"Xin Xin, was that boy handsome?"
"Uh... he was alright, just an ordinary person."
"Do you think he's suitable for you?" Mrs. Shi asked.
"Mom, he has a girlfriend," Shi Xin Xin said. "I won't date someone who has a girlfriend."
"Oh?" Mrs. Shi raised an eyebrow. "Then what do you plan to do?"
"Let nature take its course."
"Then let nature take its course. We won't interfere. You'll have to get married eventually anyway."
Shi Xin Xin pouted. "Mom, do you really want me to get married so soon?"
"Of course!" Mrs. Shi said. "I'm looking forward to you having a little baby quickly! You're twenty-seven now, it's time to find a man and get married. Don't worry, your father and I won't rush you. If you really dislike that man, we'll support you."
"Mom..." Shi Xin Xin's nose felt a prickle of tears. She hugged Mrs. Shi and choked out, "Mom, thank you both."
--
"Sir, the investigation is complete," the assistant handed the documents to Sheng Chen Jin. "This person is Li Yan, the Vice President of Shengshi Group. He got engaged to Madam three years ago. He and Madam have been living apart recently, which is why Madam went to the bar to drown her sorrows."
"Shengshi Group?" Sheng Chen Jin frowned.
The assistant explained, "Shengshi Group's main businesses are entertainment, real estate, and jewelry. The chairman of Shengshi Group was once the founder of Shi Corporation. The current chairman shares your surname, Sheng."
Sheng Chen Jin narrowed his dark, deep eyes. "Shengshi Group is in the media industry. What is Li Yan's relationship with Madam?"
The assistant hesitated for a moment and replied, "According to the investigation, they are engaged. Both families have agreed to their union. However, Madam has always been resistant to dating him, so Li Yan has been living apart from Madam."
"So that's how it is." Sheng Chen Jin mused for a moment, then said, "Continue to help me find out Madam's location."
"Understood."
Sheng Chen Jin flipped through the files, his long, elegant fingers tapping rhythmically on the paper.
After a while, he looked up and glanced at the assistant. "Why is Madam avoiding Li Yan?"
The assistant blinked and quickly said, "This subordinate doesn't know. I only know that every time Madam sees Li Yan these past few years, she's as scared as a mouse seeing a cat."
"Is it because she fears Li Yan?"
"Yes."
Sheng Chen Jin fell silent.
Shi Xin Xin's father, Shi Jin Song, was an engineer, and also an internationally renowned designer.
It was truly puzzling how such a prominent figure could suddenly fall from grace without leaving any clues.
Sheng Chen Jin arrived at the Shi residence precisely at noon.
A servant respectfully greeted him. "Sir, Madam instructed that when you arrive, you must bring Miss Xin Xin with you."
"Alright," Sheng Chen Jin replied indifferently and walked straight towards the living room.
Shi Xin Xin was lying on the sofa, resting.
Her face was pale, and she looked a bit haggard.
Seeing Sheng Chen Jin enter the living room, she immediately sat up straight.
She looked at Sheng Chen Jin, biting her lower lip, her eyes flickering.
"Brother Sheng Chen Jin, you're here."
Sheng Chen Jin sat on the sofa, his gaze falling on Shi Xin Xin's slightly swollen lips.
Shi Xin Xin noticed Sheng Chen Jin's sharp gaze and blushed.
Sheng Chen Jin curled his lips. "What? You don't recognize me?"
"Brother Sheng Chen Jin, I..."
"Since you don't remember, let me remind you again." Sheng Chen Jin elegantly crossed his legs, leaning back in the chair with a languid posture.
"I was drunk last night, I don't remember anything." Shi Xin Xin lowered her gaze embarrassedly, avoiding his eyes.
Sheng Chen Jin reached out his index finger and hooked Shi Xin Xin's pointed chin, forcing her to look at him.
"We had a very pleasant time last night," Sheng Chen Jin's deep, magnetic voice resonated in the living room. "You were delicious."
"Brother Sheng Chen Jin..." Shi Xin Xin tried to push Sheng Chen Jin away, but her strength was no match for his.
Sheng Chen Jin tightened his grip on Shi Xin Xin's chin. "However, you don't seem to like me very much."
Shi Xin Xin's eyes widened in surprise.
A devilish curve appeared on Sheng Chen Jin's lips. "You're afraid of me, you hate me."
"I..." Shi Xin Xin shook her head. "I don't..."
"Did I say something wrong?" Sheng Chen Jin's gaze turned dark. "We are husband and wife, don't you need to satisfy your husband's demands?"
"I..." Shi Xin Xin's throat felt constricted, unable to speak.
"Since you don't want to satisfy my demands, then stay by my side obediently." Sheng Chen Jin's thin lips brushed against Shi Xin Xin's ear, exhaling a scorching breath.
Shi Xin Xin trembled all over.
"Shi Xin Xin," Sheng Chen Jin called her full name in a low voice, his tone domineering. "Accompany me tonight."
"No!" Shi Xin Xin abruptly pushed Sheng Chen Jin away. "I can't do this!"
"Why not?" Sheng Chen Jin stared at her. "You don't love me?"
Shi Xin Xin gritted her teeth. "We... we don't have any feelings for each other yet."
"If you don't like me, why did you provoke me?"
"..." Shi Xin Xin froze for a moment.
"If you don't love me, why would you use your body to seduce me?" Sheng Chen Jin sneered, his gaze coldly piercing. "Your acting is too clumsy."
"I..." Shi Xin Xin was flustered and helpless, not daring to meet Sheng Chen Jin's eyes.
"Tell me, do you like me?" Sheng Chen Jin pressed on.
Shi Xin Xin pursed her lips, kept her head down, and remained silent.
"No words means you like me," Sheng Chen Jin curved his lips. "Since you like me, then listen to me. Accompany me tonight."
"I..."
"Hmm?"
"I..."
"Hmm?"
"Okay, I promise." Shi Xin Xin resigned herself to it. "But you have to promise not to hurt my father."
"I never touch the people around you." A cold glint flashed in Sheng Chen Jin's eyes. "However... if you disobey my orders, you will bear the consequences."
"Okay," Shi Xin Xin nodded. "You can leave first, I'll change my clothes."
"Change your clothes?" Sheng Chen Jin raised an eyebrow. "No need. I've already bought you a new dress."
"How did you know I wasn't wearing new clothes?"
Sheng Chen Jin snorted softly. "No one can hide anything from me if I want to know."
"You..."
Sheng Chen Jin turned and left. "Wait for my call tonight."
Watching Sheng Chen Jin's dashing figure disappear at the doorway, Shi Xin Xin clenched her fists, gnashing her teeth in hatred.
She had been doted on since childhood and had never endured such humiliation.
More importantly, Sheng Chen Jin was simply a devil, too controlling. She was no match for him at all.
Shi Xin Xin changed into a new outfit and sat in front of the mirror, combing her hair.
At this moment, her phone suddenly rang.
Shi Xin Xin took out her phone, glanced at the name flashing on the screen, a slight smile curved her lips, and she pressed the answer button.
"Hello."
"Xin Xin, what are you doing?"
"Sleeping," Shi Xin Xin's voice was calm. "What's wrong?"
"Xin Xin, are you free tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, I'm free."
"Then it's settled, meet me at nine o'clock at the school gate. I have something to give you."
Shi Xin Xin's heart skipped a beat. "Who wants to give me something?"