Chapter 51

Aunt Xu and Chen Qing, still struggling, were halted by the sudden chaos. Guan Shanyan grabbed Shen Youwei’s wrists with both hands and pulled her safely back from the edge.
Shen Youwei sat on the ground, breathing heavily, then looked around: “Who shoved me just now? Where did they go?”
Everyone had been focused on Aunt Xu and Chen Qing, so no one saw Shen Youwei fall. She hadn’t even seen who pushed her.
Guan Shanyan checked her scrapes. Hearing her question, he lifted his eyes slightly: “Someone pushed you?”
“Yes! Otherwise, how would I have fallen while standing there? I’m not a ten-year-old anymore, and I even stood further from the cliff.”
“I got it on video, they ran!” While Chen Qing and Aunt Xu struggled, other hikers had watched and recorded video. By chance, it captured the moment someone pushed Shen Youwei.
Guan Shanyan and Shen Youwei watched the video. The person was dressed in black with a hood, rushing forward when no one was paying attention and pushing her.
Then Guan Shanyan appeared in front of Shen Youwei and pulled her up.
“You’re fast, ” The videographer said, astonished.
Guan Shanyan calmly continued watching the video. The person in black, before anyone reacted, fled the scene quickly.
“The build looks a lot like Jiang Peipei.”
Hearing this, Shen Youwei agreed: “Don’t, just don’t say it.”
Jiang Peipei already had a lawsuit against her, now it seemed like he wanted a second one, half-price.
“You reported this, right?” The police arrived from the foot of the mountain. Seeing Shen Youwei and Guan Shanyan, they paused. “You two look familiar. Have you been frequenting our station lately?”
Shen Youwei: “…”
So all her incense burning had been useless.
“Officers, look at this video.” Guan Shanyan showed the police. After watching, they immediately assigned personnel to find the person in black. “You two come with me as well.”
The police planned to take all involved for questioning. Chen Qing naturally refused: “Officers, this has nothing to do with me.”
“Nothing to do with you? The video proves otherwise. If not for this strongman stopping you, you’d all be dead by now.”
The strongman: “…”
“And the one using private photos to threaten someone, that’s you too, right? Let’s go, no more nonsense.”
At the station, they were separated for questioning. Mrs. Chen arrived after getting the news. Any remaining illusions she had about Chen Qing were gone, this child was beyond help.
Jiang Peipei was also caught when leaving Qingjing Mountain. When the police called him, he had seen Shen Youwei and the others fighting on the mountain and thought the opportunity had come.
“I just acted impulsively; I didn’t mean to kill her,” he said in the interrogation room, calmer now.
He never expected someone to have recorded him pushing Shen Youwei.
“You didn’t mean to kill her, yet pushed her off a cliff? And tried to disguise it? Doesn’t look impulsive at all.”
“Officer, I really acted impulsively! I regretted it immediately after!”
“And yet you didn’t turn yourself in, If we hadn’t caught you, you would’ve run abroad, right?”
While the police interrogated Jiang Peipei, Shen Youwei’s lawyer arrived. Following Shen Youwei’s wishes, they were pressing charges for attempted murder, determined to see him behind bars.
After all the commotion, it was already afternoon when they left the police station. Multiple versions of today’s events had already circulated online. Shen Youwei had no energy to refute rumors, she just wanted to go home, eat, and sleep.
Xu Qairan went home with her mother. They had privately reconciled today, and Chen Qing had deleted the photos and backups in front of the police. Whether he had other backups was unknown, but Xu Qairan no longer cared. She just wanted to live safely with her mother.
A major incident happened on Sunday, but by Monday, everyone returned to work as usual. At that moment, Shen Youwei finally understood the true meaning of being a workhorse.
“You really aren’t taking a day off?” Shen Youwei asked, worried as she walked with Guan Shanyan. He had a slight fever Saturday night and spent a lot of energy saving people on Sunday, his body might not handle it.
Guan Shanyan pinched his brow and said, “I have a few meetings today I must attend in person.”
Shen Youwei was surprised: “Even people in the arts have meetings?”
“Every industry eventually ends in meetings.”
“Noted.”
Soon, Shen Youwei understood the truth of his words, because she was once again sitting in a meeting with Zheng Baozhu’s styling team.
Zheng Baozhu’s styling plan had been finalized, but the organizers sent a message today saying the event venue had changed, requiring adjustments to hair and makeup.
On the day of the event, Shen Youwei met Zheng Baozhu in person for the first time. At that moment, she felt immense relief.
She realized Guan Shanyan was right, even if the styling team messed up, Zheng Baozhu could carry it off with her beauty.
Still, the recent effort hadn’t been wasted. The final result exceeded Shen Youwei’s expectations. Zheng Baozhu was already a major influencer, and today at the Zhenyi Jewelry event, she looked even more radiant. The event trended on social media three times consecutively.
Unsurprisingly, Shen Youwei’s name also appeared on trending lists. The photo she posted with Zheng Baozhu sparked people pairing them as a “CP” (couple).
Netizens really loved shipping them.
With Zheng Baozhu as a living advertisement, Shen Youwei’s studio received more appointments, including from popular stars. Fortunately, the studio was now fully staffed, so they no longer had to endure the old days when three people did the work of ten.
Seeing the studio running smoothly, Xu Qairan prepared to leave: “As agreed, I’ll go once your studio hires people.”
Shen Youwei asked, “Have you found another job?”
“Not yet,” Xu Qairan said. She didn’t want to overstay her welcome. The studio had been busy, leaving her little time to find work. “If necessary, I’ll try another city and finally be free of Chen Qing.”
Shen Youwei laughed: “Don’t be silly. Even if Chen Qing looks for you, running abroad won’t help. Staying here with friends backing you is safer.”
“Right, right.” Zhong Lingling also didn’t want Xu Qairan to leave. “If you go, I’ll have to manage all the newcomers alone. Have pity on me.”
Xu Qairan pursed her lips and stayed silent. Shen Youwei, knowing she feared being pushed out, cleared her throat: “Lingling’s right. It’s not the right time for you to leave. I won’t let you work for nothing, you’ll get paid according to previous standards, plus a bonus if you do well.”
Xu Qairan looked at her for a moment, then suddenly ran up and hugged her, crying loudly.
Shen Youwei: “…”
Xu Qairan hadn’t been this sentimental before.
Not long after, Shen Youwei received news from Guan Shanyan: Chen Qing had been sent abroad by the Chen family.
“I heard it’s for a new company project. Conditions are tough; he won’t be back for three to five years.”
“Perfect. Extra snack tonight.”
“Sounds like you just want an excuse for a snack.”
“Even without an excuse, I’d still have a snack.”
“…” Fair enough.
The car stopped in the garage. Before Guan Shanyan unfastened his seatbelt, Shen Youwei leaned over, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Guan Shanyan paused and looked at her: “What’s this for?”
Shen Youwei blinked innocently: “Snack time.”
“…” Guan Shanyan cupped the back of her head, his lips brushing her mouth: “I want a snack too, tonight.”
Recently, Shen Youwei and Guan Shanyan frequently visited the new house. If not for her parents not yet being back, they might have moved in already.
In September, Shen Youwei’s parents returned early from abroad, and the two families sat together for dinner after many years. Before the meal, Shen Youwei’s father called Guan Shanyan aside: “I want to talk to you.” Shen Youwei reminded him: “Dad, not sure if you saw the news abroad, the one where he knocked out a wild boar with a punch.”
Shen’s father: “…”
Perhaps her reminder helped. Their conversation was short, and Guan Shanyan emerged with no bruises: “Not bad. Looks like Dad knows his limits.”
Guan Shanyan: “…”
If Uncle Shen had made a move, he wouldn’t have fought back.
“I always said Uncle Shen is a gentleman. He reasons things out.”
“Yes, yes.” Shen Youwei smiled and linked arms with him: “Time to eat.”
Shu Ge, chatting with Xie Mingqiu nearby, muttered: “…”
It looked like she was about to eat Shanyan as her meal.
After her parents returned, renovations for their house finally began. Shen Youwei didn’t intervene, letting them take full control.
She would soon have her own big house anyway.
In October, Shen Youwei received an invitation from Bunny to attend Fashion Week abroad. When He Man had kept insisting Bunny loved her, she hadn’t believed it, but holding the official invitation now, she admitted Bunny had feelings for her.
Guan Shanyan, as an internationally renowned designer, also had plenty of Fashion Week invitations for his new brand.
Although they had known each other for over ten years, this was their first trip abroad together. Shen Youwei was excited, taking countless videos and photos, posting more frequently than ever, even on her alternate account.
Due to her carelessness, Guan Shanyan noticed something: He Zhou’s IP address seemed to follow them.
They left the country early to visit neighboring countries before Fashion Week. They visited three countries, and He Zhou’s IP consistently matched theirs.
If He Zhou had attended Fashion Week, Guan Shanyan wouldn’t be surprised, but now, something was fishy.
That evening, while Shen Youwei showered, he deliberately messaged He Zhou: asking if he was around.
He Zhou didn’t reply immediately, but shortly after Shen Youwei finished, he responded: [What’s up? You and your sister not having problems again?]
Since Guan Shanyan got together with Shen Youwei, he rarely vented to He Zhou. Today they hadn’t argued, why contact him now?
Guan Shanyan: [Must something go wrong for me to reach you? Can’t I just chat casually?]
He Zhou: [Mainly you’re not someone who chats casually.]
Guan Shanyan: [Splitting people.]
Shen Youwei’s heart raced a little. Before she realized what it meant, Guan Shanyan called out: [He Zhou.]
“Huh?” She looked up instinctively, seeing Guan Shanyan nearby. “Weren’t you showering? How are you out?”
He held his phone, smiling: “How else could I see you, He Zhou?”
Shen Youwei: “…”
Fishing for a reaction!
She feigned innocence: “Who’s He Zhou? Sounds like a guy?”
Guan Shanyan said: “At first I didn’t think much, but now I realize it might come from ‘Brother Guan, in the river islet.’ Who liked calling me ‘Brother Guan’ again?”
Shen Youwei: “…”
Who is it? So hard to guess.
Seeing her expression, he knew he was right, He Zhou had to be her alternate account.
He smiled, leaning down to her: “You blocked me on the main account, then added me with the alt. Clever.”
Shen Youwei: “…”
“So, tell me, why secretly add me with the alt?”
She stopped pretending: “What else? To go online every day and scold you.”
Guan Shanyan: “…”
Yes, He Zhou had indeed been unfriendly to him at first.
“Just to get revenge for rejecting you?”
“So what!”
“Childish.” Guan Shanyan smirked, showing no anger for her using a side account.
Shen Youwei pouted: “Oh? What counts as a mature revenge then?”
He raised an eyebrow, knelt on one knee on the bed, holding her hand to his chest: “Like this.”
His voice was soft, brushing against her heart like a feather. Shen Youwei clenched her hand unconsciously, pretending to be stern: “Just this?”
Guan Shanyan smiled, moving closer: “How about now?”
“Cough, not bad.” Shen Youwei looked away, ears tinged pink: “Young man, you’re quite perceptive.”
“Then you can start your revenge.”
“…” Wait, who’s really taking revenge on whom? And why is he so excited?
“Cough, you’ve made such a big mistake, taking revenge on you just once isn’t enough.”
Guan Shanyan took hold of her other hand resting by his side, pressing his lips to her flushed ear: “A lifetime, will that be enough?”
Shen Youwei couldn’t help but laugh: “Then I’m afraid your heart might be willing, but your strength won’t be enough.”
Guan Shanyan: “…”
He remembered what Chang Xin had said, that Shen Youwei would age more slowly than ordinary people.
“I’ve been working out lately. Haven’t you noticed the changes?”
Shen Youwei squeezed his hand again, nodding: “Seems like you really have gotten stronger.”
“So don’t worry. I’ll live long and keep training my whole life.”
“…” That was more than enough. Her hand resting on his chest slowly rose to wrap around his neck. Shen Youwei lifted her head and pressed her lips to his: “Then I’ll wait to experience your lifetime.”