Who Could Come and Save Her!

One look at Shen Xixi's stunned expression told Yan Ruyu that she had never heard about any of this.

"Ah, I can't blame you. No one in your family is in politics, so it's only natural you haven't heard about it. I only know because of my sister-in-law. I've even met Xiao Junyi's mother once. She was downright terrifying!"

Yan Ruyu's older brother was in politics and had married a high-ranking official's daughter, so he knew quite a bit about that circle.

The Shen family was different. Dingsheng Group's headquarters were in Hong Kong, and the family's influence was based there too. In Jincheng, they were purely businesspeople.

Papa Shen was clearheaded and perceptive. He only wanted to become part of the local business community and deal with political circles through them, without having direct contact with anyone in politics. That way, no matter who fell from power, he wouldn't be affected.

"All right, let's not get sidetracked. First, tell me what's going on with the engagement!" That was all Chu Tianqing cared about.

"Oh, don't rush me. I need to give you the background first." Yan Ruyu took another sip of wine and spoke slowly. "The Xiao family is a big clan. In every generation, they've combined politics and business. Xiao Junyi's eldest uncle is in politics, and his father is in business. His uncle married the daughter of Zhonglin's chairman. Xiao Junyi's maternal grandfather lives in a government compound. His uncle's son is in politics, while Xiao Junyi is in business. He'll only marry a high-ranking official's daughter."

Chu Tianqing's mind raced as she sorted out the relationships. She could only marvel that a powerful family truly lived up to its name: those deeply rooted, tangled connections made their position rock-solid!

"I heard the family's surname is Lan, and her name is Lan Zhenzhen. She's very accomplished and studying for her doctorate. Everyone says she and Xiao Junyi will get married when she graduates." Yan Ruyu caught her breath and continued, "And then there's Xiao Junyi's mother. She's the principal of Jincheng No. 1 Middle School now. Look her up online when you get home and you'll see what I mean. She's a seriously formidable teacher."

Chu Tianqing shuddered for no apparent reason. She had been afraid of teachers since childhood, let alone a seriously formidable one.

When Yan Ruyu finished, she gave her a look that said she was on her own, then silently turned and left.

Chu Tianqing sat in a daze until someone suddenly tapped her shoulder. She turned to find Xiao Junyi.

Xiao Junyi smiled, looking every bit the dashing charmer, and snapped his fingers. "What are you hiding here for? Come on, let's dance!"

He pulled her onto the dance floor and led her in a wild dance to the rock band's pounding beat.

After letting loose, Chu Tianqing felt a little better. She looked up at Xiao Junyi's smiling face, but in the end, she swallowed the words on her tongue.

As for how to ask him about the engagement, she needed a little more time to think.

After one song, Chu Tianqing was exhausted. She declined Xiao Junyi's invitation and went over to a sofa in the corner to catch her breath and find something to eat.

She stopped a passing waiter and asked where she could find food and what they had.

The waiter asked what she would like, and Chu Tianqing said she wanted chocolate cake.

The waiter said it was no problem and brought her a slice five minutes later.

Chu Tianqing thanked him in delight. As she was savoring it, someone sat down beside her. She was just grumbling to herself about who could be so rude and why they had to sit so close when she looked up and saw that it was her dear big brother.

"Brother, you finally showed up!" Chu Tianqing hurriedly swallowed the cake in her mouth, but she was so excited that it went down the wrong way, and she couldn't help coughing. "Wait, wait!"

Shen Heng couldn't stand watching her struggle. He asked for a bottle of purified water, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her. "Slow down. Is seeing me really worth getting so excited over?"

"Of course it is. I haven't seen you in ages," Chu Tianqing complained. "You have no idea how much Baogang misses you. Every day at nine sharp, Baogang waits for you at the door, but you never come."

"I've been busy lately. Didn't I tell you that beforehand? If I don't have time, you should go home earlier to walk Baogang." Shen Heng leaned back and said with an air of complete composure, "I paid you support money, you know. You need to take responsibility."

At the mention of that, Chu Tianqing couldn't help feeling a little guilty.

She had put the last of her money into the restaurant, and she didn't get paid for helping out there all day. Jiang Lean had said she would give her a share of the profits at the end of the year.

So her day-to-day expenses were currently being paid with Baogang's support money.

"I know. Of course I'll go home and walk Baogang, but that doesn't stop Baogang from missing you." After saying that, Chu Tianqing spoke a little awkwardly. "Brother, you don't have to make excuses. I know it's because of what happened with Brother Chen that you've deliberately cut back on seeing me. There's nothing to be done about it."

"As long as you know, that saves me the trouble of explaining." Shen Heng replied calmly, with no intention of comforting her.

Chu Tianqing bit her lip, her face full of grief, indignation, and helplessness. Fine, fine, fine. She could forget about easing her guilt—her dear big brother wasn't giving her the chance!

After some thought, she decided to change the subject. She quietly scooted closer to Shen Heng. "Brother, tell me honestly, can you stand tonight's party? Yan Ruyu's just like this. She really knows how to make a racket."

"There's nothing wrong with it." The corners of Shen Heng's mouth lifted in a faint smile. "I can imagine a home would be lively with her in it."

Chu Tianqing's eyes widened. She couldn't believe they really were heading toward each other.

One talked about having children, and the other talked about a lively home. The two of them were so practical that, as far as she could see, they might as well skip dating and head straight to the altar.

She silently drank her water, not daring to offer any more opinions.

"Is he good to you?" Shen Heng suddenly asked her.

Chu Tianqing came back to her senses. It took her a moment to realize he was asking about her and Xiao Junyi. "He's... all right."

To be fair, if her dear big brother had asked half an hour ago, she would have said he was very good to her.

Ever since learning about the engagement, Chu Tianqing had felt a knot in her heart.

Shen Heng's gaze flickered. Catching the troubled look on her face, he couldn't help pressing her. "What do you mean, all right?"

"Overall, things are fine, but there are some things I'm not happy about." Chu Tianqing tried to describe how she felt.

Shen Heng gave a soft snort. He had said all along that this fickle young master couldn't be trusted.

Earlier, seeing how happy this fool was, he had held his tongue. Now that she was unhappy, it only made him more upset.

"Oh, Brother, don't be angry." Chu Tianqing hurried to soothe him, not wanting her dear big brother to worry about her. "Don't worry. I can handle this myself."

Shen Heng couldn't sit still. He seemed to struggle with himself for a while before speaking solemnly. "Xixi, I haven't told Mom you're dating, so there are some things she can't remind you about. I'll have to do it instead."

Chu Tianqing was puzzled. "Huh? What is it? Go ahead, Brother. Why stand on ceremony with me?"

"Xiao Junyi's reputation precedes him. Remember to ask him for a medical examination report." Shen Heng's gaze grew grave as he spoke each word deliberately. "Protect yourself. Don't get pregnant before marriage."

The party was clearly noisy, yet her dear big brother's words were deafeningly clear, as if they were the only words left in the whole world.

Chu Tianqing couldn't even pretend she hadn't heard them.

She felt as though she had been steamed, breaking out in a full-body sweat. She wanted to dive into a hole in the ice to cool off, then jump out, run ten naked laps, and perform a set of gorilla punches.

"Brother..." Chu Tianqing felt as if she was running out of breath. "It's only been a few days. Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I know men." Shen Heng sighed. "And I know you even better, you fool."

Chu Tianqing wanted to argue that Xiao Junyi wasn't that kind of man, but the moment she thought of the engagement, the breath went out of her again.

Ah! Who could come and save her!