A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 173 - 172 bet or not, who can flirt with Shen Jing_1 within seven days?
"We run an honest business; it’s best to stick to dealing with merchants and avoid that other circle. Remember that." The old master continued, "If you’re thinking of marriage, dear girl, look for a merchant family. The sons of officials around here are trouble, especially anyone from Zhou Zhaoping’s family. They’re not people ordinary folks can afford to get mixed up with."
He said a great deal more, but Shen Jing only picked at her food, barely listening. Where did he even get the idea I want to get married? she wondered. As for that official’s son I once considered, he’s long gone. Money and power... the latter certainly carries more weight. There’s a vast difference between the two.
The old master put down his chopsticks, his gaze fixed on her as she ate. "You shouldn’t go with them to the Xie Family," he said.
Shen Jing offered no rebuttal. If Xie Qinyang heard that, he’d probably flip the table, she thought. We’re just ordinary friends, after all.
And speak of the devil, Young Master Xie’s car was already pulling up to the gate. His voice, with its authentic Beijing accent, carried from afar, "Where’s your Fourth Miss? Is she ready? We need to head out!"
The old master gestured for the servants to set out a bowl and chopsticks. "Well, well, well... speak of him and he arrives."
Shen Jing dabbed her mouth with a napkin and hurried towards the door. "It’s about work," she called back. "He’s helping me get an introduction. My manager needs me to land this contract for my performance review, but that Young Director Cheng is being completely unreasonable and has refused to see me multiple times. Luckily, Xie Qinyang knows him. I’m going to use that connection!"
She delivered her explanation with an air of perfect legitimacy.
Old Master Shen’s eyes seemed to sink. "Who discusses business on GT West Road?!"
"It’s true," she insisted, flipping her hair and actually grabbing her briefcase before heading out.
「Outside the Shen Family’s main gate.」
The Shen family’s butler was in the midst of inviting Young Master Xie inside for a cup of tea. Shen Jing, however, opened the car door and habitually settled into Xie Qinyang’s passenger seat. Xie Qinyang revved the engine, and they began to chat idly.
Back at the house, Old Master Shen’s face was thunderous.
The car’s interior was a warm 30 degrees Celsius, yet Shen Jing was still rubbing her hands together as if chilled. Xie Qinyang glanced at her occasionally. Is she really that cold?
"That Cheng Jinchuan fellow is trying to hit on you, isn’t he? You didn’t agree to anything, did you?" Xie Qinyang asked.
Shen Jing replied languidly, "He’s quite handsome, but he’s also a despicable person. If I don’t let him ’date’ me, he refuses to sign the contract."
Xie Qinyang kept his eyes on the road. "Your Achen is the handsome one. That guy is hardly captivating enough to make the world swoon."
Shen Jing rested her cheek against her hand, propped on the car window. "Zhou Luchen certainly is devastatingly charming, alright. A devastatingly charming, flirtatious scumbag."
Xie Qinyang chuckled. Every time Zhou Luchen’s name comes up, she has nothing but harsh words for him. What on earth did he do to hurt her so badly, to leave her so full of unspoken grievances? Still, she’s my sister-in-law, and Achen’s... well, Achen’s person. Helping her out with work is no big deal.
She had practically no friends in Beijing.
「Late winter, snow lay thick and white.」
But the cold didn’t deter the nightly congregation of luxury cars outside the city’s nightclubs.
In those days, the Beijing social circles had fresh news to buzz about: Xie Qinyang’s sister-in-law and he were seen together so often and seemed so close that potential suitors for Shen Jing were baffled about how to even begin pursuing her. If someone asked for her WeChat, she’d evasively claim she only used QQ. Even if they managed to get her QQ, she’d be perpetually offline and never replied to any flirty messages. A stunning new beauty, a true femme fatale, had suddenly appeared in their circle, introduced by none other than Xie Qinyang—who, paradoxically, insisted daily that she wasn’t his girlfriend. This, naturally, made others lower their guard.
"What a gorgeous creature! You have no idea how sweet her voice is. Xie Qinyang, you’re buying tonight!"
"How gorgeous?"
"Look, I’ll show you a picture. Long legs, a cheongsam... she’s an absolute siren."
"Hmm, she looks a bit familiar. I feel like I’ve seen her with someone before... Is her name Shen Jing?"
"No way! She just moved back to the Shen Family from Su City. How could you have seen her in Beijing before?"
"Thinking of hitting on her? Man, she looks like a total scumbag magnet."
"What do you mean, ’hitting on her’? It’s called appreciation! I happen to be looking for a girlfriend, and I’ve set my sights on her."
"Alright then, go for it! Want to make a bet? Whoever successfully woos Shen Jing within seven days gets that car parked out front of my place."
Amidst flashing lights of every color, some jeered, others sighed; many had already tried and failed to win over Shen Jing, losing faith in their own charms. One of them was Young Director Cheng Jinchuan, currently drinking himself into a stupor in a corner.
The moment Xie Qinyang led Shen Jing into the private room, the boisterous heckling ceased abruptly. All eyes snapped to the doorway.
"Cheng Jinchuan, are you going to sign this or not?" Xie Qinyang said, his voice sharp.
Young Director Cheng had inherited his family’s company and was making it flourish; everyone considered him a rare business prodigy. Yet, he had suddenly, inexplicably, started making things difficult for a young woman. The spoiled heir of a wealthy family, his inherently despicable nature was now on full display, all because he’d encountered a woman he couldn’t have, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. The contract had been drafted and was ready, but he deliberately refused to sign. The Shen Family couldn’t afford to offend such a financial heavyweight.
Xie Qinyang, as a friend, offered a mild warning, "You really shouldn’t be trying to hit on her. She might already be taken, you know."
Young Director Cheng dismissed the words as nonsense, his alluring peach-blossom eyes fixed on Shen Jing. "Didn’t you say you didn’t have a boyfriend?"
"I indeed don’t have a boyfriend," Shen Jing confirmed, bending to pour Young Director Cheng a drink. "Director Cheng, my company is only seeking a cooperative, mutually beneficial partnership. Surely, one isn’t expected to find a boyfriend just to negotiate a contract?"
As she leaned forward, her soft, long hair cascaded from behind her ears, framing her delicate, fair face. It was as if an innate allure was etched into her very bones, and when she moved, it exuded a captivating charm, like the rare fragrance of flowers blossoming in the depths of a spring night.
Young Director Cheng narrowed his eyes. "So, what are we going to do about it? Because I’ve taken a fancy to you."
Stared at so boldly by the young rake before her, she instinctively flinched and took a step back, her slender shoulders tensing. She looked just like...
Cheng Jinchuan rubbed his thumb against his fingers, mulling it over. Yes, just like a frightened little fawn in a misty forest. If only I had a bow and arrow...
A smirk played on Young Director Cheng’s lips. "Do you really need to be so proud?"
Xie Qinyang moved to shield Shen Jing. "Cheng Jinchuan, watch your mouth. We’ll say you’re drunk this time and let it go."
Young Director Cheng chuckled softly, picked up his jacket, slung it over his shoulder, and rose. "Xie Qinyang, I respect your family name. But unfortunately for you, plenty of companies are lining up for my investment. I really can’t bring myself to care about this little morsel the Shen Family is offering."
"Besides," Cheng Jinchuan added, "she’s not even your girlfriend. Why are you protecting her so fiercely? Oh, right, she’s your sister-in-law, isn’t she? Such an ambiguous, forbidden little relationship you two have."
Xie Qinyang’s eyes turned icy, his anger flaring. He instantly grabbed a wine bottle. "You son of a bitch!"
Before he could bring it down, Shen Jing swiftly intercepted, snatching the bottle from him. "Young Master Xie, calm down, please!"
The air crackled with hostility; if this continued, the Cheng and Xie families might actually come to blows. She couldn’t afford to be the one who instigated such a conflict. The Cheng and Xie families would tear me limb from limb, she thought grimly.
Clutching the contract, she bowed apologetically to Cheng Jinchuan. "If you don’t wish to cooperate, then so be it. We won’t force you, Director Cheng. The profit margin offered in this contract is already our absolute bottom line; we cannot go any lower."
Young Director Cheng’s tone was arrogant and laced with sarcasm. "Countless people are desperate to collaborate with the Cheng Family. I pursued you with sincerity, but you’re the one who refuses to show me any respect. Let me tell you, there isn’t a woman in this world I can’t have if I set my mind to it."
He was wealthy, and Shen Jing wanted no trouble. Nor did she want Xie Qinyang to get into a fight on her behalf. She certainly didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. She tugged at Xie Qinyang’s sleeve. "Let’s go."
Xie Qinyang shrugged her hand off. "You think I’m afraid of that bastard Cheng?"
Young Director Cheng lowered his head, a chuckle escaping him. "We’ve been friends for years, and now you’re going to turn on me over a woman?"
"Damn it, you need to lay off the alcohol!" Xie Qinyang snarled, grabbing Cheng Jinchuan by the collar. "Sober up and take a good, hard look at how you’ve behaved tonight!"
