While her husband was busy washing the dirty dishes, Lu Xinyi sat beside the counter, eating the saving grace for tonight's dinner, her favorite cheesecake. Although the chocolate ganache that Shen Yi made earlier was passable, she decided to use it tomorrow for another dessert she was thinking to make.
"Oh, Mr. Cheesecake. I told you we are meant to be. Now, I could have you all for myself," she said to herself as she dug in her cheesecake.
It was entertaining, to say at least, to see her husband doing a menial task such as washing the utensils and scrubbing the pan he'd used earlier. She was quite sure that people wouldn't believe her if she said that the almighty President Shen had been forced to do some household chores by his wife. It was all his fault anyway—might as well make up for his failed attempt.
"I didn't know you're close to Yuan Jin now," she teased. Shen Yi shivered but tried not to show it to his wife.
"It was just a coincidence that we've met while shopping," he insisted.
"You went shopping?"
Oh, wow. Not only Shen Yi tried to cook, but he also did shop for tonight's dinner?
"I did. So what did you do with him while waiting?"
Lu Xinyi's expression hardened. It was like Shen Yi had accidentally poked something he shouldn't have.
"I met Xia Yuhan after the results were released."
Shen Yi turned to her and wiped his wet hands with a clean piece of cloth. He had no idea Lu Xinyi had associated herself to that clingy woman.
"Seems like you're getting close to her."
"Not really. She just keeps on popping out of nowhere, asking for favors. Say, how long have you known her? I remember she was your date when we first met." Lu Xinyi brought down her fork at her plate at tapped her fingers at the counter, looking preoccupied.
Shen Yi stilled his movements, staring at her. She couldn't be jealous of Xia Yuhan. What could she be thinking right now?
"The Xia family had been an ally when it comes to our businesses. They were having problems with their company and been seeking our assistance." He stopped, trying to figure out what was running through his wife's mind, "But I've never known Xia Yuhan personally. I also just met her at the cruise where we've met."
Lu Xinyi furrowed her brows.
"Then that was the reason why she was trying to hook up with you?"
Shen Yi shrugged, not understanding what was the real issue with Xia Yuhan, but at least, he already ruled out that she wouldn't get jealous of that woman. Lu Xinyi inclined her head and hummed, her cheesecake forgotten in front of her.
"She said she wanted me to help her with her clothing line as a sponsor. Xia Yuhan claimed that Starlight Collections had managed to steal her upcoming designs for this coming season, and she wanted to get even with them. Guess who's the new owner of Starlight Collections?" Lu Xinyi muttered, her tone almost dead and gravelly.
"Who?"
Shen Yi had no idea about boutiques and clothing lines, but he had heard of both Flair Apparel and Starlight Collections though. Most of his suits were custom-made and was purchased by his personal assistant, Qiao He. Qiao He was the one responsible for most of his daily engagements and had been the one to check everything he needed for an occasion and meetings.
"My dear cousin, Sun Feiyan." Lu Xinyi muttered under her breath. She still couldn't understand why Sun Feiyan was trying to irritate her when she had denounced her involvement with the Sun family. Sun Feiyan should rejoice for she wasn't interested to contest her right and was only interested in retrieving her mother's brooch.
"Xia Yuhan told me that Sun Feiyan had recently joined the board of panelist of Silver Leaf. I'm sure she's up for no good," she added.
"Are you worried?" Shen Yi asked, noticing the confusion in her eyes, "Does it really matter if she likes you or not? Do you really think I'll let my wife suffer and get bullied in Silver Leaf?"
Lu Xinyi gave a dismissive wave of her hand and laughed. He was right. Sun Feiyan could try, but she wouldn't let her win without a fight. With Shen Yi backing her up, she had nothing to worry about as long as he believed in her.
"So what's the problem then?"
"Should I accept Xia Yuhan's proposal or not?"
Shen Yi had been her sponsor for this after all. He was the one to decide to whom should she associate herself with. After all, this was a competition not only for herself but also for the Shen family's pride.