When he stepped through the door, Jiang Chen deliberately glanced at the time.

4:53

It took about an hour.

The sky hadn’t yet lightened.

He could still sleep some more.

Going upstairs, he arrived at the bedroom door, playing the role of a time management master, Jiang Chen deliberately slowed his movements, gently turned the door knob, and then slowly pushed the door open.

Although he went to do a good deed and mediate family disputes, he never liked to show off, intending to sneak into bed without anyone knowing. But when he pushed the door open, the glow from the bedside lamp caused his footsteps to halt slightly.

Li Shuru was awake, sitting at the bedside, watching the projection, and upon hearing the sound, turned her head and smiled gently.

The scene was warm, yet for some reason, it also carried an eerie undertone.

Caught off guard, Jiang Chen’s thoughts raced urgently but he maintained an outward calm, closing the door as if nothing happened.

"When did you wake up?"

"Around four-ish."

Li Shuru wasn’t one to talk much, but waking in the night to find the person beside her disappeared would make anyone curious and confused.

"Where did you go?"

Went out for a walk because I couldn’t sleep.

Sleepwalking.

Excuses quickly floated through Jiang Chen’s mind.

"Went to Pei Yunxi’s place."

Eventually.

He chose to tell the truth, not wanting to insult Li Shuru’s intelligence.

"So late?"

Li Shuru didn’t appear furious but naturally expressed strong confusion.

"Yeah, the sisters had a bit of an argument, so I went to mediate."

Advanced lies are always wrapped in the cloak of truth, Jiang Chen sat down at the bedside, looking at the projection.

House of Cards

The pinnacle of political intrigue and human power struggles.

Watching this late at night.

What leisure indeed.

"Those two, arguing?"

Li Shuru shouldn’t be unfamiliar with Pei Yunxi’s sisters, especially since Luo Li’er was also her junior.

"Upper and lower lips can fight, too. It’s quite normal for sisters to bicker."

Jiang Chen said with a casual smile.

"About what?"

Li Shuru’s attention was piqued.

Jiang Chen remained silent, playing the deep and profound.

"Inconvenient?"

"Yes, it’s indeed a bit inconvenient."

Li Shuru really has a good temperament.

Try an ordinary family.

Running off to another woman’s home in the middle of the night and not explaining honestly. Dare to dodge and conceal?

The roof would be blown off.

"Go on, I promise to keep it secret."

Women are indeed vastly different from each other.

Rather than retreating with a resigned "never mind if it’s inconvenient," Li Shuru’s response both eased the atmosphere and achieved the purpose of probing further, and her charming tone also considered the man’s feelings.

Not surprised she’s the kind to watch House of Cards late at night.

— Extremely clever.

If he continued to avoid, it would be clear he had something to hide. Jiang Chen could only laugh and say, "You said it, you mustn’t leak the secret."

"Is it really a secret?"

Seeing him so serious, Li Shuru couldn’t help but ask.

"Yes, if it gets exposed, it would definitely stir up a huge commotion, the internet might even crash."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuru’s curiosity was genuinely piqued, patting the spot beside her, "Come up and tell me."

What more could a husband ask for?

For ordinary men wanting to get back into bed, they would have to kneel on a washboard and explain thoroughly.

To be called a model for men, Jiang Chen took off his clothes, got into bed, sitting beside Li Shuru.

"What’s going on?"

No more mystery.

"Pei Yunxi is in a relationship."

He said simply.

Li Shuru was immediately stunned.

"What?"

If she’s reacting this way, imagine the public’s reaction upon hearing this news.

"Isn’t she the global ambassador for K.E? Her boyfriend is an executive at K.E Group."

Jiang Chen looked at House of Cards, his expression composed.

"Really?"

Li Shuru found it unbelievable.

Jiang Chen turned his head, smiling, "Is there a need for such surprise? She’s human too, dating isn’t abnormal."

It’s quite normal for celebrities to date. Many who claim to be single simply haven’t been exposed yet.

But.

That’s Pei Yunxi.

Li Shuru stared fixedly at the man beside her, "...When did this happen?"

"Last year."

"You knew long ago?"

"I’m her boss, after all. Naturally, she would discuss such things with me first."

"Why didn’t you ever mention it?"

"Mention what? That she’s dating? It’s her personal matter, broadcasting it everywhere isn’t appropriate."

Li Shuru had more to say, but judging by her sparkling eyes, this news brought her quite a shock too.

"Junior Luo is worried her sister might get married abroad in the future, so hearing that her sister dated a foreigner, she’s a bit averse to accepting it. She also blames her sister for always keeping it from her."

Jiang Chen continued.

It’s not really beneficial for Pei Yunxi.

When you think about it, it’s good for him too.

Just look at the entertainment circle.

Once a certain Li-named Hong Kong sister made the entire Gangcheng socialites uneasy; later, after she got married, Hong Kong socialites were overjoyed. That’s the point.

"So that’s why they invited you to help?"

Though not seamless, it undeniably counts as a logically coherent story.

"Yes, it was too late, so I didn’t wake you."

Saying this, someone even let out a half-real, half-faked yawn, "You tell me, am I not a suffocated boss, having to deal with such family affairs?"

"You’re not just a boss, you’re also a friend, a senior. Who else would they turn to?"

Jiang Chen chuckled, nodding, "True."

High.

Indeed, very high.

Step by step he lured Li Shuru into persuading herself.

"If this news gets out, it will surely be the biggest event of the year, the entertainment circle will explode."

"Who says otherwise. That’s why to avoid massive public backlash, CX Entertainment decided not to announce it."

Li Shuru nodded, "Yes, her impact is too great, not handling it well would affect CX Entertainment."

"Fans hope their idols are pure and flawless, and her image has always been that way. There’s no other way, we can only handle it discreetly, gradually fading her from the public view, and maybe after a year and a half, the public might accept it better."

"I understand the fans’ sentiments, I find it hard to accept myself."

Jiang Chen chuckled, "What can’t you accept?"

"Can’t women appreciate other women? I feel a woman like her should be like the moon, forever hanging high in the sky."

"That’s malicious. You’re cursing her to loneliness for life."

"Isn’t that what you think?"

"I’m not that narrow-minded."

"Hypocritical."

Li Shuru’s gaze seemed to penetrate the soul, "Men generally have two attitudes towards beautiful women, either they’re theirs, or they’re free."

Jiang Chen laughed silently and then defended men, arguing, "Bias, that’s pure bias."

Li Shuru fell quiet, suddenly lifting her hand to gently caress Jiang Chen’s chest.

"Don’t feel bad."

Jiang Chen’s heartbeat remained steady as he turned off the projection.

"Sleep."