If You Could Hear My Heart

Chapter 381: 381: Rivals Meet

“What kind of part-time jobs does she primarily do?” Shen Chi asked indifferently.

“Just washing dishes in restaurants or helping out in the library, you shouldn’t worry too much.”

“I can worry myself sick just watching her sweep the floor, and you tell me not to worry?!” Shen Chi smacked the table and roared into the phone.

“Er…” Xiao Mo was speechless, after all, it was Shen Chi himself who had spoiled her.

“Mr. Shen, is there anything else you want to know?” Xiao Mo spread his hands.

“Go find someone to keep a close eye on Lu Feili.”

“Yes.”

After hanging up, Shen Chi’s heart seethed with rage. During those five years, had Xu Chaomu really been spending each day and night with Nie Chenglang?

Day and night, day and night… These words were the greatest irony to him.

Thinking of this, his head started to ache again, he clenched his fist and pressed it against his forehead, falling silent.

He didn’t eat much for breakfast and started to walk out of the Shen family’s villa.

Old Cheng had been waiting outside the door for a while; it was just after six o’clock, the sunrise was just beginning, and the weather was mild. Looking out, the lake shone with rippling waves, and the sky was a vast expanse of azure.

Old Cheng genuinely felt sorry for Shen Chi, getting up early every morning to go to the company. Now that Xu Chaomu had returned, he didn’t take more time to rest.

Shen Chi, with his overcoat, walked out of the Shen family’s gate. Just as he approached his Maybach, the door of the Cayenne parked in front flung open.

A young man stepped down from the passenger side, elegant and warm as bright jade.

The man was also dressed in a white shirt, standing beside the car door. The sunlight streamed directly down from above his head. His long, fair hand was still half-resting on the car door, and his whole presence resembled a statue, a very attractive one.

Shen Chi didn’t rush to get into the car. Clearly, the man had come for him. He squinted his eyes, taking a close look at the man before him. This man, he seemed to have seen him somewhere before.

Nie Chenglang lowered his hand and took steps towards Shen Chi.

Old Cheng was still standing behind Shen Chi. Both men were eye-catching, both exuding noble and elegant demeanors, yet their auras were entirely different.

Shen Chi had one hand in his pocket, calmly waiting for the man to approach.

“Hello, my name is Nie Chenglang.” Nie Chenglang extended his hand.

Shen Chi twitched the corners of his lips. It was indeed him.

“Shen Chi.” He also stretched out his hand, saying in a deep voice.

Their firm handshakes seemed harmonious and bright to outsiders, but only they knew that it was like drawn swords and bows at the ready.

Nie Chenglang had finally come looking for him, just as Shen Chi had expected. He had been holding back for quite a few days.

“Mr. Shen, do you have the time to talk for a moment?” Nie Chenglang asked politely.

“Sure, Jazz Cafe.”

Shen Chi, keeping it short and to the point, finished speaking, glanced at Nie Chenglang, and then turned to board his car.

Nie Chenglang gave a faint smile. This man was indeed as the rumors described, cold and aloof.

He also turned and got into his Cayenne.

The two cars left the Shen family’s villa and headed towards the cafe one after the other.

On the way, Old Cheng couldn’t help but feel curious, “Mr. Shen, is he Nie Chenglang?”

“Hmm.”

Old Cheng was filled with emotion. To speak bluntly, the two were romantic rivals. When rivals met, sparks were bound to fly.

One was Shen Chi, whom Xu Chaomu had once deeply loved, and the other was the father of Xu Chaomu’s baby. Their relationship was so complicated it was impossible to separate cleanly.

If it had been five years ago, Old Cheng would have been certain that not even ten Nie Chenglangs could compete with Shen Chi, because Xu Chaomu’s true love was Shen Chi.

But now, with five years having passed, the sea could turn into mulberry fields, and how could a person’s heart remain in the same place?

Old Cheng had also heard that Xu Chaomu intended to get engaged to Nie Chenglang on her return. Furthermore, Xu Chaomu’s child was already over two months old…

Sometimes, even he couldn’t help but advise Shen Chi to let go. But this man, as always, was obstinate. Just as he had been for five years, despite being surrounded by many women, he remained unchanged.

The two cars drove one after the other to the Jazz Cafe, a well-known establishment in C City’s upper circles, also owned by the Ji Shengxuan family.

After more than half an hour, the two cars parked in the parking lot separately.

Shen Chi and Nie Chenglang got out of their cars and walked into the cafe.

“Mr. Shen, what would you like to drink?” Nie Chenglang asked after they were seated.

“No need, let’s keep it short and sweet, we’re all busy people,” Shen Chi replied, glancing at his watch.

In the cafe, the tables were vintage rosewood with delicately carved floral patterns. The lights were vintage bronze lotus chandeliers, casting a soft light that poured down like milk, illuminating the white shirts of both men.

One man, cold and distant, his face never showing a smile; the other warm and bright, with a hint of a smile on his face.

“Okay, let’s keep it short then,” Nie Chenglang said. “Chaomu, where is she?”

“Chaomu?” Shen Chi then curled his lips into a smile, “At my place.”

To be precise, in his bed.

“Did you… confine her?” Nie Chenglang’s eyes darkened.

“Don’t put it so harshly. She lived in my house for eight years. It’s just a return to familiar surroundings, reluctant to leave. Where does the idea of confinement come from?” Shen Chi remained cool and composed.

“Did you get her consent?”

“Of course.”

“Then you should also know that she and I are getting engaged.”

“I know, but you haven’t gotten a marriage license yet, have you?” Shen Chi countered, his eyes sharpening.

“After the engagement, the marriage license is naturally just a matter of time.”

“According to Article 258 of the Criminal Law, those with a spouse who commit bigamy are subject to imprisonment of up to two years or criminal detention.”

Shen Chi stared intently into Nie Chenglang’s eyes, his gaze lethal. The chill in his eyes seemed to make the surrounding air drop a few degrees.

“What do you mean?” Nie Chenglang’s tone grew tense.

“She and I got our marriage certificate five years ago. What, does Young Master Nie intend to meddle in someone else’s marriage?”

“Chaomu never told me about this.”

“She’s always been mischievous, probably finds the thrill of an extramarital affair amusing; I don’t blame her.”

“That’s just your side of the story. Bring Chaomu out, let me talk to her for a minute.”

Nie Chenglang didn’t believe this man; he knew Shen Chi was crafty and cunning.

“If you don’t believe it, you can check with the Civil Affairs Bureau. With your status as Young Master Nie, it should be no trouble.”

“Mr. Shen, with your means, forging one wouldn’t be too difficult either.”

They were each as firm as the other, neither willing to give in.

“It seems we have nothing else to talk about then,” Shen Chi said, appearing indifferent.

“Chaomu has her interests and hobbies. Moreover, she enjoys going to work and doing design. You keep her cooped up at home all day, why don’t you ask about her thoughts?”

With this remark, Shen Chi frowned. These were things he didn’t know.

“Mr. Shen, if I’m not mistaken, your girlfriend Jian Sisi was threatening to jump off a building just a few days ago, wasn’t she? With so many women around you, are you sure you can treat Chaomu well?”