"If you go back on your word, beware the ghost that knocks on your door at midnight." Shangguan You’s chilly voice rang in Shen Jia’s ears, and she suddenly felt a draft behind her. Turning around, she glared fiercely at Shangguan You.
"Jia, Uncle, Auntie, over here." The gentle voice swept over everyone like a breath of spring wind. Beneath the sunlight, which illuminated a face of cultivated grace and courtesy, a tall figure emerged from a luxury car and waved at the three members of the Shen family.
Shangguan You’s body instantly stiffened, her hands tightly clenching together. She hadn’t expected to encounter him again on her first day back in Beijing, a voice that she would recognize even if it turned to ash. Her body began to tremble slightly, her normally rosy complexion now as pale as a sheet.
It seemed as if the man’s gentle voice resonated in her ears, causing her body to shake uncontrollably. "Wanyou, no matter what happens, I will be with you. We will work hard together and make the Shen Family shine."
"Wanyou, you are the only woman I have loved in this life. Marrying you is the reward of several lifetimes."
"Wanyou, Grandpa is getting old; we shouldn’t quarrel with him. Let’s return to the Shen Mansion."
"Wanyou, Grandpa and you are my only family and love. I don’t want to see you fall out because of me."
His gentle voice and tender gaze seemed to appear before her eyes, and scenes flashed through her mind like a movie. A cold smile curled up at the corner of her mouth as she fixed her icy gaze on the person laughing heartily as he pulled Shen Jia into his embrace. Her entire being felt as though she was in a world of ice and snow.
"Jia, Uncle, Auntie." Another gentle female voice called out as another graceful figure emerged from the car, the woman in Chanel quietly smiling at Shen Jia and her parents.
"Brother Shen Cheng!" The anger on Shen Jia’s face receded as she threw herself at the imposing figure, curling up in the man’s embrace like a kitten and coquettishly seeking his affection.
"Jia missed you so much. Have you missed Jia?"
"Of course, I have," Shen Cheng said with a smile, his large hand gently stroking Shen Jia’s hair.
"Jia, do you remember me?" Wanqian asked gently, smiling softly at Shen Jia.
"Of course, you are Sister Wanqian. Sister, you get more and more beautiful, radiating nobility. If I hadn’t known Sister Wanqian before, I wouldn’t recognize you now."
"Jia, you’re such a sweet-talker."
"Chengcheng, Wanqian." Shen Congming nodded at his nephew with a smile. Knowing that Shen Cheng was doing well in Beijing naturally pleased him.
"Yes. Let’s go. Today we are going to welcome Uncle, Auntie, and Jia to Beijing," Wanqian said with a gentle smile. She stepped forward to take Shen Jia’s hand, forcing her to let go of Shen Cheng.
"Yes, Uncle’s family will temporarily stay with us. Let’s go; today I’ll introduce you to Beijing," Shen Cheng said with a laugh. He suddenly felt a cold gaze scanning him. Lifting his head in surprise, he looked toward the source of the gaze.
The first thing Shen Cheng saw was a pair of deep, ocean-like eyes exuding a chilly, noble demeanor. She had long, willow-leaf eyebrows, a delicate nose, and cherry-red lips that accentuated her pale, delicate skin. Her face was so exquisite it was hard to look away. Her raven-black hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she was dressed in a casual white outfit.
Her attire was casual, yet she stood like a lily, noble and tranquil amidst the crowd, drawing gazes with her ethereal presence. She was younger than Shen Jia. Shen Cheng examined Shangguan You, captivated by her refulgent poise. He wanted to approach and speak with her. Where had he seen her before?
"Cousin, why bother with that idiot, Shangguan You?" Noticing Shen Cheng’s gaze, Shen Jia couldn’t help but speak coquettishly, shooting a venomous glare at Shangguan You. Damn it, is she trying to seduce my cousin?
"Jia, do you know that girl?" Shen Cheng withdrew his gaze, inquiring of the pouting Shen Jia beside him.
"Of course. She’s just a bastard—stupid, ugly, silly, and dull. What’s so great about her?" Shen Jia reverted to her usual scornful comments.
"Hehe, Jia, that girl is quite pretty. Do you have a grudge against her?" Wanqian glanced at Shangguan You then quickly looked away, clearly uninterested in a girl who was still wet behind the ears.
"Humph, a big one."
"Miss, let’s go. The Old Master is waiting for us over there," Zhang Ma said, carrying luggage as she walked up excitedly to Shangguan You. She was elated that the Old Master himself had come to pick Miss up; this was an immense honor. Overjoyed, she naturally didn’t notice Shangguan You’s unusual state.
"Mm," Shangguan You responded softly, walking toward Shen Jia and the others.
"Idiot You, do you need us to give you a lift? Looks like you have no one to pick you up. TSK, TSK, TSK, so pitiful. Bastard, bastard." Seeing Shangguan You approach, Shen Jia launched into another tirade. This Shangguan You dares to flirt with Brother Shen Cheng right in front of me; I’ll make her pay.
"Jia, we’re classmates after all; you can’t be so impolite," Duan Mei uttered a mild reprimand.
"Little sister, where do you live? Is this your first time in Beijing? Let us take you home," Wanqian offered kindly to Shangguan You. However, her tone was overwhelmingly arrogant and presumptuous.
"Do you all have that much free time?" Shangguan You arched an eyebrow and laughed coldly, suppressing the icy chill in her heart. Wanqian’s smile instantly froze; this girl was actually refusing to play along.
"If you have so much time, perhaps you could all become taxi drivers, taking people home from the airport. You could earn money at the same time—it would be an honest living, not filthy money obtained through shameful means." Shangguan You put heavy emphasis on the word ’filthy’, her cold eyes casually glancing at Shen Cheng.
Wanqian’s body stiffened in an instant. Why did those words sound so familiar?
"Shangguan You, don’t be ungrateful! Offering you a ride is a sign of respect, a gesture of pity for you!" Shen Jia’s face flushed red and white with anger, her body shaking as she cursed out loud.
Shen Cheng’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he crossed his arms, watching with intrigue the girl who dared to scold him.