Wen Jiao, however, lowered her gaze, and said lightly, "He’s fine and doesn’t fall short for me, it’s just that fate is lacking." The word ’fate’ seemed as pale as paper, which people use to comprehend loss, a gut-wrenching pain, yet could still talk themselves into acceptance. Bai Wending, who had just spoken, looked somewhat embarrassed, let out a forced laugh, and said, "Yeah... fate is lacking." Wen Jiao smiled serenely as the sea breeze brushed against her face, soft and quiet. She put down her knife and fork, and smiled, "Why is everyone looking at me? Help yourselves to the food, don’t be shy." Only then did everyone pick up their utensils again, minds elsewhere, such that afterwards, hardly anyone spoke again. Wen Jiao didn’t care; her sole purpose for coming here today was to show everyone that her relationship with Shen Zhaoli was stable, and the alliance through marriage between the Wen Family and the Shen Family was solid as gold. Now that her goal had been achieved, Wen Jiao had no more interest in playing pretenses. Two hours later, the ferryboat sailed back from the middle of the sea, and Wen Jiao, with others making way, was the first to disembark. Zhuang Jie Ning was standing on the shore, wrapped in a bathrobe as per the prior arrangement, looking pale and weak as she watched her approach. Bai Wending and Pan Ni followed behind Wen Jiao and were startled by Zhuang Jie Ning’s disheveled appearance. Wen Jiao approached Zhuang Jie Ning with a calm smile, putting on an ambiguous, gentle expression, "I’m so sorry, I got carried away talking and lost track of time. You haven’t caught a cold, have you?" Zhuang Jie Ning smiled, bearing the provocation and chafing from Wen Jiao. She lowered her eyes and spoke hoarsely, "No worries, it’s more important that Miss Wen enjoyed herself." "I did have fun indeed, but I do feel sorry for Miss Zhuang, having to wait for me on the shore for so long," Wen Jiao said with a laugh, her voice increasingly calm, "Don’t worry, I’ll pass on the pending partnership agreement to Shen Zhaoli, you can leave." Wen Jiao looked at Zhuang Jie Ning’s ragged state with complex emotions. On one hand, she detested Zhuang Jie Ning’s scheming against Bian Yue and had always disliked her pretentious manners. Yet now, using Shen Zhaoli’s reputation to humiliate Zhuang Jie Ning didn’t bring her the expected satisfaction. Zhuang Jie Ning was startled, not expecting Wen Jiao to suddenly let her go. The surprise in her eyes didn’t disperse in time as she looked increasingly downcast, "Thank you, Miss Wen. Rest assured, I’ve come to realize my mistakes, and from now on, I won’t cause any more trouble." Wen Jiao stared at Zhuang Jie Ning coldly, disbelieving her words, "Do you remember back in our sophomore year, Bian Yue would go to the multimedia room to practice the piano every afternoon, and then walk home with you?" Zhuang Jie Ning was silent for longer this time, speaking softly, "I have some recollection." "Bian Yue wasn’t really there to practice the piano. Her piano skills were already quite superb at that time; she really didn’t need to repeat such boring practice. She was there waiting for you, saying it would be too boring for you to walk home alone, better to accompany you." A slight crack appeared in Zhuang Jie Ning’s composure, but she did not speak. Wen Jiao smiled coldly, each word deliberate and clear, "Zhuang Jie Ning, all that I’ve done to you today, consider it my using force against weakness, consider it me merely toying with you, but Bian Yue has never done any of these things to you, and the only person you truly owe an apology to is Bian Yue." Zhuang Jie Ning’s complexion turned increasingly pale. Her downcast eyes revealed fragments of vulnerability. That night, Wen Yongwei cooked a table full of home dishes for Wen Jiao. Wen Yongwei is now semi-retired, and he relies heavily on Shen Zhaoli, having entrusted almost all the company affairs to him. Wen Jiao was actually quite surprised that her father, Wen Yongwei, could trust Shen Zhaoli so much. "Zhaoli, try this. This is the bone broth I stewed this afternoon! I added lots of nourishing ingredients. You work so hard, eat more!" Shen Zhaoli smiled, looking every bit the model student, as he took the soup Wen Yongwei passed him, and didn’t forget to compliment: "It smells really good, dad, you’ve been working hard too!" "I’m just making some food at home, it’s no hard work at all!" Wen Yongwei waved his hand dismissively and eagerly asked, "How is it? Does it taste good?" Shen Zhaoli nodded with a smile, saying it tasted very good. Wen Jiao sat beside Shen Zhaoli, watching the two of them completely ignore her and interact with each other. She tapped the table impatiently and said, "I’m still sitting here! Why are you treating me like air? Dad! You only ask Shen Zhaoli if it tastes good, why don’t you ask me!" "What’s there to ask you! Eat it if you like!" Wen Yongwei glared at Wen Jiao and said, "Running off somewhere early in the morning without a clue! You came back with all your clothes wet!" Wen Jiao pouted and frowned, saying, "Fine! Now that you have a son-in-law, you’re done with your daughter!" Shen Zhaoli, with a smile, watched the father and daughter argue. He quietly sipped his soup, then stood up and poured a bowl for Wen Jiao. "I’ve tried it, it’s really good. Drink more." Wen Jiao hummed in satisfaction, took the bowl, and contentedly started drinking. After finishing the meal, Wen Jiao knocked on the table and turned to Shen Zhaoli, who was sitting beside her, "Come upstairs with me, I have something to talk to you about." Shen Zhaoli raised an eyebrow; he was very cooperative and followed Wen Jiao upstairs. The two entered the study; Wen Jiao walked behind the desk, took out the hidden documents, and reluctantly said, "Take it! The collaboration agreement between Lixing Group and Zhuang Group." "You met with Zhuang Jie Ning today?" Shen Zhaoli’s voice was inquiring, but his words clearly indicated he already knew. Wen Jiao nodded, saying, "Yes, I met her." "I thought this agreement would have to wait until my brother came back. What were you thinking, agreeing to it right away?" "It felt meaningless." Wen Jiao frowned, a trace of confusion in her eyes, "Sometimes I really find it all so pointless. I mean, after all our skirmishes, there’s no real significance." Shen Zhaoli picked up the document from the desk and gave it a cursory glance before putting it down, asking, "When is your next social gathering?" "I don’t even want to go this time! If it weren’t for the need to clear up the rumors, I wouldn’t want to see them at all!" Wen Jiao sighed, reflective, "Why did I ever like going to class reunions? What a brain fart!" "Next time..." Shen Zhaoli paused and said with a smile looking at Wen Jiao, "Take me with you." Wen Jiao was startled and instinctively replied, "You’re very busy." "If you ask me, I’ll definitely make time." Wen Jiao, observing Shen Zhaoli’s gentle smile, couldn’t help feeling that he was quite a looker; such a smile was really charming. She cleared her throat and said, "Got it, I’ll let you know." "Don’t stand me up again this time." Shen Zhaoli spoke in a casual tone, "You really have no credibility with me." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novᴇlfire.net "What are you talking about! Don’t worry, I won’t stand you up this time!" Wen Jiao said, her expression slightly irritated, "My dad’s already on your side, how can I dare?"