My Gorgeous Wife Relies on Her Beauty to Commit Crimes - Chapter 4

Luo Sen glanced at the person following Shen Tuo and whispered, “Is your mom still keeping such a tight leash on you?”

Though Shen Tuo disliked Luo Hong, he and Luo Sen were close friends so close in high school that they practically shared the same pair of pants. He grumbled, “It’s all because of your sister.”

“Hold on,” Luo Sen said. “I know you don’t like her, but she’s still my sister. Can you at least do me a favor and tolerate her?”

Shen Tuo glared at him. “If you know, why aren’t you helping me out?”

Luo Sen sighed helplessly. “You know how my family is. I don’t get a say in things.”

Shen Tuo scoffed, and the two walked into the grand hall.

Soft, melodious music filled the air as Xie Jing held onto Shen Jin’s arm, taking in the dazzling scene before her.

The Xie family had once been prominent figures though not as wealthy as the Shens, they were a family of scholars with generational wealth that could last lifetimes. But a financial crisis had wiped them out in an instant.

The Xie family had strict rules children weren’t allowed to appear in social settings until adulthood so Xie Jing had always been distant from such occasions. Yet she stood beside Shen Jin with effortless grace, unfazed by the scrutinizing gazes around her.

Chen Song was chatting and laughing with familiar faces. They had known each other for years, forming their own exclusive circles. Chen Song’s circle belonged to the top tier of wealthy second-generation elites in Zhuoyang City. Shen Jin, however, mingled with the first-generation tycoons, while Shen Tuo couldn’t even touch the fringes of that world. Though he called Shen Jin “Mother,” she had never publicly acknowledged his status, always referring to him simply as Shen Tuo.

Rumors swirled that Shen Tuo was the result of an unplanned pregnancy, with some even claiming Shen Jin had altered her age, that she was actually nearing forty and had given birth to him in her teens. But Chen Song didn’t believe it. From what she had heard, Shen Jin had openly preferred women since high school, always rejecting men with the excuse of incompatible sexual orientation. Shen Jin wasn’t one to lie, and Chen Song knew that.

So how exactly Shen Tuo had come into the picture remained a mystery.

Because of this, people often scrutinized Shen Tuo in secret, probing his background. In this world, status and position mattered not just anyone could waltz in.

Shen Jin greeted acquaintances while Xie Jing stood quietly by her side. Whenever someone’s gaze lingered, she responded with a faint, polite smile until the two approached a certain woman.

The petite woman’s eyes were sharp with appraisal. She wore a champagne-colored gown with off-shoulder ties draping elegantly along her arms, which were toned and powerful. As she lifted her wine glass slightly, the muscles in her upper arms flexed not exaggerated, but undeniably strong, marking her as someone trained in combat.

A smirk played on Chen Song’s lips as she studied Xie Jing and asked Shen Jin, “So, Boss Shen has a beauty accompanying her tonight? Which family’s daughter is this?”

Xie Jing’s gaze brushed lightly over Chen Song’s face, already recognizing her this was the woman her aunt had warned her about in the email.

Chen Song, the eldest daughter of the Chen family, was the most influential among the wealthy second-generation circles, already taking over the family business. The Chens not only provided security services but also collaborated with international criminal investigation agencies, often working alongside Interpol to protect key witnesses and evidence. Their intelligence network was vast, making Xie Jing’s identity and purpose dangerously easy to expose.

Xie Jing’s eyes shifted, meeting Chen Song’s scrutiny. Her expression softened, offering a gentle, disarming smile, sweet as cotton candy, effortlessly dissolving tension.

But Chen Song’s expression darkened.

She had pursued Shen Jin for three years, and now there was suddenly someone by Shen Jin’s side whom she didn’t know, this was a devastating blow to her.

Shen Jin’s tone was indifferent: “She’s from my household.”

Chen Song looked at Shen Jin in surprise. Xie Jing knew everyone had misunderstood only she understood that Shen Jin meant she was Shen Tuo’s girlfriend. But her words easily led others to wild imaginations. Sure enough, Chen Song’s face turned pale, looking utterly crushed.

Last time, Shen Jin had firmly rejected her, and now she had brought someone along clearly signaling that there was no possibility between them. She would rather pick some random outsider than choose her.

Chen Song’s thoughts were complicated, but Shen Jin had no idea how much she had inferred in that moment. She simply nodded at Chen Song and continued greeting familiar faces with Xie Jing in tow.

The Shen family was influential, and while everyone was ostensibly here to celebrate Old Master Luo’s seventieth birthday, they were also here to network. After meeting just a few people, Shen Jin had already secured several major deals, making it seem as effortless as a casual outing.

After meeting a few more key figures, Shen Jin paused to rest. Noticing her empty wine glass, Xie Jing stopped a passing server and got her a fresh drink. Handing it over, she said, “Aunt Shen, you’ve worked hard.”

Shen Jin took the glass and glanced at her.

Xie Jing looked stunning today. She knew how to highlight her strengths her black dress, typically a cold and severe color, looked like a lustrous pearl wrapped in dark fabric, accentuating her fair skin. She shone like a star, yet without overshadowing the moon.

“Getting used to it?” Shen Jin asked, recalling the Xie family’s strict upbringing.

Xie Jing nodded. “It’s alright.” Then, tilting her head with childlike innocence, she added, “Feels like I’m playing pretend as an adult.”

Shen Jin chuckled at her naive remark, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Being an adult isn’t easy.”

Another guest approached, and Xie Jing stepped behind Shen Jin, watching as she smoothly engaged in conversation. The smile on Xie Jing’s face faded, only to reappear polished and practiced, when the other person glanced her way.

At midnight, the custom-made birthday cake for Old Master Luo was wheeled out. Though frail with age, the old man was still robust. Luo Hong had been pestering Shen Tuo all evening, but he wore an expression of utter impatience. Eventually, Luo Hong was called away by her family to stand beside Old Master Luo, sulking as she stared at Shen Tuo.

Once the celebratory cheers died down, Old Master Luo cleared his throat and spoke. “Thank you all for setting aside your busy schedules to celebrate this old man’s birthday. At seventy-three, I’m fortunate to have so many gathered here in my honor. I’ve known both fortune and hardship in my life, weathered storms, and passed the family business to the next generation. There’s little left for me to desire except for one thing I can’t let go of: my granddaughter.”

His affectionate gaze settled on Luo Hong, who blushed and murmured, “Grandfather.”

The old man continued, “She’s my only granddaughter, so I’ve spoiled her. Our family has raised her with indulgence, I hope you won’t laugh at me for that. Today, I’d like to transfer three percent of the group’s shares under my name to Luo Hong. Whoever marries her will receive this as a wedding gift for the newlyweds.”

The room erupted in murmurs.

But Old Master Luo had clearly prepared for this. Notaries stood nearby, and the transfer was swiftly completed with signatures and seals.

This was 3% of the Luo family’s shares. Anyone who married Luo Hong would essentially be sleeping on a pile of money. Many people were tempted, but Shen Tuo’s expression grew even darker.

Luo Hong had always chased after him. Though Shen Tuo disliked her, he still considered her his possession. Now that she had become someone else’s target, the feeling of this “backup” slipping from his control made him deeply uncomfortable.

How is it that men always understand other men best?

Luo Hong had cried in front of her great-grandfather several times because of Shen Tuo. Old Master Luo might look down on Shen Tuo’s status, but he couldn’t help it his granddaughter was smitten. Though the marriage alliance between the two families had been privately settled, it hadn’t been formally discussed yet. Only Old Guan and Old Master Luo had exchanged a few joking words about it. The old man was laying the groundwork for his granddaughter’s marriage.

Seeing others eyeing Luo Hong covetously, Shen Tuo felt a strong sense of crisis. Suddenly, he didn’t want to ruin his engagement with Luo Hong anymore. After all, Luo Hong was a fool, while Xie Jing never let him touch her. He just hadn’t grown tired of Xie Jing yet, but clearly, Luo Hong would be easier to handle.

Shen Tuo pondered, the scales in his heart swaying back and forth.

The guests applauded, marking the end of the grand birthday celebration.

Shen Jin took Xie Jing and Shen Tuo home, but Luo Hong chased after them. She had been following Shen Tuo all day and hadn’t noticed Xie Jing’s presence. Standing in front of Shen Jin, she twisted her hands nervously in front of her stomach, tapping her toes lightly on the ground, and asked hesitantly, “Shen Tuo, will you marry me?”

The scales in Shen Tuo’s heart tipped slightly toward Xie Jing. Luo Hong was still too clingy, it was tiresome. Xie Jing would never ask him such a thing. A practiced, insincere smile spread across his handsome face as he replied, “That depends on our families’ arrangements.”

“My family has already agreed to let me marry you!” Luo Hong blurted out eagerly.

Shen Tuo instinctively glanced at Xie Jing. Luo Hong followed his gaze and saw that hateful face Xie Jing’s. In that instant, her eyes reddened with fury.

At the British Museum, Shen Tuo had bumped into her, only to immediately chase after Xie Jing, completely forgetting about Luo Hong. She had waited in Britain for a long time before hearing from others that Shen Tuo had traveled across several European countries to pursue a girl and that girl was Xie Jing. Why was Xie Jing here? Had she returned to the country with Shen Tuo?

Shen Jin instinctively stepped forward, shielding Xie Jing from Luo Hong’s venomous glare. She knew that look all too well when Shen Fu was alive, his women had even envied her simply because Shen Fu treated her well.

“Auntie.” Luo Hong stared at Shen Jin in disbelief. “How could you?” Stand with her?

Had Auntie approved of Shen Tuo and Xie Jing being together? But hadn’t Grandfather said that Old Guan’s word was law, that they had to obey?

Shen Jin said to Shen Tuo, “Handle this.”

She nodded at Luo Hong, then led Xie Jing to the car first.

Inside the car, Xie Jing remained silent. Shen Jin didn’t wait for Shen Tuo and instructed the driver to head home. After they had driven for a while, Shen Jin finally spoke to Xie Jing. “You can’t marry Shen Tuo. He isn’t right for you.”

Xie Jing looked up, meeting Shen Jin’s gaze. Shen Jin’s tone was calm. “Xie Jing, don’t you remember me?”

Xie Jing froze. Shen Jin reminded her, “Twenty years ago, your father tutored me.”

Xie Jing’s biological father, Xie Pan, was a professor at T University and a renowned scholar-businessman. Back then, Shen Jin had poor academic performance and was scolded by her mother. Coincidentally, Xie Pan was visiting the Shen family and took sides in the dispute. Concerned about Shen Jin’s stubborn temperament and having some free time, he took her under his wing and tutored her for a while. That summer, Shen Jin frequently visited the Xie household until Shen Fu arranged a private tutor for her, ending those visits.

Xie Jing was only five years old at the time and had vague memories. She recalled a very beautiful sister visiting their home that summer. She was somewhat afraid of her because this beautiful sister was as pale as the terrifying vampires in books. Xie Jing often sneaked peeks at her, fearful she might drain her blood.

Xie Jing remembered now, her gaze strange, but she silently shook her head.

Shen Jin sighed and advised, “Shen Tuo and Luo Hong’s engagement is already settled. He’s not a good match.”

Xie Jing chuckled softly, “Then who is? Aunt Shen?”

Her eyes fixed intently on Shen Jin as she asked, “Is it you? Shen Jin?”

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