When the four men stood in the studio, rubbing their hands in anticipation of starting a verbal battle, Shen Youjin walked out slowly.
She was as beautiful as ever. Especially since she had made a special effort with her appearance today. Even without makeup, she still shone brightly.
Bai Beichen was the first to step forward. He presented the flowers to Shen Youjin and flashed a gentle smile. "Sister, congratulations!"
Shen Youjin didn't refuse. She reached out to take the flowers and murmured her thanks.
Seeing this, the remaining three men all took out their gifts.
"Flowers are just for show. It's better to be practical." Fu Qingye took out a bank card. "Ten million. Congratulations on realizing your dream!"
Shen Youjin was in dire need of money at this moment. Fu Qingye had just walked right into her line of fire. Without hesitation, she accepted it.
It was a congratulatory gift after all! Why not take it?
Gu Zhiyuan scoffed at this. "Such a nouveau riche act."
After saying that, he opened a box, revealing a brooch to her.
"This is the Flame Lily Brooch of Queen Elizabeth II. It's a priceless item. There's only one in the world."
Shen Youjin's eyes lit up. Queen Elizabeth II was the longest - reigning queen of Britain.
Although she had reservations about Gu Zhiyuan as a person, she was quite interested in the gift he had brought.
"Thank you." She took the jewelry box, her eyes twinkling with delight. "I'm sorry to have made you part with it, Mr. Gu."
Seeing that she liked it, Gu Zhiyuan hooked the corner of his mouth. But before he could say anything, Jiang Zeshen let out a sneer. "Tsk, what's so good about something from a dead person? It's really inauspicious on such a day when Xiaojin's studio is opening!"
Gu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows and looked at Jiang Zeshen, his smile hiding a knife. "At least it's better than getting caught for setting off fireworks, Mr. Jiang."
Jiang Zeshen was taken aback. His eyes turned sharp. Just as he was about to fight back, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shen Youjin frowning slightly.
It was the opening day of Shen Youjin's studio. Forget it. He'd give her the face.
"Xiaojin, I've already greeted the people in the circle. As long as 'Chasing the Light' exists, they'll support it."
Shen Youjin didn't expect that a playboy like Jiang Zeshen would use his connections. After all, he always kept his private and business lives separate. When it came to dating, he never allowed a woman to truly integrate into his business circle.
Bai Beichen, who was leaning against a car beside them, looked at Jiang Zeshen. Oh! Now that he'd hit a wall, he finally showed his true colors in pursuing a girl. Wasn't it a bit too late?
"Sister." Bai Beichen called out to her. His voice was clear and full of vigor. "A man shouldn't be easily forgiven. Otherwise, he'll keep making the same mistake over and over again."
Jiang Zeshen shot him a glare. Bai Beichen shrugged nonchalantly, smiling brightly. "I'm not talking about you, Brother Jiang. Don't take it personally!"
"Don't call me brother." Jiang Zeshen gritted out the words. "I don't have a brother like you."
As soon as he said this, even Gu Zhiyuan, who was always a gentleman, almost couldn't hold back his smile.
Jiang Zeshen then realized he had said the wrong thing and instantly fell into deep silence.
Damn it. The more he looked at Bai Beichen, the more annoyed he got.
Bai Beichen pretended to be innocent, yet Shen Youjin seemed to be completely taken in by him.
Just as Shen Youjin was about to ask someone to show them to their seats, four discordant figures appeared in their line of sight one after another.
"Sister, it's so lively here. Why didn't you invite us?"
The smile on Shen Youjin's face froze. Even Ling Qiuqiu, who had been standing at the door watching the show, looked cold.
"Shen Qilin, if you're looking for trouble, you'd better consider the occasion!"
Shen Qilin had his hands in his pockets. His eyes swept over the four young masters one by one, and he said with a smile, "Sister, with these gentlemen backing you up, how dare I cause any trouble? I'm really here to send my congratulations this time."
After saying that, he clapped his hands. Immediately, someone brought up a gift box. When it was opened, there was a pair of golden fortune - bringing toads inside.
Shen Youjin didn't want his gift at all. She was afraid there were some new - type germs he had brought back from abroad on it.
"I don't need it. Take it back!"
Seeing that she refused, Shen Qilin didn't force her. He casually threw the box on the ground.
"Since sister doesn't give me face, then this gift has no meaning. Dad asked me to tell you to go home for a meal when you're free! After all, an illegitimate daughter is still a daughter. We can't really let you work so ~ hard out there without even a home - cooked meal."
He emphasized the words "out there" and "hard". A cold glint flashed across Shen Youjin's eyes. "Shen Qilin, one day I'll send you to prison. That's the place you truly belong to."
"Really?" Shen Qilin was fearless. "I'm a law - abiding citizen! But as for you, sister... your children will have to live with a stigma just like you in the future."
"Absolutely not!" Shen Youjin hugged the flowers. Her fingers unconsciously touched her lower abdomen. Her gaze was firm. "My mother didn't kill anyone!"
Shen Qilin just smiled without saying a word. Just as he was about to continue provoking her, Fu Qingye stepped in front of Shen Youjin.
"Shen Qilin, if you don't want to end up like Fang Xiaoguo, you'd better get out of here right now!"
His voice was like ice that had been frozen for a thousand years. Shen Qilin instantly felt the hair on his body stand on end.
Jiang Zeshen also said seemingly casually, "Young Master Shen, I haven't settled the score with you for almost hitting my people last time. And now you're here to cause trouble again. Are you going to oppose our Jiang family?"
Shen Qilin was taken aback. Jiang Zeshen's eyes, which were always so affectionate even when looking at a dog, were now filled with killing intent.
Behind him, Gu Zhiyuan and Bai Beichen were also eyeing him menacingly.
"How dare I? I was just here to send a congratulatory gift." Shen Qilin didn't dare to cause any more trouble. "Since sister doesn't like my gift, I'll leave!"
He turned around and left with his three lackeys.
Just before leaving, he took a look at Ling Qiuqiu who was standing in the distance. Her beautiful face carried a hint of heroism, which really fascinated him.
He didn't understand what was so likable about a beauty like Shen Youjin, who was like a porcelain doll. It was girls like Ling Qiuqiu who were more appealing and made him want to conquer them.
Seeing him leave, Gu Zhiyuan spoke up to console Shen Youjin, hoping that this little episode wouldn't affect her mood.
He knew that no matter how calm and composed Shen Youjin usually was, she would still be emotionally affected when facing the Shen family members.
Especially when that person was Shen Qilin. He was really afraid that Shen Youjin would lose her cool.
"It's okay." Shen Youjin pursed her lips. "You guys go inside and take a seat first. The opening ribbon - cutting ceremony will start in half an hour."
The men nodded. After the four of them entered the studio one after another, a red sedan caught Shen Youjin's eye.
Shen Youjin didn't know anyone among her acquaintances who drove such a flashy car. She stopped in her tracks and turned to look.
The car door opened, and a beautiful figure emerged. She had long chestnut - colored hair and wore sunglasses that covered half of her face. For a moment, Shen Youjin didn't recognize who she was.
It wasn't until she stood still and slowly took off her sunglasses, revealing a seductive and crazy face that Shen Youjin finally called out her name.
"Ji Yueliang! Why is it you?"