My Angel, My Guardian (GL) - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

“Miss, who are you looking for?”

Ying Xing’er was stopped by the receptionist at Baijia. Xing’er shot her a sharp glare, ignored her, and continued walking. The receptionist hurriedly rushed out to block her path again.

“Miss, please don’t make this difficult for me. Who are you looking for?”

Xing’er paid her no mind and walked straight to the Vice General Manager’s office, pushing the door open. Shen Jingwen was in the middle of giving instructions to her secretary. Hearing the door slam and the receptionist’s protests, she looked up to see Ying Xing’er standing in the doorway with the flustered receptionist beside her.

“Vice President, I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop her.”

“It’s alright. Go back to your work.”

Shen Jingwen gave the receptionist a small smile and whispered a few final words to her secretary, who then left the room.

“Miss Ying, do you not know the meaning of the word ‘politeness’?”

Jingwen leaned back in her chair, raising an eyebrow. Ying Xing’er walked over and leaned against the edge of Jingwen’s desk.

“I really don’t. Why don’t you tell me, Vice President Shen? Is it polite to ignore my calls? Is it polite to hide from me?”

Xing’er was smiling, but the smile was cold and laced with danger. Anyone who knew her understood that this was a sign of her fury.

“Miss Ying, let me be honest with you. I know how you feel about me. First of all, I am eight years older than you. You have time to play, but I don’t. I’m in my thirties; I just want a stable life. Can you give me that? You are a child of the Ying family. Everyone knows that besides the legitimate businesses like Nitian and Ying Corp, the family also runs the underworld—and you, Miss Ying, are the one in charge of that side, aren’t you? I want something you can’t give. So, we can be friends, but anything further? I’m sorry, I can’t do it.”

Jingwen’s rejection was blunt. Ying Xing’er nodded slowly.

“Then let me answer you point by point. First, I don’t see age as a problem. What does it matter if you’re eight years older? I love the person you are, not your age. If I wanted someone younger, it would be easy, but that’s not what I want. I only want you, Shen Jingwen. Second, how do you know I can’t give you a stable life? Yes, I am in the ‘underworld,’ but I have the power to provide stability.”

“Ying Xing’er, why won’t you listen? It’s impossible between us. I won’t marry someone from the triads.”

“And what if I wasn’t in the triads anymore?”

Xing’er looked at Jingwen with total seriousness. Jingwen assumed she was just speaking out of spite and didn’t take it to heart.

“Fine. If you weren’t the ‘Underworld Heiress,’ I would be with you.”

“Good. It’s a deal. But first, you’re coming with me this Saturday to my great-grandmother’s banquet. I’ll give you an answer you’re satisfied with then. I’ll pick you up at your place.”

With that, Xing’er left an invitation on the desk and turned to walk out. Jingwen picked it up; the Ying family was indeed prestigious—even the invitation was made of gold leaf.

On Saturday at 3:00 PM, Xing’er’s car pulled up exactly on time outside Jingwen’s apartment. She honked twice, and soon Jingwen emerged from the building wearing a white evening gown. Xing’er stared, mesmerized. She had never seen her look so beautiful—like an angel that had fallen to the human world.

“This is the gift I prepared for you to give to my great-grandmother.”

Once Jingwen was in the car, Xing’er handed her a beautifully wrapped package. Jingwen took it but hesitated.

“I already prepared a gift.”

Though she was certain her gift wouldn’t be as expensive as whatever Xing’er had prepared, it was the thought that counted.

“Oh? What did you get?” Xing’er asked casually while driving.

“I got a pair of longevity peaches.”

Jingwen opened her bag to show the pure gold peaches. Xing’er glanced at them.

“Then give both. I prepared a scarf for you to give her. The weather is getting cold, and Great-grandmother’s respiratory system hasn’t been great lately. She’ll definitely like you for being so thoughtful.”

A small smile played on Xing’er’s lips as she thought about what was coming. If she could get the matriarch to approve of this “great-granddaughter-in-law,” the road ahead would be much smoother.

“Fine. How much was the scarf?” Jingwen opened her purse. She didn’t like owing favors, especially to Ying Xing’er.

“It didn’t cost money. I had a friend hand-knit it. Shen Jingwen, does what you said the other day still stand?”

Xing’er turned to look at her seriously while stopped at a red light. Jingwen blinked. “The other day? Which part?”

“You said that if I didn’t have my underworld identity, you would be with me.”

“I was just talking… you took that seriously?” Jingwen was stunned.

“Yes. I hope you remember those words.”

The light turned green, and Xing’er floored the accelerator. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Fushoulou Restaurant. A valet opened the door, and Xing’er handed him the keys along with a hundred-dollar bill.

“Let’s go.”

Xing’er bent her arm, gesturing for Jingwen to take it. Jingwen frowned but eventually linked her arm with Xing’er’s, and the two walked into the banquet hall together.

“Great-grandmother, happy birthday! I wish you happiness and health every year, and that you get younger with every passing day.”

Xing’er presented her gift, which the butler took.

“Xing’er, and who is this?” The old matriarch’s eyes fell on Jingwen.

“Great-grandmother, this is the one I told you about—Shen Jingwen.”

Xing’er gently nudged Jingwen forward. Jingwen offered her gifts.

“Madam, I heard your respiratory system has been a bit weak, so I prepared a scarf for you. I hope you like it.”

Jingwen handed over the scarf and the gold peaches. The matriarch smiled warmly and patted Jingwen’s hand.

“What a good child. Very nice. Xing’er, you have good eyes; you’ve found the right person.”

The matriarch was clearly pleased. Xing’er linked her arm with the old lady’s, looking quite proud.

“Of course! Look whose great-granddaughter I am.”

“Haha, you always were a sweet-talker. Jingwen, don’t call me ‘Madam,’ it sounds too distant. Just call me ‘Great-grandmother’ like Xing’er does.”

“Alright… Great-grandmother,” Jingwen complied.

The three of them eventually moved toward Ying Xue and Cheng Cheng.

“Mommy, Mom.”

Xing’er greeted them obediently. Ying Xue turned and smiled at her daughter.

“Mhm. And this is…?”

Ying Xue’s gaze shifted to Jingwen. Xing’er had never brought a date—male or female—to a family event before, so Jingwen immediately caught her attention.

“Hello, Aunts. My name is Shen Jingwen.”

Jingwen introduced herself. Ying Xue studied her. She knew the name; after all, Jingwen was a high-level executive at Nitian. Ying Xue smiled politely, then pulled Xing’er aside.

“Xing’er, don’t tell me this is the person you love and want to marry?” Ying Xue whispered.

“Yes, why?” Xing’er was confused. Her mother usually never interfered in her love life.

“Do you realize she is much older than you? Do you realize that ten years ago, she and I were of the same generation? Now she’s calling me ‘Aunt.’ If you’re not embarrassed, I am!”

Ying Xue frowned. She didn’t care who her daughter dated, but someone from her own generation? That would throw the whole family hierarchy into chaos.

“Mommy, I don’t care how much older she is or what her rank was ten years ago. All I know is that I love her and I won’t marry anyone else. Mommy, I’ve followed the path you laid out for me since I was a child. Starting today, I’m walking my own path. I hope you can forgive me.”