Accidentally Becoming a Green Tea Goddess Everyone Loves - Chapter 21

After a full minute of silent contemplation, Lu Yanwei spoke. “Shirou, I’ll help you.”

“But you have to promise me one thing,” Lu Yanwei added, laying out her condition. “If Jiang Peixing shows no signs of changing by the end of it, you’ll let her go. Deal?”

Lu Yanwei didn’t want to force her. Even though she desperately wanted Shen Shirou to agree, her voice remained soft and persuasive, trying to coax her rather than command her.

Shen Shirou’s mission had only one month left. Once the time was up, she could dissolve the engagement with Jiang Peixing. Since she had no actual desire to change Jiang Peixing’s mind, she had no reason to refuse.

Under Lu Yanwei’s hopeful gaze, Shen Shirou nodded. “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”

Following that day, Shen Shirou began frequently using Lu Yanwei as a source to dig for information on Jiang Peixing’s schedule.

Whenever Jiang Peixing wasn’t buried in meetings, Shen Shirou would perform her role as the “doting fiancée” to perfection, showing up at the office to shower Jiang Peixing with warm concern before scurrying off to see Lu Yanwei.

Occasionally, she would make snacks. Half would be delivered to Jiang Peixing’s office, and the other half would be given to Lu Yanwei as a “token of gratitude.”

Every time Lu Yanwei received them, she would taste them in front of Shen Shirou and praise her, noting how her skills were becoming more refined by the day. As for how Jiang Peixing handled her portions, whether she ate them or threw them away, Shen Shirou neither knew nor cared.

Though she was technically there for Jiang Peixing, she actually spent several times more time visiting Lu Yanwei. Consequently, even Lu Yanwei’s colleagues began to mistake Shen Shirou for Lu Yanwei’s girlfriend.

For the first time, Lu Yanwei didn’t correct them.

She knew it was wrong, yet she couldn’t help the jealousy that gnawed at her. She envied Jiang Peixing—envied the way Shen Shirou treated her and envied her status as the official fiancée. Every time these thoughts crossed her mind, a wave of bitterness washed over her.

But she never let any of this show. She continued to interact with Shen Shirou every day under the guise of a “soulmate,” acting as if nothing were amiss.

One day, Shen Shirou approached Lu Yanwei with two concert tickets. This was one of the few remaining major plot points before her final separation from Jiang Peixing.

In the original novel, Lu Yanwei was supposed to deliver the ticket to Jiang Peixing, who would then proceed to stand Shen Shirou up without a second thought due to her busy schedule. Whether the plot would actually cooperate this time, however, was something Shen Shirou didn’t dare assume.

“Yanwei, could you help me give this ticket to Sister Jiang?” Shen Shirou handed the ticket over.

Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she added hesitantly, “But she seems to have been working very late lately. If she’s too busy tonight, just act like I never mentioned it. You don’t even have to tell her.”

Seeing that Shen Shirou was considering Jiang Peixing’s needs at every turn while ignoring her own, Lu Yanwei’s expression darkened. “And what about you?” she asked, her voice tight with complicated emotions. “Are you planning on going alone?”

Shen Shirou fell into a practiced silence.

“A small thing like this can’t compare to Sister Jiang’s work.” Shen Shirou looked away, avoiding Lu Yanwei’s eyes. “It’s just a concert. Even if I miss it, there will be other opportunities in the future.”

“You’re always thinking of her,” Lu Yanwei said. “Why won’t you think of yourself for once?”

Shen Shirou lowered her eyes. “But.”

Lu Yanwei couldn’t bear to see her looking so dejected. “I’ll give it to her. Say no more.”

“I know you care about Jiang Peixing more than yourself,” Lu Yanwei urged. “But it’s going to get cold tonight. Even if she doesn’t show up, don’t wait outside for her. Go home early, okay?”

Her goal achieved, Shen Shirou gave a bright nod. “Mhm!”

A crisp knock, knock sounded on the office door. Lu Yanwei walked in.

Seeing her, Jiang Peixing spoke indifferently, “I’ve already reviewed the previous proposal.”

Lu Yanwei frowned. “I’m not here for work.”

After learning the truth of their relationship, Lu Yanwein had stopped addressing her as “President Jiang.”

Jiang Peixing was well aware of the hostility radiating from her subordinate, but she didn’t care about a simple title. However, she found herself feeling an inexplicable sense of aversion toward this employee who was so close to Shen Shirou.

She told herself it was simply because she disliked Shen Shirou, so it was only natural to dislike those associated with her.

“This is working hours,” Jiang Peixing said, her voice freezing. “If it’s not about work, Director Lu, there is no need to report. You may leave.”

Lu Yanwei was already simmering with resentment. Jiang Peixing’s dismissive attitude only made her feel that Shen Shirou was wasting her life on someone unworthy. How could someone as kind and considerate as Shirou fall for someone so ungrateful?

“Since President Jiang is so busy, why bother being engaged to Shirou at all?” Lu Yanwei stared at her, anger flashing in her eyes. “Don’t you think it’s incredibly unfair to betray her devotion like this?”

“Is that why you’re here?” Jiang Peixing’s face darkened. “This is between her and me. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Even as a friend, Director Lu, you’re overstepping,” Jiang Peixing said expressionlessly. “I’m busy. Do not disturb me with such meaningless matters again.”

Lu Yanwei arched an eyebrow. “Meaningless matters?”

Even someone as mild-tempered as Lu Yanwei felt a surge of unprecedented rage. Everything Shen Shirou did for her was, in Jiang Peixing’s eyes, “meaningless.”

Lu Yanwei was still holding the ticket. She gripped it tightly, but didn’t say another word. She turned and walked out of the office.

Before leaving, she looked back and dropped one final sentence: “I hope you don’t grow to regret your actions.”

At the concert entrance, Shen Shirou stood to the side, her eyes scanning the crowd restlessly.

After the previous two plot deviations, she was terrified that this scene would also change. She had come in person just to ensure everything went according to the script.

Fortunately, after waiting a long time, there was still no sign of Jiang Peixing. With only three minutes until the show started, Shen Shirou concluded that Jiang Peixing wasn’t coming.

She felt a wave of relief. But just as she turned to leave the crowded entrance, a hand suddenly grabbed hers.

Shen Shirou turned around.

Lu Yanwei’s smile came into view. “Found you,” she said softly.

“Three minutes to spare.” Lu Yanwei glanced at her watch and pointed toward the ticket gate. “Let’s go in together.”