Chapter 185: It’s not a rumor, we’re dating
Lian Li was well aware of what the name Chen Shifei represented.
The third young lady of the Chen Family in Hong Kong Island, Madam Jin Zhengchuan, and the biological mother of Jin Shi Yue and Jin Yan Ting.
And the reason Chen Shifei came to find her was self-evident.
A while ago, Jin Shi Yue openly flew a helicopter to the school. Although the helicopter used was a stealth model and his actions were relatively low-key, it still did not escape the Jin Family’s notice.
Given the Jin Family’s decisive and thorough way of doing things, they should have found Lian Li long ago.
The only reason they appeared now was that they had chosen the opportune moment when Jin Shi Yue was leaving the Capital City.
Jin Yan Ting had not been in the country for several days, and once Jin Shi Yue left, no one would be able to stop the Jin Family.
Their subordinate, Ling Yu, who was secretly protecting Lian Li, saw Lian Li get into Chen Shifei’s car and was so startled that he directly bit through the fruit candy in his mouth.
His pupils dilated, and he stared blankly as the car drove away.
No one dared to offend Chen Shifei, and Ling Yu was no match for her.
He hurriedly called Li Ye: “This is bad! Miss Lian has been taken away by Madam!”
The word “taken away” sounded like law enforcement arresting a criminal and taking them to the yamen for interrogation.
That middle-aged woman was Chen Shifei’s secretary—having been the matriarch of the Jin Family for so many years, her sphere of activity was certainly not limited to the men’s backyard.
After listening to the secretary’s concise introduction, Lian Li nodded.
She had voluntarily agreed to meet Chen Shifei; she was not there to be interrogated.
Lian Li was currently with Jin Shi Yue. If her boyfriend’s mother wanted to meet and talk, she had no reason to refuse.
The car stopped in a secluded alleyway, and the female secretary led Lian Li into a courtyard.
Before entering, Lian Li glanced at the plaque hanging there, and her heart understood.
This courtyard was a protected cultural relic and was not open to the public.
The female secretary was not familiar with Lian Li and maintained a polite distance. Knowing that she had seen the conspicuous plaque, she offered no explanation.
Fortunately, Lian Li was not curious at all.
People at their level of status always easily surpassed normal people’s understanding.
The garden was ancient and elegant, with moss naturally growing on the steps. A beam of light pierced through the dense foliage and fell on Chen Shifei, who was sitting at a stone table, holding a book, sipping tea as she read.
Another beautiful noblewoman.
“Madam, Miss Lian has arrived,” the secretary said, leading Lian Li to Chen Shifei with her eyes lowered.
Lian Li spoke at the appropriate moment: “Madam.”
A gentle voice was carried to her ears by the breeze. Chen Shifei showed no reaction, as if she hadn’t heard.
Lian Li’s voice was very special, sweet and crisp, but not like the usual crispness and sweetness of a young girl. It was like aged grape wine with a ruby sheen, inviting one to savor it repeatedly.
Chen Shifei remained silent and waved her hand lightly and elegantly.
The secretary, skilled at reading people, understood and instructed a servant to serve tea and asked Lian Li to be seated.
Lian Li was not reserved. She thanked them and sat down opposite Chen Shifei.
The wind swirled around, and the aroma of tea filled the air. Only when the fragrance reached her nostrils did Chen Shifei put down her book and look directly at Lian Li.
The girl had thick, black, shoulder-length hair. A few strands were tucked behind her ears, revealing her delicate earlobes. A cherry-shaped red earring dangled slightly by her ear, vibrantly bright.
Her clear almond eyes, upturned nose, and flawless features were rarely beautiful. Her composure in the face of adversity was even rarer.
Both her approachable demeanor and her inner temperament were extremely likable.
Chen Shifei had seen photos of Lian Li a few times and knew the young girl was beautiful. Seeing her in person, she felt she was more than just beautiful.
Lian Li met Chen Shifei’s gaze squarely, her cherry lips slightly pursed, a polite, ceremonial smile on her face.
“Do you know why I’ve asked you here today?” Chen Shifei’s voice was gentle yet firm, a gentleness with a sense of strength, as if whatever she said was convincing.
Most people who have been in high positions for a long time prefer to speak indirectly, controlling the conversation to elicit the information they want.
Without speaking, they can make others do what they want them to do.
If the gossip Xue Shufan spoke of on her twenty-second birthday was true, then… such a controller once suffered from bipolar affective disorder?
Lian Li was somewhat surprised, but it didn’t show on her face. She smiled politely: “Madam, you can speak directly if you have something to say.”
“Would you like to call Yan Ting and Shi Yue first to inform them of our meeting?” Chen Shifei was not easily led by Lian Li, and she was past her impulsive age. Her speech was unhurried.
“No need,” Lian Li replied. “Since you’ve asked to see me, you must have something to discuss with me alone. Whether they know or not will not affect our conversation today.”
Lian Li’s directness made Chen Shifei look at her with a bit of admiration.
It was not uncommon for wives of prominent families to discreetly handle their children’s extramarital affairs.
Most of these lovers, male and female, liked to use the same excuse: “Have you discussed this with him/her? Please talk to him/her first, clarify things, and then have him/her inform me.”
They lacked the ability to solve problems, so they passed the problem to someone else.
Seemingly powerful, but actually hollow; seemingly brave, but actually weak.
“That’s excellent,” Chen Shifei said. “Twenty years ago, the Old Master took pity on your father, who had a two-year-old daughter, and helped you and your father establish yourselves in the Capital City. Ten years ago, your father passed away, and Yan Ting took you in, providing for your food, clothing, and shelter.”
She paused for a few seconds, and Lian Li knew what she meant without guessing.
The Jin Family had been kind to her, yet she shamelessly had scandals with two of the Jin Family’s young masters one after another.
“Now that you have graduated, Yan Ting and Shi Qing are preparing to get married,” Chen Shifei said, her beautiful eyes fixed on Lian Li. “You can leave now.”
It sounded like genuine advice from an elder to a junior, but it was filled with pressure.
“You don’t need to worry,” Lian Li said, her fingers resting on the rim of the tea cup, its touch warm. “Yan Ting Ge and I have no romantic relationship. Whether he gets married or not, I won’t be by his side.”
Even biological siblings need boundaries, let alone her and Jin Yan Ting, who were not related.
Lian Li proactively mentioned: “As for your second son, I believe you should be aware of some things between him and me.”
Chen Shifei said: “It’s just a rumor…” She wanted to say that Shi Yue already had a fiancée and dissuade Lian Li, but before she could speak, she heard Lian Li say:
“It’s not a rumor. We are dating.”
Chen Shifei was slightly taken aback.
She had planned to talk slowly, but unexpectedly, Lian Li took the initiative.
The surprise was only for a moment, leaving no trace on her face.
“Whether it’s Shi Yue or Yan Ting, the women they will ultimately marry will be girls who match them in family background, ability, and everything else. At the very least, they will be young ladies from scholarly families.”
Chen Shifei didn’t understand why both her sons were protecting Lian Li. “Lian Li, the most important thing in life is self-awareness. If it weren’t for the Old Master, you and your father wouldn’t even be able to touch the door of the Jin Family, let alone have what you have now.”
Although she didn’t say it directly, she clearly meant: You are not worthy of my son!
