Chapter 3: I will abandon anyone who betrays me with the truth. ...
Ling Shu had no idea that her unintentional complaint had aroused Sheng Zhujun's suspicions about her boyfriend and best friend.
Now that she had eaten and drunk her fill, she stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the banquet hall, gazing at the scenery outside in a daze.
Ling Xinyao happened to be walking by with a wine glass in her hand. She noticed her, raised an eyebrow, and quietly approached, lifting her skirt.
Meeting Ling Shu is a good opportunity to tease her and have some fun.
For Ling Xinyao, provoking Ling Shu to anger was far too easy.
Perhaps because she grew up in an orphanage, Ling Shu longed for family affection and had high expectations for her parents.
Unfortunately, Ling's parents cared most about Ling Xinyao, and even though Ling Shu was their biological daughter, they had to give way to her. All it took was for Ling's parents to casually boast about how good they were to her, and Ling Shu would break down in anger and start making a scene against them.
Oh, right, today is also Ling Shu's wedding.
With so many guests present, it would be quite amusing to imagine Ling Shu losing her composure and embarrassing herself.
Ling Xinyao grew increasingly smug, a malicious smile playing on her lips: "Sister, Mom was just looking for you. I didn't expect to find you here."
She smoothed the stray hairs by her temples and said in a loud voice, "Mom wanted to ask you how you're getting along with the Sheng family, but unfortunately I was craving Musang King durian, and the ones on the table were all gone. Mom was so anxious that she went to the kitchen to get some herself."
As expected, Ling Shu reacted to her deliberate provocation and slowly turned her head to look at her.
Ling Xinyao waited to see Ling Shu break down.
The result was a look of disgust.
Ling Shu replied, "Eat whatever you want, just stay away from me."
I'm so full now that I don't really want to smell durian.
Ling Xinyao: "?"
Not only did he not break her defenses, but he even dared to look down on her?!
Her eyes widened, and after a long pause, she finally managed to stammer out, "...Dad is really something, he insisted that I go and toast with them, saying that I'll be taking over the Ling family business sooner or later and need to build up my network of contacts as soon as possible..."
Ling Shu interrupted her, "Then hurry up and go toast the guests, what are you dawdling here for?"
Ling Xinyao: "??"
No, how come it's her dawdling again?
Before she could use her third move, Ling Shu calmly retorted, "But what does all this have to do with me?"
She was standing by the window, carefully observing the scenery and terrain outside the banquet hall.
Just as described in the book, the Sheng family manor is located on a mountaintop in the suburbs of Beijing. It is quiet, secluded, and overlooks the city. It is far from the hustle and bustle and is fully equipped, making it an excellent refuge for the apocalypse.
I was enjoying the show when suddenly someone popped up and started rambling on about something.
What about durian and toasting? Are they even that close?
Is this what we're talking about?
However, considering that she knew the other person, Ling Shu reluctantly waved and called over the nearest maid: "Ling Xinyao wants to eat Musang King durian, please bring her two plates, no, three plates."
The maid nodded: "Yes!"
Watching the maid run off quickly, Ling Xinyao futilely reached out her hand to stop her: "Hey, no..."
Before she could finish speaking, the servant had already run far away and couldn't hear her at all.
Ling Xinyao: "..." My reputation has been damaged.
She abruptly turned to look at Ling Shu, "You did this on purpose, didn't you!"
They deliberately used this as an excuse to ruin her reputation and make others think she was a glutton!
Ling Shu frowned, looking at her with the kind of concern one might have for someone mentally challenged: "You want to eat, so I asked you for it, and you're not even grateful? Ling Xinyao, the Ling family has been teaching you for over a decade, and this is the kind of manners you have?"
No wonder she could do something as stupid as hooking up with her best friend's boyfriend.
If it weren't for the apocalypse, she would have crashed and burned sooner or later.
Ling Shu had no interest in getting involved in these love-hate relationships, and she was too lazy to continue arguing with Ling Xinyao. She turned around and walked away quickly.
"You, you, you insulted me! You actually insulted me!"
Ling Xinyao, who was so upset by the scolding that she wanted to chase after the servant, was stopped by the maid who ran back quickly. The maid was carrying a large tray with three plates of durian, each plate full and fragrant, with an irresistible aroma: "Miss Ling Xinyao, your three plates of durian have arrived."
Ling Xinyao stopped in her tracks, feeling awkward.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that many guests nearby were glancing at her with expressions of surprise.
Ling Xinyao: "..."
As expected, his reputation was damaged!
That wretched Ling Shu!!!
-
Having shaken off Ling Xinyao, Ling Shu walked out of the banquet hall and strolled slowly along the garden path outside the Sheng family's main building, continuing to observe the surrounding terrain.
A row of bamboos grew along the path, their slender leaves swaying gently in the breeze, making a pleasant rustling sound. Ling Shu raised her hand, feeling the wind blowing through her fingers, and couldn't help but smile.
Life without the apocalypse is wonderful; I can walk outside without any worries, without fear of zombies jumping out from dark corners at any moment.
She had only walked a short distance when she suddenly heard voices coming from the bushes not far ahead.
Ling Shu had no interest in other people's privacy and stopped walking.
However, her hearing was more acute than most people's, and she still managed to catch a few words.
"Miss, I've checked, and it's confirmed that Mr. Jian and Ms. Ling have had no private contact. Aren't you overthinking it?"
Miss Ling?
Could it be referring to her?
Ling Shu raised her eyebrows with interest.
The voice sounded familiar; it belonged to Butler Wang, whom they had only recently met.
From the bushes, Butler Wang continued his report in a low voice: "Although Xinyao has some ulterior motives, she has been with Miss for so many years. How could she possibly get involved with Miss's boyfriend?"
Oh, so you were referring to Ling Xinyao.
In just a few words, Ling Shu understood who Butler Wang was talking to.
As for Jian Yicheng, he is an even more sophisticated and skilled scumbag, whose methods are so subtle that most people would not even notice his problems.
It was only because Jian Yicheng stole so much supplies—almost emptying the Sheng family's stockpiled grain in just a few days—that the Sheng family realized something was wrong.
The apocalypse will amplify both the good and evil within human nature.
A seemingly respectable person can perfectly disguise themselves in ordinary times, but they will be completely exposed when a crisis comes.
Not far away, Sheng Zhujun, with her brows furrowed, heard that familiar female voice again.
[Stop investigating, you won't find anything. Jian Yicheng is very cunning; he won't leave any trace before he completely breaks ties with the Sheng family.]
who?
Who is it?!
Sheng Zhujun was startled and looked around, noticing a person standing not far away.
As if to avoid suspicion, the person deliberately kept a distance, and logically, should not have heard her conversation with Uncle Wang.
Upon seeing the person's face clearly, Sheng Zhujun's brows furrowed slightly.
Ling Shu?
How could it be Ling Shu?
Seeing that she had been discovered, Ling Shu remained calm, raised her hand and waved at Sheng Zhujun, greeting her generously: "Hi, chatting?"
The moment she heard Ling Shu's voice, Sheng Zhujun's hands, which were hanging by her sides, suddenly gripped her skirt.
She used this gesture to conceal the turmoil that suddenly surged within her.
Objectively speaking, Ling Shu's voice is very pleasant, like a clear spring flowing in the mountains, crisp and clear, with a touch of nonchalance, and a kind of indifference that seems detached from the world.
If Sheng Zhujun hadn't heard the strange female voice in her mind, she would probably have liked Ling Shu's voice.
At this moment, Sheng Zhujun had no time to appreciate anything; she was only focused on staring intently at Ling Shu, repeating the image of her in her mind over and over again.
It's Ling Shu!
The strange female voice that was speaking in her mind was actually Ling Shu!
-
Butler Wang was completely bewildered.
He sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat strange, but he couldn't understand where this strange atmosphere came from.
Since Ling Shu appeared and greeted her politely, Sheng Zhujun had not responded, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
If I had to categorize these complex emotions, it would probably be three parts shock, three parts confusion, three parts doubt, and one part... apprehension?
Ling Shu stood so far away, it was clear she had no intention of eavesdropping.
What is there to be afraid of?
Unable to hear Ling Shu's thoughts, Butler Wang scratched his head, utterly confused.
After several seconds, Sheng Zhujun finally reacted, lowered her eyes and replied, "Miss Ling."
Ling Shu seemed completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere that had just occurred to her. She waved her hand and explained, "I came out for a walk after I finished eating and happened to pass by here. It was quite a coincidence."
To show that she wasn't eavesdropping, she even took two steps back.
However, her true feelings betrayed her.
[This silly girl has finally figured it out? She noticed something was off with her boyfriend and best friend beforehand—interesting. But given how cautious they are, they probably won't find anything useful.]
Sheng Zhujun: "..."
Ling Shu was right; even with Butler Wang's professionalism and efficiency, he couldn't find any connection between Jian Yicheng and Ling Xinyao.
The two had never met in private, and their call records were clean, so no substantial evidence could be found.
The investigation had reached a stalemate, and Sheng Zhujun was feeling frustrated. Ling Shu's appearance reminded her that perhaps she could "borrow" Ling Shu's strength.
Her eyes brightened slightly, and she asked Butler Wang with feigned composure, "Uncle Wang, is it really true that we can't find anything?"
Butler Wang shook his head and answered cautiously, "Miss, there is indeed nothing suspicious about it."
Ling Shu looked up at the leaves of the tree above her head from a distance.
They all use alternate accounts to contact each other, so of course they can't be found.
Ling Shu would never admit that the reason she didn't leave immediately was because she wanted to watch the show and see how the eldest daughter of the Sheng family would expose her boyfriend's affair with her best friend.
Ling Xinyao is so annoying, I can't help but want to see her suffer.
Sheng Zhujun: "..."
They're using a secondary account to contact each other? No wonder we can't find any clues.
She gritted her teeth and said unwillingly, "Why don't I confront them face to face? They won't be so easy to fool me to my face."
Sheng Zhujun: "".
Her veins throbbed with anger, and she simply looked directly at Ling Shu and asked loudly, "Miss Ling, can you help me?"
Ling Shu, who was happily making sarcastic remarks, didn't expect to be mentioned. She looked up in confusion and asked, "Huh? Me?"
Sheng Zhujun nodded vigorously: "I have something... I would like to ask Miss Ling Shu for her opinion."
Butler Wang, who was unaware of what was going on, stared wide-eyed.
He had watched Sheng Zhujun grow up since she was a child, and he knew her introverted personality very well. She rarely expressed herself to others, and she didn't like to confide in anyone about her worries.
Is the sun rising in the west?
Sheng Zhujun actually took the initiative to ask Ling Shu for help?!
He almost doubted that he was hallucinating.
But that wasn't the most shocking part. The next second, Sheng Zhujun loudly proclaimed, "I... suspect that my boyfriend and best friend are having an affair, but I haven't found any evidence."
Butler Wang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and he took two steps back.
She actually said it! Sheng Zhujun just said it!
Oh my god, this is a secret of a wealthy family. If outsiders heard it and spread it, it would immediately become the top trending topic!
Sheng Zhujun, who voluntarily revealed the gossip, looked sincere and seemed genuinely seeking advice.
Ling Shu, who was being consulted, remained calm. After considering for a moment, she asked, "Can you accept the truth? Can you accept that you misjudged someone and loved the wrong person?"
Sheng Zhujun nodded without hesitation: "Yes! I only want the truth!"
Even if the truth is terrible and cruel, it's still better than living in a false sense of happiness.
Ling Shu then asked, "If the truth is unbearable, what would you choose?"
Sheng Zhujun was silent for a few seconds, then her eyes gradually hardened: "Those who betray me, I will abandon."
Ever since she began to doubt Jian Yicheng, Sheng Zhujun felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her heart, making it hard to breathe, and all sorts of thoughts were running wildly through her mind.
If Jian Yicheng is really unfaithful to her, should she break up with him immediately?
The Sheng family is currently in the eye of the storm, and if she makes a scene again, it will definitely be detrimental to the Sheng family.
As for Ling Xinyao...
They have been good friends for so many years, and the Ling family and the Sheng family have just formed a marriage alliance. What if she and Ling Xinyao fall out at this critical juncture, affecting the relationship between the two families?
Ling Shu's two questions just now struck a chord deep within her.
If these things are true, she is the one who was betrayed; she is the victim.
When the victim has already suffered enough, why should we care about the perpetrator's thoughts and face?
True friends and good men will not betray her.
The one who betrayed her was definitely not a good friend or a good man.
What's the point of keeping it?
Ling Shu was satisfied with the answer and nodded gently.
She did come up with a good idea: to test the sincerity of both Jian Yicheng and Ling Xinyao.
Moreover, she dares to guarantee that her method is absolutely unique and cannot be copied by others.
Sheng Zhujun asked her, and she's asked the right person.
[I do have a good idea that will definitely reveal their problems. But I've only just arrived at the Sheng family. If I act this ruthlessly right away, hmm... wouldn't that be too undisguised?]
After all, she initially intended to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention.
Upon hearing Ling Shu's thoughts, Sheng Zhujun pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up. She raised her hand and suggested, "I can pay to hire Miss Ling as a consultant to help me solve this problem!"
She was actually a little worried. Although Ling Shu and Ling Xinyao were not related by blood and their relationship was just so-so, they were still family in name only. She was afraid that Ling Shu would not be willing to help her.
If they pay me, then things will be much easier.
Now, their relationship has changed from a suspicious conspiracy to a purely monetary one.
She paid Ling Shu to be her consultant, and whatever the consequences, it would have nothing to do with Ling Shu, who was paid to do the job.
After much deliberation, Sheng Zhujun finally made up her mind.
She took her phone out of her purse and tapped the screen lightly with her slender fingers. Luckily, she had saved Ling Shu's phone number before, so she could transfer money directly using the phone number without having to ask Ling Shu for her bank card number again.
Two seconds later, Ling Shu's phone, which was in her pocket, rang with a message: "ZhiZhiBao has received one million yuan."
Ling Shu was quite surprised.
She guessed that Sheng Zhujun would give money, but she didn't expect Sheng Zhujun to be so generous... Wait, does the Sheng family have some unique setting of "giving money at the drop of a hat"?
Why are they all so generous?
Sheng Zhujun added with a determined look, "This is just a deposit; we'll give you another million after it's all done!"
Two million to see the true colors of a scumbag—isn't that a great deal?
Before Sheng Zhujun could finish speaking, Ling Shu quickly stepped forward, grabbed Sheng Zhujun's hand, and responded with great enthusiasm, "Hey, we're all family, don't be so polite, just call me Shushu. Don't worry, Zhujun, leave this to me. I guarantee that this scumbag will have nowhere to hide and will be utterly destroyed on the spot!"
A note from the author:
Qin Hong: Transfer money.
Sheng Zhujun: Transfer money.
Ling Shu: (Clutching her chest) Ha, impressive methods.
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