Turns out I Was the CEO's White Moonlight [Rebirth] - Chapter 28

Shen Yelin halted his steps.

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

Ji Wencheng emerged from the shadows, stepping forward to stand before the two. He fixed his gaze intently on Shen Yelin, as if trying to peer into his very soul, and said, “Can we find a place to talk seriously?”

“No need,” Shen Yelin flatly refused. “If you have something to say, just say it now.”

Ji Wencheng was left speechless by such a cold and heartless rejection. Frowning in thought for a moment, he turned to Lu Chen, who had an arm draped over Shen Yelin’s shoulder, and said, “Then, Brother Chen, could you give us some privacy?”

Lu Chen glanced at him, then at Shen Yelin standing beside him. After a pause, he let out a soft, derisive laugh.

“So formal? Is this something I shouldn’t hear?” he said. “There’s nothing shady between brothers. Yelin is right, why not just say it here? There are no outsiders anyway, so why bother finding another place?”

Ji Wencheng’s expression darkened slightly.

He had waited here for a long time, finally catching Shen Yelin as he left his room. He had hoped to smoothly arrange a private, heartfelt conversation to sincerely apologize for what had happened before. Who would have thought Lu Chen would intervene, completely disrupting his plans.

He knew Lu Chen’s capabilities well this was not someone he could afford to offend right now. But when it came to Shen Yelin, he had no intention of backing down even a little.

“It really isn’t suitable,” he said, trying to lower his stance. “So, could you do me a favor, Brother Chen? We can talk here, and another day, I’ll come to the Lu family to make it up to you.”

Lu Chen stood with one hand in his pocket, lifting his eyelids to look at Ji Wencheng, a smile still playing on his lips. Yet he remained rooted to the spot, not uttering a single word about leaving his meaning was already clear.

He wasn’t pleased with the suggestion and had no intention of moving.

Ji Wencheng’s heart sank slightly, and he instinctively looked toward Shen Yelin. But he found him standing there with an indifferent expression, as if the matter had nothing to do with him, not even bothering to speak up on his behalf.

This change in Shen Yelin pained Ji Wencheng deeply.

He couldn’t help but recall the past, remembering how Shen Yelin had once helped him without holding grudges, only to be pushed to his limit until he coldly declared they would no longer associate.

Back then, he had been too immature, destroying the other’s goodwill. Although Shen Yelin, out of old sentiments, hadn’t completely cut him out of his circle, the years of coldness were enough to show his attitude.

After knowing each other for so many years, he now held a lower standing than even Xie Yun, who had come later.

Could it be he had to say everything he had in mind right in front of Lu Chen?

If he did, he feared he wouldn’t win Shen Yelin’s forgiveness but only anger him further.

Struggling for a long time, Ji Wencheng finally steeled himself and called out softly, “Yelin.”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was abruptly interrupted by Lu Chen, who stood opposite him.

Lu Chen released Shen Yelin and walked over familiarly, slinging an arm around Ji Wencheng’s shoulders and guiding him away. As they walked, he said, “Speaking of which, I just remembered there’s something I forgot to tell you. How about we find a place to talk it over? The banquet won’t end for a while anyway, so there’s no rush.”

Ji Wencheng struggled a couple of times but was pushed toward another exit, leaving him no choice but to cast an anxious glance at Shen Yelin.

He understood all too well that Lu Chen had deliberately brought up the topic at this moment to keep him away, preventing him from voicing the words that had long been swirling in his heart to Shen Yelin.

It was the same as at the entrance of the hall earlier this time was no different.

Lu Chen had likely guessed what he intended to say to Shen Yelin, and when it came to meddling with the romantic interests around Shen Yelin, Lu Chen was always a seasoned expert.

Even before Shen Yelin started university, Ji Wencheng had already been kicked out of his inner circle and labeled as someone to avoid. Since Shen Yelin wasn’t one to gossip about trivial matters, Ji Wencheng had no way of knowing about the things Lu Chen had done.

If it weren’t for the inexplicable memories from five years later that he now possessed, he would probably still be in the dark, thinking Lu Chen was simply stepping in to help Shen Yelin out of an awkward situation.

This person was purely driven by selfish motives, wanting to keep Shen Yelin all to himself for a lifetime, wasn’t he?!

Ji Wencheng’s heart tightened, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip.

Lu Chen glanced back slightly, tossing Shen Yelin a lazy, somewhat mischievous smile.

Shen Yelin understood his meaning and calmly averted his gaze, heading toward the exit in the opposite direction, returning alone to the banquet hall.

When he returned, the banquet hadn’t yet begun, but quite a few people had already gathered. As soon as he entered, numerous eyes immediately focused on him some filled with admiration, others with envy, but most simply appreciating his appearance.

Shen Yelin had experienced this feeling of being the center of attention countless times since childhood, and what had once been aversion had long since turned into indifference. With his usual composure, he walked toward the front of the crowd, representing Director Shen to exchange pleasantries with the guests who had previously collaborated with the Shen family.

There were quite a few attendees today, most of whom had connections with the Lu and Shen families. Greeting each one, even if only briefly, took a considerable amount of time.

Fortunately, it was still early, so he didn’t need to rush.

Ji Wencheng walked with Lu Chen to a corner of the corridor, his expression darkening. Finally, when Lu Chen paused, he could no longer hold back and spoke up.

“Lu Chen, what do you mean by this?” he asked coldly, his voice dropping. “Are you so desperate that you’re afraid others won’t know what you’re thinking?”

Lu Chen’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes half-lidded as he looked at Ji Wencheng, the same unchanging smile still on his face. “What’s this? Finally not calling me ‘brother’ this time? Are you really that angry? Is it worth it?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Ji Wencheng said. “No need to play dumb. We both understand.”

Lu Chen leaned lazily against the wall and let out a mocking snort from his nose, speaking to him in a friendly tone. “Well, I really don’t understand. Why don’t you explain it to me carefully so I can get a better idea?”

Ji Wencheng took a deep breath, his anger flaring. “Do you think I can’t tell that you like him too?”

“Look at how you’re talking,” Lu Chen replied smoothly, as if oblivious to his anger. “Yelin is so well-behaved, who wouldn’t like him? If you had such a precious younger brother, you’d definitely want to protect him with everything you have, not letting anyone else lay a finger on him.”

He paused, then continued, “If you find my thoughts incomprehensible, then you should put yourself in my shoes and ask yourself ” He raised an eyebrow at Ji Wencheng with a smile, “Ji Wencheng, given your illustrious romantic history over the years, if it were you, would you be willing?”

Ji Wencheng was instantly left speechless.

“In life, self-awareness is the most valuable trait,” Lu Chen straightened up, stepping away from where he had been leaning. “I don’t need to teach you that, do I? Since the person in question isn’t willing, you should stop fantasizing about a happy ending, alright?”

He patted Ji Wencheng’s shoulder, letting out a long, troubled sigh, as if he were truly a caring older brother worried about his younger sibling’s future. His gaze lingered on Ji Wencheng’s tense face for a moment before he offered a faint smile and turned to leave.

“Lu Chen.”

Just as he was about to walk away, Ji Wencheng called out to him.

Lu Chen turned back patiently, a smile playing on his lips as he waited for the next words.

“Since you put it that way, what is your self-awareness?” Ji Wencheng stared at his gradually cooling expression. “Is it to stand obediently by his side as a brother without blood ties, yet never daring to overstep?”

“In that case, you truly have lofty ideals.”

Halfway through the small talk, the long-awaited banquet finally began.

Shen Yelin exchanged a few casual words with others, and upon spotting the elegantly dressed Mrs. Shen, he nodded in acknowledgment and excused himself quietly.

Mrs. Shen was surrounded by a group of elegantly dressed ladies, holding wine glasses and chatting merrily about something. Shen Xuan wasn’t by her side, nor was she anywhere in sight likely having slipped away with her friends to relax in a corner long ago.

As soon as Shen Yelin approached and greeted Mrs. Shen, he drew soft exclamations from the circle of ladies. They looked at him with admiration, remarking to Mrs. Shen, “Is this your eldest son?”

Mrs. Shen nodded with a reserved yet unmistakable pride.

After Shen Yelin’s parents passed away, Mr. and Mrs. Shen, who had taken over the Shen Group, adopted him under their name, transferring the inheritance rights to him unchanged. Calling Shen Yelin their eldest son wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

He gave a slight nod to the lady who had spoken and said, “Hello.”

“I’ve only heard about you from others before,” she replied with a smile. “Seeing you in person today, you truly stand out handsome and distinguished. If only my own son could be like Young Master Shen, I’d be laughing in my dreams, unable to close my mouth from joy!”

Those around her chuckled softly, “You really know how to exaggerate!”

Shen Yelin stood to the side, listening without joining the conversation.

The system sighed in admiration, “Host, you really are a heartbreaker, even winning over the affection of the ladies’ circle! Lately, I’ve been counting peach blossoms until I’m almost numb I’ve never seen so many in my life. There are too many to count, and my hand is cramping.”

Shen Yelin expressionlessly muted the system for 24 hours.

The system retreated in tears.

As the ladies chatted, someone suddenly turned their attention to Shen Yelin. Several of them looked at him with admiration, raising their glasses in a toast. “Meeting Young Master Shen today feels like a special connection. Shall we toast?”

A waiter passing by heard this and offered a tray to him.

Shen Yelin glanced at Madam Shen’s genuine smile, took a glass of red wine, clinked glasses with them lightly, and drank each toast with a calm tone, saying, “Honored.”

Since they were Madam Shen’s friends, the drinks couldn’t be avoided.

Seeing him so straightforward, the smiles around grew even warmer. They surrounded Shen Yelin, looking at Madam Shen while asking with great concern, “I remember Young Master Shen isn’t engaged yet, right? Is there a girl he likes?”

“Not yet, not yet,” Madam Shen said with a smile. “This child is quite career-focused, so his personal life has been put on hold. Just the other day, he told me he’s in no hurry. Oh, really!”

“Ah, my daughter says the same thing it’s such a worry,” one lady chimed in, suddenly waving toward the distance. “Xiao Jing, come, come over and meet your Aunt Shen and Brother Yelin.”

The implication in her words was clear. She was clearly hoping to introduce her daughter to Shen Yelin.

Hearing this, Shen Yelin glanced at Madam Shen and noticed she didn’t show any sign of disapproval. It seemed she agreed. Following the lady’s words, he looked over and saw a pretty girl with slightly flushed cheeks nodding at him somewhat awkwardly. “Hello.”

She was also holding a wine glass, likely having rushed over after her mother called her to offer a toast.

“Ah, we adults shouldn’t keep the young people from talking,” the lady said with a smile, beckoning the others. “Let’s move to the other side and give them some space.”

With that, the people surrounding Shen Yelin gradually dispersed to other areas. Soon, a corner was left empty, with only him and the girl who had been called over.

She looked quite embarrassed, raising her glass shyly and saying, “Brother Yelin. may I offer you a toast?”

Shen Yelin nodded, placed his empty glass on a server’s tray, took another one, and clinked it lightly with hers.

Just as he was about to raise the glass to drink, someone suddenly grabbed his hand and took the wine glass from him.

Then, the person spoke. The voice was somewhat unfamiliar, yet there was a faint, subtle familiarity to it.

“This wine,” he said calmly, “why don’t I drink it for him?”