Bian Yue's ability to observe and judge character had always been strong, so she seized the moment to strike while the iron was hot, "Mr. Shen, have you truly not considered our cooperation? My inheritance is quite substantial, and in this deal, you wouldn't lose out."
Merely after a couple of hours, the address had changed from the polite 'you' to the familiar 'you'.
At first, perhaps she was somewhat intimidated by his status, but now, she was not the least bit afraid of him.
This thought settled Shen Jinci's mind quite a bit, but he remained impassive, his profile serene, without a ripple.
But Bian Yue was unaware of his thoughts, leaning toward him, actively seeking his gaze amidst the murky night rain.
She was so vibrant, and so direct, almost looking straight at Shen Jinci, bluntly declaring—I'm about to play my hand.
So, the next moment, Shen Jinci heard Bian Yue say, "This inheritance is very important to me, I'm truly at my wit's end. As long as Mr. Shen helps me this one time, I will definitely go through fire and water for you in the future."
There are countless beauties in Gang City, more than one could count.
But none had ever dared to use her beauty to provoke in front of Shen Jinci.
A smile deepened in Shen Jinci's eyes, detected by Bian Yue, who read a scrutinizing taste in that smile.
But the little princess wasn't someone who could always bow her head, even if she needed help, she could not remain submissive forever.
"If you're unwilling, let it be. Just let me off the car later, thank you for giving me a ride today." Bian Yue sat back properly, composed as if nothing had happened.
Shen Jinci narrowed his eyes, concealing the amusement within them, and said, "Miss Bian, are you done pretending? Your act of playing cute to ask for help was performed quite clumsily."
Bian Yue wasn't embarrassed by being exposed, looking down at her fingertips, "It seems you've seen quite a number of these acts before."
The next moment, Shen Jinci's voice fell into her ears, clear and pleasant, "This is the first time."
Bian Yue's heart was stirred a bit, finally willing to raise her head to look at Shen Jinci again.
"If you knew I was pretending, why waste time with me?"
She was puzzled, paused, and then said, "I thought all men would fall for this routine."
A faint coldness emerged on Shen Jinci's face, he slowly opened his eyes, and said, "Bian Yue, I am not like them."
But that was not what Bian Yue cared about.
Her plan for today had fallen through, leaving her feeling empty, without a word.
Yet, the man's profile, immersed in the deep night, was noble and beautiful, compelling one to take a few extra glances.
So later on the way, Bian Yue used the cover of night to steal several glances, unable to resist.
He was indeed good-looking, even Li Sihe, the dream lover of Gang City's young girls, could not overshadow him. Instead, because of the man's air of accumulated experience, if solely considering the sense of mystery, Li Sihe seemed to come up short by a fraction.
The car stopped in front of the Wen Jiao's house, Bian Yue said 'thank you' and was about to get off.
A slender, pale hand holding a black bamboo umbrella stretched out in front of her.
His hand holding the umbrella was very attractive, with a masculine definition to the bones, yet paler than that of an ordinary woman.
"It's raining outside, don't get wet," Shen Jinci said, his voice light, carrying a concern that couldn't be savored in detail.
Bian Yue stared blankly at the umbrella for a few seconds, then unceremoniously took it and got out of the car.
The rain outside was heavier than it appeared from inside the car, and as Bian Yue held the umbrella walking towards Wen Jiao's house, she felt somewhat relieved she hadn't refused.
Bian Yue had never expected Li Sihe to be there.
Wen Family's grand hall, Wen Jiao sat opposite Li Sihe, her face tense and nervous, as if she had lost her parents.
When she saw Bian Yue come in, it was as if she saw the Goddess of Sea descending to earth, and she stood up excitedly.
"Bian Yue... you're finally here!" Wen Jiao said this, paused, and nervously swallowed her saliva: "Shiheng is worried about you, he's been waiting for you for a long time."
Wen Jiao is not usually timid, nor is she normally so anxious about Li Sihe, which suggests that the latter must have put pressure on her before Bian Yue's arrival.
Bian Yue looked at the back of Li Sihe, who was facing away from herself, then at Wen Jiao, "Jiaojiao, you go up first, I'll handle it myself."
Wen Jiao waited for this reprieve and left without another word.
Bian Yue took Wen Jiao's original seat.
Sitting opposite, Bian Yue saw the icy expression on Li Sihe's face.
He wasn't often like this, usually carrying a hint of a smile, using his gentle appearance to hide his indifferent heart.
But tonight, he didn't even bother to hide it.
"What did you talk to Shen Jinci about, that you have to come back so late?" He took the initiative with an accusatory tone.
Bian Yue raised an eyebrow, inevitably amused, "What right do you have to question me? Li Sihe! You took Shi An'an to the banquet, humiliating me in public, and I haven't yet questioned you!"
"Shi An'an attended the banquet as a spokesperson, it was official business!"
Li Sihe frowned, his peach blossom eyes cold as ice, he was irked by the sarcasm on Bian Yue's face, "Bian Yue, even if you want to annul our engagement, you shouldn't be all touchy-feely with Shen Jinci openly!"
Bian Yue laughed coldly, "So you know we are going to annul our engagement? Then what right do you have to control me? Li Sihe, I am a free person! I don't need your permission for what I want to do!"
Li Sihe looked at Bian Yue coldly, then suddenly stood up and strode over to her.
He was tall, casting a shadow as he blocked the light.
Bian Yue's hands by her side clenched into fists, she looked up at Li Sihe, her eyes reddening, "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"Yueyue...." Li Sihe watched her for a while, his voice suddenly grew softer, hoarse with a whisper, "Shen Jinci is not a good person, he's very calculating and the business he deals with isn't clean. Being involved with someone like him, it's not good for you."
Bitterly earnest, his advice seemed genuinely touching.
"I want to ask you one thing," Bian Yue just looked at Li Sihe calmly, slowly speaking, "It's my first time and also the last time I'll ask you this."
"Go ahead and ask."
"Over this past year, you've been all over the tabloids, is there a particular reason why?"
Bian Yue's gaze was straightforward, she noticed the flicker in Li Sihe's eyes, hence she spoke more softly, "Li Sihe, do you have some compelling reason?"
Both knew all too well that what broke Bian Yue's heart was Li Sihe's confession of a change of heart.
After 6 years of daily companionship, compared to those sensational headlines, Bian Yue would rather believe what he'd told her in person.
Li Sihe, do you have some kind of distressing circumstances?
But in the brief silence, she heard Li Sihe say, "There is no reason, Bian Yue, people change, An An is a genuine girl, I can't let her be wronged."
Then, Bian Yue really didn't know what Li Sihe came here for.
She looked at Li Sihe coldly, her voice trembled lightly, but her words were resolute, "Then you can get lost now! Go find your Shi An'an, don't let her be wronged! As for our engagement, I will deal with it as soon as possible and set you free!"
Once she took action, she made sure each hit was sharp and direct.
Li Sihe, however, knelt before her, an unusual lowering of himself, his voice soft with pleading, "Before that, come back home with me."