Chapter 17: A Woman’s Intuition

The next time Shen Zhi saw Guan Yueyue was a month later, at an upscale shopping mall where he was accompanying Ming Ziluo to buy clothes.

Coincidentally, Guan Yueyue was there shopping in the same store.

"Yueyue," Ming Ziluo called out to her.

"Miss Ming," Guan Yueyue smiled politely in return, then shifted her gaze to Shen Zhi standing behind Ming Ziluo. Shen Zhi was looking at her as well, but his eyes were no longer as fervent as before; there was even a trace of coldness.

Guan Yueyue withdrew her eyes as if the madness of that night had been nothing but an illusion, a figment of her imagination. Facing this distant Shen Zhi, an inexplicable bitterness welled up inside her.

Yet she quickly composed herself. Just as she was about to speak, Ming Ziluo said, "Calling me Miss Ming sounds too formal. From now on, just call me Sister Luo. By the way, didn’t Ziyu come shopping with you?"

Guan Yueyue hesitated, unsure how to reply. She hadn’t been in contact with Xu Ziyu for a long time. "He’s busy, no time."

"In this regard, my Ah Zhi is still better," Ming Ziluo remarked, as if recalling something. "Oh, by the way, I’m opening a branch office in Haicheng next month. When the new company launches, I’ll host a cocktail party. You and Ziyu must come and support us."

Guan Yueyue obediently replied, "Okay, Sister Luo."

Her docile demeanor made Ming Ziluo take a strong liking to her. "Then take your time shopping."

"Mm."

Before leaving, Ming Ziluo couldn’t help but touch her cheek, saying, "Yueyue, you’re so well-behaved."

---

After they left, Guan Yueyue couldn’t help but glance at Shen Zhi’s retreating figure.

Just as she looked away, Shen Zhi turned his head and glanced back in her direction.

"Ah Zhi, what are you looking at?" Ming Ziluo asked with a smile.

Shen Zhi withdrew his gaze. "Just looking around."

Ming Ziluo teased, "Ah Zhi, look at Guan Yueyue—delicate, gentle, innocent-looking. Do you really think her heart is as pure as she appears?"

"When did you learn to gossip behind people’s backs?" Shen Zhi retorted.

"Aren’t you curious?" Ming Ziluo looked at his profile. "As a woman, my intuition tells me she’s not as simple inside as she seems."

Shen Zhi seemed somewhat displeased. "She’s only twenty-three. What bad intentions could she possibly have? Don’t overcomplicate everyone."

Ming Ziluo sighed. "Forget it. Men will never understand us women. But she is only twenty-three after all, not that deep yet—age says it all. Looks like I’m overthinking this."

Shen Zhi and Ming Ziluo took the elevator to the second floor.

At the elevator entrance, Shen Zhi only glanced briefly before spotting Guan Yueyue on the first floor.

She was leaning against the wall with one hand, looking quite unwell.

---

Without a moment’s hesitation, Shen Zhi took the other elevator down.

Ming Ziluo turned around but saw no sign of him. "Ah Zhi? Where are you, Ah Zhi?"

By the time Shen Zhi reached the first floor, Guan Yueyue had already left.

He scanned the surroundings but found no trace of her. Just as he was pulling out his phone to call, Ming Ziluo caught up. "Ah Zhi, why did you come downstairs?"

"Let’s go back," Shen Zhi said, leading the way.

Ming Ziluo was bewildered. "Wait for me, Ah Zhi. What’s going on?"

Guan Yueyue returned to her car feeling queasy and nauseous.

Had she eaten something bad?

No matter, she decided to go to the hospital to get checked out.

When Shen Zhi arrived at the underground parking garage, he saw Guan Yueyue’s car driving away.

"Ziluo, take a taxi home yourself. I have some things to handle," Shen Zhi said, then quickly headed toward his own car.