ly laughed, a hint of impatience in his brow: "Five million, I have. But I, don't want to give it to you. ...Because, just now, your bowl of scallion oil noodles is no longer worth ten million."Five m...Her left foot stretched out, suspended halfway up the stairs. The old caretaker stood downstairs, staring intently at the woman at the top of the second-floor staircase. Though he was momentarily surprised that she wasn't wearing a white dress, what did it matter As long as this woman was miserable, that was all that counted.

Now, this woman must be in a really bad place mentally. With her posture, does she look like she's about to jump

Jump, jump, jump!

Damn it, they should have died long ago.

That damn woman, if three years ago, everything that Wei Ming had endured was borne by this woman, then…Wei Ming wouldn't have died.

The old housekeeper's eyes glinted with malice, her gaze fixated on Jian Tong at the top of the second-floor stairs... Jump down! Quickly!

Jian Tong saw the malice in the old housekeeper's eyes as he waited at the foot of the stairs.

Her lips, painted a bold crimson by the makeup artist's insistent hand, curved into a smile as she gracefully stepped onto the next stair. In the old butler's eyes, she saw an abyss of disappointment.

Xia Guanjia, I didn't jump down out of despair. You must be disappointed

She smiled lightly, but her heart ached.

The old man downstairs, he had lovingly patted her head when she was a child, caring that she and Xia Wei Ming didn't wander too far while playing in the courtyard.

Step by step, she walked down the stairs steadily. The black dress accentuated her slender figure. She glided past the old butler without even glancing back at him.

Just as she had said three years ago... no, now it should be four years ago.

"Your hatred is unbearable for me."

Four years ago it was like this, and today it's still the same.

Shen Xiujin walked over from the corner, saw Jian Tong, and raised an eyebrow:

"Her lips are too alluring." He reached out and caressed her lips, his thumb gently wiping away a touch of crimson: "Just like this." She was so beautiful; just seeing her was enough for him. How could he let those wolves at the banquet take advantage of her

She frowned again: "The foundation is too thick." She immediately pulled a face and called over the makeup artist, "What are you doing This is too heavy!"

The makeup artist had been at odds with Jian Tong even when she was in the upstairs bedroom. Having received money from the old housekeeper, this makeup look was naturally intentional.

At this very moment, crouching like a quail, trembling: "Shen, Mr. Shen, I...I'll reapply makeup for Ms. Jian."

"Madam, Mrs. Shen."

"Huh"

"She is my bride-to-be." Shen Xiuqin swept a cold glance at the makeup artist. "How should you address my bride-to-be"

Suddenly!

The makeup artist's face paled instantly, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, and her meticulously applied makeup began to smudge.

At the back of the crowd, there was one person who suddenly lifted their head and stared blankly at the couple not far away. The next second, they immediately lowered their head!

The hatred and sorrow in her eyes were beyond words.

Before leaving, Shen Xiujin turned back and said to the old butler, "Summer Butler, about that thing I mentioned to you in the study last time."

As he was speaking, Xia Guanjia's shoulders trembled.

The chosen candidate had already been selected. But after all, you are a member of the Shen family, and your grandfather is unwilling to let you leave just like that. The head butler of the Shen family is supposed to serve for life, until retirement age. That way, Summer Butler would be considered an elder.

My grandfather said that at least out of respect for the old feelings, in another six months, according to the old rules, Summer Butler would reach retirement age. As a butler, it was normal for him to retire, and according to our Shen family's rules, Summer Butler could then enjoy his golden years.

He then changed the subject:

"My grandfather's face, I naturally want to give it. With Xia Guanjia's decades of master-servant relationship, I naturally cherish it very much."

Although I have cherished the past, Xia Guanjia should also be aware of what is truly going on.

The old housekeeper's eyelids twitched... The man before him was warning him: he would let him stay until retirement because of old feelings, but he also had to know his place.

It's clearly a warning to him not to mess with that little bitch, Jian Tong!

Though he hated them with every fiber of his being, the old steward dared not show it. He knew perfectly well that if even a hint of his disgust were to slip through in an expression or a gesture, regardless of the master's opinion, this young helmsman of the Shen family could have him replaced immediately today.

"Sir, I understand," the old butler said gravely. "Whatever happened in the past is in the past now."

Shen Xiujin nodded, turned around, and led Jian Tong into the car.

The events of that year, with the grandfather's handiwork, he wanted to prove to him with those airtight pieces of evidence that he was innocent back then, that Jian Tong was the criminal.

What the grandfather didn't know was that after so many years of getting along with his grandson, he understood his grandfather's methods and temperament. The seemingly perfect "evidence" failed to prove to him that Jian Tong was guilty, but it did show him his grandfather's skills.

If Jian Tong really was guilty, why would his grandfather go to such lengths to fabricate "evidence"

Since he was wrong back then, he spent his life paying her back. But Xia Gu's hatred and resentment were something Jian Tong didn't need to bear.

But today, the stylist wouldn't have lowered their standards to put such a striking makeup on Jian Tong. This kind of trick, besides the old butler, only Shen Xiuqin could do it.

If she is innocent, she should not have to endure this hatred and hurt from the old housekeeper. Just like... all the terrible things he has done.

The lights were brilliant, cars parked at the door. Shen Yi drove while Shen Er got out of the car first and opened the door for Shen Xiujin in the back seat. He then walked around to open the door for Jian Tong, but a hand with distinct knuckles landed on his arm: "I'll do it."

Shen Er was stunned for a moment, then stepped back.

Shen Xiujin went around to the other side of the car, opened the door, and extended his hand toward her inside the car.

Throughout the journey, Jian Tong's mind was in turmoil.

It's better to just numbly exist. Why should I be aware of the pain that matters

This hand, placed before her, she looked at it again and again, pushed it away, and got out of the car herself.

That hand reached out again: "Take it." A low voice, right beside her ear.

Jian hesitated for a moment, instinctively feeling a sense of repulsion, yet he suppressed the feeling in his heart. He took a deep breath and let out a foul gust of air. Reaching out, he grasped... as he had wished.

Year after year, she relentlessly chased after him, wanting to hold his hand, but he always pushed her away without mercy. She would then laugh and chase after him again, trying to grasp his hand hanging by his side. Back then, even though she was repeatedly rejected, even though he never willingly let her hold his hand, she felt that the distance between them was incredibly close.

Now, holding hands, there is only the lingering pain.

Where their hands intertwined, the heat was so intense she wanted to pull away.

Before my eyes, the youthful passion of my past love always appears, as well as the unbearable hardship of three years in prison.

This hand, has become a hot potato, wanting to get rid of it.

Shenjia Garden

Ring ring...

A sudden, frantic ringing of a mobile phone broke the silence, accompanied by a vibration.

An aged hand reached out and, immediately, pressed the connect button with urgency:

"Lu Mingchu! You finally see things my way You're willing to help me Lu Mingchu! I told you a long time ago, this is good for you! You wouldn't want anything bad to happen to your mother..."

"Shut up!" A cold, harsh voice came from the other end of the phone. Lu Mingchu's eyes were icy cold: "Old Xia, if you dare say another word, I guarantee you won't live to see the sun tomorrow. You believe me"

"Lu Mingchu! You don't have to threaten me! We have the same goal." Xia Guanjia had long been enraged by Shen Xiujin's words, "She is my future wife," and his mind was no longer clear.

"Heh heh, I never said I'd help you." Lu Mingchu sneered, turning an innocent woman into such a sorry state – he certainly wouldn't feel remorseful enough to confess, nor would he go out of his way to pull her from the eighteen layers of hell. After all, she'd vanish without a trace, not even leaving a speck of dust behind.

"Listen carefully, those people have appeared in City S."

Xia, the butler's, old eyes widened, his gray pupils suddenly contracting: "What did you say"

“Those hooligans from back then, my men, saw them at the entrance of a small alley on Jian She Road. It was dark, and they couldn't make out who they were. My men couldn't be sure, so I just checked the nearby surveillance... it was Old Summer. Don't blame me for not warning you. If your master finds them first, once the truth from back then is revealed, think about the consequences."

"Not only am I afraid of the truth being exposed, but you, Lu Mingchu, are too…"

"Hmph, I don't care. The old man won't allow any infighting."

You cannot stand idly by, back then...

"Click!"

Xia Guanjia's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the hung-up phone. ...How could Lu Mingchu do this

Suddenly!

Summer Butler angrily smashed a blue and white porcelain vase: "Lu Mingchu! If it weren't for you interfering back then! My daughter Wei Ming would never have ended up like this!"

But now Lu Mingchu wants to push it all away

Not at all!

Besides, if those people really reappear in City S, then... then it's only a matter of time before Mr. [Name] finds them.

If, once the truth of that year is peeled away layer by layer... what about Wei Ming What will become of Wei Ming!

The phone in his hand was clenched tightly, anger making him tremble.

The old butler took a deep breath and called the old master again, hurriedly recounting what had happened.

On the phone, the old master pondered for a moment before saying, "I'll find that person. But, I need you to do one more thing for me."

"Just tell me what you want."

Over the phone, the old master gave a brief order to the old housekeeper. His voice, though aged, carried the weight of steel, crackling like rusted gears: "Did you understand"

Here, the old butler clenched his fist suddenly: "Don't worry. I will definitely fulfill your request." This is also... for Wei Ming's good!

As for that despicable person, she's not entirely innocent either. If she had been able to... back then, Wei Ming wouldn't have died!

Thinking this way, the phone hung up. The old butler’s sinister eyes flashed with malice.

The homeowner's arrangement just couldn't be better, it was exactly what he had in mind.

This way, the Shen family won't have internal strife. Everything will go back to the way it was before.

At the banquet

"What's that"

How could she be with Mr. Shen

"Her Who is she"

"You don't recognize her Well, no wonder. She looks so different now. If you hadn't been in the same class as her back then, you would barely recognize her."

Shen Xiujin led Jian Tong into the banquet hall. Suddenly, it was silent, but not long after, hushed whispers began to circulate.

Bai Yu xing and Xi Chen looked at each other, then walked over.

"Miss Jian, it's been a while. Have you lost weight" Bai Yuxing clearly seemed to have an opinion of Jian Tong. He had also made an effort before to get Shen Xiujin to stay away from Jian Tong as much as possible, but the man surnamed Shen was always arrogant and his decisions were difficult to change.

Every time he thought of Jian Tong, he felt troubled. Naturally, when he could avoid thinking about her, he wouldn't.

But when he saw Jian Tong, his attitude revealed a hint of provocation.

Xi Chen didn't have as much aversion to Jian Tong as he did to Bai Yu Xing.

"Jian Tong, you weren't this thin before, how come, did Shen Xiu Jin not feed you" Xi Chen teased with a smile.

Bai Yu xing curled his lips and drank by himself.

Jian Tong gave Bai Yu a glance, the surrounding discussions buzzing like bees. A voice cut through the noise, "Miss Jian, it's good to see you."

The voice was all too familiar, and my eyelids twitched.

A glance upwards.

"Mr. Kane, good morning."

Kane was still Kane, a devilishly handsome man with a face more beautiful than a woman's, but lacking the softness that belonged to women.

Kane watched from afar as the woman, led by another man, walked into the banquet hall. A pang of bitterness surged in his heart at that moment.

I couldn't tell what caused the sour and bitter taste, I just felt that the two intertwined hands were incredibly annoying.

I couldn't help but walk over.

Jian Tong wasn't really willing to stay any longer. He just said, "I need to go to the restroom."

Cain looked at the woman before him, just as thin, carrying the same heavy burden on her shoulders, the same... It gave him a desire to conquer!

She's clearly already a conquered woman!

A surge of unwillingness and a hint of confusion washed over me.

Jian Tong was about to speak and walk away when suddenly her hand tightened. She looked up and met Shen Xiu Jin's dark eyes. "I need to go to the restroom," she frowned and said.

"Well, be right back." he said, reaching out to her. Instinctively, Jian Tong dodged backward, "Don't move." The low voice held a command. A slender finger, snaking around the strands of hair that had fallen loose from her temples, gently pinned them behind her ear before a soft voice came from his throat, "Your hair is messy."

All the changes happened in the instant Shen Xiujin raised his hand to smooth her hair!

Kane's eyes moved, a surge of furious rage welling up!

"How much did he give you" She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, smoothing it down. Wasn't that just his power all along

Jian Tong's legs trembled, and his breath suddenly became disordered.

At the same time, someone was faster than her.

Without a trace, he blocked Caine's path: "Your elders didn't teach you to brush your teeth before going out" His icy eyes instantly froze, his hawk-like gaze flashed with malice, staring at Caine.

"Then you should ask my elders, not me."

Cain retorted, without yielding an inch.

Bai Yu and Xi Chen both felt a jolt in their hearts... they looked around again.

The peculiarity here has already caught the attention of some people.t she was carried out."I'm not getting out! Let go of me! Let go!"She was half carried by Shen Xiujin, with only a pair of hands pitifully gripping the car door. Her two legs kicked wildly on his body...