Lauren Shaw always seemed to lose to his gentle coaxing every single time.
“What Qin Jia said today made me really uncomfortable. I know she was trying to get under my skin on purpose, and I don’t want to let it get to me, but I just can’t help it.”
Her voice sounded a bit aggrieved, with a hint of childish petulance.
Yancy Shaw leaned down and whispered close to her ear, “Just ignore her. If you run into her again next time, just slap her. Show her the same energy you used when you slapped Mandy Snow last time.”
There was a teasing edge to his tone. Lauren Shaw gave his chest a light punch and pouted, “I’m not nearly as fierce as you make me out to be. You make it sound like I’m some sort of menace.”
“You’re not mad at me anymore?”
“I’m not mad at you, just feeling a bit upset.”
“So, are you feeling better now?” Yancy Shaw’s voice was laced with a smile.
“More or less.” How could Lauren Shaw resist when he soothed her like this?
Yancy Shaw straightened up and pulled a chair over to sit beside her. “Since you’re not upset anymore, I want to tell you something.”
Lauren Shaw looked puzzled. “What is it?”
“I ran into Mo Qinglin at the hospital today.”
Ran into Mo Qinglin?
“Actually, I saw him at the café earlier too.”
Yancy Shaw’s expression darkened immediately. Before Lauren Shaw could continue, he interrupted, “He told me he wants to thank you for something and would like to treat you to a meal.”
“Treat me to a meal?” Why did every member of the Mo family suddenly want to invite her out? Had she stirred up a hornet's nest over there?
“So I wanted to ask, what did you help Mo Qinglin with?” Yancy Shaw’s tone was low, and it wasn’t hard to hear the displeasure in his voice.
Lauren Shaw paused a moment. “Do you remember that hundred-day banquet I went to with Mom? Mo Qinglin was there too. He accidentally knocked over a big vase in his wheelchair, and since it was hard for him to move, I went over and put it right for him…”
Who would have thought that she’d bump into him again later, and even more things would happen after that.
She had never thought she would end up tangled up with him in any way.
Yancy Shaw didn’t reply, his expression brooding. Lauren Shaw’s voice gradually quieted, and she hesitantly asked, “You’re not… jealous, are you?”
Yancy Shaw shot her a look that said, 'You already know the answer.' At that, Lauren Shaw felt a little more at ease.
“I barely exchanged a few words with Mo Qinglin, honestly.” Her impression of him was nothing more than a passing acquaintance.
Yancy Shaw finally relaxed, pulling her into his arms by the waist. “I never realized just how well you can talk your way out of things.”
“I’m only stating the facts, not making things up.”
Yancy Shaw couldn’t help but laugh, pinching her cheek as he gently coaxed, “Alright, alright, you’re right. It’s getting late; let’s grab something to eat. No sense in being upset and hungry.”
As he said this, Lauren Shaw’s stomach gave a grumble in agreement. “Give me a minute to gather my things.”
“Sure, I’ll wait for you outside.”
“Okay.” Lauren Shaw nodded, and Yancy Shaw left the studio.
As Lauren Shaw tidied up her things and took a bit longer, Yancy Shaw took out his phone and called Bryce Shaw.
Bryce Shaw answered almost immediately.
There were still sounds of flipping through documents in the background. Before Yancy Shaw could say anything, Bryce Shaw joked, “Well, will wonders never cease! The sun must be rising in the west—my dear little brother is actually calling me?”
His words were full of mockery, but Yancy Shaw didn’t care—he had called with a purpose.
“Are you busy?”
“Busy. Told you to come help me, but you never would.”
Looking at the mountain of paperwork on his desk, Bryce Shaw felt a headache coming on. If only someone could share a bit of the load with him.
“How much do you know about the Mo family?” Yancy Shaw got straight to the point.
“Why are you asking about them? Did someone from the Mo family cross you?”
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out myself.”
“Alright, alright, just count this as owing me a favor!” What a pain of a brother!
Bryce Shaw really didn’t know how to handle him. As unlikable as Yancy Shaw could be at times, he was still his little brother, and when push came to shove, he’d still help him out.
“The Mo family’s main businesses are based in East China. Since the market there is already saturated, they’re looking to expand—and from what I’ve heard, their next target is Ancheng.”
“I also heard they were trying to form a marriage alliance with the Snow family. Don’t let his bad leg fool you; the man who was supposed to marry Eva Snow is actually the most promising member of the Mo family. I’ve dealt with him once; don’t underestimate his abilities.”
Yancy Shaw was silent for a while before replying blandly, “Got it.”
“Did someone from the Mo family stir up trouble for you?”
Yancy Shaw didn’t confirm nor deny, which amounted to an admission.
Lauren Shaw emerged from the studio, having packed up, and headed toward him.
“If anything happens with the Mo family, make sure you let me know,” Yancy Shaw instructed.
Bryce Shaw chuckled, “Why not just come back to the company? Wouldn’t it be easier to keep tabs on them that way, instead of grilling me?”
“Enough, I’m hanging up.”
Bryce Shaw didn’t even have time to answer before the call ended. He looked helplessly at Chris Cooper. “If you had a brother like that, what would you do?”
Chris Cooper pushed his glasses up his nose. “Uh…do I have to answer that?”
—
Lauren Shaw walked up to Yancy Shaw. Seeing him finish his call, she asked, “Who were you calling?”
“Second Brother.”
“Oh, did he need something urgent?”
“No, come on, let’s go get some good food.” Yancy Shaw took her hand and led her toward the parking lot.
He knew she loved hotpot, so he’d specially picked this place. They always say the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach—make sure she’s well-fed and happy, and everything else falls into place.
What he didn’t expect was to run into Eva Snow at the hotpot restaurant.
From the moment they walked in, Lauren Shaw could feel a pair of resentful eyes fixed on her. It made her uncomfortable.
Once she and Yancy Shaw sat down, she realized Eva Snow was at a nearby table.
Eva Snow and Shen Sylvia Shaw were both here—if ever there was a saying for this, it would be “enemies are bound to cross paths.” Fate clearly had this meeting arranged.
Yancy Shaw noticed them too and shot a warning glare in their direction—his meaning couldn’t have been more obvious.
Lauren Shaw, however, didn’t let their presence ruin her appetite. Good food was not to be wasted—who cared about those two?
Yancy Shaw thoughtfully put some freshly cooked beef in her bowl, his gaze doting as he gently reminded her, “Careful, it’s hot.”
Lauren Shaw kept her head down, focused on eating, while Yancy Shaw took care of the hotpot. The way he looked at her was soft and full of affection.
Eva Snow, watching Yancy Shaw fuss over Lauren Shaw, felt her heart twist, like it was being pricked by needles.