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Chapter 174: Stay Away from Chengning (2)
Zhao Chengning and company stayed in A City for a short while before deciding to return home. On the day of their departure, the Shen siblings sent them off.
It might have been her imagination, but Shen Jingbin felt that Jian Cishuâs gaze looked a little too bitter when she stared at her, to the point where it made her feel panicked. It was as if Shen Jingbin had robbed her of her husband. Her bitter gaze grew especially pronounced when she neared Zhao Chengning.
Feeling annoyed, Shen Jingbin decided to hide behind Shen Jingchen to avoid her line of sight.
When the time for them to board the plane neared, Shen Jingchen went with Zhao Chengning to check-in their luggage while Jian Cishu went to the toilet, leaving only Zhao Chengan and Shen Jingbin behind in the hall.
Shen Jingbin wasnât the kind of person who would initiate conversation with someone she wasnât familiar with. As they stared at each other in silence, Zhao Chengan suddenly said, "Miss Shen, can I have a word with you?"
Shen Jingbinâs gaze fell on him and she raised an eyebrow for him to continue.
"What do you think of my little brother?"
Shen Jingbin cast a sidelong glance at his expressionless face, a little unsure of what he was trying to get at.
"Heâs pretty good," She answered, giving a very ordinary reply.
Zhao Chengan gave her a profound look and continued, "Miss Shen, given your intelligence, I believe that youâre able to see Jian Cishuâs feelings for Zhao Chengning."
"Cishu is like a little sister to Chengning and I. Weâve known each other for a long time and our families are quite close to one another..."
Shen Jingbin cut him off. "Can you get to the point?"
Zhao Chengan gaze become inscrutable. "I hope youâll stay away from Chengning. To my Mother, Jian Cishu is the most suitable partner for him, but it looks like Chengning thinks otherwise and treats you differently. As his brother, I donât wish to see Chengning falling out with our Mother over a woman, so Iâm imploring you to maintain your distance from him."
Shen Jingbin quietly looked at him for a long while before her lips tugged into a smile that didnât reach her eyes.
Upon seeing that, Zhao Chengan frowned in dissatisfaction. "Miss Shen, whatâs the meaning of this?"
Instead of replying, she asked, "Does Zhao Chengning know about this?"
Zhao Chenganâs eyebrows knitted. "I believe that this is a private conversation between the two of us. Thereâs no need for Chengning to know."
"Sigh. Mr Zhao, I think youâre talking to the wrong person. If you really do want to ease the tension between Auntie and Zhao Chengning, you should direct your words to your little brother instead," Seeing the look of displeasure on Zhao Chenganâs face, an exceedingly charming smile suddenly graced Shen Jingbinâs lips, attracting many glances from passersby. "Forgive my asking, but when have you ever seen me approaching your little brother on my own?"
The moment she said that another profound smile surfaced on Zhao Chenganâs face. "In that case, does Miss Shen think that Chengning is pestering you?"
Sensing something off about his smile, Shen Jingbin suddenly became alert. Just as she was about to answer, she heard Zhao Chengningâs voice behind her, "Bro, weâre done checking the luggage in."
Shen Jingbin turned to see Zhao Chengning looking at her coldly. Shen Jingchen, who was standing beside him, eyed her with indifference as well.
She finally understood why Zhao Chengan had looked at her that way just now.
Heh, does he think this is some f*cking melodramatic soap opera? What a cliched trick to pull!
Shen Jingbin felt as if all of her pent-up rage was about to burst out!
Zhao Chengning strode towards the two of them. As he did, Shen Jingbin caught a small smirk on Zhao Chenganâs lips out of the corner of her eye.
Zhao Chengning stood by Shen Jingbinâs side and looked at his brother with a dark expression on his face. "Jian Cishuâs not back yet. You better look for her, weâre boarding the plane soon."
Zhao Chengan stared at him for a little while before he stepped past the two of them and walked off without saying a word.
Shen Jingchen rubbed his nose and said, "Iâll go look for her too." Before leaving, he abruptly turned to Shen Jingbin and winked.
Your big brotherâs going now. Lilâ sister, fighting! We heard what you guys said just now so you better explain things to him!
Shen Jingbin was speechless. What was there to explain? Everything sheâd said just now was the truth! Humph!
Zhao Chengning suddenly spoke once Shen Jingchenâs figure disappeared into the crowd. "Didnât you say you donât find me annoying?"
Did some bitterness magically appear in his voice?
She turned her to look at him. "I donât find you annoying."
Zhao Chengningâs ebony black eyes locked firmly on her. "I heard everything you and my brother said just now."
She suddenly felt like patting his head.
With that thought in mind, her hand unconsciously stretched out. However, due to their difference in height, her hand ended up on his shoulders instead. "Donât overthink what I said."
Zhao Chengning held the hand that sheâd placed on his shoulder, kneading it discreetly before acting as if he were just pulling it off. "Donât listen to a word my brother says. Heâs fried his brains after spending all these years in Africa."
Shen Jingbin couldnât help but laugh. "How can you say that about your brother?"
"Heâs the one whoâs stirring up trouble for me."
"Donât worry, I didnât take a single word he said to heart."
His eyes immediately brimmed with mirth, making it appear as if he were an entirely different person from before. Shen Jingbin flashed a smile in return.
Between the two of them, there was something quietly budding, growing.
When it was time to board the plane, Shen Jingbin didnât even spare a single glance for Jian Cishu whoâd reappeared or Zhao Chengan. Instead, she devoted all her attention to bidding Zhao Chengning farewell.
As they watched the three of them leave, Shen Jingchen elbowed her and said, "Aye, Jingjing, why do I feel like your road to romance will be filled with twists and turns?"
Shen Jingbin cast a sidelong glance at him. "Question: what do I like the most?"
Zhao Jingchen scratched his head. "You like to... beat people up?"
Seeing the daggers she was glaring at him, he immediately corrected himself and said, "You like challenges!"
"Do you think taking Zhao Chengning down is going to be challenging?"
"Tch, itâs obvious he treats you differently, why donât you try me instead? Even Iâm more of a challenge than him. Although, his treatment of you aside and taking the attitudes of the people around him towards you into consideration, itâs still going to be pretty difficult... Hold on, what are you planning?"
Shen Jingbin revealed a devilish smile. "After being cooped up in the game for so long, I think itâs time I get some exercise."
Shen Jingchen: Oh no, the demon queen has awakened.