A White Cloud (GL ABO) - Chapter 20

In less than three months, Shen Zhiqing would turn thirty.

Her marriage was a concern not only for Shen Zhihe but also for the Fang family.

Her grandfather, Fang Lianwen, never directly mentioned it but often hinted, asking if she had someone in mind.

Shen Zhihe was surprised by her response.

In past discussions about this topic, Shen Zhiqing always avoided it, maintaining an ambiguous stance.

Whether Shen Zhihe mentioned introducing her to promising young men or discussed her marriage, she showed no reaction.

The last time was similar; even when Shen Zhihe brought up arranging an engagement with an Alpha, she said nothing.

He expected her to stay silent again today, but she outright refused.

The sudden change caught the three others at the table off guard.

Shen Mu looked at his sister in shock, finally defying their parents’ wishes.

Liao Ying instinctively glanced at Shen Zhihe’s expression.

Shen Zhihe was merely surprised by her change.

Shen Zhiqing had always been distant from him, so he knew little about her, assuming from their limited interactions that she was emotionally detached, unlike her late mother, Fang Qing.

“What did you say?” Shen Zhihe asked, seeking confirmation.

Shen Zhiqing looked at him, repeated with a blank expression, as if discussing something trivial, “I said I won’t get engaged to him.”

Shen Zhihe didn’t press further.

The family finished lunch in awkward silence.

After the meal, Shen Zhiqing planned to leave.

Shen Mu followed her quickly, saying, “Hey, Sis, wait for me. Let’s go together.”

Shen Zhiqing got into her car, a white sedan gifted by Fang Lianwen as her job-starting present.

She had refused his kindness before graduating with her master’s, but after moving to the old house, though not far from the hospital, she needed it for commuting and accepted.

The car’s glossy paint gleamed.

Shen Mu, holding his suit jacket, ran out and hopped into the passenger seat.

A silver-gray military-plated SUV stood in the yard, clearly Shen Mu’s ride with Shen Zhihe today, not his flashy red sports car.

The sedan left the yard.

Shen Zhiqing watched the house recede in the rearview mirror, finally driving away.

Shen Mu fastened his seatbelt, leaned back lazily, and asked casually, “Sis, got plans later?”

Shen Zhiqing ignored him.

Shen Mu got to the point, saying, “If you’re free, come with me to meet someone?”

Unlike Shen Zhiqing, who pursued medicine, Shen Mu didn’t follow Shen Zhihe’s path.

He independently targeted the pharmaceutical industry, leveraging his father and sister’s reputation to start a company selling pheromone-stabilizing drugs, like common suppressants.

Major pharmaceutical companies developed and sold their own suppressants, with complete supply chains from R&D to sales.

The Fang family’s Yunding Pharma was a leader among them.

At a red light, Shen Zhiqing stopped the car steadily, turned to him, and asked, “Who?”

“Just the rep from Mingcheng Pharma, talking business,” Shen Mu blurted out.

Shen Zhiqing knew Mingcheng Pharma, a retail-only drug company with chains across Huajing and the country.

Her light, thick lashes blinked as she asked, “What business?”

“It’s Yunding’s new C-class suppressant for people with pheromone disorders,” Shen Mu explained eagerly.

“It uses electric shocks to stimulate patients with unstable glands, helping them calm and control their glands and pheromones.”

The light turned green. Shen Zhiqing drove toward Shen Mu’s destination, listening as he spoke.

“It’s designed as a chip, implanted in daily accessories,” Shen Mu added, noting he hadn’t seen it yet, but Fang Lianwen promised him a batch to sell.

Talking about his reselling business, Shen Mu showed no shame.

He knew he lacked academic talent at school.

With two doctors at home and Liao Ying’s strict expectations, he relied on his limited knowledge to navigate the pharmaceutical world, avoiding many pitfalls thanks to influential connections.

Fang Lianwen, thinking of Shen Zhiqing, gave him some leeway.

Shen Zhiqing didn’t know the details of their dealings but let them handle their “schemes.”

In truth, Fang Lianwen was looking out for her, fearing Shen Zhihe and Liao Ying might mistreat her.

To him, she was a granddaughter adrift, needing his care.

Shen Zhiqing sighed inwardly, thinking to visit Fang Lianwen next time to spare him learning her updates through Shen Mu.

Unfortunately, Shen Mu’s meeting spot was the same tea restaurant where Tomb Cheng and Xiaomi met.

Shen Zhiqing’s group arrived later, booking a private room, so Tomb Cheng’s group by the window didn’t notice her.

Seeing Tomb Cheng and Xiaomi chatting happily, Xu Yiyi occasionally tugged Tomb Cheng’s sleeve, acting coy.

Something Xu Yiyi said made both Tomb Cheng and Xiaomi laugh.

The tea restaurant’s decor was tasteful, with carved screens by the window seats, a decorative lamp above, and intricate dragon patterns on the wooden booth sofas.

Tomb Cheng asked the staff for two cushions, placing one under Xu Yiyi’s bottom and handing one to Xiaomi, her actions natural, making the server briefly swoon over the considerate Alpha.

“Sis?” Shen Mu stopped, seeing Shen Zhiqing pause, looking at her confusedly.

Shen Zhiqing snapped back, pursed her lips slightly, and followed Shen Mu into the private room, acting unaffected.

During Shen Mu’s business talk, she dutifully played her mascot role, occasionally speaking for him, but her mind wandered, replaying the earlier scene.

The handsome young Alpha smiled at the beautiful, accomplished woman, with a child by her side.

The three together looked warm, like a family.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhiqing felt a pang in her chest, her hand sourly touching her stomach.

Why, then or now, could she never bear Tomb Cheng’s child?