Chapter 16: The Same Man, I Won't Play Twice

Shi Yun turned around and also picked up a cup of tea, taking a gentle sip. The elegant fragrance spread across her tongue as she spoke softly, “Of course you must remember, after all, you are my cousin.”

Gao Qian’an’s fingers tightened unconsciously around his cup, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

Can it only be “cousin”?

At that moment, Shi Yun’s phone rang.

She glanced at the screen, which flashed an incoming WeChat call from Fu Siyu.

Her brows furrowed slightly. After a brief pause, she raised her hand and rejected the call.

Gao Qian’an lowered his gaze, his long lashes concealing the complicated feelings in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Why didn’t you answer?”

In truth, the moment the name Fu Siyu appeared on the screen, he had inadvertently noticed it.

Shi Yun casually placed the phone on the table, her tone indifferent. “Just a nuisance call.”

Silently, she added in her mind: Yes, exactly a nuisance call.

Even though she was the one who “bothered” him first...

Before she could think further, the phone rang again, more urgently this time, with Fu Siyu’s name still flashing.

Annoyance flickered in Shi Yun’s eyes. She bit her lip and pressed the decline button once more.

Watching her actions, Gao Qian’an’s expression remained calm, but his heart was a tangle of emotions.

Just as he was about to say something, the phone rang a third time, ill-timed as ever.

Shi Yun sighed in resignation, walked over, and picked up the call with a hint of irritation. “What is it?”

On the other end, a man chuckled softly, his deep voice flowing through the receiver: “So it really is you.”

Shi Yun was momentarily startled. Why “really”?

Had he suspected his account was hacked...?

Was he calling to confirm it was actually her?

She cleared her throat, about to explain.

Then Fu Siyu’s voice, laced with a faint, teasing smile, rose with a subtle upward inflection, tickling her ear: “After teasing me, Miss Yun Yun wants to play dumb? That’s not very fair.”

Shi Yun frowned in frustration, her voice cool. “Fu Siyu, I already said it was a misdial.”

“A misdial?” Fu Siyu laughed lowly, with a hint of lazy charm. “Then why send it to me and not someone else? Hm?”

Shi Yun: “...”

She did wish she’d sent it to someone else instead of him.

“I think it’s because Yun Yun has me on her mind and is using this misdial as an excuse to flirt,” Fu Siyu’s voice brimmed with certainty.

How presumptuous!

Shi Yun took a deep breath. “Fu Siyu, stop being so narcissistic. I don’t have time for that.”

“Is that so?” Fu Siyu dragged the word out playfully. “Then I must have misunderstood. But Miss Yun Yun needn’t savor this secretly — you can come to me directly...”

Shi Yun: “...”

After a long moment, she tugged at the corner of her mouth and scoffed. “Sorry, I don’t play with the same man twice.”

With that, she ended the call.

Turning, she caught Gao Qian’an’s smiling eyes. A faint blush crept onto her face as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her heart pounded nervously, silently worried that he might have heard that last remark.

If he did, it would be terribly awkward.

Gao Qian’an watched her quietly, a tender smile playing on his lips. Suddenly, without reason, he sighed softly, “Little Yun is growing up.”

Shi Yun cleared her throat, changing the subject. “Of course. By the way, cousin, come see how my painting restoration is going.”

Speaking, she walked toward her workspace.

Gao Qian’an nodded slightly, a barely perceptible flicker of disappointment in his eyes, quickly masked by composure.

He followed her at a leisurely pace, hands casually in his pockets.

Shi Yun stopped before the painting, tilting her body slightly, signaling him to come closer.

Gao Qian’an stepped forward, leaning in to inspect the piece carefully. “The restoration is well done. The color transitions are natural, and the damaged areas are treated meticulously. Truly worthy of Master Shi.”

Shi Yun smiled faintly. “This ordinary hanging scroll had large areas of damage and discoloration. It took me nearly a month to restore.”

Gao Qian’an crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly recalling something, a hint of concern flickered in his eyes as he asked, “By the way, Little Yun, aren’t you going to work at Jiahe Group anymore?”

Jiahe Group was the Shi family’s business enterprise. Though not as large as industry giants, it was quite reputable locally.

Their business spanned manufacturing, trade, and services.

At his question, the pride on Shi Yun’s face vanished instantly. She curled her lips in disdain, turning to the tea table as she spoke, “Why would I still work there?”

Gao Qian’an watched her retreating figure, the online rumors about Shi Yun surfacing involuntarily in his mind.

Frowning, he quickened his pace to catch up and softly said, “Little Yun, is someone bullying you at home?”

Shi Yun looked at his worried expression, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. “No way. Haven’t you seen the things online? I’m the malicious woman who’s taken over someone else’s nest. I’m the one doing the bullying.”

She sighed helplessly and went to the tea table, pouring tea into two cups.

Handing one to Gao Qian’an, she held the other herself and took a light sip.

Gao Qian’an accepted the cup but had no mind for drinking. He placed it on the table. “Little Yun, don’t pay attention to those online nonsense. I know you. You’re not that kind of person.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Shi Yun’s eyes. She lowered her gaze, her long lashes fluttering, her nose tinged with a faint ache.

How could she not be moved?

After all, Ruan Tian was his real cousin.

But he was different from them.

He hadn’t abandoned her just because Ruan Tian appeared.

Seeing Shi Yun’s silence and lowered head, Gao Qian’an felt a pang of sympathy. “Little Yun, don’t be afraid. I will always stand by your side.”

Shi Yun lifted her head, still misted eyes slowly nodding. She forced a smile at the corner of her mouth.

How did outsiders describe Gao Qian’an again?

Radiant and refined, a gentleman like jade, noble and elegant.

Shi Yun thought it was truly fitting.

Gao Qian’an raised his hand slightly, affection and tenderness in his touch as he gently ruffled her hair. “Alright, stop thinking about those unhappy things.

It’s almost mealtime. Let’s eat something first—only with a full stomach can we deal with these trivial troubles.”

Just as Shi Yun was about to agree, a thought seemed to strike her. Hesitating briefly, she said, “Cousin, how about we invite my best friend Zhiyu to join us?”

Gao Qian’an looked at her in mild confusion. “Why suddenly want to bring her along?”

Shi Yun whispered, “With all the rumors spreading outside, if just the two of us go out to eat alone, and someone takes pictures, who knows what they’ll say. Having one more person is better. Besides, you two haven’t seen each other in a while—perfect for catching up.”

She was genuinely afraid, unwilling to drag anyone else down because of herself.