Volume One, Chapter 16: Her Heart Was Deeply Moved

Even seeing that it was Meng Yanli, Su Wan was still quite startled! What did this man want to do?

He frowned in disdain, “What’s with that terrified look? Worried I’ll kill you to keep you quiet?”

Su Wan took a deep breath. That joke wasn’t funny at all! Anyone would be scared if he appeared out of nowhere like this.

Once she calmed down, she noticed the man was placing a necklace around her neck. It was a platinum necklace set with a heart-shaped emerald, the gemstone was at least ten carats—definitely expensive.

She panicked a bit, trying to stop him. “The necklace is too valuable, I can’t accept it.”

Meng Yanli curled his lips, “You’re overthinking it, I’m just lending it to you for now.”

“That’s not okay either, I’m afraid I’ll lose it.”

“It’s fine if you lose it, I won’t make you pay for it.”

Meng Yanli lightly furrowed his brows. He couldn’t tell if she was truly refusing or playing hard to get. Usually, no girl disliked jewelry.

He studied the girl in the mirror. His eyes were full of admiration! He had to admit, this assistant of his was truly beautiful.

She was like a raw jade, needing only a little polishing to shine brilliantly.

Her beauty was captivating, impossible to look away. Unlike Su Mei’s glamorous allure, she was gentle and elegant, making people want to take a second look.

He glanced at her tied ponytail and slowly said, “Your hair needs to be redone.”

Su Wan responded with a soft “oh” and began to untie it, intending to style it into a bun.

Perhaps because he was watching, her hands trembled nervously, failing several times to finish the bun.

The man tugged at his lips slightly, somewhat displeased. “Let me do it.”

Without waiting for her answer, he started working.

His fingertips brushed softly along her neck, inducing a ticklish, tingling sensation.

It was strange.

She even got goosebumps.

“I’ll do it myself,” she hurriedly said.

Meng Yanli ignored her and continued carefully.

She didn’t dare say more and blushed while watching his every move in the mirror.

The man lowered his head, utterly focused.

It was as if he was performing something of great importance.

His profile was sculpted and handsome, like a finely crafted statue.

His serious expression stirred a warm feeling in Su Wan’s heart.

Previously attracted by his looks, now a strange new emotion blossomed inside her.

A fleeting thought crossed her mind: living with this man might be quite happy.

But it was only a moment before she felt ashamed.

Su Wan, what are you thinking? He’s already engaged to Su Mei, how could you entertain such reckless ideas?

It was utterly inappropriate!

While scolding herself, she heard him whisper softly, “Done.”

Snapping back to reality, Su Wan looked at herself in the mirror.

She was stunned.

She hadn’t expected a grown man to be so meticulous, and he did quite well.

He had even thoughtfully left two strands of hair by her ears, making her look more natural and feminine.

“Thank you, President Meng,” she said softly.

Apart from her best friend, it was the first time a man had treated her with such gentle care. Her heart was deeply touched.

She resolved to work hard and repay his kindness.

The charity gala was held at a five-star hotel.

All the attendees were influential figures from various fields.

Su Wan wondered why President Meng had brought her here. She was just a small assistant.

Meng Yanli seemed to read her thoughts and leaned close to whisper in her ear, “I brought you here to broaden your horizons. Don’t always look so nervous. Don’t worry, since you’re with me, no one dares to look down on you.”

Su Wan’s cheeks flushed.

Did President Meng find her embarrassing?

So she straightened her back and tried to appear more confident and poised.

A subtle smile tugged at the corner of Meng Yanli’s lips.

He grew fonder of this innocent and adorable girl the more he looked at her.

Someone patted his shoulder teasingly, “Hey, you said you’d bring me along. How come you forgot your old flame after finding a new one?”

It was Shen Zhou, his good friend.

Meng Yanli rolled his eyes, “Watch your mouth.”

As they spoke, a group approached eagerly to greet him.

He responded to each one.

Seizing the moment, Shen Zhou walked over to Su Wan, grinning, “Hey, long time no see.”

Su Wan respectfully greeted, “President Shen.”

Shen Zhou sized her up and praised, “Yanli’s taste is really good, she’s quite a beauty!”

Su Wan immediately blushed.

She felt there was more behind Shen’s words—something odd.

She considered explaining but decided against it, fearing it would only make things worse.

Maybe Shen was just speaking casually, without any hidden meaning.

Perhaps her own mindset had shifted, causing her to overthink.

Seeing her discomfort, Shen patted his head apologetically, “Don’t misunderstand, I mean no harm. I just think you’re a perfect fit as Yanli’s assistant.”

He realized the girl was too innocent and worried his previous remark might have startled her.

Otherwise, Meng Yanli would surely come after him.

Su Wan smiled, “I know President Shen likes to joke. I won’t take it the wrong way.”

Meanwhile,

Meng Yanli was busy chatting with several groups but kept glancing over.

The girl was happily chatting with his brother, looking relaxed.

She even smiled occasionally, her eyes curving beautifully with her smile.

He frowned.

She had never been this relaxed with him, much less smiled.

When he looked again, his expression darkened instantly.

Ye Fan, the son of President Ye, appeared, standing where Shen Zhou had been, chatting with Su Wan.

Ye Fan stared intently at the girl, his face full of admiration.

Seeing this, Meng Yanli gripped his glass tighter.

His displeasure deepened.

“Sorry, I have something to attend to,” he excused himself from the flattering crowd.

Before he could approach, Shen Zhou suddenly appeared and blocked his path.

Raising an eyebrow, he teased, “You say you don’t like her, yet you get this worked up seeing her talk to another man. Who are you fooling?”

Meng Yanli steadied his emotions, asking coolly, “What did you talk about with her just now?”

“Oh, even I’m cautious around her. Dude, I think you’re really falling for her!” Shen Zhou laughed, delighted his suspicion was confirmed.

“I don’t have time for you!” Meng Yanli said, trying to walk away.

“Hey, did you hear about what I…” Shen Zhou hurriedly grabbed him.

With the air of an experienced man, he consoled him, “She was just catching up with an old classmate, no need to be so tense…”

“Besides, if you’re this controlling, you’ll scare her off. Don’t worry, Su Wan is smart; she’ll know her limits…”

Meng Yanli was annoyed, scoffing, “Stop spouting nonsense. I’ve said it a hundred times, Su Wan is just my assistant. She’s inexperienced, I’m just worried she’ll get taken advantage of.”

He had secretly investigated—Ye Fan was a playboy, constantly changing girlfriends.

Could a man like that truly care for Su Wan?

Shen Zhou chuckled, “Alright, alright, be stubborn if you want.”

He changed the subject, “Honestly, if you don’t like Su Mei, you should cancel the engagement sooner or later it’ll get messier…”

Meng Yanli shot him a glare, irritated, “When did I say I don’t like her? Stop meddling.”

He glanced again, stunned.

Su Wan was no longer where she had been.

Along with her, her university classmate Ye Fan had also disappeared.

His face darkened instantly.

He hurriedly squeezed through the crowd.

He checked several side rooms but found no sign of them.

Now, his heart burned with anxiety.