The White Moonlight is So Scheming - Chapter 29

Clutching her chest for a long moment, Liu Yurou finally spoke with a guarded expression, “Why are you sneaking up behind me like that? You scared me half to death. Do you even realize that?”

“Hmph.” Shen Juexia narrowed her eyes with a cold snort. “Who was on the phone with you just now?”

Putting her phone away into the pocket of her skirt, Liu Yurou crossed her arms. “Why should I tell you who I was talking to?”

A sly glint flashed in Shen Juexia’s almond-shaped eyes as she abruptly changed tactics, raising an eyebrow to bluff, “I won’t waste time beating around the bush. It was Ji Zhijie, wasn’t it?”

“You heard everything?”

“Yes, and I’m willing to help Ji Zhijie out.”

Liu Yurou studied Shen Juexia suspiciously, but seeing the determination in her eyes like a tin soldier ready for battle her doubts gradually faded.

Though it was late spring, bordering on summer, the most pleasant time of the year, the inside of the car felt like the depths of winter. Every exhale seemed to freeze instantly in the frigid air.

The driver gripped the steering wheel tightly, sitting as if on pins and needles.

Her eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, not daring to glance around carelessly. Even the movements of checking the side and rearview mirrors were swift and decisive.

Arms crossed, Shen Tinghan turned her head to gaze out the window though in truth, she was secretly observing the girl’s reflection in the glass.

At two in the afternoon, the late spring sunlight was warm and gentle.

White clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and the crowds in the amusement park gradually swelled.

After entering through the club’s exclusive passage, Shen Juexia, wearing a Star-Lord headband, skipped ahead alone, making a beeline for the ice cream stand.

A few steps behind her, Shen Tinghan watched with a faint smile.

Turning around, she said to He Ling, who was following her, “It’s fine. Consider this afternoon a break, you don’t need to stick with us.”

The air suddenly fell silent.

As if someone had pressed the mute button on the world.

Burdened with her own thoughts, Ji Zhijie didn’t respond, and Shen Juexia didn’t press her, simply climbing the stairs on her own.

They walked side by side in wordless companionship until they reached the classroom door.

“I can’t dance.”

The abrupt, seemingly out-of-nowhere statement made Shen Juexia blink. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“You asked me earlier what I wasn’t good at.” Like a courting peacock revealing a less-than-perfect feather, Ji Zhijie pressed her lips together as if afraid Shen Juexia would be disappointed.

The morning hallway was silent.

The weight of the quiet pressed against her heart like a steady drumbeat.

Her hand hanging at her side twitched slightly. When no response came, Ji Zhijie feigned nonchalance and added, “I never learned properly. But if I put in the effort, I probably wouldn’t be too bad at it.”

The already lonely air grew even colder, as if freezing solid.

Seeing Shen Juexia bite her lip without speaking, Ji Zhijie grew even more flustered. “Do you really like dancing? It’s not that I’m completely hopeless technically, I just haven’t—”

Shen Juexia’s shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

Like willow branches bent under a heavy weight.

“Shen Juexia, what’s wrong?”

Ji Zhijie reached out, about to touch her shoulder—

But Shen Juexia swatted her hand away. Her delicate almond eyes curved into crescents as she doubled over laughing, her fair face alight with the triumph of a successful prank.

A breeze rustled the leaves, whispering softly.

As if even the branches were chuckling along.

Belatedly realizing how foolish her earlier actions had been, Ji Zhijie’s face flushed crimson as she clenched her fists. Leaving Shen Juexia, who was still grinning foolishly, behind, she strode into the classroom without looking back.

“Then…”

“Just keep your phone on.”

On the other side of the city.

Two in the afternoon the laziest moment of spring sunlight.

The hospital’s entrance.

Slowly swallowed and spat out the sparse crowd.

At the end of the ward corridor, the steady hum of medical equipment and the hushed conversations of nurses could occasionally be heard.

Each ward door had a small blackboard.

Written on it were the names of the medical staff in charge and some notes.

Sunlight streamed through the window into the room.

Gently landing on the pages of the book Ji Zhijie was flipping through.

Her fair fingertips pinched the corner of a page but hesitated to turn it.

A flicker of conflict passed through her phoenix-like eyes.

Glancing at the sky outside the window, Ji Zhijie lightly bit her lower lip and opened WeChat to type: I’m already at the hospital. What time will you arrive?

After a moment’s thought.

She deleted the original message.

“What time will you arrive? I haven’t left home yet.” Her fingers moved slightly as she hit send.

With that, Shen Tinghan turned and walked away.

Left standing there, clutching the VIP ticket in her hand, He Ling nearly burst into tears of gratitude: Wuwu, she actually got me a VIP ticket too! The CEO is so kind!

By the time Shen Tinghan reached Shen Juexia’s side.

It was already her turn to order.

Eyes filled with indecision, the little rabbit tapped her chin and asked, “Sis, which do you think is better, strawberry vanilla or peach?”

“I want strawberry vanilla.”

“Huh? But I thought you didn’t like sweets?” Shen Juexia turned to her in surprise, her expression slightly hesitant.

“Suddenly felt like it.” A faint smile curled at Shen Tinghan’s lips, her eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible softness.

Hehe.

Now she could try both flavors!

Problem solved, the little rabbit chirped excitedly, “LinaBell and Duffy, please~”

Her lips nearly pouted to the sky.

Though she knew exactly why the little rabbit was sulking, she had no intention of indulging her.

She didn’t want to play along with the flattery, spouting insincere lines like “Great minds think alike, sis.”

Meanwhile.

The first-floor banquet hall was buzzing with activity.

Half an hour after Shen Tinghan went upstairs, a maid promptly brought Shen Juexia a platter of fresh-cut fruit and freshly squeezed juice.

Legs crossed, Shen Juexia nibbled on fruit while scheming—What kind of mischief should she stir up later…

“You?! Why are you back today?” The moment Shen Congjun spotted Shen Juexia lounging on the sofa, his face instantly darkened, the earlier flush of excitement replaced by stormy displeasure.

The tips of her canines grazed her tongue.

Hearing the “familiar barking” from behind, inspiration struck, and Shen Juexia’s lips curved upward.

Battle mode activated instantly.

Turning her head, Shen Juexia rolled her eyes at Shen Congjun. “Why I’m back is none of your business. Anyway… I’m not here to treat you.”

Though Shen Juexia had always been disrespectful.

Such outright defiance was unprecedented.

Stunned for a long moment, Shen Congjun turned to Jiang Hui standing awkwardly beside him, his neck flushing with humiliated rage. “How dare you speak to me like that?! I’m your father!”

“Oh really… Dad? Weren’t you the one who always insisted you weren’t?” Arms crossed, Shen Juexia met his gaze with a taunting smirk.

His face turned from red to green, his expression shifting repeatedly. Shen Congjun gritted his teeth in anger. “We have guests today, so I won’t argue with you.”

With a lazy glance at the unfamiliar man standing beside Shen Congjun, Shen Juexia continued to pour salt on the wound. “Oh, then hurry up and shut your mouth.”

Sister. The delicate cloisonné incense burner emitted the pleasant fragrance of agarwood, its delicate tendrils of smoke rising slowly with the flow of air.

“Dinghan, come take a look. How does your grandfather’s calligraphy look?” Resting the wolf-hair brush on the white jade brush rest, Shen Huimin picked up the Hongxing rice paper and turned to Shen Dinghan, who stood quietly waiting at the door.

The moment the driver pulled the car into the Shen residence.

The butler would report to him.

Deliberately choosing this moment to practice calligraphy…

Her expression flawless, Shen Dinghan relaxed her brows slightly and walked into the study with effortless grace. “Grandfather’s calligraphy is, of course, excellent.”

“Always so good with words. Who in S City doesn’t know that the eldest daughter of the Shen family is the honorary president of the Calligraphy Association? An old man like me… just scribbling for fun.” Though his words were modest, his expression betrayed his pride. Shen Huimin sat down on the carved sandalwood chair. “Has the legal department reviewed it?”

She remained silent, smiling faintly.

Only when Shen Huimin brought it up did Shen Dinghan retrieve the prepared documents from her bag. “Yes. Once you sign, the contract will take effect immediately.”

“We’re family, and you’ve always been meticulous.” Taking the documents, a glint flashed in his aged eyes. Shen Huimin flipped through a few pages casually before closing the file and picking up the brush again, feigning casual concern. “I heard you’re returning to M Country the day after tomorrow. Constantly shuttling between two countries, doesn’t it take a toll on your health?”

She had never expected to settle matters in one go. Watching Shen Huimin deftly steer the conversation elsewhere, Shen Dinghan lowered her gaze. “Thank you for your concern, Grandfather. The business in M Country is nearing its final stages.”

The hand holding the brush trembled slightly.

This girl was using the overseas business to pressure him.

“Good, good. Whatever the matter, I can rest easy knowing it’s in your hands.” The ink bled at the stroke’s turn, and Shen Huimin shook his head in dissatisfaction. “Your father is a disappointment. Such a vast family enterprise, yet it falls to a junior like you to hold it up.”

“Father values his freedom. It’s only natural he wouldn’t want to be burdened by such matters.” Glancing at the crumpled paper Shen Huimin had tossed into the wastebasket, Shen Dinghan replied coolly.

As if the man they were discussing—was not her father, but a stranger of no consequence.

The aging eagle gazed at the young gyrfalcon, its wings nearly full-grown.

A sharp glint flickered briefly in his eyes.

Wiping his palms with a handkerchief, Shen Huimin chuckled. “Xia’er is impatient. She must be tired of waiting alone downstairs. I always lose track of time when talking with you. Let’s head down now.”

With that, Shen Huimin set down the wolf-hair brush, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode steadily toward the elevator.

Her grip on the bag handle tightened slightly.

Was this title a crown or a shackle?

The car wheels rolled heavily over the asphalt.

Kicking up fine dust.

Her palm rested on her knee, fingers curling slightly into a loose fist.

From the moment she got into the car, Shen Juexia had been silently counting in her heart. At first, she thought reaching twenty would be enough.

But the result—

Now she had counted up to two hundred and twenty-seven…

Why hadn’t Shen Tinghan come over to coax her yet?

Why, why!!!

Her anger gradually turned into grievance and unease. Clenching her pearly teeth tightly on her lower lip, Shen Juexia sniffled and tilted her head, wanting to steal a glance at Shen Tinghan.

Who would have thought that the moment she turned her head,

Her gaze collided squarely with Shen Tinghan’s.

“This dress suits you very well.”

Hearing this compliment, the little rabbit immediately wiped away her tears and smiled. Picking up the bag that was between them, Shen Juexia lifted herself slightly and scooted closer to her side. “Is it really that pretty? It’s my first time wearing it. It matches the one I gave you—”

Realizing her slip of the tongue,

She covered her mouth and blinked her eyes.

Pretending not to notice her mistake, Shen Tinghan slightly lowered her gaze. “Yes, very beautiful.”

Trying to cover her embarrassment, Shen Juexia smoothed the ends of her hair and fanned herself lightly with her hand near her cheek. “It’s so hot in the car. Is the air conditioning set too high?”

“Xiao He.”

“Yes, President Shen. I’ll adjust the temperature right away.”

Her fingers moved across the LCD screen on the console.

He Ling stole a glance in the rearview mirror.

“The clothes are clean. If you want—”

Shaking her head, Shen Juexia interrupted Ji Zhijie. “Where’s the restroom?”

“It’s… never mind, just follow me.” Lowering her half-raised arm, Ji Zhijie turned and walked to the right.

Her steps were much smaller than when she walked alone.

Even in the height of summer,

The wind after the rain carried a slight chill.

The breeze lifted the hem of Ji Zhijie’s clothes, outlining her tall and slender figure, making her seem even more fragile. Her delicate spine looked as if it could break easily, yet it was these very shoulders that effortlessly bore everything that should have been her burden.

Walking behind Ji Zhijie,

Watching her thin back, Shen Juexia suddenly felt a pang of heartache.