The Fake Heiress: My Brother's Gaze Is a Bit Off - Chapter 3

A week later, the siblings boarded the flight back to their home country.

During the flight, Shen Junhuai finished his work, closed his laptop, and just stared at Shen Zhaoran.

Sensing his gaze, Shen Zhaoran looked up and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What did you tell Mom?”

“Huh?”

It took a few moments for Shen Zhaoran’s brain to catch up. “Oh, you mean that person from the Xu family? Mom said to go see her when you had time, so I told her you were busy and that I would go see her for you.”

Shen Junhuai remained silent.

Shen Zhaoran continued, “As it turns out, Mom agreed, and Miss Xu agreed too.”

Shen Junhuai remained silent.

Shen Zhaoran said, “So I went. I introduced Miss Xu to your schedule and workload for the past three months, and I mentioned that if she was okay with a long-distance relationship or constant international travel, I could help set up a group chat for you two to get to know each other.”

Shen Junhuai remained silent.

Shen Zhaoran added, “But in the end, Miss Xu never brought up the group chat again. I guess she does not have plans to become a flight attendant for the time being. I actually wanted to make up a ‘Schrödinger’s Girlfriend’ as a shield for you, but after looking at your itinerary, that would have been quite difficult.”

Shen Junhuai could not help but pinch her cheek. “You are just being mischievous.”

Shen Zhaoran refused to accept that. “How is this mischievous? If you solve the problem, then it is a good method.”

Shen Junhuai smiled, shook his head, and said nothing more.

Shen Zhaoran took a nap during the trip and ate something when she woke up. By the time the plane landed, it was exactly nine in the morning local time.

Before getting off the plane, Shen Zhaoran was forced to wear her scarf and hat again.

With the scarf covering most of her face, she complained, “I cannot see, I cannot see!”

Shen Junhuai did not stop what he was doing and calmly replied, “It is fine. There is only one way out. Just walk in a straight line.”

Shen Zhaoran sighed.

Shen Zhaoran held it in the entire way, and as soon as she saw Xia Qiaoya outside, she started complaining without delay.

Xia Qiaoya felt her cheeks to check her temperature. “You are still not wearing enough.”

Shen Zhaoran stayed silent.

Xia Qiaoya then looked at Shen Junhuai. “Oh, and who is this?”

Shen Junhuai said nothing.

“Mom,” Shen Junhuai finally replied.

Xia Qiaoya looked him up and down. “So, you remember how to come home?”

Shen Junhuai said, “Let Zhaozhao get in the car first. It is cold outside.”

Xia Qiaoya lifted her chin. “You go to the car behind this one.” After saying that, she pulled Shen Zhaoran into the car.

Shen Junhuai gave a few instructions to Xuan Zuo, telling him to take the documents back to the company and that he would come later, before boarding the other car himself.

Shen Zhaoran endured it for the entire drive, and as soon as they arrived home, she untangled herself from all the restraints.

Shen Junhuai followed behind her, gathering up the clothes and hats she had discarded and draping them over his arm.

Xia Qiaoya said to Shen Zhaoran, “Baby, go upstairs, change your clothes, and come down later to have some snacks with Mom.”

Shen Zhaoran said, “Okay!”

When turning to Shen Junhuai, however, Xia Qiaoya’s tone was far less gentle. Her expression changed instantly. “You, stay right there. I have questions for you.”

Shen Junhuai stood still.

He handed the clothes to Shen Zhaoran’s personal assistant, walked over to sit in front of Xia Qiaoya, and poured her a cup of tea.

Xia Qiaoya stated, “Your sister said you were so busy you were holding meetings in the middle of the night to deal with time zone differences. Although I do not get involved in the group’s business, I asked your father, and it has not reached the point where you need to sacrifice your sleep.”

Shen Junhuai said calmly, “I do not need much sleep.”

Xia Qiaoya watched him for a moment, then picked up her teacup and took a sip.

“Junhuai, tell Mom honestly: is there someone in your heart?”

The fingers resting on Shen Junhuai’s lap trembled slightly, but his expression remained composed. “Why do you say that?”

Xia Qiaoya withdrew her gaze. “A woman’s intuition. Seeing you like this reminds me of that brat Xia Shengxuan.”

Shen Junhuai did not respond.

Thinking back to how Shen Zhaoran also brought up Xia Shengxuan when she was in New York, he realized that sometimes, the truly terrifying thing is not a powerful enemy, but a brother who holds you back.

Shen Junhuai had no choice but to say, “That is not the case.”

Xia Qiaoya sighed. “I cannot control you anymore. If Zhaozhao had not gone to find you, when were you planning to come home?”

Shen Junhuai replied, “I was going to come back once I finished my work anyway.”

Xia Qiaoya looked at him with complete disbelief, then lamented, “Zhaozhao is still the obedient one. I was having dinner with Old Chen the other day and met his youngest son who just returned to the country. The boy is handsome and sophisticated. It is a pity Zhaozhao was not there, or I would have called him over for her to meet.”

Shen Junhuai’s heart skipped a beat. “Zhaozhao is still young.”

Xia Qiaoya looked at him speechlessly. “What kind of old-fashioned person are you? Zhaozhao is already twenty-two. Even early romance is too late.”

Shen Junhuai remained quiet.

Xia Qiaoya continued, “It is the prime of her life. If she does not date now, when will she? Are you trying to be like yourself, approaching thirty and still living as a lonely bachelor?”

Shen Junhuai did not speak.

There was really no need for such a strong attack.

In the end, Shen Junhuai had to use the excuse of going to the company to escape his mother’s snide remarks. When he returned home, it was already dark.

Shen Zhaoran had been curled up on the sofa playing games, but as soon as she heard movement, she poked her head out to look at him, clearly acting as if she had been waiting for him. “I told the housekeeper to heat up the food.”

“Did I not message you this afternoon?”

Today’s meeting had dragged on, and he specifically sent a message ahead of time because he was worried Shen Zhaoran would wait for him.

Shen Zhaoran said, “I had snacks in the afternoon. I am not hungry.”

Although it was past mealtime, there were always people in the kitchen, and the dishes were brought out quickly.

The two ate dinner in silence. Only afterward did Shen Zhaoran take out her tablet and ask Shen Junhuai to help her choose an engagement gift for Xia Shengxuan.

“These are all new products from the studio. Help me choose.”

After graduating, Shen Zhaoran had interned at the family company for a while, then opened a studio with her good friend Ruan Yan, primarily doing jewelry design and appraisal work.

Shen Junhuai glanced at it. “The second set.”

Shen Zhaoran said, “I think this set is the most beautiful too. The designer for this set is someone Ruan Yan just scouted. He is handsome and has great taste.”

Shen Junhuai’s hand, which was reaching for water, paused, and he put the cup back down.

Shen Zhaoran noticed his silence and asked, “What is wrong, Brother?”

Shen Junhuai replied, “Nothing. I am just thinking about a proposal from this afternoon.”

He then asked, “Is the studio doing well lately?”

Shen Zhaoran nodded. “It is doing very well.”

Thinking for a moment, she opened the backend and showed Shen Junhuai the studio’s cash flow and recent sales volume.

Shen Zhaoran’s account had administrative access. After taking the tablet, Shen Junhuai not only looked at the orders but also checked the profiles of the new hires before handing the tablet back.

“It is not bad.”

Shen Zhaoran beamed with pride, completely unaware that anything was amiss.