[Host, the Sheng family banquet is about to begin. Both Shi Yue and Yu Yao will be attending. Do you have a plan?]
Shi Jun narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips. “A plan? Of course I do. How could I possibly let them get the upper hand?”
When Host looks like this, things are bound to get extremely dangerous.
Noticing 007’s deeply worried little expression, the corners of Shi Jun’s mouth curved upward into a wicked, mocking smirk.
[Host, I just pray that you maintain your sanity and don’t go completely unhinged.] 007’s electronic voice carried a distinct note of pleading.
“Don’t worry, I know exactly when to stop. You don’t need to say another word.”
As night fell, the city lights began to flicker awake one by one. Shi Jun was dressed in a finely tailored black suit.
The formal wear perfectly contoured his tall, slender frame, accentuating his refined and elegant temperament to absolute perfection. Standing before the full-length mirror, his tall, upright silhouette stood as straight as a pine tree.
He lightly adjusted his collar. In the mirror, his gaze drifted to his own narrow, deep phoenix eyes the outer corners tilted upward slightly, radiating an untamed, devilish charm. The reflection revealed a man who was dashing, exceptionally handsome, and exuding a fierce, domineering aura.
[Is it even legal to praise yourself that much?] 007 curled its virtual lips in absolute disgust.
Sheng Baiye led Shi Jun as they stepped into the Sheng family’s grand banquet hall.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the ambient chatter in the room noticeably softened, and their arrival instantly captured the attention of every single guest.
Sheng Baiye had always been renowned for his effortless elegance and charm. Combined with Shi Jun’s naturally captivating features, the pair looked as though they carried an ethereal glow, projecting an irresistible magnetic pull that left everyone completely mesmerized.
Their grand entrance undoubtedly made them the absolute cynosure of the entire room the undeniable focus of tonight’s spotlight.
Shortly after, they began exchanging brief, polite pleasantries among the guests.
Shi Jun’s voice was low and melodic, sounding as though every syllable could tug at a person’s heartstrings. His warm, gentle smile made people instinctively want to draw closer to him. Nobody in the room would ever associate this graceful young man with the scandalous incident that had desecrated the Shi family estate just a few days ago.
However, right at that moment, a figure quietly materialized within Shi Jun’s line of sight. It was Shi Yue.
Shi Yue cornered Shi Jun, pulling him away to a deserted, quiet alcove. His tone dripped with biting sarcasm. “Look at you, dressed up like a decent human being, yet you only ever commit the most despicable acts.”
Shi Jun merely offered a faint smile, shooting right back, “Still far better than you—knowingly acting as a homewrecker.”
Evidently, both sides knew exactly what the other was referring to, their dialogue laced with sharp barbs and heavy hostility.
“Do you know why absolutely no one has held you legally accountable for spraying manure all over my house?” Without waiting for Shi Jun to reply, Shi Yue sneered, “It’s because Baiye handed over that prime plot of land in the north of the city to our family. We agreed to drop the matter, which is the only reason you are standing here completely unscathed.”
[Host, he is threatening you.] 007’s virtual brow furrowed tightly, its tone carrying an uncamouflaged wave of anger.
Shi Yue offered a soft, deceptive smile, abruptly changing the subject. “Even though you treated me so horribly, I’m still willing to help you escape tonight. A-Yao is waiting for you out in the back garden.”
[Host, he’s acting like he’s doing you a massive favor after his family pocketed all the benefits!]
A fierce spark of rage flared up in Shi Jun’s chest. Without a word, he turned on his heel and marched directly toward the back garden.
[Host, are you seriously going to meet Yu Yao?] 007 asked, its electronic voice laced with utter bewilderment.
Shi Jun clenched his fists, the unmitigated fury burning in his chest proving nearly impossible to suppress. “I need an outlet to vent this absolute fire raging inside me. I’m going to settle this with Yu Yao.”
Shi Jun lengthened his stride, walking purposefully into the back garden.
In a secluded, hidden corner of the back garden, Yu Yao stood with an air of absolute leisure and confidence, his hands resting casually behind his back. He seemed to have anticipated the sound of Shi Jun’s approaching footsteps well in advance. The moment Shi Jun appeared, the corners of Yu Yao’s mouth curved up into a triumphant, smug smile.
Before he could even utter a word of greeting, he reached out, attempting to grasp Shi Jun’s hand to pull him away from this mundane world. However, Shi Jun swiftly yanked his hand back, his face darkening with intense displeasure.
“Keep your hands to yourself. I don’t like it.”
Yu Yao’s hand froze mid-air, his smug smile stiffening instantly. He had clearly not anticipated such a resolute, hostile rejection from Shi Jun. A flash of profound confusion crossed his eyes; he couldn’t fathom why Shi Jun had suddenly become so cold and defensive.
“A-Jun, what’s wrong with you? Why are you treating me like this?” Yu Yao asked, his tone laced with a mixture of confusion and wounded pride.
Shi Jun leveled a freezing glare at him. “Yu Yao, you need to understand something I already have a husband. I don’t appreciate you interfering in my life anymore.” Shi Jun’s voice carried an absolute finality, his resolute eyes locked onto Yu Yao, making it abundantly clear that his stance was unshakeable.
“That’s impossible! If you don’t still have feelings for me, why did you come out to the back garden to find me?” Yu Yao demanded, desperately lunging forward to grab Shi Jun by the shoulders.
Shi Jun’s patience finally snapped. He could no longer tolerate an ounce of Yu Yao’s delusional self-righteousness.
Swinging his arm with absolute force, he delivered a merciless, ringing slap squarely across Yu Yao’s face. The deafening crack of the impact echoed sharply through the quiet garden.
The force of the blow stumbled Yu Yao back two full steps, leaving a brilliant, flushed handprint across his cheek. A volatile mix of shock and agonizing humiliation swirled in his eyes as he clutched his face, staring at Shi Jun in utter disbelief.
Right at that exact second, Shi Yue emerged into the back garden with Sheng Baiye trailing close behind, perfectly witnessing the aftermath of the confrontation. Their footsteps ground to a halt a short distance away, the gazes of the four individuals violently colliding in the night air.
Taking in the situation instantly, Shi Jun whirled around and sprinted straight to Sheng Baiye’s side. His face morphed into a flawless display of profound grievance.
“Ah-Ye, my hand hurts so much… He bullied me!” His voice trembled softly, the picture of a victim seeking desperate protection and comfort.
Sheng Baiye stared down at Shi Jun, a deeply complex vortex of emotions flashing through his dark eyes.
Seeing his reaction, Shi Jun immediately pouted. “How can you look at me like that? You don’t believe me!”
Left with absolutely no choice, Sheng Baiye sighed softly and instinctively shielded the young man behind his broad back.
Yu Yao’s handsome features contorted in pure rage. Gritting his teeth so hard they nearly shattered, he hissed out through the gaps, “Bullshit! You were clearly the one who just slapped me! What on earth are you acting all victimized for?!” His voice shook with unbridled resentment and indignation.
Shi Jun looked entirely scandalized, looking out from behind Sheng Baiye with pure innocence. “How can you say something so uncalled for? Even if we take ten thousand steps back… wasn’t it your face that insisted on throwing itself directly at my palm?”