A Twisted Love Affair
Chapter 22 - 10-1

Chapter 22: 10-1

Feng Jian motioned for her to eat slowly and not to choke.

"The Shen Family hasn’t given you money for years. Why don’t you take your uncle’s surname?"

Isn’t this tiring, pretending like he’s never seen money? Shen Jing saw through it but didn’t say anything. No matter what Feng Jian said, she just sat there and listened.

Feng Jian wasn’t afraid of being exposed by her. "I’ve really raised you for nothing. You don’t even call me ’Uncle’ when we eat."

Shen Jing scoffed.

"I didn’t cook much. Who knew Uncle Feng would come? It’s just a simple meal; will you deign to eat it?"

Feng Jian didn’t beat around the bush. "Just 50,000. It’s not much for you."

Shen Jing picked up her noodles and ate them slowly. "Indeed, it’s not much. I can afford it."

Seeing her noodles were dry, Feng Jian poured water for her.

Feng Jian said, "How about this? When Uncle has money, I’ll help you get your grandmother’s house back."

Is he trying to deceive a child?

Her grandmother’s house was sold to someone else by him long ago.

Shen Jing maintained a gentle smile and agreed easily.

"Uncle knows Ajing is good. Ajing has been the most obedient child since she was little," Feng Jian praised her effusively.

Finally, he asked, "When can you give Uncle the money?"

Shen Jing said coolly, "I don’t owe you anything, right, Uncle Feng?"

This cunning girl, she knows how to irritate people with such nonchalant composure. She won’t argue with you; she just keeps saying she has money, but she won’t give it.

Her words were compliant, and she didn’t resist. She even drank the water he offered, making Feng Jian grind his teeth in frustration.

"So, our ties are cut then?"

Feng Jian said coldly, "Are you an ungrateful wretch? Just like your mother, always looking down on me."

Shen Jing looked up at him. "Indeed, I do look down on you. Don’t you have hands and feet?"

Shen Jing didn’t understand.

Why did Mother choose Feng Jian?

How did he gradually drive Mother into a corner? Feng Jian definitely bore some of the blame.

Truly, Shen Jing felt like kicking Feng Jian. But considering my own frail build, I probably couldn’t do it.

After Feng Jian finally left, Shen Jing looked at the broken door lock and shook her head.

That night, she thought about pushing the cabinet against the door for safety but worried it wouldn’t be secure. Besides, with my cat-like strength, I can’t move it anyway.

The door across the hall opened, and a woman in pink loungewear caught her eye. The woman curiously stuck her head out, looking left and right.

"Was that your father?"

Shen Jing didn’t offer much explanation. "No."

There’s no need to explain too much to a stranger.

All she knew about her new neighbor was that they usually just exchanged hurried "hellos" whenever they met, and nothing more.

The neighbor asked, "Do you need any help?"

Shen Jing touched the lock. "I need to find a locksmith."

The neighbor said, "I’ll contact one for you."

Shen Jing replied, "It’s no trouble; I’ve already contacted someone."

The woman opened her door wider. "Would you like to come sit in my apartment? I’m also living alone. I secretly moved out without my family knowing."

You can tell she has an open personality, the type not easily restrained.

"It definitely won’t be safe for you alone tonight. You can stay with me if you don’t mind. My name is Liang Yingning," she offered.

As she spoke, she familiarly pulled Shen Jing into her apartment.

"Shen Jing."

"Is that Jing as in ’Quiet Night Thoughts’?" Liang Yingning handed her a cup of warm water.

Shen Jing took it with both hands. "No."

Liang Yingning’s apartment was decorated in a far from ordinary way. Two words could describe it: exquisite and refined. Even the sofa was a one-of-a-kind designer piece.

Liang Yingning commented, "I get really bored. I often go to the Hongtan Teahouse to listen to your Pingtan. You’re so young; it’s rare to see someone your age learning this art form."

Shen Jing replied, "It started as a hobby and turned into a profession."

「Diaoyutai」

The fishing rod twitched. Zhou Luchen glanced at it but didn’t pull it ashore.

An attendant picked it up, changed the bait, and cast it back into the lake.

A call came from abroad.

"Second Master, the Peregrine Falcon hasn’t been eating its feed these past few days. Thankfully, Miss Wenxin came to take it out, and only then did it eat. It has recovered from its illness, but it keeps flying off."

Zhou Luchen hung up, swiped away the call notification, and scrolled through his phone.

Chen Yao, beside him, slowly lifted his rod. "Buying an estate abroad just to keep a Peregrine Falcon. You sure are fond of it."

He lifted his gaze. "Who’s fond of it?"

Chen Yao turned to face him. "Not fond of it? Really not fond? Spending a fortune to pamper a bird with fine food and drink—what’s in it for you?"

Zhou Luchen spoke slowly, "Excitement."

Chen Yao smiled knowingly, crossed his long legs, and watched the ripples in the lake as fish swam by.

The two men sat side by side, night fishing by the lake. Who knows what amusement Second Master Zhou finds in this?

Chen Yao’s phone rang. He got up to take the call aside and only returned after a long while, hurrying back. He picked up his jacket, put it on neatly, and asked, "Where’s your car? Lend it to me."

Zhou Luchen was indifferent. "You can’t drive it; the system is owner-specific."

Chen Yao looked around at the vast darkness of the night; they were quite far from the city.

Chen Yao bent down and whispered, "Are you going to Su City or not?"

Young Master Zhou’s voice was cold. "Not going."

That night, Chen Yao had no choice but to wait for his family’s chauffeur to pick him up.

「 」

Shen Jing had been getting closer to Liang Yingning these past few days. The two young women, both living alone, quickly hit it off.

Occasionally, late at night, Liang Yingning would knock on her door, pillow in tow, saying she couldn’t sleep and wanted to chat.

Liang Yingning didn’t seem to have a job. With her days free, she would often go to the teahouse to support Shen Jing’s performances.

She said, "I’m just hiding out here because my family is pressuring me to get married."

Once they became familiar, Liang Yingning became quite talkative, spilling everything.

The wedding date for Chen Yao and Liang Yingning was almost set, with the elders from both families eagerly pushing for a marriage of convenience for business purposes. It was practically forcing Chen Yao into it; marry he must, even if reluctant. Master Chen wouldn’t submit to being controlled, and Liang Yingning wasn’t an obedient type either, so she was staying away from home, refusing to return. Her credit cards were cut off, so she couldn’t run far.

A week later, Liang Yingning personally organized a meeting with Chen Yao, insisting they needed to have an honest and open discussion to clear things up. Liang Yingning added Shen Jing on WeChat and noticed that Chen Yao often liked her posts.

So, on the day of the meeting, Liang Yingning insisted on taking Shen Jing with her to Shanghai.

"Come on, let’s go! You know Chen Yao too. We’re all acquaintances; give me some advice." Liang Yingning linked her arm through Shen Jing’s, and they got into the car.

It was only then that Shen Jing realized the woman was the Liang Family’s second daughter. If not for living across the hall from her, Shen Jing would never have crossed paths with the daughter of such a wealthy family.

Chen Yao hasn’t even managed his own affairs properly. If they marry now, Liang Yingning is bound to suffer.

Liang Yingning would never be able to handle Chen Yao’s temperament.

Liang Yingning also looked down on Chen Yao. "He’s a playboy with countless girlfriends. My father must be blind for not choosing someone decent."

Your father isn’t blind. With the Chen Group as a backer, the Liang Family could rise to another level. But Shen Jing, naturally, wouldn’t say these things out loud.

Young Master Chen has a reputation as a womanizer. The Chen Family needs a Mrs. Chen to marry in, manage him, and restore the family’s good name.

The Liang Family’s debts totaled over ten billion. They were on the verge of collapse within the industry and had to rely on the Chen Group for a bailout.

These heirs and heiresses of wealthy families are actually very clear-headed. They know how to choose a spouse who would be beneficial for themselves, their families, and their future control of the family business. It’s just that both Chen Yao and Liang Yingning are currently too proud; they want to have their cake and eat it too.

Shen Jing grabbed a handful of candies, stuffed them into her pocket, then stepped outside and leaned against the wall to unwrap one.

Listening to all this is pointless; it has nothing to do with me.

Boring. This candy is quite sweet, though.

The sound of arguing drifted from the private room.

"It’s 2023, Master Chen! Are you really okay with an arranged marriage?"

Chen Yao personally poured some wine. "I’m not willing. Why don’t you go plead with your father?"

Liang Yingning didn’t accept the drink. "If I could persuade him, why would I come to you? I have a boyfriend; we’ve been together since university."

It was the first time Master Chen had offered a drink and been refused. His eyebrows furrowed deeply, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Honestly, marrying you into the Chen Family would probably cause no end of trouble."

Liang Yingning didn’t back down. "You’re just not done fooling around with your women outside. You can’t bear the thought of being tied down by marriage."

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