Chapter 289 You're the Only One in My Heart
Gu Zhiyuan's address of "sister-in-law" reminded Jiang Xingyao that the person who came was Gu's wife, the Mrs. Gu that Jiang Xingyao had met at the banquet.
Mrs. Gu turned the corner and saw Jiang Xingyao and the other woman. She instinctively wanted to come over and greet them, but Gu Zhiyuan had already run up to her: "Sister-in-law, why did you come out?"
Mrs. Gu said, "How dare you ask me? Didn't you say you were going to the restroom? You haven't been home for so long, your brother urged me to come and check on you. What were you doing just now?"
Gu Zhiyuan seemed a little guilty. She explained, "Didn't we see President Jin and the others? We came over to say hello. Sister-in-law, let's go back quickly, don't keep my brother and the others waiting."
She couldn't care less about arguing with Jiang Xingyao at this moment, and grabbed Mrs. Gu to leave.
Jiang Xingyao also remembered what Qu Xinting had said before: the sister-in-law that Gu Zhiyuan and President Gu mentioned who needed medication was someone else.
Mrs. Gu nodded to Jiang Xingyao from afar, then left with Gu Zhiyuan. The corridor became quiet immediately, but Jiang Xingyao's mind was still in turmoil.
The woman who was arguing with Gu Zhiyuan earlier was another woman. In front of Mrs. Gu, she acted as if she was very close to this sister-in-law. This was all a deception aimed at Mrs. Gu.
Jin Qingyu noticed that Jiang Xingyao was in a bad mood, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Xingyao asked, "Are all men like this? The women outside are always better than the ones at home, and you can even mobilize the whole family to harm an innocent woman?"
Jin Qingyu's face stiffened, clearly thinking of some unpleasant things from the past. His expression showed a hint of panic, but he quickly assured her, "Yaoyao, you're all I have left. There can never be anyone else. Trust me this once, and my heart will only have room for you."
Jiang Xingyao didn't really want to listen, so she turned around and went into the private room.
The table was already full of dishes, and Jin Yuanqiu was still the same as always, coming over to take her arm with great enthusiasm when she saw her.
Seemingly realizing that the atmosphere between Jiang Xingyao and Jin Qingyu was not right, Jin Yuanqiu even put on a stern face and asked, "Second brother, did you make Sister Yaoyao angry again?"
Sister Yaoyao, don't pay any attention to him. If he bothers you again, just tell me, and I'll get Grandpa to back you up.
Grandpa has been really displeased with him lately.
Seeing Jin Yuanqiu's determined attempt to stir up trouble, Jin Qingyu felt annoyed and said, "Jin Yuanqiu, say less. Nobody thinks you're mute."
Jin Yuanqiu shrank her neck and shut up this time.
The meal was made awkward by the unexpected incident involving Gu Zhiyuan, and Jin Yuanqiu left first after finishing the meal.
Jin Qingyu then solemnly said to Jiang Xingyao, "Yaoyao, I know that no matter what I say now, you may not believe it, but I promise you that I will definitely let you see my changes."
Jiang Xingyao remained noncommittal regarding his promise.
Whether it was fate playing a trick on them or not, the two of them came out of the hotel just as Gu Zhiyuan's dinner party was ending.
Aside from President Gu, Mrs. Gu, and Gu Zhiyuan, the group also included Shen Mingsu and his family of three.
When they bumped into each other, Shen Youliang was directing Shen Mingsu to go over and talk to Gu Zhiyuan. Shen Mingsu looked dejected and listless. It was easy to tell that this was a blind date.
When Jiang Xingyao saw this group of people, they also saw Jiang Xingyao.
Perhaps thinking about all the pleas they had made to Qu Xinting over the years, President Gu and Gu Zhiyuan both looked very unnatural.
As for Shen Youliang and his wife, they were undoubtedly worried that Jiang Xingyao's appearance would ruin their carefully prepared blind date banquet, and their expressions seemed a bit off.
Of all the people present, only Mrs. Gu maintained a proper expression and politely came over to greet Jiang Xingyao and the other woman.
After seeing Jiang Xingyao, Shen Mingsu's gaze remained fixed on her. Jiang Xingyao didn't want to cause trouble at this time, so she pretended not to see him and brushed past them.
But no one expected that Shen Mingsu would suddenly chase after her and block her way: "Yaoyao, things are not as you see them. Miss Gu and I are completely innocent. I came to this meeting today without knowing anything about it."
Believe me, you're the only one in my heart.
Gu Zhiyuan and the Gu family were just a few steps behind him when he loudly declared his feelings to Jiang Xingyao, clearly humiliating the Gu family.
Regardless of what the Gu family thought, Shen Youliang's hand was already clenched into a fist, glaring at Jiang Xingyao with disgust and resentment.
Jiang Xingyao said, "What does what Young Master Shen is saying have to do with me? I remember I already told Young Master Shen that I have no feelings for you, and I could never have any feelings for you. Besides, we're not even friends now. Please, Young Master Shen, have mercy and let me go."
Shen Mingsu was struck dumb, and he looked like he was about to collapse.
Jiang Xingyao felt no sympathy for him at all. She tried to walk past him, but Shen Mingsu blocked her way once again: "Yaoyao, I know. You're blaming me because of those things online, right? My dad was behind it all at first. I had no idea about it. As for what happened later, I tried to make amends."
"Yaoyao, we've known each other for so many years and have always been good friends. You can't blame everything on me for such a small thing, something that even I was kept in the dark about. Why are you being so cruel to me?"
He reached out to grab Jiang Xingyao's wrist, but Jiang Xingyao dodged to the side.
So he stared at Jiang Xingyao carefully and earnestly, telling her about his grievances.
When Shen Youliang saw his son being so humble in front of Jiang Xingyao, he immediately roared in fury, "Shen Mingsu, get over here! What kind of occasion is this? What do you have to say to her?"
Shen Mingsu remained unmoved, still looking at Jiang Xingyao: "Yaoyao, why aren't you saying anything? I've said so much, don't you have anything to say to me?"
“Yes,” Jiang Xingyao said, and when she met Shen Mingsu’s eager eyes, she once again spread her hands wide, “Ten million.”
Shen Mingsu's pupils contracted, and he was completely distraught: "Yaoyao, do you really have to treat me like this?"
Jiang Xingyao didn't say anything, and just held up her slender hand in front of Shen Mingsu. Jin Qingyu said to her, "Young Master Shen, you're not going to renege on your debt, are you?"
That agreement was personally signed by President Shen.
"Yaoyao's time is precious; she can't meet with unimportant people. Giving her ten million for each meeting is your Shen family's own idea, so don't go back on your word."
It was obvious that the Gu family was telling Shen Ming about the blind date. Jin Qingyu deliberately made it so clear in front of the Gu family, and sure enough, President Gu and Gu Zhiyuan's expressions changed.
Gu Zhiyuan, in particular, asked Shen Youliang directly: "Uncle Shen, what exactly is going on?"
Didn't you all say that Brother Shen and Miss Jiang had no relationship?
Shen Youliang's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
Previously, Shen Mingsu went to the celebration banquet of the piano competition to confess his feelings to Jiang Xingyao, which caused quite a stir.
Those in the industry have heard some rumors about it.
When Shen Youliang brought Shen Mingsu to meet the Gu family for a blind date, he explained that what happened at the celebration banquet was just a joke between friends, and that Shen Mingsu and Jiang Xingyao were completely innocent.
Even if the reason is a bit far-fetched, isn't that what business marriages are all about? As long as it can be fooled on the surface, people won't really investigate the truth. They'll usually just turn a blind eye and let it go.
But the current situation clearly makes it harder to fool them.
Shen Youliang gave Madam Shen a wink, signaling her to stay and comfort Gu Zhiyuan. He then strode over to Jiang Xingyao, took a check from his pocket, and shoved it into her hand, saying irritably, "Here you go, is that enough? Stay away from Shen Mingsu from now on, and don't show up in front of him too often."
Jiang Xingyao didn't stand on ceremony and took the check directly. She then corrected him, saying, "From beginning to end, I have never taken the initiative to see him once. Uncle Shen, instead of telling me these things, you should first take care of your own son."
If there's a next time, I'll still ask for the money.
Caught between Shen Youliang and Jiang Xingyao, Shen Mingsu was irritated. When Shen Youliang tried to pull Shen Mingsu away to go find Gu Zhiyuan, Shen Mingsu shook him off: "You don't need to worry about my affairs. I've already made it very clear to you that I like her and I don't plan to marry anyone else. Even if you find a celestial beauty, I will still feel the same way."
He spoke loudly, as if deliberately for Gu Zhiyuan to hear, making sure she could hear it clearly.
Shen Youliang reacted and slapped him across the face with a dull thud, louder than Shen Mingsu's declaration.
Without saying a word, he grabbed Shen Mingsu and left, not forgetting to glare fiercely at Jiang Xingyao.
Jiang Xingyao added, "Since everyone's here today, I might as well say it again, Shen Mingsu, stop using me as an excuse all the time. We're not even friends, and I don't want to take responsibility for the trouble caused by your own willfulness."
Shen Mingsu's expression remained ashen; Jiang Xingyao no longer wanted to pay attention to them.
Madam Shen continued to speak kindly to Gu Zhiyuan.
Gu Zhiyuan stared blankly at Jiang Xingyao's back, her lips pressed tightly together.
She knew from a young age that someone of her status could not choose her future husband.
She had always resisted blind dates, but this was the first time she compromised, and that's when she met Shen Mingsu.
Although Shen Mingsu was absent-minded during the meal, Gu Zhiyuan was still drawn to him.
She knew they didn't have feelings for each other, but not every couple starts out as inseparable. She was also willing to get married first and then cultivate their relationship gradually.
Even though Shen Mingsu seemed indifferent now, Gu Zhiyuan didn't take it to heart.
She felt that if they spent enough time together, Shen Mingsu would eventually fall in love with her.
Of course, all of this is based on the premise that Shen Mingsu does not have a sweetheart.
Seeing Shen Mingsu's attitude towards Jiang Xingyao, Gu Zhiyuan's jealousy was completely ignited.
No matter what Madam Shen said in his ear, she did not respond.
Mrs. Gu probably also felt that this marriage was not suitable, so she took the initiative to say, "Mrs. Shen, I think it would be better to put this matter on hold for now. After all, Young Master Shen and our Yuanyuan have only met once, and it is too early to make a decision now."
Madam Shen hesitated for a moment. The Shen family had always wanted to use marriage to make Shen Mingsu settle down. Gu Zhiyuan was the person the Shen family had carefully selected over the years, and whose identity and age were the most suitable for Shen Mingsu.
The matter should have been settled after this meeting, but now that Mrs. Gu seems to have changed her mind, the Shen family is naturally unwilling.
Just as Madam Shen was about to ask Mrs. Gu to reconsider, Gu Zhiyuan suddenly asked, "Aunt Shen, if I agree to this marriage, can you guarantee that Brother Shen will never see that woman again?"
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