Chapter 13

Chen Yu placed a pile of perfectly roasted Argentine red shrimp on the table and sat across from Xia Yangyang. He peeled a shrimp, asking, “What’s your plan now?”

Xia Yangyang admitted, “I have no idea. Gu Qichen shredded the divorce agreement.”

Chen Yu offered, “If you need a lawyer, I can help.”

Xia Yangyang didn’t want to escalate the situation to court. It would expose their relationship, and she knew Gu Qichen wouldn’t let it get that far. He likely wanted to keep their past marriage secret more than she did.

“Let’s wait,” she said. “I believe he’ll end things. Bigamy is illegal.”

Chen Yu nodded, offering her a peeled shrimp. Xia Yangyang frowned. “Chen Yu, don’t.”

“Gu Qichen is watching,” Chen Yu whispered.

Xia Yangyang immediately took the shrimp and ate it. Chen Yu, smiling, put on a disposable glove, affectionately pinched her cheek, and murmured, “Little heiress, you’re adorable when you eat.”

Gu Qichen watched, his face impassive, but his fingers tightened.

After some playful flirting, Xia Yangyang felt childish. Would Gu Qichen even care? He might think she was acting. When Chen Yu offered another shrimp, she stood, saying, “Chen Yu, I’m full. I’m going back.”

She left the increasingly boisterous party and returned to her quiet dormitory. The building, rented by the film crew, was dark and silent; most of the actors were at the gathering.

As she approached, she saw a black silhouette under a streetlamp. It was Gu Qichen. She realized he'd likely seen Shen Manbing and finally understood the situation. He might be here to discuss the divorce.

Approaching him, she initiated the conversation. Before she could speak, Gu Qichen’s low, heavy voice cut through the silence, laced with cold sarcasm.

“Did the shrimp taste good?” he asked.

Xia Yangyang forced a smile. “Delicious. Airlifted, fresh red shrimp, costing hundreds of dollars each. I should thank Mr. Gu for his generous hospitality.”

“It wasn’t the shrimp you enjoyed,” Gu Qichen countered, “but Mr. Chen peeling them for you. You two were quite affectionate.”

Xia Yangyang retorted, “Compared to you and Miss Shen, we were nothing.”

Their eyes locked. Gu Qichen’s gaze was icy, with underlying anger. After a long stare, he asked, “If it was so delicious, why leave so early?”

Xia Yangyang replied, “And you, Mr. Gu? Why are you at the entrance to the women’s dormitory? Waiting for me?”