123 Mutual Understanding

“A good dog doesn’t get in the way, do you understand?”

An impatient female voice came from behind. Shen Yin awkwardly turned to make way for the person behind her. However, that person sized her up jealously and said with some resentment, “Whose date are you? You’re wearing so little, you must have some ulterior motive.”

Speechless, Shen Yin looked over and saw a woman in a dark blue gown proudly raising her head and looking at her with unconcealed contempt.

Seeing the disdain on her face, the woman immediately pointed at her angrily and shouted, “I’m asking you, who did you come with?”

Shen Yin did not want to mention Cheng Huo, so she did not answer her question. She just made way for her and tried to calm things down. “Miss, I’ve already made way for you. If you want to leave, just go ahead. What business is it of yours who I came with?”

“You!” The woman was so angry that she stood rooted to the spot and glared at her.

Hearing the commotion, more and more people gathered around. A friend of the woman immediately came over and advised, “Lingxi, why are you wasting your time with her? President Lian is still waiting for you outside.”

When Ling Xi thought of Lian Jing, she immediately glanced at Shen Yin smugly. “That’s true. I can’t be embroiled with worthless people here and make President Lian wait for me for no reason.”

Oblivious to the contempt in Shen Yin’s eyes, Ling Xi strutted out on her high heels.

After she left, the expression of the woman who had advised Ling Xi immediately changed. She muttered, “I really don’t know why President Lian likes her!”

Another person quickly walked over and threaded his arm through hers. He asked worriedly, “Is she really President Lian’s mysterious girlfriend?”

The woman sighed and said dejectedly, “Judging from her arrogant appearance, she probably is.”

After saying that, she turned around and looked at Shen Yin sympathetically. “If you offend her, you’ve offended President Lian. You’d better be careful tonight.”

Shen Yin nodded and walked out of the washroom with her eyes lowered. She could only hear them talking about President Lian.

So that was Lian Jing’s lover?

He actually had a woman outside!

Shen Yin could not tell if she was sad or angry. Her fists were clenched tightly by her sides, and her nails were about to dig into her flesh, when a warm hand reached over to hold it.

That person patiently pried open her fingers that had almost dug into her flesh. He asked worriedly, “What happened to you? There was such a big commotion just now. Did someone bully you?”

Shen Yin shook her head. She felt cold, and could not help but shiver. She forced a smile and raised her head, asking in a bartering tone, “When can I go back?”

She did not want to meet Lian Jing here.

Cheng Huo took off his jacket and draped it over her body, covering a large area of her bare skin. He adjusted her dress for her before saying with a smile, “You have to donate money before you leave.”

Shen Yin lowered her eyes dejectedly. Before she could sort out the emotions that she had suppressed, Cheng Huo held her hand and pulled her to a dining table to sit down. “You must be hungry, right? Since you’re already here, you should at least fill your stomach. Otherwise, it would be such a waste.”

Shen Yin smiled sincerely. Then, she picked up a snack and put it in her mouth. The sweet taste temporarily dispelled her jealousy.

Seeing that she liked it, Cheng Huo took a few more pieces and placed them in front of her.

When she was full, Shen Yin realized that everyone at the banquet was drinking and socializing. Only she and Cheng Huo were sitting there and eating heartily. She instantly felt a little embarrassed.

Cheng Huo saw through her thoughts and smiled comfortingly. “Don’t worry about how others think of you. Your feelings are the most important.”

Shen Yin nodded in a daze. This was the first time someone had told her with such certainty that she was the most important.

Warmth flowed through her heart. Shen Yin picked up her wine glass and clinked it against Cheng Huo’s glass. The two of them looked at each other and smiled, then emptied their glasses.

Putting down her wine glass, Shen Yin unconsciously felt closer to this man whom she had only known for a short time. When she spoke, she was less formal. “Why aren’t you socializing? Is it inconvenient for you to bring me along?”

Cheng Huo tapped the tip of her nose and praised her sincerely, “You’re so beautiful. Others will be terribly envious of me. How can it be inconvenient? It’s just that I work behind the scenes, and very few people here recognize me.”

“Behind the scenes?” Shen Yin asked curiously. “What kind of job is that?”

Cheng Huo said half-jokingly, “My job is terribly gruesome. People who know the truth are afraid of me. Are you afraid?”

Shen Yin shook her head. “I’m not afraid. You were invited to this banquet, which means that you have a certain standing. Why should you care if others are afraid of you? Your feelings are the most important. You just said it.”

Cheng Huo was stunned, and the teasing look in his eyes gradually turned serious. He looked at Shen Yin and nodded. “Yes, all of us have to put ourselves first.”