Falling After Marriage - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Cheng Sangluo, Are You Not Shameless?

Cheng Sangluo hurried out of the Senyao Building. The stifling heat outside brought a fresh layer of sweat to her body.

She stood bewildered in front of the building, scanning left and right, still trying to process the fact that she was unemployed again.

Just as she was about to get angry, a text message notification chimed.

She checked the message showing a credit of 3,000 yuan, confirming it several times before realizing who sent the money.

She hadn’t expected the crazy woman to actually pay her triple the wages, and even an over-calculated amount.

“Tsk, being rich makes you great, huh?”

Cheng Sangluo pouted, but also felt relieved. At least her living expenses for the immediate future were covered.

Just as she was about to pocket her phone, the screen flashed with Bai Mu’s name.

Her phone was an old model with a severely cracked screen, so it took her several swipes to answer: “Hello?”

“Where are you and what are you doing? Took you forever to answer.”

“I just got off work.”

“I missed you after not seeing you for a few days. Want to grab dinner tonight~”

In the earpiece, the woman feigned a spoiled tone, but her cold voice gave Cheng Sangluo goosebumps.

Cheng Sangluo agreed almost instantly: “You helped me find that job last time, and I haven’t thanked you yet. What do you want to eat tonight? My treat.”

“There’s no need for formalities between us. I’ll wait for you at Yunxing Pedestrian Street. Hurry over.”

After hanging up, a faint smile lingered on Cheng Sangluo’s face.

Life was too hard; she rarely showed such a relaxed expression.

The bus ride was bumpy, inducing an irresistible drowsiness. Cheng Sangluo leaned against the window, her eyes gradually becoming hazy.

For some reason, even shallow sleep conjured an unusual dream.

In the dream, there was only a pair of feet. The arches were graceful, like a perfectly drawn sketch, and the porcelain-white, delicate skin looked like water could be squeezed from it.

The feet were encased in bright red high heels. The stiletto tapped the floor, and the arched toes swayed slowly, exuding an air of casual beauty.

‘This is Yunxing Pedestrian Street Station. Please take your belongings…’

The arrival announcement scattered the short dream. Cheng Sangluo got off the bus, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

Bai Mu’s chosen location was a cozy, stylish café.

When Cheng Sangluo pushed the door open, Bai Mu was sitting in a corner playing with her phone, oversized sunglasses covering most of her face. A tight-fitting sports vest emphasized her tiny waist, making her defined abdominal muscles particularly noticeable.

Feeling the movement at the entrance, she flashed a bright smile: “Over here.”

Cheng Sangluo approached, bringing with her a wave of heat: “Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

Bai Mu took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of moist eyes, and promptly slid an iced Americano across the table: “It must be hot outside? Drink something first.”

“Thank you.”

Cheng Sangluo didn’t like the taste of coffee, probably because her life was bitter enough already.

Obliged by her friend’s enthusiasm, she raised the cup and took a symbolic sip: “What do you want for dinner? I got paid today.”

“That’s a universal problem, it’s so hard to answer, eh.” Bai Mu joked, but her smile subdued slightly. After some hesitation, she brought up: “Why didn’t you tell me what happened at the club?”

Mentioning the club, Cheng Sangluo spoke lightly: “It was nothing major, nothing worth mentioning.”

“How about coming to work at my family’s company? I can find you an easy position with guaranteed satisfactory pay.”

The Bai family was in the import-export business. Bai Mu was an only child, spoiled since she was young with all the bad habits of a second-generation rich kid.

During her most rebellious phase, she caused trouble everywhere, infuriating her father who, in a fit of rage, sent her to the military for training.

After enlisting, Bai Mu spent a year under Cheng Sangluo’s command.

Initially, she couldn’t endure any hardship and would cry from hunger at night. Cheng Sangluo would always sneak her steamed buns.

As a result, the young miss gained a full five kilograms during that year of “feeding.”

This wasn’t the first time Bai Mu had invited Cheng Sangluo to work at her company, but she understood her squad leader’s temper well and expected a refusal.

Just as expected, Cheng Sangluo waved her hand: “No, I don’t want to keep troubling you for work.”

“We’re comrades and friends. How is that trouble?”

“Relationships involving money can change. I don’t want to lose a good friend.” Cheng Sangluo explained seriously, then changed the subject: “Let’s talk about what we’re eating later. I’m starving.”

Bai Mu shook her head helplessly and chuckled: “To prevent you from paying, I already booked a ridiculously expensive restaurant. You just need to bury your head and eat.”

Cheng Sangluo was self-conscious and mumbled: “Why the sudden feeding?”

“Speaking of feeding…”

“Stop, stop…” Cheng Sangluo was most afraid of bringing up this topic. In a moment, Bai Mu would probably complain that she overfed her, and that the five-kilogram gain made losing weight difficult, and so on.

The two chatted until dinner time before leaving the café.

The restaurant Bai Mu booked was in an affluent area—a high-end private dining establishment requiring advance reservations.

The independent three-story building was hidden in a secluded green bamboo forest. The evening breeze rustled the leaves, and combined with the courtyard’s rock and water landscaping, it felt ancient and peaceful.

Cheng Sangluo followed Bai Mu, not paying much attention to the scenery, her mind focused entirely on how much this meal would cost.

Only after the restaurant manager left the private room did she whisper: “You said this restaurant is ridiculously expensive. Isn’t this too extravagant?”

Bai Mu pulled out a chair and pressed her to sit down: “Are you afraid a single meal will bankrupt me?”

“I just feel like it’s unnecessary,” Cheng Sangluo kept her hands on her knees, still feeling reserved.

“Right, are you free the day after tomorrow?”

“Do you need something?”

“A friend is throwing a birthday party. I want to take you along, just for fun and relaxation.”

With that, Bai Mu picked up a hot towel, grabbed Cheng Sangluo’s hand and wiped it clean, then covered her face to wipe that too.

“Mmm… I’ll… Mmm… I’ll do it myself…” Cheng Sangluo struggled, then continued: “Forget it. I don’t fit in with your rich people parties.”

“No refusing!” Bai Mu tossed the towel aside, a little embarrassed: “The main reason is that the person I like will be there. You’re the best judge of character, so help me size her up, okay?”

“So…” Cheng Sangluo drawled out the question, squinting at Bai Mu, “You invited me to such an expensive meal today just so I couldn’t refuse your request?”

“Who said that? I’m clearly repaying my old squad leader’s kindness and care. Now it’s my turn to feed you~” Bai Mu wrapped her arm around Cheng Sangluo’s neck. Seeing her silent, she immediately played pitiful: “Help me, please help me!”

“Fine, fine, I’ll go then.” Cheng Sangluo pushed the clingy friend away, muttering: “I finally understand, you’re a romance addict.”

“No, I’m not! But she is so special. When you see her, you’ll definitely praise my eye for talent.”

Cheng Sangluo saw the utterly smitten look on Bai Mu’s face and smiled silently.

She didn’t understand romance. She felt life was difficult enough, and she had no energy left to contemplate vague concepts like love.

Suddenly, Lin Jin’s smile flashed in her mind, causing her breath to hitch.

She found that sinister, playful smile extremely offensive, yet its appearance at this moment was utterly inexplicable.

Cheng Sangluo shook her head, then abruptly brought up a serious topic: “Do you know Senyao?”

“Senyao?” Bai Mu pondered, then quickly recalled something: “You mean Senyao Group?”

“The one with the huge office building,” Cheng Sangluo didn’t know what Lin Jin’s company did. All she could clearly describe was the unfinished exterior of the building she had been cleaning.

“I know it! That’s a famous investment company in Zhouhai. I heard that Director Lin is young and beautiful, a total protagonist from a feel-good novel!”

A server opened the door and began setting dishes on the table, interrupting their conversation.

Cheng Sangluo picked up her cup to sip tea, staring thoughtfully at the colorful and fragrant food, seeming to mull something over.

Only when the door was closed again did she continue asking: “Is that investment company very impressive?”

“Of course! Our family’s capital isn’t even on the same level as theirs. I hear their market value is tens of billions!” Bai Mu spoke excitedly, then quickly served Cheng Sangluo some food: “Quickly try this. Their steamed grouper is especially succulent.”

Cheng Sangluo wasn’t picky about food and couldn’t taste any particular succulence; simply having food was good enough.

Bai Mu served her another bowl of thick soup, introducing it: “This deconstructed fish soup can’t be bought even with money unless you reserve it in advance. Try a spoonful.”

Cheng Sangluo quickly stopped her: “I’m not a child. I can serve myself.”

Bai Mu pouted, her voice tinged with blame: “Look at you, you’ve lost so much weight in just a few days, and you won’t let me help. I just don’t understand why you’re being so hard on yourself.”

Cheng Sangluo stirred her spoon, instead offering comfort: “Are you afraid I’ll starve to death? Think about what I used to do. Stop overthinking.”

Yes, stubborn Cheng Sangluo, why are you being so hard on yourself? Didn’t that crazy woman say it? Learn to bend, and you’ll have everything.

Bai Mu suddenly grew curious: “Hey, why are you asking about Senyao Group?”

Cheng Sangluo vaguely replied: “I was working high up there today, so I just got curious.”

Bai Mu ordered so many dishes that Cheng Sangluo ended up packing several large containers to take home.

As they left the private room, Bai Mu ran into a few older acquaintances and rushed off to toast and exchange greetings in another room.

Cheng Sangluo felt her current appearance was shabby and didn’t want to cause her friend any petty gossip, so she waited alone by the elevator.

The quiet space was an illusion; behind those doors hid the extravagant revelry of clinking glasses.

Cheng Sangluo loathed this world that pretended to be discreet but was, in reality, consumed by debauchery. Even the air freshener pricked at her nerves.

She leaned against the wall, waiting for a long time. Several groups of people came and went on the elevator, but Bai Mu still hadn’t returned.

The elevator doors opened again, and several young men and women stepped out one after another.

They were brightly dressed, discussing confusing market trends, unconsciously exuding a sense of superiority.

The last figure to appear was the dramatic finale.

Amidst the overly sweet fragrance, Cheng Sangluo caught the familiar scent of cedarwood.

The moment she looked up, she plunged into the deep abyss of those dark eyes.

This kind of eye contact always brought a drowning sensation, making her breathing rapid and heavy.

Lin Jin’s long, wavy hair must have been styled; it shone with a matte chestnut color under the lights. She had changed into a black, deep-V long dress, the hem covering her ankles, concealing the swollen area.

She didn’t limp in an undignified manner, but simply walked very, very slowly.

When she noticed the inconspicuous puppy by the wall, the characteristic smile did not appear on her face; she merely glanced at her indifferently.

She didn’t ask what she was doing there, but her eyes clearly conveyed everything, as if to say, You shouldn’t be here.

“Sangluo!” Bai Mu rushed quickly from the end of the corridor, grabbing Cheng Sangluo’s arm. She smelled faintly of alcohol: “I thought you’d ditched me and left!”

Cheng Sangluo hastily pulled her gaze away and explained stiffly: “I thought waiting here for you would be better.”

She felt awkward, trying to pull her arm free, but Bai Mu held on tighter.

Bai Mu lifted her Porsche key, whining playfully: “I’ve had some wine. You be my driver~”

Cheng Sangluo immediately agreed: “Okay, I’ll take you home.”

She didn’t realize that the more affectionate her smile was, the darker Lin Jin’s expression became.

Stepping into the elevator and turning around, Cheng Sangluo was startled.

Lin Jin hadn’t left; she was standing half-turned, staring intently at her.

Her soft lips were tightly pressed, and the fingers hanging by her dress were deeply clutching her handbag.

Only when the elevator doors slowly cut off their view of each other did Cheng Sangluo exhale the breath she had been holding.

Lin Jin stood in place, descending into a personal hell of suspicion: Who was that woman? How could they be so intimate? Why should she take her home?

So angry she laughed, she reached up to brush the hair from her ear, biting her teeth as she growled softly: “Rushing to be a free driver, Cheng Sangluo, are you not shameless?”

Support Falling After Marriage