Chapter 177 - Overlapping Past (1)

"Glorious Days Company? Yes, I have heard of that company. Isn't that one of the major publishing companies in our country?" Li Chunhua echoed his word while working her brain in a split second. 

She knew that Li Caiyi and Shao Jingfei had a somewhat business-like relationship, despite being good friends. Still, she didn't expect that Shao Jingfei was a member of the Shao family, whose name was prominent in the publishing industry.

'Is it also why Xiaoyi trusted him so much? Because she knew he was part of that family?' Li Chunhua contemplated inwardly. 

However, it also made her wonder because, as far as she was concerned, she had never encountered or seen Shao Jingfei in any banquet and the high-class party she attended so far. To build her persona, Li Chunhua always kept her ear to the latest gossip and trends around the circles but never once did she ever hear of Shao Jingfei's name being mentioned. 

"Yeah. Although we both have the same Shao in our name, it doesn't mean we are in the same standing per se, if you know what I mean there." Shao Qian moved his eyebrows up and down as though trying to imply something. 

Upon hearing that, Li Chunhua actually already had some idea of what kind of situation Shao Jingfei was in, but she didn't dare to make an assumption here. Hence, she put on an innocent expression while tilting her head.

"I'm sorry, but I'm pretty slow at guessing. Can you tell me more in detail?"

"Well, I don't mind, but please tell me your name first. It's hard to converse while not knowing your name."

"My name is Li Chunhua. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said as she tucked the strand of her hair behind her ears, showing off her lovely side, one of her secret weapons. It worked wonders because Shao Qian looked even more invested in her.

"Chunhua… What a pretty name." He cleared away his throat before speaking again, "Alright. Since you have told me your name, it's my turn to answer your question. But do you think we can exchange our contact information later? You know, to get to know each other better?"

Li Chunhua was really uncomfortable seeing him wiggling his eyebrows up and down again. However, she didn't show the discomfort on her face and said politely instead, "Yes, sure. I don't mind. Can I ask you about the relationship between you and Shao Jingfei now?"

"Hehe, alright, I will let you in on a big secret." Shao Qiang glanced towards the kitchen where Shao Jingfei disappeared to. Only after making sure the coast was clear did he speak again.

"My relationship with Shao Jingfei was pretty simple. We hated each other's guts. He always looks down on others while thinking he is the best among all the children in the same generation of our family. I don't understand why Uncle treats him so well."

"What do you mean? By Uncle, do you mean Shao Jingfei's father?" Li Chunhua, who was immersed in the gossip she had just heard, leaned her upper body forward slightly and asked in a low voice. 

Shao Qian, who enjoyed the girl's attention on him, was spurred to spill more beans. With a smug grin, he continued, "Don't be fooled by his happy-go-lucky appearance. The real Shao Jingfei was much more sinister and dark than you thought. Although he seems friendly outside, he never wants to get close to anyone. A typical insecure and edgy kid, I guess? The one who keeps saying 'I hate people' and pushes away everyone around him. I bet he actually thinks everyone else but he as stupid."

He shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say? We are just born differently from the start."

Li Chunhua selectively filtered his explanation, which mainly comprised self-complaining, and asked again, "By differently, do you mean he has a different background with you?"

The color of Shao Qian's face changed immediately when he realized he had just messed up. He was so happy that Li Chunhua was so eager to listen to his story that he accidentally touched a subject he shouldn't talk about with an outsider. If his uncle found out, he would get a scolding for sure!

"Cough. Nevermind that. It isn't that interesting, anyway. More importantly, when are you going to talk about yourself?" He asked while flashing what supposedly was a charming smile, but he only looked like a catfish smiling like that in her eyes.

Li Chunhua almost clicked her tongue when she heard him trying to change the subject. Now that his explanation successfully sparked her curiosity, she wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully if she didn't hear more of it.

Li Chunhua grabbed Shao Qian's face with a pleading gaze, causing the young man's mouth to open in shock. "Can you please continue what you were talking about before? I'm really curious because I want to know what makes you and Shao Jingfei so different. I can tell you are better than him since the beginning, but I just want a reason to explain that feeling. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Li Chunhua used her hidden technique and put on a puppy-like expression, which had never failed in the past before.

Sure enough, the tip of Shao Qian's ears visibly reddened, and he was so flustered he couldn't speak properly after that. 

"H-huh? O-oh, yes. I'm glad you think that way, although I didn't expect you to be so forward about it."

"Hehe, it's because I feel comfortable talking to you. If it's you, I think I can talk about anything." 

"I-Is that so? Haha, you have good taste," Shao Qiang let out a smirk of satisfaction. "If you want to know that badly, I don't have any reason to refuse. Just make sure you keep your lip shut tightly, or else we both will get into trouble."

"Aye aye, Sir!" Li Chunhua said while making a salute gesture.

"Hehe, you are so cute. Then, I will tell you about this, don't be surprised," Shao Qiang had a mysterious expression on his face as he spoke in a lower voice. 

"Shao Jingfei is my uncle's illegitimate child. He wasn't supposed to be taken into the Shao family if not for his luck.. Nobody in our family likes him, except for my first cousin."