Emerging from the cinema, Shen Jianxi had just unlocked her phone when she received a barrage of calls from her mother.
Seeing the string of missed calls on the screen, she inexplicably felt a chill run down her spine.
Figuring the timing, Shen Xingzhi should have already arrived, and she knew what her mother's calls were about.
In that case, it was best not to answer.
...
Her mother couldn't get through to her on the first try or the second. How could she not realize that her little princess was deliberately ignoring her?
She sighed and stole a glance at the man sitting upright on the sofa, a knot of unease in her heart.
She hoped her little princess hadn't done anything shocking again.
...
The phone finally stopped ringing. She and Ji Zhaoyun were already on their way home. Looking at the man driving next to her, Shen Jianxi thought for a moment and decided to send her mother a condensed version of what had happened.
The battlefield tonight would be at home, and it wouldn't be good to shock her mother. It was better to give her a heads-up so she could be mentally prepared.
Upon receiving her text, Shen's mother was indeed informed, but it almost made her choke.
The loving smile on her face froze, and the words she was about to say got stuck in her throat.
Shen Xingzhi, seeing her strange expression, looked worried.
"Auntie, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Shen's mother chuckled awkwardly and waved her hand, "No, no, it's nothing. Uh, Xiao Shen, you and Qi Qi chat first. Auntie is going to check on something in the kitchen."
She then hurried away, her retreating figure hinting at a guilty conscience.
In the kitchen, Shen's mother gulped down a large glass of cold water and gritted her teeth.
Her good-for-nothing daughter never failed to surprise her. She had already felt it was inappropriate for her to participate in a boy group selection last time, but she couldn't stand her daughter's pleading, and coupled with her equally doting but foolish husband's solemn assurance that their daughter was just playing and would never debut.
But, in the end, she did debut! And now, she had learned to juggle two partners?
Shen's mother clutched her chest, her heart pounding.
Ten minutes later, after finally calming her emotions, Shen's mother glanced towards the living room and reluctantly walked out.
After all, she was her daughter, and she couldn't just abandon her.
However, time had been wasted.
Just as Shen's mother stepped out and before she could open her mouth to ask someone to leave, the front door opened.
All three looked towards the entrance.
Shen Jianxi entered first, followed by Ji Zhaoyun.
Just as Shen's mother was about to suffocate with nervousness, Shen's father followed them in.
Seeing Shen's father enter, her heart that had been in her throat eased slightly.
Thank goodness, there was still room for maneuver.
With this thought, Shen's mother gave Shen's father an unusually gentle look.
The moment Shen Jianxi entered, Shen Xingzhi stood up, and even Luo Yuqi straightened his back.
Shen Xingzhi strode forward, respectfully greeted Shen's father, and then looked at Shen Jianxi.
He wanted to take the young girl's hand, but considering her parents were present, he didn't want to give a frivolous impression and restrained himself, only looking at her with a doting smile.
Shen Jianxi avoided his gaze and met Luo Yuqi's pair of gleeful eyes, sneering inwardly.
She knew this kid wouldn't be honest!
Although Shen's father didn't understand his wife's sudden affection today, he accepted it wholeheartedly. Seeing everyone standing at the door, he quickly gestured,
"Sit down, everyone. Don't be shy."
It was almost dinner time by the time they returned, so everyone simply sat down at the dining table.
Thinking about what needed to be said today, Ji Zhaoyun naturally sat to Shen Jianxi's left, and Shen Xingzhi sat to her right.
Seeing this arrangement, Shen's mother felt a headache coming on, deeply sensing that tonight's meal wouldn't be peaceful.
In contrast, Shen's father, who knew nothing, was as cheerful as the Maitreya Buddha.
Shen's mother looked up at the sky and sighed, truly, fools are blessed!
Seeing the man who suddenly wanted to visit, Shen's father asked, "May I ask, President Ji, what brings you here today for discussion?"
Since he was asked, Ji Zhaoyun decided not to delay. He elegantly wiped his mouth, looked up, and said earnestly, "I have come today, junior, to discuss Miss Xi's marriage with Uncle."
Hearing his words, Shen's mother's right eyelid, which had been twitching violently since she sat down, quieted down, and a strange sense of calm washed over her.
Compared to Shen's mother and Shen Jianxi's calmness, the other three were caught completely off guard. For a moment, the only sound at the dining table was the clinking of tableware.
After half a minute, a piercing scraping sound broke the silence.
Shen Xingzhi suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing with fury, his fists clenched. Before Shen's father could speak, he questioned, "What does President Ji mean by this? Discussing Xi's marriage should be something I, her official boyfriend, should be doing."
He emphasized those four words heavily, as if squeezing them out.
Shen's father, still reeling from Ji Zhaoyun's shock, was struck by another thunderbolt.
He looked at his wife in bewilderment. He thought their feelings should be the same, but to his surprise, his wife's face showed only helplessness, no other emotion.
Looking at Luo Yuqi, he too appeared composed.
Shen's father: ...Heartbroken, was he the only one in the family who didn't know?
"Uh, Ji, little Ji..."
Hearing this address, Shen Jianxi coughed, suppressing a smile. A joke wouldn't be appropriate in this atmosphere.
However, Luo Yuqi had no such qualms and chuckled softly.
This laughter instantly shifted the battlefield between the two men. To Shen Jianxi's surprise, the focus shifted to her.
Feeling the questioning gazes of two men fall upon her, she met them with an innocent look, her eyes glistening with tears.
"I, I'm sorry..." she said with a sniffle, looking pitiful. Her gaze shifted to Shen Xingzhi, "...I didn't mean to cheat on anyone, I just forgot to say we broke up."
Shen Xingzhi said with a forced smile, "I won't be angry if you break up with President Ji now" – as if! He was about to explode!
He would punish her severely once she broke up with Ji Zhaoyun.
Was there such a good thing? Shen Jianxi almost burst out laughing.
She wiped away the almost-dry tears from the corner of her eyes and lowered her head, "Okay, Brother Xingzhi, we're breaking up."
Shen Xingzhi: ???
He could no longer hold back. He grabbed Shen Jianxi's wrist and was about to pull her out.
Shen's father and mother quickly stepped forward to stop him.
"Uh, Xiao Shen, what Xi Xi did was wrong. How about this, you go back first. Your uncle and aunt will have a good talk with her, and we'll definitely give you an answer, okay?"
Although Shen Xingzhi was angry, he hadn't lost his reason. He knew this wasn't the time for a proper discussion.
His hand slowly loosened, and he put on his usual gentle smile, "Apologies, Uncle and Aunt. Junior lost his composure. I'll take my leave then. Please take care of yourselves."
He turned and pulled Shen Jianxi into his arms. His thin lips parted, "Good girl, I'm waiting for your explanation. I hope you won't disappoint me."
After saying this, he released the person in his embrace and lightly brushed away a strand of hair from her face. His actions were gentle, but his eyes were chillingly cold.
Shen Jianxi shivered but didn't reply.
Seeing Shen Xingzhi disappear, Shen Jianxi looked at Ji Zhaoyun, who had been silent all along.