The next evening, Wen Huaizhi appeared downstairs at her apartment precisely on time. Seeing the suit he was wearing, clearly matching hers, Shen Jianxi found it a little amusing.
He really gave her no chance to guess incorrectly.
"Please, my beautiful Princess," Wen Huaizhi opened the car door and bowed, making a gesture of invitation. Shen Jianxi curtsied in return as she faced him, and they shared a smile.
Getting into the car, Wen Huaizhi suddenly leaned in. Shen Jianxi flinched back in surprise. Seeing her reaction, he chuckled helplessly, "I just wanted to help you fasten your seatbelt."
Shen Jianxi gave a slightly embarrassed laugh. It was an involuntary reaction.
"Oh, right, this is a gift for you." To mask the awkwardness of the moment, Shen Jianxi took a jewelry box from her bag and handed it to him.
Wen Huaizhi carefully accepted it and opened it. Inside was a stone carving of him, lifelike.
"Did you make this, Xixi?"
Shen Jianxi looked at the stone carving and then at Wen Huaizhi's surprised expression. "Yes, do you like it?"
77: "Beep! Favorability +6, current Wen Huaizhi favorability is 97."
"I love it! I'll treasure it."
"As long as you like it, let's go."
As the car started, Wen Huaizhi cast a subtle glance at the stone carving he had carefully put away. Shen Jianxi looked out the window, feeling a twinge of guilt.
To be fair, 77's craftsmanship was excellent. When it was first made, it was dark and charged with electricity. She hadn't expected it to look so good after being left for a while and then washed.
She almost regretted giving it away. She wondered if it was too late to change her mind...
*
Shen Jianxi had expected to run into Ye Chuan Ci, but not so soon.
The moment they got out of the car and turned, they saw Ye Chuan Ci and two others. She felt Wen Huaizhi's body stiffen beside her, but he quickly recovered and walked with Shen Jianxi, greeting them as if nothing had happened, "Why aren't you going in?"
Qiu Xing looked complicated. "Huaizhi, you... you two?"
"I'm pursuing her," Wen Huaizhi answered quickly. Then he looked at Ye Chuan Ci, "A Ci, I know you two dated, but you've broken up now. You won't mind, will you?"
Ye Chuan Ci remained silent, staring intently at Shen Jianxi's hand linked with Wen Huaizhi's and their matching outfits.
"Miss Shen truly has a way with people. To have my two brothers fall at your feet." Jiang Yi looked at her sarcastically, his eyes full of disdain.
Shen Jianxi knew he was speaking up for Ye Chuan Ci and didn't want to argue. But Jiang Yi wasn't about to let her go, pressing on, "Miss Shen, not speaking means you're guilty?"
"A Yi!" Wen Huaizhi couldn't stand Jiang Yi slandering her like this and stopped him sternly.
His interruption made Jiang Yi completely lose it. He grabbed Wen Huaizhi's collar, about to speak, when a woman's voice cut in.
"Brother Ci, Young Master Qiu, Young Master Jiang, Young Master Wen, you've arrived!" The speaker was Liang Cheng Yin, the hostess of the banquet.
The moment she arrived, she linked her arm with Ye Chuan Ci's. Seeing Shen Jianxi's dazzling attire today, a flicker of malice crossed her eyes. Remembering her plan for the evening, she then smiled affectionately, "Xi Xi, you look so beautiful today. Just be careful not to attract the wrong kind of attention."
Her tone was so familiar that anyone unaware would think they were close sisters.
Shen Jianxi directly exposed her. "Miss Liang, it's better if you just call me by my name. We're not that close."
Her bluntness made Liang Cheng Yin's expression twist for a moment, but she quickly smiled gently again. "Since Xi Xi dislikes me, then I won't. I just consider you a friend, Miss Shen, please don't be angry." Her tone carried a palpable sense of grievance that everyone could hear.
As expected, with these words, passersby began to look at Shen Jianxi with reproachful eyes, whispering amongst themselves.
Shen Jianxi found it amusing. Was she trying to play the innocent victim with her?
Her tears welled up, on the verge of falling, and she said with a choked voice, "Miss Liang, you've misunderstood. I don't dislike you. It's just that last time you brought people to surround me and try to beat me up, so I was a bit scared." Then, tears fell.
A beautiful woman's tears always evoke sympathy. The surrounding people began to point fingers at Liang Cheng Yin again.
Liang Cheng Yin was furious, but still had to maintain a smile. "Miss Shen, you've misunderstood. I..."
"Enough!" Ye Chuan Ci, who had been silent all along, suddenly roared in annoyance. He shook off Liang Cheng Yin's hand. He gave Shen Jianxi a deep look, then turned to Liang Cheng Yin and said, "This isn't over." His tone was threatening.
With that, he turned and walked into the banquet hall, no longer looking at anyone at the scene.
Seeing him leave, Liang Cheng Yin hurried after him, adjusting her dress. Jiang Yi looked at Wen Huaizhi and said meaningfully, "You're on your own."
He then dragged Qiu Xing, who still wanted to say something, and chased after Ye Chuan Ci.
Wen Huaizhi, standing alone, was silent for a long time before finally speaking, "I'm sorry, Xixi, for letting you be wronged."
At this moment, he regretted bringing her here.
He had made her endure the criticism of Jiang Yi and the others for a fleeting sense of pride.
Shen Jianxi could see what Wen Huaizhi was thinking. His apology was too obvious. She smiled reassuringly, "It's fine. Let's go in, I'm a bit hungry." (SUDAN NOVEL NETWORK)
Her face was smiling, but her heart was cold. Apologizing after the damage had been done was truly laughable.