dognovel Chapter 107 The closer to home, the more timid one becomes.
Chapter 107 The closer to home, the more timid one becomes.
Behind the crowd, Bai Linlin squinted at the two people in front of her who were being fawned over, a hint of jealousy rising from the bottom of her heart.
Lu Chuan, who was also wearing a suit, smiled and looked ahead, his eyes flashing slightly.
As the saying goes, it's better to rely on yourself than on others.
Lu Chuan never placed his affections on the fickle woman beside him. It was as if he were wearing a mask of gentle refinement.
His tone was gentle, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Let's go. The banquet will start soon, and we should go in."
Bai Linlin's thoughts were interrupted. She came back to her senses and subconsciously smiled, her tone sweeter than sugar.
"Brother Lu, did you succeed in the bid you mentioned last time?"
Lu Chuan, arm in arm with the woman, spoke casually, twirling his fingers as he held Bai Linlin's arm. "Not yet. The bidding won't start until the latter half of this month, just in time for the government's land consolidation."
Upon hearing this, Bai Linlin's eyes lit up, and immense joy welled up from the bottom of her heart. It was laughable that she hadn't thought things through in her previous life, focusing all her attention on men. Now that she had been given a second chance, she would strive for everything she had gained and hadn't gained in the past.
Oh, right,
And... what about Bai Susu?
We mustn't forget her dear older sister.
Bai Linlin smiled broadly, as if she had thought of something that made her happy. She hummed a little tune and walked forward with elegant steps, arm in arm with Lu Chuan.
The two, with different thoughts, were thinking about the same thing.
……
The Shen family's banquet was held in the banquet hall of another manor, which was decorated in a magnificent style. The people coming and going all seemed to be acquaintances, and they raised their glasses to praise each other.
Chu Li stood on the second-floor railing, staring intently at the exit below.
Finally, with the sound of regular footsteps, a group of bodyguards in black led the way, and a beautiful couple entered through the door.
Jiang Ci led Shen Xi out.
Shen Qi, with his hair slicked back, stood solemnly in the center of the hall, holding a glass of champagne, greeting the guests coming and going. Beside him was a man who looked somewhat familiar to Shen Xi.
The more she looked at it, the more familiar it seemed, and Shen Xi couldn't help but glance at it again.
Um……?
Her boss has dyed his hair gray, right? And he usually cherishes his beautiful hair the most, and when he has nothing to do, he likes to smugly pick up a comb and admire himself in the mirror.
Jiang Ci noticed the gazes of the Shen father and son before Shen Xi did, because they had been staring at them ever since Xi Xi appeared.
Now it seems much more open and aboveboard.
Tsk, especially that Shen Ke.
Ugly eyes.
Shen Qi casually placed his wine glass on the plate held by the waiter. After a moment's thought, he put on what he thought was a kind and gentle smile, walked through the crowd, and slowly approached Shen Xi.
Jiang Ci's eyes were dark and unfathomable as he calmly looked at Shen Qi. "Uncle Shen, it's been a long time."
The Shen family and the Jiang family had cooperated before, and addressing each other as "uncle" was just right – neither too close nor too distant.
Business people always think three steps ahead before taking one step.
Shen Qi's gaze lingered on Shen Xi's face for three seconds before quickly shifting away. He looked at this promising young member of the Jiang family, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
"It has been a while since we last met," Shen Qi said, not bothering with pleasantries. He didn't even glance at Jiang Ci before turning his gaze to Shen Xi.
A forced smile appeared on his usually stern face.
"May I ask who this young lady is?"
Shen Qi spoke only half of what he meant, not revealing Shen Xi's identity, but instead turning the conversation to Jiang Ci.
His gaze toward Jiang Ci was direct and scrutinizing; Shen Qi wanted to see how Xiao Xi was regarded by this younger member of the Jiang family.
Old fox.
Jiang Ci chuckled softly, his voice deep and slow, never letting go of Shen Xi's hand.
"This is Shen Xi. She is a painter and also my wife."
Jiang Ci changed his tone,
"Xixi, this is Uncle Shen, the president of Shen's Group, and also Shen Ke's father."
While introducing Shen Xi, Jiang Ci also introduced Shen Qi to her.
Shen Xi felt that this Uncle Shen seemed to be deliberately avoiding her gaze, but she still smiled politely.
"Hello Uncle Shen, I've long admired your name. I'm Shen Xi."
The look his daughter gave him made the man, who was over fifty, feel uneasy. His gaze softened, and after a few seconds, his tone became rather serious.
"Young lady, don't be so polite. If I'm not mistaken, you should know my wife. Her name is Chu Li. You met her a few days ago, and she likes you very much."
He paused for a moment and then said, "Perhaps you also know Shen Ke."
Chu Li, who came downstairs early, stood at a distance from them. People around her were toasting her, and Shen Ke stood behind her mother to shield her.
Their figures were completely obscured.
Chu Li kept her eyes on that spot, hesitating and not daring to go forward. When she saw the well-behaved girl smiling at Shen Qi, she choked up instantly.
It is more timid to be close to hometown, and I dare not ask people.
"Madam Shen, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
The ladies standing nearby noticed her pale and bewildered expression and were at a loss. They all knew that Madam Shen was known for her good fortune but poor health.
Shen Ke, of course, had been looking around as well. He knew exactly what was going on with his mother. He held a glass of champagne and stood around Chu Li, making small talk.
"Come, come, aunties, let me toast you. The rise of the Shen family over the years would not have been possible without your help. I wish you all to live younger and younger and live more and more wonderful lives in the future."
"Oh my, how come Xiao Ke is so good at talking?" The lady in the yellow dress couldn't stop smiling as she joked with her group of old friends next to her.
"Who says otherwise? If you ask me, Xiao Ke will be even better at talking than President Shen in the future. She's a capable person..."
Shen Ke smiled and toasted them, noticing out of the corner of his eye that his mother had walked over to his... sister.
As if sensing something, Shen Qi immediately turned around to look behind him.
As expected, it was the first ceremony.
"Young lady, this is my wife, Chu Li. The one I just mentioned to you."
Finally, as Shen Qi introduced Chu Li, she stepped forward, mustering her courage, tears welling in her eyes.
"Xixi, what a coincidence, we... meet again."
Shen Xi's eyes widened, and her brow twitched. She was somewhat surprised that Chu Li was actually the lady of the Shen family.
In other words, she is her boss's mother.
When she met Chu Li, she could tell from her every move that this lady came from a distinguished family, but she was somewhat surprised to learn that she was her boss's mother.
If we argue it this way,
Her boss... also has a lost younger sister?
But when facing the boss's mother, Shen Xi became even more respectful, her working-class DNA instantly kicking in.
It's no exaggeration to say that if her skirt hadn't been holding her back, she almost would have bent over at a 90-degree angle to greet them.
"What a coincidence! I never expected that the banquet you invited me to last time was this one."
Seeing her somewhat unfamiliar attitude, Chu Li felt a pang of sadness and hesitated to step forward.
After a long pause, she suppressed the bitterness in her heart and smiled gently at Shen Xi, inviting him to speak.
"That's perfect, we've run into each other today, my wish hasn't been in vain. Xixi, would you like to stroll around the Shen family's compound with me? It'll be quite boring later when all the men are raising their glasses to discuss business, do we want to keep each other company?"
"No need to trouble Aunt Chu. I brought Xixi out today, not to discuss business in this area. I just wanted everyone to see her, so I could also get a title."
Jiang Ci spoke casually, showing no concern for his own reputation.
Shen Xi felt the man beside her tighten his arm for no apparent reason, as if he didn't want her to let go.
Shen Qi, sitting opposite him, saw all of this. His smile was somewhat forced, and the veins on his forehead throbbed vigorously.
"Let's see what Miss Shen wants, and not be too restrictive of her."
In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Shen Xi. At that moment, Shen Xi felt a chill run down her spine as she was stared at by these big shots.
Just as Jiang Ci was about to speak,
"Why make things difficult for the children? Let Xiaoxi go wherever she wants. Don't listen to what they say. Xiaoci is the same; she's just picked up Jiang Hui's habit of keeping Hualan by his side."
Chu Li interrupted Shen Xi's thoughts, not wanting to put her child in a difficult position.
Jiang Ci listened to the advice of his listeners and, going with the flow, said...
"Aunt Chu is right, I didn't do well."
Shen Qi watched his wife from the side. He stopped trying to persuade her and instead took off a simple-looking ring from his finger and handed it to Shen Xi.
"...This can't be accepted, can it?!"
"No, since Miss Shen is here today, she is my honored guest, so this ring is for you."
Chu Li reached out and stopped Shen Xi from taking off the ring. Her tone was gentle and her voice was very kind. "Please accept it, Miss Shen. This ring isn't worth much. Consider it a gift. There's no need to refuse it."
Jiang Ci watched without saying a word.
Shen Xi no longer refused and accepted the ring gracefully, thanking him repeatedly.
Jiang Ci watched their interaction for a long time before his gaze softened, and his eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.
Shen Xi is related to the Shen family.
Or, to put it another way, it's more appropriate.
Xi Xi is... their daughter.
He pursed his lips, intentionally pulling Shen Xi behind him, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at Shen Qi.
"Wasn't Uncle Shen planning to hold an engagement banquet today?"
"This venue setup doesn't seem quite right."
Jiang Ci always speaks incisively, and his mind often works at lightning speed at such moments.
Shen Qi's expression wasn't much better when he mentioned this. He turned his gaze away, his voice as calm as still water.
"Some problems arose, so the wedding banquet was canceled and turned into a business banquet."
Jiang Ci blinked, and asked seemingly casually,
"It seems that Uncle Shen's daughter didn't come today?"
Shen Qi narrowed his eyes. Was this kid looking for trouble today?
But the girl was in front of someone else.
He gritted his teeth, swallowing his pride this time, and said slowly and deliberately, "She's sick and still in the hospital."
Jiang Ci gave a meaningful "oh".
Ha, what's with this brat's sarcastic remarks?
not far away
Bai Linlin sat alone in the corner, holding a glass of champagne, listening with great interest to Jiang Ci and Shen Qi's voices.
She swirled her wine glass, the wine inside bobbing and tumbling. She glanced thoughtfully at the woman in front of her, who was hidden from view by Jiang Ci.
Interesting, it seems that the Shen couple treats Shen Xi in a rather unusual way?
Her eyes flickered slightly. Had something happened that she didn't know about?
Also, why is Shen Xi here but Bai Susu hasn't arrived yet?
Her gaze swept across the entire banquet hall, but she didn't see Bai Susu, nor did she see the Sheng family member.
Bai Linlin's gaze turned slightly cold as she put down her wine glass and walked towards the back.
She walked to the back garden, intending to find Lu Chuan, when at that moment a woman in a hospital gown suddenly charged at her like a cannonball.
"ah!! !"
Bai Linlin fell backward to the ground, her dress stained with a large black patch of dirt, even though she was wearing a white dress.
She angrily and hurriedly got up and grabbed the woman who was trying to run away.
Bai Linlin showed no mercy. She quickly stood up, grabbed the woman in the hospital gown by the hair, patted her face, and said in a sinister tone,
"Are you blind? You bumped into someone and just tried to run away?"
"Let go, get your filthy hands off me!!"
Shen Lu tightly gripped her hair that was about to be pulled out, her sharp voice seemingly piercing people's eardrums.
She regretted it. She shouldn't have come back. Now she'd been kicked out of the Shen family, and some random, unknown woman could grab her by the hair and arrogantly scorn her!
Bai Linlin sneered and effortlessly dragged her like a dead dog to a corner of the garden. Suddenly, she shoved Shen Lu to the ground.
"Ah, you lunatic, what are you doing?"
Shen Lu fell heavily to the ground, her body and arms covered in sharp thorns—the marks left by the roses in the garden. She sat on the ground in a disheveled state, her hair and face filthy, with streaks of blood seeping from the bandages on her ankles.
Bai Linlin didn't recognize this mentally ill woman in a hospital gown, but that didn't stop her from dealing with her.
"If this were in front of others, you might actually be able to leave. But now, unfortunately, I've caught you."
Bai Linlin's fingertips lightly touched Shen Lu's face, her eyes filled with disdain and mockery. A smile played on her lips as she looked at the woman who had bumped into her.
"Keep tonight's events a secret, or I really will kill you."
Bai Linlin spoke innocently, and if others saw her like that, it would seem as if someone had bullied her.
After she finished speaking, she threw away Shen Lu's arm, which was holding her, as if she were throwing away trash.
Shen Lu had never encountered such a shameless hypocrite. Her face was streaked with tears, making her completely unrecognizable. Her voice was filled with anguish.
"You just wait, if my dad finds out, he'll never let you off the hook. Who lives and who dies is anyone's guess!"
Beneath the sycamore tree, the roadside lights were dim. Bai Linlin's expression was unreadable. She stopped and turned her head coldly to look at this brainless and foolish woman. Her father?
How could someone with such a mental illness come from a good family?
That's... that's so unfair.