Chapter 27 No one can compare to someone who's handsome, quiet, and well-behaved—I can only dream of him…
The way everyone looked at Ling Shu just now was mostly with scrutiny and curiosity, but now it has all turned into naked envy.
Ling Shu herself was also surprised, her eyes widening.
She never expected that the Sheng family's style of "splurging money at the drop of a hat" would actually escalate. After giving her cash, food, and a vegetable garden, they are now going to be different and start giving her shares!
Tsk.
Her decision to stay with the Sheng family was truly wise.
As for Li Yin's invitation...
I can only apologize; Li Yin is indeed a bit late.
Li Yin, standing next to Qin Hong, also understood this point.
From now on, it will probably be even more difficult for him to "poach" Ling Shu from the Sheng family.
He remained outwardly calm, but a slight sadness flickered in his eyes, like a flower that had withered silently in the darkness.
...If you're late, you'll be late in everything.
Standing by the round table, Ling Xinyao felt stiff and cold, unsure of how to react.
Two bombshell announcements in a row have completely stunned her.
All the blood rushed to her brain, and her temples throbbed.
Around her, the heiresses of wealthy families gossiped excitedly, their chatter constantly reaching her ears.
"This young lady from the Ling family is truly remarkable; she managed to handle both the Sheng and Li families at the same time."
"Waaaah, I'm so envious."
"I happen to know a little about this! Do you know where Ling Shu bought Li Yin's mother's posthumous work?"
"Where? Where? Tell me quickly!"
"Do you remember the auction a few days ago? Those posthumous works were charity auction items, sold as a package! Ling Shu was lucky; no one competed with her, and she bought them for only 500,000!"
"My God, five hundred thousand?"
"Really? You bought these paintings for 500,000, which led to the cooperation between the Li and Sheng families, saved the Sheng family, and even gave them 5% of the shares?"
"Waaaaah, I'm so envious I could cry!"
Ling Xinyao's mind was like a rusty gear, requiring all its strength to turn in order to understand the few scattered words that drifted into her ears.
Auction...
Is that the auction where she spent 20 million and still lost face?
A painting worth 500,000...
Suddenly remembering something, she jolted awake.
A painting worth 500,000!
She remembered!
She was just about to leave the auction when the paintings were being auctioned, and she overheard the host's introduction outside the venue.
For a moment, she actually wavered and wanted to go back and photograph the paintings.
After all, 500,000 is such a cheap price, and it's a charity auction, which perfectly fits the persona she's cultivated for herself.
If she were there, she would definitely have bought it.
At the last moment, she decided against leaving.
She had lost face because of the jewelry auction and didn't want to go back to the venue and feel the mocking looks from others.
Unexpectedly, among these paintings was the very work she had been searching for—a posthumous piece belonging to Li Yin's mother…
Five hundred thousand! Only five hundred thousand!
Anger surged to her head, and Ling Xinyao's vision blurred.
Finally, her legs gave way, she lost consciousness, and fell backward.
The young ladies around the round table heard the sound, turned around to look, and were all startled.
"Oh no, she's fainted! Ling Xinyao has fainted!"
-
The banquet ended in a peaceful atmosphere.
Although some people caused one or two unexpected incidents, these will not affect the cooperation between the Sheng family and the Li family.
With the overall situation settled, the Sheng family, which once stood at the pinnacle of Beijing, will not fall easily now that the Li family has cooperated and supported them.
When Ling Xinyao woke up in her hospital bed, most of the banquet guests had already left.
The Sheng family doctor stayed by her side. Seeing that she opened her eyes, he waved his hand in front of her and asked, "Miss Ling Xinyao? Are you feeling alright now?"
Ling Xinyao raised her hand to cover her temples: "Where...where am I?"
"You fainted at the banquet and are now in the Sheng family's infirmary."
Medical clinic?
Fainting at the banquet?
Ling Xinyao closed her eyes, recalling the scene from just now, and felt so embarrassed that she wanted to dig her toes into the ground.
She actually fainted from anger at the banquet; it was so embarrassing.
She instinctively looked to the side, seeking some comfort.
As far as the eye could see, there was no one else besides the doctor.
Ling Xinyao was stunned for a moment: "Where are my parents?"
In the past, whenever she had a headache or fever, her parents would be extremely concerned and would stay by her bedside until she fully recovered before they could feel at ease.
She fainted openly at the banquet today, and her parents... weren't even by her side?
The doctor calmly replied, "Mrs. Zhang came to see you just now, but she quickly received a phone call and left in a hurry. Oh, and before she left, she said that when you wake up, remember to look for her in the banquet hall."
Mrs. Zhang refers to Ling's mother.
"Go find...her?"
Ling Xinyao slowly sat up, repeating the doctor's words, her face growing increasingly pale.
Urgent?
For Ling's mother, what urgent matter in this world could be more important than her daughter's health?!
Did he go to find Ling Shu?!
Thinking of this, Ling Xinyao's expression suddenly changed. She threw off the covers and got out of bed.
Absolutely not!
As Ling Xinyao jogged out of the infirmary, she stumbled upon the scene of guests leaving in twos and threes.
The guests all wore genuine smiles as they bid farewell to the Sheng family in a friendly manner, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
Some guests heard her footsteps and cast curious glances at her.
Upon seeing her, the guests exchanged knowing smiles.
"Isn't this Ling Xinyao, who fainted at the banquet earlier? She woke up so quickly?"
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone faint from anger."
"If the Ling family hadn't come up with such a terrible idea as a substitute marriage, she might be the one holding the shares today."
"Have you noticed that Ling Shu is actually much prettier than Ling Xinyao? The biological child is definitely better than the adopted one."
Various whispers drifted past her ears, but Ling Xinyao gritted her teeth and pretended not to hear them.
She took a few steps forward, her eyes darting left and right, anxiously searching for her parents.
How embarrassing!
Ling Xinyao stared at her reflection in the mirror for a few seconds, then looked away expressionlessly, pretending she hadn't seen it.
After walking a little further, she finally saw the figures of Ling's father and mother ahead, and her eyes lit up.
Ling's parents were talking to Butler Wang at the entrance of the banquet hall, and they both looked somewhat excited.
Ling Xinyao paused, a sense of relief welling up inside her.
Maybe...maybe Mom and Dad are angry because she fainted and they're looking for the Sheng family to settle scores with?
She walked forward, and the faces of Ling's father and mother gradually became clearer in her vision.
Their voices gradually grew louder.
"We're just worried about our daughter, what's wrong with that?!"
"Yes, what parent in the world doesn't love their children?"
A smile appeared on Ling Xinyao's lips.
"We just want to see Ling Shu, what do you mean by stopping us like this? Don't even her own parents have the right to see her?"
“Ling Shu is my own flesh and blood, my most beloved daughter! There were too many people earlier, so I didn’t have a chance to talk to her properly. Let us have a few words with her now, just a few words…”
The next words from Ling's parents completely froze Ling Xinyao.
She stared blankly at her parents not far away.
Their faces showed anxiety and ingratiation, but not because of her.
It was because of Ling Shu.
This was the first time she had ever met parents like this, and it felt...so unfamiliar.
What's even more ridiculous is that Ling's parents, bowing and smiling obsequiously, their wrinkles practically dripping with honey, couldn't even touch the hem of Ling Shu's clothes.
Butler Wang stood like a guardian statue, firmly blocking the entrance, his tone polite but indifferent: "Miss Ling is already resting. Mr. Ling, Mrs. Zhang, please leave."
Mr. Ling grew anxious and raised his voice: "What time is it? How could you be resting? You just don't want to go in and report, do you?"
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and waved it in front of Butler Wang, "Do you believe I'll call Ling Shu and have her fire you!"
Butler Wang glanced at him calmly, her polite tone tinged with a hint of sarcasm: "Mr. Ling, do you know Miss Ling's phone number?"
Ling's father stopped moving, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face.
Damn it, he... really didn't know.
He's so busy every day that he hardly has time to stay at home. He can just contact Ling's mother if he needs anything. It's normal that he doesn't know Ling Shu's phone number!
Meeting Butler Wang's ambiguous gaze, he couldn't find the words to explain.
Furious and impotent, Ling's father turned and yelled at Ling's mother, "If I don't have a phone, don't you have one too? Hurry up and call Ling Shu!"
Yes, yes.
Startled, Ling's mother shrank back, quickly took out her phone, found Ling Shu's number, and dialed it.
Only then was Mr. Ling satisfied, and he loudly instructed Mrs. Ling to turn the volume up to speaker mode.
Ling's mother exclaimed "Huh?" and looked down to check the screen: "I didn't make a mistake!"
Butler Wang gave a nonchalant smirk.
Qin Hong had the foresight to change Ling Shu's phone number after obtaining her consent.
What I'm guarding against is this clueless couple in front of me.
Since he couldn't get through on the phone, he didn't need to waste any more time with them here.
Butler Wang waved his hand and called over a few security guards: "Come on, escort President Ling and Mrs. Zhang away."
The security guards had been waiting patiently for a long time, and they immediately surrounded the housekeeper after he spoke.
Outnumbered, Ling's parents could only retreat in a sorry state.
Ling's father was so angry that his face turned green, his mouth was wide open, and he almost blurted out a sarcastic curse.
But when he looked up and saw that the security guards all had cold expressions and exuded a stern aura, his anger was completely extinguished as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally swallowed his anger and let out a cold snort through his nose.
We'll see!
After uttering these harsh words, Mr. Ling grabbed Mrs. Ling's arm and turned away with a face full of resentment.
Ling's mother kept turning back to look at the doorway, as if she wanted to say something.
However, she couldn't go against Ling's father's wishes and was forcibly dragged away.
The two strode away, completely unaware that in the shadows not far away, Ling Xinyao stood quietly, taking in everything.
Ling Xinyao realized that she seemed to have been forgotten by her parents.
Yes, given the choice between a daughter who faints and embarrasses herself in public and a daughter worth billions, even a fool would know which to choose.
Her lips twitched, managing only a weak smile.
Her smile looked worse than a grimace.
The housekeeper, Wang, who was standing at the door, turned around and saw her, looking surprised: "Miss Ling Xinyao, you're awake? Mr. Ling and the others just left, should we take you there?"
Ling Xinyao remained silent for a moment, then shook her head, rejecting Butler Wang's well-intentioned suggestion: "You don't need to worry about it, I'll go after them myself."
After saying this, she took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and turned to face the direction where her parents had left.
It's okay, Mom and Dad forgot to bring her. It's alright.
She will always be there for them; she will never be ungrateful like Ling Shu.
Mom and Dad are only temporarily blinded by money; they'll change back soon.
It will change back soon.
Ling Xinyao silently recited the words in her heart, slowly took a step, and chased after the direction in which her father and mother had left.
At first, her steps were a little stiff.
Gradually, her steps became faster and smoother.
At the same time, the anger and gloom on her face gradually faded, turning into a gentle and lively smile.
"Dad, Mom, wait for me!"
-
Ling Shu didn't get to see the good show that the Ling family put on.
She was on the other side of the banquet hall, saying goodbye to Li Yin.
The black Cullinan was parked quietly by the roadside, and Li Yin stood by the car door, his dark blue coat outlining his slender figure.
The warm lights emanating from the banquet hall gilded his sharply defined face.
His deep eyes were fixed on Ling Shu in front of him.
"Aren't you really going to give my suggestion a proper consideration?"
Even though he already knew the answer, he still wanted to give it a try.
Ling Shu winked playfully and tilted her head casually: "President Li, now that you're a shareholder of Shengshi Group, you can't poach people from the Sheng family anymore."
Li Yin chuckled softly, a hint of regret in his voice.
"My invitation is always valid; I'm available whenever you wish."
Ling Shu smiled at him: "It's getting late, Mr. Li, please go back. Don't forget, Chongming Cemetery, temporary storage room number 374."
"Um."
Li Yin nodded, his expression softening further. "I'll go now."
In the darkness of night, he looked up at her, his deep eyes like a sea of stars, containing countless stars.
Goodbye, Ling Shu.
Ling Shu raised her hand and waved: "Goodbye, President Li."
Li Yin nodded slightly to her, then turned around and, with steady steps, deftly entered the Cullinan.
The car slowly started and drove out of the Sheng family manor.
Ling Shu leaned casually against the wall, watching Cullinan disappear into the distance.
She couldn't help but put her hands in her pockets, striking the same pose as Li Yin, and mentally chatted with the dog system.
"Dog, it seems our doomsday ally is secured."
With Li Yin as a powerful ally, the Sheng family's hope of survival in the apocalypse has increased.
This time, Sheng Yun Shen did not answer her immediately; his mind was filled with silence.
Ling Shu was a little surprised and called out a few more times, "Doggy? Good dog?"
After a long while, Sheng Yun Shen finally answered in a muffled voice, "...I'm here."
Ling Shu: "What's wrong? Did it freeze?"
"..."
Sheng Yunshen was somewhat downcast.
His heart ached, as if it were soaking in lemonade, permeated with a sour taste.
Mingming... Li Yin and the Sheng family's cooperation has been officially announced, he should be happy.
However, listening to Ling Shu and Li Yin's conversation, he had a completely different feeling.
When Li Yin extended an invitation to Ling Shu, he could only listen and could do nothing.
Forcing himself to shake off the strange feeling, Sheng Yun Shen replied, "...I was just...daydreaming."
He was a clear-headed person, clearly aware that the emotion surging in his heart was called jealousy.
"I think you're just stuck, aren't you?"
Ling Shu didn't think much of it. She chatted with him while slowly turning around and walking back.
Sheng Yun Shen: "...I really don't have a card."
He paused, then changed the subject, "Host, if... I mean if, the Sheng family were willing to let you leave with your shares, would you accept Li Yin's offer?"
No, it won't.
Ling Shu interrupted him.
As she walked, she raised her hand and stretched.
"I'm not stupid."
Sheng Yun Shen: "...Hmm?"
Ling Shu chuckled: "Can I touch Li Yin's abs whenever I want? Can he just lie there without moving or saying a word?"
Sheng Yun Shen: "?"
Um? ?
Ling Shu added, "If I were eating snail rice noodles next to him, would he obediently stay with me?"
Sheng Yun Shen: "..."
So she knew that snail rice noodles didn't smell good!
"I'm not stupid." Ling Shu shook her head smugly. "My perfect cheap husband is better than anyone else!"
Handsome, quiet, and well-behaved—I could never dream of someone so perfect!
Oh, right, and money too!
Super rich!
Sheng Yun Shen: "..."
hateful.
I was feeling down, but suddenly a surge of warmth welled up from the bottom of my heart and spread to my cheeks.
Like surging lava, it carries a fiery intensity that burns everything.
His heart rate must have fluctuated wildly again!
-
The next morning, Bai Yue woke up in bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.
She raised her hands to her eyes and examined the backs of her hands.
This hand is fair and slender, and has always been carefully maintained. It has never been used for heavy or rough work, and is like the freshest scallion.
These are the hands that a wealthy socialite should have.
After gazing at it for a while, Bai Yue smiled with satisfaction, lowered her hand, and slowly sat up.
Even when no one was around, she didn't relax at all; her neck was held straight, and she maintained an elegant posture at all times.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Miss Bai, are you awake?"
Bai Yue turned her head to look in the direction of the door, but did not answer.
A few seconds later, the maid knocked on the door again.
"Miss Bai?"
The knocking was soft and restrained; if she was still asleep, she shouldn't have been woken up by it.
A few days ago, when Butler Wang was giving her "special training," he told her that as a professional butler, even the rhythm and force of knocking on the door are important.
Now, are the people in the Sheng family finally treating her as their master?
Bai Yue's lips curved into a smile, and she let out a soft laugh.
She slowly got out of bed and responded to the maid outside the door: "I'm awake, come in."
The door opened, and several maids came in with their heads down. Some carried a sumptuous breakfast, while others carried several sets of brand-new clothes.
The head maid stood at the corner of her bed, her hands clasped in front of her, and asked her politely, "Miss Bai, what are your plans next?"
Bai Yue lowered her head and took a sip of the beauty soup that had just been served. She squinted her eyes comfortably, feeling refreshed all over.
She didn't answer the maid's question, and the maid didn't urge her, patiently waiting by her side.
After finishing the bowl of soup, Bai Yue lazily stood up.
Bai Yue became more and more satisfied as she looked at it, and nodded: "Not bad."
She picked out a white midi skirt from among them and changed into it.
The maids brought over a few more pieces of jewelry, from which she picked out a pair of black pearl earrings and a black pearl necklace, and put them on while standing by the mirror.
After getting dressed, Bai Yue stared at herself in the mirror and felt a little unfamiliar with herself.
She stared for several seconds before reluctantly turning her gaze away and letting out a long sigh.
Throughout, the maid followed behind her with a perfectly timed smile.
Bai Yue didn't turn to look at the maid, and suddenly asked out of the blue, "Do you hate me?"
The maid shook her head: "Miss Bai, you are a distinguished guest of the Sheng family, and we are very happy to welcome you."
Bai Yue wanted to laugh when she heard this, and glanced back at the maid.
As expected of someone trained by Butler Wang, their speech and demeanor are impeccable.
She didn't press the maid further, but slowly walked to the window and looked at the scenery outside through the soft curtains.
The Sheng Family Manor was shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, adding to its hazy beauty.
Bai Yue stared intently, her voice filled with emotion.
"When I first came here, I fell in love with this place and thought, how wonderful it would be if I could live here forever."
The maid remained behind her, smiling as she replied, "Miss Bai, the Zhao family's villa is located in the heart of Beijing. It boasts a vast area, offering tranquility amidst the bustling city, and its garden scenery is truly exceptional in Beijing."
The implication is that the Zhao family is no worse than the Sheng family.
Bai Yue withdrew her gaze and couldn't help but chuckle again.
She turned to face the maid and asked bluntly, "Do you really want me to get out of here right now?"
The maid said respectfully, "Miss Bai, according to the information we just received, Xu Chengcheng, an actress who debuted a year ago and just won the Best Newcomer Award, entered the Zhao family's villa at nine o'clock last night and has not left yet."
Bai Yue's smile faded slightly, and she frowned.
Xu Chengcheng?
That young actress in the film industry who's been getting a lot of attention lately?
When did she start hooking up with Zhao Liheng?!
It's not surprising, though. Everyone in Beijing's elite circles knows that Zhao Liheng is a playboy who has had affairs with many female celebrities.
She snorted coldly: "He's just a worthless piece of trash; he'll get tired of him soon enough."
Despite her stubbornness, Bai Yue still felt a strong sense of crisis.
She is currently only Zhao Liheng's nominal fiancée; the two are merely using each other and have no real feelings for each other.
Having finally realized her dream of marrying into a wealthy family, Bai Yue must firmly hold onto her position as his fiancée.
Now is not the time for her to relax.
She completely suppressed her smile, her expression turning serious: "Pack your bags, I'm going to the Zhao family immediately."
To control a man, you must stay by his side at all times.
With the Sheng family backing her now, the Zhao family probably wouldn't dare refuse her entry.
The maid's smile deepened, and she immediately replied, "Yes, Miss Bai."
Butler Wang is right. As long as this news is revealed to Bai Yue, given her personality, she will definitely be eager to go to the Zhao family.
Finally, we can send this "big Buddha" out of the Sheng family.
"etc!"
The maid had only taken two steps when Bai Yue called her back again.
Bai Yue said, "I know you all can't wait for me to leave, and I also want to go to the Zhao family as soon as possible. But before I leave, I have one request."
She turned her head and looked at the Sheng family manor shrouded in a thin mist, a deep, dark light flashing in her eyes.
"I want to see Ling Shu."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
