Suddenly, a pair of fashionable sports shoes came into view. Ji Yan looked up in confusion. A young man stood there wearing linen pants and a hoodie, with hair covering his mysterious eyes, his hands in his pockets.
She called out in surprise, “Rio?”
Rio’s lips curved into a smile as he greeted her. “What a coincidence, Ji Yan.”
Ji Yan also laughed with a pure and simple smile on her gentle face. She got up and returned the paper plane to the little boy. Then she turned to Rio and asked, “Would you like to sit with me?”
Rio sat on the wooden bench she had just sat on and looked at Ji Yan. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail and she wore a white shirt with jeans.
“Dressed this way, you’re like a student.” He praised. Her outfit was pure, simple, and young. It made Ji Yan look even more babyish and more beautiful.
Ji Yan was a little embarrassed. It seemed that she was a little immature-looking dressed like that. But if she hadn’t married Shang Jinshen, she indeed had just graduated.
“You also look like a sunshine boy who recklessly sweats on the basketball court.” Rio was not old and he looked like a cheerful young boy in a hoodie.
Rio’s face sank on purpose, then he revealed his age. “I’m already 32 now. I don’t look like a boy at all.”
Ji Yan didn’t comment. Compared to Shang Jinshen, who wore a suit all year round, or Shang Yu An, who pretended to be mature, she couldn’t guess Rio’s age. Others would believe him even if he said he was only 23.
“By the way, why are you here?” Ji Yan tilted her head and asked. The square she was at was not in the city and there were not many people around. Only the people who lived nearby would come over for a walk.
Rio tilted his head like her and said, “I came to North River City. I thought you would invite me to a meal to express gratitude. If it weren’t for destiny, how could I see you?”
Ji Yan felt a little awkward and wondered if he wanted to score a free meal from her. She smiled and said, “Why don’t I invite you to a meal now?”
She should treat him because Rio had helped her out in the design exhibition in Southlake City. She didn’t take the initiative to contact him, and instead, she let Rio come to her. It was embarrassing.
Rie said straightforwardly, “Okay, then you have to do your best as a host.”
“No problem. I know a good restaurant.” Fortunately, Ji Yan had the habit of bringing money with her anywhere. Otherwise, it would be awkward if she didn’t have enough money to pay for a meal.
Ji Yan smiled and they left the square. She didn’t know that her every move was being observed by the people hiding in the bushes.
“Mr. Shang. Uh, Madam Ji Yan met Rio when she went out. Now they are going to the River Pavilion Restaurant.” Lan Si came to report, not knowing how his young master would react.
The pen in Shang Jinshen’s hand suddenly strayed. That stupid woman was bold enough to go to dinner with another man behind his back.
“But Mr. Shang, Madam Ji Yan must be aware that Rio had helped her, so she…” Lan Si couldn’t go on.
Shang Jinshen threw a cold glance at him and said, “She doesn’t need you to explain for her.”
He had underestimated the charm of his wife. First, it was Madam Zhang, then it was the cold-faced assistant who had followed him for so many years.
Lan Si…
“All right, follow her. You don’t have to report to me if there is no accident. Even if she has the courage, she will not dare to do anything harmful to the Shang family.”
After the boss spoke, Lan Si immediately wiped the sweat off his face and left.
“You said you’re going to host a banquet?”
Ji Yan put her hands on her head and replied feebly, “Yes, it’s Mrs. Shang’s birthday banquet. I haven’t got a clue about what to do yet.”
Rio thought for a moment and blinked. He told Ji Yan about the grand banquets he had attended before. There was no intention to show off, he just wanted to help Ji Yan in a simple way.
He did not ask about Mrs. Shang. Everyone had a right to privacy, and he won’t ask about such things casually.
After the meal, Rio told Ji Yan in detail about the fashion magazine opportunity and the two of them happily said goodbye.
Contrary to her sullen look in the afternoon, Ji Yan felt enlightened after listening to Rio’s words. Perhaps, it was not so difficult to arrange a banquet. The most important thing was her sincerity.
Ji Yan was writing the details of Mrs. Shang’s birthday banquet on the table in the living room, so she did not expect Mrs. Shang to angrily stomp to her with a stack of photos, throwing them on her face.
Ji Yan was slightly stunned and then she heard Mrs. Shang cursing at her from the side, “You are a sly fox. I know that you are restless. Look at yourself. You bring shame to our family!”
Ji Yan looked down at the scattered photos with a pale face. In the photos, the girl with a ponytail wore a bright smile on her face, while a man was talking and laughing with her. Every picture was taken beautifully, but the more Ji Yan looked at it, the colder she felt.
Because of the angle, many photos even looked intimate. She opened her mouth slightly and didn’t know how to explain.
But Mrs. Shang did not give her a chance to explain. She grabbed the small book in Ji Yan’s hand and fiercely tore it off, stepping on it. Her face was full of anger. “You are still pretending to prepare a birthday banquet for me. I think you want to anger me to death by giving me this gift in advance!”
Ji Yan looked at the torn-up pieces of her effort and her heart gradually cooled as if it had fallen into an ice cave. She said calmly and firmly, “I didn’t do anything wrong to the Shang family.”
When Mrs. Shang heard this, she was even angrier. She reached out and slapped her. Ji Yan’s face immediately turned red. She sat quietly, ignoring everything.
“Are you still arguing? Do you have to see bedroom evidence to admit it? I think you’re clinging to our family to use our money to feed your gigolos outside!”
Mrs. Shang’s words were more and more unpleasant to hear. Ji Yan silently lowered her head, concealing the deep pain in her eyes.
Madam Zhang stood anxiously at the side, not daring to stop her.
The butler always listened to Mrs. Shang’s orders. He was standing behind her, looking at the scene with a cold face.
Finally, a car parked outside the door.
“What are you fussing about?” Shang Jinshen asked impatiently, looking at the furious Mrs. Shang and then at Ji Yan, who was sitting on the ground.
As soon as Mrs. Shang heard her son’s voice, she quickly turned her head and said to Shang Jinshen, “Look at what your good wife has done. How dare she cheat behind your back? Son, this time, I can’t accept this daughter-in-law anymore whether you agree or not.”
Ji Yan immediately bit her lip and glanced at Shang Jinshen. His eyes were as cold as the moon. He looked at her indifferently, but she could not feel any warmth. Ji Yan’s heart plunged into a frozen lake and she bowed her head, bitterness rising in her heart. He still did not believe her.
Shang Jinshen glanced at the pictures scattered on the ground and his eyes darkened. He did not miss the hope in her eyes when she looked at him just now, nor the flash of despair in her eyes before she lowered her head.