C4 Stealing Her

"Who could it possibly be?"

Back in her office, Bai Shuang was still riddled with doubt.

Lin Yuan's face had flashed across her mind once more, but Bai Shuang quickly shook her head in dismissal. It couldn't possibly be him.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

"Sis, did you hear? Zhang actually came by to apologize in person. He even handed over that plot of land to us," Xu Xin announced as she entered.

A young woman with pleasing features, yet with a hint of affectation, Xu Xin was the company's Finance Director and also Bai Shuang's cousin.

"If only I knew who lent us a hand behind the scenes, I'd be sure to express my gratitude," Bai Shuang mused with a heartfelt sigh, a tinge of regret in her voice.

Xu Xin's eyes sparkled with realization. "Who else could it be but Zhao Deyi!"

Bai Shuang looked up, her expression a mix of belief and doubt.

"Think about it. Whoever managed to get Zhang to bow out so willingly must be someone extraordinary. Out of all the influential figures, Zhao Deyi is the only one who seems likely to offer you help. He's been courting you for quite some time now. Maybe this was his way of trying to win your favor," Xu Xin reasoned.

Bai Shuang found herself swayed by her cousin's logic; it did sound plausible.

Zhao Deyi was the heir to the local Zhao family, a billionaire with considerable wealth at his disposal. Furthermore, Zhao's Group was a renowned and powerful conglomerate in the province.

Since their encounter at a business banquet, Zhao Deyi had been ardently pursuing Bai Shuang, though she had never reciprocated his advances. Despite this, given their interactions and his deliberate pursuit, they were, at the very least, friends.

But with Lin Yuan's unexpected entrance into her life, Bai Shuang had severed all ties with Zhao Deyi.

She might not have feelings for Lin Yuan, but her father had already made her decision for her. With their marriage confirmed, she couldn't afford to be seen getting too close to any other man.

Throughout this time, Zhao Deyi had remained steadfast in his devotion to her. Despite his youth and talent, he had never committed to any other woman. Word of his loyalty had spread all over Xia City.

So, Xu Xin's first thought was of Zhao Deyi—who else would offer help without any apparent reason? "Cousin, why are you so set on marrying that loser? Zhao Deyi is a much better catch than Lin Yuan. He's not only more capable but also handsome, young, and comes from a powerful and influential family," Xu Xin said, her voice tinged with envy.

"Enough," Bai Shuang replied with a slight frown. "Don't talk like that anymore. I'm still married to Lin Yuan, after all." Despite her words, Bai Shuang felt a twinge of discomfort. Lin Yuan was her husband, at least in name, and it was unsettling to hear other women speak ill of him.

"You see, you're doing it again. You clearly don't like Lin Yuan. But since Zhao Deyi was the one who helped you, you can't just do nothing. Meeting him for a meal to say thanks is the least you can do," Xu Xin insisted, glancing around before quietly closing the door.

"Zhao Deyi is the chosen heir to Zhao's Group. He's going to be the chairman one day. If you can get on his good side, our company will soar. That's surely better than struggling on your own," Xu Xin continued, her eyes alight with the possibilities.

"I do owe him thanks," Bai Shuang said calmly, her exquisite features cool and composed. "Arrange a dinner for us. I'll express my gratitude and share the profits from the land deal with him."

Bai Shuang could have easily used her looks to gain an advantage, propelling the company to success without the hard work. She chose not to, preferring to maintain her dignity. Xu Xin, though, couldn't understand Zhao Deyi's fascination with Bai Shuang. She didn't think she was any less attractive. Swallowing these thoughts, Xu Xin nodded and left, her heart a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Bai Shuang had initially chosen a fancy restaurant for their meal, but Zhao Deyi, upon hearing this, switched the venue last-minute. And he insisted on picking up the tab.

Winter Cafe.

It's the only Michelin three-star restaurant in Xia City, boasting an internationally acclaimed chef.

Securing a table here required not just wealth but clout; it wasn't a place for the average Joe.

Zhao Deyi, the heir to Zhao's Group, spared no expense to flaunt his riches in front of the woman he adored.

He'd reserved the entire restaurant for lunch today!

Only he knew how much that would set him back.

Arriving at the venue, Lin Yuan stepped out of the car, trailing behind Bai Shuang. He surveyed the surroundings, then shook his head, his gaze tinged with disdain.

"Cousin, why bring Lin Yuan along today? You're just asking for trouble with Zhao Deyi," Xu Xin complained, having waited at the restaurant's entrance. The sight of Lin Yuan approaching nearly drove her mad.

"I'm simply expressing my gratitude today, nothing more. Plus, Lin Yuan is technically my husband. It wouldn't be right to dine with another man behind his back," Bai Shuang replied, pushing the door open to enter.

"I don't even know what to say to you. Just look at Lin Yuan, glancing around like he's never been to a place this upscale. He's bound to embarrass us."

"Don't worry about it. It's just a Western restaurant, right? I've been here before. I won't let my wife down," Lin Yuan assured her, flashing Bai Shuang a perfectly charming smile. Sadly, she wasn't impressed and simply rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't overthink it. I brought you here to avoid gossip, not because I'm fond of you."

"Right, right, you're spot on, wife. Especially since that jerk Zhao is hell-bent on whisking you away. We don't need any rumors starting; it wouldn't be good for either of us," Lin Yuan remarked earnestly. At that moment, Zhao Deyi approached, overhearing the conversation, his face turning a shade of livid green.

Despite Bai Shuang's breathtaking beauty, he managed to suppress his irritation. Drawing in a deep breath, he offered an elegant smile.

"I've been waiting quite a while for you. Now that you've arrived, please have a seat. I'll have the chef begin preparing our meal."

With that, he bowed slightly and gestured forward, the epitome of a gentleman, his charming features only enhancing the effect. Truth be told, any naive young girl would have been utterly enchanted by him.

He certainly played the part of a gentleman well, clearly adept at charming young women.

Lin Yuan inwardly scoffed at the display.

But it was only a few steps later that Zhao Deyi seemed to suddenly remember Lin Yuan's presence. He turned, his expression neutral.

"If it's your first time at a Western restaurant, I can have the waiter bring you some Chinese dishes. And I'll make sure you get a pair of chopsticks, just in case you're not familiar with using a knife and fork—to avoid any embarrassment.

It's one thing if you embarrass yourself, but surely you wouldn't want to embarrass Bai Shuang, would you?"