Banana trees and seasonal roses create a quiet corner in the back garden.

"Ah Yuan, your Uncle Lin's son is coming back from New Zealand this weekend. Do you have time to go and see him?"

Shen Yuan held the phone to her face, her brows furrowed slightly. "Mom, aren't you annoying?"

"This is your father's idea. You can't possibly not understand that things won't work out between you and Tan Yuchen. Take advantage of your youth—"

"While you're still young!"

Shen Yuan interrupted, "What am I? I'm just something to be sent wherever I'm needed?"

After saying that, she hung up the phone in anger.

A breeze blew through the back garden, leaving her face slightly damp.

She could tell that his parents were going to give up on the marriage alliance with the Tan family, but how could Shen Yuan, who had been planning for more than ten years, be willing to accept that?

Moreover, she truly loved Tan Yuchen.

What kind of status does the Lin family have? Their family background is even higher than that of Shen Jing's fiancé. It's absolutely impossible for her to marry into the Lin family!

Thinking of this, Shen Yuan couldn't help but feel resentful towards the old lady. The old lady couldn't possibly not know what she was thinking. What's wrong with nodding? With filial piety as the priority, how could Tan Yuchen disagree?

Previously, when Meng Jiuyi jumped into the water to save someone, Shen Yuan laughed at her for being silly. Now, she wished the same thing would happen again, and she would definitely risk her life to save Bo Enqing.

She walked past Bu Ting on her way back to the main house, but saw Meng Jiuyi not far away, cautiously turning left and right before disappearing into the depths of the willow grove.

What is this person up to, acting so suspiciously?

Shen Yuan sensed something was amiss and followed after him.

The back garden occupied the entire hilltop. Shen Yuan quietly followed Duan, who hid behind a willow tree. She saw a man waiting for her in the pavilion; it was Tan Sheng.

The two were clearly having an affair.

"I haven't seen Auntie at the Meng residence for the past few days. Did you keep her occupied by something?" Meng Jiuyi said gratefully.

Tan Shengyi's eyes were only on her.

"It's wrong of her to go to her uncle's place every few days. No matter how close we are, he's still an outsider. I won't let this happen again."

He took out a bunch of keys and asked for her opinion, "If you're not happy at the Meng residence, why don't you come and stay at my place with Auntie?"

Meng Jiuyi was somewhat puzzled.

Tan Sheng quickly explained that he had never lived in the house and it had always been vacant.

"This is the first pot of gold I earned when I learned about investing from my third brother in college. It doesn't count as part of the Tan family's business. If you're worried, I can transfer it to your name."

Third Brother, Tan Yuchen.

A mixture of surprise and shock settled in Meng Jiuyi's amber eyes, softening the anger that had been building up over the past few days.

She thought this person was incredibly dazed...

They both have the surname Tan, yet they are worlds apart.

But she didn't have that much guilt to spare for him; when faced with what she had to do, all conscience had to take a backseat.

Meng Jiuyi didn't answer. After a few words, he asked Tan Sheng to leave first, citing safety concerns.

After everyone left, she composed herself, guessing that she had seen most of what she needed to see, and calmly returned along the same route.

Then he bumped into Shen Yuan directly under the tree.

Meng Jiuyi was shocked.

"Miss Shen, what...how did you get here?"

Shen Yuan looked at her meaningfully.

"Well, Meng Jiuyi, you've got some nerve, secretly getting together with Tan Sheng. If Feng Lan finds out you're hooking up with her son, what do you think she'll do to you?"

"I don't!"

"No? Could it be that I saw it wrong just now? Wasn't the person you were being all lovey-dovey with just now Tan Sheng? I could have misread the surveillance footage, so I wouldn't have made a mistake. Otherwise, I'll have someone pull it up and take a look."

Meng Jiuyi's face turned pale instantly, and he pleaded with her.

"Miss Shen, I beg you to keep this a secret, please!"

Shen Yuan sneered. She thought she was so powerful, but she's just a paper tiger.

"I'll keep it a secret if you want me to, but only if you do something for me."

Meng Jiuyi did not move.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not asking you to help me kill or set fires."

Shen Yuan poked her forehead with her hand, "You can refuse if you want, but you know what kind of person Feng Lan is, right? If she knew, she would skin you alive."

Meng Jiuyi's eyelashes trembled incessantly, and she closed her eyes as if in resignation.

Shen Yuan beckoned to her with a satisfied finger and brought her lips close to her ear.

She simply wanted to repeat her old plan, to have Meng Jiuyi lure the young master of the Tan family to the lakeside, where she would act as a hero and thus move the old lady to agree to her marriage with Tan Yuchen.

What a terrible idea! Meng Jiuyi's lips twitched instantly.

"This won't do, Miss Shen, I can't do this."

What are you afraid of?

Shen Yuan patiently persuaded, "You are currently a great benefactor to the Tan family. The old lady is grateful to you. Even if she suspects you, she will forgive you."

Does this person think she's stupid?

"No, Miss Shen. Although I haven't had much contact with my cousin Tan Yuchen, I know that he is unlikely to be the kind of person who is completely obedient."

If you really want to arrange a marriage with him, you might as well try to get it from him. Besides, your aunt always praises him for being quick-witted. If he eventually finds out that you're involved, he'll definitely hold a grudge against you, and you'll end up losing more than you gain.

What she said made sense, and Shen Yuan seemed to be thinking about it.

Meng Jiuyi looked at her again, and if Shen Yuan observed carefully, the timidity in her eyes had disappeared.

"Miss Chen, I also need your help with something."

"What’s wrong with you?"

“I overheard you mention at the table that your father is collaborating with the Kyushu Theatre, and that a friend of mine is trying to get into the orchestra. I hope Miss Shen can help him out.”

Shen Yuan sneered, "What makes you think you have the right to bargain with me—"

"If you disagree, then go tell someone else."

Meng Jiuyi's eyes were clear and indifferent, without a trace of fear. "Tan Sheng and I are currently in the getting to know each other. I also know that it's impossible for us. Liking someone is not illegal."

Shen Yuan was only threatening her; she would never actually say it. The old lady disliked gossips the most, and besides, she would have to marry Tan Yuchen in the future. It would be a loss to invite Tan Sheng's hatred for nothing.

Looking into her cold eyes, Shen Yuan suddenly felt like she had been tricked.

How is that possible?

"It's not out of the question to help your friend get into the band."

Shen Yuan smiled. "But you just reminded me that there's a straightforward way, why beat around the bush? Next month is my maternal grandfather's 90th birthday, and many prominent families will be attending, including the Tan family."

Meng Jiuyi saw her lean close to his ear and speak, word by word.

"I want you to help me get Tan Yuchen on that day!"