Something Shen Jingbin didnât understand was: why did so many people think that she was a pushover? Did she, at some point, gain the face of a sucker that could be pushed around?
That shouldnât be the case...
The reason why sheâd often opted not to take issue with others wasnât because she was afraid, but because she couldnât be bothered to deal with these insignificant squabbles. However, trying to ruin my reputation in front of my sweetheart is taking things too far!
Shen Jingbin wore a smile on her face and she unhurriedly replied, "I donât want to trouble Miss Chen. Chengning alone is enough for me; I have faith in his judgement."
Zhao Chengningâs expression unconsciously softened when he heard this.
Chenyiâs smile faltered and her hate reached a fever pitch in her heart. But, on the surface, she still maintained the same warm and magnanimous expression she previously had.
"Thatâs wonderful! Our Second Young Master does indeed have very good judgement. Miss Shen has definitely found the right person to consult."
âYourâ Second Young Master?
Shen Jingbin arched her brows.
"Letâs select our jade piece. Xuya and your brother are still waiting for us," Zhao Chengning said.
Shen Jingbin nodded. She then turned to face Chenyi and flashed an apologetic smile at her. "Please take your time, Miss Chen."
Not sparing another glance at her, the two of them walked off and browsed the jade pieces on display while they discussed in hushed voices which was the best one to pick. Chenyi wasnât that far from them, but she had no way of listening in on what they were saying. All she could discern was that the two of them were standing very close to one another. Zhao Chengning, who was slightly taller than Shen Jingbin, would occasionally lower his head to her ear and whisper something into it before both of their faces blossomed into smiles.
The sight of this pained Chenyiâs heart to no end.
On the other hand, Zhang Beiyu was feeling even more resentful.
From the time sheâd spotted Zhao Chengning, Zhang Beiyu had been staring at him with the distant eyes of a heroine in a tragedy, accusing him of his cold indifference. If she didnât know any better, sheâd think that there was something going on between the two of them.
It was at this moment that Grandpa Xie made his appearance and saw this thought-provoking scene before him.
"Good day, Miss Chen," Although Chenyi was the Lady Boss of Blooming Flower Pavilion, she still couldnât hold a candle to Zhao Chengningâs group, so she was relegated to getting a simple word of acknowledgement from Grandpa Xie.
"Itâs been a long time, Mr Xie. I heard that youâve received a batch of new stock and Iâve come to take a look at them. You should know that my Grandfatherâs birthday is coming up soon, and heâs always loved the curios that your shop offers; so, Iâve specially come to take a look at them," While her words were directed at Grandpa Xie, her gaze remained fixed on Zhao Chengning and Shen Jingbin.
When Grandpa Xie saw the look of indignation on Chenyiâs face, and the resentful gaze of the girl who looked like an attendant beside her, he penned a saga of romance and hate that spanned ten thousand words in his head.
After coughing once, he said, "Come with me, Miss Chen. Our new products are further in; I havenât shifted them out yet."
Only now did Chenyi look back. "Ah?"
"You need to make sure you pick out something good since itâs a gift for Master Chen. Letâs go inside and take a look," Grandpa Xie said with a serious expression.
"Oh, okay," Going into one of the inner rooms meant that she wouldnât be able to see Zhao Chengning. Chenyi was a little reluctant, but she couldnât reject Grandpa Xie either, so she had no choice but to agree with him.
When Grandpa Xie was leading both Chenyi and Zhang Beiyu towards the inner room, he suddenly stopped by the beaded curtain hanging over the door frame and looked back. "Once youâre done picking something out with Little Jing, just head over there and write it down," After he said that, Grandpa Xie even winked at him, as if he were trying to say, "Iâve lent you a hand, so youâve got to do your best!"
Zhao Chengning returned his wink with a smile, and said, "Alright. Thank you Grandpa Xie."
Rest assured, Iâll do my best.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
In the end, at Zhao Chengningâs recommendation, Shen Jingbin picked out the jade Buddha. But she still felt a little wistful about the jade gourd.
Once they were done choosing a present, they rushed back to the hotel to meet with Xuya and Shen Jingchen at the promised time. After their meal, Zhao Chengning and Xuya ferried the Shen siblings to the airport.
When it was almost time to board the plane and Shen Jingchen and Xuya left to check-in the luggage, Zhao Chengning suddenly pulled out a small box and handed it to Shen Jingbin.
When she saw the words "Jade Treasure Pavilion" engraved on the box in bold calligraphy, she felt a twinge of suspicion. She clearly remembered putting the jade buddha into her luggage.
"This is?" She asked as she opened the box.
Resting inside the box was surprisingly the very same jade gourd that sheâd been reluctant to part with!
"You... when did you buy it?"
"I did it when you were putting the jade Buddha into the records."
"Doesnât that mean Iâve taken two jade pieces? I canât do that..." Shen Jingbin suddenly felt that this wasnât a very honest thing for her to do.
Zhao Chengning interrupted her. "Thereâs nothing to feel bad about. The jade Buddha was a gift from Grandpa Xie, while the jade gourd is a gift from me. My family is working together with Jade Treasure Pavilion, so you donât have to worry about it."
"Youâre giving this to me?" Shen Jingbin asked as she raised her head to look at him.
For some reason, Zhao Chengningâs gaze was filled with a mixture of care and warmth as he looked straight into her eyes and said, "Mm. This, is a present, from me."
A brilliant smile bloomed on her face. "Then... Iâll accept it since you insist."
Zhao Chengning silently observed her smile. At this moment, Shen Jingchen started shouting for her.
"Iâll be going."
"Mm, send me an SMS or call me when youâve landed."
"Okay."
Unable to restrain himself, Zhao Chengning rubbed her head and said, "Be safe."
"Mm."
Gripping the jade gourd in her hands, Shen Jingbin turned around and went through the security check with Shen Jingchen.
Xuya stood by Zhao Chengningâs side and watched how he stared at Shen Jingbinâs departing figure like a loyal husband before he said softly, "Sigh, it feels so empty and meaningless now that the wifeâs gone."
Zhao Chengning came back to his senses and glared at Xuya. "Stop mouthing off."
Xuyaâs lips curled. "Alright, alright. Just take it as me spouting nonsense then. Anyway, Brother Ah Ning, arenât you going a little too slowly? Itâs been so long already but you still havenât captured Little Jing. Tsk tsk tsk, I canât bear to look on any longer."
"Haste makes waste," Zhao Chengning said mysteriously.
Xuya blanked out for a moment before changing his way of thinking. He immediately covered his mouth and looked at Zhao Chengning in astonishment. "Who wouldâve thought that you were such a beast! My god, thatâs terrifying."
Zhao Chengning pat him on the shoulder. "Youâre the one whoâs thinking too dirty. Itâs about time for me to turn over a new leaf; otherwise, Iâll never be able to find a wife next time."
"..."