Chapter 2

Chapter 2

◎Schrödinger’s Shen Rujiao.◎

Fu Feng’s appearance perfectly embodied the domineering CEO archetype: a sharply chiseled face, cold, stern eyes, and thin lips devoid of expression.

As Shen Ruzhen scrutinized Fu Feng, he, in turn, scrutinized her.

She looked different from before.

Shen Rujiao favored sweet, adorable tops and skirts, each adorned with lace and frills, making her resemble a delectable cupcake, tempting one to devour her whole at first glance.

Shen Ruzhen used to dress similarly, but the lace and frills on her clothes were yellowed and wrinkled, making her less like a delicious cake and more like a faded backdrop.

But today, Shen Ruzhen wasn’t wearing those sweet, cute outfits. Instead, she sported a simple, unadorned white blouse and a fitted pencil skirt, exuding an air of competence.

The outfit suited her well. For the first time, Fu Feng noticed that Shen Ruzhen seemed even slimmer than her sister.

Her delicate ankles, the faint glimpse of her calves beneath the knee-length skirt—so slender they appeared as if they could be encircled with one hand.

Her pale complexion and exquisite features made her seem fragile and vulnerable, tempting a predator to shatter her, to drag her into the abyss of darkness, where they could revel in the lamb’s mournful cries.

Fu Feng admitted she was beautiful. Even without her sister, she was beautiful enough to be a decorative trophy.

Placed beside a man, she would become the lighthearted banter and amusement for those in power after sealing major deals.

But unfortunately, Fu Feng already had her sister.

So Shen Ruzhen could only be a substitute, a soulless ornament whose every edge had to be smoothed to match Shen Rujiao’s contours.

"Who told you to dress like this?"

Just as Fu Feng was about to erupt, he noticed Shen Ruzhen’s utterly uncouth eating posture and nearly lost his mind.

He was about to teach this woman, who failed to properly fulfill her stand-in duties, a lesson, when Shen Ruzhen, having devoured her filet mignon and a small glass of red wine like a whirlwind, looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with anticipation:

"President Fu, today is my birthday. Have you decided what gift to give me?"

Fu Feng instantly forgot what he was about to say.

A gift?

The word immediately seized his attention.

Before Shen Rujiao went abroad, he had prepared unique birthday gifts for her every year.

But this year, perhaps because she was merely a substitute, he had completely forgotten about it.

This wouldn’t do.

The absence of even one detail could shatter the sense of ritual.

At this thought, Fu Feng shot Shen Ruzhen a grateful glance, thinking, *Thank goodness she reminded me, or this birthday wouldn’t be perfect.*

He had to accompany Shen Rujiao through every birthday of her life.

But with time so tight, preparing a unique birthday gift was impossible. What should he do?

Shen Ruzhen seemed to sense his predicament and softly suggested, "How about we go straight to the mall? Accompanying your girlfriend shopping and buying her desired gifts can also make for an unforgettable birthday!"

Fu Feng’s mind cleared instantly. "Let’s do that!"

Perfect. In the past, he had always chosen the gifts himself. It was time to adapt and let Jiaojiao personally participate in the selection process!

This time, Shen Ruzhen didn’t linger in the clearance section but headed straight to the mall’s highest and most exclusive floor.

Everyone who frequented this level was wealthy and well-traveled, having seen it all. Yet at this moment, they all stared in astonishment, rooted to the spot.

"Except for this one and that one, I’ll take everything."

The girl calmly instructed the sales associates to bring down various dazzling luxury items.

Her figure was graceful, her features delicate—a rare beauty. But she looked unfamiliar, not like the daughter of any prominent figure.

This unfamiliar young lady, however, was dressed in an extremely plain outfit, almost as if it had been picked up from a clearance sale—

Hold on! That couldn’t be. This seemingly ordinary attire must be from some unheard-of high-end brand.

This design, reminiscent of two or three years ago, was surely about to become the next trend, as popular styles always cycle back.

But who exactly was this young lady?

The onlookers’ gazes gradually shifted to the man standing a few steps behind her.

At that moment, men and women from old-money families who had attended high-society banquets gasped in surprise.

It was *him*!

Fu Feng—a name that struck fear into hearts.

When he made a move, it was either to control a nation’s economic lifeline or to casually declare that a certain family should go bankrupt because "winter is coming."

The older generation of tycoons treated him with utmost respect, while younger heirs and heiresses dared not even speak to him.

They instantly understood why the woman before them possessed such formidable purchasing power.

Those who dared not speak to Fu Feng could only cast envious glances—

It was hard to imagine how much Fu Feng must love her to willingly buy so much for her. Truly enviable!

Moreover, Fu Feng had come *in person*! No one had ever seen Fu Feng accompany a woman shopping, willingly playing the role of an endless credit card. Never!

The system whispered in Shen Ruzhen’s ear, "The male lead’s favorability toward you has dropped significantly."

Shen Ruzhen scoffed. "I could already feel his murderous gaze behind me."

"Your domineering CEO male lead seems to be more in name than in reality."

The system didn’t understand her meaning.

"He’s rich, but he actually doesn’t like spending money on women. That’s precisely why he took a liking to my cousin. My cousin comes from an average family, fits his ideal of a submissive woman, and won’t demand too much from him."

"I was wondering what kind of domineering CEO would have the brain to give a jar of fireflies and a few heart-shaped woven baskets as birthday gifts. But if he’s the stingy type, then it’s not surprising."

The system grew anxious. "But the male lead’s favorability has dropped too much. Host, are you really going to buy all this? He might be plotting to lock you up in a dark room."

Shen Ruzhen turned her head and met Fu Feng’s dark, brooding eyes, like storm clouds gathering, brewing a tempest.

She ignored it, walked up to him, and said softly, "They all think we’re so in love, Fu Feng. You’ll buy these for Jiaojiao’s birthday, won’t you?"

She deliberately emphasized the name "Jiaojiao."

Fu Feng’s tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed.

He said gently, "You can have anything you want."

Shen Ruzhen scoffed inwardly. It was Shen Rujiao who was spending his money and cutting into his flesh; what did it have to do with her, Shen Ruzhen, a mere substitute?

The system exclaimed, "The male lead’s favorability toward you has increased!"

No surprise there.

Shen Ruzhen complained to the system, "He’s mad at Shen Rujiao right now. He probably thinks I’m doing a good job acting. Anyway, he’s never accompanied Shen Rujiao to the mall for her birthday. Whatever Shen Rujiao wants, that’s up to me to decide."

Under everyone’s envious gazes, Fu Feng and Shen Ruzhen left the mall, laden with luxury purchases.

The final stop of the birthday celebration was Shen Rujiao’s university.

The original story stated that when Fu Feng returned to his alma mater to give a lecture, he fell deeply in love with Shen Rujiao the first time he saw her quietly reading under the apricot tree.

Thus, after they got together, they would revisit the place every year on Shen Rujiao’s birthday.

Shen Ruzhen was thoroughly disinclined to pose in a graduation gown under the apricot tree. She half-heartedly struck a few poses, earning the male lead’s critique: "Your smile doesn’t look like hers."

The so-called "perfect smile" required eyebrows curved like crescent moons, lips subtly upturned—any less would appear cold, any more would seem fawning. The dimples had to be just right—too deep would seem forced, too shallow would lack charm.

Shen Ruzhen bared her teeth, giving him a grotesque, demonic grin.

Fu Feng frowned.

He said coldly, "I’m taking the gifts I bought for Jiaojiao."

Shen Ruzhen: "I am Jiaojiao."

"You’re not."

"I am."

"You’re not."

"Fine. Right now, I am Shen Rujiao. Every time I see you, I am Shen Rujiao."

Fu Feng was finally speechless.

Shen Ruzhen: "So the gifts you bought for Jiaojiao belong to me when we’re together, and to her when we’re not. But whether we’re together or not, they’re never yours. So I should take them."

Fu Feng’s expression was blank. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find a counterargument.

Shen Ruzhen continued her verbal assault: "President Fu, haven’t you heard of Schrödinger’s cat? The cat’s life or death is in a superposition until observed. Similarly, the ownership of these gifts remains in superposition until Shen Rujiao returns to the country."

Fu Feng’s face clearly screamed: *What the hell are you talking about?*

Fu Feng had never been so publicly humiliated. He began to think that meeting Shen Ruzhen today had been a terrible idea.

Then again, when had Shen Ruzhen become so sharp-tongued? For every word he uttered, she had ten in response. Before today, she would only obediently say, "Yes, President Fu," allowing herself to be molded and manipulated without the slightest resistance.

Fu Feng practically wanted to flee.

Perhaps tomorrow’s "refreshed" Shen Ruzhen would be a little more normal.

Shen Ruzhen guessed Fu Feng’s thoughts and smiled faintly. "President Fu, it’s getting late. I’ll head back first."

Fu Feng grunted dismissively.

Shen Ruzhen breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave.

The summer night was sweltering, with no cool breeze, only the faint hum of cicadas.

The system cheered in her ear, "Go! Go! Go! Escape the dark room scenario!"

Shen Ruzhen took a few steps but suddenly felt something amiss—she didn’t hear the sound of another person’s footsteps.

She abruptly turned around and saw Fu Feng still standing in the same spot.

Fu Feng was looking down at his phone, the cold light of the screen reflecting in his eyes, making them appear even colder.

Shen Ruzhen’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and a premonition of dread rose within her.

Just then, Fu Feng looked up, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

Fu Feng smiled faintly. "I almost forgot earlier, but luckily my assistant reminded me. Shen Ruzhen, your Jiaojiao impression is way off. I think you need professional training to meet my standards."

The system shrieked in panic, "The dark room plot is here! Host, run!"

Shen Ruzhen scoffed. Could she run?

Of course not.

Even if it were just Shen Ruzhen and Fu Feng here, as a man, Fu Feng could easily overpower Shen Ruzhen.

Besides, who said they were alone?

If she couldn’t fight physically, she’d have to outwit him.

But very unfortunately for Fu Feng, Shen Ruzhen excelled at the latter.

Fu Feng waited, but Shen Ruzhen’s face showed not a flicker of fear, much to his disappointment.

It didn't take long before he heard her response.

Shen Ruzhen: "About this, President Fu, I’ve been meaning to talk to you."

Fu Feng frowned at her.

He couldn’t believe that she could possibly have any tricks left to play.