Chapter 323: Anyone Who Wants to Bully Shen Nian Is His Enemy

Lu Cheng recognized Meng Sijia, the woman sitting across from Shen Nian. He was also aware that Meng Sijia had feelings for him.

He had already explicitly rejected Meng Sijia before, but her sudden appearance in front of Shen Nian now put Lu Cheng on guard.

To him, nothing in the world was more important than his Shen Nian. No one was allowed to bully his wife.

"You’re back so early!"

Shen Nian was thrilled to see Lu Cheng. Even though he’d left a note, company matters were unpredictable. If something had suddenly pulled him away again, she wouldn’t have even been able to complain.

So, Shen Nian was naturally delighted to see that he had returned early.

"Yeah, I finished my report, asked for some time off, and came straight back."

Lu Cheng spoke gently to Shen Nian before turning to face Meng Sijia.

"What are you doing here?"

The difference in his tone and his gaze was like night and day. He was the epitome of gentleness with Shen Nian, but the moment he looked at Meng Sijia, his expression seemed to freeze over.

It wasn’t just the onlookers who felt the chill; a coldness pierced right through Meng Sijia’s heart as she faced him directly.

Back when Lu Cheng treated everyone with the same cold demeanor, it hadn’t seemed like a big deal.

But now... well, the comparison was brutal. With Shen Nian as the benchmark, every other woman in Lu Cheng’s presence was basically just cannon fodder.

"I..."

’Meng Sijia’s heart ached. She liked Lu Cheng so much, so why did he have to treat her this way? That Shen Nian... what right did she have? What gave her the right to receive such gentle treatment from Lu Cheng!’

’If Shen Nian had never shown up, if there was no comparison, Lu Cheng would still be the same old Lu Cheng. But now, Meng Sijia had been forced to see that he had this gentle side—a side that, cruelly, wasn’t meant for her!’

’If only Shen Nian didn’t exist... if only Lu Cheng’s tenderness could be hers... how wonderful would that be!’

"Speak!"

’Seeing Meng Sijia’s reaction, Lu Cheng grew even more convinced that she was here to cause trouble for Shen Nian. She was probably trying to bully her!’

In Lu Cheng’s mind, Meng Sijia was no longer just an admirer; she was someone trying to bully Shen Nian, which made her the enemy.

"Ah Cheng, it’s really nothing. She just came over to invite me to the company’s festival gala!"

’When Meng Sijia had first arrived and tried to stir up trouble between her and Lu Cheng, Shen Nian had felt a flicker of anger. But after seeing how Lu Cheng treated Meng Sijia, that anger vanished completely.’

’She knew it. This "rotten peach blossom," Meng Sijia, might have been after Lu Cheng, but he certainly wasn’t the one who had invited the attention.’

’Besides, given Lu Cheng’s attitude, the one feeling the worst right now was probably Meng Sijia herself!’

It wasn’t that Shen Nian felt sorry for Meng Sijia; she just didn’t see the point in wasting mental energy on someone who posed no real threat.

"The company’s festival gala?"

"That’s right. I’ve already agreed to perform at the company’s festival gala in a few days."

"A performance?"

’Lu Cheng was taken aback. While he would love to see Shen Nian perform, he knew what the Arts and Entertainment Department’s shows were like. Could Shen Nian even do any of that stuff?’

’Did Shen Nian agree to this willingly, or was she pressured into it by Meng Sijia and her friends?’

As this thought crossed his mind, Lu Cheng’s cold gaze fell on Meng Sijia once more.

"Lu Cheng, I..."