MMCD - 1

It was Friday, the last class of the semester.

Sheng Wenyen was propping up her head, half-asleep, as she listened to the old professor on the podium talk about the content on the blackboard.

Suddenly, a gust of wind slipped through the window. It had just rained outside, and sparse streaks of rain still clung to the windowpanes. The chilly, damp wind instantly cleared her head.

“What time is it?” she whispered, nudging her friend, Lou Ning, who was sitting next to her.

Lou Ning glanced at the teacher on the stage and said in a low voice, “Two more minutes until class ends.”

“So soon?” Sheng Wenyen quickly grabbed her compact from her bag and began dabbing powder on her face in the small mirror.

Lou Ning was completely used to her friend’s serious application of makeup on her already flawless face. This was a Friday morning “large class,” and for the entire semester, Sheng Wenyen would take out her compact and touch up her makeup at this exact time.

The reason was simple: when she walked out of the classroom after class, she would run into Shen Shuyi, who was getting out of his class in the classroom opposite hers.

Everyone at the school knew who Shen Shuyi was. With his outstanding looks and excellent grades, he was hailed as the school’s male idol by a large group of girls.

Of course, he was also Sheng Wenyen’s male idol.

She cherished Shen Shuyi’s face more than anyone else.

Two minutes passed in a flash. As soon as the bell rang, Sheng Wenyen grabbed her bag and walked toward the classroom door.

Students poured out, as did the students from the classroom across the hall. At the door, she stood still, patiently waiting for the person opposite to emerge.

“This weekend is Yang Sheng’s brother’s engagement party. The Yang and Shen families have a good relationship, so Shen Shuyi will probably be there, right?” Lou Ning followed her out, standing beside her to wait.

Sheng Wenyen stared straight ahead, saying, “He will definitely go.”

Lou Ning asked, “Then what about that idea you had of confessing to him again, seriously? Do you want to seize this opportunity?”

“About that...”

Sheng Wenyen hadn’t finished speaking when she saw her idol walk out of the classroom across from them.

He was tall, with a fair complexion and gentle, clear eyes. At that moment, he was talking to someone next to him, his head slightly tilted, his long eyelashes batting, making hearts flutter.

Sheng Wenyen’s eyes lit up. “It’s time to make it happen.”

Lou Ning tutted and shook her head, “What if he rejects you again?”

“He didn’t really reject me before. He told me he was too busy with studies and competitions to date. But now that we’re about to graduate, he must have time.” Sheng Wenyen waved her hand. “Alright, I’m not talking to you anymore; I’m going to say hi first.”

Lou Ning called out, “Hey—”

Sheng Wenyen didn’t wait for Lou Ning to say anything else and walked straight toward Shen Shuyi.

Not far away, Shen Shuyi’s friend also pulled on him, motioning for him to look ahead. “Shuyi, here she comes.”

His friend’s tone was familiar, and Shen Shuyi himself was aware of her presence. After all, he’d run into her at this exact time every week this semester. But even though it happened so frequently, he still felt awkward seeing Sheng Wenyen walk directly toward him.

“Shen Shuyi, class is over.” Sheng Wenyen stopped in front of him, her smile radiant.

Shen Shuyi nodded, a bit distant. “Yeah.”

Sheng Wenyen asked, “Do you want to grab lunch together?”

“No.” Shen Shuyi replied quickly, an almost reflexive response. “My friends and I have plans.”

Sheng Wenyen looked a little disappointed but didn’t push it. Instead, she moved a little closer and asked, “The engagement party for Yang Sheng’s brother is this weekend; you’re going, too, right?”

The girl’s voice was clear and pleasant. As she got closer, a faint, lovely scent, as captivating as her face, reached him.

Shen Shuyi’s expression tightened slightly, and he subtly took a step back. “I think so.”

“Our family will be there, too. Perfect, I’ll see you then.”

“...Okay.”

“Alright, you’re busy. I’m starving from a long morning of classes, so I’m heading out.”

“...”

Sheng Wenyen’s arrival was as direct as her departure. When Shen Shuyi pulled his gaze back from her retreating figure, his face showed an unreadable expression. “Let’s go.”

His friend, Lin Shao, was still wistfully watching her. “Tsk, I have to admit, Sheng Wenyen has an impeccable figure. And those legs...”

Shen Shuyi interrupted him, displeased, “Are you walking or not?”

“Huh? Yes, yes.” Lin Shao quickly followed him, but after a few steps, he couldn’t help but say, “Hey, Shuyi, is there really no chance between you two?”

“...”

“Come on, just tell me. Ever since sophomore year, Sheng Wenyen has been openly saying she likes you. Everyone’s curious if you two could ever get together.”

“No.” Shen Shuyi paused, then added, “I don’t like her type.”

Her type.

What kind of person was she?

While others might not know, Lin Shao did, as he had attended high school with Sheng Wenyen. Everyone at their school knew of the “Sheng family’s spoiled princess.” She was rich, beautiful, but also arrogant, willful, and surrounded by a throng of guys. Her life seemed to be all about having fun... In short, she was a restless, uncontrollable person.

Lin Shao shook his head with a sigh. “That’s true, it’s a bit of a shame, but with a person like her, who knows if she’s even sincere with you... And besides, she’s really not your type. You like someone who’s sweet and sensible, right?”

Shen Shuyi didn’t say anything.

Lin Shao chuckled, “Hey buddy, we’re almost graduating. Let me introduce you to someone. A friend of mine, she’s a pure and innocent type—exactly your preference.”

“Are you ever going to stop today?”

“Just take a look. It doesn’t cost anything to look. She may not be as stunning as Sheng Wenyen, but she’s definitely a stunner in her own right.”

**

That weekend, at the engagement party for the Yang family’s eldest son.

Inside the huge villa, drinks flowed, and everyone seemed to be living a life of extravagance.

“She’s here. Sheng Wenyen is here.”

On one side of the courtyard, among a group of well-dressed young men and women, someone suddenly whispered the news.

As a result, the crowd of young men and women all looked toward the entrance.

A woman in a dark gold, high-slit, spaghetti-strap evening gown was walking in. Her hair was swept up, revealing a beautiful and delicate forehead. With her fair skin and red lips, she was breathtaking. Her figure was slender and graceful, the dress highlighting her curves perfectly. The small diamonds on her gown seemed to cast a faint glow around her. The moment she entered, she stole everyone’s attention.

“She’s always showing off, no matter where she is,” Zheng Qi, who had never gotten along with Sheng Wenyen, sneered.

Someone next to her agreed, “Of course. What else would you expect from Sheng Wenyen?”

Another person chimed in, “She’s probably dressed like this to catch Shen Shuyi’s attention since he’s coming today.”

Zheng Qi scoffed, “Shen Shuyi doesn’t even like her. Why bother going through all this trouble?”

“You never know. She’s so pretty...”

“Shen Shuyi isn’t that shallow. He wouldn’t care for Sheng Wenyen’s personality.”

“Shh, shh, keep it down. Don’t let her hear you.”

“So what if she hears?” Although she put on a brave front, Zheng Qi fell silent when Sheng Wenyen actually approached.

The social circles of the rich second-generation in a single city are small. On the surface, everyone gets along, but behind their backs, they don’t necessarily care for each other. Sheng Wenyen, with her striking looks and questionable personality, was an easy target for gossip. But because of the business ties between their families, they only spoke behind her back. When they faced her in person, they put on a “good friends” facade.

Sheng Wenyen was used to this, so she just offered a perfunctory greeting when she walked up to them.

“Wenyen! What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for ages.” At that moment, Yang Sheng came over from a short distance away. It was his brother’s engagement party, and he had been busy greeting guests on his brother’s behalf.

“Why were you waiting for me?” Sheng Wenyen’s eyes darted around as she spoke.

That’s strange, why isn’t Shen Shuyi here yet?

“To watch you outshine everyone, of course.” In a place where no one else could see, Yang Sheng gave her a look that said, “You win.” He lowered his voice. “Are you crazy to dress so stunningly? You know you’re going to make all the other women furious, right?”

Sheng Wenyen raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased. “Really? Do I look better than usual today?”

Yang Sheng replied, “Definitely. Dressed like this, you’re the living embodiment of a vixen. No one can escape your charm.”

Sheng Wenyen patted his shoulder. “You have good taste. That’s exactly the effect I was going for. Oh, where’s Shen Shuyi?”

Yang Sheng’s smile froze on his face, and he rolled his eyes. “Shen Shuyi, Shen Shuyi. Why are you looking for that guy the moment you get here?”

Sheng Wenyen shot back, “Stop talking nonsense. Where is he? Has he not arrived yet?”

Yang Sheng spread his hands. “He’s here. He’s inside, talking with his family and my brother.”

“Oh, then I’ll go find your brother and his fiancée to offer my congratulations, too.”

“Alright, I’ll take you.”

“Sounds good.”

But when she went inside, Sheng Wenyen didn’t see Shen Shuyi.

Since she was there representing her family, she couldn’t immediately go looking for him. After exchanging pleasantries with Yang Sheng’s brother and his fiancée, she found herself chatting with a bunch of older aunts and uncles she’d met before but didn’t know well.

A lot of people were there today. Even after the engagement party officially began, Sheng Wenyen still couldn’t find Shen Shuyi. It wasn’t until she asked Yang Sheng that he reluctantly told her that Shen Shuyi had only come to show his face and offer congratulations with his family and didn’t plan on staying until the end.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner! Where is he?”

Yang Sheng replied, “He was just talking to my family. He’s probably on his way to the parking lot now.”

Sheng Wenyen raised a fist at Yang Sheng, then lifted her gown and ran to the parking lot.

I’m so mad!

She had planned to talk to him face-to-face today. She was all ready. How could she let him get away?

Sheng Wenyen silently cursed Yang Sheng repeatedly. She was just thinking that she might have to arrange another “accidental” meeting with Shen Shuyi when she saw a familiar back.

Thank goodness, he didn’t go far!

Overjoyed, she let go of her dress. “Shen Shuyi!”

The person in front of her stopped and turned around.

Sheng Wenyen caught her breath and walked over in her heels. “Are you leaving already?”

Shen Shuyi looked surprised to see her. “The engagement party just started. Why are you out here?”

Sheng Wenyen replied, “I came out here to... chase you, of course.”

The words were ambiguous, and a faint blush appeared behind Shen Shuyi’s ears. It took him a moment to say, “What for?”

“I have something to tell you.”

Sheng Wenyen said, walking up to him. The two of them were standing at the entrance to the parking lot, where a crystal chandelier was hanging overhead. The light refracted off the fine diamonds on Sheng Wenyen’s dress, making her truly shine.

Shen Shuyi looked away awkwardly. “What is it?”

“Well, when I confessed to you in sophomore year, you said you were too busy to be in a relationship. Now that we’re about to graduate, I’m going to tell you again: I want to be in a relationship with you. What do you think?”

Shen Shuyi immediately turned his head to look at her. Although he’d always known she was direct, he still found it hard to get used to. “Sheng Wenyen, can you stop playing games?”

Sheng Wenyen paused. “I’m not playing games.”

The woman in front of him was dazzling, but she also seemed reckless.

Shen Shuyi was both angry and annoyed. “Dating is a serious matter. Can you please not treat it as a game?”

In truth, Sheng Wenyen loved this side of her idol the most. She thought he looked especially serious and cute when he was angry. But while he was cute, his words hurt her feelings a little.

Sheng Wenyen said, “I know it’s serious. I’m not treating it as a game at all. Don’t you believe me?”

Shen Shuyi took a deep breath. How could he possibly believe her?

“We don’t even know each other that well. What is it that you like about me? Besides, I’m not like those other people; I’m not the type to play around.”

“Maybe it’s you who doesn’t know me well. I know you pretty well...” Sheng Wenyen paused, suddenly realizing something. “Wait, who said I wanted you to play around with me?”

Beep—

Just then, a car horn sounded. The headlights of a car parked to the side suddenly turned on.

Both of them were startled and looked toward the light.

Shen Shuyi glanced over and saw that the car parked nearby was the one he was familiar with. It was his salvation. He quickly said, “My family is here. I have to go. Don’t bring this up again...”

Sheng Wenyen called out, “Hey!”

Shen Shuyi strode toward the car’s back passenger seat, but when he reached the door, he forced himself to stop, as if he was wary of the person inside. His serious demeanor made Sheng Wenyen subconsciously stop following him. She watched in confusion as he stopped at the car door and respectfully called out, “Uncle.”

The back window was half-down, but from her angle, Sheng Wenyen couldn’t see the person sitting inside, only a vague silhouette.

The person said something she couldn’t make out, and Shen Shuyi just nodded before walking around to the other side and getting in.

It was the first time Sheng Wenyen had seen Shen Shuyi behave so obediently. She couldn’t help but look at the person in the back seat again.

But the window was rolled up.

The car drove past her. The window was tinted, a solid black.

Uncle?

Shen Shuyi’s uncle, huh?