Shen Youjin didn't receive any feedback on the gift from Bai Ningxi, but she got an invitation to dinner from Jiang Zeshen.
Although it was said to be a dinner, when she checked the location, it was a place for banquets or receptions held by the wealthy.
"Is such a large venue really necessary for just the two of us?" she asked, puzzled.
This show - off won't be up to some tricks again, will he?
Jiang Zeshen let out a soft laugh. "I'm trying to ward off bad luck for you! You've had a narrow escape recently, haven't you?"
As usual, he was being frivolous. Shen Youjin rolled her eyes. Warding off bad luck, what an old - fashioned term.
"Get rid of the feudal dregs in your head as soon as possible. Didn't anyone inform you when the Qing Dynasty fell?" She directly declined. "I appreciate your kindness, but I don't need this so - called bad - luck - warding. I'm busy, so I'll get going."
Thinking about the remarks on the forum, she didn't want to be the center of attention when the situation was so tense.
Seeing her firm attitude, Jiang Zeshen didn't force her. He just told her to take a good rest before hanging up the phone.
This man had this one good quality: he didn't like to force others.
She took a look at herself in the mirror and found that she had lost some weight.
She didn't know if it was because the weather was getting hotter recently, but she always had no appetite.
Moreover, she felt nauseous more frequently than before, which was not a good sign.
She checked out the nearby hospitals, abandoned the previous one, got a fake ID, and then went for a new check - up.
When she went out, she noticed two cars following her one after another. A smirk curled up on her lips.
Fine, Gu Zhiyuan. She had given him a chance, but he had chosen to ignore it.
After the check - up, when she came out, those two cars were at the entrance, hidden among other vehicles.
She pretended not to notice and went about her business as usual, not affected at all.
Three or four days later, a paparazzi excitedly called her.
"Ms. Shen, guess what I've photographed?"
Shen Youjin asked knowingly, "What?"
"Someone has been following you!" The paparazzi's voice was much louder than usual, full of excitement. "The people following you are from the CEO of Gu Corporation. I've got it all on camera!"
"Oh? Is that so!" Shen Youjin stood in front of the floor - to - ceiling window, looking at the magnificent night view outside and smiling faintly. "Then congratulations on getting such a big scoop."
"Thanks to you, Ms. Shen!" The paparazzi was grinning from ear to ear. "I've transferred back the hard - work fee you sent me before. The extra part is my treat for you to have tea!"
Shen Youjin curled her lips. "Okay. I'll be busy these days. Don't follow me anymore. Go do your own thing."
Hearing this, the paparazzi quickly thanked her. "Sure thing! Ms. Shen, remember to call me next time you have such a job!"
The news that the CEO of Gu Corporation, known for being a gentleman and a gentlemanly figure, had sent people to follow the illegitimate daughter of the Shen family was extremely valuable. He was going to make a fortune!
After hanging up the phone, Shen Youjin leisurely took a bath, then lay in bed, watching dramas and waiting for a call.
Just when she was about to fall asleep, her phone finally vibrated twice.
She opened her eyes. Gu Zhiyuan finally couldn't sit still and came to her!
"Little apprentice, since when did you start playing so dirty?" Gu Zhiyuan said with a hint of a smile, but it seemed that he was grinding his teeth.
Shen Youjin raised her eyebrows. Dirty? She was just fighting fire with fire!
"I don't understand. What are you talking about, Teacher Gu?"
Gu Zhiyuan's voice finally turned cold. "Stop pretending to be stupid. That paparazzi is yours."
"Teacher Gu, you're making unfounded accusations!" Shen Youjin squinted her eyes like a little fox. "Do you have any evidence?"
Gu Zhiyuan fell silent. He really didn't have any evidence.
That paparazzi was an old fox. Not only was he extremely shrewd, but he also had a bit of a sense of loyalty!
"No, right?" Shen Youjin yawned happily. "Then I'm going to sleep. Good night, everyone!"
Gu Zhiyuan got even angrier. He had told her more than once not to talk like that. It made her seem childish!
She had changed before, but now she was doing it again? It was a blatant provocation!
He dialed her number again, but Shen Youjin hung up immediately. When he called again, her phone was turned off.
What a joke. When he had threatened her with evidence back then, wasn't he so high - and - mighty?
Why should she talk to him just because he wanted to? In his dreams!
Gu Zhiyuan stared at the screen. For the first time, he was so angry that he almost couldn't maintain his usual gentle expression.
"Shen Youjin, you're really something!"
Just then, his assistant knocked on the door and came in, asking carefully,
"Mr. Gu, that paparazzi is asking for 500,000 yuan. Should we give it to him or call the legal department?"
Gu Zhiyuan looked up at him. "If we don't give it to him, do you want those photos to spread and let Gu Corporation's stocks plummet?"
It wasn't just about the stocks. The face and status of the Gu family, one of the five major families, would also be gone.
The assistant was stunned. Seeing that Gu Zhiyuan was in a bad mood, he quickly did as he was told.
When he came out, the assistant wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. It was really strange. There had been more serious situations before, but why was the boss so terrifying this time?
The next morning, Shen Youjin stretched comfortably, got out of bed, and pulled open the curtains.
The sky outside was a clear blue, and the sun was shining brightly. It was a beautiful day.
She took out the phone from under her pillow and looked at the latest message on it. She felt even better.
"I've withdrawn the people following you, little apprentice. You win!"
Shen Youjin curled her lips. It would have been so much easier if he had done this earlier. She wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble!
She simply washed up, had breakfast, and was about to go to the studio. Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived, she saw a car waiting there.
Just as she was wondering, a middle - aged man got out of the car.
"Hello, Ms. Shen. I'm Chi Tingwan's father."
An alarm bell went off in Shen Youjin's mind. She looked around. There were a lot of people, so fortunately, it was still safe.
"Mr. Chi, what can I do for you?"
Chi Yongchao looked at her. She was more beautiful and younger than any of his mistresses. No wonder the young masters of the five major families were all fascinated by her.
"Ms. Shen, could you please plead for us and ask the five major families to show mercy? Our Chi family is just running a small business. We can't afford this kind of trouble!" He took out a card. "There's 500,000 yuan in here. I know my daughter did you wrong. She deserved to die, but please help me this time."
"If you're still not satisfied, I have a son and a daughter. You can do whatever you want with them."
He sounded sincere, but Shen Youjin just felt horrified.
His wife was in prison, his daughter was dead, and even his mistress and his children were in the hospital.
But it seemed that none of these things mattered to Chi Yongchao.
There was no trace of sadness in his eyes. All he cared about was money.
Crazy. The whole Chi family was crazy!
"Mr. Chi, I can't help you. The actions of those five people were not instructed by me. Also, I'm not a saint! Your daughter tried to kill me. Do you think I'll plead for her family?" Shen Youjin looked at him, neither overbearing nor humble. "The only advice I can give you is to leave the capital. Otherwise, no one can protect you."
No one knew the personalities of those five men better than she did. If they really got serious, even Bai Beichen was not someone to be trifled with.
Chi Yongchao's hand holding the card trembled. When Shen Youjin said these words, her aura was stronger than that of a seasoned businessman like him. It even intimidated him.
"Ms. Shen, is there really no way? If it's about money, I can offer more!"
Shen Youjin twitched the corner of her mouth. She thought this man was hopeless.
Just as they were at a standstill, a voice suddenly sounded behind them, as arrogant as ever.
"You'd better do as she says, or..." Fu Qingye opened the car door and slowly appeared in front of them. His handsome face exuded an irresistible aristocratic air. "I can't guarantee that you'll still be able to stand here and talk next time, Mr. Chi!"