Shang Xinglu would rather die than reveal the real reason.

She was thinking of coming up with some grand excuse, like saving her silly younger brother, or protecting the scared Lin Zong from the penguins’ attack.

She was ready to make up some story, when a cold male voice interrupted at the door: “She was petting penguins, but the kind that’s hard to deal with, and got slapped into the water.”

That ruthless, fearless tone that dared to dismantle her reputation…

Yes, it was Lin Zong making his entrance.

Hadn’t he just left this morning?

Shang Xinglu immediately asked, “Why are you back again?”

Lin Heng didn’t miss Shang Xinglu’s use of the word “again.”

Instantly, Lin Zong felt somewhat displeased.

…What’s wrong with him coming a few more times?

He said, “You wouldn’t eat properly this morning, so I came to see if you’ve eaten lunch.”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

What eating?!

I’m busy! I’m a very important person, how can I worry about eating!

However, Shang Xinglu, who didn’t know Lin Heng’s schedule very well but had a general understanding of it, finally regained some rationality regarding the word “busy.”

She closed her mouth.

The room grew lively again.

Shang Xinglu’s parents, aunt and uncle, Lin Heng, and Shang Xinglu’s younger brother, Shang Xingyu, were all present, making up about 80% of the family.

Shang Xinglu’s cousin, Yuan Yuzhen, who had just had a baby and was still in confinement, didn’t come.

The parents’ arrival was nothing surprising—just some casual small talk and well-wishing.

However, the inquiries from her aunt and uncle felt fake and nauseating.

Shang Xinglu was fine, wearing a smile that hid her true feelings.

Shang Xingyu, however, couldn’t keep up the fake smile for long, his face stiffening.

After a while, he just stopped smiling.

Shang Xinglu’s mother, Shang Mingshu, asked, “Xingyu, are you upset about something?”

Shang Xinglu immediately helped smooth things over, “He’s angry with me. I made him move back to the dorm. Just now, he asked if he could come back home, but I wouldn’t let him.”

Upon hearing this, Shang Mingshu and Yuan Kaiyi had something to say.

Shang Mingshu said, “You’re trying to help your parents teach your brother, which is a good intention. But isn’t this a bit too much? Xingyu’s living conditions in the dorm are not ideal. Have you seen the security?”

Yuan Kaiyi added, “Yes, what if something happens?”

They were concerned about someone taking advantage of their wealth, so they didn’t think highly of the people involved.

Both of them were trying to act as if they had the best of intentions, while in reality…

Shang Xinglu had little patience for them. She said, “Yunshi has so many employees living there, so why wouldn’t Xingyu be able to live there?”

Yuan Kaiyi immediately took a commanding tone, “You’re so stubborn, even as a child. How can Xingyu be the same as those employees? As long as he admits his mistake, everything’s fine. We’ve been through this, we have experience, trust us, it’s for the best.”

The siblings probably both laughed inwardly.

Listening to them, they’d probably end up with nothing to their name.

Shang Mingshu dropped the topic with a stern face, switching to another topic in a similarly superior manner: “Let’s not talk about that. Anyway, Lu Lu, you’re smart. If I just point something out, you’ll understand.”

“Just now, I went with your uncle to see Yuzhen at the maternity center. The baby is so cute. You and Lin Heng shouldn’t fall behind your sister’s progress.”

Shang Mingshu said this in a half-joking tone.

Shang Xinglu’s mother knew her daughter’s temperament, so she quickly said, “Young people can handle their own affairs, we won’t interfere.”

However, Shang Mingshu didn’t stop. “Sister-in-law, you care too little. Otherwise, could Lu Lu have fallen out with that person from the Shen family? Lu Lu, I heard some gossip, not sure how true it is, but let me advise you—don’t be foolish, still thinking about that person from the Shen family. That’s just wishful thinking. It’s better to be with Lin Heng.”

After this, the room fell silent.

When Shen Wang’s name was mentioned, the atmosphere became awkward.

Yuan Kaiyi deliberately spoke loudly: “Can you stop talking?!”

“Lu Lu, your aunt is straightforward, don’t mind her.”

Shang Xinglu considered herself a happy, optimistic person who rarely got angry.

But when faced with her troublesome relatives, she felt like she had lost!

This couple was so in sync—each finishing the other’s sentences, like they were putting on a show.

Like a pair of “puppeteers”—evolving to another level—!!!

Just as this “evolution” was happening, Lin Heng, the domineering CEO, who had barely had any presence, stepped forward, seemingly about to say something.

Shang Xinglu, quick on her feet, grabbed Lin Heng’s coat.

Lin Heng looked at her.

His jawline was smooth and well-defined, with not a hint of stubble.

His eyes showed no clear anger or icy glare, but his whole presence exuded a different kind of aura, one that was unlike his usual self.

The silence lasted briefly, but Shang Xinglu felt that his pause was endless, like the long silence after a snowstorm on a cold night—so long that dawn seemed unreachable.

Lin Heng stepped back.

Shang Xinglu let out a sigh of relief.

She wasn’t angry anymore, but if she didn’t handle the situation carefully, it might’ve ended with Mr. Lin stepping in personally.

She smiled at the mirror, practicing the elegant smile she had learned from Marilyn.

Shang Xinglu said, “Actually, my aunt did make a good point.”

Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shang, sighed in relief.

They had expected Shang Xinglu’s temper to explode.

Shang Xinglu continued, “Who says only men have these flaws? Women have them too. And I think maybe it runs in our family. The red roses turned to mosquito blood, but the white moonlight remains the same. Who wouldn’t still long for it? Maybe that longing lasts for over twenty years.”

Shang Yingxue’s smile froze on her face.

Shang Xinglu added, “Uncle, since you agree with Aunt’s point, I’m sure you know about Aunt’s ‘white moonlight.’ You’re both right, I should learn from Aunt’s mistakes.”

Yuan Kaiyi froze for a moment before furrowing his brow and staring at Shang Yingxue.

When Shang Yingxue got married, the Shang family had deliberately concealed this matter from Yuan Kaiyi, telling him that he wasn’t aware of it.

Shang Yingxue was anxious, trying to explain, but was stumbling over her words. Yuan Kaiyi let out a heavy snort and left the room.

Shang Yingxue quickly chased after him.

Mr. and Mrs. Shang: “…………”

Just as they were about to speak, Shang Xingyu interrupted, making a sharp remark in his sister’s defense.

“Whoever starts it is the shameless one.”

Mr. Shang: “You… you kids… forget it!”

Mr. Shang was also angry and left.

Before leaving, Mrs. Shang secretly gave Shang Xinglu a thumbs up.

After all the commotion, the room finally quieted down.

It was at this moment that Lin Heng suddenly asked, “How’s the investigation into Bu Zheng Financial’s matters going? Have you made any progress?”

Although Lin Heng hadn’t been involved in the investigation, and he didn’t discuss it with Shang Xinglu beforehand, he had noticed that the two siblings, Shang Xinglu and Shang Xingyu, had been meeting frequently.

From their conversations, which were not completely avoiding him, he had picked up on their plan.

Shang Xinglu replied, “We’ve found something. Turns out, this isn’t the first time he’s done this.”

Lin Heng nodded.

He said, “Assistant Yuan has some reporter contacts. Just call him directly.”

At this point, Shang Xinglu clung to Lin Heng’s arm, showering him with praise, “You’re amazing, darling!”

Shang Xingyu also wanted to praise Lin Heng, so he clung to Shang Xinglu’s other arm, trying to get in on the praise.

“Brother-in-law, you’re amazing!”

Lin Heng: “…”

Mr. Lin furrowed his brows.

Then, stretching his hand across the bed, he gently pulled Shang Xinglu’s hand out of Shang Xingyu’s arm and pushed Shang Xingyu aside with a slight look of distaste.

Shang Xingyu: “……………”

What did I do wrong?!!!

---

The next day, Shang Xinglu used the contact information from Lin Heng’s assistant to arrange for two reporters to interview Yuan Kaiyi.

She gave them some inside information and made sure they kept it confidential.

The reporters, who were familiar with Yuan’s assistant, were happy to oblige.

The interview went smoothly, as Yuan Kaiyi enjoyed the attention and loved how the reporters painted him as “wise and decisive.”

Even though the magazine wasn’t widely read among the general public, it had a high circulation in the industry, so it gave him significant face.

However, after the interview, the reporters, using a known source’s tip-off, published another article comparing what Yuan Kaiyi had said in the interview with the actual facts.

It was a classic case of him acting like a benevolent collaborator in the interview, but the leak exposed his true nature: taking all the profits for himself while pretending to be fair.

The report didn’t make much of a splash with the general public, but among those in the finance industry, it sparked considerable interest.

People began to recall their past collaborations with Bu Zheng Financial and questioned recent internal leaks regarding Yunshi.

When Yuan Kaiyi saw the report, he was furious.

He immediately tried to contact the reporter, but the number was disconnected.

He then tried calling the editor of Finance magazine, but the call was directed to a secretary, who claimed the editor wasn’t available.

In a fit of rage, Yuan Kaiyi threw his tablet, and when Shang Yingxue came in with tea and fruit to calm him down, she saw him in this state and rushed to call an ambulance.