Li Rui's eyes sparkled with excitement. "No problem, absolutely no problem! Please follow me, all three of you. Watch your step and don't trip."
Bo Jingyu walked behind the other two, his face stern and silent.
The woman's build, demeanor, and even her slight mannerisms...
She was so much like Shen Ximan!
At this thought, he suddenly froze.
Why did he care so much about that woman?
She was just a substitute bride, a puppet. Apart from knowing some medical skills to treat his illness, she was good for nothing.
All she did at home was cause trouble or be on the way to causing trouble. Now she had even dumped An Ruo, that burden, on him and left without a word. Such a heartless and cold - blooded woman, there was no reason to miss her. Bo Jingyu closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened them, adjusting his state of mind.
Shen Ximan, walking in front of him, was tense and uncomfortable. Her body temperature fluctuated, and her head felt dizzy. Her heavy breathing was clearly audible.
What was wrong with her?
It had only been a few days since she last saw Bo Jingyu. Why was she afraid of him? Why was she being so cautious?
She was wearing a mask and had changed her makeup. It was almost impossible for her to be recognized.
This nervous feeling persisted even after they were seated.
Buzz, buzz. Her phone vibrated. A message came from A Kun.
"Ms. Shen, I've reported the current situation to General Manager Xue. We'll stay for about another half - hour. The car is waiting at the hotel entrance. Later, you should find an excuse to leave first, and I'll follow right behind."
Shen Ximan let out a sigh and nodded at the message.
"Have you found the information I asked you to check?"
Bo Jingyu held a red - wine glass and tilted his head slightly as he asked the person behind him.
"Second Master, all we've found out is that he used to be a retired special - forces policeman. There's no other information," Qian Li reported in a low voice.
"What are you two whispering about? Hurry up and taste this steak. The quality and the cooking are quite good. It won't taste good if it gets cold," Su Minghan urged from the side.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. "Didn't you want the contact information of the representative from AHR? Go and ask for it now."
"What's the rush? This is only the third course. The French dinner won't end for another two hours or so."
Bo Jingyu reminded him meaningfully, "But I heard they're only staying for half an hour, and the time should be almost up by now."
"Really?" Su Minghan immediately put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth. "Why didn't you say so earlier? If they leave, we might not know when we'll see them again next time."
Just as he left his seat, the female assistant also got up.
Bo Jingyu seized the opportunity to stand up. "Keep an eye on Minghan and that man. Try to buy as much time as possible."
"Yes, Second Master," Qian Li obediently complied.
Shen Ximan was in the elevator, her mood gloomy and heavy.
She still didn't know what she was thinking. Why did she come to this fashion show? Was it just to see Bo Jingyu flirting with that Miss Li?
Or was it to see that he could live a normal life whether she was there or not? Thinking about it now, it was just awful.
Ding. The elevator doors opened.
As soon as Shen Ximan stepped out, she heard a magnetic voice from above, which almost made her scream.
"Where are you going?"
"… Mr. Bo."
Bo Jingyu stepped closer, looking down at her head.
"Answer me."
"I'm looking for the restroom."
She swallowed nervously, not daring to meet his eyes.
"The restroom is on the same floor. What are you doing on the first floor?" Bo Jingyu's tone was full of suspicion. "Or are you trying to run away?"
"I don't understand what you're talking about."
Shen Ximan avoided his sharp gaze, turned her head, and took a few steps back.
"You do understand, or you wouldn't be so resistant."
Looking at her reaction, Bo Jingyu was even more certain of his inner thoughts.
"The restroom on the first floor is easier to find."
She really wanted to escape, to find a hole to hide in.
Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist, a sneer on his lips.
"How long are you going to keep pretending?"
"Let go of me!" Shen Ximan struggled, but other than feeling more and more pain in her wrist, it was of no use.
Bo Jingyu ignored her simmering anger. He got closer, gradually bringing his face forward, and the other free hand tried to take off her mask.
Just as his index finger was about to hook the mask string by her ear, the hand holding her wrist suddenly felt a sharp pain, and he froze in mid - air.
Shen Ximan broke free. She crouched down and ran out of his grasp, then rushed outside without looking back. Fortunately, the driver of the car waiting at the hotel entrance was quick - witted. As soon as she got in the car, he stepped on the gas.
He chased after her but only saw a tiny black dot of the car in the distance.
"Shen Ximan, you're running away again!"
The tooth mark on his right arm was still deeply embedded in his flesh.
But that slight pain was nothing compared to the pain in his heart.
"I must be out of my mind to bring you to the exhibition!" Bo Siming complained in the elevator, wishing he could tear the person in front of him into pieces and feed them to the fish in the sea.
"I didn't know things would turn out like this. I thought we'd all be sitting in the front row. And that ruby on that lady's hand was really beautiful. I couldn't even ask a few questions about its origin?"
Shen Shiyu argued stubbornly, her expression not looking good either.
"So what if you found out? Could you afford it?"
"You look so uncultured. It's so embarrassing!"
Bo Siming glanced at the elevator floor indicator, put his hands on his hips, and sighed. "Go back quickly. Don't give me any more trouble."
The elevator doors opened, but Shen Shiyu hesitated to get out.
"Siming, I really know I was wrong. Please let me stay a little longer."
"Don't make me say it a second time!"
With that, he kept pressing the door - close button. Only after the elevator doors closed and her figure disappeared did he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"At least let me take a photo with that representative!" Shen Shiyu stamped her foot and mumbled. Something at her feet caught her attention.
It was a sheer handkerchief.
There was an embroidered AHR logo at the bottom.
"AHR? A Hai Rui? Why is this thing here?"
Just as she was muttering to herself in confusion, she saw a man walking slowly into the hotel from the entrance.
"Jingyu! Why are you here?"
Bo Jingyu looked up and saw her. His silent face instantly showed impatience. "Nothing. Just coming out for some fresh air."
"Me too! Oh, that banquet hall was so stuffy. Especially the perfume of the lady sitting next to me. It gave me a headache!"
He didn't even want to talk to her.
"Yeah."
"Hey, wait. Take a look at this for me."
Shen Shiyu handed over the handkerchief in her hand, pretending to be innocent.
"This handkerchief feels like it's made of special material. It must have been dropped by a noble guest at the elevator door when they left."
Bo Jingyu took it. When he saw the embroidered logo, he immediately remembered what had just happened. He paused for a moment and then clenched it in his palm.