C5 Being Surrounded

Su Ci reached out with his right hand and gently ruffled her hair, smiling indulgently.

She stood with her back straight, confidently introducing Su Ci to Shen Junheng, “This is my boyfriend, Su Ci. Su Ci, this is my dad.”

Then she added, “And this is Second Master Jing.”

At her words, Jing Si's gaze turned icy, exuding a menacing aura.

Shen Yueyin met his gaze without flinching, offering a slight smile. Her eyes, innocent and gentle like a young animal's, remained fixed on him.

After just a second, Jing Si looked away, giving a low “Hmm” as a greeting to Su Ci before turning to leave.

Shen Yueyin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Ci, noticing her anxious demeanor, leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Why bother?”

“None of your business,” Shen Yueyin retorted, giving Su Ci a light kick. Her eyes scanned the banquet hall, spotting the swarm of reporters heading her way, her expression darkening slightly.

The lights flashed, microphones were pushed forward, and cameras were raised high.

“Miss Shen, could you tell us about your connection to Miss Shen Liang, who retired from the spotlight three years ago?”

“Yes, you bear a striking resemblance to Shen Liang. Do you have any comments on that?”

Shen Yueyin maintained a graceful smile, lightly holding onto Su Ci’s arm while keeping a respectful distance from the reporters. Her lips parted softly:

“Many have asked about my relationship with Miss Shen Liang. I’ve seen her photos myself and can only say... it’s a delightful surprise from above. I’d love to find an opportunity to become friends with Miss Shen Liang.”

At the mention of “Shen Liang,” Su Ci momentarily stiffened.

The reporters exchanged glances, momentarily silenced by her impeccable response.

After a brief pause, another barrage of questions came crashing in.

"There's been talk about Mr. Shen Junheng stepping down. Are you returning to compete with Miss Shen Changqing for the CEO position at Shen's Group?"

"Is your return and the grand welcome party part of your strategy to position yourself as an heir against Miss Shen Changqing?"

"Miss Shen, how do you respond to the rumors about cosmetic surgery?"

The questions came one after another, each more pointed than the last. Shen Yueyin maintained a calm smile, her tone steady and composed. After handling the barrage of inquiries, she gave a subtle wave to the butler standing nearby, who immediately understood and moved to disperse the reporters.

Once the media had cleared out, Shen Yueyin turned around and noticed Jing Si sitting on a nearby armchair, his demeanor somewhat brooding. His tall, well-built frame created a slight indentation in the chair's back, and from his vantage point, he could easily hear her exchange with the journalists.

However, unlike before, his deep-set eyes didn't glance her way; instead, he was quietly listening to the young girl seated next to him. Shen Yueyin's gaze shifted to the girl—Lu Wanxin, the seventeen-year-old niece from the Lu family.

Lu Wanxin had a small dimple when she smiled, her eyes bright and expressive. As she spoke, her eyes blinked animatedly, and her small hands gestured enthusiastically with her words. She used her youthful charm to her advantage, speaking freely and without pretense. When she wanted a response, she'd tilt her head towards Jing Si and continue with her conversation.

Not just Shen Yueyin, but most of the attendees were drawn to the pair. Known for his aloofness, Jing Si surprisingly allowed this young girl to stay by his side for quite some time, occasionally responding with a low "hmm."