChat and glanced at the time, thinking it might be too disruptive to message a not-so-familiar friend so late at night.

But then she thought about how awkward it would be if she went alone tomorrow.

Chen Die had just rolled around in bed twice because of Wen Liang’s bold move when she received a message from Ye Chuqing.

This was the first time they had exchanged messages since becoming friends.

[Ye Chuqing: Are you free tomorrow?]

[Chen Die: Yes, what’s up?]

[Ye Chuqing: Jocely has a New Year’s fashion show at World Entertainment Plaza tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?]

Jocely was an independent fashion designer whom Chen Die had known before and quite liked her design style. She had several clothes designed by her in her closet.

So without much hesitation, she replied yes.

The security at World Entertainment Plaza today was very tight, both front and back. Not only was there Jocely’s New Year’s fashion show but also a commercial event. It was semi-sealed off, and without proper credentials, one couldn’t enter today.

Chen Die entered with the electronic ticket Ye Chuqing had sent her and walked to Building C to wait for the elevator.

There were already some people who had come to see the show, all waiting for the elevator. Chen Die stood at the back, waiting for the second trip.

The elevator went up and came back down. Chen Die walked in alone, pressed the floor button, and just as the elevator door was about to close, another group of people arrived. She heard their voices first before the elevator door reopened.

Outside were five or six men who were equally surprised to see Chen Die.

Xiao Shi was the first to break the silence: “Hey, isn’t this Chen Die?” He looked back and raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Wen?”

Wen Liang had been frequently trending with Chen Die recently, so how could these buddies of his not know? They just hadn’t expected Wen Liang would go this far for a woman.

If they had been asked before what would happen if someone slapped Wen Liang, they would say that person wouldn’t even have remains left. How could they still be alive like the lady before them? Last night, Wen Liang had even publicly announced his pursuit, which was also a warning to Fu Wanmei.

Chen Die politely greeted him and then looked at Wen Liang.

Wen Liang stood at the back in a suit, smiled, and walked past several people to enter the elevator first, coming to Chen Die’s side: “Why are you here?”

“To see the fashion show.”

The others also entered the elevator and very tactfully started chatting about other things, leaving space for Wen Liang and Chen Die in the corner of the elevator.

“Would you like to have lunch together?” Wen Liang asked.

He was tall, and his voice came from above Chen Die. Being so close, Chen Die could smell the faint scent of laundry detergent from his collar, mixed with a hint of tobacco warmed by body heat.

Chen Die didn’t know why, but in such a small, cramped space, with all his friends around, she suddenly didn’t dare to look up at him.

“I don’t know when the fashion show will end.”

Wen Liang said casually: “Then I’ll come find you after I’m done.”

With a ding, the elevator door opened, and the others left after some teasing remarks.

“Who are you seeing the show with?” Wen Liang asked.

Chen Die paused: “…Ye Chuqing.”

Wen Liang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: “You know her?”

“We met at the film industry conference before.” Chen Die’s voice grew increasingly softer, starting to feel that her previous anger at Wen Liang over that matter was quite embarrassing. “I didn’t know the marriage rumors were about you and her.”

At that time, Chen Die had even heard Ye Chuqing angrily curse her blind date eight hundred times.

Wen Liang sighed helplessly and raised his hand to touch her chin: “You won’t hear such news about me again in the future. If there is any, it will be with you.”

“…”

What’s wrong with this dog-man lately?

“Stop taking advantage of me. Who wants such news with you?” Chen Die swatted his hand away.

His hand fell as she swatted it, but then he smoothly took her hand, stepped forward, and pushed Chen Die against the wall, looking down at her with a half-smile: “Baby, being in denial isn’t a good habit.”

“…”

Chen Die couldn’t be bothered with him. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tightly, so she had to pry his fingers open one by one.

At the same time, the elevator door opened again, and another batch of people got on.

Leading them was Ye Chuqing.

She turned and immediately saw the two of them. Ye Chuqing was so startled she cursed, patted her chest, then recognized the pair and became even more speechless: “Hey, you two, can you spare me some face?”

Chen Die: “…”

Wen Liang didn’t care, lazily glanced at her, then looked back at Chen Die, dropping an “I’ll come to find you later” before turning to leave.

Ye Chuqing clicked her tongue twice: “So this dog-man knows how to actively seek someone out.”

Chen Die was amused by her expression: “Let’s go.”

The fashion show hadn’t started yet.

The exhibition hall was magnificently decorated, with a railing formed of light pink roses around the T-stage, and strong lights shining down from above onto the stage.

Ye Chuqing linked arms with Chen Die, took a glass of champagne, and they took their seats in order.

On the other side, several socialites gathered to chat, their gazes occasionally sweeping over to them.

“Hey, isn’t that the actress Wen Liang is interested in? How come she’s with Ye Chuqing?”

“They seem to be quite close.”

“Didn’t Chen Shao say she’s his cousin? Maybe they knew each other before?”

“How could she be his cousin? Old Mr. Chen only had two sons. Isn’t Chen Ke’s daughter Chen Shuyuan? It’s probably just a cover-up. After all, this Chen Die is from his company; it wouldn’t be good for him if her reputation was tarnished.”

…

Chen Die glanced in their direction, and they slightly withdrew their gazes.

“It’s not so simple for you to invite me to see the show with you, is it?” Chen Die asked.

“Smart.” Ye Chuqing took a sip of champagne and chuckled lightly: “But this is something you should be responsible for. That bastard Wen Liang made me lose such face; it’s only right that you make it up to me.”

“Okay then.” Chen Die smiled and accepted it.

Just as they were talking, another person entered through the door, also a central figure in their earlier discussions—Chen Shuyuan.

“By the way, I haven’t asked you, what’s your relationship with Chen Shao?” Ye Chuqing cupped her mouth and leaned close to Chen Die’s ear to ask.

Chen Die: “Just as Chen Shao said.”

“Cousins?”

Ye Chuqing raised an eyebrow. The outside world might believe what they saw in that video, but people in the same business circle knew better. Chen Shao should only have one cousin sister, and that was Chen Shuyuan.

Now others either thought Chen Shao’s clarification video was a cover-up, or they believed Chen Die was some illegitimate daughter of the Chen family left outside.

“You don’t believe it?” Chen Die turned to look at her.

Ye Chuqing: “It’s not that…”

Chen Die said: “Chen Shuyuan and I were born on the same day.”

“So?”

Ye Chuqing realized something was off as soon as she spoke. Suddenly thinking of something, she cursed softly and lowered her voice even more, “Is it what I’m thinking?”

“What are you thinking?”

“The most soap opera-like scenario.”

Chen Die looked at her with a smile: “It’s probably what you’re thinking.”

“Holy shit.” Ye Chuqing couldn’t help cursing again, marveling, “It’s the 21st century, and there’s still such a situation? How was it discovered later?”

“I didn’t grow up in Yan City when I was little. It was only after Old Mr. Chen discovered it that he came to find me, but I didn’t go back to the Chen family afterward.”

Ye Chuqing looked extremely shocked, glancing at Chen Shuyuan in the distance, then back at Chen Die: “Your background is so mysterious.”

Soon, the fashion show began.

The lights around the exhibition hall dimmed simultaneously, leaving only the lights on the stage. The white spotlight reflected onto the T-stage, and then pure piano music started playing.

The audience finally quieted down.

Models wearing New Year’s designs came out one by one.

This was the first stop of Jocely’s fashion design exhibition in Yan City this year. Among them were several limited-edition pieces, only one in the world. These design items wouldn’t be displayed in mall showcases but would be available for purchase after the fashion show ended.

Although Ye Chuqing didn’t have much in common with other wealthy young ladies in everyday conversation, they did share a similarity when it came to buying bags.

There weren’t many bags on display at this fashion show, only two styles.

As soon as it ended, Ye Chuqing had someone bring both new bags over. She tried them on and asked Chen Die: “What do you think?”

“The animal print one looks better,” Chen Die said.

Ye Chuqing turned in front of the mirror again: “I think so too.” She had someone take that bag away to be wrapped up. “Don’t you like anything?”

“What do you think of those shoes?”

Chen Die nodded toward a pair of crystal shoes in the showcase. Chen Die had noticed them from the moment the models came out. They were inlaid with translucent crystals, shimmering beautifully under the lights.

“They’re beautiful, but that heel is too high for me.” Ye Chuqing looked at her legs. “You’d look beautiful in them.”

As Ye Chuqing spoke, she sent someone to fetch the shoes.

At the same time, Chen Shuyuan on the other side had also set her eyes on these shoes.

The attendant looked back and forth between the two: “Both ladies have excellent taste, but these shoes are limited edition, the only pair in the world. Perhaps you could decide who tries them first.”

Chen Shuyuan’s gaze also turned toward them.

Chen Die smiled generously: “It’s fine, let her try them. I won’t rob her of what she desires.”

The attendant sighed in relief, took out the shoes, and went to Chen Shuyuan, kneeling to help her try them on.

Ye Chuqing elbowed Chen Die and leaned to her ear with a disappointed look: “What’s wrong with you? If you like them, grab them! Why give them away so easily?”

Chen Die turned her head, and winked gently at her, looking so gentle that it seemed almost coy.

“She can’t wear them anyway.”

Ye Chuqing didn’t understand yet, but the attendant was already apologizing: “These shoes don’t fit Miss Chen’s size.”

With Jocely making these crystal shoes as a limited edition of one pair, the size was naturally also only one—the most common size 36. Chen Shuyuan couldn’t fit into them.

OO@@ laughter immediately erupted around them.

Ye Chuqing also joined in the laughter, finding the scene perfectly matched with the fairy tale.

“Crystal shoes were meant for princesses; some cuckoos in magpies’ nests have the nerve to try to snatch them.” Ye Chuqing said languidly. “Truly shameless.”

Others around had been focusing on Chen Die and Chen Shuyuan, and upon hearing her words, they understood the implied meaning and moved closer to ask: “Chuqing, what do you mean by ‘cuckoos in magpies’ nests’?”

Ye Chuqing smiled: “Just what it sounds like.”

Chen Shuyuan’s face turned bright red. Just as she wanted to quickly interrupt Ye Chuqing, the exhibition hall doors opened, and Wen Liang walked in.

Everyone immediately quieted down, their thoughts varying.

Wen Liang usually only attended business events and rarely moved between various family circles. There were still many people who had only heard his name but never seen him in person.

“Is Wen Liang really this handsome?”

“Who is he here for, Ye Chuqing or Chen Die?”

Wen Liang scanned the room. He hadn’t attended many female-dominated events like this before. After finding Chen Die, he went straight to her and asked softly: “Is it over?”

“We’re about to try on shoes.” Ye Chuqing answered for her, gesturing to the attendant. “Bring the shoes over.”

Chen Die sat in a chair, and the attendant came over with the shoes, kneeling in front of Chen Die: “Let me help you try them on.”

Wen Liang stood to the side, seemingly unaware of the numerous curious glances directed at him.

It wasn’t until he saw the attendant grabbing Chen Die’s ankle, about to remove her shoes, that he frowned.

Wen Liang raised his hand to block the attendant’s hand: “I’ll do it.”

Saying this, he knelt in front of Chen Die. Chen Die was startled and pulled her foot back slightly, only to have Wen Liang pull it back.

He looked up at Chen Die, removed her original high heels, and placed her bare foot on his suit pants.

The young lady’s foot was beautiful, with long, round toes and neatly trimmed nails. She seemed a bit shy stepping on his pants, her foot arched, not daring to fully rest on them.

Ye Chuqing watched this scene and rolled her eyes.

Hmph.

This dog-man had told her he “didn’t consider her good enough.”

Now wasn’t he kneeling in front of someone to put on their shoes?

What pretentious bullshit.

One good turn deserves another.

Wen Liang put the crystal shoes on Chen Die, and the size was perfect.

He looked up at Chen Die, smiling casually: “Princess, will you come to have lunch with me now?”