The richest woman committed a crime with her child - Chapter 34

Wei Rushi stood up and walked to the door to greet them. “I am Wei Rushi. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Shen, Miss Xu.”

Shen Youting glanced briefly at Xu Mei and nodded to Wei Rushi. “Likewise.”

Chen Jingjing’s eyes flickered with surprise, her cool gaze lingering on Wei Rushi’s face.

“Miss Chen, is there something on my face?” Wei Rushi asked.

Chen Jingjing realized she had been staring and awkwardly smiled. “Young Master Wei, you’re different from what I imagined.” In her fragmented memories of her past life, Wei Rushi was always a blurry figure, but she could tell that the man in her memories wasn’t as young as the one before her, nor did he have such a warm smile.

“Young Master Wei, you should feel fortunate,” Xu Mei chimed in from her seat by the window, her voice crisp and clear.

“Oh? Why is that?” Wei Rushi asked.

Xu Mei twirled a strand of her hair, her tone lazy. “She never pays attention to anyone, and yet you’ve had the honor of being the first stranger she’s stared at for so long. It means you must be quite good-looking.”

Her words left it unclear whether she was complimenting Wei Rushi’s looks or criticizing Chen Jingjing for being arrogant and dismissive.

Chen Jingjing naturally assumed Xu Mei was mocking her for being aloof and retorted, “I’m not like you, staring at every man I see.”

Xu Mei raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue back.

Chen Jingjing’s punch landed on cotton, leaving her speechless.

“Hahaha,” Wei Rushi laughed, diffusing the awkwardness. “You two are as amusing as my younger sisters at home.”

He turned to Shen Youting. “Young Master Shen, when they argue, do you side with the stunningly beautiful Miss Xu or the quiet and talented Miss Chen?”

His question was clearly meant to stir the pot.

Xu Mei and Chen Jingjing’s eyes met for a moment before they both looked away, clearly displeased with each other.

Shen Youting smiled faintly and countered, “When your sisters argue, Young Master Wei, who do you side with?”

“Naturally, I avoid the situation and don’t take sides,” Wei Rushi replied without missing a beat. “I don’t want to become their target for venting.”

“Aren’t you going to sit down and chat?” Qiu Chigong interjected, reminding the three who were still standing.

Shen Youting and Wei Rushi gestured politely to each other.

The dining table was square, with three available seats besides Xu Mei’s spot by the window.

Shen Youting sat to Xu Mei’s right, Chen Jingjing sat directly across from Xu Mei, and Wei Rushi returned to his seat on Xu Mei’s left.

Over a dozen dishes were served one after another. When Qiu Chigong brought the last dish, he deliberately mentioned to Wei Rushi, “Young Master Shen has already taken care of the bill as the host.”

Xu Mei guessed Qiu Chigong was trying to get back at Shen Youting by saying this.

Shen Youting didn’t deny it and gestured to the table. “Young Master Wei, please try some local specialties.”

Wei Rushi thanked him.

Xu Mei, thinking that Wei Rushi, as the son of the Governor, might know something about the Jiangning Weaving Bureau’s trade meeting, asked, “Young Master Wei, do you have any important plans for this afternoon?”

Wei Rushi smiled. “I’m new here and don’t have anything pressing to do.”

“Then…” Xu Mei’s beautiful eyes sparkled. “Would Young Master Wei be willing to accompany me to the Jiangning Weaving Bureau’s trade meeting? I have a few questions I’d like your help with. Would you be willing to make the trip?”

“It would be my honor to accompany Yingtian’s most beautiful woman.”

“Then I’ll thank you in advance, Young Master Wei.”

Shen Youting glanced at Xu Mei, his eyes filled with warning, but Xu Mei looked away.

Chen Jingjing snorted.

Wei Rushi looked at Chen Jingjing, puzzled. “What are you laughing at, Miss Chen?”

Chen Jingjing’s face was full of mockery. “I’m laughing at how men can’t resist Xu Mei’s beauty. As soon as she says a word, men are willing to go through fire and water for her. Even the well-traveled Young Master Wei is no exception.”

Shen Youting looked at Chen Jingjing and said calmly, “Some things can be said at home, but you shouldn’t keep arguing in front of outsiders.”

Chen Jingjing’s face instantly flushed with anger. “Are you saying I shouldn’t speak?”

“You’ve said some inappropriate things today.”

“You…”

Xu Mei was surprised by the sudden argument between the two, her beautiful eyes darting between Shen Youting and Chen Jingjing.

Wei Rushi whispered to Xu Mei, “Why did they suddenly start arguing?”

Xu Mei shrugged, indicating she didn’t know.

“I know you’ve been tolerating me these past few months because of my hands and feet, but now that I’m finally better, you must be relieved,” Chen Jingjing suddenly stood up, her tone full of sarcasm. “I know you’re tired of me. Fine, I’ll leave.”

Wei Rushi quickly grabbed her and said to Shen Youting, “Young Master Shen, you should be more considerate of her.”

Shen Youting’s attitude was unusually cold. “She was in the wrong today.”

“Let go.” Chen Jingjing broke free from Wei Rushi and ran out of the private room.

“Ah, Miss Chen.” Wei Rushi sighed and chased after her.

Xu Mei murmured, looking at the indifferent Shen Youting. “Did Chen Jingjing get jealous because I asked Wei Rushi to accompany me to the Jiangning Weaving Bureau? Did she deliberately pick a fight with you so Wei Rushi would chase after her and prove her charm?”

Shen Youting looked into her eyes. “Does that prove her charm is greater than yours?”

“Not really, but I’ve lost someone who could have given me insider information about the government for the trade meeting.” Xu Mei straightened her back, her beautiful face unusually serious. “It’s because you argued with her that I lost my companion.”

“So?”

“So, you’ll have to replace Wei Rushi and come with me to the Jiangning Weaving Bureau.”

Shen Youting stood up.

Xu Mei thought he was refusing and about to leave, so she quickly stood up. “Where are you going?”

“Didn’t you ask me to go to the Jiangning Weaving Bureau?”

“Oh, oh, I’m coming too.” Xu Mei hurriedly followed him.

As they left, she glanced at the barely touched dishes on the table and asked, “Will Qiu Chigong charge you a whole ingot of gold for this table of food?”

“Two ingots.”

“You’re losing money.”

Shen Youting glanced at her indifferently. “Then you should interact with him less in the future.”

“What does my interaction with him have to do with your loss?”

Shen Youting didn’t respond and stepped out of the room.

…

When Shen Youting and Xu Mei arrived at the Jiangning Weaving Bureau by carriage, the courtyard was already bustling with people.

Shen Youting got out of the carriage first and waited for Xu Mei to step out, offering his arm to help her down.

Xu Mei felt the eyes of all the men in the courtyard on her as soon as she appeared.

“Shen Youting, why are there no women here?” Xu Mei was used to dealing with embroiderers, weavers, and silkworm farmers, most of whom were women. The sight of so many men was quite a shock.

Shen Youting guessed what she was thinking and said calmly, “These people are here to discuss business. Naturally, they’re men.”

“Oh.”

“If you’re scared, wait in the carriage.”

Xu Mei straightened her back. “I’m not scared.”

Shen Youting smiled faintly. “Stay close to me.”

“Mm.” Xu Mei knew her limits. In such business settings, it was better to speak less and observe more.

—