Chapter 31.3

Meanwhile, the Shen family couldn’t sleep.

Shen Xin was trembling with anger. “How could she do this? Even if she’s the eldest daughter of the Xu family, so what? Dad is my cousin’s uncle. How can she boss us around? No, I need to call my aunt. I don’t believe Xu Yuan can be so unrestrained!”

Shen Xin picked up the phone but was stopped by Mrs. Shen, who had a stern look on her face. “If you want your father to leave even faster, go ahead.”

“Mom!” Shen Xin couldn’t understand her mother’s thinking and cried out.

“Xiao Xin, it’s fine to say these things at home, but don’t let others hear it. Otherwise, even your aunt will despise you.” Mrs. Shen glanced at her husband and sneered. “Don’t think your sister has much affection for you. No matter how important others are, can they be more important than her son? Zhengrong must have discussed it with his mom. Otherwise, with her personality, she would have called by now. How could she ignore it?”

Shen Ming wanted to argue but didn’t dare after seeing his wife’s expression.

“Am I wrong? Can a brother be closer than a son? Now Zhengrong is determined to deal with us, and what can your sister say?” Mrs. Shen looked at her son. “Did you find out what I asked you to?”

“Yes,” Shen Cheng sat on the sofa, “Xu Yuan and Chen Hao were college classmates. They liked each other from the start but didn’t express it until they were about to graduate. They got together, but a few months later, Chen Hao got involved with one of Xu Yuan’s friends, and they broke up. Everyone in the circle knew about it.”

Shen Xin burst into laughter, gloating. “How pathetic! Her boyfriend cheated on her with her friend. This is gold! Brother, why didn’t you find out earlier? Now I can laugh at her. Let’s see if she dares to be so arrogant!”

She couldn’t stand Xu Yuan’s arrogance. Apart from her family background, what was there to show off? Why did she look down on their family?

Now it was clear. Xu Yuan had been humiliated before. Her boyfriend was stolen by her friend. This was enough to laugh at for years.

“Shut up!” Mrs. Shen couldn’t bear her daughter’s stupidity anymore and scolded her harshly.

Shen Xin was still afraid of her mother, so she quieted down and sat there quietly.

“Think of a way to get close to this Chen Hao,” Mrs. Shen calculated. “In a few days, it’s your father’s birthday. Let’s throw a big party. I’m sure Zhengrong and Xu Yuan will attend. Make sure to invite Chen Hao.”

“Okay.” Shen Cheng nodded.

Shen Ming hesitated, “But if my sister and brother-in-law knew about it, it wouldn’t be good, right?”

“By then, it can only be said that Shen Cheng made the wrong friends. Moreover, if Xu Yuan rekindles with Chen Hao, can they blame us?”

Mrs. Shen, though seemingly gentle, was known to be the decision-maker in the Shen family. Even Shen Ming had to listen to her.

“Alright, this is the only way now.”

After Xu Yuan’s recent actions, Shen Ming thought about resigning. At least Meng Zhengrong would remember his good deeds. But seeing his wife’s determination, he didn’t dare voice his thoughts.

Forget it. After all, he’s Meng Zhengrong’s uncle, a relative. Blood is thicker than water.

Xu Yuan was busier than before, running between the finance department and the public welfare project department. Shen Ming also started working punctually, but the two remained polite on the surface, with no major conflicts. The public welfare project department colleagues knew that, although Shen Ming was still the manager in name, stepping down was only a matter of time.

“Uncle, my parents recently traveled abroad and brought back a few bottles of wine from

their vineyard. They taste pretty good.” Xu Yuan knocked on the door with a bottle of red wine and smiled at Shen Ming.

Shen Ming was afraid of seeing Xu Yuan but had to interact now. In fact, he felt it was quite tiring, but there was no other way, he had to guard here strictly.

He got up to take the wine and smiled. “You don’t have to be so polite.”

Xu Yuan’s smile widened. “My parents and brother were happy to hear I joined the company’s public welfare project. They said I should learn from you, Uncle.”

Mentioning the Xu family made Shen Ming uneasy.

Strictly speaking, the Xu Family and Meng Family were well-matched in status, with similar strengths. If not absolutely necessary, Shen Ming and other relatives didn’t want to offend Xu Yuan.

Just like Shen Cheng said, even Meng Zhengrong had to give Xu Yuan some leeway, let alone them.

“No, no, it’s my duty.” After Xu Yuan’s previous actions, Shen Ming felt less confident around her.

She had announced her joining without consulting Meng Zhengrong. If Meng Zhengrong knew in advance, he wouldn’t dare object. If Meng Zhengrong didn’t know, then he would not dare to offend Xu Yuan even more.

Daring to bypass Meng Zhengrong, with Meng Zhengrong not getting angry afterward, showed Meng Zhengrong’s tacit approval of her actions.

“My brother also said that, if Uncle has time, he would like to treat you to a meal.” Xu Yuan glanced at her watch. “I won’t take up any more of your time. By the way, Uncle, if you don’t think I’m too slow, you can delegate some tasks to me to practice. Otherwise, if Zhengrong will thinks I’m slacking off, he will definitely have an opinion. What do you think, Uncle?”

The implication was that if he did not give her work it meant he is considering her slow. Who dared to think the boss’s wife was slow? Moreover, if he didn’t give her work, would she tell Meng Zhengrong?

It seemed he had no choice but to give her some tasks.

Shen Ming forced a smile. “Alright, alright.”

“Uncle, you’re too kind. Working in the company with guidance from elders is indeed much more convenient and relaxing. Zhengrong thought so too. He even said that Uncle is the best among all the relatives.”

“Ha, where would that be?”

“Well, Uncle, don’t be modest. By the way, do you have time tomorrow? If you do, let’s have lunch together. Zhengrong mentioned a nearby restaurant with excellent food.”

“Haha, let’s talk about it later. We won’t know if we have time until tomorrow.”

Xu Yuan watched as Shen Ming’s expression grew increasingly stiff. Satisfied, she turned and walked out. Right after she left, Shen Ming remained seated in his office chair, looking exhausted.

Now he suspected that Xu Yuan was sent by Meng Zhengrong to torment him. He really feared this Miss Xu from the Xu family!