The Eldest Lady always wants to have a double O Relationship with her old enemy - Chapter 42

The next day, Tang Yanzhao still took Shen Jianxi to meet Hua Yan.

First, yesterday’s confession had been too heavy, and Shen Jianxi had been in a low mood ever since. Tang Yanzhao wanted her to be a little happier, so she brought her here.

Second, Shen Jianxi had received a message from Hua Yan, telling her that she knew about her feelings for Yanzhao and that she had prepared a surprise for her.

Third, Shen Jianxi also wanted to personally ask Hua Yan about the Ji family.

While Tang Yanzhao went to buy drinks, Shen Jianxi asked Hua Yan, “At the Ji family, apart from you, who is the most trusted?”

Hua Yan leaned against the wall, her expression casual with a faint smile, raising an eyebrow: “Why ask that? Afraid I can’t protect her?”

Her tone was nonchalant, clearly showing she had no concern about such a possibility.

Aside from Tang Yanzhao, Shen Jianxi didn’t really understand social hierarchies, so she nodded honestly: “Yes.”

“….”

Those two simple words briefly froze Hua Yan’s expression. She tugged at the corner of her mouth and asked back, “What makes you think that?”

“So, who else?” Shen Jianxi didn’t want to dwell on it.

After all, she really couldn’t explain this matter. If Hua Yan asked where her suspicion came from, she certainly couldn’t tell her it was because a past kidnapping had made her aware that the Ji family might pose a potential threat.

Hua Yan glanced up at Tang Yanzhao, who was slowly walking back, and whispered a reminder: “Yanzhao is back.”

Shen Jianxi’s gaze flickered, and she quickly collected her emotions. Her serious expression was replaced with a smile as she accepted the milk tea Tang Yanzhao bought and took a sip. The sweet taste spread through her heart as she tilted her head playfully: “Thanks, Yanzhao~”

Tang Yanzhao’s thin lips pressed slightly together. She nodded and handed the milk tea to Hua Yan: “Here.”

Hua Yan accepted it without hesitation, took a big sip, and mimicked Shen Jianxi’s tone: “Thanks, Yanzhao~”

Hearing those same four words, Tang Yanzhao furrowed her brows. She rubbed her arm and said softly, “Don’t call me that.”

Hua Yan laughed softly: “Don’t treat us too differently, okay?”

“….”

Shen Jianxi was very satisfied with this. She leaned against Tang Yanzhao’s arm, rubbing softly: “The show’s about to start, let’s go in.”

“Mm.”

Hua Yan, feeling ignored, flicked her tongue against her teeth, a playful smile forming at the corners of her lips.

Shen Jianxi and Tang Yanzhao’s seats had been arranged by Hua Yan, naturally in the first row—just close enough to touch the stage.

The two of them sat side by side. Shen Jianxi held her hot milk tea to warm her hands. Tang Yanzhao took out her phone to check messages: “They’ve already arrived in Rong City. Shen Yi asked when we’ll go back?”

This referred to Jiang Lan and her friends. Because of the recent incident, Jiang Lan’s family had realized their granddaughter had been mistreated outside. They sent someone with a private jet to pick her up, including Ye Tao and Fang Xing.

Though the people had left, the matter wasn’t over. The incident had occurred in Ao City, still on the Ji family’s territory, and affected Hua Yan’s businesses. How the aftermath would unfold involved commercial maneuvering, which didn’t concern the kids too much.

Shen Jianxi didn’t think Hua Yan lacked strength. It was precisely because she was strong that she was targeted. Like Tang Yanzhao, her every move was monitored. Any small mistake could be used against her, causing consequences far beyond what most could imagine. Predators like these wouldn’t leave a chance to recover.

All Shen Jianxi could do was prepare in advance. The enemies operated in the shadows while they were in the open. Open attacks were easy to dodge, but hidden ones were hard to guard against. She had to be extremely careful; she couldn’t afford mistakes.

Shen Xiaoyin, however, only cared about her daughter’s safety. She probably sent a message to check and, getting no reply, contacted Tang Yanzhao.

Shen Jianxi leaned over casually: “We’ll go back tomorrow. Tell her not to worry.”

Tang Yanzhao, like an obedient typing machine, relayed the message exactly.

Shen Xiaoyin replied quickly: [Okay, stay safe.]

After sending the message, Shen Jianxi sat up straight and noticed Hua Yan had somehow moved to her left side.

“Why are you sitting here?”

She glanced at the empty seat next to Tang Yanzhao, clearly indicating that Hua Yan should be sitting there.

Hua Yan feigned ignorance: “If I don’t sit here, where else? Should I sit on the singers’ laps? That wouldn’t be appropriate, since I didn’t buy a lap ticket.”

Shen Jianxi was speechless. Taking a deep breath, she shifted closer and took the opportunity to ask: “So about my question…”

Before she could finish, Hua Yan pointed at the stage: “The show has started.”

Shen Jianxi had no choice but to temporarily suppress her curiosity.

Originally, Shen Jianxi thought this concert would be a solo tour by a specific star, but it wasn’t. It was clearly a mixed showcase. The performers had different styles, but all were female. Each seemed to have a mission; on the circular stage, the first thing each performer did was lock their gaze on the young girl at the center on the north side.

Tang Yanzhao sat quietly, watching as the first singer approached the stage edge, like performing a magic trick, and pulled out a blooming rose to give to Shen Jianxi.

Then, the second singer came to the edge and extended her hand in invitation to Shen Jianxi.

Shen Jianxi instinctively looked at Tang Yanzhao, seemingly asking for her consent.

But Hua Yan didn’t give her a chance to hesitate. She grabbed Shen Jianxi’s hand and passed it along.

The singer held Shen Jianxi’s hand, gently swaying as she sang the last half of her song.

Shen Jianxi grit her teeth and asked Hua Yan, “Is this the surprise you prepared for me?!”

Hua Yan was pleased: “Mm-hmm.”

Shen Jianxi forced a smile: “If you hadn’t threatened me in my ear, I would have pushed her away long ago.”

She wouldn’t tolerate anything she disliked—unless it involved Tang Yanzhao. Hua Yan had quietly whispered, “If you want to know about the Ji family, don’t let go.”

Fine. Don’t let go, she thought. She could endure it.

Hua Yan shrugged: “But I think the effect is obvious.”

Shen Jianxi frowned: “What do you mean?”

“Yanzhao—her face is so dark! Tsk tsk…”

Shen Jianxi turned to look and saw that Tang Yanzhao did indeed have a grim expression. Though not unusual, the subtle differences were noticeable.

Normally, Shen Jianxi would ask, “What’s wrong?”

But today, Tang Yanzhao didn’t. She only glanced briefly before looking away.

Hua Yan, looking like a master of the situation, said, “Still think it didn’t work?”

“I planned to take it slow.”

Hua Yan snorted: “If you can’t bear it, just say so. Slow? Do you think this blockhead will figure out her feelings on her own?”

“….”

Admittedly, Hua Yan was right.

Shen Jianxi really couldn’t bear it—she couldn’t bear leaving Tang Yanzhao, couldn’t bear her sadness, and most importantly, couldn’t tolerate anyone else standing where Tang Yanzhao should be.

Hua Yan encouraged: “The next one will invite you on stage. Don’t refuse—look forward to Yanzhao’s surprise.”

Shen Jianxi had no choice but to accept the beauty’s invitation, and her inner desire to get more from Tang Yanzhao urged her on. She could tell herself to be patient, and she was patient, but she was still human. Her little devil of desire took over reason, and before she realized it, she had been guided to a stool at the center of the stage.

The enchanting woman draped a ribbon over her eyes. Through the blurred vision and ambient lighting, seductive vocals swirled around her.

She knew the woman was approaching.

Tang Yanzhao’s expression had darkened completely. Her aura seemed to say: Do not approach.

The performance below was more intense than the stage itself. Hua Yan captured Tang Yanzhao’s expression in full.

Then the scene shifted. Shen Jianxi was pulled behind a screen. The lighting cast her shadow. The singer boldly kissed the shadow.

Through the thin veil, Shen Jianxi could almost feel the warmth of the lips.

Tang Yanzhao’s small, clenched fists tensed. Her fingernails dug into her palms, causing stinging pain. Her lips formed a straight line, the colorful lights unable to penetrate her dark pupils.

Hua Yan watched, delighted.

After Shen Jianxi returned to her seat, Hua Yan grabbed her wrist and secretly played the videos in front of Tang Yanzhao.

While playing them, Hua Yan said: “Don’t deal with her now. Let her get angry. When the emotion takes root, explain later—it works much better. Also…”

Hua Yan paused and glanced at Tang Yanzhao. Their eyes met briefly. She lifted her chin slightly but said nothing more.

“Don’t you think watching Yanzhao get angry is fun?”

“…Shen Jianxi was speechless.

“You two are really a perfect match. One is a lovesick brain, the other a confused lovesick brain. Even zombies in Plants vs. Zombies wouldn’t dare touch your brains.”

Shen Jianxi proudly: “So what?”

I’m lovesick, proud of it, and I’m confident.

Though she said that, Shen Jianxi behaved obediently, not speaking to Tang Yanzhao during the second half of the performance. Tang Yanzhao sat still, barely moving, occasionally blinking.

Shen Jianxi kept sneaking glances at her.

When the concert ended, Tang Yanzhao got in the car first. Shen Jianxi and Hua Yan remained outside, talking.

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