The other person said, "We haven't been in touch for a long time, but you still look as beautiful as ever, no change at all."
Shi Xinxin smiled, but didn't say anything.
Su Man seemed a bit nervous, sitting on the sofa and unconsciously stirring her teacup.
"How did you find me?" Shi Xinxin asked.
"I saw your news on the television last night, so I rushed over."
"Mm," Shi Xinxin nodded, and remained silent.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
Sheng Chenjin went to open the door.
Sheng Chenjin looked at the young man standing at the door, his eyebrows slightly raised, "Hello."
"Brother Sheng," the young man called out.
"You are..."
"I'm Xiao Yao's classmate, Lin Ze."
"Hello," Sheng Chenjin said, then gestured to the sofa, "Have a seat first."
Lin Ze sat down in the seat next to Shi Xinxin, then looked at Shi Xinxin and said, "Sister-in-law, hello."
Shi Xinxin was taken aback, then quickly responded, "Uh... hello."
"Sister-in-law, don't be shy," Lin Ze winked playfully.
Shi Xinxin felt even more embarrassed, but still braced herself and asked, "Lin Ze, where is Xiao Yao?"
"She's traveling abroad," Lin Ze shrugged. "It'll be at least three months. When she returns, I'll bring her to visit Grandpa Sheng, we're getting engaged."
Shi Xinxin froze.
Engaged?
She looked up at Sheng Chenjin. He was also looking at her, but his expression remained as usual, as if he hadn't taken the matter to heart.
"Oh, congratulations to you both," Shi Xinxin said indifferently.
Sheng Chenjin glanced at her, picked up the tea on the table, and took a sip.
Shi Xinxin suddenly felt flustered and lowered her head, continuing to pick at the rice in her bowl.
After dinner, Shi Xinxin made an excuse and left.
Watching Shi Xinxin's retreating back, Lin Ze leaned closer to Sheng Chenjin and whispered, "Boss, isn't sister-in-law very beautiful?"
Sheng Chenjin gave him a sideways glance. "Whether your sister-in-law is beautiful or not is none of your business."
Lin Ze chuckled, rubbed his head, "Boss, why are you so harsh to sister-in-law! You don't know how scared I was when I saw you two together at the door!"
"Serves you right for being scared! Get lost!" Sheng Chenjin cursed without any politeness.
Lin Ze pouted and obediently retreated.
Sheng Chenjin picked up his phone and made a call.
"A Wei, help me check someone out."
---
As Shi Xinxin walked out of Sheng Chenjin's apartment, the sky was overcast.
The rain began to fall heavily, and Shi Xinxin, forgetting her umbrella, ran home in the rain.
The moment she opened the door, her mother rushed towards her.
"Xinxin, Xinxin, you're back!"
"Mom," Shi Xinxin threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing.
"Xinxin, what's wrong? Who bullied you? Tell Mom!"
Shi Xinxin wiped her tears and said with a sob, "No... no one bullied me... Mom, did Dad wake up today?"
"No, the doctor said he needs to be observed for a few more days."
"Mm..." Shi Xinxin breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xinxin, tell Mom quickly, what happened these past few years? Why didn't you tell Mom clearly? You child, Mom is so worried."
"Mom, I..." Shi Xinxin hesitated.
"Tell me, Mom is listening."
Shi Xinxin gritted her teeth and, after a long pause, said, "Mom, actually... I'm already married."
"What? You're married?" Shi's mother was astonished. "How could you be married? Xinxin, are you out of your mind? Didn't you always like your senior?"
Mentioning Lu Mingyu, Shi Xinxin's heart leaped violently.
"Mom, actually..."
"Xinxin, don't lie to Mom. If you were married, your father would have known long ago."
"But..."
"Xinxin, if you feel you can't say it, then Mom will go and arrange the wedding for you."
"No... Mom, don't go..." Shi Xinxin stopped her mother.
Shi Xinxin knew that if her mother found out, her father would find out too.
They would definitely force her to bring that man home.
She absolutely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
"Xinxin, you need to know that Mom will always love you and always wants you to be happy. Your marriage must be known by your father."
After speaking, Shi's mother prepared to walk out.
Shi Xinxin immediately grabbed her mother's arm, "Mom... Mom, calm down..."
"How can Mom calm down? My Xinxin is already married? Then the child in your belly..."
Shi's mother stopped, turned around, her face grave, and said firmly, "Xinxin, tell Mom, whose child is in your belly? Whose is it?"
Shi Xinxin lowered her eyes, biting her lip, not daring to speak.
"Xinxin, my Xinxin, how much have you suffered! If you don't want to tell Mom, then tell Mom, whose child is it? Is it Lu Mingyu's? Xinxin..."
As Shi's mother spoke, her eyes reddened, her voice trembled, and tears instantly streamed down her face.
Shi Xinxin's nose ached, and she hugged her mother, "Mom, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Shi's mother stroked her daughter's hair, tears falling from the corners of her eyes.
Lu Corporation.
Lu Mingyu sat in his chair, staring at the computer screen.
The screen displayed Sheng Chenjin's profile.
Lu Mingyu clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on Sheng Chenjin's photo on the computer screen.
This photo was taken by the people he sent to follow Shi Xinxin.
When Shi Xinxin was with Sheng Chenjin, he had already suspected Sheng Chenjin's identity.
Moreover, he had once overheard them discussing Sheng Chenjin and Shi Xinxin. Sheng Chenjin seemed to love Shi Xinxin deeply, while Shi Xinxin refused to acknowledge their relationship.
The more Lu Mingyu thought about it, the more puzzled he became. Could Sheng Chenjin be Shi Xinxin's ex-husband?
Lu Mingyu narrowed his eyes.
Just then, the assistant knocked on the door and said, "President, the items you ordered are ready."
Lu Mingyu grunted, then pulled out the USB drive and tossed it to the assistant, saying coldly, "Take this to the technical department and give me a detailed report by tomorrow."
"Yes."
Lu Mingyu leaned back in his chair, his eyes slightly closed, lost in thought.
After Shi Xinxin returned home, she was listless.
Shi's mother saw Shi Xinxin return and hurried to meet her.
"Xinxin, how was it at the Sheng family today? Tell Mom, how is Mr. Sheng treating you?" Shi's mother asked anxiously, holding Shi Xinxin's hand.
Shi Xinxin forced a smile and said, "Very well."
Shi's mother sighed, reached out and gently touched Shi Xinxin's forehead, and said softly, "Xinxin, I know Mr. Sheng dotes on you so much because you were injured this time, that's why he agreed to marry you. But don't lose your composure or forget your place because of his favor."
Shi Xinxin looked up at her mother, her eyes showing confusion. "Mom... I don't understand what you're saying..."