Xu Shiyan remained unmoved. "I will attend the Sheng Family banquet on my own; I don't need you to remind me. If you have time, you should care more about your precious Xu Nuo. Try communicating with your family instead; perhaps you might actually convince the Sheng Family to let you marry her with all the traditional pomp and circumstance."
"I have already told you, my relationship with Xu Nuo is not what you think—"
Too tired to listen to Sheng Zhiyu’s excuses any longer, Xu Shiyan hung up the phone.
...
The Sheng Family’s quinquennial banquet was a grand affair. By the time Xu Shiyan arrived, the prominent relatives of the Sheng Family had already begun to filter in, exchanging polite greetings and pleasantries.
At a glance, everything seemed harmonious.
But anyone in the Shengjing business world knew that these people only kept up appearances out of respect for Elder Sheng; behind closed doors, the infighting and power struggles were fierce.
In these elite families, even biological brothers would fight to the death over interests.
Fortunately, with Grandpa Sheng holding the line, the restless members of the Sheng Family didn't dare to overstep their bounds. But if Grandpa Sheng were ever to fall, it would be hard to say what might happen.
At this thought, Xu Shiyan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she quickened her pace.
Just as she entered the main hall, a familiar, tall figure caught her eye.
Bo Jinke was dressed in an exquisite black suit. A piece of silk fabric inlaid at the waist arched upward into the collar, and the white inner shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone. A brooch with a long and a short white feather hung from his lapel, giving him an air of elegant nobility.
Viewing him through the lens of a designer, Xu Shiyan looked him up and down, a flicker of appreciation in her eyes.
He had good taste.
She had been too busy these past few days to properly thank him for his help last time.
"Mr. Bo, I didn't expect to see you here."
Xu Shiyan’s eyes curved into a polite, smiling crescent.
Bo Jinke lowered his gaze toward her with a detached expression, his long fingers swirling the wine in his glass.
"For a banquet of this level, as the prospective daughter-in-law of the Sheng Family, why aren't you attending with your fiancé?"
His magnetic voice was casual, devoid of any accusatory tone, yet brimming with the air of a spectator watching a show.
Xu Shiyan sighed softly and shook her head, her eyes filled with a touch of melancholy.
"Mr. Bo, your reach is vast; surely you know my situation. Please, don't tease me. A-Yu doesn't like me, and I don't want to force him to attend with me. Honestly, I only ever wanted to be a housewife, but alas, life is unpredictable."
Xu Shiyan spoke with a submissive, downtrodden air, playing the part of a wronged wife, while keeping a side-eye on Bo Jinke’s expression.
During her last visit, the "innocent" persona she adopted hadn't seemed to catch his attention. Perhaps this man preferred a more provocative type? Someone like... a submissive, dutiful, and long-suffering wife?
According to rumors, Bo Jinke was cold and eccentric, viewing rules as mere suggestions. Being interested in his nephew's fiancée sounded exactly like something he might do.
Bo Jinke simply watched her, his dark eyes like deep pools, emotionless and inscrutable.
The woman before him was like a beautiful yet poisonous flower. The closer one got, the more dangerous she became, yet she possessed a fatal attraction that made it impossible to look away.
This was the first time he had ever been captivated by a woman.
However, attraction was one thing; surrendering to one's desires was another, and that would be irrational. He had no intention of letting a stranger invade his personal space. Allowing her into his home that day had been his one and only exception; there would not be a second.
Suddenly, Bo Jinke thought of that orchid, and of those... blurred, lingering dreams.
Compared to Xu Shiyan, he was more interested in discovering the identity of the girl who haunted his mind. Or perhaps, those were truly nothing more than dreams.
Bo Jinke’s thoughts drifted away.
"Oh, that's right. I still haven't returned the water pump I borrowed from you, Mr. Bo. When will you be home so I can bring it by?"
Seeing that Bo Jinke’s gaze had softened, Xu Shiyan seized the opportunity to extend an invitation.
Bo Jinke withdrew his gaze, his expression indifferent. "Keep it."
A blunt rejection, indeed.
Xu Shiyan grumbled inwardly, though her smile remained fixed on her face.
"You helped me so much, Mr. Bo, and I haven't properly thanked you. Why don't I treat you to a meal?"
Bo Jinke’s thin lips parted, but before he could answer, a familiar voice rang out.
"Xu Shiyan, what are you doing?"
Sheng Zhiyu had arrived, and his first words were a confrontation. His eyes darted toward Bo Jinke with a mixture of fear and vigilance.
Xu Shiyan remained composed, her tone casual and natural. "What’s wrong? As the future mistress of the Sheng Family, shouldn't I greet my uncle?"
Sheng Zhiyu thought back to the time Xu Shiyan had recklessly tried to kiss Bo Jinke on a dare. Although Bo Jinke had rejected her—and upon reflection, it was impossible for a man like him to be interested in a woman with such a poor reputation—Sheng Zhiyu felt uneasy.
Could Xu Shiyan be deliberately trying to attract his attention by getting close to other men? How fickle! A nameless fire surged in Sheng Zhiyu’s chest.
Xu Nuo, standing close by, tugged at his sleeve.
"Brother Zhiyu, it’s the family banquet today. Don't bicker with your sister. If Grandpa sees this, he won't be happy."
Her soft, sweet voice was full of understanding, and Sheng Zhiyu’s anger inexplicably subsided.
Xu Shiyan, however, couldn't help but chime in with a smile.
"My dear sister is certainly considerate. One might mistake you for the Sheng family's future granddaughter-in-law. How about this? I'll just give you this position."
Sheng Zhiyu glared at her, jaw tight. "What did Xu Nuo say wrong? She is your sister; why must you be so aggressive?"
Xu Shiyan spread her hands, looking the picture of innocence. "I’m only trying to look out for you."
"Mr. Bo, this is bad! The master has collapsed!"
At that moment, the butler rushed down from upstairs, his face pale with terror.
At these words, the relatives in the hall froze, looking at one another with varying expressions of shock.
Bo Jinke’s face turned grave as he ordered the butler.
"Get the primary physician and the direct blood relatives of the Sheng family upstairs. As for everyone else, no one is to come up without my permission."
Even if the old man were to pass today, he would ensure the remaining affairs were handled properly so there would be no regrets.
"Yes, sir!"
The butler hurried off.
Xu Shiyan, Sheng Zhiyu, and Xu Nuo followed closely behind Bo Jinke as he went upstairs.
Inside the room, the doctor was busy with the defibrillator, fighting to save the old man.
Over a dozen uncles and aunts waited outside; when they saw Bo Jinke approach, a flash of fear passed over their faces. No one dared to speak.
Xu Shiyan’s brows knit tightly as she looked through the glass window at Grandpa Sheng’s condition.