Chapter 33

Shen Yu sat comfortably on the sofa in the boutique’s lounge area, sipping the rich milk tea the sales assistant had brought her.
She was wearing the most expensive dress in the store, and her shoes and handbag added up to nearly a hundred thousand yuan. Because of this, the staff wouldn’t let her take a single step out of the door.
But she wasn’t the least bit flustered!
Well, actually, she was a little nervous, because she couldn’t quite figure out the thoughts of that lunatic! She had no idea whether he would lose his temper when he arrived.
Not long after the staff member left, they really brought him back.
When Shen Xiao stepped into the store, all eyes in the room turned to him. The store manager, who had long been accustomed to dealing with wealthy people, had a sharp eye. The moment she saw Shen Xiao, her previously anxious heart settled completely. This man clearly had both money and influence.
Shen Xiao was used to the attention of others. His eyes swept across the store, landed on the lounge area, and he strode over.
Shen Yu knew he was approaching but deliberately kept her gaze fixed on the store’s promotional brochure, pretending to read it intently and ignoring him.
Shen Xiao plopped down beside her, crossed his legs, and stretched his arms out to rest on the back of the sofa. At first glance, it looked as though he had draped them over her shoulders.
After two minutes of silence:
“Hey, what a coincidence,” he said.
“Pfft, ” Shen Yu couldn’t hold back a laugh and shifted her gaze from the page to his face. She saw him smirking, his eyes bright and tinged with a hint of amusement. He really was a handsome guy.
Shen Xiao, having gotten a response from her, instantly brightened up. Grasping for something to say, he asked, “Weren’t you at home?”
Shen Yu took a sip of her milk tea and said, “How did you know I was at home? I’ve actually been out for a while.”
Shen Xiao frowned. “But that…” The phone’s location had clearly shown her at home, completely unmoving. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.
Shen Yu chuckled inwardly but pretended not to understand on the surface. “I left in a hurry and forgot my phone, so I couldn’t pay. Luckily, I remembered you were eating nearby. What a coincidence.”
Both of them were feigning ignorance, but neither pointed it out.
The cold war between them had lasted too long these past few days, making even the usually arrogant Shen Xiao feel a bit timid. Since she was willing to talk to him now, he went along with it. “What did you buy?”
Shen Yu handed him her milk tea to hold, stood up, and twirled in place. “This dress, is it pretty?”
Shen Xiao’s eyes swept over her from head to toe, and he suddenly realized that his little sister had an amazing figure, slender where she should be, curvaceous where it counted, with a narrow waist, perky butt, and a chest that…
Shen Xiao quickly cut off his train of thought, averted his gaze, and, as if to cover up his awkwardness, took a big gulp of the milk tea. Instantly, the overwhelming sweetness made him frown.
Only after finishing it did he remember that the milk tea was his sister's.
Shen Yu immediately protested, "Why did you drink my milk tea?"
Shen Xiao shamelessly replied, "Is that not allowed?" After saying that, he picked it up again and took another big sip.
Seeing that he genuinely didn't mind, Shen Yu didn't say anything more and just urged, "Hurry up and pay for me."
Shen Xiao took the receipt and glanced at it, noticing it was only for a dress, a bag, and a pair of shoes. He frowned and said, "Since we're here, buy more."
They had just reconciled, and he was absolutely willing to spend money on her.
So he turned to the sales assistant nearby and said, "Bring out anything that suits her and let her try it on."
Shen Yu quickly shook her head to stop him, saying, "No, I want to go home." As long as she could bring Shen Xiao back, her goal would be achieved.
Bai Muqing had been stood up by Shen Xiao repeatedly, she must be furious with him by now.
But Shen Xiao didn't agree right away. Instead, he asked her, "Have you eaten?"
Shen Yu honestly shook her head. She really hadn't had an appetite during dinner.
Shen Xiao didn't say anything more. He stood up, paid the bill, and then said to her, "Let's grab something to eat next door before heading back."
So, after all that effort, she was still going to run into Bai Muqing.
Shen Yu couldn't help but sigh.
Bai Muqing was also sighing at that moment. As a popular star, she never lacked suitors. What man would dare to abandon her so casually like Shen Xiao?
If it weren't for his ability to compete with the Situ family, she wouldn't even bother with him!
She wondered which vixen had managed to call Shen Xiao away so easily. The thought sparked a flicker of curiosity in Bai Muqing's heart, and she decided to settle her bill and check out the boutique next door. But before she could even stand up, Shen Xiao walked in with a woman.
Bai Muqing's anger flared up instantly. It was bad enough that he went off with another woman, but how dare he bring her right in front of her? What was he trying to do, watch two women fight over him right then and there??
Bai Muqing's eyes fixed intently on the woman walking beside Shen Xiao. The other woman had a great figure and was dressed head-to-toe in designer brands, clearly someone who was well-pampered. But there was something oddly familiar about her...
Bai Muqing stared at her in disbelief until the two of them approached her. Only then did she softly confirm, "Are you Shen Yu?"
Shen Yu nodded and replied perfunctorily, "Hello."
Shen Xiao took the lead and sat back in his previous seat, then pointed to the spot beside him for Shen Yu to sit. He tossed the menu to her and said, "Order whatever you want to eat."
Shen Yu obediently began looking through the menu.
Bai Muqing was no longer angry now. In her eyes, Shen Yu could be a useful pawn. If handled well, she could easily control Shen Xiao, since he seemed to care quite a bit about his sister.
Still, she couldn't hide her surprise. "It's only been a short while since we last met, but you've changed so much! You've become so beautiful, I almost didn't recognize you!"
The compliment was clearly meant to flatter, but Shen Yu clearly wasn't having it. Not only did she not appreciate it, she acted as if she hadn't even heard it.
Bai Muqing quickly realized that Shen Yu's attitude was noticeably different from the last time they met. Back then, although she hadn't seemed particularly warm, she had at least maintained basic politeness. This time, however, Shen Yu was outright treating her as if she were invisible.
Bai Muqing's mind stirred, and she immediately recalled that Shen Yu had a grudge against Bai Muyu. Bai Muyu had mentioned that she had bullied Shen Yu many times, with the last incident even being witnessed by Shen Xiao.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but resent her sister, what a useless troublemaker, always dragging her down!
Shen Xiao hadn't eaten anything earlier, so now that Shen Yu had ordered food, he added another portion for himself.
After a moment's thought, he said to Bai Muqing, "Should I have the driver pick you up?"
Bai Muqing was speechless. Was he trying to kick her out?
"I still have something to discuss with you. I'm in no hurry to leave."
Shen Yu called the waiter over, quietly placed her order, and also ordered for Shen Xiao.
Bai Muqing patiently waited until she finished ordering before saying, "Shen Yu, I know you're angry with Muyu, but young people are impulsive. A little roughhousing is normal. Next time there's a chance, I'll have her apologize to you. How about that?"
Shen Yu pursed her lips, ignoring her, and lowered her head to fiddle with Shen Xiao's phone. Then she heard Shen Xiao say, "So if I hit your sister next time, will a simple apology settle it?"
Bai Muqing: "..."
Shen Xiao added, "If she dares to bully my sister again, it won't just be about smashing a phone."
"Can't you speak properly?" Bai Muqing retorted.
Shen Xiao sneered, "I am speaking properly."
Shen Yu clutched the phone, secretly laughing inside. With Shen Xiao's tone, if she were the one being targeted, she would have turned and left long ago, no way she could sit there.
But Bai Muqing could. Not only did she remain seated, but she also kept a straight face.
From this alone, it was clear she was a formidable character who knew when to yield and when to stand firm.
The restaurant served quickly, and soon their newly ordered dishes arrived.
Shen Yu was hungry by then and picked up her knife and fork to start eating.
Watching her cheeks puff out as she ate, Shen Xiao's fingers itched with the urge to feed her. But considering they had just reconciled, he restrained himself from being too unrestrained in public.
Seeing both of them eating so intently and completely ignoring her, Bai Muqing tried to strike up a conversation with Shen Xiao.
"I heard your company has been competing with Situ Group and Li Group for a cross-border business deal recently?"
Shen Xiao glanced at her and said, "What about it?"
Bai Muqing replied, "I heard the competition is fierce. Have you considered partnering with one of the companies to take on the other?"
Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow. "You seem quite knowledgeable."
Bai Muqing smiled and said, "Actually, I heard it from my brother. He's a department manager at Li Group. If you're interested, I could help facilitate communication with them."
Shen Yu frowned as she listened, wondering how the Li family had suddenly come into the picture. She had read the novel before but had no recollection of this Li family. Perhaps they had appeared, but they must not have been important.
Yet, hearing Bai Muqing speak so confidently about it made her feel annoyed. She looked up at Shen Xiao and said, "Brother, how does your steak taste? Let me have a bite."
Shen Xiao was instantly thrilled, was she actively asking to be fed by him?
Without hesitation, he cut a small piece and, under Bai Muqing’s stunned gaze, skillfully fed it into Shen Yu’s mouth...