Turns out I Was the CEO's White Moonlight [Rebirth] - Chapter 5

Shen Yelin thought back to the words the other man had spoken at his funeral, unable to understand how Fu Jianyi could have fallen for him in such a bland, water-like relationship. Usually, they barely exchanged more than a few words, and even when they did talk, it was strictly business. What on earth was Fu Jianyi thinking?!

“I think you don’t really need to dwell on this question, Host,” the system said, pretending to be worldly-wise as it comforted him. “Isn’t it nice to just be a universally adored charmer? After all, feelings like affection don’t follow logic! Maybe he just felt an instant connection with you?”

Shen Yelin ignored it and began to ponder whether this dinner meeting was truly as necessary to attend in person as he had previously thought.

Recalling his past life, it seemed he had only shown his face briefly, said a few words, and left. Thinking about it carefully, there really wasn’t much point in going.

“Find someone to go in my place,” Shen Yelin said. “No need to reschedule.”

“Alright,” Qiao An replied smoothly.

Disturbed by this, Shen Yelin found he couldn’t sleep any longer, so he got up to wash his face. As he came out, he happened to run into the auntie who was putting on her apron, waiting to cook for him. Seeing his visibly weary appearance, she asked if he wanted something lighter for dinner.

Shen Yelin poured himself a glass of water and was about to nod when his phone rang not far away. Carrying the glass, he walked over and saw that the caller was Qiao An again.

He answered the call, and the other’s voice came through the receiver, sounding somewhat hesitant: “Mr. Shen, I just relayed your message to Yue Lin. But they said that for this dinner, Mr. Fu hopes you can attend in person. If the timing or your health is inconvenient, they’re willing to reschedule.”

Shen Yelin frowned, his intuition telling him this wasn’t as simple as it seemed. After all, the other party was highly competent at their job and wouldn’t bother him again over such a trivial matter. It must be that they had encountered a thorny issue they couldn’t handle, forcing them to call again.

“Has there been a problem with the cooperation?”

“Yes,” Qiao An said apologetically. “Yue Lin’s stance is that if you can’t attend in person, it would cast doubt on the reliability of this deep collaboration. So, the previously agreed-upon terms will have to be postponed for further discussion.”

Shen Yelin paused, then asked, “Did Yue Lin have any other demands?”

Qiao An replied, “Yue Lin only mentioned Mr. Fu’s wish for you to attend in person. Nothing else was brought up. However, this seems to be Mr. Fu’s personal opinion, and he’s quite firm about it they couldn’t persuade him otherwise.”

A personal opinion? From Fu Jianyi?

Shouldn’t he still not know him at this point? Why would he suddenly be so insistent on him attending in person? And even prepared to threaten him, saying that if he didn’t go, the cooperation plan would be scrapped?

Shen Yelin began to suspect that when he was reborn, the unreliable system had somehow messed up Fu Jianyi’s brain along the way.

The system protested indignantly, “That’s nonsense! You’re slandering me! Even if I had such an idea, I wouldn’t have the ability to do it!”

“Then he must have been reborn too,” Shen Yelin said calmly.

“…” The system abruptly stopped its complaints.

After an awkward silence, it stammered nervously, “Th-that shouldn’t be possible, right…?”

“Go check it out,” Shen Yelin said to it. Then, turning back to the phone, he said to Qiao An, “In that case, send me the address you’ve arranged. I’ll head out in a bit. Tell Yue Lin to proceed as planned, following the arrangements already made.”

“Alright.”

The system didn’t dare to be careless either, quickly responding before vanishing from sight.

Shen Yelin sighed, feeling more and more that this rebirth was a raw deal.

Not only had he encountered a seemingly dim-witted system, but he was also forced to face these familiar faces from his past, each harboring their own motives. Moreover, judging by the events that had unfolded since his rebirth, there was even a faint possibility that the future might slip out of control, veering off in a completely unexpected direction.

Shen Yelin couldn’t help but ponder: if he were to burn his bridges now, kick the foolish system to the curb, and simply walk away, what kind of consequences would follow?

He drained the water in his cup and said to Aunt Wang, who was preparing dinner, “No need to cook. I’ll be heading out soon.”

Shen Yelin returned to his bedroom, changed into an outfit suitable for going out, and then left to drive. In the meantime, Qiao An had already shared the location of the dinner gathering through an app. He glanced at it and realized it was a high-end private club he was quite familiar with.

He had always maintained good habits, steering clear of the typical vices common among the wealthy elite, and rarely frequented places that were obviously questionable. This particular club was relatively proper, one of the few establishments he would visit. However, Shen Yelin clearly remembered that in his previous life, the meeting he had arranged with Fu Jianyi was definitely not held at this club.

Driving all the way to the club’s entrance, Shen Yelin got out of the car and handed the keys to the valet waiting nearby. He then addressed the attendant who came to guide him, “Yue Lin.”

“Mr. Fu?” the attendant immediately responded. “Please follow me.”

“Hmm.”

The attendant led the way for Shen Yelin, quickly guiding him down a secluded corridor to the innermost private room. Seeing this, Shen Yelin couldn’t help but frown slightly, stopping at the doorway.

Although he didn’t frequent clubs often, he wasn’t naive. Rooms like this were typically not used for large banquets but were more often reserved for private gatherings among acquaintances. Today, Fu Jianyi had called him under the pretext of discussing the collaboration between Yao Yu and Yue Lin, but he hadn’t mentioned that the discussion would take place with just the two of them in a private room.

Something was off, and it was a big red flag.

The attendant pushed the door open for him. “Please go in.”

Shen Yelin stepped inside, only to see a man in a sharp suit already seated inside. He had handsome features, a tall and slender build, and an air of refined elegance about him. Unfortunately, his slightly upturned phoenix eyes somewhat disrupted that refined aura, making him appear all the more shrewd.

He was looking down at something but glanced up upon hearing the sound, his gaze meeting Shen Yelin’s from across the room.

Fu Jianyi had had a dream last night.

Though it was merely a dream, it was terrifyingly vivid and detailed, so much so that even after waking, he could recall everything that had happened within it. In the dream, he had fallen helplessly in love with someone. Though the other person regarded him only as an ordinary friend not even close enough to be considered a good friend he willingly and contentedly accepted this unremarkable relationship, savoring it with delight.

He was drawn to the other’s cool, striking demeanor, yet deeply enamored with those peach-blossom eyes that lifted slightly at the corners. When that person was in a joyful mood, those beautiful, expressive eyes seemed to reflect the fleeting glimmer of starlight, making one’s heart race uncontrollably. He tried every trick in the book to become closer to the other, yet never managed to grasp the key. He envied the gentle expressions the other showed to others, even going so far as to feel a petty jealousy toward the other’s younger sister, coveting the fond yet helpless look that appeared whenever she was mentioned.

This was unlike his usual self he never lost control over someone to this extent. But the lingering palpitations long after waking frantically reminded him that this was no ordinary dream. He remembered everything that had happened in the dream as if he had lived through it himself. And at the end of the story, the person he deeply loved was involved in a car accident while out and passed away in the prime of youth.

Even knowing it was just a dream, the pain that tore through his heart, threatening to shatter him completely, overwhelmed him. He woke from the nightmare, recalling its contents, and silently sorted through his thoughts only to unexpectedly discover that the person he loved was none other than the newly appointed CEO of Yaoyu Entertainment: Shen Yelin.

And tonight, this very person would attend a banquet for the collaboration between Yaoyu and Yue Lin. It was at this banquet that he would fall in love with Shen Yelin at first sight, surrendering his heart from then on. Even after the other’s untimely death, he never again entertained the thought of loving anyone else.

Fu Jianyi had never met this young CEO of Yaoyu before, as the other kept a very low profile. Unlike his childhood friend who had been a fixture in the social scene for years recognized by managers in nearly every high-end club Shen Yelin remained an enigma. Precisely because of this, Fu Jianyi developed an intense curiosity about Shen Yelin and was eager to meet him in person.

In his memory, the other was indeed a rare beauty. But given Fu Jianyi’s family background and status, he had encountered plenty of beauties who were merely skin-deep. He wanted to see for himself what kind of person could make his dream self fall head over heels at first sight. To this end, he resorted to the underhanded tactic of threatening to tear up the contract, forcing the other to attend the banquet despite being unwell.

His subordinates complained bitterly, preparing for the collaboration to fall through. Unexpectedly, upon hearing his demand, Shen Yelin did not lash out at his people but agreed to this somewhat excessive request.

Fu Jianyi’s first thought was: The other truly was as gentle-tempered as he remembered, someone who understood and accommodated others’ difficulties. His second thought was: Indeed, this was exactly the type he would fall for. Compared to others of similar standing, whether in ability or character, Shen Yelin stood out as one in a hundred like a crane among a flock of foolish chickens, effortlessly capturing everyone’s attention.

He set aside what he was holding and looked up, meeting Shen Yelin’s gaze as he entered. Staring into those eyes, he felt as though something had gently brushed against his heart like the moment when you push open a window in the morning, and sunlight washes over your face while a soft breeze caresses your cheeks. A sense of ease spread through him, and he couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly.

I like him.

Fu Jianyi thought.

“Host, I detect that your romantic luck value is rising.”

The system suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence in the air. With a tone full of enthusiasm, like a spectator enjoying the drama, it happily said to Shen Yelin, “Judging by this value, it seems he just fell for you.”