Chapter 201 A Confidante

“Miss Linglong has already been waiting for you in the Heaven-grade private room. She’s even prepared your favorite Mengding Ganlu tea.”

As she spoke, the madam’s gaze suddenly shifted and landed on Su Hewan, who was disguised as a man beside Shen Jue.

Her sharp, experienced eyes—used to judging countless people—instantly flashed with admiration.

“Tsk tsk, this young gentleman is truly handsome—red lips, white teeth, quite the charming look.”

As she spoke, she raised her handkerchief, about to drape it over Su Hewan’s shoulder.

“This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time at our Spring River Flower Moon Night?”

“How about I find you a few pure and delicate girls to serve you well?”

Shen Jue’s expression instantly turned cold.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward and pulled Su Hewan into his arms.

Caught off guard, Su Hewan crashed into his firm chest, her nose filled with his distinct, cool sandalwood scent.

“No need.”

Shen Jue’s voice was as cold as frozen lake water,

carrying an unmistakable sense of possessiveness.

“He’ll be with me tonight.”

With that, he didn’t even spare the madam another glance. Half-embracing, half-holding Su Hewan, he headed straight for the stairs.

The madam stood there, stunned for a moment. Then realization dawned, and she broke into an extremely lewd yet knowing smile.

“Oh my, I understand!”

She raised her voice, loud and clear above the noisy hall.

“So the Chief… has developed a taste for this now!”

Shen Jue stumbled on the stairs, nearly falling headfirst.

Held tightly in his arms, Su Hewan finally couldn’t hold it in any longer.

She quickly covered her mouth, stifling her laughter.

Grinding his teeth, Shen Jue lowered his head and glared fiercely at the woman in his arms.

“You’re still laughing? Keep it up, and tonight I’ll really ‘take care’ of you, you little young master!”

Su Hewan met his gaze without fear, the smile in her eyes deepening instead.

After this absurd yet laughable little episode, the four of them finally made it—somewhat clumsily but without incident—to the Heaven-grade private room.

Pushing open the carved wooden door, a faint orchid fragrance drifted out to greet them, completely different from the heavy, powdery scent outside.

The beaded curtain was lifted, and a graceful woman with a slender figure and refined, ethereal beauty slowly rose to her feet.

This was Miss Linglong, famed throughout the capital.

“Wow, she’s unbelievably beautiful!”

Yu Qing, who was being firmly held down in her chair by Lu Yan, couldn’t help but exclaim in genuine admiration.

Linglong gave a graceful bow, every movement carrying the poise of a noble lady—there was not the slightest trace of the frivolity one would expect from someone of her profession.

“Your subordinate, Linglong, greets the Chief.”

Shen Jue shed his earlier awkwardness on the stairs in an instant, returning to his usual cold and ruthless persona as the Director of the Eastern Depot.

He strode to the main seat and sat down, skipping all pleasantries as he laid out the current deadlock and the plan to substitute one thing for another in full detail.

Linglong listened quietly, her expression completely calm, as if she were hearing something utterly ordinary.

Only after he finished did she slowly raise her head, her deep gaze settling on the man who held immense power over the court.

“If it is the Chief’s command, your subordinate will not hesitate even at the cost of my life—through fire and water.”

Her voice was cool and clear, like jade beads falling onto a plate. But in the next moment, her tone shifted.

“As long as it helps the Chief overcome this crisis, Linglong is ready to serve at any time.”

“But… I ask that the Chief not forget the agreement you made with Linglong back then.”

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the private room turned subtly tense.

Shen Jue’s hand, which was holding the teacup, paused ever so slightly, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through his eyes.

He didn’t answer. He simply lowered his gaze and silently took a sip of tea.

But that prolonged silence didn’t escape Su Hewan, who had been quietly observing everything.

She keenly caught the fleeting, deeply suppressed emotion in Linglong’s eyes when she looked at Shen Jue.

That was definitely not the look of a subordinate toward her superior.

There was obsession in it—resentment, even a hint of unwillingness.

【Something’s going on.】

On the surface, Su Hewan remained calm, even casually lifting her teacup for a strategic sip.

But inside, her thoughts had already switched to full “commentary mode.”

【The way Miss Linglong looks at Shen Jue—there’s practically sparks flying.】

【What “promise”? So mysterious… don’t tell me it’s one of those cliché “hero saves the beauty and she devotes herself to him” plots?】

【So beneath Chief Shen’s cold and ruthless exterior, he’s actually carrying around an unpaid romantic debt like this.】

【Well, it makes sense. With a character setup like his—handsome, powerful, and tragic—if there weren’t a few admirers secretly in love with him, that’d be illogical.】

【Forget it. We need her help right now—better not expose this awkward situation. Business first.】

After this sharp and methodical internal analysis—logical, structured, and tinged with detached gossiping enthusiasm—

Shen Jue, who was pretending to sip tea calmly, had already gone completely stiff.

Listening to Su Hewan’s cool-headed commentary in his mind, the veins at his temple throbbed.

This heartless woman!

Another woman clearly has feelings for him, and she’s not jealous at all?

Instead, she’s enjoying it like a live broadcast commentator?

And even thoughtfully deciding not to expose it?!

Shen Jue took a deep breath.

He suddenly lifted his head and shot Su Hewan a deeply aggrieved, warning glare.

Su Hewan, completely baffled, could only respond with an innocent smile.

【What’s wrong with this man now?】

Night had deepened, and the carriage rumbled along the long stone-paved street.

The space inside was already cramped.

Now, it was filled with an indescribably strange atmosphere.

The dim, yellow glow of the glass carriage lamp swayed, stretching and shrinking the shadows of the four people against the walls.

Yu Qing crossed her arms, her posture like that of a seasoned constable interrogating a suspect, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Shen Jue and Su Hewan.

In her bright, round eyes burned the fierce flames of curiosity.

As a proper best friend, how could she possibly let go of the undercurrent-filled drama that had just played out in the private room?

“Chief Shen,” Yu Qing finally broke the suffocating silence, her tone unapologetically questioning, “aren’t you going to explain yourself?”

“That delicate Miss Linglong—kept talking about some ‘promise.’ What exactly is going on?”

As she spoke, she subtly shifted closer to Su Hewan in a protective manner, as if afraid her precious cabbage might be snatched away by a pig.

Shen Jue leaned back against the cushions, his long fingers idly toying with the white jade pendant at his waist.

His expression remained as indifferent and aloof as ever.

“It’s nothing. Just some old matter from years ago—not worth mentioning.”

His voice was light, clearly trying to brush the matter aside.

However, Lu Yan—who had been resting with his eyes closed—slowly opened them at that moment.

A glint of mischief flashed through his dark eyes, as if he relished stirring up trouble.

“Oh? Not worth mentioning?”