After Sheng Zhiyu finished speaking, the expressions on the guests’ faces shifted in various ways.
Xu Shiyan, however, merely curled her red lips, lazily lifting her eyelids with a gaze devoid of warmth. She had long since ceased to hold any hope for Sheng Zhiyu or the Xu Family. It was simply amusing to see that Xu Nuo could still put on such a performance in front of everyone.
At that moment, a low, mellow voice drifted from the corner, speaking with deliberate composure.
"A-Yu, if Ms. Xu is clear of conscience, there is no need to cover for others. By drinking this wine on her behalf, you only invite more suspicion. Wouldn't you agree?"
It was Bo Jinke.
Xu Shiyan felt a flicker of surprise, her eyes landing on the man. He was reclining against the sofa, his peach-blossom eyes cool and indifferent. His posture was elegant and poised—every bit the "high-mountain flower" Jiang Min had described.
So, this was Sheng Zhiyu's uncle?
Xu Shiyan felt a stir in her heart. He seemed significantly sharper than Sheng Zhiyu.
Sheng Zhiyu opened his mouth as if to say something, but Xu Nuo tugged on his sleeve, whispering a hurried explanation: "I’m sorry, I was just reminded of what happened back then and felt a bit unwell, so I didn't want to dwell on it. Since the wine has been drunk, let’s just leave it at that."
Compared to Xu Shiyan’s sharp, aggressive stance, Xu Nuo’s display of "understanding" elicited pity from many in the room. Seeing this, the guests skillfully joked around to steer the conversation elsewhere, and the atmosphere of the game gradually improved.
Xu Shiyan made it through the night without incident—until the final round, when it was her turn to face a penalty. She chose a dare. The person in charge of the penalty happened to be on good terms with Xu Nuo. She swapped out a glass of wine, placed it in front of Xu Shiyan, and gave her a malicious, gloating look.
"Xu Shiyan, you must kiss any man here other than Brother Zhiyu, or drink this glass of wine."
The woman had tainted the glass with something to which Xu Shiyan was allergic. As such, Xu Shiyan didn't even have the option to refuse. The guests could see that the woman was intentionally trying to make things difficult, and their gazes shifted toward Sheng Zhiyu.
Sheng Zhiyu hesitated for a moment, but said nothing. He was Xu Shiyan’s fiancé and could have stepped in to drink the wine for her. However, her attitude earlier reminded him of her behavior years ago. Qiongzhou Island hadn't taught her to be submissive, and he felt she deserved a little punishment today.
The crowd waited with bated breath to see her humiliated.
Xu Shiyan’s gaze, however, rested on the man in the corner. She walked toward Bo Jinke. Then, in full view of everyone, she raised her eyes to his, reached out, and hooked her arms around his neck, smiling radiantly. "Mr. Bo, care to cooperate?"
The guests’ expressions changed instantly; they looked at one another, too stunned to speak. Was Xu Shiyan really planning to cuckold Sheng Zhiyu right in front of everyone?
Bo Jinke didn't move.
Xu Shiyan became bolder. She climbed onto Bo Jinke’s lap, her shimmering eyes filled with seduction. Just as she tilted her head to kiss him, Sheng Zhiyu’s face turned livid from the side.
Suddenly, Bo Jinke reached out, gripped her wrist, and chuckled in a low voice: "Kissing your uncle right in front of your nephew? Boss Xu, you really know how to play."
Having said this, his long fingers took the glass of wine from the side and he downed it in one go.
His movements were too decisive. Xu Shiyan climbed down from his lap with a look of genuine regret, so much so that she didn't even realize he had referred to her as "Boss Xu."
Sheng Zhiyu’s complexion improved slightly at the sight.
***
Perhaps because the night had been so nerve-wracking, the party broke up quickly. Xu Nuo wasn't feeling well, so Sheng Zhiyu took her to the restroom and didn't wait for Xu Shiyan.
Inside, only Xu Shiyan and Bo Jinke remained. Xu Shiyan curved her lips, blinked, and thanked him with a smile. "Thank you for tonight, Mr. Bo."
"Thank you?" Bo Jinke’s peach-blossom eyes arched upward, his tone unreadable. "Anyone who didn't know better might think Ms. Xu was trying to drive a wedge between my nephew and me."
"Drive a wedge" was a bit strong. She was merely testing the waters. Xu Shiyan wanted to use Bo Jinke to get closer to the Sheng Family, so naturally, she didn't want to find a second Sheng Zhiyu. Fortunately, Bo Jinke was not only good-looking; he was also exceptionally sharp.
"How could that be?" Xu Shiyan’s smile deepened. "My fiancé and I have some differences of opinion, so I had no choice but to seek help from his uncle..."
"And what, pray tell, is my reward?" Bo Jinke stood up and pressed toward her, his manner suggesting he was someone who kept a strict account of things.
Xu Shiyan did not back down. She met his gaze, her expression sly. "How about I gift you a business partnership in a few days?"
Aunt Qing’s company needed to gain a firm footing and required collaboration with a major corporation. She didn't mind taking the opportunity to offer some benefits to the Bo Group. Consider it a greeting gift for this future husband of hers.
Before that, she had to call off her engagement with Sheng Zhiyu. Without further explanation, she left the private room.
Just then, Bo Jinke’s phone rang. A man’s voice came through the receiver: "Brother, regarding the proprietress of that place on Qiongzhou Island you asked me to look into, I..."
Before he could finish, the image of the sly, charming woman flashed through Bo Jinke’s mind, and he chuckled softly.
"No need to look into it anymore."
He had already found her.
***
Xu Shiyan stepped out of the room, intending to hail a taxi back to the Xu Family home. However, she had only walked a few steps when she ran into Xu Nuo and Sheng Zhiyu, who were standing in an intimate posture. It seemed Xu Nuo was having heart palpitations, and Sheng Zhiyu was murmuring words of comfort to her.
Seeing Xu Shiyan, Xu Nuo hurried to speak up. "Sister."
Xu Shiyan didn't acknowledge her, her gaze drifting over the two with an amused look. Sheng Zhiyu’s face, however, turned cold.
"Flirting with another man right in front of me—Xu Shiyan, what exactly is your game?"
Xu Nuo chimed in, "Yes, Sister. Did you ever stop to think about Brother Zhiyu’s feelings when you did that?"
Xu Shiyan looked at the two of them and suddenly smiled. "Sheng Zhiyu, I’ve made it very clear: I am calling off the engagement. I’m doing you and your darling sweetheart a favor."