Chapter 80 Engagement Banquet

Night fell in the capital.

The extended Lincoln, heading towards the residence, drove steadily through the traffic on the street.

Shen Jingsi attended his own engagement party, and his attire was quite sophisticated.

He wore a black velvet suit with red-soled leather shoes, a bow tie at the collar of his shirt, and his short hair was combed back.

He was holding a wine glass, legs crossed, leaning back in his seat, his phone pressed against his expressionless face.

"Next week, I'll take you back to the manor to meet her. I'll tell her you're a friend of mine from abroad and will be staying for a few days. Let her get to know you first, and then we can discuss the next steps."

The other end of the call was over after a few words were exchanged.

Si Wei, who was lying lazily opposite her with his head propped up on his hand, smiled and said, "Ready to give our little pearl some psychological therapy?"

He tossed his phone back onto the coffee table and leaned back, crossing his legs.

“I feel like she’s been acting strangely lately. I hope I’m just overreacting. I’ll have a psychologist evaluate her first.”

He then looked at Feng Jinheng, who was standing silently beside him, and asked, "Didn't you say that your wife used to have depression, and how did she get better?"

The man lowered his eyes, rubbing his wine glass with two fingers. "She said that this is all about oneself. No matter how much external interference there is, if one doesn't want to break free, it will all be in vain in the end."

Siwei said, "I think a psychologist is only an aid. The main thing is that you two should sit down and have a good talk. Right now, you don't know what she's thinking, and she doesn't know what you're busy with outside all day. You're sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams. How can a person get better like that?"

Don't let his usual carefree and irresponsible attitude fool you; he can be incredibly insightful when it really matters.

Feng Jinheng agreed with this point, saying, "Wanwan also said that she felt a sense of loneliness from Xiao Zhen."

Shen Jingsi lowered his eyes silently, his fingertips lightly tapping the rim of his cup for a moment. "Let's wait a bit longer. Once the situation stabilizes, I'll find an opportunity to talk to her again."

Si Wuwei chuckled, "I say, you look so conflicted, it's not that you can't bear to part with that little brat, is it?"

Seeing the cold stare directed at him, Siwei grinned slyly, "I think you might actually have the wicked heart of keeping one at home and supporting another outside, wanting to eat what you don't have while eyeing what you don't have."

Shen Jingsi knew, of course, that he was being provoked. He slowly looked away and took a sip of his wine.

"The second brother shouldn't talk about the third brother; he should clean up his own mess first."

-

The marriage between the two great families is enough to keep the entire capital bustling for days.

Countless people came and went outside the Shen residence, including prominent figures from the military, political, and business circles who came to offer their congratulations.

The entire Duan family, who are always busy, made an appearance, along with their soon-to-be-married daughter-in-law.

There are quite a few members of the Shen family, except for Shen Zhen'an, who is abroad and has not returned.

"Old Shen was really too busy to come, so he specifically asked me to apologize to his in-laws on his behalf."

Duan Hong smiled amiably, "I know it's his fault. With the international situation tense lately, it would be strange if he wasn't busy managing such a large operation."

Duan Xi'er walked towards them arm in arm with Shen Jingsi and greeted the elders.

Looking at Tao Zhitao, who was being supported by Duan Yu, Shen Jingsi's gaze focused on the woman's pregnant belly, which was barely visible but which she still supported wherever she went, and he curled his lips into a smile.

"Is Brother Duan about to become a father?"

Duan Yu was always gentle and polite, no matter the occasion. "Brother Shen is about to become a husband, so let me congratulate you."

Glancing at Duan Xier, who had stayed obediently by his side all night, Shen Jingsi chuckled, "Being a husband is nothing compared to being a father. When the child is born, I'll recognize him as my godson."

Tao Zhitao stroked her pregnant belly in a serious manner, "Mr. Shen likes children so much, why don't you and Xi'er have one soon?"

Glancing at the blushing girl beside him, Shen Jingsi couldn't quite tell whether he was being serious or not.

"Having one child is not a problem, but I'm afraid that in the end, all the sons will end up being raised by other people."

Duan Xi'er's face darkened, and she slapped him, "What nonsense are you talking about? Have I ever loved any other man in my life besides you?"

“How can that be certain?” Shen Jingsi raised an eyebrow and turned to Duan Yu, whose smiling eyes remained unchanged. “Brother Duan, you should also be careful. These women are unpredictable.”

Before Duan Yu could speak...

"That's absolutely right."

A loud, distinctive voice came from behind, causing people around to turn around and look.

Zheng Yaozong, with his arm still in a cast and his forehead bandaged, limped in from outside the banquet hall, leaning on a cane.

Shen Jingsi narrowed his eyes, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "Brother, I never imagined we were such good friends. Even in this state, you still came to my engagement party."

Wearing a neck brace, Zheng Yaozong chuckled as he walked past Duan Yu, glancing at Tao Zhitao, who was standing to the side with her face buried in her hands.

"Is Brother Duan Yu going to be a father?"

Looking around the capital, who doesn't find Zheng Yaozong annoying? Even Duan Yu has lost his friendliness. "Brother Zheng, instead of staying home to recover from your injuries, you're running around everywhere. It's not easy for your injuries to heal."

Zheng Yaozong licked his sharp teeth and chuckled, "Isn't it easier to get bored if you stay at home and don't see any beautiful women? My only wife was taken by Brother Shen for his own money. I'm so lonely."

"..."

Zheng Yaozong really doesn't care about the occasion; he speaks shamelessly, leaving everyone around him embarrassed.

With his neck immobile, Duan Xi'er was unafraid of him, but Tao Zhitao was uneasy under his gaze.

She deliberately avoided the man's lecherous gaze and tugged at Duan Yu's arm, "I'm not feeling well, come with me to rest for a while."

"Oh, that won't do if you're not feeling well." Shen Jingsi was unusually kind. "Brother Duan, you should take your wife away quickly. She probably feels nauseous seeing Brother Zheng."

Watching the two leave, Zheng Yaozong licked his teeth nonchalantly, "Brother-in-law, you're so enthusiastic. When are you going to give my wife back to me? You already have a wife and a warm bed, you can't leave me lonely every day, can you?"

After being beaten up, people become more polite and even try to put themselves in others' shoes.

Shen Jingsi sneered, "What wife? Do you even have a wife? Why are you asking me for a wife? Do I look like your wife? Why don't you just give me your wife?"

Duan Xi'er, who was always wary of Zheng Yaozong's mouth, slapped him hard and said, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

With a chuckle, Shen Jingsi walked away, his hands in his pockets.

The two were left face to face. Looking at the man's lecherous face, Duan Xi'er leaned closer and said, "Whatever you want to do, you better behave yourself tonight. If you dare to ruin my engagement, see if I'll let you off the hook."

Even though she threatened him, Zheng Yaozong thought back to that night when she was the one who came up with the idea, but in the end, he was the one who took the blame.

Thinking about what he'd done in prison these past two days, a hint of ruthlessness crept into his smile. "You bitch, I've only just realized what's going on. You've been using me as cannon fodder all along."

She got the man, she gained a good reputation, but in the end, he got himself into a mess.

"Do I need to remind you that the whole thing that happened to the Shen family back then was... your idea."

Before Zheng Yaozong could finish speaking, Duan Xi'er stomped hard on his instep.

She approached him, her mouth still but her tongue moving, "If you don't want to die, keep all this to yourself. Besides, I gave you a chance, but you were stupid and couldn't seize it. You can't blame anyone else."

Zheng Yaozong was really provoked, and his back molars started grinding together.

"Letting Duan Yu be my son's father, is that giving me an opportunity?"

Duan Xi'er curled her lips into a cold smile, "Don't act innocent after getting the benefit. Do you think Tao Zhitao didn't make a big deal out of it? It's already good enough that she didn't make you repay my kindness. If you don't want Lu Zhenyu to catch you cheating during your marriage and sue for divorce, then you'd better suffer."

After finishing speaking, the man turned and left, leaving Zheng Yaozong burning with rage, his wicked lips twitching twice at the retreating figure.

Fine, you want to show off in front of me? I'll give you the chance to see who's really tough.

Before the engagement banquet began, Shen Jingsi and Duan Xier basically greeted the guests.

The two, one in black and one in white, handsome and beautiful, were considered a perfect match wherever they went.

As soon as the atmosphere got heated, Duan Xi'er's selfless sacrifices for Shen Jingsi over the years were brought up again.

The most memorable scene is from back then, when Shen Jingsi was in a car accident and rolled down a cliff. Duan Xier braved the torrential rain to save him, but while carrying him down the mountain, she slipped and rolled down, hitting her head on a rock, which caused temporary blindness.

Although it was cured, it recurred frequently during those two years.

"That's why, the girl has sacrificed so much. If Shen Jingsi doesn't marry her, he'll be haunted by gossip for the rest of his life."

"But I heard that he seems to be keeping someone else on the side."

"You mean the adopted daughter of the Shen family?"

"You knew about this too?"

"Of course, even though everyone doesn't say it to their faces, it's been circulating in private for a long time. But what I admire most is this woman's methods. Back then, she abandoned the declining Shen family and climbed up to the Zheng family. Now that the Zheng family is about to fall, she's turned around and hooked up with Shen Jingsi again."

"If that's the case, then Duan Xi'er is in a rather pitiful state. Do you think she knew all these things? And even if she did, she still swallowed her anger and got engaged to Shen Jingsi?"

Gossip came from all directions, and the beautiful figure standing in the corner listened silently, looking at the two figures walking hand in hand onto the stage.

Perhaps certain that she wouldn't dare come tonight, Duan Xi'er actually wore that dress.

Lu Zhenyu was also wearing it, but she really didn't plan to show up.

She simply stood in the corner, gazing at the man on stage who radiated dazzling light.

She gently curled her lips.

In this way, I have witnessed an important moment in your life.

"Chen Jingsi, congratulations on your engagement."

Leaving the laughter and applause behind, the young woman, her floor-length skirt trailing behind her, walked out of the banquet hall.

On stage, the ring, which should have been smoothly slipped onto the middle finger, stopped in front of the fingertip.

Duan Xi'er's smile trembled slightly as she squeezed the hand resting on her left wrist.

She whispered, "Ah Si, the elders are watching."

Halfway there, Shen Jingsi suddenly looked towards the entrance of the banquet hall and snapped out of his daze, casually slipping the ring onto his middle finger.

Why did I feel like I saw Zhenzhen just now?

No, he instructed his subordinates not to let her go out tonight.

Could it be that you're hallucinating because you haven't seen each other for a day?

After the ceremony, the crowd below applauded and cheered, and the elders on both sides came forward.

The photographer on the other side snapped a picture, capturing this happy moment.