Chapter 177 The Hunter
That chill never faded, as if it were completely out of place amidst the festive atmosphere.
He knew what these people wanted to do and was clear about the direction of this charade, but he never bothered to cooperate.
He was always thoroughly fed up with these kinds of situations.
Insincere greetings, exaggerated etiquette, everyone wearing a mask, saying things they don't mean.
He loathed the feeling of being arranged and scrutinized, and even more so, he loathed the fate of being used as a tool for arranged marriages.
He would rather walk alone in the dark than play the role of a dutiful son-in-law in this glittering cage.
But since both families insist on putting him on this ship, he doesn't mind and will personally capsize it.
He slowly put down his wine glass, tapping his knuckles lightly on the rim, producing a soft sound.
A sharp glint finally flashed in those unfathomable eyes, like the calm before a storm, or the patient waiting of a hunter locking onto its prey.
His gaze swept over Chen Yun, whose eyes were glued to him, not looking away for a long time.
Her eyelashes were lowered, and a smile still lingered on her lips, but the admiration and expectation in her eyes were like an invisible net, quietly enveloping him.
Sheng Tingzhou glanced back quietly for a moment, then looked away, as if she were just an ordinary guest among the many guests in the room.
He frowned slightly, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, as if he were somewhat displeased. Then he stood up, his movements swift and decisive. "Grandpa Chen, I'm going out to find some friends."
The old man sat in a wicker chair, holding a pipe in his hand. He waved his hand and said in a relaxed but loving tone, "Go on, go on. It must be boring for a young man to stay here with an old man like me. Xiaoyun, why don't you go with him for a walk?"
"OK."
Chen Yun immediately stood up from the sofa, her skirt fluttering gently like a flower being swayed by the wind.
A smile played on her lips, her eyes radiating a sweetness so irresistible it was hard to refuse. "Brother Tingzhou, let's go."
Sheng Tingzhou glanced at her indifferently, his gaze as cold and indifferent as if he were looking at an unimportant stranger.
He then turned and walked out, his steps steady and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Chen Yun quickly followed behind, her high heels clicking crisply on the smooth marble floor, as if chasing after something about to slip away.
As she walked, she tried to keep her tone light: "To the west of the estate is an artificial lake with a small pavilion in the middle, which is especially cool on summer evenings. To the east is an orchard, and the cherries are just ripe now... Would you like to go take a look?"
He didn't hear a word he said; his mind seemed to have already wandered elsewhere.
His brows furrowed even more, and his steps grew longer, each one carrying an unwavering resolve that left no room for turning back.
Chen Yun lifted her skirt and almost ran to catch up, the sound of her high heels growing more and more rapid, like drumbeats striking her heart.
"Tingzhou, don't go! Can't you just listen to me for a moment?"
Her voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of pleading and a hidden resentment.
Sheng Tingzhou didn't even turn his head, his steps as steady as iron, and his cold voice rang out: "We have nothing to say to each other anymore. I will handle the engagement matter cleanly, so don't get involved."
These words were like a slap in the face, mercilessly striking Chen Yun's cheek.
Her heart skipped a beat, her eyes instantly filled with panic, followed by an uncontrollable urgency.
She rushed forward and grabbed his suit sleeve without hesitation, her fingertips turning white from the force.
Sheng Tingzhou, however, seemed to have been touched by something filthy. His brows furrowed deeply, and he swung his arm sharply, the movement swift and decisive, showing no mercy.
The force of the swing was so great that Chen Yun couldn't stand steadily. She staggered a few steps, her high heels tipped, and she crashed heavily into a waiter who happened to be passing by.
The tray tilted, and the red wine in the glass instantly spilled out, the bright red liquid splashing out like blood. The entire glass of wine was spilled onto Sheng Tingzhou's crisp black suit, and the wine stains quickly spread, turning into a glaring dark red patch on the fabric.
His brows immediately furrowed into a tight knot, his eyes fixed on the stain with a gloomy expression, his lips pressed tightly together, and the atmosphere around him suddenly became tense.
The waiter turned pale with fright, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt down on the spot, his voice trembling: "I'm so sorry, Mr. Sheng! It really wasn't intentional, I'll clean it up for you right away! Please forgive me..."
Sheng Tingzhou remained silent, his gaze as cold as an ice dagger, capable of cutting through the air.
His silence was more suffocating than any outburst.
The waiter, trembling, said again, "Mr. Sheng, perhaps... you could go upstairs and change your clothes? The spare formal wear room is just around the corner on the second floor. I'll prepare a new one for you right away..."
Sheng Tingzhou glanced down at the wine stains on his suit, his brows furrowing even deeper, but he only let out a soft "hmm" from his throat, cold and restrained.
Seeing this, Chen Yun immediately stepped forward, her face full of concern, her voice so gentle it was almost dripping with tenderness: "Tingzhou, let me go up with you. I know this place well! I know where the spare dressing room is, and I can even help you pick out something suitable..."
He slowly turned his head, his cold gaze sweeping over her exquisitely made-up face. Every word he uttered was like something pulled from an ice cellar, each word barbed: "Stay away from me. If you come any closer, don't blame me for being impolite."
He knew she was cunning and knew her methods were dirty, but he never hit women, and no matter how much he hated them, he would restrain himself.
This time, however, his patience had been completely worn down by her.
After saying that, he didn't look at her again, turned around and followed the waiter upstairs. His steps were steady, his back was as straight as a pine tree, and he carried a kind of indifference that kept people at a distance.
Chen Yun stood there, watching his receding figure, her fingertips trembling slightly, but a cold smile suddenly appeared in her eyes.
The corners of her mouth curled up little by little, and her smile slowly spread, but the smile had no warmth at all. Instead, it exuded a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine, making her smile sinister and twisted.
Just then, her phone vibrated slightly inside her handbag.
She slowly took out her phone, and the screen lit up with a WeChat message.
The sender was Zhou Yuze, and the message contained only four words: 【Is it done yet?】
She stared at the words, her smile deepening, like a hunter about to succeed.
With a light tap of her fingertip, she quickly replied: "Almost there! That was brilliant! I love it!"
The image of Sheng Tingzhou's utterly disgusted expression, as if he wanted to stay as far away from her as possible, involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
The more she thought about it, the more the fire in her heart burned, almost threatening to devour her reason.
She licked her lips, her eyes dark, and murmured, "I'll see if you can still keep that cold face later."
Sheng Tingzhou followed the waiter up to the third floor.
The staircase was covered with a thick carpet, making almost no sound when you stepped on it. The walls were decorated with understated yet luxurious paintings, and the lighting was soft and quiet, as if the entire corridor was enveloped in an invisible silence.
Xinghai Lake Manor is as big as a maze, with doors on both sides of the corridor.
The long corridor seemed to stretch on forever, each door painted a deep sandalwood color, the metal nameplates gleaming under the wall lamps, and a faint fragrance permeating the air, making one feel as if they were in some mysterious noble estate.
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