A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 222: Chen Ge’er used to like her"_1

Landed in Beijing.

Shen Jing looked back at the private jet.

It seemed like a chance meeting between drifting wanderers.

He was always like this, taking care of her every now and then. It was as if whatever she said had no effect on Zhou Luchen; he would do whatever he wanted.

Whether they were together or apart, he always held the reins of control. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

He had sent her back to the country, acting entirely as he pleased.

Only when Xing Fei grabbed her arm did Shen Jing pull her gaze away, not wanting to think about it.

"Missing him? Weren’t you quite cheerful on the plane just now?"

Shen Jing’s spirits drooped. "He took my things."

"He should have. You smoke too much." Xing Fei pinched her nose. "Come on, no more wild thoughts now that you’re back. Look, he even had a private jet send you back."

"I wasn’t thinking about him," Shen Jing said.

Later on, she didn’t even have the time to think. She was busy.

Shen Jing submitted her application materials for a spot, quietly awaiting the results.

She understood the importance of this international summit and the rigorous screening process. She also knew that Sheng Peng, a small enterprise, wasn’t qualified to apply.

She had already discussed with her eldest sister applying in the name of the Shen Family’s parent company.

Fortunately, through hard work, Sheng Peng Holdings’ profits hit a new high.

Autumn arrived before she knew it.

However, the results weren’t good. There were outstanding enterprises both domestically and abroad. Sheng Peng was overlooked. Even the well-known investment firms nearby had received rejection notices, while Sheng Peng hadn’t heard anything yet.

Shen Jing didn’t wait any longer. She turned her attention to finding new collaborations.

Was she upset?

Not too much.

Not everyone had high hopes for this path.

There were plenty of domestic firms more excellent and harder working than hers. Esteemed investment firms weren’t lacking for options, certainly not a small, obscure company like Sheng Peng.

It was all too common for the International Organizing Committee to overlook a name like ’Sheng Peng.’

The summit had only a few spots, and with so many countries participating, every major domestic corporation coveted such an opportunity.

Shen Ci personally poured her a glass of water and placed it in her hand. "It’s alright. Look, even the Fangxin Fund didn’t get a chance to apply. Securing the opportunity to apply is already a step forward for us. In the past, I encountered barriers everywhere, but I made it through."

That was all well and good, but without another opportunity, without finding financing channels, how many more years could Sheng Peng hold out?

Shen Jing took a sip of water. "Let’s take a break. I’m going to Yonghe Palace to offer incense tomorrow. It’s the fifteenth, right? We’re all exhausted."

She didn’t have much hope for the outcome. She just wanted to pray for her grandfather’s and eldest sister’s safety. Besides, she had the day off tomorrow.

Having lived near the Imperial City for over thirty years, Shen Ci had never actually been to Yonghe Palace.

Shen Ci never realized her younger sister was actually this optimistic.

And indeed, Shen Jing went.

But Shen Jing didn’t intend to pray for anything in particular. With some free time and nowhere else to go, she figured she might as well offer some incense.

Her curiosity piqued, Shen Ci decided to accompany her.

Her eldest sister’s husband, that absolute fiend when it came to doting on his wife, was naturally always by Shen Ci’s side.

Shen Ci only prayed for her family’s safety and well-being. As they went along, Xie Nan was constantly busy, either carrying her bag, helping to buy incense, or opening water bottles. He meticulously ensured his "Mrs. Xie" was comfortable.

While Xie Nan was busy bustling about, Shen Jing gently tugged Shen Ci’s hem. "The Xie Family’s eldest son is utterly captivated by you, Sister."

The front courtyard was crowded, while the back courtyard was much less so; it could even be described as almost deserted.

Xie Nan, however, insisted on praying for their marriage. Gripping Shen Ci’s wrist, he whispered, "Mrs. Xie, shall we go to Guanyin Cave?"

Shen Jing heard everything.

So, the man from the Xie Family was hopelessly romantic.

Guanyin Cave was where people prayed for marriage and children.

Shen Jing, however, was rather confused.

Seeing Shen Jing standing still, Xie Nan coughed as a reminder. "Xiaosi, you should come too. If you get lost later, I won’t be responsible for you."

See? He spoke so coldly to his younger sister-in-law.

Shen Jing pouted and slowly followed.

While the couple went to Guanyin Hall to offer incense, Shen Jing, who wasn’t praying for marriage or children, could only wander aimlessly in the courtyard as she waited.

The back courtyard was surprisingly quiet; it seemed everyone was in the front, praying for wealth and career success.

Suddenly, in the periphery of her vision to the right, she saw a familiar figure pass through a corridor. It was a woman named Fangjie from the Zhou Family compound, with whom she had once spoken under a crabapple tree there.

The Zhaofo Building nearby was particularly quiet. Moreover, when Fangjie reached the entrance of the hall, she said softly, "Second Madame, the car has arrived at the back gate."

No sound came from inside. Then, a monk helped the Zhou Family’s Second Madame out. She was wearing a dark-colored qipao and carrying a string of Buddha Beads, and she was bidding farewell to the abbot.

Shen Jing’s gaze met the elderly lady’s eyes directly.

The old woman’s direct gaze held the calm of one who had weathered many storms and the dignified poise of someone in a high position.

Such a person could intimidate others with merely a subtle gesture, without saying a word.

This was Zhou Luchen’s grand-aunt, with whom she had once dined at his family’s home.

Even so, back when they were introduced, she had never heard the old lady say a single word to her.

Seeing her again, Shen Jing nodded out of politeness.

Only then did the old lady leisurely withdraw her gaze. She strolled across the corridor and exited through the back door, occasionally flicking the Buddha Beads on her wrist, exuding an air of noble elegance befitting her high status.

Shen Jing didn’t look any longer.

She had heard of his grand-aunt’s name; she was also a formidable figure.

Once settled in the waiting Hongqi car, the old lady handed the string of beads to Fangjie, who carefully stored it in a sandalwood box.

"That young girl just now looked very familiar."

The old lady said warmly, "Luchen used to like her."

Fangjie smiled and replied, "You still remember, Old Madame."

The Zhou matriarch hummed, her expression unchanged. "She came to our house for dinner once. Back then, right under my nose, Luchen was flirting with her, whispering in her ear, pulling their chairs close. They acted as if I were dozing off while listening to scriptures by the fire and hadn’t seen a thing. The way their eyes locked, it was as if the words ’we know each other’ were practically written in the air."

Fangjie still remembered it vividly. "That girl’s face turned red enough to bleed. How could she withstand Luchen’s teasing?"