Chapter 29: Do You Like Me?

It was Ning Cai.

Ning Cai fixed her gaze on Shen Xian. “Aren’t you going to explain yourself?”

Then she added, “This isn’t the place to talk. Come with me.”

The creditor had spoken, so Shen Xian had no choice but to lead Wang Tianqi backstage.

Ning Cai asked, “Can you get in touch with the Postman?”

She spoke while staring intently into Shen Xian’s eyes.

A bold suspicion had taken root in her mind—Shen Xian might be the Postman himself!

But she wasn’t entirely sure; it seemed too incredible to be true.

If Shen Xian really was the Postman, why had he disappeared for three years? Why would he live like this now?

Indeed, in Ning Cai’s eyes, Shen Xian’s current situation was pitiable.

Not only had the woman he loved left him, he was also burdened with tens of millions in penalty fees.

Until his studio produced a top-tier singer, those penalty fees would remain.

Unless his studio managed to launch a first-tier artist, and that artist chose not to renew their contract when it expired, the matter would finally be settled.

But the contract still had more than a year left.

No entertainment company could cultivate a top-tier singer within a year.

As for signing one? Wishful thinking. A first-tier singer could earn hundreds of millions a year—could Shen Xian afford that?

Only someone out of their mind would join Shen Xian’s studio.

“Are you the Postman?” Ning Cai asked.

Shen Xian smiled faintly. “Yes, I am the Postman. How about that? Surprised?”

Ning Cai saw his expression and shook her head. “No, you’re not. If you were the Postman, you would definitely deny it.”

No one believes the truth.

Of course, Shen Xian knew exactly how to handle Ning Cai.

She was clever, skilled at picking up on every detail, able to distinguish truth from lies with ease.

Unfortunately, she had encountered Shen Xian, a master of manipulation.

Shen Xian’s emotional intelligence was high; he habitually adapted himself to others, considering their perspective and saying whatever they liked to hear.

If you question why so many people dislike him, it’s because they’ve had serious conflicts of interest with him.

Ning Cai’s intelligence was formidable, but her emotional intelligence was lacking.

So, Shen Xian could easily manipulate her, and she wasn’t even aware of it.

For example, he knew she liked the steamed dumplings from the east side of the city, the soy milk from the west, egg tarts from the south, and handmade bread from the north.

She wouldn’t bother going out of her way to buy them, just picking up a bit when she happened to pass by.

But Shen Xian was different.

Every time he visited her, he would get up early to buy all four of her favorite foods.

You might ask how he found the time—he would order delivery to designated spots, collect them himself, and then carry everything upstairs to present to Ning Cai.

Every time she saw these four foods, she imagined Shen Xian rising early, running from west to north, then from south to north.

That’s how he broke through her defenses.

Her intelligence was high, but she couldn’t withstand Shen Xian’s tactics.

“Can you contact the Postman?” Ning Cai asked again.

Shen Xian replied, “I can give it a try.”

Ning Cai frowned. “Forget it, don’t bother. I’ll figure something out myself.”

She thought of Zhou Wan, her close friend who liked the Postman. It might be better to let Zhou Wan reach out, and it could strengthen their bond.

Hearing this, Shen Xian didn’t insist. “Alright, I’ll follow your lead. Any decision you make, I’ll support unconditionally.”

Ning Cai merely glanced at him indifferently.

Shen Xian wasn’t embarrassed, his face shining with sincere, handsome smiles.

As their eyes met, Ning Cai noticed that Shen Xian’s gaze brimmed with deep affection, countless threads of emotion woven within.

“Do you like me?” Ning Cai asked, furrowing her brow.

Shen Xian was stunned.

Damn.

Why so direct?

How was he supposed to answer?

He couldn’t help but glance at Wang Tianqi.

Though blind, Wang Tianqi seemed to sense Shen Xian’s gaze; he turned away, leaned on his cane, and walked several steps in the opposite direction.

Was this something he should hear?

If he didn’t leave, his life might not be safe.

“Um…” Shen Xian hesitated.

Even with his high emotional intelligence, he didn’t know how to answer.

No answer seemed right.

It was a dangerous question.

If he said yes, Ning Cai might misunderstand.

The key was, Ning Cai was especially earnest; she didn’t understand jokes.

Once, Shen Xian teased her, saying, “I’m angry, and if you can’t cheer me up, I won’t leave the office unless you send me thirty thousand.”

Any other woman would have dealt with it by saying, “Oh, you’re so silly,” or “Don’t be ridiculous.”

But she didn’t. She actually transferred thirty thousand yuan to him.

If he said he didn’t like her, it would make things awkward for her.

Shen Xian’s mind spun rapidly, instantly coming up with countless ways to respond.

He gazed at Ning Cai with deep feeling. “President Ning, any man would like a woman like you. Beautiful, great figure, fair skin and long legs, capable, from a good family, wealthy, independent, with a clean private life—no man could resist your charm.”

“But when I face you, all I feel is inferiority.”

“I often wonder, if I’d been more accomplished, less insecure, if my family background were better, if I had more ability, I definitely wouldn’t have missed the chance for a woman like you.”

“But now, I don’t dare to say I like you. I’m not worthy.”

See?

That’s what high emotional intelligence looks like.

He hadn’t said he liked her, nor had he denied it.

Basically, he was admitting he was a loser who wasn’t worthy of liking her, nor dared to say so.

Wang Tianqi stood nearby, dumbfounded, his scalp tingling, goosebumps rising all over.

Was there really such a manipulative man in the world?

How was this any different from the online meme—“I only feel sorry for geigei”?

Wasn’t this just psychological manipulation?

Sensing Shen Xian’s gaze, Wang Tianqi stiffened, tapping his cane on the floor, face miserable. “Boss Shen, I can’t see. Where else am I supposed to go?”

Ning Cai ignored Wang Tianqi and focused seriously on Shen Xian. “Shen Xian, don’t belittle yourself. You’re very talented. I understand your state of mind. It’s alright, I don’t care about that. If you really like me, you can tell me boldly. I won’t laugh at you. Confidence is the most important thing in a man.”

What nonsense!

When did I ever say I liked you?

I look at everyone with deep feeling, alright? Even dogs!

Why are you so narcissistic?

“I’ll be waiting for the day you can tell me boldly that you like me. Who knows, maybe I’ll say yes.” Ning Cai said seriously, her tone measured and emotionless, as if an AI voice was speaking.

With that, Ning Cai walked out.

Shen Xian watched her leave, face twisted in misery.

He stomped his feet, his body contorted, his expression fierce. “What a mess!”