Wen Jiao felt irritated just thinking about how she crazily supported Shi An'an in the past, let alone now, as she was doggedly pursuing her like a persistent plaster.
She shielded Bian Yue behind her and sneered, "Bian Yue is here looking for Shen Jinci! Haven't you heard? Shen Jinci is pursuing Bian Yue!"
Of course, Shi An'an was aware of Shen Jinci; Xie Zhang's banquet today was thrown as a welcome for him.
She looked at Bian Yue in shock but didn't dare to seek confirmation.
And Bian Yue looked back at Wen Jiao in surprise as well.
They both didn't notice that just around the corner, Xie Zhang was standing shoulder to shoulder with someone else, watching the farce unfold.
Beneath the interplay of light and shadow, the man's demeanor was indifferent and aloof, as if tinged with the chill of frost.
It was just a pity that the light was too dim, which made his facial features vague and emotions unreadable—the only thing clear was his sharp and refined profile.
While mentally cursing Wen Jiao for being crazy, Xie Zhang played the peacemaker: "Don't mind her, Wen Jiao just wants to stand up for Bian Yue."
After saying this, seeing that Shen Jinci didn't engage, Xie Zhang hesitantly continued, "Bian... Bian Yue really is having a rough time, if it weren't for the fact that the Bian Family lost its support, how would Li Sihe dare…"
Xie Zhang's words were interrupted by Shi An'an's challenge.
Not far away, Shi An'an's voice trembled, yet she stubbornly insisted, "How could Shen Jinci possibly be pursuing you! You don't even bother to be plausible when lying!"
"Are you questioning the daughter of the Bian Family?" Wen Jiao was sharp-tongued and assertive, "You're merely an actress. Being able to talk to Bian Yue is already a blessing for your ancestral graves—it's time to burn incense. How dare you point fingers? You must be out of your mind!"
But the class divide was so distinct; for Shi An'an, merely uttering the name Shen Jinci required tremendous courage, let alone seeking verification.
She could only stand there dumbly, watching as Bian Yue and Wen Jiao left.
In the distance, the man's gaze remained aloof and indifferent.
"Who is she?" His voice betrayed no hints.
"Shi An'an, she's an actress..." Xie Zhang asked curiously: "What's the matter? Why suddenly ask about her?"
"Have someone take her out. I don't want to see her."
"You can't be serious..." Xie Zhang was shocked, complaining with a headache, "After all, she's someone brought by Li Sihe; do you have a reason to just send her away?"
"Reason?" Shen Jinci's tone paused, saying calmly, "Then tell Li Sihe that Shi An'an offended my love interest."
This statement was shocking enough to scare the devil.
Xie Zhang was so terrified that his soul nearly fled, his voice shaking, "You can't be serious, boss? Which one is your love interest?"
"Wen Jiao already said, I am pursuing Bian Yue," Shen Jinci said in a calm and collected manner, "This reason, quite good."
What's good about that, boss? Have you even spoken to Bian Yue? She doesn't even know what you look like!
Xie Zhang cursed internally, but outwardly, he dared not utter a word.
As for Bian Yue, it was a different scene entirely.
Bian Yue returned to the venue with Wen Jiao only to see Shi An'an's face pale and her steps wobbly as if she had seen a ghost, followed by several PR people heading outside.
"Isn't it?" Wen Jiao said in an astonished voice, "Are those three words, Shen Jinci, really that effective? Scared her away just like that?"
"She is Li Sihe's female companion, it shouldn't be the case, unless..." Bian Yue stopped herself, not finishing her thought.
—Unless Shen Jinci himself had spoken, who would dare to throw out Li Sihe's female companion?
But considering such a possibility, Bian Yue would rather believe the latter was having a fit of madness.
How could someone she had never even met be on her side?
On the other hand, after Li Sihe had finished dealing with the issue and didn't see Shi An'an, Xie Zhang came over, patting him on the shoulder, "Just to let you know in advance, I was the one who sent Shi An'an away."
Upon hearing this, Li Sihe merely raised his eyes slightly without revealing anything and maintained his dignified and elegant poise, "Since when have you and Bian Yue become so close?"
He was assuming that Xie Zhang was taking Bian Yue's side.
Xie Zhang had originally planned to take the fall for this, even using his own name when he ordered people to send Shi An'an away.
If they really went by what Shen Jinci said, wouldn't that lead to utter chaos?
"Although Bian Yue can be arrogant, she grew up with us, and definitely should not be bullied by your mistresses."
As Xie Zhang said this, his handsome face took on a serious expression, "Shiheng, you've gone too far these recent times."
Li Sihe looked down, his long eyelashes hiding the emotions in his eyes, his tone mild, "I understand what you mean."
Xie Zhang wanted to say more, but his phone rang; he answered it in front of Li Sihe, "Come straight in, I am chatting with Shiheng."
Bian Yue was chatting with Wen Jiao when she abruptly noticed that everyone was looking at her.
"Everyone is looking at you," Wen Jiao said with sparkling eyes and animated expression, "Is it because you look too beautiful today?"
Bian Yue replied languidly, casually agreeing: "Not as breathtaking as Miss Wen in Victoria Harbor, with a group of men fallen at your skirt."
Wen Jiao laughed so hard she bent over, continuously insisting on inviting Bian Yue to go shopping on the weekend.
Bian Yue just listened, but then she noticed that the crowd's gaze on her had grown even more intense.
She frowned and saw Xie Zhang walking towards her.
Bian Yue thought of their unpleasant meeting at the restaurant the day before, and as she frowned and tried to step back to leave, she bumped into an embrace that carried a cool, faint fragrance.
"Be careful," a man's voice grazed her ear, low and captivating in Cantonese.
Bian Yue was suddenly flustered; as she turned around, their gazes collided, the man now standing at a safe, conservative social distance, cold and indifferent.
They had met before, just yesterday.
At that time, he was with Xie Zhang, equally splendid.
"Jinci, you and Bian Yue really have fate; you almost bumped into each other again."
Xie Zhang approached with a smile, his tone seemed teasing, but no one knew the cold sweat on his back.
A perfectly good welcoming party, he did not want any trouble.
But Bian Yue's mind buzzed, leaving her briefly deaf.
—Shen Jinci.
This man is Shen Jinci!
Her gaze was too direct, and Shen Jinci found it difficult to ignore.
Yet his demeanor deep and profound, with a bad reputation, such a silent stare, like an aloof superior, was full of oppression.
Wen Jiao also looked surprised; after all, just an hour ago, she claimed in front of Shi An'an that Shen Jinci was pursuing Bian Yue.
If such a blatant lie were exposed, there would be hell to pay.
The commotion also drew Li Sihe over.
Li Sihe's expression was usually gentle and masked, but now his face showed a serious look, his voice tight, "Bian Yue, come here."
Bian Yue treated him as if he were thin air.
Li Sihe's face darkened, and he took a few big steps forward, firmly grabbing Bian Yue's wrist, speaking to Shen Jinci in a polite tone, "Mr. Shen, I will take my fiancee and leave first."
Shen Jinci's gaze landed on Bian Yue's direct eyes, and he nodded imperceptibly.
Li Sihe, disregarding Bian Yue's silence, pulled her out of the banquet.
Bian Yue kept her eyes fixed on Shen Jinci's indifferent-to-the-masses face the whole time, inexplicably feeling like grasping at a life-saving straw.
In the moment before passing by, Bian Yue made up her mind. Her damp palm touched the back of the man's hand, grasping it firmly.
Her eyes pleaded, "Mr. Shen, I have an urgent business proposal for you."