Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 63 He Doesn't Want You Anymore

After a moment of silence, Shen Guining said, "That's why I still miss the days when I was in school, when I had no worries other than my studies and didn't have to think about anything else."

Growing up brings all sorts of troubles.

"Yes, I was so silly when I was little, actually wanting to grow up quickly." Zhu Sixuan smiled helplessly, then asked, "Now that your arranged marriage is settled, will you still go back to Hong Kong Island?"

Shen Guining gently shook her head. "I don't know either."

She didn't want to face the Shen family, but after living in Hong Kong Island for twenty-one years, she couldn't bear to leave completely.

"It's okay, take your time to think it over. There's still half a year until graduation." Zhu Sixuan changed the subject. "But I'm quite curious, you broke up with him without sleeping with a man like Qu Yanci. Aren't you a little regretful?"

The unexpected question about a private matter caught Shen Guining off guard, and her ears began to burn slightly.

She silently put down her phone, lay down in bed, and said, "Don't ask anymore, go to sleep."

Zhu Sixuan laughed out loud, "I'm just curious, after all, men like that are practically extinct in the market."

Shen Guining retorted, "Then what's your relationship with your boss? He treats you like a beast of burden, and you still want to sleep with him?"

Zhu Sixuan said righteously, "It's precisely because he treated me like a beast of burden that I wanted to get my revenge. I wanted to treat him like a beast of burden in bed!"

Shen Guining pursed her lips and said, "With this kind of determination, you will succeed at anything."

"Of course." Zhu Sixuan raised her chin slightly. "Although he's a terrible person at work, he has a really good face and figure, and he looks quite presentable."

"..."

We chatted about this and that until after 3 a.m. before finally falling asleep.

Shen Guining has a performance on the evening of the 1st and has to go back to the troupe for rehearsal in the afternoon, so she can't take Zhu Sixuan to the airport.

The two best friends spent a brief night together before returning to their own lives.
-
Shen Guining gradually adapted. Her life as a single person was simple: she ate well, practiced dancing diligently, and took Ruby out for walks in her spare time.

But someone just had to break this peace.

On the evening of the 3rd, after the performance ended, she waited for her car at the theater entrance.

A black Land Rover drove up and stopped in front of her.

The car window rolled down, and the face she loathed came into view.

Zhou Shilin, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked at her with amusement. "Miss Shen, where are you going? Want a ride?"

Shen Guining took a step back, becoming wary.

"I heard you moved out of Mr. Qu's house." Zhou Shilin sneered. "What, he doesn't want you anymore?"

Shen Guining felt a chill run down her spine. "What does this have to do with you?"

Was her every move being monitored?

Zhou Shilin flicked the ash from his cigarette out the window. "Without Qu Yanci backing you up, how dare you talk to me like that? If I wanted to, there wouldn't be a place for you at the Beijing Grand Theatre."

I thought she was so amazing, but she was dumped after only a few months.

Shen Guining's fingertips trembled as she heard his chilling laughter echo in the air.

"You're already married, why are you still clinging to me?"

Zhou Shilin's eyes darkened. "Why? Miss Shen, you seem to have a bad memory. I haven't settled accounts with you for that kick you gave me."

Shen Guining relented, "I can apologize to you..."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking, "Too late."

Zhou Shilin asked casually, "How does it feel to be attacked online?"

Shen Guining was stunned, her pupils shrinking slightly. "You did it."

Zhou Shilin raised an eyebrow, neither denying it.

He was the one who stirred things up behind the scenes, doing it without leaving a trace.

Someone else is taking the blame, so the investigation can't trace it back to him. Shen Guining clenched her fists tightly. "What exactly do you want?"

Zhou Shilin laughed lewdly, making no attempt to hide the lust in his eyes, "Sleep with me for one night, and I can let bygones be bygones."

"You're dreaming." Shen Guining forced back her nausea. "Aren't you afraid the Qiao family will find out?"

Zhou Shilin narrowed his eyes and sneered disdainfully, "Since I dare to do it, I have nothing to be afraid of."

They're a couple in name only, each doing their own thing. As long as nothing gets out, they live in peace.

"I advise you not to refuse a toast only to suffer the consequences." His patience was running out.

Shen Guining remained calm. "If you dare to touch me, I will tell Mr. Qu that I used to be his woman. Even if he doesn't want me anymore, he won't allow anyone else to touch me. You're welcome to try."

"Alright, then you wait here." Zhou Shilin tossed away his cigarette butt, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Drive."

In a moment, the car drove away.

Shen Guining stood frozen in place, her face stinging from the cold wind, her skin feeling as if it had been slashed open countless times.
-
Since Zhou Chongli stepped down as the head of the Zhou family, major Hong Kong media outlets have been closely monitoring the Zhou family, rushing to report on any slight movement, and constantly trending on social media.

Hong Kong media are adept at using exaggerated headlines to grab attention.

#The struggle for the next leader of the Zhou family is fierce, with open and covert battles between brothers#
#Who will take over the position of head of the Zhou family?#
#Can Young Master Zhou be competent to take on the position of his elder brother?#
#Zhou Shilin and his newlywed wife attend a romantic dinner event, demonstrating a strong in-law relationship#
#Zhou Shilin turns over a new leaf, settles down for love#
Shen Guining felt only irony upon seeing the trending topic.

The night before attending the event, Zhou Shilin made such filthy demands of her. How could he possibly change his ways? Old habits die hard; he is shameless and despicable to the core.

Shen Guining had a bad feeling these past few days, but it seemed like nothing was happening.

During rehearsal, a colleague came in to deliver a message: "Gui Ning, someone outside is looking for you."

Shen Guining almost had a stress reaction upon hearing this, instinctively feeling that it was bad news. "Who's looking for me?"

“A little girl, who said she was your student, was in the hallway.”

"Okay." She breathed a sigh of relief, got up and walked out.

At the door, Xia Xi obediently leaned against the wall and waited.

Shen Guining walked over. "Xixi, what brings you here?"

"Since you didn't have time, I came over." Xia Xi's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Sister, are you still busy? Am I bothering you?"

"I'm taking a break now," Shen Guining said with a smile. "Shall I show you around?"

Xia Xi nodded quickly, "Okay."

The entire floor is the dance troupe's backstage area, containing training rooms, dressing rooms, changing rooms, rest rooms... nothing particularly special.

After walking around, Shen Guining took her to the tea room to have something to drink.

I randomly found a seat by the window and sat down.

Xia Xi held the cup and bit the straw to drink the juice.

Shen Guining looked at her and brought up the matter from last time again, "Xixi, I'm sorry I've been really busy lately and have delayed your dance lessons. Why don't you hire another dance teacher?"

Xia Xi disagreed, "I don't want to."

She had finally adapted, and she didn't want to change teachers.

The little girl was adamant, so Shen Guining didn't know what to say.

"Don't worry, Sister Ning, I've been practicing my dance at home."

The phone rang suddenly, coming from my pocket.

Xia Xi put down her cup, took out her phone, glanced at it, and muttered, "Why did my uncle call me?"

As she answered the call, she casually pressed the speakerphone button.

Several days later, Shen Guining heard that deep, familiar voice again.

"where?"