Chapter 42 Not Just Mentally Empty, But Also Physically……

Beside him—celebrities from financial news, influential in the capital. Yet his brilliance couldn’t be hidden.
When doing business—he dropped his usual unserious act. Mature, steady, charismatic—exuding mysterious detachment.
Detachment—made her feel strange.
Like past life—at the “Golden Ear Awards”—he was a top tycoon: noble, aloof. A world apart from her—broke, sick.
Memories flooded—pain threatened to drown her. Then a familiar laugh.
She looked up—the main table had cleared.
Shen Junxi turned—serious brows softened into a smile. Like reporting “done”—pulling her from cruel memories to sweet reality.
Everything was back to square one.
They weren’t distant or separated—still the best childhood sweethearts, closest.
Nice.
She bit her cake—watched him approach gracefully. Like a celestial being—each step hit her heart. Just like in the car—heart raced.
Until he spoke—her flutter stopped.
“Su Xiaoqian—cake that bad? You wore a ‘pain mask’.”
Su Niansheng: “…” Did he watch her while doing business?
“Not great—yours is better.”
Tsk.
Shen Junxi arched a brow. “Your mouth’s sweet today.”
Every word—teasing him.
“My mouth’s always sweet.”
Shen Junxi: “Dunno—never tasted.”
Su Niansheng: “…” Flirty joke? Filters on him—last three seconds!
“Finished already? That fast?”
“Afraid you’d wait, little princess.”
Hmph.
“I’m not that delicate!”
Her lips curled—even the mediocre Basque tasted sweet.
“Shen Xiaoxi—you started the family business so early. I thought…”
She almost blurted past life thoughts—quickly stopped.
“What did you think?”
“T-thought you’d start after graduation.”
“Tch.” Shen Junxi scoffed—voice full of grievance. “Someone ignored me these years—kept me at arm’s length. Didn’t know what I did—how lonely I was…”
“Okay okay~” Su Niansheng stepped forward—tugged his suit. “Stop acting like a wronged wife. I’ll make it up to you.”
Shen Junxi looked at her small hand on his sleeve—heart fluttered. “Really?”
“Really.”
“Make it up—double.” He leaned down—dark eyes locked on her, fiery. “These years—I was not just mentally lonely… physically too…”
Su Niansheng: “?” Mental—easy. Physical—how?
“You…”
She was about to ask—sharp voice cut through the ending banquet.
“Shen Shao——”
She looked up—doorway: a fiery red figure. 18-19-year-old girl—lace off-shoulder gown, matching bag, short curly hair, round heart-shaped face—cute.
She scanned the banquet—saw Shen Junxi. Eyes lit up—lifted her skirt, ran to him.
“Shen Shao—you’re here!”
You know her?
Su Niansheng Raise an eyebrowat Shen Junxi—who looked innocent.
Don’t know her.
“Great—Uncle didn’t lie…”
She panted—fiddled with curly hair, head bowed, shy.
Shen Junxi was confused. “You are?”
“…”
Red-dress girl froze—looked at him, hurt.
“Shen Shao—you forgot? I’m An Yaoyao! We met many times. Grandpa’s birthday—group photo. Qianxiang Group’s opening—poured you tea…”
She rattled off tiny details.
Su Niansheng saw urgency, 狂热 in her eyes—Shen Shao’s fangirl.
“Fine.”
An Yaoyao—seeing his confusion—mustered courage. Smiled, offered her hand. “Forget? It’s okay—reintroduce. I’m An Yaoyao—Fu Mei Group’s eldest daughter.”
Fu Mei Group?
Rings a bell.
Su Niansheng watched—Shen Junxi extended his hand. Then… held her.
“?”
Bro—wrong person?
She looked confused—met his hint: Your turn to repay.
“??”
“Hello—Shen Junxi.”
He lifted their joined hands—smirking proudly. “This is my girlfriend—Su Niansheng.”
Su Niansheng: “…” So that’s why—using her as a shield. Now official. Fast.
An Yaoyao heard “girlfriend”—saw his wrist’s “taken” cherry hair tie, Su Niansheng’s stunning face. Thunderstruck.
He… has a girlfriend? This pretty?
“You… you you…”
Stammering—she took a while to calm.
Girlfriend? Normal—he’s a top heir, gorgeous. Even ten girlfriends—normal!
Plus—this girl’s prettier than her socialite friends (natural + high-tech). Never seen her before!
Must be a commoner—picked for looks, temporary. He’ll dump her in two months!
No match for her—noble, wealthy!
“Your girlfriend’s pretty—which family’s daughter?”
Hostile—she eyed Su Niansheng, trying to trip her up. Then heard: “Hexi Su.”