"What's the woman's last name?"
The mean-looking female guest picked up a decorative fan, covered her mouth, and sneered, "I don't know her surname, but I do know a little about that ungrateful daughter she mentioned."
"I heard she's also surnamed Shu, and about your age. She's currently searching for someone all over the Imperial Star. You wouldn't believe it, she..."
"Whose are you?" Shang Duojin appeared out of nowhere.
Upon discovering that Shu Qingqing was being harassed, he strode in front of her and shielded her from the mean-looking female guest.
He wasn't very tall, at most half a head taller than Shu Qingqing.
She was wearing high heels again today, which made it appear as if Shang Duojin was almost the same height as her when they looked at each other.
Even so, at this moment, when Shu Qingqing looked at the figure blocking her way, she still felt that he was very tall.
My nose even felt a little sore, and my eyes felt a little hot.
She tried to suppress the urge to cry, and wanted to push Shang Duojin away so she could confront that woman herself.
Shang Duojin suddenly turned around and whispered to her, "Sister Qiao and the others are here too. Go find them, I'll handle things here for you."
After saying that, he turned to look at the female guest whose face looked a little embarrassed, crossed his arms and said, "Today is my father's sixtieth birthday. Are you trying to embarrass my father by suddenly bringing up this topic?"
Even if the head of a merchant family doesn't have a high level of power, their financial resources are undeniable.
Even the highest status requires financial support, and the female guest's family was one such powerful but penniless entity.
After hearing what Shang Duojin said, his original intention to continue to make things difficult for Shu Qingqing completely disappeared. He smiled apologetically and said, "Of course not. I just heard about such a thing and thought it was interesting, so I mentioned it to Miss Shu. Now that you have misunderstood, I certainly can't continue. I'm sorry."
"Interesting?" Shang Duojin clearly didn't intend to let the female guest go so easily. He stopped her, picked up a glass of red wine from a nearby table, and poured it over her head.
After the last drop of red wine had dripped out, he chuckled and said, "This is quite interesting. What do you think of me playing this game with you?"
The female guest hadn't caused any real harm to Shu Qingqing yet, but Shang Duojin had already guessed what she was planning to do.
It's nothing more than using her identity as an Orchid Star person to humiliate her, and then using the existence of that trashy mother of hers (who may or may not be her) to annoy her, making others think that Shu Qingqing is truly an ungrateful wretch.
Qiao Mei and Ao Cang have already come over.
In her memory, she had never seen Shang Duojin with a bad temper.
Although he is smiling now, his youthful face has turned cold, and the chilling look in his eyes is enough to send shivers down your spine.
It is said that the most terrifying people are those who never get angry. Qiao Mei didn't quite understand this statement before.
Looking at Shang Duojin now, she suddenly understood.
The female guest was splashed with red wine, and her face turned blue with anger. However, due to Shang Duojin's status, she ultimately said nothing and could only leave in a disheveled state.
The onlookers witnessed everything that happened.
Many of them felt that Shu Qingqing, a girl from Orchid Star, was not a good match for Shang Duojin, but none of them had any intention of making things difficult for her.
Now it seems the female guest is reaping what she sowed, and no one is standing up for her.
That's how it is in the upper echelons of society; as long as it doesn't affect their interests, there's no need to waste too much attention on it.
This incident at most made some people who didn't take Shu Qingqing seriously a little wary.
Her background is very ordinary, but Shang Duojin is a different story.
Not long after the crowd dispersed, Shang Duojin's elderly father began making polite remarks.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shang Duojin led Shu Qingqing and Qiao Mei to an empty room in the banquet hall and asked Shu Qingqing if her mother had come.
"But that shouldn't be the case. Sister Qiao and I clearly sent people to warn her and restricted her movements before. How could she suddenly appear on the Imperial Star?"
Shu Qingqing was clearly unaware of the specifics.
She shook her head, annoyed. "I'm not quite sure either. Ever since she borrowed money from Si Ming behind my back, I haven't paid any attention to her. But I still want to thank you for what happened earlier."
Shu Qingqing could also tell that Shang Duojin was angry just now, and said jokingly, "It's rare to see you angry, especially since you were angry on my behalf. This isn't the first time you've ever been angry, is it?"
Shang Duojin rolled his eyes: "What, do you think I'm some kind of robot? The kind that never gets angry? But this is the first time I've ever gotten angry for someone else, so you've really taken advantage of me!"
"Alright, alright, I got the better deal this time. I'll treat you to dinner next time, okay? But before that, I need to check on that woman first, just in case she causes trouble at your house..."
"Qingqing, what are you talking about? Is now a good time? My older sister and I have something we want to ask you."
Shang Duojin's second sister suddenly knocked on the door, interrupting the conversation.
Shu Qingqing could only put aside what she hadn't finished saying and get up, asking Shang Duojin and Qiao Mei to help her find out where her mother was.
She went out to meet with Shang Duojin's second sister.
Shang Duojin was a little worried, so he followed her out.
"Second sister, is something the matter? Should I come with you?"
Shang Duojin's second sister gave Shang Duojin a speechless look: "It's not appropriate for you to come and hear about this, but don't worry too much. Do you think I would bully Qingqing?"
"Alright, go back now and entertain your two friends. I'll contact you when I'm done here."
Shang Duojin had no choice but to slink away.
Before leaving, he walked up to Shu Qingqing and whispered to her, "If there's anything you can't handle, remember to contact me via your personal terminal. I'll be there as soon as possible."
Shu Qingqing's ears burned from the warm breath he exhaled, and her face flushed red.
She blinked rapidly, turned her head away from Shang Duojin's eyes, which were full of concern and worry, and gave a soft "Mmm".
Seeing this, Shang Duojin's second sister secretly recorded the scene with her smartwatch and sent it to the family group chat.
The caption read: "Alright, you're already protecting Qingqing like this before she's even married into the family. Remember not to overdo it during the interrogation later, that's enough."
After Shang Duojin left, Shu Qingqing followed her second sister with a nervous heart. They arrived at the top floor of the villa, where her other three sisters were staying.
Although everyone was smiling, Shu Qingqing looked a little nervous, and her palms were sweaty.
After calling out to everyone in turn, Shang Duojin's eldest sister spoke first.
"Qingqing, there's something we'd like to ask you."
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