{It’s as if their three years together never existed 3}

Many similar scenarios involve using the crowd to impose moral pressure.

But Qian Xu wasn’t a fool. She knew that accepting the bouquet would only lead her down a path to destruction, and if she did so, she would have only herself to blame.

So Qian Xu decided to let Shen Qi lose face. She had no qualms about freeing herself from his grasp in front of everyone and then turning around to offer him her most generous response: “Get lost.”

Shen Qi remained where he stood, unmoved. The expression on his face was unreadable, but the slight smile he gave was one of subtle indifference—the kind of tolerance an upper-class person might extend.

It was as if he thought Qian Xu’s outburst was nothing more than a tantrum from a childish woman.

That expression thoroughly enraged Qian Xu. Given Shen Qi’s understanding of how group dynamics work, he couldn’t be unaware of the implications behind that smile, and what assumptions people would make about their relationship.

He was shamelessly using the crowd to force her into compromising in public.

It appeared gentle—he didn’t even need to resort to any overtly aggressive actions.

Such manipulative tactics were over the top when used on her, so Qian Xu didn’t mind exposing everything in front of everyone.

“President Shen, I really appreciate your visit, especially that you brought along your and Ms. Cheng’s children. I’m very honored, but…”

Qian Xu took the bright bouquet from him, walked directly to a nearby metal trash bin, and threw it in without hesitation. “This isn’t even my favorite color.”

The vibrant roses, once bold and eye-catching, were now hidden beneath the metal lid of the trash can, no longer visible.

“And,” Qian Xu emphasized for everyone around, fearing they hadn’t fully understood her, “bringing your two children here is quite likely to cause misunderstandings. After all, you had children before marriage, so maybe your reputation doesn’t matter to you.”

She glanced at the crowd, feigning concern and speaking with a hint of mock fear, as if distancing herself from the highly praised man. “But I, on the other hand, need to protect my own reputation.”

The crowd responded with murmurs.

People surrounded them in the middle of the airport, and the admiration for Shen Qi had completely vanished.

“So they’re not a couple, after all?”

“They looked so good together. I thought they were a couple, but it turns out the kids are with some other woman.”

“Wow, bringing his ex’s kids to meet a new woman. That’s bold.”

“I love how decisively she turned him down. She didn’t even hesitate. This woman has some fire!”

“Guess you can’t judge a situation by appearances. But man, this drama is intense. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a real-life scandal like this. I’m totally telling my coworkers about it later.”

“President Shen, if you don’t want yourself or your children to become the latest gossip fodder for strangers,” Qian Xu smiled, though her eyes were cold, “I suggest you stop showing up in front of me.”

Little Shen Qiyue, her delicate face filled with anger, couldn’t hold back any longer. Furious, she snapped at Qian Xu, “You’re being too much! My dad came here to pick you up out of kindness…”

Qian Xu immediately cut her off. “Since when does a child get to interrupt when adults are talking?”

Shen Qiyue fell silent, her displeasure clearly visible.

If, up until this point, Qian Xu had still maintained some semblance of politeness, Shen Qiyue’s repeated provocations had finally worn her patience thin. Qian Xu had once thought that this child wasn’t inherently bad, or that, even if she wasn’t good, proper upbringing might improve her behavior. But now, it seemed her leniency had only emboldened the girl, making her increasingly disrespectful and unruly.

That behavior—the jealousy when she hurried home from abroad and the way she attached photos of herself with Cheng Shuangyi—was far from what a five-year-old should be doing.

Qian Xu never expected the care she gave would be compared to Cheng Shuangyi’s biological bond, but she certainly wouldn’t allow herself to be disrespected by an ignorant child.

Perhaps sensing Qian Xu’s growing displeasure, Shen Qi, who rarely bothered reading others’ emotions, quickly directed his assistant to take the two children away. Shen Qinian, the other child, remained still, clearly wanting to use the situation to start a conversation with Qian Xu. Yet, after some hesitation, he ultimately stayed quiet. Soon after, Shen Qi’s assistant arrived to take the children, almost as if rescuing them from the awkward situation.

At least Shen Qinian didn’t have to keep weighing his mother’s and Qian Xu’s roles in his mind.

Shen Qi’s actions were clearly an attempt to win Qian Xu over.