CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 274: LETTING GO

The argument was rather persuasive; Huang Miaomiao and the new colleague nodded in agreement, as they had seen similar instances in the news.

The world of the wealthy, who knows?

However, Fangfang adamantly insisted that she climbed the ranks through her body. Hearing this, she scoffed dismissively, "Zhuang Shuqing, do you think I’m a three-year-old child? The likelihood of such events is extremely slim; it takes a lot of luck to come across one."

Zhuang Shuqing tilted her head slightly, "I feel the same way, perhaps today I met Lady Luck as I stepped out."

Fangfang: "...."

"Hey, why aren’t you all going in?"

Lin Xiaoxiao came out from inside, and upon seeing several people standing at the doorway not entering, she quickly welcomed them in.

The birthday party was decorated in a princess style, which would make anyone’s girly heart burst with excitement.

Zhuang Shuqing silently lamented that children with mothers indeed had it good. She was the same age as them, but they were pampered like little princesses. She couldn’t help but feel envious.

After Fangfang and the others came in, they followed Lin Xiaoxiao around to greet the guests, seemingly forgetting the little episode that just occurred outside.

Not being much of a talker, Shuqing found a corner to sit down in, munching on pastries and watching the merry crowd enjoy themselves.

A shadow sat down beside her, and she instinctively looked over; her face instantly darkened.

Si Nanchen found her expression amusing, "Do you really detest the sight of me that much?"

Only then did Zhuang Shuqing remember, Tan Biyang was Lin Xiaoxiao’s cousin, so Si Nanchen was Lin Xiaoxiao’s cousin-in-law. It was normal for them to attend her birthday party.

If she had thought of this earlier, she wouldn’t have come ahead alone, even if it killed her.

Seeing Zhuang Shuqing silent, Si Nanchen’s smile faded, and he looked at her seriously, "Shuqing, I’ll only ask once. Did my mother do something excessive to you three years ago, or say something that made you so cold towards me?"

Zhuang Shuqing lowered her head in silence for a moment, then decided to tell him the truth. After all, it was not a solution to keep entangled like this.

She let out a sigh, somewhat helplessly, "I don’t want to talk about what happened back then, but since you insist, I’ll say it only this time, and I hope you won’t bring it up again in the future."

Si Nanchen nodded.

Zhuang Shuqing then earnestly said, "Back then, your mother found me and told me to leave you. I asked for a reason... Later, she brought a suitcase full of cash, right in front of the dormitory building, throwing stack after stack on me in front of everyone. I tried to leave, but her people stopped me and wouldn’t let me go..."

Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Such humiliation hurt me deeply. Even though I am an orphan, I am a person with dignity... I agreed to her, to no longer associate with you."

"The next day, her people came to find me, told me that you had passed away, and even showed me your death certificate..."

Zhuang Shuqing didn’t go on, because Si Nanchen’s face was beyond grim. His hands clenched into fists, making a "crackling" sound.

It took a long while before Si Nanchen slowly regained his composure and seriously said "I’m sorry" to her, then stood up and left.

Zhuang Shuqing knew that the incident from three years ago was now put to rest; she felt a weight lift from her heart, as if something had disappeared.

Unbeknownst to her, a sneaky figure quietly left from not far behind her.

The party started, and a group of young men and women were playing games. As a married young woman, Zhuang Shuqing no longer felt the urge to join them, instead sitting and watching them play.

She glanced down at the time; it was ten minutes away from the half-hour mark Lu Jinyang mentioned. She thought, once Lu Jinyang arrives, she won’t have to be this bored.