Someone who didn't matter

Seeing me standing there hesitating, someone nearby jeered, "Don't tell me you can't stand seeing your ex-husband with Miss Shen now that you're divorced?"

I was just about to deny it when An'an grabbed me and pulled me over. "Our Hanhan doesn't care at all!"

Gu Hansheng's face visibly darkened.

But everyone knew An'an was only speaking up for me.

Shen Nian rose and came over. "Sister Yu Han, let me cut you a piece of cake..."

Just then, someone said to Shen Nian, "Look at our Miss Shen. So gracious, even to President Gu's ex-wife. She's even cutting her cake herself."

Shen Nian said gently, "Sister Yu Han, do stay. They're playing games. Join us."

Shen Yanchuan gave me a gentle push forward, then turned to An'an. "Come on, didn't you want to see who could hold their liquor better?"

Gu Hansheng, who hadn't spoken until then, set down his wineglass. "You're already here, aren't you? What? Do I have to invite you personally?"

Can't you just keep your mouth shut?

Although that was what I thought, I didn't dare say it aloud.

After I sat down, An'an and Shen Yanchuan seemed eager to start drinking off to the side.

I caught An'an's arm. "I know you can hold your liquor, but he's a businessman, after all. Drinking is routine for him."

"Tsk, Xiao Hanhan, how can you undermine your friend's morale?" He looked as though he was speaking up for An'an, but he was clearly fanning the flames.

He could no longer hide the cunning in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Hanhan. I've never met anyone who could match me at drinking."

I felt helpless.

Someone nearby began stirring things up. "President Shen, that's not very decent of you. Miss Yu is President Gu's ex-wife, after all. Bringing her here like this-anyone who didn't know better would think she was your date."

Someone else chimed in, "Exactly. I thought Miss Yu really had some tricks up her sleeve, getting together with President Shen right after divorcing President Gu."

I looked up toward the person speaking, only to unexpectedly meet Gu Hansheng's eyes. He was watching me with the ghost of a smile.

I hurriedly waved my hands. "No, don't say things like that."

Although I was responding to that person, I knew I was actually explaining myself to Gu Hansheng so he wouldn't misunderstand.

"We happened to run into each other outside just now. That's how I got dragged here."

Shen Yanchuan's ears proved sharp. Hearing what I said, he turned around. "I did bring a date today, but she offended our Xiao Hanhan, so I sent her away."

"A bankrupt heiress, and President Shen still puts her on a pedestal. Back when she was arrogant and domineering, she didn't have this... face. The way he treated President Gu back then..."

Before he could finish, the person beside him bumped his leg, signaling him to stop.

He shut his mouth resentfully.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Shen Nian said gently, "Let's all say a little less. Brother Hansheng threw this birthday party for me, after all, and I know Sister Yu Han. I wasn't considerate enough, either. I should have invited Sister Yu Han sooner."

Her voice was pleasant and captivating, her tone soft and gentle. Just sitting there, she was the center of attention, all the more so with Gu Hansheng beside her.

An'an curled her lip and leaned close to my ear. "Is she desperate for the whole world to know Gu Hansheng cares about him?"

I sighed inwardly, while still having to pretend I didn't care. "It's fine, it's fine."

"Of course it's fine." Gu Hansheng gave me a cold look, then turned his gaze to Shen Nian. "She's someone who doesn't matter. It makes no difference whether you invite her."

The people nearby snickered quietly.

An'an whispered, "What's wrong with this Gu Hansheng? Didn't he just lend you money to pay off your debts? It's not like you owe him your life."

With a bitter smile, I patted her hand to soothe her.

It wasn't much different from owing him my life. After all, without those ten million and more, my family and I would probably have been hacked to death or forced to flee.

Whatever else was true, Gu Hansheng really did care about Shen Nian.

My gaze fell on Shen Nian's wrist. That limited-edition watch studded with diamonds was the one he had insisted on buying for her that day, wasn't it?

I wanted to leave as soon as possible. If I had known Gu Hansheng and Shen Nian would both be at this party, I would never have come.

At that thought, I couldn't help glaring at Shen Yanchuan.

Catching my look, Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, then continued drinking with An'an.

When I turned back, I found Gu Hansheng glaring at me, his eyes several degrees colder.

I hurriedly looked away.

The others didn't give me any more trouble, busying themselves with crowding around Shen Nian and Gu Hansheng instead.

But I didn't know whether I was imagining it; I kept feeling Gu Hansheng cast icy looks at me through the gaps between the others.

It felt as though thorns were pricking my back, leaving me restless in my seat.

I had originally planned to wait quietly like this until the party ended.

But the way he kept looking at me made it impossible to sit still.

I wanted to take An'an and leave, but unfortunately, she was already getting carried away with the drinking.

Her cheeks were already flushed, and she was clearly drunk.

Yet Shen Yanchuan was still sitting there with a smile, holding his wineglass, his expression unchanged.

I had known this would happen.

I said quietly, "An'an, let's go!"

An'an was already worked up. "Why leave? Do you think I'm afraid of him? If I don't drink him under the table today, I'll take his surname!"

I glanced at Shen Yanchuan, hoping he would let An'an off.

Old fox that he was, Shen Yanchuan naturally understood what I meant.