I Am My Own Substitute Wife - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Don’t Chase After Men

Translator: Lonelytree

‘A mole?’ The mole was very inconspicuous. One wouldn’t notice it if one weren’t looking carefully. A thought flashed in Sheng Hanye’s mind. ‘If Jiang Niansheng also had this mole on her neck…’ Sheng Hanye’s hands trembled and the frame fell to the ground.

He charged towards the master bedroom like a mad bull!

When he arrived, Jiang Niansheng was already asleep. She closed her eyes, cushioned her hands behind her eyes, and slept peacefully. Sheng Hanye didn’t dare move too loudly lest he woke up. 

He carefully brushed back her hair and examined her neck. It was fair and delicate, decidedly without a mole. Sheng Hanye looked for a few more minutes. But there was nothing to be found.

Yet another false hope. Then again, what was he expecting? Why would he hope against hope that Wen Wan was still alive? And to think that Jiang Niansheng was Wen Wan? That was preposterous.

…

At Sheng Shi Corporation, Jiang Niansheng was seated at her desk. She was about to turn on her computer and continue her drama series when she received a call from Gu Yanzhou.

“Hello, CEO Gu.”

“Mrs. Sheng,” Gu Yanzhou was a gentleman as usual. “Regarding the perfume that we’re going to release on Chinese Valentine, would you like to join the team?”

Jiang Niansheng replied, “I’d be happy to. But… Will Sheng Hanye agree?”

The CEO’s name came out of her lips casually. Her colleagues turned to look at her. At Sheng Shi Corporation, everyone referred to the boss respectfully as CEO Sheng. Only Jiang Niansheng had the guts to call him by his name.

“I’ve already notified him. CEO Sheng says it’s up to you. He won’t interfere.”

Jiang Niansheng was a little surprised. “Really?”

‘Sheng Hanye is letting me do what I want?’ She thought he would forever pin her to the position of her secretary and wouldn’t give her any chance to grow. After all, as she gathered more resources, she’d be more dangerous to him.

But Sheng Hanye didn’t seem to take her seriously. Perhaps he believed he was not a threat or rather no one could pose him any threat.

“Of course, it’s true.” Gu Yanzhou replied, “You’re a talented perfumer and I notice you’ve shown interests in perfume research and development too.”

Jiang Niansheng said softly, “My mother was a perfumer. She influenced me a lot when I was going up. She taught me many perfumes knowledge. You could say I grew up around fragrances.” Mother Jiang was a gentle and kind woman. She was fair and delicate. Her body exuded a natural fragrance.

The mention of her mother made Jiang Niansheng’s eyes prick.

“I’m sorry.” Gu Yanzhou apologized, “I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Okay.” Gu Yanzhou hung up the phone, took off his gold-rimmed glasses, and massaged the bridge of his nose. He heard the door open and he thought it was his secretary. “What is it?”

“I made some butterfly pastries and red bean cake.” Sheng Miaomiao held the snack box and placed it before him like she was presenting him a treasure. “Try them.” There was a red mark on the back of her hand and there were even a few blisters. Gu Yanzhou saw them immediately. She must have gotten them when she made these pastries.

Sheng Miaomiao, the daughter of the Sheng family, naturally hadn’t been in the kitchen before.

He thought about holding her wrist to take a closer look but he stopped himself because it would have been inappropriate. “I don’t fancy sweets, you shouldn’t waste your time.”

Gu Yanzhou was always cold towards Sheng Miaomiao’s friendly gestures because he was afraid that he might plant the wrong idea in her mind.

“I know, so I made them sugar-free.” Sheng Miaomiao said, “You’re the first to taste them.”

“Miss Sheng, you really don’t need to spend the time on me…”

She grabbed a pastry and fed him. “It’s just some snacks. Why do you have to keep on yapping? Open your mouth.”

It was at this moment that Jiang Niansheng walked in. “Ahem.” She deliberately cleared her throat.

Sheng Miaomiao saw her and smiled. “Sister-in-law!”

Gu Yanzhou’s face was awkward, and there was an imperceptible blush on his clear face. He tilted his head to the side to avoid the pastry forced at his mouth. “Miss Sheng…”

“How many times I’ve told you? Call me Miaomiao.”

Jiang Niansheng finally realized that Sheng Miaomiao was interested in Gu Yanzhao. ‘Hmm, they do look compatible. Unfortunately, it looks like the love doesn’t go both ways.’

“Am I lucky enough to try some?” Jiang Niansheng walked over. “They look delicious.”

“Of course, sister-in-law!”

Jiang Niansheng smiled. “But I better wait for CEO Gu to have the first bite. After all, they’re not specially made for me.”

Well, what other choice did Gu Yanzhou have after that?

The pastry was very delicate and not sweet. It had a natural flavor and melted in the mouth. After that, Gu Yanzhou felt the need to escape. “Mrs. Sheng, follow me to the R & D Department.”

“Okay.”

Gu Yanzhou ran away.

Jiang Niansheng deliberately slowed down and winked at Sheng Miaomiao. “Do you like CEO Gu?”

Sheng Miaomiao nodded.

“But he seems…”

“I’ll change his mind.” Sheng Miaomiao said. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Jiang Niansheng asked, “You’re that confident?”

“Sister-in-law,” Sheng Miaomiao pouted. “I understand his concern. He’s afraid that he can’t give me happiness. He stays away from me because he feels he is not good enough for the Sheng family’s daughter. But I know he likes me.”

Jiang Niansheng didn’t get it. “Gu Yanzhou is the vice CEO of the Sheng Shi Group. How many socialites want him. How is he not good enough for the Sheng family?”

“It’s because he’s an orphan. He works hard and relies on himself to get to where he is today.”

“I see…”

Sheng Miaomiao asked, “Sister-in-law, you also think I can succeed right?”

“Yes, absolutely.” Jiang Niansheng nodded. “But… Miaomiao, that is not how you pursue a man.”

Her eyes lit up. “Sister-in-law, do you have an idea to give me?”

“Actually, I do!”

“Quick, sister-in-law, you have to teach me!”

Jiang Niansheng raised a finger. “First, you need to hook him. You can’t chase after him, that will only make him run away.”

“Hook him? How?” Sheng Miaomiao thought for a moment and then lowered her head with a blush. “I don’t think… I can seduce him or something like that….”

“I didn’t mean that!”

“Huh? Then what do you mean? And that’s only the first tip, what about the rest?”

Jiang Niansheng smiled mysteriously. “Miaomiao, my lessons are not for free.”

Sheng Miaomiao nodded. “Yes, of course. I’ll pay you any amount you want.”

“I don’t need money.” Jiang Niansheng said, “But I’ll think of something else.” Jiang Niansheng decided to draw Sheng Miaomiao to her side first. The daughter of the Sheng family was a powerful ally to have!

“Sister-in-law, you have to teach me something. I’ll pay you later!”

“Fine.” Jiang Niansheng then asked seriously, “But you’re sure that Gu Yanzhou likes you and has feelings for you?”

Sheng Miaomiao patted her chest. “I’m sure!”

Jiang Niansheng hooked her finger. “Come here.”

Sheng Miaomiao went over excitedly. The two whispered as they came up with a plan.

“Will this really work?”

“I guarantee it with my life!”