Chapter 17: Cry

"Then I'll wait for you tonight."

Zhao Qian reached out and brushed aside the stray hair in front of her ear. There was nothing overtly inappropriate in his gesture, but his thumb lingered over the skin of her chin.

Xu Yu had to restrain herself not to let any unusual reaction show.

After Zhao Qian left, Xu Yu turned around, sensing a cold, piercing gaze on her back. She scanned the crowd, but saw nothing.

She took a couple sips of champagne to steady herself; the cake remained untouched as she walked deeper into the venue.

She was going to look for Shen Yue, who was playing billiards.

The corridor flickered with blue and red lights, making her shadow blur and indistinct.

She halted outside the billiard room, just about to knock when the door swung open.

Shao Yilei glanced up at her, sneered, and shouted quickly behind him, "Yue, your little shadow has arrived!"

He brushed past Xu Yu, bumping her shoulder, wobbling as he headed to the restroom.

Through drifting smoke, Shen Yue looked at her, raising his brows coolly at first, his gaze devoid of warmth. But the next second, he broke into a smile as he walked toward her, his tone soft and almost coquettish.

"Why are you here?"

Shen Yue pulled her into the crook of his arm. Xu Yu obediently lifted her face, gentle as water. "I was worried you might be upset, so I came to check on you."

She met Shen Yue's almond-shaped eyes. The coldness in them was gone, replaced with affection. "You're always the best, baby."

"Who was that just now? Why was he rude?"

Xu Yu feigned annoyance. Shen Yue chuckled, sounding a bit angry. "Shao Six, a fool. He has no manners—I apologize on his behalf."

"It's nothing."

She knew Shao Yilei; he was the son of a board member of the Shen Group and had once tried to get her drunk.

Calling her a 'little shadow' just now was obviously the nickname they used for her in private.

"Baby, we should go."

Shen Yue checked a message on his phone and swiftly tucked it away.

Their relationship had been orchestrated by Wen Han and Shen Liangyan, but Shen Yue's mother still disapproved.

So when they entered arm in arm, Shen Yue was promptly summoned by his mother.

Xu Yu had to find an inconspicuous seat for herself.

Shen Yue's father was already seventy. Without a booming voice, whatever important announcement he made was inaudible from her spot.

The Shen family was gathered around the long square table: Shen Liangyan, his two elder sisters, an older brother, and plenty of younger relatives.

If Xu Yu left suddenly, she'd only draw attention.

She poked at her steak, waiting. When a stranger across the table stood up, she nonchalantly followed, hoping to use the restroom as an excuse to catch her breath.

But halfway there, an arm grabbed her—

Bang—

The billiard room door slammed shut.

Xu Yu found herself sitting on the billiard table, embraced by Shen Liangyan.

He carried the crisp scent of cedarwood, tinged with a cloying sweetness.

Xu Yu recognized it as Wen Han's favorite perfume.

Suppressing her disgust, she scooted back, pushing away Shen Liangyan's chest as he moved closer, raising her brows with a mocking smile.

"Third Master, so impatient—what if Shen Yue finds out?"

He clasped her nape in his palm, pulling her close, his beguiling eyes locking onto hers.

Under dim gray lights, Shen Liangyan's gaze was especially fierce and sinister tonight.

A sharp pain shot through her neck.

"Will you come home with me tonight?"

Xu Yu dropped the playful act, her eyes turning serious. "I need to be with Shen Yue—"

He bit hard behind her ear, his voice hoarse. "Is it him, or Zhao Qian?"

Her heart skipped; Xu Yu bit back her frustration. "Aren't you going with Wen Han?"

"Don't change the subject."

He furrowed his thick brows and leaned in again.

Xu Yu quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, soothing him.

"Fine, I'll go with you. Tonight, we'll stay at Fengming Court."