Chapter 14: An Unexpected Encounter with My Ex-Girlfriend

Jiang Muyun, seeing that she could not dissuade Zhang Shen, simply stopped dwelling on what the gift actually was. Instead, she kept urging Zhang Shen to hurry up.

Zhang Shen, on the other hand, wondered whether this little girl had her priorities confused. He was clearly the one who had saved someone, yet now it felt as if Jiang Muyun were the protagonist.

When the two reached the entrance to Shunyi Lane, they saw a black Mercedes van parked there.

If one were to look for a unique feature on this Mercedes, it would undoubtedly be its license plate.

“Yue A 88888!” Zhang Shen muttered under his breath.

Before they arrived, the driver had already been informed of the appearance of the famed physician Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun. After confirming their identities, he stepped out of the car and, with humble deference, said, “Mr. Zhang, Miss Jiang, please get in.”

With that, he opened the car door.

Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun climbed in at once.

It was obvious that this was Zhang Shen’s first time riding in such a luxury vehicle.

“These seats, this interior, this space… I love it. When I have money in the future, I’ll have to buy one too.”

Hearing this, Jiang Muyun rolled her eyes.

Zhang Shen pretended not to notice and continued talking to himself.

About half an hour later, the Mercedes pulled up at Hu Sihai’s villa—Mirror Lake Manor.

As soon as Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun stepped out of the car, they were awestruck by the sight before them.

The manor was far from the city’s clamor, perfectly situated with its back to the southwest and facing the northeast. It could be described as “seated on a golden throne, welcoming the coiled dragon, guarding the treasure pagoda, gathering wealth into a basin.” It was a land of “solid mountains at its back, a broad and open view ahead, a prestigious position, attracting abundant fortune, and ensuring lasting peace”—from a geographical perspective, truly a rare and auspicious place.

Zhang Shen let himself daydream for a moment, but Jiang Muyun soon snapped him out of it.

“What are you lost in thought about now? Hurry up and go inside.”

Just as Zhang Shen was marveling at the carefree lives of the rich, the little girl interrupted him again.

“Welcome, Chairman Tao Lixin of Yake Apparel!”

“Welcome, General Manager Wang Yong of Yijie Electronics!”

“Welcome, Young Master Cao of the Cao Group!”

At this moment, the receptionists stood at the entrance to the manor’s hall, smiling as they greeted the guests.

Just as Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun reached the door, a familiar voice sounded.

“Li, how is it that any stray cat or dog can just stroll into Mirror Lake Manor?”

Zhang Shen did not turn around, but he already knew the woman speaking was his ex-girlfriend, Xu Ni.

“Baby, you’re absolutely right! Who knows which backwater hick this guy is, trying to sneak into Chairman Hu’s manor. Just look at his outfit—everything’s from the street market.”

Hearing this, Zhang Shen felt a twinge of resentment. His clothes might be cheap, but at least he’d earned them honestly as an internet café administrator, not through shady dealings. What was so despicable about that?

He turned around to see a woman gaudily dressed, her face caked in makeup, which filled him with inexplicable distaste. Beside her stood a balding, pot-bellied middle-aged man. Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought this “Young Master Li” Xu Ni mentioned was her father.

Never in his wildest dreams did Zhang Shen imagine that the gold-digging Xu Ni would end up with a man like this.

“I thought I might be mistaken, but it really is you, Zhang Shen,” Xu Ni sneered, her words laced with barbs.

“Good thing I left you early on, or I’d still be hanging around internet cafés with you. Look, this is the limited-edition LV bag Young Master Li just bought me. All the time I spent with you, and you never bought me anything decent.”

Zhang Shen let out a dry, cold chuckle.

“I may not have bought you much, but I’m still grateful for every night you spent with me.”

A sly smile tugged at Zhang Shen’s lips as he finished speaking.

“You… What nonsense are you spouting?” Xu Ni was clearly agitated.

“Kid, I’d watch your mouth if I were you. Otherwise, you might walk in here, but you’ll be rolling out,” Young Master Li threatened.

“Oh? Is that so? I’d like to see you try.”

Knowing that tonight’s banquet was attended by many industry elites and government officials, Young Master Li was reluctant to lose face over a young nobody, nor did he want to appear weak before his woman. He reached out, intent on grabbing Zhang Shen by the collar.

“Who dares cause trouble at Mirror Lake Manor?”

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a man in his fifties standing in the foyer.

“It’s Steward Shen Feng.”

Those who knew him understood that Shen Feng had followed Hu Sihai on his ventures for years. Because of his loyalty, Hu Sihai entrusted him with all company and personal affairs.

So, for anyone wanting to connect with Hu Sihai, the first step was to get on Shen Feng’s good side.

“Steward Shen, we’re here for the banquet, but on the way, we were harassed by a mad dog,” Young Master Li immediately changed his tone, groveling before Shen Feng.

“Oh? Is that so? Then let me have a look,” Shen Feng replied, not sparing Young Master Li a glance as he strode directly to Zhang Shen.

With a respectful gesture, Shen Feng said, “We have not received you as we should have. If you were startled here at Mirror Lake Manor, I must apologize.”

Everyone was stunned by Shen Feng’s deference. Who was he, after all, but Hu Sihai’s right-hand man? Could this young man before them be tonight’s true guest of honor?

Seeing Shen Feng’s courtesy, Zhang Shen returned the gesture.

“It’s nothing. But just now, someone said I’d be coming in upright and leaving rolling. I wonder if they have anything to say for themselves now?”

“Who said that? Please step forward,” Shen Feng’s authoritative presence silenced the crowd.

With a thud, Young Master Li, who had been so arrogant moments ago, dropped to his knees, clutching at Shen Feng’s sleeve. “Steward Shen, please don’t take offense. For the sake of our partnership with Yunfeng Group, please let this slide.”

Shen Feng knew that if not for Yunfeng Group giving Young Master Li’s company a bit of business, he’d have been finished long ago. But today, he’d had the gall to offend a distinguished guest—this was serious.

“Divine Doctor Zhang is tonight’s honored guest. You’d best plead with him.”

If there was an art to changing faces, none could rival Young Master Li at this moment. He immediately crawled over, clinging to Zhang Shen’s leg.

“Divine Doctor, Divine Doctor, I was blind just now. I’m a nobody, please don’t hold it against me!”

He knew that truly offending Zhang Shen was as good as offending Yunfeng Group itself.

“No way! I actually want to see what it looks like when someone is rolling out of here!”