"How come your Shen family can't even come up with 800,000? If you can't, that's fine, but I didn't expect the prestigious Shen family to be so poor."

Her words were laced with sarcasm and disdain, which angered Shen Yibo so much that he stood up and retorted.

"It's only 800,000, of course we have it, we'll transfer it to you after the engagement banquet."

Lin Qingtong smiled brightly, "Brother-in-law is so sensible. You have to take good care of me, your little sister, from now on. Although I'm a little immature, I'm pregnant now, and after the baby is born, I'll have to call you Dad."

She glanced at Lin Jiaorui beside her, a hint of mockery in her eyes.

Lin Jiaorui understood the meaning behind Lin Qingtong's words, her expression darkened, and she spoke without thinking.

"You don't need to worry about that. You should think about when you can marry into the Shen family."

"But I bet you'll never marry into the Shen family in your lifetime. At most, you'll be a mistress outside."

Lin Qingtong laughed, "You know so much about this? Have you done it before?"

Every word she uttered accurately struck Lin Jiaorui's sore spot, making her face contort with anger.

"Don't talk nonsense here. What business is it of yours? Sooner or later, Master Shen will get tired of you and abandon you. Don't beg us on your knees then."

Lin Qingtong raised an eyebrow and smiled, speaking towards the direction of the vehicle behind her.

"Someone said you look down on me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the car door opened, and Shen Tinghe, dressed in a black suit, arrived like a shooting star.

Shen Tinghe stood beside Lin Qingtong, exuding an aura of oppression. His cold gaze swept over the surroundings before finally settling on Lin Jiaorui.

"Who says I would find it unacceptable?"

She put her arm around Lin Qingtong's shoulder, pulled her into her embrace, and leaned down to kiss her ear.

"I like it so much I don't even have time to think about it."

Shen Yibo was somewhat stunned that Shen Tinghe, who was always aloof and unapproachable, treated Lin Qingtong so gently.

The guests attending the engagement party were utterly astonished, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor.

Is this still the Ninth Master Shen they know?

Lin Qingtong could clearly feel the pressure coming from her side, and her ears felt hot.

Shen Tinghe is such a smooth talker.

She lowered her eyes and did not break free from Shen Tinghe's hand, but only whispered a reminder.

"Didn't you not want the Shen family to know I existed before?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Tinghe couldn't help but lower his eyes to look at Lin Qingtong again, a smile playing on his lips.

"What's wrong? Are you jealous?"

Lin Qingtong snorted coldly and secretly pinched Shen Tinghe's waist with her hand hidden at her side.

"How could that be? You're being too fake."

Unexpectedly, Shen Tinghe smiled and replied, "I'm serious."

The moment those words reached Lin Qingtong's ears, her whole body skipped a beat, and her heart swayed, unsure of what to do.

Everything around them seemed to have fallen silent; the only people in the world were Shen Tinghe and himself.

She seemed to be losing control of her heartbeat, which was pounding wildly.

By the time Lin Qingtong finally came to her senses, they were already in the elevator.

Shen Tinghe's warm fingertips caressed Lin Qingtong's rounded shoulders, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Are you angry?

Throughout the entire process of walking over from that side, Lin Qingtong maintained a cold expression. Shen Tinghe thought Lin Qingtong was angry and cautiously looked at her.

Lin Qingtong pursed her lips awkwardly, broke free from Shen Tinghe's grasp, and spoke softly.

"No, I'm just happy to get my 800,000 back."

After she finished speaking, she felt annoyed. Good heavens, what nonsense was she talking about?

At this moment, Lin Qingtong realized that Su Wanjun was not in the elevator and looked at Shen Tinghe in confusion.

Where is my mom?

Shen Tinghe leaned lazily against the elevator, his tall and noble figure exuding an air of nobility, and answered with a faint smile.

"Mom went to chat with some acquaintances and told us to go up first."

Lin Qingtong then understood and lowered her eyes, remaining silent.

The elevator doors opened, and Shen Tinghe extended his hand to Lin Qingtong, smiling as he reminded her, "Let's go, my princess."

If someone else were to say these words, it would be utterly disgusting.

But when these words came from Shen Tinghe's mouth, they didn't sound disgusting; instead, they added a unique and refreshing quality to them.

Lin Qingtong placed her hand on it and stepped out of the elevator with Shen Tinghe, entering everyone's field of vision.

In that instant, all eyes in the venue were focused on Lin Qingtong and Shen Tinghe.

Lin Qingtong raised her chin slightly, showing no sign of panic, but rather adding a touch of smile.

She was never afraid.

As soon as they stepped into the venue, Master Shen and Lin Yan actually came to greet them.

Lin Yan, in particular, looked at Shen Tinghe with eager eyes.

"Master Shen, you're really like a flood washing away the Dragon King's temple; from now on, we're all one family."

"When will you and my daughter get engaged?"

His abacus beads were practically bouncing off Lin Qingtong and Shen Tinghe's faces.

Before Shen Tinghe could speak, Second Master Shen couldn't stand it anymore. He could allow Lin Jiaorui to stay by his side, but he would never allow anyone from the Lin family to enter the Shen family again.

If the Lin family gets involved in everything and tries to take away the resources that the Shen family is already vying for, that will be a real problem.

“It’s still early, Mr. Lin, why are you in such a hurry? They are both still young. Besides, Tinghe is busy with work. He should wait until he has some free time before getting married. Wouldn’t that allow him to spend more time with his wife?”

"Besides, things are always unpredictable when it comes to young people."

His words were loaded with meaning, as if he were certain that Shen Tinghe would never marry Lin Qingtong.

Shen Tinghe understood these words and coldly retorted.

"Second brother, please don't say that again, or I'll get angry, because I'll stay with Tongtong forever."

“I don’t want to hear you say that you will marry her again. Otherwise, even if you are my second brother, I will not show any mercy.”

Upon hearing Shen Tinghe's words, Master Shen's expression changed for a moment, and he gave an awkward laugh before speaking.

"Oh, I was just saying. Someone over there seems to be calling me, so I'll go over there first."

So Master Shen slipped away as quickly as possible, and Lin Yan also left with an embarrassed smile.

Lin Qingtong and Shen Tinghe exchanged a smile and casually found a place to sit down.

She didn't expect that someone else would come over as soon as she sat down, their tone full of provocation.

"You actually came? Didn't your mother come?"

Lin Qingtong slowly raised her eyes and saw Jiang Hao standing not far away.

"What does it matter to you whether my mother comes or not? We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Please leave and don't block my view of the show."

Jiang Hao had no intention of leaving; he simply smiled sinisterly and spoke.

"I'm going to give you a huge surprise later, so be prepared and don't fall down and cry."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingtong seemed to have already guessed what she was going to do, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"I'm looking forward to your surprise, but let's hope it doesn't turn into a shock for you, that would be interesting."