Chapter 30

Situ Yi had previously been in the entertainment industry, so his appearance was naturally impeccable, tall, with handsome features and a strong masculine aura. Moreover, blessed with the protagonist's halo, he exuded an air of righteousness.
Shen Xiao, as the antagonist, was no less impressive in looks, perhaps even more refined. He even stood two centimeters taller than Situ Yi. However, their demeanors were vastly different. While one radiated integrity and uprightness, the other couldn't even stand properly after getting out of the car, leaning lazily against the vehicle and toying with his car keys in a carefree manner. Fortunately, Uncle Li polished the car daily, or else the dust would have ruined the sight.
Both moved in the same business circles. Though they hadn't formally met, they had heard of each other, as their respective companies were prominent.
Having transitioned from celebrity to businessman, Situ Yi had done extensive preparation, including familiarizing himself with the top executives of major corporations. Thus, upon seeing Shen Xiao, he quickly recognized him.
Shen Xiao, despite being a second-generation heir, had always taken an unconventional path, showing no interest in the entertainment industry or a frivolous lifestyle.
Before meeting Bai Muqing, Shen Xiao had never paid attention to the entertainment world and thus had no idea how popular Situ Yi once was.
He only became aware of Situ Yi because their companies were competing for the same business deal.
In Shen Xiao's eyes, Situ Yi was from the opposing camp.
Since they were rivals, was there any need for hypocritical pleasantries? To Shen Xiao, Situ Yi's initiative to greet him could only be described in one word, hypocrisy!
Shen Xiao prided himself on not being a hypocrite.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Situ Yi," Situ Yi said with impeccable grace and a perfectly measured smile.
After his introduction, Situ Yi intended to step forward and shake hands as a basic courtesy, but someone clearly had no concept of such manners.
Shen Xiao frowned, looking puzzled, and said, "Situ Yi? ... Never heard of him."
Situ Yi: “...”
After his sarcastic remark, Shen Xiao paid no attention to the other's reaction. He picked up his phone to call Shen Yu. When the call connected, he asked curtly, "Where are you?"
Shen Yu was still talking with Yuan Yue and was startled by Shen Xiao's sudden call. Beside her, Yuan Yue held her breath in fear.
Shen Yu replied softly, "I'm still at the restaurant."
Shen Xiao said, "I know. Where exactly?"
Shen Yu sighed inwardly but had to answer, "Peony Room on the second floor."
Shen Xiao repeated, "Peony Room on the second floor? Got it. Wait there." Then he hung up.
Meanwhile, Situ Yi had also just taken a call. After listening, he repeated, "Peony Room on the second floor? Are you sure?"
Shen Xiao, who had locked his car and was about to enter the restaurant, overheard Situ Yi's words. He abruptly stopped, turned around, and glared at him with a fierce expression. "What did you just say?"
Situ Yi also sensed something amiss and countered, "You're going to the Peony Room on the second floor??"
Shen Xiao narrowed his eyes, glaring at him fiercely before turning and striding toward the restaurant. Situ Yi’s expression wasn’t much better either; with long strides, he quickly followed, but ultimately fell a step behind.
Shen Yu hung up the phone, her expression grave as she looked at Yuan Yue. "Shen Xiao is here. He’s coming up now."
Yuan Yue paled in fright. "Wh-what do we do? Should I find a place to hide?"
Shen Yu gave her a strange look. "Why would you need to hide?"
Yuan Yue stuck out her tongue awkwardly. "Somehow, I feel like I’m in the middle of an affair and about to get caught red-handed??"
Shen Yu: “…”
After a moment’s thought, she said seriously, "It’s just as well that he’s here. I’ll introduce the two of you. There might be some things in the future where I’ll need your help."
Yuan Yue quickly patted her chest in assurance. "Sister Yu, whatever you need, just say the word. I’ll do as you say!"
No sooner had they finished speaking than the private room door was pushed open from the outside. Shen Xiao stood expressionlessly at the entrance, scanning the room.
Shen Yu quickly called out obediently, "Brother, come in."
Yuan Yue, facing the real big villain for the first time, was so nervous that she immediately stood up, stiff as a robot, and said, "H-hello."
Shen Xiao let out a light hum, his sharp gaze sweeping over Yuan Yue from head to toe. Only after confirming she was just a harmless girl did he nod slightly, step inside, and casually attempt to close the door. However, the door was blocked from the outside and wouldn’t shut.
Shen Xiao narrowed his eyes and abruptly exerted force. With a loud "bang," he successfully slammed the door shut.
Shen Yu: “…”
Yuan Yue: “…”
"Is… is there someone outside?" Shen Yu whispered.
Shen Xiao deftly locked the door, then clapped his hands calmly. "Wrong door."
But no sooner had he spoken than the person outside clearly lost all patience, banging on the door loudly. "Yuan Yue, open the door for me!"
Yuan Yue shrank back, looking at Shen Yu pleadingly. "It’s… it’s Situ Yi outside."
Shen Yu was utterly speechless. She looked up at Shen Xiao, thinking to herself how childish this man was. Knowing full well someone was following him, he still brazenly locked the door, was he having a psychotic episode?! That person was, after all, the male lead of a novel!
Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow, completely ignoring the person still pounding on the door. He strolled leisurely over to Shen Yu’s side, pulled out a chair, and sat down, clearly with no intention of opening the door.
In the end, it was Yuan Yue who couldn’t withstand the pressure. Trembling, she shuffled over and opened the door.
As soon as the door opened, Situ Yi stormed in like a tornado, scanning the room. Only when he spotted Shen Yu did his livid expression slowly ease.
Yuan Yue had always thought Situ Yi was nothing more than a handsome but rotten scoundrel. But compared to the psychotic big villain beside him, Situ Yi could practically be considered kind and benevolent!
"Why are you here too?" Yuan Yue asked him.
Situ Yi patted his jacket, which had become disheveled from pounding on the door, shot Shen Xiao a cold glance, and then wrapped his arm around Yuan Yue’s waist, saying, "You rushed back today to meet someone without even telling me?"
Yuan Yue quickly pushed his hand away, embarrassed, and said, "Stop being so handsy. I came to see Shen Yu, why should I tell you?"
Situ Yi seemed accustomed to her behavior. No sooner had his hand been swatted away than he shamelessly wrapped it around her again, as if his hand belonged on Yuan Yue’s waist.
Yuan Yue sighed helplessly and said to Situ Yi, "Let me introduce you, Shen Yu, my good friend."
Situ Yi frowned, glanced at Shen Yu, and asked somewhat unfriendly, "When did you two meet?"
Shen Yu had intended to stand up and greet him, but Shen Xiao placed a hand on her shoulder, pressing her back down...
She could only force a smile and say, "We met before the school anniversary."
Yuan Yue quickly tried to lighten the mood and said to Shen Yu, "Shen Yu, why don’t you introduce your brother too?"
Before the two men had arrived, the two women had actually discussed a plan: to prevent Shen Xiao from turning dark, instead of sabotaging Bai Muqing’s schemes, it would be better to make Shen Xiao and Situ Yi become friends directly. That way, they could avoid a lot of trouble later on.
It was just a plan, but unexpectedly, both men had shown up at once.
It was truly a rare opportunity.
At Yuan Yue’s prompting, Shen Yu blinked and was about to speak when she heard Shen Xiao snort coldly and say, "That’s unnecessary. We’re leaving right now."
Situ Yi considered himself a man of good upbringing, but after the earlier confrontation with Shen Xiao, he was quite irritated. Turning to Yuan Yue, he said, "Let’s go too."
Seeing the atmosphere about to collapse, Shen Yu thought quickly and said to Shen Xiao, "I’m not full yet. The food here is really good, could you stay and eat a bit more with me?"
Shen Xiao glanced at the half-eaten dishes on the table and said disdainfully, "You want me to eat leftovers??"
Yuan Yue quickly jumped in, saying, "I’ll order some more." With that, she shook off Situ Yi’s hand again and hurried out to ask the server for more dishes.
Situ Yi was initially very displeased, but seeing Yuan Yue so enthusiastic, he couldn’t bear to dampen her spirits. Suppressing his anger, he walked over and sat down at the table.
When Yuan Yue had arranged to meet Shen Yu, she had expected only the two of them, so she had booked a small private room. The space wasn’t large, it had an ornately carved rosewood sofa set and the square table they were now sitting at.
The table wasn’t big, but it was enough for each of them to sit on one side.
The restaurant service was attentive. After Yuan Yue finished ordering, a server came in to clear the table and pour tea.
The four of them took their seats again.
On the surface, it seemed they had calmed down.
Shen Xiao took a sip of tea and began peeling the peanuts in the small dish. The peanuts were already shelled, but Shen Xiao patiently rubbed off the thin skins before feeding them to Shen Yu.
Shen Yu hadn’t expected him to feed her so unabashedly in front of others. Her face flushed red, and she whispered, "I can eat them myself."
Shen Xiao ignored her, stubbornly holding the peanut to her lips. Only when she opened her mouth and took it did he pat his hands contentedly.
The two across the table were utterly stunned by the scene.
Yuan Yue stared at them with a look of shock.
Soon, servers began entering again to bring in the new dishes.
Seizing the moment, Situ Yi spoke up, "President Shen, since Yuan Yue and Shen Yu know each other, I don't think we need to be so confrontational, do you?"
In the short time that had passed, Situ Yi had already figured out the source of Shen Xiao's hostility toward him and decided to take the initiative. "In business, conflicts are inevitable. I believe that as long as the competition is healthy, it's perfectly reasonable."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiao let out a cold laugh. "Healthy competition?? To me, healthy competition means: I do business, and you all obediently watch from the sidelines. That's what I call healthy."
Situ Yi: "..."
Yuan Yue: “…”
Shen Yu: “…”
Situ Yi raised an eyebrow and said, "President Shen, that's a bit excessive."
Seeing the two of them at odds again, Shen Yu and Yuan Yue couldn't help but exchange glances.
Yuan Yue: "What do we do? It looks like they're about to fight..."
Shen Yu: "I don't know what to do either..."
Just then, the waiter had finished serving the dishes and respectfully said, "Please enjoy your meal," before quickly stepping out and closing the door behind them.
The dishes were all laid out, but none of the four made a move to pick up their chopsticks.
Shen Xiao curled his lips into an arrogant smile and said, "Am I being excessive?"
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he suddenly swept his hand across the table...
Crash...
In the blink of an eye, several steaming dishes that had just been placed on the table were sent crashing to the floor by his single hand.
Facing the mess of broken pieces on the floor, he shook his head regretfully and said, "Sorry, I thought I saw a fly and got startled. It seems this meal is ruined."
Everyone: "..."