Chapter 23: She Was Not the One Who Saved Me

“Dad!”

A girl’s figure ran down from the stairwell, dressed in a white puffed dress with her long hair elegantly pinned up and a small crown resting atop her head. She looked just like a little princess. Her skin was as fair as snow, her features exquisitely beautiful; though she appeared only seventeen or eighteen, she already possessed the grace of a young woman.

Shi Wanhong stared blankly at the girl before him. “Are you... Hanhan?”

Shi Hanhan feigned anger. “Dad, do you not recognize your own daughter?”

With that, Shi Hanhan threw herself into Duanmu Jing’s arms. “Mom, I missed you so much!”

Duanmu Jing’s eyes immediately reddened. “Hanhan, is it really you?!”

Last time, Shi Shaoxun had said that after Shi Hanhan fell ill, she had been hospitalized ever since. Even when no one was around, she refused to take off her hat, and absolutely forbade them from visiting, making Mrs. He keep them away.

It was only today, on her birthday, that Shi Hanhan was brought home. Yet after returning, she went straight to her room and never came downstairs. Duanmu Jing, doting as she was, understood her daughter’s reluctance to meet guests and had not intended to disturb her, but the ceremonial significance of her eighteenth birthday could not be neglected.

She never imagined that after a short absence, Hanhan would change so much!

Shi Shaoxun couldn’t help but step forward quickly. “Hanhan, this, this…”

Shi Hanhan smiled shyly. “Brother, I’m all better now. The sister I told you about last time cured me! Mrs. He did my makeup—do I look nice?”

Duanmu Jing hugged Shi Hanhan tightly, tears streaming down her face. Shi Wanhong enfolded his wife and daughter in his arms, unable to suppress his awe. Once, his youngest daughter, who loved beauty most, fell victim to a strange illness and became afraid to see people or go outside. He thought he would spend a lifetime seeking doctors for her, but unexpectedly, someone had truly cured her!

Shi Shaoxun was also moved. “Hanhan is beautiful! Our Hanhan is the prettiest!”

Shi Hanhan was delighted, wiping away Duanmu Jing’s tears. “Don’t cry, Mom. It’s my birthday today, and so many people are watching.”

Duanmu Jing nodded immediately. “Yes, today is your special day. Mommy won’t cry.”

Shi Hanhan affectionately linked arms with Shi Wanhong and Duanmu Jing. “The sister who helped me is here today too!”

Duanmu Jing responded at once, “Where is she? Bring her over!”

At that moment, Lu Beiqin, standing among the crowd, keenly sensed a gaze falling on him. Following it, he immediately saw Shen Chutang standing amidst the guests.

She was here as well!

Shi Shaoxun glanced at Lu Beiqin. “Beiqin, let me introduce you to Miss Shen. She…”

Lu Beiqin interrupted in a low, expressionless voice, “From now on, I’m your driver.”

Shi Shaoxun was baffled. “What?”

“Enough talk. Do what you’re supposed to.”

Though he had no idea what Lu Beiqin was up to, Shi Shaoxun knew his friend was not one to seek attention, so he wasn’t particularly surprised.

Not far away, Tian Xiaowei couldn’t help but peek at Lu Beiqin. “Is he really the young master? Regardless, he’s so handsome!”

Shen Tingting rolled her eyes. “Handsome doesn’t feed you. He’s just a taxi driver.”

Tian Xiaowei’s spirits fell. “Seems my information was wrong. Wait, Shi Shaoxun is walking toward us!”

Shen Tingting immediately adopted her most graceful pose, watching as Shi Shaoxun approached her step by step, visibly excited. After all, the Shi family held a prominent position in the capital, and if Shi Shaoxun took a liking to her, she would truly enjoy a life of luxury and security!

Sure enough, Shi Shaoxun stopped before Shen Tingting. “Miss Shen, my parents would like to meet you and properly thank you for saving my sister.”

Several socialites glanced over, their eyes filled with envy.

Shen Tingting nodded demurely. “Of course.”

She cast a smug look at Shen Chutang beside her. A country girl—how could she compete with a well-bred lady like herself for attention?

Duanmu Jing eyed Shen Tingting, frowning slightly. Was this woman here for the banquet or for a wedding? Her attire was far too ostentatious.

Shen Tingting glanced at Duanmu Jing and Shi Wanhong, smiling. “It was nothing, really. When I saved Miss Shi in the shopping mall, it was just a matter of lending a hand, hardly worth mentioning. It’s a pity Miss Shi isn’t here today—I wanted to see for myself how she has recovered.”

At her words, Lu Beiqin glanced unobtrusively at Shen Chutang.

The young girl stood not far off, watching the spectacle unfold.

Shi Wanhong and Duanmu Jing were both stunned. Their daughter was right here—how could she say she wasn’t?

Shi Hanhan immediately cried out, “The sister who saved me isn’t her! This woman is awful—she’s trying to steal all the credit!”

With that, she ran to Shen Chutang’s side, took her hand, and led her before everyone. “The one who saved me was Sister Chutang, not her!”