CHAPTER 240: 219: GIRL, ARE YOU AND MR. XUE...?

"Zhi, you and Mr. Xue are...?" Xu Zhen, hearing her call him ’old man,’ couldn’t help but be startled.

Since taking office, Xue Xiongsen had rarely interacted with prominent business families and had never privately met with any family head.

His appearance at today’s event undeniably conveyed to everyone the relationship between Xue Xiongsen, the Xu Family, and its granddaughter.

It wouldn’t take long for this to make headlines.

"We’re friends." Yu Zhi blinked, not feeling at all that there was anything wrong with such a statement.

Xu Zhen: "..."

What he meant to ask was how the two of them knew each other.

"Mr. Xu, I was in a car accident a few years ago, and Little Zhi saved me," Xue Xiongsen explained succinctly, his expression unchanged from a moment ago.

"So that’s how it is." Considering the many prying eyes around, Xu Zhen didn’t press further but felt much more at ease.

He laughed heartily, beckoning Jin Heng over to sit, and they chatted idly, the atmosphere remarkably harmonious.

But this scene fell into the eyes of others, who immediately began weighing pros and cons, regarding the young girl as a prize to be won.

Some were calculating how to forge closer ties with the Xu Family, while others considered introducing their sons to the girl.

When Shi Weiqing went to fetch a coat for the young lady, he noticed the men’s gazes growing increasingly fervent.

Suppressing the agitation within him, his deep obsidian eyes darkened, and his pale jaw tightened, exuding a coldness that couldn’t be ignored.

"Zhizhi." Shi Weiqing called her softly.

As she turned toward him, he draped the coat over her shoulders, wrapping her upper body tightly.

He sat beside the girl and, under countless gazes, pulled her into his embrace. Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Oh my god, is that Master Shi?"

"Master Shi just... kissed her? Did I see that right?"

"Not just kissed, he hugged her too! Look at Master Shi’s expression—it’s so tender!"

A group of girls nearby couldn’t help but exclaim excitedly at the sight, their voices rising uncontrollably.

Instantly, the guests engaged in conversation turned their attention to the scene.

Those who had been scheming minutes ago about how to marry the girl into their families immediately abandoned such thoughts, though their desire to forge closer ties with the Xu Family only intensified.

"Sweetheart, I think Xu Fan suits you quite well. I’ll introduce you two later, alright?"

"Jiajia, didn’t you say you love detective movies? Xu Linchuan is in that field; you young folks could exchange ideas."

"..."

Unable to wed Yu Zhi, they shifted their attention to Xu Linchuan and Xu Fan, determined to form unions with the Xu Family in pursuit of unimaginable advantages.

A single Master Shi could dominate the business world, and with Xue Xiongsen backing them... The guests decided they had to stay a bit longer.

"Lu Li, come with me to greet them."

Mr. Lu’s voice snapped Lu Li out of his thoughts, swiftly redirecting his gaze from the girl.

With a soft acknowledgment, he followed his father, holding a highball glass as they walked to the sofa.

From start to finish, he resembled nothing more than an emotionless robot, curving his lips appropriately as he greeted the elders.

"Lu Li’s studying at Shengde, isn’t he?" Xu Zhen took a sip of tea, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

"Yes."

"So he’s actually a schoolmate of our Zhi."

Hearing this, Yu Zhi finally shifted her gaze from the large hand teasing her palm. She exchanged glances with Lu Li, a faint smile curving her lips.

"Grandpa, Lu Li and I are classmates." She explained with a smile, nodding slightly toward Mr. Lu as a greeting.

"Well, that’s quite the coincidence." Xu Zhen patted his thigh and was about to instruct them to look out for each other when a glance from nearby drew his attention.

Turning his head, he was met with those deep peach blossom eyes.

Xu Zhen pursed his lips, mutely cursing the man several times in his mind before reluctantly giving him face and steering the conversation elsewhere.

Before leaving, Lu Li clinked glasses with the young girl.

He downed his drink in one gulp, the complex emotions in his eyes slowly dissipating as if he had let go, a genuine smile playing on his lips.

"Zhizhi, don’t look at others." Shi Weiqing noticed the girl watching the other man’s back and immediately grew jealous.

He placed a large hand over her eyes, leaning into her ear and biting her earlobe in mock punishment: "Your husband will get angry."

Yu Zhi pursed her lips, her long lashes fluttering nervously and brushing against his palm like whispered feathers.

She grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand down, a blush blooming on her cheeks like a tempting stain: "I just looked for a moment."

"Even for a moment, it’s not allowed." Shi Weiqing pinched her waist.

His possessiveness, once assured the girl wouldn’t get angry, was laid bare for all to see.

He had entirely forgotten how to hold back.

"You’re so petty." Yu Zhi hooked her finger around his, successfully stopping his mischievous hand.

"Zhizhi’s complaining about me?"

"Not at all..."

Seeing that he was about to act hurt again, Yu Zhi quickly leaned against his chest, wrapping her arms around his slender waist: "I’m praising you."

"Mm, Zhizhi praises well." Shi Weiqing lowered his gaze, a tender smile gracing his handsome features.

His lips curved slightly, his softened expression akin to a god stepping out of the radiant light in a Greek myth, gradually touched by the world’s warmth.

Yu Zhi: "..."

Only someone like him could be this silly.

Yu Zhi suddenly felt a pang of guilt and, after a brief silence, tilted her head to plant a kiss on his cheek.

She curled her fingers, clutching the hem of his clothes, her light brown almond eyes reflecting a flicker of starlight: "Shi Weiqing, I was just teasing."

Shi Weiqing blinked, feigning disappointment as his gaze fell.

His thick lashes, like raven wings, veiled the emotions in his eyes: "So you were lying to me."

Seeing his dejected expression, Yu Zhi panicked and rushed to kiss him multiple times: "Don’t be angry—here, I’ll kiss you."

"Is a kiss all?"

"What else do you want?"

Shi Weiqing clasped the girl’s hand, joy blooming inside him yet maintaining his pitiful act: "No reward?"

"..." Yu Zhi paused briefly.

Her lashes fluttered like wings, her voice dropping to a whisper: "When we go home tonight, but only once."

"Alright." Shi Weiqing agreed, satisfaction evident in his tone.

His expression immediately shifted, replaced entirely by joy, yet the girl failed to notice anything unusual.

He was becoming better and better at acting.