Extreme Pampering-Chapter 88 - I Want to Pursue You

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 I Want to Pursue You.

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 I Want to Pursue You.

Qin Xiaoran’s engagement party saw many elders in attendance, and it was then that Shen Zhiyi met her parents for the first time. In contrast to their two unrestrainedly cheerful children, her father was much more solemn and traditional, clutching the microphone and delivering a long, somewhat insincere speech of a doting father. Qin Xiaoran, standing beside him, covertly rolled her eyes, made eye contact with Shen Zhiyi, and even pulled a face at her.

Amused by her, Shen Zhiyi’s eyes curved into a smile. Meng Qiming noticed it and asked her curiously, “What’s making you laugh?”

“Nothing,” she shook her head, reaching out for her wine glass, only to realize the half-finished glass she had before had disappeared, while an extra one had appeared next to Pei Yu, with a lipstick mark clearly identifying its owner.

She glanced at Pei Yu, puzzled.

Had there been a mix-up with the glasses?

“Chairman Pei made a mistake,” Meng Qiming, who had been paying attention to her, called over a waiter for a new glass, “Drink this one.”

Shen Zhiyi hummed in agreement, her expression unchanged as if she didn’t find it odd, which, in Meng Qiming’s eyes, confirmed his suspicion.

He asked softly, “Perhaps it’s a bit impertinent, but are you currently single?”

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He had reason to ask, since the moment they had sat down, Pei Yu hadn’t spoken a word to Shen Zhiyi and had even deliberately avoided eye contact, and Pei Yu’s attitude was…

As the question was asked, Pei Yu appeared to glance over at him, his gaze icy and distinctly displeased.

Not understanding why he suddenly asked this, Shen Zhiyi, with nothing to hide, nodded, “Yeah.”

As expected.

Meng Qiming smiled, clinked his glass lightly with hers, and said candidly and openly, “Zhiyi, I’d like to pursue you.”

Onstage, Qin Xiaoran’s future in-laws were still making their speeches, and the sound of the guests’ conversations was nearly inaudible beneath the volume of the microphones, audible only to those closest. Yet Meng Qiming deliberately raised his voice when he made his statement so that it could be heard by the people on the other side.

Pei Yu looked at the slight undulations in the wine within his glass and let out a soft chuckle, though his eyes betrayed not a hint of amusement.

“Mr. Meng——”

Having only met a few times, Shen Zhiyi hadn’t expected to suddenly hear what seemed like a confession and was about to reject him as she gathered her thoughts.

While Meng Qiming may be a nice guy, she didn’t harbor the kind of affection for him that a woman might have for a man, and she had no plans of starting a new relationship any time soon.

As if guessing what she was about to say, Meng Qiming smiled gently, stopping her before she could speak, “There’s no need to rush to refuse me. I have the right to pursue love, don’t I? Don’t worry, I’ll try not to cause you any trouble.”

Shen Zhiyi apologized, “Don’t waste your time on me.”

“How can it be a waste of time,” Meng Qiming disagreed with her, “Don’t feel burdened.”

The two spoke in hushed tones while on stage, Qin Xiaoran had already caught sight of the scene, and seeing Pei Yu who was still silent and only interested in his drink, she was eager to go over and speak on his behalf.

After the elders finished their speeches, the Qin family parents chatted with a few friends and, knowing Pei Yu was also present and chiding Qin Xiaoran for not knowing better than to seat him at the back, headed their way.

“Pei Yu,” Mr. Qin patted his shoulder, “It’s been a long time, how have you been?”

Pei Yu nodded his head, not particularly warm even in the presence of an elder, something that was usual for him, “Fairly well.”

Mr. Qin joked, “Still on your own? Don’t you plan on getting a girlfriend?”

“Dad,” Qin Xiaoran turned a bit pale hearing him broach this topic and tried to stop him.

Pei Yu clinked glasses with him, his long eyelashes drooping and concealing the expression in his eyes. His voice was indifferent as he said, “I have such a plan.”

“That’s good,” Qin Father showed relief. “If you’re really considering it, I can make some connections for you. The Qin Family has many girls; you might find one you like.”

Pei Yu smiled faintly, “Thank you, Uncle Qin.”

Qin Xiaoran followed his father to greet guests at other tables. Before leaving, he looked back at Shen Zhiyi with a concerned gaze. She was quietly sitting in her seat, looking at her phone, her head bowed, revealing no emotions. But Qin Xiaoran felt that she must have heard the conversation just now.

If he had known things would develop in this direction, it would have been better to keep the two apart.

Shen Zhiyi indeed heard everything, but she wasn’t as upset as Qin Xiaoran imagined. She had prepared herself countless times for this moment, so when it finally came, it didn’t hurt as much.

The second half of the engagement party took place outdoors. At this time, the elders left, and most of the remaining guests were young people, especially those who got along well with Qin Xiaoran. They livened up the atmosphere and even invited a famous band to perform live.

Because Xiaodong liked this band, Shen Zhiyi recorded a video clip to send her. But as she turned around, someone bumped into her arm. She didn’t mind it initially, but then the person suddenly blocked her path.

The man stared straight at her, “Are you an actor?”

Public figures are probably often asked this, and Shen Zhiyi nodded before trying to walk past him.

The man caught up and blocked her again, “Invited by Young Master Chen?”

The Young Master Chen he mentioned referred to Qin Xiaoran’s fiancé.

“No.”

Shen Zhiyi didn’t wish to chat with him, and since he was blocking her path, she turned in a different direction.

“Don’t go,” the man said with a cheeky grin. “I haven’t heard that Qin Xiaoran has friends who are actors. I’m her friend too. By that logic, we’re also friends, right? How about a drink?”

As he spoke, he handed over a glass of wine. Before Shen Zhiyi could refuse, it was as if he hadn’t held on tightly enough, and the glass tilted, spilling its contents all over her—neatly, without missing a spot.

The material of the dress was light and became tightly adhered to her skin once soaked in the wine, from her chest to her lower abdomen, a distinct wet mark outlining the curves of her body.

The man continued to laugh, not hiding his malice at all. “Sorry, my hand slipped,” he said.

Someone kindly passed over some tissues, and Shen Zhiyi slowly wiped at the wet mark. She was aware this man wanted to see something on her face—anger, embarrassment… It was nothing more than contempt for her status, a belief that an actress without family background didn’t belong in their world. Perhaps this wasn’t his first time doing such a thing.

“Zhiyi,” Meng Qiming rushed over, taken aback by Shen Zhiyi’s disheveled state, and gave the man an uncomprehending glance—it was someone familiar, “What happened?”

The man recognized Meng Qiming but hadn’t expected him to know such a minor actress. He laughed suggestively for a moment and immediately switched his demeanor, apologetically saying, “I accidentally spilled my drink on this lady. I’m really sorry.”

With many people at the party, such accidents sometimes happen. Meng Qiming draped his coat over Shen Zhiyi’s shoulders to cover the stain, “I’ll take you to change clothes.”

But Shen Zhiyi stood still, unmoving.

Unable to lead her away, Meng Qiming stopped, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

Instead of answering him, Shen Zhiyi discarded the soaked tissue and looked around, as if she was searching for something.

A figure caught her eye.