Chapter 26: As If Struck by Lightning

Shi Wanhong had his men throw the mother and daughter out without a shred of consideration for their dignity. When Shen Tingting entered earlier, she was the picture of splendor; now, as she was driven away, her humiliation was just as great. With a vicious glare at Shen Chutang, she silently vowed not to let her get smug too soon—one day, she would make her pay back a hundredfold.

Tian Xiaowei, still in the banquet hall, kept her head down and dared not utter a word. Liu Shuhua’s heart was filled with unwillingness. “If only we’d let that wretched Shen Chutang accept the gift, we could have snatched those night pearls back later. What a pity—ten million gone after only a few days.”

Shen Tingting was practically gnashing her teeth. “Today Shen Chutang teamed up with outsiders to bully me. Mom, you have to make Dad teach her a harsh lesson!”

“Alright, I’ll talk to him when we get home!”

Dragging at her gown, Shen Tingting’s irritation grew; nothing pleased her. “Why are there so many puddles on this road? It’s impossible to walk, and where is the car parked anyway?” The next moment, her wedding-like dress was caught on something, and with a loud smack, her head plunged directly into a puddle, her white gown instantly stained with muddy black.

“Ah!” Shen Tingting screamed as she struggled to her feet, but her heavy skirt made it impossible; after several failed attempts, Liu Shuhua came to help, only to fall into the puddle herself, soiling her clothes as well.

Uncle Zhang quietly withdrew his foot. If they insisted on insulting the lady behind her back, they had only themselves to blame.

...

Inside the living room, the coming-of-age ceremony officially began.

Shi Hanhan clutched Shen Chutang’s hand, her small face creased in worry. “Almost let Chutang suffer injustice.”

Shen Chutang patted her head. “Don’t worry, today is your coming-of-age ceremony. Go ahead, I’ll be watching.”

Shi Hanhan nodded and walked toward the center of the banquet hall.

Shen Tingting’s episode was merely a passing interlude; once she left, the lively atmosphere returned. The coming-of-age ceremony was a significant event, and the Shi family had no intention of letting a stranger ruin the memory. Now that Shi Hanhan had recovered, they were all cheerful.

Shen Chutang and Lu Beiqin stood at the edge of the crowd. Shen Chutang arched her brow in triumph. “Impressive, aren’t I?”

Lu Beiqin glanced down at her. “In what way?”

Shen Chutang looked back at him. “My medical skills are exceptional!”

Lu Beiqin admitted he had underestimated her; he hadn’t expected her to be so knowledgeable in medicine. Yet she hadn’t mentioned anything about Lu Yuebai, and he didn’t ask.

Not far away, Shi Wanhong approached, wineglass in hand. “Lu…” He hadn’t finished calling out “Young Master Lu” when Shi Shaoxun, remembering his friend’s advice, quickly interjected, “Dad, Lu the driver will be driving later, so he can’t drink!”

Shi Wanhong was puzzled, but Lu Beiqin didn’t object. He had no idea what the two youngsters were up to, but given Lu Beiqin’s sensitive identity, keeping a low profile was best. “Alright, Lu the driver, don’t stand on ceremony. Do what you need to do, and we can always find a designated driver later.”

Lu Beiqin nodded. “Alright.”

Shi Wanhong finally realized, “I heard that woman say you and Miss Chutang… are married?”

Everyone had been focused on Shi Hanhan’s situation earlier, so Shi Shaoxun only now understood. “You—you really are married?!”

Lu Beiqin nodded, confirming it was true.

Shi Wanhong nodded in satisfaction. “Good, good!” If only he’d known, he would have thrown Shen Tingting out sooner! Anyone Lu Beiqin favored could never be a problem.

Shi Shaoxun eyed Lu Beiqin, a hint of amusement in his gaze. It seemed the two of them were rather interesting.

No one was happier than Shi Hanhan, but her brother had told her not to reveal Lu Beiqin’s true identity, and she obediently agreed. After all, her parents had always warned her since childhood that Beiqin was no ordinary person—the more people knew, the greater the danger for him.

“Beiqin, Chutang, come have some cake!” Shi Hanhan called.

Shen Chutang stepped forward, received the cake, and thanked her. The cake was delicious—a small piece barely enough to satisfy her.

“You’ve got some cake on the corner of your mouth,” Lu Beiqin remarked.

Shen Chutang stuck out her tongue and licked her lips, looking at him innocently. “Is there any left?”

Watching her little tongue flick beneath those rosy lips and pearls of teeth, Lu Beiqin couldn’t help but cough lightly. “Yes, there is.”

Shen Chutang frowned slightly. “Is there a mirror? Let me see.”

Lu Beiqin reached out, his gentle fingertip brushing across her lips. “It’s gone now.”

Shen Chutang froze, never having experienced such intimate contact before. The place he’d touched felt as if it had been electrified—tingling all over.

“Oh.”