Accidentally Becoming a Green Tea Goddess Everyone Loves - Chapter 5

【After listening to System 888’s explanation, Shen Shirou said: “So what you’re saying is, in the original novel, after ‘Shen Shirou’ got engaged to Jiang Peixing, she actually received a portion of the Jiang family’s shares?”】

【System 888: “Correct.”】

While the shares under “Shen Shirou’s” name weren’t massive, the Jiang family was such a colossal money tree that even a few falling leaves were essentially solid gold.

No wonder Jiang Peixing walked around with a frozen face and never gave her a warm look. In Jiang Peixing’s eyes, every move she had made lately probably looked like a calculated plot.

The President likely saw her as a vain social climber, meticulously currying favor just to sink her claws deeper into the Jiang family fortune.

Then again, in a sense, Jiang Peixing wasn’t wrong. The original “Shen Shirou” had only agreed to the marriage because she had her eyes on the empire behind Jiang Peixing.

But the current Shen Shirou didn’t care for all that. As long as she maintained her “Green Tea” persona, System 888 had no other demands. As for the money? She was indifferent. Once the three months were up and the engagement was annulled, she planned to make a clean break.

To her, those shares were nothing more than scrap paper. When the chance arose, she’d simply give them back to Jiang Peixing.

Because Jiang Peixing was rarely at the villa, the number of times Shen Shirou saw her could be counted on one hand.

Surprisingly, their third meeting didn’t involve Shen Shirou eagerly hovering around with fake concern. Instead, it was Jiang Peixing who sought her out and spoke first. Despite her tone remaining cold, it was enough to catch Shen Shirou off guard.

“There’s a banquet tomorrow evening.” This was likely the longest sentence Jiang Peixing had addressed to her since she moved in. “Remember to change into something appropriate. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Shen Shirou raised her voice in feigned shock. “Sister, are you taking me with you?”

Jiang Peixing knitted her brows. “If you don’t want to go, you’re welcome to stay at the villa.” Judging by her expression, she clearly preferred the latter.

Shen Shirou had no intention of granting that wish.

“How could I not want to go?” An obvious look of excitement washed over her face. “Wherever you’re going, Sister, I want to be there too.”

“Suit yourself.” Jiang Peixing seemed to lose interest in the conversation immediately. “Tomorrow at seven. Don’t be late.” She ended the talk right there, indifferent to whatever reaction Shen Shirou might have.

Shen Shirou didn’t care how bad the attitude was. Her mind was already drifting toward the banquet. Having been a fixture in the entertainment industry before her transmigration, these were exactly the types of occasions she lived for.

Since she was attending a grand event, she had to prepare her image. There was nothing she loved more than dressing up to the nines and capturing everyone’s attention.

Night fell, and a bright moon hung high in the sky. Jiang Peixing leaned against her black Bentley, waiting silently. It was nearly seven.

She opened the door and sat in the driver’s seat. Just as she was about to start the engine, Shen Shirou’s voice drifted from outside.

“I’m here, Sister Jiang.” Shen Shirou opened the rear door and sat inside quite naturally.

Jiang Peixing tapped her fingers against the steering wheel. She didn’t even turn around to look at her. “How punctual,” she remarked sarcastically. “Five minutes later and I would have driven off.” Even the most oblivious person could hear the thorns in her voice.

Shen Shirou remained unbothered, replying with a beaming smile, “Then I’m truly lucky today. Thanks to those five minutes, I didn’t miss the chance to go out with you.”

“Fasten your seatbelt.” Jiang Peixing ignored her.

Throughout the drive, Shen Shirou was relentless in her attempts at conversation, even if it was entirely one-sided.

“Sister, the moonlight is so beautiful tonight. Perfect for moon-gazing, don’t you think?”

“I missed you so much while you were away. It’s wonderful to finally spend some time together.”

“I wonder how long I’ll have to wait for our next outing.”

“Shut up,” Jiang Peixing finally interrupted, her face dark. “You’re noisy.”

As soon as she spoke, a small, weak voice came from the back seat. “If you don’t like it, Sister, I won’t say another word.”

The car fell into a heavy silence.

As they neared their destination, Jiang Peixing seemed to suddenly remember Shen Shirou’s existence. She turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the woman she hadn’t looked at once during the entire trip.

That casual glance, however, seemed to freeze the moment it landed on Shen Shirou.

Shen Shirou wore a white gown that complemented her pearl-fair skin perfectly. Her long lashes fanned out over beautiful “peach blossom” eyes that seemed to speak for themselves—intoxicating to anyone who met her gaze.

Even Jiang Peixing was stunned for a split second.

But it was only a second. In the next breath, she looked away as if nothing had happened.

When they arrived, Jiang Peixing braked and handed the keys to the valet. She wasn’t about to be considerate like Rong Yuan and open the door for her; Shen Shirou got out herself and followed obediently behind her.

The moment they entered the banquet hall, countless eyes turned toward them. Although Shen Shirou was engaged to Jiang Peixing, very few people in high society had actually seen her. Even as she followed Jiang Peixing, no one associated her with the rumored, ill-reputed fiancée. To most, she was simply a stunningly beautiful new face.

Jiang Peixing led her toward the hosts—a middle-aged couple. The woman, who possessed a gentle aura, seemed visibly moved upon seeing Jiang Peixing.

She looked as though she wanted to say something, but noticing the woman beside her daughter, her expression turned to surprise. “You and Xiao Rou came together?”

“Yes.” Jiang Peixing glanced at Shen Shirou out of the corner of her eye.

The woman looked relieved. “That’s how it should be. You’re engaged; you should be getting along. Otherwise, how can your father and I stop worrying about you?”

From the way she spoke, Shen Shirou realized these were Jiang Peixing’s parents. Is she actually taking me to meet the parents? But considering how bad their relationship was, Shen Shirou didn’t doubt for a second that Jiang Peixing would have felt zero guilt even if she hadn’t come.

Mother Jiang sighed. “Don’t spend every waking hour on work and neglect Xiao Rou, understood?”

Auntie Jiang, you really know your daughter, Shen Shirou thought.

“I can handle the company affairs; you spend more time with her,” Father Jiang added from the side.

Jiang Peixing gave a lukewarm grunt in response.

“Auntie Jiang, Sister and I get along wonderfully. You don’t need to worry.” To prove her point, Shen Shirou reached out and interlaced her fingers with Jiang Peixing’s.

She flashed her most brilliant, “professional” smile. “Sister hasn’t neglected me at all. If anything, it’s me who keeps distracting her from her work. I feel quite guilty about it.”

Jiang Peixing clearly wanted to recoil. Her face was tense, but with her mother watching, she was forced to suppress her visceral distaste for Shen Shirou.

“Good. Seeing you two so well-matched puts our minds at ease,” Mother Jiang nodded approvingly. “Your father and I need to greet the other guests. Take Xiao Rou for a walk around.”

Shen Shirou played along perfectly. “Of course. Take your time, Auntie.”

Jiang Peixing’s brow furrowed. The second they were out of earshot, she ruthlessly pulled her hand away. “I have things to attend to. Go wander around by yourself.”

Jiang Peixing spoke in a tone that brokered no argument. “Be at the parking lot at eight o’clock sharp to head back. We meet there.”

Her meaning was crystal clear: she wasn’t negotiating with Shen Shirou. She was simply stating an established fact. If Shen Shirou didn’t show up by eight, Jiang Peixing would undoubtedly drive off without a second thought.

“I understand. Go ahead and tend to your business, Sister.” Shen Shirou didn’t push back, though her eyes shimmered with a hint of feigned grievance. “I’ll be fine on my own. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Before she could even finish her sentence, Jiang Peixing had already walked away.

Seeing this, the hurt expression on Shen Shirou’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of utter boredom. She put on a performance for Jiang Peixing every day, yet the woman wouldn’t even stay to hear her lines. It was a total waste of her acting chops.

Such a waste, truly.

However, staying by Jiang Peixing’s side was dull anyway. Her fiancée’s cold shoulder actually suited Shen Shirou’s interests perfectly. This banquet was teeming with beauties; she didn’t need to fixate on just one.

“So, you’re Jiang Peixing’s fiancée?”

The speaker was a woman in a black slip dress. Her shoulders were bare, revealing snow-white skin that radiated a lethal sexiness.

Shen Shirou looked at the woman who had approached her, searching her memory. Confirming this was someone she didn’t recognize, she asked, “Do you know Sister Jiang?”

“You could say that. We’ve been rivals for years.” The woman swirled a glass of red wine, offering a slight smile. She suddenly leaned in close to Shen Shirou, her breath carrying the faint, sweet aroma of wine. “But I had no idea she had such a lovely fiancée.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Shirou asked, referring to the “rivals for years” comment.

The woman pressed a finger to her chin as if pondering how best to explain. “I snatch projects from her company, and I steal her resources.”

She chuckled softly. “In other words, I am your Sister Jiang’s arch-nemesis. Understand now?”