The private area is dimly lit.

Shen Xizhou was caught red-handed by his wife, Xue Qing, who had grabbed his arm. He couldn't break free and was caught red-handed by his wife. He was not only unable to argue, but also full of bitterness. "Xue Qing, please have some self-respect. My parents are my parents, and I am me!"

From a young age, Lao Shen and Ms. Lin liked Xue Qing very much and often joked about them.

Before he was ten years old, he was ignorant and said things like he wanted to marry Xue Qing, which was very childish.

But after entering high school, he focused solely on his studies. In college, Xue Qing, whether intentionally or by coincidence, applied to the same school and major as him and often appeared in front of him, but he tried to distance himself from her.

The original sin that led him to ignore Xue Qing for so long was that after graduation, Lao Shen and Ms. Lin urged him to get married, saying things like he should just make do with Xue Qing. As a result, Shen Xizhou fled Beijing and came to S City.

So strictly speaking, what he did back then was no different from running away from his wedding!

This is enough to show that he has no romantic feelings for Xue Qing. Over the years, he could have chosen anyone, but Xue Qing was never an option.

Shen Xizhou glanced at Chu Yuan's delicate and beautiful face under the warm yellow light, her watery eyes seemingly smiling yet not smiling. He quickly pulled Xue Qing's hand away, as if avoiding a plague, and took a step back to stand straight. "Xue Qing, have I made myself clear? If not, I can..."

Chu Yuan stepped forward with a smile, "Excuse me, gentlemen, could you please let me pass? The food here is quite unique. You can enjoy it and chat at your leisure after I leave!"

Xue Qing, "..."

Shen Xizhou, "..."

Leaving Xue Qing behind, Shen Xizhou tried to catch up with Chu Yuan.

However, Xue Qing's skin was thicker than a city wall, and she reached out to pull and tug at him again. This time, Shen Xizhou couldn't help but lose his temper and shook Xue Qing off, saying, "We are all people of status and standing, don't make me say anything even more unpleasant!"

With a slight delay, Chu Yuan's figure disappeared around the corner.

Shen Xizhou felt a slight panic, but Xue Qing was still shouting resentfully from behind, "Shen Xizhou, you'll regret this! If you don't like me, then who do you like? That wild girl who has nothing but her face?"

Shen Xizhou didn't have time to answer, because he had already roughly determined Chu Yuan's direction and chased after her.

Xue Qing tossed her long, sexy waves and stomped her foot silently!

*

Chu Yuan didn't go back to the dinner party. Instead, she went straight to the nearby lake to breathe in some fresh air.

Soon after, hurried footsteps could be heard.

She didn't even need to turn around to know it was Shen Xizhou.

Crossing her arms, Chu Yuan said calmly, "Shen Xizhou, it's my fault. I didn't investigate properly. You still have a past you can't let go of. Judge Xue is indeed a better match for you than me..."

Before she could finish speaking, a coat was already draped over her shoulders, and Shen Xizhou gently embraced her through the coat.

It was already dark, and you couldn't see your hand in front of your face in the distance. The sounds of plants and animals could be heard from the forest. Nearby, the restaurant was bustling with the sounds of toasting and playing around, but no one was paying any attention to this side.

Chu Yuan struggled against Chen Xizhou's embrace, "Let go of me!"

"I won't let go." Shen Xizhou was unusually firm, even tightening his grip on Chu Yuan. "What, are you jealous?"

He smiled and tried to explain gently, but Chu Yuan interrupted him coldly, "Sorry, you want to say it now, but I don't want to hear it."

"Also, if Xue Qing is the daughter-in-law your parents have chosen, that's fine, I don't mind, I've already gotten what I wanted."

After saying that, she not only struggled to break free from Shen Xizhou, but also took off her coat and threw it back to him without any politeness!

The two met again in a restaurant littered with dishes and cups.

Shen Xizhou's gaze was seemingly fixed on Chu Yuan, but he never actually stepped forward.

Chu Yuan was enjoying herself, chatting and laughing with her girlfriends, seemingly unaffected.

Qiao Meixin had won money earlier and was currently really into mahjong. She clung to Chu Yuan's arm and said, "Yuan Yuan, let's not go on the boat trip, okay? How about we play mahjong? What's the point of a boat trip? If we play mahjong, I'll treat you to crayfish!"

Chu Yuan found it amusing. "You win my money, and then use it to treat me to crayfish? Makes perfect sense!"

"Haha, it's just a game. Winning or losing isn't important. Besides, it seems like you didn't lose any money, did you? Wasn't it all Judge Shen who lost?"

Chu Yuan asked, "How do you know he deducted it from my year-end bonus?"

Even though court clerks don't receive official bonuses, the judges they work with, unless they're particularly stingy, will usually give them a few thousand yuan as a token of appreciation.

Chu Yuan caught a glimpse of Shen Xizhou heading this way out of the corner of her eye. Ignoring what Qiao Meixin was saying, she quickly grabbed her arm and said, "Okay, it's just a few rounds with you. You can use the money you just won to treat us all to crayfish. Come back later and I'll play with you, okay?"

"Are you serious? You're not kidding me?" Qiao Meixin exclaimed with delight, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, let's go, let's go now!"

"Meixin, the boat is here! How about we take a boat trip to enjoy the scenery along the river, and then have some crayfish? We just ate, and we can't eat anything now!"

Qiao Meixin didn't want to take a boat trip because it would waste time, but since she was already there, she had no choice.

The town is bisected by a tributary of the Yangtze River, thus developing into an ancient riverside town. Along the river, there is a unique section of ancient town scenery, with old houses along the way that are simple and rustic, and a cluster of illuminated signs, creating a charming night view.

Chu Yuan and her friends boarded the boat first. When Shen Xizhou hurriedly caught up, the boatman shook his head and said, "Sir, I'm sorry, it's full. Please take the next boat with your companions!"

Shen Xizhou looked towards Chu Yuan at the bow of the ship and said, "I have something urgent to tell a girl on the ship."

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