Chapter 48: No Question, Too Talkative

When the cocktail party ended, Lin Shutong was arm‑in‑arm with Shen Xun, smiling brightly as she said goodbye to others.

She got a lot tonight.

Relying both on Ji Lao's grand‑daughter status and the reputation of a confidential‑project expert, she was pursued, and everyone in the circle learned that she is Shen Xun's girlfriend.

Shen Xun's fame has risen sharply in recent years, already attracting many eyes; now, with a scientific girlfriend added, he draws even more attention.

Many people, before leaving, would specifically come over to greet them.

After the crowd thinned, Shen Xi came over with a smiling face and said, "Brother, Shutong sister is still the best match for you, that Jiang Lai…"

Shen Xun fixed his gaze.

Shen Xi stuck out his tongue, feeling speechless, truly not understanding why he kept protecting Jiang Lai.

Tonight, she only relied on President Ke once; what's the big deal? She doesn't believe that the renowned President Ke would set his sights on Jiang Lai, keeping her as a secret lover is about as good as it gets.

Hey! In that case, would Jiang Lai be cheating? If she cheats, her brother could get a divorce!

"What mischievous scheme are you dreaming up now?" Shen Xun, who knows his sister well, often sees a gleam in her eyes and wants to stir up trouble, so he warned her, "Don't keep picking on Jiang Lai."

"Who's actually bullying whom? Didn't you forget the time she slapped me, brother?" Shen Xi, hiding behind Lin Shutong, seemed to have found a backing.

Lin Shutong was in a great mood tonight, not upset by Shen Xun's simple remark defending Jiang Lai; she smiled at Shen Xun and said, "Ah Xun, Xiao Xi is your only biological sister, don't always be so harsh on her."

"Exactly, exactly," Shen Xi hummed lightly, then saw Young Master Shen coming out with an elderly man.

Beside the elder were Professor Cheng, Xiao Qian, Assistant Zhou, Secretary Cen, and Secretary Guan.

Assistant Zhou said, "Elder Shen, we sincerely apologize; President Ke has an urgent matter, so we have to escort you ourselves."

"No need for such a grand display; I'm fully able-bodied, everything's fine, especially with Bingrui here," Elder Shen said with vigor, his steps steady, though his expression was somewhat stern, looking not easy to get along with.

Shen Xi didn't know Elder Shen, only Young Master Shen; although Young Master Shen's family isn't a major aristocracy, they're decent, and currying favor never hurts.

She smiled and went up, "Young Master Shen, are you going back?"

Shen Bingrui gave a polite smile, "Yes, Miss Shen."

Shen Xun and Lin Shutong also walked over, both respectfully called out, "Elder Shen."

Professor Cheng's gaze fell on the clasped hands of the two, his complexion growing ever more somber.

Xiao Qian watched silently, not knowing why Professor Cheng never smiled at the cocktail party, especially upon seeing Expert Lin and President Shen.

She was a bit bewildered, but knew to keep quiet.

Elder Shen nodded at the two and asked Lin Shutong, "Who is this?"

Lin Shutong was startled for a moment, then said, "Elder Shen, my surname is Lin, I am Lin Shutong."

Shen Bingrui explained, "Ji Lao's grand‑daughter."

After speaking, he saw the elder's expression darken slightly.

Grandfather then asked President Shen and Lin Shutong, "What is the relationship between you two?"

Shen Xi answered quickly again, "This is my brother, this is my future sister‑in‑law!"

"I didn't ask you, you're being nosy." Elder Shen is a rather stern old man; he hates chatterers and never behaves properly.

Shen Xi was suddenly reprimanded in front of so many people, losing face; his complexion turned pale and flushed, and Shen Bingrui gave her an apologetic smile.

Shen Xi silently stepped aside.

Shen Xun originally wanted to say Lin Shutong was his date, but seeing Special Assistant Ke Zhongyu and the secretaries present, fearing they might sow discord in front of Jiang Lai, he only said, "Shutong and I are friends."

Lin Shutong's smile stiffened slightly.

Assistant Zhou squinted and smiled, "I recall Miss Shen just said clearly that Miss Lin is her future sister‑in‑law; before the party ended, many said President Shen and Miss Lin were a perfectly matched couple."

"President Shen and Ji Lao's grand‑daughter are a pair?" Elder Shen frowned, speaking again, "Then..." What about Jiang Lai?

"Elder Shen," Professor Cheng interjected timely, "It's getting late; you've been busy all night, you should head home to rest early."

Elder Shen nodded, "Let's go."

Shen Xun and Lin Shutong stepped aside to make way.

The group escorted Elder Shen out, seeing him board the car.

Shen Bingrui, upon getting into the car, asked, "Grandfather, why do you get angry when Ji Lao is mentioned? Even Ji Lao's grand‑daughter gets a scowl; tonight there were many people currying favor with Expert Lin."

"Don't associate yourself with them so much. Old Ji has strength, but his ability to cultivate people is average; most of his subordinates are half‑baked, yet they care about face, so they especially love letting others' assets be shared with their own people."

"Back then he spent great effort but never turned his sons or daughters into great talents; after a long wait, he finally got a somewhat promising grand‑daughter, and he was eager to pave the way for her. This grand‑daughter of his, even as an expert, is just deceiving you all."

Shen Bingrui knew that the academic world inevitably had unsavory aspects, especially in recent years, with repeated scandals of professors having students write papers for their own children, and many disputes over first‑author credits between teachers and students.

Regardless of the circle, without some background, it's very hard to stand out on pure talent alone.

"So, Grandfather, you value Dr. Jiang a lot, right? But I didn't see her today," Shen Bingrui said with regret.

Elder Shen gave him a sidelong glance, "I saw her anyway; that one just now called Xiao Qian is her assistant, also a junior from the same school."

"Huh?" Shen Bingrui exclaimed, "Could it be the one I first saw? But she didn't admit it."

Elder Shen sneered, "How could you make her admit? Like Ji Lao's grand‑daughter, flaunting herself for everyone to see?"

"It really is her," Shen Bingrui regretted deeply.

Elder Shen reminded him, "Now that you know, if you meet her again, don't mention it; when the time comes, everyone will know."

"Also, Star Universe Technology has been vying for my patent..."

"Grandfather, you're going to cooperate with Star Universe, aren't you?"

"Don't even think about it," Elder Shen said with a stern face.

Shen Xun was still introduced by Jiang Lai, yet this Shen Xun turned his head and got involved with Ji Lao's grand‑daughter, acting unkind and unjust.

Cooperating with someone whose private life is indiscreet and who is unkind to his own wife is a blatant insult to his achievements.

…

Shen Xun first escorted his sister home, then took Lin Shutong to the residential complex entrance, didn't even get out of the car, and only said goodnight to Lin Shutong.

Lin Shutong exclaimed in surprise, "Ah Xun, where are you going!"

The car had already driven away.

They must be going to look for Jiang Lai.

Lin Shutong stomped her foot in anger.

In the car, Shen Xun started dialing Jiang Lai's phone.

It kept failing to connect.

Maybe she didn't hear it.

He hurried back home, but Jiang Lai was nowhere to be seen; he kept calling, yet still got no answer.

Shen Xun went out again, having the driver drive to Cui Zhai in the suburbs.

As the doorbell rang, the quiet residence lit up a lamp; Butler Deng came out clothed, seeing Shen Xun and feeling very surprised.

"President Shen?"

"Butler Deng, has Jiang Lai gone to sleep? I called her but got no answer." Shen Xun kept a hint of caution, not directly asking if Jiang Lai had returned, but asking if she had slept.

He stared intently at Butler Deng's expression.