The richest woman committed a crime with her child - Chapter 24

Xu Mei was baffled. “It’s just food. It’s the same no matter where I eat. Just put the food box down. I’ll eat after I finish going over these accounts with Luo Jiusheng.”

“Xu Mei, who was it that said Chen Jingjing was being unreasonable for not eating in the main hall? Who ordered the steward not to deliver meals to her room and insisted she eat in the dining room to teach her a lesson?”

Xu Mei was someone who easily forgot negative emotions. She had already forgotten about the incident from the morning before last when he had upset her. How dare he bring it up now?
She threw down her brush and stood up abruptly. The brush tip splattered ink across the ledger, leaving a large blot.

Luo Jiusheng quickly got up and fetched a cloth from the counter to wipe it clean.

Xu Mei crossed her arms, her posture confrontational as she faced Shen Youting. With a furrowed brow, she said, “Chen Jingjing is petty. Lying around in her room isn’t good for her recovery. I told the servants not to deliver meals to her room or clean it so she’d have to come out and eat with Father. Not only does it help build their relationship, but it’s also good for her legs. It’s a win-win. As for me, I’m busy with important work right now. Going back to eat would just waste time. Understand?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.” Xu Mei was already overwhelmed by the accounts, and now this man was bothering her. Not to mention, he had brought food but refused to leave it, and even compared her to Chen Jingjing, who was always throwing tantrums.

She waved her hand impatiently. “I have accounts to review. I don’t have time to argue with you. Leave the food and go.”

She didn’t notice the darkening expression on the man’s face as she picked up the ledger and pointed to the ink-stained area, asking Luo Jiusheng, “What was written here originally?”

As she asked, her arm unintentionally brushed against Luo Jiusheng’s hand. She didn’t notice, but Luo Jiusheng’s face turned red, and he momentarily forgot to answer her.

“Xu Mei, are you reviewing accounts, or are you using this as an opportunity to flirt with a man and find a live-in son-in-law?” Shen Youting looked down at her, his tone domineering.

Xu Mei felt that this man was particularly annoying today. She threw the ledger down and snapped, “If I wanted to find a live-in son-in-law, I could do it anytime. I don’t need an excuse. We’re just going over the accounts. Only someone like you would think of something so vulgar.”

“Someone like me…” Shen Youting glanced at Luo Jiusheng, who was bending over to pick up the ledger. His lips curled into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He said lightly, “You were the one who held me all night just two days ago. And now you’re trying to provoke me with some inexperienced boy?”

Xu Mei was mortified. Her face turned bright red, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.

She couldn’t understand why this wretched man was saying such embarrassing things in front of others. If he didn’t like her, he didn’t have to humiliate her.

“Master Shen,” Luo Jiusheng said as he placed the ledger back on the table, looking directly at Shen Youting, “why are you ruining Miss Xu’s reputation?”

Shen Youting acted as if he hadn’t heard Luo Jiusheng, not even glancing at him.

Utter disdain.

He kept his eyes on Xu Mei and said, “Your father is waiting for you to come home for dinner.”

“My father knows I’m busy. He won’t mind if I don’t come back tonight.”

Shen Youting narrowed his eyes. “You’re planning to stay out overnight?”

“Yes. Since you’re here, you can do me a favor and pass a message to my father,” Xu Mei said as she sat down, her tone calming. “Tell him that Mengying’s tavern is hosting a tasting event, and she’s invited some scholars and artists. I’ll be going too, and I’ll likely stay overnight. Tell him not to worry.”

“I’m not your errand boy.” Shen Youting’s voice was cool as he finished speaking, then he picked up the food box and left.

Xu Mei, “…” Did this man come to deliver food, or just to annoy her?

Luo Jiusheng, who had been standing nearby, asked cautiously, “Miss Xu, are you okay?”