Zhong Yuwen sneered, "Who doesn’t have a family to rely on? Do you think you are superior to others?"
The words spoken were somewhat unpleasant. Zhuang Jie Ning coldly looked at Zhong Yuwen and chuckled lightly, "Families are not all comparable. You really have no idea of the immensity of heaven and earth. How dare you act so arrogantly in front of me?"
"What do you have to be proud of? Isn’t your marriage with Li Sihe about to be called off? Zhuang Jie Ning, I can’t wait to see you fall flat on your face!" Zhong Yuwen sneered maliciously, knocking over the wine glass in front of him.
Seeing that things were going south, his companion Anna, no longer caring about the consequences, quickly stood up and pulled on Zhong Yuwen, "Have you gone mad? Even if you lash out, consider the place and person! This is Miss Zhuang! Why offend her?"
"Am I wrong? Why don’t you ask Bian Yue next to you if Zhuang Jie Ning was dumped by her ex-fiance?"
The topic unexpectedly shifted from Zhuang Jie Ning to Bian Yue.
Bian Yue looked up, watching the drunken man’s tirade, her eyes calm and devoid of emotion. Having been around Shen Jinci for so long, Bian Yue had learned a bit of his tactful ways which were enough to intimidate others.
"Mr. Zhong, there is sobering tea downstairs. If you prefer not to walk, I can have a waiter bring it up. You are making a scene today, and it’s you who will end up looking bad."
Bian Yue was clearly trying to defuse the situation. Zhong Yuwen, with wide eyes, looked at her incredulously, "Zhuang Jie Ning was almost engaged to your ex-fiance! Miss Bian! How can you swallow that?"
"What’s there for me to swallow? You also mentioned he is my ex-fiance. Let’s leave this issue here."
With a tactical move, the title of Mrs. Shen wasn’t even needed to speak for Bian Yue to seize the power of speech among the gathering of wealthy young men and ladies.
So, it’s said, having money is easy, but in Xiangjiang City, amongst the countless wealthy people on the highway below, only a few really hold power.
Thus, everyone shifted their stance, tactfully remaining silent, even the previously rambunctious Zhong Yuwen quietly sat down.
Yet, the man gritted his teeth, his face tense, his eyes resentfully sweeping between Bian Yue and Zhuang Jie Ning.
Soon a waiter served the dishes, and Zhuang Jie Ning took the initiative to serve Bian Yue, smiling and saying, "Thank you just now."
"Your personality is cautious, not someone who engages in conflicts readily. Jie Ning, whatever the reason, I will only help you this once."
Bian Yue’s detached calm demeanor shattered Zhuang Jie Ning’s prepared speech, turning it into a worthless piece of paper.
Zhuang Jie Ning looked sadly at Bian Yue, "Bian Yue, why are you so cold towards me now? Could there be some misunderstanding between us?"
"I have no misunderstandings about Miss Zhuang," Bian Yue calmly replied, her voice even more serene, "Youthful friendships do not always last a lifetime. Miss Zhuang, you and I are not the same type of people."
Wen Jiao, sitting nearby eating melon seeds, was engrossed in their conversation, watching Zhuang Jie Ning’s sad expression with curiosity.
Bian Yue wasn’t usually such an unfeeling person.
Was there a misunderstanding between the two?
And the topic had shifted onto Bian Yue.
"Bian Yue, what have you been busy with recently? It seems we haven’t heard much about you since your marriage," class leader Zhan Xiangli asked with a smile, "Is something big about to happen?"
Bian Yue couldn’t help but laugh, "What big thing could there be?"
"Like, having a child with Mr. Shen!"
At this, everyone laughed.
Bian Yue’s face turned slightly red.
Having children, the two of them are still sleeping in separate rooms.
The closest of intimacies, is just that one kiss...
"Yes, Bian Yue, are you and Mr. Shen planning on having children?" Bai Wending curiously asked, "Last time my father met with Mr. Shen, Mr. Shen had a bit of drink. Are you not preparing for pregnancy?"
Observation was indeed meticulous.
Bian Yue smiled faintly and said, "No rush."
"What ’then’! Can we talk about something more nutritious?" Wen Jiao interrupted the gossip, "Didn’t you all tell me that a single, attractive man was coming? Where is he? It seems like everyone here is taken!"
"He’s on the way! Should be arriving soon, Wen Jiao, this gentleman’s qualifications are exceptional—you should consider him if you’re thinking about engagement," Zhan Xiangli teased with a laugh, "Seeing how concerned you are, perhaps you two are fated to hit it off!"
Wen Jiao really wanted to roll her eyes to heaven.
She just didn’t want this group to surround her precious Bian Yue with awkward questions; she wasn’t particularly eager to meet this so-called handsome man.
But hearing Zhan Xiangli repeatedly saying ’Mr.’, as if her tone carried respect, it sounded very impressive.
"You’re suggesting this person holds an important status?"
"Not exactly someone from our circle, a self-made business newcomer, his background and identity are a mystery, but..." Zhan Xiangli’s smile faded, her expression turning serious, "he is truly esteemed."
Wen Jiao raised an eyebrow, "How esteemed can he be? More than my wealthy family?"
Zhan Xiangli took a more serious expression, thought deeply for a moment, and then carefully said, "Yes."
Wen Jiao was surprised, even Bian Yue’s face showed astonishment.
Just then, a message from Shen Jinci came in, which Bian Yue picked up.
In the message, Shen Jinci said he was picking up a friend who was also headed to the Xiangjiang Hotel, and he would wait for Bian Yue downstairs soon.
Bian Yue speculated without basis and asked, "Do you have a friend coming?"
Inside the Bugatti Veyron, Shen Jinci held his phone, a smile tinting his eyes as he read Bian Yue’s message.
He spoke slowly, casually, "The gathering you are attending, it wouldn’t happen to be the same as Bian Yue’s, would it?"
Beside Shen Jinci, a man in a sleek, iron-gray suit with a sharp presence, and a face so striking—a pair of gold-rimmed glasses framed his phoenix eyes as he gently lifted his hand to adjust them, his voice as cold as his demeanor, "Probably so."
If Shen Jinci was an unfathomably deep ocean, then this man was a fierce storm, sharp and piercing.
"Wei Shuqian, you traveled thousands of miles from abroad, was it for old times’ sake?" Shen Jinci said indifferently.
"Big brother," Wei Shuqian coldly chuckled, his eyes icy like winter snow burying emotions, making him seem even more chilling, "I am not one to dwell on sentiments."
When Shen Jinci first knew Wei Shuqian, the latter was a fugitive, hunted by the mafia abroad, injured all over, barely clinging to life.
Now, he has become the king of the Underground Kingdom in S state.
Born from the swamp, destined not to blossom with warmth.
Shen Jinci was slightly curious about who exactly was the person for whom Wei Shuqian had returned such a long way.
Inside the private room, Wen Jiao was peeling seeds for Bian Yue, a full handful, and just as she was about to triumphantly hand them to Bian Yue, the door opened.
Wen Jiao instinctively looked toward the sound, and in the moment she saw the stern, sharp man at the door, all the seeds in her hand fell to the floor.
Wen Jiao heard a voice whisper in her ear: you’re done for.