Chapter 56: A Soft Kiss on His Cheek

Tang Yuan treated his words like hot air; Li Haimian had always loved to mock her anyway.

Everyone present tonight had influential backgrounds. Among this crowd, she was just a small fry, and not a single one of them was someone she could afford to offend.

The slap she had given Sheng Yun earlier was simply because she had lost control of her temper in the moment.

It was rumored that a certain female celebrity who had once offended Sheng Yun was later rescued all the way from northern Myanmar.

Everyone guessed this was the handy work of Sheng Yun’s uncle—a man who spoiled Sheng Yun rotten and refused to let anyone who had ever crossed her remain alive.

Tang Yuan took a deep breath, sensing Sheng Yun’s gaze fixed upon her.

Sheng Yun curved her lips into a smile, set down her wine glass, and stood up to walk outside.

A few minutes later, Shen Zhou went out as well.

The moment the two of them reached the corridor's balcony, they pulled each other into a kiss.

Sheng Yun looped her arms around his neck. "President Shen, I invited so many people tonight. You aren't angry, are you?"

Shen Zhou pushed her away and wiped the lipstick from the corner of his mouth. "A little bit."

Sheng Yun found this amusing and lit a cigarette. "Well, don't be. I'll help you pull some strings regarding that shipping lane for Speed Vast Shipping."

She gazed at Shen Zhou with a hint of infatuation. In truth, she had liked him for a very long time. If it weren't for the suddenness of his marriage to Tang Yuan, she might have vied for the position of Mrs. Shen herself.

Besides, the Tang family was nothing compared to the Sheng family.

Her arms remained draped around Shen Zhou's neck. "Your wife is right inside, along with all those people. Care to do it right here?"

Shen Zhou pushed open the balcony door, his tone gentle. "She's in a bad mood tonight. I'll have to coax her when I go back in a bit, so don't push it."

Sheng Yun’s expression darkened, a flash of frantic jealousy crossing her eyes.

However, Shen Zhou had already re-entered the private dining room.

Opening the door, he saw that everyone else was chatting with their companions, while Tang Yuan sat quietly with her head lowered. A strange sense of discomfort stirred in his chest.

He sat down beside her, pulling her into his arms and moving to kiss her cheek, only for her to dodge away.

Shen Zhou's eyes remained calm and detached. "Are you angry?"

Tang Yuan simply didn't want him kissing her now when he had just been kissing someone else—it was repulsive.

She stood up and offered him a faint smile. "I've already apologized. I'll be heading back first."

This blatant disregard for Shen Zhou's face caused the lively atmosphere to instantly freeze.

Caring nothing for the awkwardness, Tang Yuan turned and walked away.

It wasn't until she reached the main entrance that she felt she could finally draw a full breath, but then she heard footsteps approaching from behind. It was Li Haimian.

Li Haimian walked up to her with his arms crossed. "You've been pining after Shen Zhou for fifteen years, yet you just dodged his kiss. You're growing some spine, aren't you, Tang Yuan?"

Back in the day, Li Haimian had been one of the primary culprits who pushed her into the swimming pool. Ever since, whenever he saw her, he never failed to throw out a few snide remarks, overtly or covertly.

She still had no idea how she had ever offended this person.

As she moved to get into her car, Li Haimian grabbed her by the shoulder. "Hey, don't rush off just yet."

She aggressively shook off his hand. "Li Haimian, I don't believe we have any unresolved grievances between us, do we?"

Li Haimian was quite tall—there were no short men in this circle—and he let out a chuckle. "I simply can't stand the sight of you, little Miss Prude."

Before his voice had even faded, Tang Yuan suddenly yanked his collar forward. "I get it now. You're just trying to get my attention, aren't you? You actually like me, and seeing me chase after Shen Zhou made you jealous?"

With that, she planted a casual kiss right on his cheek.

I hope that sickens you to your core.

Shock filled Li Haimian's eyes. As the realization hit him, his face flushed crimson in an instant, sheer revulsion written all over his features. He scrubbed furiously at his cheek, looking as though he had swallowed a fly, desperately wanting to vomit yet unable to.

"You! You—you—you!"

Never having expected Tang Yuan to pull such a stunt, he was shaking with rage. "You..."

Tang Yuan was already feeling deeply suppressed tonight, tormented by Sheng Yun and infuriated by her own powerlessness.

She swore to herself that she would not remain this pathetic forever.

She climbed into her car, slammed the door shut, and sped away into the night.