“Not going back yet?”
Xi Ying, happily drinking her hot milk tea, was startled by the unexpected voice and nearly choked.
“Cough cough cough…”
Shang Yu subconsciously tried to reach out and pat her back, but a hand was even faster, already resting on her back.
Shang Chenyan walked over expressionlessly and naturally patted her back. “Drink slower.”
Xi Ying swallowed the red bean in her mouth and quickly stood up. “Mr. Shang, why are you here?”
Shang Chenyan lifted his wrist with his watch toward her. “What time is it?”
“Two-thirty…”
It was already time to go back to work in the afternoon.
Xi Ying pouted. Wasn’t he the one who told her to take care of Shang Nian? She thought she could spend the whole afternoon playing with her and wouldn’t need to return to the office.
Shang Yu added from the side, clearly enjoying the drama. “Uncle, you really know how to exploit people.”
Shang Chenyan glanced at him coldly. “What day is it today? You’re neither in school nor at work. Since you’re so free, go on a business trip tomorrow.”
Even though Shang Yu was his nephew, he couldn’t suppress the rising irritation and jealousy in his heart.
Shang Yu immediately raised his hands. “My bad, I’m leaving right now.”
Before Xi Ying could even say another word, Shang Yu slipped away quickly.
Clearly, he was very afraid of his uncle.
This was bloodline suppression.
Once Shang Yu left, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
Xi Ying lowered her head and glanced at Shang Nian for help. Shang Nian immediately tugged at Shang Chenyan’s trouser leg.
The man crouched down and picked her up. “What did you play just now?”
Shang Nian couldn’t speak, so he was clearly asking Xi Ying.
“She played football with the other kids,” Xi Ying replied.
“How did you all meet Shang Yu?”
“It was just a coincidence. I don’t know why he was here.”
She lowered her head and fiddled with her clothes, then cautiously asked, “Mr. Shang, are you really going to send him on a business trip?”
Then she wouldn’t be able to contact Shang Yu anymore except through messages.
Shang Chenyan suddenly stopped walking. Xi Ying, who was following behind him, failed to stop in time and bumped into his broad back.
She stepped back, rubbing her slightly sore nose, her eyes turning red.
Shang Chenyan turned around, his thin lips pressed tightly together. A sour, bitter emotion surged through him.
“You don’t want him to go on a business trip? You like him?”
“No, no!” Xi Ying quickly waved her hands in panic. She was only doing a task—she would never have any feelings for her target.
Although this world felt very real, in Xi Ying’s subconscious, everything here—every person, every object—was just data.
Who would fall in love with something fictional?
“I just mean… Nian Nian played for a long time and got a bit cold, so he went to buy milk tea for us. In fact, we delayed his time…”
The man looked at her in silence. Her voice grew softer and softer.
“Anyway… it’s not really his fault…”
Shang Chenyan only felt a sharp bitterness in his teeth.
Meng Family
Meng Shuyan had just woken up when the housekeeper came in.
“Miss, Miss Xia has been waiting downstairs for a long time.”
She sat at the dressing table, brushing her hair impatiently. “What is she here for again?”
“She didn’t say. She just insisted on waiting for you.”
“Let her wait.”
Meng Shuyan was in a bad mood. Ever since last time, the company had been struggling with cash flow. Her father scolded her every night. She had tried to ask Madam Cheng Suwen for help, but that old woman had no real authority over Shang Chenyan.
She was too irritated to even bother pleasing her anymore.
After changing clothes, she slowly went downstairs.
Xia Qian sat on the sofa, still wearing sunglasses indoors, clutching her clothes tightly.
“Shuyan!” She quickly stood up, taking off her glasses to reveal swollen, red eyes.
“What do you want?” Meng Shuyan sat down.
“Shuyan, you have to help me. Shang Chenyan destroyed my family. My father is begging everywhere for funding, but no one will help us anymore.”
Meng Shuyan had never really considered Xia Qian as someone from her circle—just a pawn.
“What can I do?” she said, about to refuse, then paused. “But you could try begging him.”
“Beg him?” Xia Qian frowned. “Don’t joke. I can’t even see him.”
Meng Shuyan leaned back. “Then find a way to make him come to you. If you have leverage over him—or someone important to him—you can force him to show up.”
Xia Qian narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
Meng Shuyan added casually, “That woman we saw last time. I heard she’s his secretary. Maybe she has some unspeakable relationship with him.”
She then handed her a bank card. “There’s a few tens of thousands in here. Take it for now.”
Xia Qian was moved to tears. “Thank you, Shuyan.”
Meng Shuyan smiled as she watched her leave.
Night, 9 PM
Xi Ying had been working overtime with Shang Chenyan until late, and she was exhausted.
After returning in the afternoon, she could clearly feel his bad mood. He had sent Shang Nian home and barely spoken to her all day.
She silently rolled her eyes.
Men’s moods really are impossible to guess.
“Let’s go.”
Shang Chenyan tapped the desk. “It’s late. I’ll send you home.”
“No need, I can go myself.”
“I’ll send you. You’ve worked hard today.”
Xi Ying glanced at him under the moonlight. His expression was still calm and distant, but his tone had softened.
“Then… thank you, Mr. Shang.”
On the way, the black Maybach drove silently for half an hour before stopping at her place.
“Thank you, Mr. Shang. You should rest early too.”
“Mm.”
He watched her disappear into the neighborhood, unwilling to leave.
Earlier, when Shang Yu was mentioned, he could clearly feel that Xi Ying wanted to get closer to him—but there was no trace of admiration in her eyes.
He had seen how she looked when she loved someone. Her eyes would shine like stars, as if that person was her entire world.
So what exactly was she trying to do?
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a man helping a disoriented woman out of the neighborhood toward a car.
Shang Chenyan narrowed his eyes.
The woman’s face was blocked—but her clothes…
Xi Ying.