Zhuang Jie Ning’s eyes were bloodshot as Shen Jinci rose to leave. In a sudden move, she reached out and embraced him from behind...
The atmosphere had plummeted to freezing point. Zhuang Jie Ning’s grip around Shen Jinci’s waist tightened until her knuckles turned white, her eyes brimming with tears as she choked out, "I like you, I’ve liked you for a long time. Since the first time I saw you, I’ve liked you."
"Let go." The man’s voice was indifferent.
Shen Jinci frowned at Zhuang Jie Ning’s hands clasped around his waist, the overly sweet fragrance from her body causing veins to pop at his temples.
Shen Jinci loathed any scent that wasn’t Bian Yue’s.
In fact, he had a severe case of germophobia.
"I’ve watched all your interviews, studied every single one of your business strategy documents, Mr. Shen. I truly do like you. I’m not like Bian Yue, I can offer you real support; I’d make a good wife."
Shen Jinci grabbed Zhuang Jie Ning’s hand, flinging it away forcefully, without any restraint.
Zhuang Jie Ning fell to the ground, her eyes hollow, staring at Shen Jinci as if she couldn’t believe this was happening.
She awkwardly propped herself up on the floor, motionless.
"I don’t care who you like, but I’m warning you, stay away from me. If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being rude."
His words were icy, devoid of any pleasantries.
Tears fell from Zhuang Jie Ning’s eyes, a sense of unwillingness growing wildly in her heart. She cried hysterically, "What’s wrong with me? Why won’t you like me? Shen Jinci, you’re so blind; how could you fall for that useless Bian Yue!"
His response to her was a sudden glacial look in his eyes.
His voice turned frosty, edged with malice, "Shut your mouth."
In that moment, Zhuang Jie Ning felt she saw beneath Shen Jinci’s cold and noble façade, a wild beast bristling with fangs.
The mere glimpse of his true self was enough to instill fear.
Zhuang Jie Ning’s face was ashen. Though still resentful, she dared not utter another word.
Unaware of the upheaval here, Bian Yue had received a call from Shen Jinci towards the end of the party.
He spoke gently, asking her how much longer the party would last and that he was waiting at the door to take her home.
Bian Yue had drunk a bit too much that day. She leaned on Anny’s arm, feeling a bit woozy; even her voice sounded sweet, "Why wait at the door? Why not come in?"
Her voice trailed off, exceedingly adorable.
Shen Jinci had just changed clothes, donning a grey overcoat in a rare casual attire, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the tightly shut doors of Bian Yue’s banquet hall, and he said with a smile, "Because I can’t overshadow President Bian."
"Psh," Bian Yue scoffed dismissively, "Do you think you’re underestimating me? Is my limelight so easily stolen?"
"Of course not, President Bian is the most formidable." Shen Jinci replied, "For future collaborations, I’ll need President Bian’s support."
Bian Yue, of course, knew that Shen Jinci was coaxing her.
Even if she ran herself ragged, it would probably be quite difficult to ’support’ Shen Jinci any time soon.
Bian Yue puffed her cheeks, laughing cutely, "Then... I will grudgingly support you! But you have to be obedient!"
Anny laughed at the side, finding it hard to believe that the same Bian Yue who had just been negotiating effortlessly with everyone, was in front of Mr. Shen.
"What counts as being obedient?" Shen Jinci’s hands were in his pockets, his voice light. He half-closed his eyes, concealing the excessive tenderness within.
"Like now, appearing at the door to pick me up and take me home!" Bian Yue said with a low chuckle, "The socializing is all done! We can sneak out, and no one will notice!"
Bian Yue’s networking had indeed come to an end. She had discussed the business plans and said all the things that needed to be said to everyone.
Now, it was indeed time to go home.
Shen Jinci’s eyes gleamed with deeper amusement as he said, "Okay, then I’ll come now to pick up the Moon Princess and take her home."
Bian Yue ended the call, smiling at anny beside her, "I’m leaving first, the rest is up to you."
anny, still somewhat reluctant, tugged at Bian Yue, "President Bian, won’t you let Mr. Shen come in for a chat? Not about work, just to have a drink."
Bian Yue understood anny’s implication. Even if they couldn’t use Lixing Group as a bargaining chip, having everyone see the extent of Shen Jinci’s care for her would certainly smooth out the cooperation considerably.
Bian Yue smiled, the previously cute and coquettish demeanor now gone, as she spoke gently and composedly, "I can’t, I want Shen Jinci to drive me home; he can’t be drinking and driving."
"The one coming to pick me up is my husband, not a spokesman for Lixing Group." Bian Yue interrupted anny gently, saying, "Okay, I leave it in your hands. Later, you mark the companies that show a greater interest in cooperation and compile a summary for me."
"Okay, I’ll do as you say," anny replied with a resigned smile.
As Bian Yue walked out of the banquet hall, she saw Shen Jinci standing at the entrance.
He was dressed in a deep grey coat with a white shirt underneath.
A simple combination, but one that made Bian Yue’s eyes light up.
There were occasional passersby in the corridor. Bian Yue darted gleefully into Shen Jinci’s arms, nuzzling his neck, and with a soft voice asked, "Mr. Shen came to pick me up?"
"Mhm, to pick up the Moon Princess." Shen Jinci steadied Bian Yue, gently patting her back, asking how much she had drunk and if she felt dizzy now.
"Not dizzy! I can drink a whole big bottle!" Bian Yue held up two fingers, swaying them, her smile curving her eyes as she said, "Shen Jinci, you look really handsome today!"
"Is that so? Then shall I wear this more often?"
"No way!" Bian Yue seriously turned down Shen Jinci’s suggestion.
Shen Jinci looked at Bian Yue with amusement, teasing her, "Why not?"
"It’s too handsome, it’s only for me to admire at home, you... you can’t go out and flirt with others." Bian Yue’s face was serious.
"Okay, I won’t go out. I’ll stay at home just for you to look at."
The two took the elevator down together, and Bian Yue held onto Shen Jinci’s arm all the way, refusing to let go.
As the elevator doors opened, a nervous Su Youxue had already been waiting outside for a while.
Seeing Su Youxue, Bian Yue regained some of her senses.
She straightened up, "Su Youxue?"
"Miss Bian, may I speak with you for a moment?" Su Youxue asked nervously.
Bian Yue shook Shen Jinci’s arm, "I can’t. I’m going home with my husband, and I can’t keep him waiting."
"Miss Bian..." Su Youxue stopped herself, clenching her fist. She glanced at Shen Jinci, who was adoringly looking at Bian Yue, knowing it wasn’t the time to talk. She took a deep breath, managing a smile as she said, "I just wanted to apologize to you. About the incident at the film set before, I’m sorry."
Bian Yue, quite tipsy, thought for a moment before laughing and waving her hand, "You did nothing wrong. It was just a competition between us."