Chapter 17: I Can Go in Your Place

Gu Shenshen stood up and glanced back at him.

The violence deep in his bones was impossible to conceal.

She couldn’t even be bothered to explain; she simply turned to leave.

“You need to be on call. I hope, before Feng Shiyao’s second trial, you can really win over those old men,” Zhou Ci reminded her unhurriedly from behind.

Gu Shenshen merely paused for a moment, then walked away without looking back.

Zhou Ci’s gaze fell on the contract lying on the coffee table; his entire being seemed enveloped in a layer of frost.

In her heart, Feng Shiyao held a place above all other men.

Whether it was two years ago or two years later, he still couldn’t understand why.

When she stepped out of the Zhou building, Shen Qiqi’s car was already waiting outside.

After Gu Shenshen got in, she suddenly felt drained of all strength.

“These documents weren’t hard to get. I’ve found everything for you. Take a look when you get home,” Shen Qiqi handed her a small USB drive.

Gu Shenshen’s voice was slow, tinged with exhaustion. “Thank you for the trouble.”

“I really don’t mind, and honestly, I enjoy being troubled by you,” Shen Qiqi replied warmly with a smile.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Qiqi started the car and said, “Zhou Yili has a copy of these files too.”

Gu Shenshen, her heavy eyelids lifting slowly, looked at her. “Don’t tell me you copied these from him.”

Shen Qiqi said nothing, but her expression made it clear.

Gu Shenshen frowned, unable to utter even half a word of reproach.

Zhou Yili always appeared refined and gentle, but in truth, he was a smiling tiger—the most dangerous kind. Shen Qiqi must have been out of her mind to dare do such a thing.

“If he finds out what you’ve done, what will happen?” Gu Shenshen asked, massaging her temples.

Shen Qiqi shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Qiqi, it’s just a file. I really don’t want you to…”

“He’s interested in my looks, but he also holds the fate of our company in his hands. The food industry has been cutthroat these years. With or without this, I would still be entangled with him,” Shen Qiqi interrupted Gu Shenshen’s self-reproach.

Even so, Gu Shenshen couldn’t help but worry about Shen Qiqi secretly getting involved with Zhou Yili. If things came to light one day, Zhou Yili would be fine, but Shen Qiqi would be utterly ruined.

Sensing what was on Gu Shenshen’s mind, Shen Qiqi gradually slowed the car.

“Jiangling and I will divorce sooner or later. Shenshen, you know what kind of marriage I have with him. I can’t spend my life with such a wretch.”

Gu Shenshen pressed her lips together, staying silent. Shen Qiqi had always appeared fragile, but in truth, she was resilient and had her own mind.

“So long as you’ve thought it through. I just hope we’ll both have good lives ahead.”

Shen Qiqi curved her lips into a gentle smile. “Of course.”

But Gu Shenshen couldn’t bring herself to smile. She could only hope; whether it could be realized was another matter.

With Zhou Ci alone, she felt as if she might die by his hands.

By the time Gu Shenshen returned home, it was already quite late—well past bedtime.

She entered quietly with her phone’s flashlight, but suddenly a lamp flicked on in the house.

Instinctively, she turned to look and saw Gu Yanran in pajamas. Without a word, she changed her shoes as if she hadn’t noticed her.

“Zhou’s appointment letter was sent to Mom’s email this afternoon. You must be proud, managing to beg Zhou Ci to show you mercy,” Gu Yanran’s tone was filled with all sorts of unspoken emotion.

Gu Shenshen approached her and spoke slowly, “What are you really trying to say?”

Gu Yanran replied, “If you find it difficult, I can go in your place.”