Chapter 27: Not Even Worth Carrying My Shoes

Bo Jinhan’s expression gradually grew more complex and profound, suspicion flickering in his dark eyes. Shen Ling met his gaze with furrowed brows, her face unmoved as she spoke, “I’ll say it again: if you intend to slander me, you must take responsibility for it.”

Ning Qian’s eyes brimmed with resentment, as if she wished to crush Shen Ling’s bones to dust, yet when she spoke, her voice was soft and fragile, full of grievance, “Mr. Bo, she’s your person. If I suffer a little, it’s nothing.”

Shen Ling could hardly stand this display of feigned weakness. She scoffed, unwilling to watch Ning Qian’s performance any longer, and turned to leave with Xu Shengye at her side.

Bo Jinhan watched them depart together. He intended to call them back, but unexpectedly, Ning Qian clung tightly to his sleeve, appearing frail and helpless.

“I’m feeling so unwell, please don’t go, Mr. Bo,” she pleaded.

Seeing her pale complexion, Bo Jinhan paused, his face cold as he called someone to send her to the hospital.

Only after exiting the venue and breathing in the fresh air outside did Shen Ling feel the weight lift from her shoulders. Xu Shengye, noticing her relief, softened his expression and spoke in a gentle voice, “Whenever you encounter people like that, keep your distance. There’s no need to get entangled with them.”

Shen Ling looked into his earnest eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. “Just now, everyone thought I was in the wrong. Why did you trust me so much?”

Xu Shengye’s face was serious, his reply carrying a quiet strength that soothed her heart. “I’ve known you since university. I trust my own eyes.”

Shen Ling smiled self-deprecatingly and shook her head, sighing, “People change.”

Back in university, she’d been carefree, unburdened by life’s hardships or endless errands. Now, after being stained by life, she’d changed so much that she could barely recall her once innocent self.

Xu Shengye met her gaze warmly, his curiosity suppressed beneath genuine concern. “I know you must have been through a lot. If you ever want to talk, I’m willing to listen.”

Her brows eased. For so long, she had never confided her troubles to anyone. In that moment, with Xu Shengye’s gentle encouragement, she felt, for the first time, the urge to share her story.

Yet suddenly, she didn’t know where to begin. No matter how tangled a story, there is always a thread to follow. But her life was nothing but a mess of scattered feathers.

Xu Shengye saw the hesitation and difficulty in her eyes and didn’t press further. He smiled, “It’s alright. Whenever you feel like talking, I’ll be your listener.”

“Thank you.” Relief flooded Shen Ling’s heart, a trace of light in her eyes as she looked toward the bustling street in the distance.

Xu Shengye’s gaze lingered on her for a long while, intense and direct, until he realized he was staring too obviously and hastily looked away, scrambling to compose himself. Thankfully, she hadn’t noticed. He quickly changed the subject to something lighter, “How about I treat you to dinner? Last time, we didn’t get the chance. Let’s make up for it now.”

Shen Ling readily agreed, but after a moment, her tone shifted, “You’ve helped me so much, it should be me treating you.”

Xu Shengye didn’t mind the details. Suddenly, the gentle breeze seemed to caress every inch of skin, as if the wind itself was affectionate.

As the two walked side by side down the steps, an unwelcome guest blocked their path—Zhou Bin.

Behind them, a mocking female voice rang out, accompanied by applause, “What a splendid drama that was.”

Zhou Bin eyed her coldly, unable to hide his malicious delight. “Shen Ling, you’re fickle and vicious. It didn’t take long for everyone to see your true colors. No matter how polished your facade, you reek underneath!”

Shen Ling met his gaze with icy indifference, her tone as flat and calm as a still pond. “If you’re so bored, maybe you should pay more attention to the Zhou family. With someone as incompetent and petty as you, it’s no wonder your family is in decline. Old Mr. Zhou must worry about you like a baby, even at his age.”

Zhou Bin’s face changed instantly—she’d struck right at his sorest spot. Furious, he spat out insults without restraint, “You shameless tramp, do you really think you’re something special? You’re just a plaything, not even fit to polish my shoes, and you act like you’re a gilded peacock? Pathetic!”

His words were vile. Shen Ling’s brows drew together, and she slapped him with all her strength, her voice heavy with irony, “And what makes you think a useless pile of mud like you could ever be worth anything?”

Her unflinching attitude only stoked Zhou Bin’s rage. The slap left his face swollen, twisting his features in fury. He rushed forward, fists raised, intent on striking her.