The Moon Shines Upon Me - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Friends

The next day at noon.

At exactly twelve o’clock, Shen Yuan stood up from her workstation punctually.

She packed her things and was planning to find Gu Shiwei, but after only a few steps, she was pulled back by Lu Qingwan.

“Sister Yuanyuan, the cafeteria is under renovation this week, so there’s no food! Let’s go out to eat together.”

Lu Qingwan hadn’t looked closely at the notice sent in the company group yesterday; she only realized the place was deserted when she reached the cafeteria.

Word had it that President Gu personally issued the renovation order. Could it be because Sister Yuanyuan had an upset stomach that day that President Gu decided to overhaul the cafeteria? Lu Qingwan couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild while staring at Shen Yuan’s face.

Shen Yuan: “…Okay.”

The duo turned into a trio, and then somehow morphed into a group of four.

Shen Yuan sat in the passenger seat, with Assistant Chen and Lu Qingwan in the back. They seemed to be whispering about something. Shen Yuan leaned back wearily and inadvertently overheard Lu Qingwan whispering: “President Gu is personally driving while we sit in the back? Assistant Chen, has the world gone completely mad?” “Assistant Chen, are President Gu and Sister Yuanyuan really close?” “Overseas-educated CEOs really are different, haha this is so down-to-earth.”

Assistant Chen blinked rapidly, signaling Lu Qingwan to talk less.

Lu Qingwan looked bewildered: “Assistant Chen, what’s wrong with your eyes? Did something get in them? Do you want me to blow on them for you?”

Assistant Chen: “…”

Completely oblivious. Beyond saving.

Amidst Lu Qingwan’s whispering and Assistant Chen’s quiet warnings, they arrived at a restaurant. Gu Shiwei had already pre-booked a private room, and the waiters greeted them enthusiastically upon entry.

Then came the ordering phase. After Gu Shiwei finished, she handed the menu to Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan saw that Gu Shiwei had ordered a string of expensive delicacies, including a “Molten-Heart Prosperity Prawn” priced at 888 yuan each, followed by a “x4.” For some reason, at that moment, Shen Yuan’s hand felt a bit weak.

“What’s wrong? Not to your taste?”

Gu Shiwei tilted her body slightly, leaning toward Shen Yuan.

“No.”

Shen Yuan bit the bullet and ordered a few dishes that looked less expensive, then handed the menu to Assistant Chen.

Assistant Chen acted as if she had been handed a hot potato; she didn’t even open it before passing it to Lu Qingwan.

Lu Qingwan looked at the dishes on the menu and the long string of numbers following them, her mouth forming an “O” shape.

Wait, who dares to order something this expensive?

Later, seeing that they hadn’t ordered much, Gu Shiwei added a few more dishes to the menu herself.

While waiting for the food, the waiter brought out some fruit and snacks. Gu Shiwei pushed a plate of almond flakes in front of Shen Yuan and personally peeled an orange for her.

On the other side, the two huddled together nibbling on blueberries were stealing glances at Shen Yuan and Gu Shiwei, their eyes full of gossip.

Why does it look so much like they’re dating?

How is President Gu so practiced at serving someone? One moment she’s pouring tea, the next she’s peeling oranges. If you didn’t know better, you’d think Shen Yuan was the big boss.

Once the food was served, Assistant Chen, holding onto the idea that she must not repeat the mistake of the previous time, resisted the urge to turn the table. She sat as steady as a rock, only picking at the food directly in front of her.

Lu Qingwan thought she was just being shy and kept putting food on her plate.

The glass Lazy Susan was spinning wildly.

Assistant Chen: “…”

Maybe I should just quit voluntarily. At least it would be dignified. Better than being kicked out by security later that’s embarrassing.

Gu Shiwei glanced at the two “lovey-dovey” people opposite them and gave a light cough.

The next second, a piece of shrimp appeared in Shen Yuan’s bowl.

Shen Yuan looked up at Gu Shiwei, running straight into a pair of eyes full of laughter.

The delicious, springy shrimp meat filled her mouth. Shen Yuan’s eyes suddenly lit up, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly in a look of satisfaction.

It was delicious, but so expensive that one bite cost her a whole day’s salary.

But since they were already there, wouldn’t it be a waste not to eat more? By the end, all three of them had bellies full to bursting.

When they left the restaurant, the waiter even brought out gift sets.

After receiving their gifts, the way Lu Qingwan and Assistant Chen looked at Gu Shiwei changed. Previously, they had always referred to wealthy people like her as “evil capitalists,” but now, Lu Qingwan was willing to address Gu Shiwei with a title of respect: Great Philanthropist.

She was so envious of Sister Yuanyuan for being friends with such a rich President Gu. This was the first time Lu Qingwan had ever eaten in such a magnificent restaurant.

And because they were riding on Sister Yuanyuan’s coattails, Gu Shiwei didn’t even let them split the bill.

It was too touching.

So much so that when they returned to the company and Shen Yuan was pulled into the office by Gu Shiwei, the two of them acted as if they had seen nothing and left without looking back.

Their heartfelt sighs echoed in the corridor: “Truly a match made in heaven.”

“You can say that again.”

CEO’s Office

Shen Yuan had drunk too much tea at noon and felt no sleepiness. After entering the room, she sat on the sofa and started playing on her phone.

While she was deeply immersed, a pleasant ringtone suddenly sounded in the office.

Gu Shiwei took a look at her phone; it was a call from Lin Qinghuan, saying she was hosting a birthday party at a bar tonight and wanted her to bring Shen Yuan along for cake.

Gu Shiwei checked her calendar and said: “Okay.”

After hanging up, Gu Shiwei sat down next to Shen Yuan and asked: “Do you remember Lin Qinghuan?”

“Lin Qinghuan?”

The “Big Top”?

Shen Yuan nodded: “I remember. Why?”

Gu Shiwei: “It’s her birthday today. She’s hosting a party at a bar tonight and wants you to come along for the fun. If you don’t want to go, it’s fine—”

Shen Yuan immediately said: “Okay.”

Lin Qinghuan was quite an interesting person, and Shen Yuan always felt a sense of familiarity with her. Since she was invited, there was no harm in going.

Seeing Shen Yuan agree so quickly, Gu Shiwei gave her a long, brooding look.

8:00 PM, Moon Bar.

Gu Shiwei and Shen Yuan pushed open the heavy door of the private booth. They hadn’t arrived early; seven or eight people were already seated inside.

Seeing that Gu Shiwei really had brought Shen Yuan, Lin Qinghuan’s eyes flashed with surprise. She glanced back at Ji Xiao, who was sitting on the sofa with a dark expression, and suddenly felt that this scene looked a bit like a “crematorium” (drama/conflict).

“Miss Shen, long time no see.” Lin Qinghuan smiled and reached her hand out toward Shen Yuan.

“Long time no see, Miss Lin. Happy birthday.”

Just as Shen Yuan was about to reach out and shake Lin Qinghuan’s hand, Gu Shiwei supported her shoulders and steered her in a different direction, pressing her directly into the soft leather sofa.

“I say, don’t be too much…” Lin Qinghuan gave Gu Shiwei an indescribable look. Upon meeting Gu’s chilly gaze, Lin’s fire was instantly extinguished.

Just a handshake, yet the possessiveness is this strong it’s like she’s guarding against a thief.

And she still says they aren’t dating. Her mouth is the only thing “hard” on her entire body.

Gu Shiwei ignored Lin Qinghuan’s accusatory look. She handed the two gifts in her other hand to Lin, finally giving her a good look and saying sincerely: “Happy birthday.”

“Ay… you’re here, why bring gifts? You two… really.” Although Lin Qinghuan said this, her hands were very honest in accepting the two gifts.

“Sister Shiwei, who is this?” While they were greeting each other, Ji Xiao suddenly walked over. She was smiling, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes, and upon closer inspection, her expression was somewhat stiff.

Gu Shiwei remained seated, saying calmly: “Her name is Shen Yuan. She’s a friend Qinghuan and I recently met.”

Hearing Gu Shiwei’s answer, Ji Xiao’s expression twisted for a moment, but under the flickering neon lights, the change wasn’t noticeable.

Ji Xiao took several deep breaths, gritted her teeth, and smiled: “So it’s Miss Shen. Hello.”

Shen Yuan’s gaze circled between Gu Shiwei and Ji Xiao. Her eyes flickered slightly as she nodded to Ji Xiao: “Hello.”

After the greeting, Ji Xiao showed no intention of leaving, still standing in front of their seats. The atmosphere was a bit stagnant. Ji Xiao clenched her palms and said with a smile: “Sister Shiwei, won’t you introduce me to Miss Shen?”

Gu Shiwei seemed to only remember now. She put down her glass and said: “This is the eldest daughter of the Ji family, Ji Xiao.”

Shen Yuan leaned back on the sofa and nodded to Ji Xiao. Her entire face fell into Ji Xiao’s view cold as frost, elegant and striking. Although she was looking up, her aura was like that of a superior.

Ji Xiao inexplicably felt she was a head shorter in front of Shen Yuan. A flash of grievance crossed her face, and her eyes instantly reddened. “Sister Shiwei, haven’t you only been back for a short time? How do you have a girlfriend so soon?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuan was stunned: “You’ve misunderstood. I’m not Miss Gu’s girlfriend. We are just ordinary friends.”

Ji Xiao’s furrowed brows instantly relaxed, but when she looked at Shen Yuan, her gaze was still full of deep wariness.

“Sister Shiwei, is what Miss Shen saying true?”

Gu Shiwei: “Mm.”

Ji Xiao bit her lip, wanting to sit on Gu Shiwei’s other side to be sure. But Lin Qinghuan caught her intention immediately. Gu Shiwei’s attitude was already so obvious; how could Lin Qinghuan let Ji Xiao come over and cause trouble? So, while Ji Xiao was still a distance away, Lin sat her butt right down on Gu Shiwei’s right side to provide “protection.”

Shen Yuan was against the wall, and the seat on Gu Shiwei’s other side was taken by Lin Qinghuan. Ji Xiao couldn’t wedge herself in and could only sit in another seat with a dark face.

Although it was called a birthday party, it was more than just eating cake. Lin Qinghuan had already had the waiters prepare drinks and snacks. She first toasted everyone before starting to cut the cake.

The cake was very sweet. Shen Yuan liked sweets; she took small bites of the cake, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

The Shen Yuan who was eating cake completely lost her earlier “keep everyone at a distance” aura. Looking at her, everyone just felt she had a cute “contrast charm.”

More and more gazes in the booth gathered on Shen Yuan. Gu Shiwei frowned and leaned forward a bit, turning her body to block their line of sight.

From Gu Shiwei’s angle, Shen Yuan had a small dimple on her right cheek it wasn’t very deep and vanished in a flash.

She stared at Shen Yuan’s face several times, wondering if the cake was really that good. Why was Shen Yuan eating so happily?

Gu Shiwei also took a small piece. The cloying sweetness instantly filled her mouth. Unused to it, she picked up her glass and took a sip of alcohol to wash it down. Only after the sickeningly sweet taste completely vanished did she turn back to Shen Yuan.

Perhaps because the light was too dim, Shen Yuan had accidentally gotten some cake on the corner of her mouth. Pink cream was stuck there, bobbing up and down with the movement of her jaw.

Gu Shiwei didn’t know what was wrong with herself, but as if possessed, she reached out to support Shen Yuan’s chin and leaned down to help clear the cream from the corner of her mouth.

The texture of Shen Yuan’s skin was wonderful, seemingly even softer than the cream. Gu Shiwei wiped it repeatedly with her finger as if addicted. It was only when Shen Yuan gave her a confused look that she snapped out of it and said: “You got some cream on your mouth.”

Shen Yuan obediently kept her head tilted up: “Oh, thanks.”

Under the neon lights, Gu Shiwei’s gentle movements and intoxicated expression all fell into the eyes of Ji Xiao not far away. Her calmed emotions flared into anger again. That woman said they were just ordinary friends, but just now she was clearly seducing Sister Shiwei on purpose.

Ji Xiao looked at Gu Shiwei with red eyes, then walked over to Lin Qinghuan and whispered a few words to her. Lin Qinghuan seemed a bit hesitant, but ultimately nodded to Ji Xiao.

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