Chapter 294: You Just Hope She’s Gu Family’s Daughter-in-Law

Xia Yangyang said, with almost certain conviction, “Shen Shichuan, I haven’t been disgraced or defeated. Your actions, however, can no longer be concealed.”

Shen Shichuan’s face instantly paled. He stepped forward from the shadows. “What are you saying? Are you and Manbing staging a performance?”

Xia Yangyang nodded. “Yes, everything today was a carefully orchestrated plan.”

“I don’t believe you could manipulate the Film Festival.”

“I couldn’t. But your sister, Shen Manbing, could. She and the Global President, Cui Chenghao, are close. He readily complies with her requests, even if it means causing a scandal.”

Shen Shichuan’s face darkened. That guy Cui Chenghao, even after all these years, still meddles.

“How could Xiao Bing collude with you?”

“That’s the one thing you didn’t anticipate. You assumed she’d be too proud and arrogant, believing I’m her most hated enemy. But I never told her my initial suspicions about you. Even if I had, she wouldn’t have believed me; she needed to see the proof herself.”

Xia Yangyang suddenly turned. “Come out.”

Shen Shichuan’s heart pounded.

Shen Manbing and Gu Qichen emerged from behind the large screen. Shen Manbing, her expression complex, stood beside Shen Shichuan.

Shen Shichuan’s usually calm demeanor crumbled. “Didn’t you go back to the hotel?”

“I did, but I returned immediately. Yangyang said she had an exciting show for me.”

Shen Shichuan looked gravely at Gu Qichen. “You were involved.”

Gu Qichen’s voice was apathetic. “They directed it; I was merely an observer.”

Shen Manbing looked at him incredulously. “Brother, why are you doing this?”

“I couldn’t bear to see you despair over a man. You’re outwardly aggressive, but inwardly, you’re quiet and withdrawn. I wanted to help you reclaim what was yours.”

Shen Manbing was torn. She had previously hated Xia Yangyang intensely—for stealing her love, for becoming Mrs. Gu—believing Xia Yangyang had stolen her rightful place. She’d even resented her brother for treating Xia Yangyang differently, unaware of Shen Shichuan’s machinations. She felt deeply saddened.

Shen Shichuan then turned his attention to Gu Qichen. “Ah Chen, remember our promise? You said you’d take care of Manbing for me, but you broke your word. Those who break promises pay a price.”

Gu Qichen’s voice was icy but firm. “I’ve never hidden my feelings. I considered you my closest friend. But Shen Shichuan, you destroyed my marriage and orchestrated all this. Even if you succeed, even if Yangyang and I divorce and I marry Manbing, will we be happy? Some people enter your life for a reason. Yangyang came into my life; Manbing and I missed our chance. You’re too extreme.”

Shen Shichuan’s face was grim, a stark contrast to his usual composure. Gu Qichen continued, calmly, “Actually, you don’t care about our feelings. You want Manbing to marry me because you want her to be part of the Gu family.”

Postscript:

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