Chapter 43

Yuan Yue usually didn't react so strongly when Situ Yi kissed her or took liberties, after all, she was used to it. Whenever the two of them were together, he could get aroused anytime, anywhere. But today, with so many people around, she was a bit angry.
After pushing Situ Yi away, still feeling unsatisfied, she reached out to hit his arm. "I hate you! Stay away from me!"
Situ Yi wasn't angry either; he smiled and let her hit him. After she finished, he pulled her into an embrace again, pinched her chin with his other hand, and lowered his head for another deep kiss.
This time, Shen Xiao reacted extremely quickly. He wrapped his arm around Shen Yu, pulling her into his embrace, and used his other hand to cover her eyes. "Kids shouldn't watch this. It's eye pollution, you'll get a sty."
Shen Yu: “…”
He kept calling her "kid" all day long, did he really think she was underage?!
She thought that once Shen Xiao pulled her into his embrace to keep her from watching, that would be the end of it. But in the next moment, she suddenly felt Shen Xiao's arm shake forcefully, followed by Yuan Yue's surprised gasp.
"Ah..."
Shen Yu quickly lifted her head from Shen Xiao's embrace and opened her eyes wide to see what was happening. She noticed that the shoulder of Situ Yi's suit was wet, and Shen Xiao, who was holding her, had his other hand gripping a champagne glass, now empty.
Based on past experience, Shen Yu quickly guessed that Shen Xiao must have thrown champagne at someone...
This lunatic really didn't care about the occasion when he had one of his episodes.
Although Situ Yi appeared gentle and amiable on the surface, it was merely a facade. He had quite a temper himself. Now, having been inexplicably splashed with alcohol, he abruptly stood up and snapped, "Shen Xiao! Don't go too far!"
Shen Xiao replied nonchalantly, "How did I go too far? I clearly saw you burning with desire and thought I'd help you cool off with some wine. You should be thanking me!"
Shen Yu: “…” She had never seen someone act so self-righteous after splashing someone else.
Situ Yi glared at him coldly, about to erupt, but Yuan Yue cut him off first. She stood up and said, "Situ Yi, control your urges! Others know how to cherish their sisters, but all you do is bully me! Hmph!" After saying that, Yuan Yue picked up her clutch and phone and walked out.
Watching her hurriedly retreating figure, Situ Yi no longer cared about confronting Shen Xiao or his damp suit jacket. He immediately chased after her, not even minding that the important banquet had just begun.
After both of them had left, Shen Yu finally found her voice and asked Shen Xiao in astonishment, "You just splashed him like that, aren't you afraid he'll pick a fight with you?"
Shen Xiao placed the empty glass back on the table, picked up a nearby cloth to wipe his hands, and said, "He cares about his reputation. No matter how angry he gets, he won't start a brawl with me in a place like this. He's a coward."
Shen Yu: “…”
So, it wasn't that he randomly decided to have an episode, he had calculated it.
She said, "But this way, you've made an enemy of Situ Yi."
Shen Xiao wore an expression that suggested he was the most important person in the world and said, "Sooner or later, he and I are going to clash anyway, so I'm not afraid of making an enemy!"
Shen Yu: “…”
So, even without Bai Muqing's interference, Shen Xiao might still have gradually descended into darkness on his own?!
Shen Yu instantly felt a headache coming on!
After the two had eaten, Shen Xiao was called away by a business friend. He had initially wanted to bring her along, but Shen Yu refused. She didn’t know any of those people, and she didn’t understand what they were discussing. Listening to them would be like deciphering a foreign language, she’d rather find a quiet place to be by herself.
Earlier, she had volunteered to come along because she was worried Shen Xiao might not have a female companion and would go looking for Bai Muqing. But now that she knew Bai Muqing wasn’t coming, she felt like she was just extra baggage, completely useless!
At that moment, a few young couples were dancing a relaxed waltz in the center of the banquet hall’s dance floor. Shen Yu stood to the side, holding a drink and watching intently.
Suddenly, a voice sounded beside her, "Shen Yu, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
Shen Yu turned to look at the speaker, a tall, slender young man who appeared to be around her age. "You know me?" she asked curiously.
The young man wore a gentle smile and said, "We go to the same school. You’re quite well-known there. Anyone who’s not completely out of the loop would know who you are."
Shen Yu smiled awkwardly and didn’t respond.
The young man chuckled and introduced himself, "Let me introduce myself. I’m Xu Qi, a third-year student in the directing department."
Shen Yu said hello politely but found it amusing. Was she being hit on?
But if she remembered correctly, the host of tonight’s banquet seemed to share the surname Xu. Could they be related?
"Nice to meet you," she said.
Xu Qi asked again, "May I have this dance?"
Shen Yu politely declined, "Sorry, my brother will probably come looking for me soon. I can’t be away for too long."
Xu Qi didn’t seem disappointed by the rejection and simply smiled, saying, "What a shame. You danced beautifully at the school celebration that night. It left quite an impression on me."
"Thank you," Shen Yu replied.
She had no intention of chatting with him further, and fortunately, Xu Qi was soon called away by someone else.
Xu Qi, a third-year directing student? Shen Yu thought she’d ask Li Yiyi about him when she went back to school on Monday. Li Yiyi was always up to date on the gossip.
After chatting with a few business tycoons, Shen Xiao was found by Li Yuanhui. The two found a lounge area to sit and talk.
"I saw you douse Situ Yi with wine earlier. Quite the bold move," Li Yuanhui said with a laugh.
Shen Xiao gave him a lazy glance and said, "If you have something to say, say it. I don’t have time for idle chit-chat."
Li Yuanhui: …
"Actually, I just wanted to discuss this collaboration. If you’re serious about working together, you should show some sincerity. The terms you proposed are completely unreasonable."
"My terms are unreasonable?" Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow and said coolly, "Then forget it. There’s no need to continue this discussion."
Li Yuanhui: "..."
"President Shen, rather than having three parties fight it out, it's more profitable for two to form an alliance. You must have thought of this too, which is why you sent your subordinate to contact me. But since we're going to cooperate, we need to negotiate until both sides find it reasonable."
Shen Xiao sneered, "By the time you slowly negotiate a result, the business opportunity will have long flown away. Get to the point."
"Alright then, for the profit split, I'll take 40%, and you take 60%."
Shen Xiao looked at him as if he were hearing a fantasy. "The technology and materials are all provided by our side. You don't know a thing, yet you want to sit back and take 40%? Are you insane?"
"You, "
Shen Xiao cut him off, "It's 70-30. If you agree, I'll have my subordinate continue the talks. If not, let's part ways early and not waste each other's time."
After hearing this, Li Yuanhui smiled helplessly. "Fine, give me two more days to consider it."
A moment later, just as Shen Xiao was about to stand up and leave, Li Yuanhui casually asked, "President Shen, are you and Bai Muqing close?"
Shen Xiao frowned at him and said, "I'm not familiar with her."
Li Yuanhui seemed surprised but ultimately said nothing more.
Shen Xiao patiently exchanged greetings with a few inexplicable people and, before his patience ran out, found Shen Yu hiding on the balcony enjoying the night view.
"There's a moon tonight," she said with a smile.
Although the temperature was low, the weather was clear, and a full moon hung high in the sky.
Shen Xiao glanced at the moon, then lowered his gaze to look at her. He noticed faint starlight shimmering in her eyes, making her seem somewhat unreal, as if she might drift away with the wind at any moment.
"Let's go home," he said.
Since Shen Xiao had been drinking at the social event, he called a driver to take them home.
The car drove smoothly back to the villa community. As soon as they entered the gate, Shen Xiao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly told the driver to stop.
Shen Yu looked at him puzzled and asked, "What's wrong?"
He replied, "The moon here should look better than in the city center."
Shen Yu: “…”
It was surprising that he thought of taking her to see the moon. Was it because he had been drinking tonight and the alcohol was getting to him?
In the end, the two of them got out of the car. Shen Xiao had the driver take the car home while he walked back slowly with Shen Yu.
Shen Yu looked up at the sky and noticed that it seemed clearer than before, and the moon was even brighter.
Shen Xiao remained silent, walking quietly beside her.
Shen Yu's high heels were quite tall tonight, and after a few steps, she nearly twisted her ankle. Shen Xiao frowned, walked in front of her, and bent down slightly, saying, "Get on, I'll carry you on my back."
Shen Yu: “…”