Chapter 551 - 550: The Sacrifice Behind the Scenes (Part 4)

"You even brought them gifts?" Wu Sheng asked, holding Su Li’s arm.

Su Li nodded. "Mhm, I couldn’t possibly show up empty-handed. I had to bring a little something."

"I want to thank you for going to all this trouble, but I’m also a little jealous," Wu Sheng said, taking a deep breath.

"You’re amazing, Su Li... With you, I’ll definitely be the envy of everyone. Not just anyone gets to have such a wonderful and thoughtful wife."

’When other guys’ fiancées or wives visit, none of them are like Su Li, bringing gifts for everyone!’

"You’re exaggerating. It’s just a few simple snacks."

Su Li was, of course, happy that Wu Sheng understood her intentions, but his praise also made her a bit shy.

"So what did you bring?" Wu Sheng asked curiously.

"You’ll see when we get outside." ’We’re heading out right now anyway.’

"Mhm." Wu Sheng nodded. "Zhang Ming and the guys are really cashing in, thanks to me."

"You..." Su Li started to reply, but fell silent the moment she saw who was walking toward them.

Su Li saw them, as did Wu Sheng. And, of course, the approaching figures saw them too.

It was none other than Li Kai Xuan, whom she had met once before, accompanied by a tall, dark-faced stranger.

"Well now... what have we here..." Li Kai Xuan said, his eyes filled with curiosity as he spotted Wu Sheng and Su Li.

"Showing the missus around?" Li Kai Xuan asked with a smile.

Su Li recalled what Li Kai Xuan had said the last time she saw him with Zhao Haiyang’s group, so she merely gave a slight nod and didn’t reply.

Wu Sheng stopped and remained silent, watching Li Kai Xuan.

Li Kai Xuan’s smile became a little stiff. He then raised his hand in a salute, and only then did Wu Sheng nod.

For some reason, the tall, dark-faced man’s expression was awful. His already dark face seemed to grow even darker as he shot Wu Sheng a death glare.

"I’m heading off."

He muttered, then walked right past them. Before he left, he shot Su Li a look—incredibly sharp and filled with an indescribable disdain.

Su Li’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Hey... I wasn’t finished. You two aren’t talking anymore? Things seemed fine before. Does this mean the rumors are true?"

Li Kai Xuan met Wu Sheng’s gaze and decided not to continue. Instead, he nonchalantly excused himself.

Before he left, his gaze fell on Su Li, and he gave her a slight nod.

Su Li turned, her eyes following the tall, dark-faced stranger who was now striding away.

"Don’t look. Let’s go." Wu Sheng blocked Su Li’s view and nudged her shoulder, steering her toward the exit. "Why didn’t you mention you brought gifts earlier?"

Su Li just smiled without a word. Once they were outside the main gate, she watched Wu Sheng open the trunk and asked from behind him.

"Wu Sheng, that man just now..."

"He’s no one important. Don’t worry about it," Wu Sheng replied instantly.

Su Li looked at Wu Sheng’s profile and poked his cheek. "Was that the friend who cut ties with you?"

Wu Sheng whipped his head around, and Su Li’s hand landed right on his lips.

The softness of his lips stunned Su Li for a second, and she snatched her hand back.

Wu Sheng’s heart skipped a beat. Ignoring the strange sensation on his lips, he said, "Stop poking me and talking nonsense."

Su Li cleared her throat. "I’m not talking nonsense. I heard about it."

"Who’s been running their mouth?" Wu Sheng frowned, thinking for a moment. "Qian Duoduo?"

Su Li didn’t answer, simply watching him in silence.

Wu Sheng shook his head. "I was wondering why you were being so generous all of a sudden. So you were moved... Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing."

"How could it be nothing..." Su Li sighed and tugged on the hem of Wu Sheng’s shirt. "Wu Sheng... you’ve sacrificed too much... You didn’t have to. It’s fine if he just says a few things."

"How could it not be necessary? I can take it if he says a few things about me, but I can’t stand him saying anything about you."

Wu Sheng reached out and stroked Su Li’s hair. "Su Li, I mean it. Don’t worry. It’s a shame, sure, but I’m not really that upset about it."

He thought for a moment before continuing. "I’ve already said it: you and I are one and the same. Respecting you is respecting me. The fact that he couldn’t do that indirectly shows his true attitude toward me. I should be grateful for this chance to see the reality of the situation."

Su Li sighed in resignation. "Wu Sheng."

"I’m telling the truth. Even though we’d always gotten along well, there were some points of friction. I never agreed with the way he treats his wife... How should I put it? I guess our fundamental values just don’t align."

’He’d actually picked up that phrase, "our values don’t align," from Su Li.’

Su Li looked at Wu Sheng and exhaled slowly. "Are you really serious?"

’People would endlessly debate the question of whether to side with your girlfriend or your friend. Most wouldn’t actually break off a friendship over a girlfriend... but Wu Sheng did.’

Wu Sheng looked at Su Li and nodded firmly. "Really. It’s not that I’m not sad at all, but it’s well within a range I can accept. And you shouldn’t blame yourself. In fact, I should be thanking you."

"Thank me?" Su Li was puzzled.

"Mhm. This whole incident helped me get a clearer picture of who my real friends are."

Wu Sheng told Su Li earnestly, "Qian Duoduo and the others didn’t quite understand my decision at first either. But after I told them I was committed to you and explained my request, they all agreed. And when they met you, they really kept their word."

"The fact that they could do that shows how much they value me. Isn’t that what friends are for?"

After a moment’s pause, Su Li had to nod in agreement.

’He’s right. That really is how it is. That’s what friends do.’

’Lots of people run into this problem, where their partner and their best friend don’t quite get along. But a true friend won’t just complain endlessly; they’ll make an effort to accept the person you love.’

"So, don’t worry about it anymore. It’s all in the past," Wu Sheng said, ruffling Su Li’s hair as he looked earnestly into her eyes.

Su Li nodded. "Okay."

"Alright, let me see what you brought." Wu Sheng bent down to look in the trunk. "Whoa, three boxes."

"Mhm, this box has steamed cakes and pastries. They’re good for a quick bite when you’re hungry, just to tide you over."

"This much?" Wu Sheng asked, opening a box to peek inside. "When did you make all this?"

"I made some last night, and a little more this morning."

As Su Li replied, she pointed to another box. "This one has cold side dishes, including the wood ear mushroom and cellophane noodle salads like we had earlier. The flavor will be even better if you eat them tonight."

"And this last box is meat jerky. It’s store-bought, but it’s really good."

Wu Sheng looked at everything and suddenly sighed. "Su Li... I’m starting to regret this. Can I just keep it all for myself?"

Su Li: "..."

"I can’t, right? You already promised them," Wu Sheng said, avoiding the eye-roll he knew was coming as he lifted the boxes out.

"Can you manage those?" Su Li asked.

"Of course I can. This is the first time anyone’s ever brought so much for us." Wu Sheng looked at the three fully-packed boxes, his face beaming with pride.

"I’m pretty great, aren’t I?" Su Li asked, grinning.

"Mhm." Wu Sheng nodded emphatically. "When I carry these in today, they’re going to be howling all day long with envy, jealousy, and hate."

Just as Wu Sheng predicted, the moment he carried the three boxes inside, a chaotic battle erupted over the contents.

"Boss, does your lady have any sisters? Any chance we could become brothers-in-law?"

After the scramble died down, pretty much everyone asked the same question.

Wu Sheng’s answer, of course... was bound to disappoint them.