Upon landing in East China, she headed straight for the hotel.
After checking in with Claire Xu, they were about to go upstairs when someone called out from behind.
“Lauren Shaw?”
Lauren Shaw turned to see who it was—it was Shuyun Moore. A smile blossomed on her face. “Shuyun-jie.”
Shuyun Moore was her uncle’s girlfriend, and it was a surprise to run into her here.
Shuyun greeted her with a gentle smile. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you tell your little uncle you were coming to East China?”
“I just got off the plane. I haven’t had time to tell him yet.” Lauren Shaw had planned to catch the fashion show first, then meet Owen Shaw for dinner, but she hadn’t expected to see Shuyun Moore now.
She craned her neck, looking around. “Did my little uncle not come?”
Shuyun Moore chuckled softly. “No, he’s at the company. I came alone—just had some errands to run.”
Lauren Shaw nodded in understanding. “Then go ahead, Shuyun-jie. Tomorrow, I’ll invite you and my uncle to dinner together.”
Shuyun Moore agreed.
Lauren Shaw and Claire Xu went upstairs together. Meanwhile, Shuyun Moore turned to the entrance, as if waiting for someone.
“Jie, I’m over here.”
Hearing the voice, Shuyun turned and saw Mo Qinglin sitting in a wheelchair. She shot him a not-so-amused look. “Where have you been lately? Never home at all.”
Though her tone carried a hint of complaint, she still went over and began pushing him toward the elevator.
Mo Qinglin resembled Shuyun Moore a bit, but his brows were clouded with worry, giving him an air of somber introspection.
Yet before Shuyun, his guard seemed to drop. His eyes were clear and guileless—perhaps this was his truest self.
He gave a light smile. “I went to Ancheng for a while.”
Ancheng? Shuyun’s face darkened. “I heard Second Uncle was in Ancheng too…”
“Yeah, I went with him.”
Her expression changed drastically. “He’s no good, and didn’t I tell you before to keep your distance? Why won’t you ever listen to me?” It was obvious she had deep misgivings about Mo Fan.
Mo Qinglin remained unbothered. “It’s fine, your brother isn’t so easily fooled.”
“Sure, you’re clever. But you always have to be careful—can't let your guard down around people. I'm just afraid someone will use you.”
“I know. I’ll watch out,” Mo Qinglin replied with a faint, bitter smile.
Shuyun could see right through him. Too much weighed on her brother’s heart: a single accident had stolen both his love and his legs. It had changed him completely.
—
As soon as Lauren Shaw entered her room, a video call from Yancy Shaw popped up.
“You at the hotel?”
“Mm, just got here.”
The fashion show would start at 3 PM. It was just after 1 now, giving her some time to rest.
On her phone screen, Yancy Shaw looked particularly handsome—his sharp jawline, straight nose, and gentle eyes—all of it making her heart race.
There was no denying it: this man knew how to make women swoon.
Suddenly, someone knocked at his office door. Yancy Shaw frowned; this was his break time, and now he was being interrupted during his call with Lauren Shaw.
Before he could say anything, a woman’s voice came through. Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but twitch her eyelid.
“Dr. Shen, may I come in?”
“Please, come in,” he replied.
The door opened. A woman entered, clearly nervous, her whole demeanor stiff. “Can I talk to you about something?”
Yancy Shaw recognized her. She was a patient’s family member.
He looked up, his voice distant. “Go ahead.”
The woman steeled herself. “It’s all thanks to you that my mother is out of danger. Do you have any free time tonight? I’d like to buy you dinner. Please, don’t misunderstand—I just want to thank you.”
“That’s not necessary. It’s my job as a doctor,” Yancy Shaw replied coolly. The tone reminded Lauren Shaw of their first encounter at the hospital.
Back then too, a patient’s family had wanted to treat Yancy Shaw to dinner, and he’d refused.
The woman, crestfallen, left the room.
At the time, Lauren Shaw had wondered what kind of man could leave people so disappointed. Later, she found out—it was Yancy Shaw.
The woman seemed about to say something else, but Yancy Shaw looked at her icily. “If there’s nothing else, please leave. I’m in the middle of a video call with my wife.”
He was always so distant—so close, yet so far.
The woman hadn’t expected such a blunt rejection. Lauren Shaw waited until she’d left before flashing Yancy Shaw a teasing look.
“Someone tried to treat you to dinner. Didn’t your heart waver even a little?”
Yancy Shaw raised an eyebrow. “Would you really want me dining with another woman?”
“Of course not.” She was only teasing him. If he really went out with someone else, she’d probably skin him alive.
Hearing her reply, Yancy Shaw chuckled. “I’m stubborn. Once I choose someone, it’s for life.”
Lauren Shaw beamed. They chatted a bit longer before sleepiness overcame her. Yancy Shaw urged her to get some rest and hung up.
Another knock at his office door. Henry Mills entered, smile bright.
“I heard Lauren Shaw’s in East China too. How about drinks tonight?”
“Not interested in drinking these days.”
Tsk, look at this guy, Henry Mills thought. He fought the urge to roll his eyes.
He pulled out a chair, sat, and sighed.
Yancy Shaw glanced up. “What’s with the sigh?”
“Don’t you feel like something’s missing lately?” Henry Mills rested his head on one hand, looking a little down.
“Missing what?”
“Back when Zeyang was around, the three of us could always grab a drink and chat—it was great. But now that he’s gone…” Suddenly realizing he’d gone too far, Henry Mills tried to change the subject. “Ah, there I go, running my mouth again. You’re not offended, are you?”
He gave Yancy Shaw a nervous look. He’d forgotten all about the business between him and the Snow family.
Yancy Shaw stayed silent, turning to gaze out the window, lost in thought.
Henry Mills, usually so straightforward, now felt awkward, knowing he’d struck a nerve.
“Yancheng, I didn’t mean anything…don’t take it the wrong way.”
“I know. No need to explain.” Yancy Shaw’s face gave nothing away. “Between Zeyang and me, we’re never going to be brothers in this life.”
In another time, they could have been the best of friends. But now, too much stood between them—wounds that could never heal.
Henry Mills knew any words of comfort would just sound hollow. He patted Yancy Shaw on the shoulder, then quietly left the office.