Chapter 23: Do you really think I would ever bring her harm?

The study was so quiet that the only sound was their own breathing.

Sheng Yang stared at Wen Jin for a long moment, the corners of his lips curling upward. A clear, mocking playfulness flickered in his amber-like eyes. He reminded her, "Knowing that you are not fit to be seen in public, why haven't you hidden yourself away?"

In Sheng Yang’s eyes, Wen Jin had always been someone who couldn't be brought out into the light. A fling was fine, but anything more? Forget it.

With her hand still gripped in his, Wen Jin looked at him with detachment. "You are the one who is losing your mind right now."

The way she said the words carried a sharp sense of irony. The atmosphere around Sheng Yang turned frigid in an instant. He tightened his hold on her hand and slammed it against the door panel above her head. His voice, seeping through thin lips, was chillingly cold. "It seems you truly no longer care about whether Wen Chaosheng lives or dies."

At the sudden mention of her father’s name, Wen Jin felt her heart sink. She stared at him. "In truth, you know everything, don't you?"

Sheng Yang did not answer. He merely lowered his gaze at her, then released her hand. He turned and walked a few steps away, his air of noble arrogance returning, his entire demeanor once again casual and indifferent. He pulled a tissue from a nearby table and, with lowered lashes, meticulously wiped his fingers clean, as if he had just touched something filthy.

"I said from the beginning, if you want something from someone, you must have the right attitude," Sheng Yang said softly. "It seems you haven't figured that out yet."

Wen Jin’s eyelashes trembled, but she remained silent. Or perhaps, she simply did not know how to face him. In front of Sheng Yang, she always felt a tier below, always held captive by the leverage he had over her.

Clearly, Sheng Yang did not have the patience for this. He let out a scoff. "Let me offer you a piece of friendly advice: the old man’s health hasn't been great lately. Do you really think he has the energy to deal with your messy family affairs?"

The implication was clear. When it came to Wen Chaosheng’s situation, in all likelihood, Sheng Yang was her only recourse. Wen Jin’s mind raced. She looked at him with a mix of confusion and heavy exhaustion. After a long while, she rasped, "What exactly do you want me to do?"

After all these years with Sheng Yang, she knew his temperament all too well. Even if the old man could have helped, Sheng Yang would have prevented it. He would maintain his haughty posture, noble and arrogant, watching her reach a dead end just so she would crawl back to him to beg for mercy. Then, he would play the benevolent savior once more.

A flicker of unreadable emotion crossed Sheng Yang’s eyes. He arched a brow and said lightly, "Don't make it sound as if you have anything worth me coveting. Ask yourself, after all these years, how much do you owe the Sheng family?"

As he finished speaking, Sheng Yang walked out of the study, leaving Wen Jin alone. She watched his departing back, her palms slowly clenching. He made it sound so magnanimous, but in reality—the price she would have to pay would be steep indeed.

***

The conversation in the study was a brief interlude, unknown to anyone else in the old mansion.

Wen Jin stayed to have dinner with the old man, but due to the changing weather, the elder seemed to have caught a cold and was coughing incessantly. After finally stopping the cough with medication, he waved a hand. "One gets old, and sickness follows."

"Xiao Jin, didn't you say you had something to ask me this afternoon? What was it?"

Wen Jin looked at the medicine the butler had yet to clear away, then met Sheng Yang’s gaze. She bit her lip and shook her head. "The temperature has dropped recently; I just wanted to remind you to take care of your health."

Just as Sheng Yang had said, the old man’s health was poor; how could she burden him further?

Unexpectedly, the old man continued, "Even if you hadn't come back today, I would have sent Old Liu to find you."

Wen Jin looked up, stunned. The old man cast a subtle glance at Sheng Yang. "This brat is getting married, so naturally, I need to worry about your future. You're at the right age now; it's time to meet some young talents."

"A friend of mine has a grandson about your age. He just returned from abroad last week. If you're free in the next couple of days, you should arrange to have a meal together."

When the old man finished, both Wen Jin and Sheng Yang paused. Wen Jin was still searching for a way to refuse when she heard Sheng Yang’s languid tone, "It seems you’ve been quite bored lately, taking up matchmaking."

The old man retorted with dissatisfaction, "Just because you've settled your own affairs doesn't mean you should ignore Xiao Jin. Besides, men and women should marry when they are of age; if there’s a suitable match, of course she should meet them."

Sheng Yang curled his lips and nodded. "You’re right. I shouldn't stop caring about her just because my own affairs are settled. Don't worry, I will make sure everything is arranged for her properly."

The old man looked at him suspiciously. "What do you mean by that? You mustn't bully Xiao Jin." It was no secret in the Sheng family that the two did not get along, and the old man could not help but worry.

Sheng Yang remained unfazed. "What could I possibly mean? As you said, we are family. Why would I ever harm her?"

With the matter settled, the old man said nothing more, only giving Sheng Yang a few more instructions. Wen Jin ate quietly, offering no extra words. She had no interest in the man the old man had chosen, nor in Sheng Yang’s interference.

After dinner, the old man called Sheng Yang into the study. As he left, Sheng Yang turned his gaze to Wen Jin: "Wait here." It was an order.

***

With her father’s predicament hanging over her, Wen Jin dared not leave; she could only wait for him to emerge. Since graduation, she rarely returned to the Sheng residence. After all, it was not her home, and she never felt quite at ease.

She stared at a few brochures left on the coffee table—samples for wedding favors. They hadn't been there that afternoon.

"The master specifically ordered these for the young master's wedding," the butler’s voice came from nearby. He explained in a low voice, "The master values this marriage highly. Aside from the ceremony itself, he handles everything personally, fearing any mistakes."

Wen Jin nodded. "It is a very important matter. It should be handled carefully."

"Would you consider bringing your family to attend the young master's wedding, Miss?"

The butler’s sudden question snapped Wen Jin to attention. She met his kindly yet formal gaze, and her heart began to thump heavily. She remembered that the last time her aunt had questioned her relationship with Sheng Yang, it was the butler who had called her aunt.

When she looked at the butler again, her eyes flickered. The butler seemed to sense her unease and asked, "Is there anything you need help with, Miss?"

"Thank you, no." Her palms were icy. She reflexively looked toward the study, hoping, just hoping, that she was overthinking it.

The study door opened just then. Sheng Yang walked out. As his gaze met hers, his previously gloomy expression softened slightly. He raised an eyebrow and began to walk away. "Miss Wen, let's go."

Wen Jin hesitated, then followed him. Once they were outside the gates of the Sheng estate, she asked, "Where are we going?"

Sheng Yang didn't even look at her. "Mei Garden."

"I don't want to go there," she said, the words spilling out instinctively.

Sheng Yang slammed on the brakes. He looked at her from the side; even in the dim light of the car, his refined, striking features were clearly outlined. He tapped the steering wheel with one hand, his tone devoid of warmth. "The old man has entrusted you to me."

Wen Jin paused, her brow furrowing, ready to speak.

But the next second, Sheng Yang added nonchalantly, "Until you find a boyfriend who meets his approval, you will reside at Mei Garden."

"That is the old man’s order."