A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 182: Follow me closely, don’t get yourself lost"_1

Chapter 182: Follow me closely, don’t get yourself lost"_1

「Back home.」

Shen Jing locked herself in her room and browsed international news.

The president of United Bank had returned to the country after a blunder, but she noticed nothing unusual.

Even though Zhuang Ming hadn’t spelled it out, she was clear about the Zhou Family’s opinion of her.

Shen Jing tossed aside her phone and lay down.

KNOCK, KNOCK. The sound came from the door.

"Fourth Sister."

Shen Jing sat up, padding barefoot to the door. "Eldest Sister, you’re back?"

"I came to pick you up," Shen Ci said simply. "Get ready and accompany me to a business banquet in the Northern Suburb."

Shen Jing asked lightly, "Eldest Sister, why didn’t you stay in the Maldives for a few more days?"

"Your brother-in-law caught a cold, so we returned early," Shen Ci explained.

Shen Jing didn’t change her clothes, simply slipped on her shoes, and clattered down the stairs.

Her eldest sister was the most capable and outstanding child in the family, dearly loved by their grandfather.

The Xie Family’s driver arrived to pick them up.

On the way, the two of them idly chatted about the attractions of the Maldives.

Shen Jing had never been to the Maldives and was curious.

"I’ll take you with me next time," Shen Ci offered.

"I wouldn’t want to be a third wheel," Shen Jing replied.

Soon, the car stopped at a private garden in the Northern Suburb.

Shen Jing lightly adjusted her collar and glanced around.

"Just stay close to me," Shen Ci said, looking back at her slender younger sister, who kept her head lowered. "Are you nervous around strangers?"

"Stay close to me, and don’t get lost," she instructed.

Shen Jing blinked. "Eldest Sister, I’m not a child."

Shen Ci said nothing more, merely slowing her pace to wait for her.

Knowing she was attending a business banquet, Shen Jing still wore her white sneakers and a high-collared sweater, maintaining a simple, youthful appearance.

Indeed, she isn’t a child anymore, Shen Ci mused, observing her. But she truly has a face that seems easy to bully. No wonder the rich young masters in their circle like to tease her type, constantly finding new ways to pick on her. Can the young women of the Shen Family be so easily bullied by them? A perfectly respectable young lady from a good family, yet they put her on display like a commodity to be auctioned, boasting that whoever wins her over is the victor!

Upon seeing Shen Ci, others were quick to flatter her. "Mrs. Xie, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen you out socializing. Have you retired from the scene?"

Shen Ci maintained her composure, offering a polite nod in acknowledgment as she gracefully deflected the pleasantries.

"My younger sister is taking over," she said. "The enterprise needs fresh ideas to inject vitality."

Someone remarked, "I did hear that Fourth Miss Shen botched several partnerships, and the Shen Family’s financial department is no longer on par with when you were in charge."

Shen Ci looked over with a smile. "I hear that only three cases of Marco Mantonnina’s Barolo are available. Such a rare, fine wine truly complements Mr. Zhao’s taste."

The other person’s smile widened. "Mrs. Xie, you flatter me."

Shen Ci slowly raised her glass in a toast. "Therefore, Mr. Zhao, you should enjoy a few more glasses of red wine and spend less time on flattery."

Her ear-length short hair, complemented by an expensive white jade pearl necklace, made her appear gentle yet sharp, spirited without losing her feminine charm.

No wonder the high-ranking eldest son of the Xie Family doted on her like a treasured gem, adoring her for her combined success and beauty.

From his seat on the main sofa, Cheng Jinchuan observed the scene, an amused expression on his face as if watching an interesting play unfold.

Upon seeing Cheng Jinchuan, Shen Jing felt a surge of panic and disgust, quickly turning her face away as she stuck close to Shen Ci.

"The Cheng Family has a branch that is on good terms with the Min Family of the Sijin Courtyard. Cheng Siheng and Min Hangzhou get along well, do you understand? As long as he doesn’t cross legal boundaries, Cheng Jinchuan is accustomed to acting recklessly. Conducting business in this area isn’t as easy as you might think," Shen Ci explained.

"So the Min Family and the Song Family of the Northern Suburb are also relatives by marriage?" Shen Jing asked, a little overwhelmed. "This... I find it quite confusing."

"Don’t overthink it. Just remember: the Zhou Family, Song Family, Min Family, and Cheng Family," Shen Ci said.

Shen Jing, who knew none of these people, still found it all very convoluted.

Shen Ci added, "Our family has upheld its integrity and principles for many years. We remain honest and dutiful, and we don’t get involved with the powerful and influential. It’s not good to offend any side."

No matter how much more was said, Shen Jing felt she couldn’t quite grasp it all; she wasn’t the type to proactively offend people anyway.

Shen Ci led her into the venue, introducing her as her fourth younger sister. There were still some entrepreneurs, those not on good terms with the Cheng Family, who were willing to look at her proposals. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The room was warm and stuffy. While others wore spaghetti-strap gowns, she alone was in a sweater, and the heat was making her sweat.

Concerned she might fall ill from the heat, Shen Ci found a thin blouse for her. "Go change in the room next door. I’ll wait for you."

Shen Jing nodded.

As she entered the changing room and was in the middle of changing, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there were people talking outside.