Chapter 168: She Cried

Suddenly, the man opened his eyes, a flash of ferocity crossing his brow, and he grabbed a throw pillow to block Ning Huaiqing's falling body.

Ning Huaiqing's body, having lost its center of gravity, stabilized thanks to the support of the pillow.

She hurriedly steadied herself against the sofa and stood up, "I'm sorry, Yu Ge, I was too careless while walking."

She had only wanted to finish tidying up and sit quietly in the corner to keep him company; she hadn't expected to bump into his feet.

"Why are you here?" Sheng Yu tossed the pillow aside and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Yuan Fengye had been acting crazy tonight, constantly toasting him; he had drunk a bit too much, and while the others went outside the private room to have fun, he hadn't gone, choosing to rest here instead.

He had indeed heard someone tidying up the wine glasses, but because the sound was very faint and didn't disturb him, he hadn't scolded the person away, assuming it was just a waiter from the club.

Ning Huaiqing said in a low voice, "I saw it was a bit messy, and you don't like having people you aren't familiar with staying here when you're resting, so I just tidied up a bit."

Because Sheng Yu's mother had liked her when she was alive, Sheng Yu tacitly allowed her to stay within his circle.

In the past, if Sheng Yu drank too much, she would also tidy up nearby and then sit quietly in the corner without disturbing him.

If that incident hadn't happened during the Spring Festival three years ago, she would have always remained in Sheng Yu's circle.

Sheng Yu's expression was somewhat cold, but he didn't say anything, picking up the neatly placed cigarette case and lighter from the coffee table.

Just as he was about to light a cigarette, he suddenly sensed something and lifted his eyes.

He saw Zhu Yuan standing at the doorway with an anxious look on her face, one hand pushing the door, the other hanging at her side, her sleeves long enough to cover her fingers.

Sheng Yu's heart gave a sharp tug, and he tossed the cigarette aside and stood up.

The moment their eyes met, a flash of awkwardness crossed Zhu Yuan's gaze.

Sheng Yu stared into her eyes, seeing no other strangeness in her expression, his face darkening as he curled his lips in a self-deprecating smirk, "You go out first."

Ning Huaiqing nodded, and as she passed Zhu Yuan, she reminded her in a low voice, "Yu Ge has had a bit too much to drink."

Zhu Yuan gave a soft "mm."

The door to the private room closed.

Sheng Yu sat on the sofa, his long legs spread casually, his gaze deep as it landed on Zhu Yuan, who had her back to him, pouring a glass of warm water at the bar.

She walked over, Sheng Yu's gaze never leaving her.

She was exceptionally docile tonight, showing no jealousy at all for having caught him alone with another woman.

"You should drink some warm water; it will make you feel a bit better."

Sheng Yu didn't take the glass of water, instead staring straight at her, his tone unkind, "Do you have business with me?"

Otherwise, how could she have possibly taken the initiative to come find him.

Zhu Yuan pursed her lips and handed him the water glass, "Yuan Fengye is getting married, isn't he?"

"What, you want to get married too?" Sheng Yu took the glass, not a single word of his tone pleasant.

"No," Zhu Yuan sensed the gunpowder in his words; she could have just walked away and not had to endure such inexplicable humiliation.

But for the sake of Song Ci, she could only endure it, "His bride-to-be is my best friend; her name is Song Ci."

Sheng Yu's hand holding the glass paused, a flash of sharp light in his eyes, and he took a slow sip of water, "So?"

So she hadn't felt a shred of jealousy, but her eyes were red because she was anxious and heartbroken over her friend's situation.

"The Song Family has gone bankrupt, is buried in debt, and has also become embroiled in many lawsuits. I don't want Song Ci to marry someone she doesn't like because of these things. I want to ask you to help the Song Family."

Sheng Yu held the glass, staring at her face, "Is this what your sister told you?"

Zhu Yuan shook her head.

Song Ci was determined to walk this path; how could she possibly tell her her true inner thoughts?

But she and Song Ci had grown up together; she knew Song Ci too well.

When Song Ci told her she was getting married, there wasn't a shred of joy or anticipation for the wedding in her eyes, so she knew the marriage wasn't something Song Ci was doing willingly.

Sheng Yu scoffed, "Then why are you playing the good person here? How do you know she isn't marrying Yuan Fengye willingly? Yuan Fengye has money, she lacks money, it's a match made in heaven—what right do you have to make decisions for others?"

His words, each one barbed and aggressive, hit Zhu Yuan like artillery fire, making her vision go dark, her face flushing red with shame and anger.

Thinking of Song Ci, she still endured it and didn't talk back, "If you help the Song Family, Song Ci and I will slowly pay you back in the future."

The distant, cold attitude made Sheng Yu's face even colder, "You're so thoughtful of others, do you think you're a savior? Pay me back? Do you even have money!"

Zhu Yuan's heart shriveled, her scalp went numb, and her eyes uncontrollably grew hot.

She had truly believed that sentence he said—whatever you want, I will give to you.

It was she who had thought too highly of herself; what right did she have to think Sheng Yu would help her unconditionally, what right did she have to enjoy the conveniences he provided with such peace of mind?

She had been impulsive tonight.

Her hand hanging at her side trembled, and she raised it to awkwardly rub the back of her head, a sour, stinging sensation surging into her eyes, and she quickly said, "I understand."

Zhu Yuan practically fled the private room in a panic.

The moment her figure stepped out the door, Sheng Yu's heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle.

Knowing full well this was a relationship he had forced, why was he so angry just because she hadn't been jealous?

He tossed the water glass aside, stood up, and strode out in pursuit.

Just then, a drunken man walked over from some direction, and upon seeing Sheng Yu, he smiled and said, "Yu Ge, you finally came out..."

He blocked the path, and Sheng Yu kicked him aside.

The man crashed into a pillar stacked with glasses of champagne, the clattering sound of shattering glass drawing everyone's attention, all of them frightened by Sheng Yu's sudden rage.

Yuan Fengye and Qi Jing hurried over to check, "Yu Ge, what's wrong?"

Qi Jing looked behind him and didn't see Zhu Yuan, and with Sheng Yu looking so murderous, it was clear nothing good had happened.

Sheng Yu brushed everyone aside and strode out of the club.

At the entrance of the club, Enzo was still in a daze watching the car drive away when he heard urgent footsteps behind him.

He turned and saw the grim-faced Sheng Yu, and immediately said, "Miss Zhu snatched my car keys and drove off; she seemed to be crying."

Sheng Yu's breathing stalled—she was crying?

Thinking of how she was at a loss after being scolded by him in the private room.

Sheng Yu frowned tightly to suppress the surging feeling of suffocation, his eyes appearing as if stained with blood, and he said sternly, "Tell someone to stop her for me!"

Situ, who was following behind him, was just about to make a phone call when the image of her driving the car out of Hot Spring Villa and eventually being forced to jump into the sea flashed through Sheng Yu's mind.

His chest went numb, and he grabbed Situ's arm, "No need to send anyone to stop her."

"You go drive, I want to go find her."