She wasn't entirely sure if Sheng Chenjin would be angry when she said this.
After all, she had agreed to attend the banquet with him. Breaking the agreement the day before was hardly justifiable.
But Shi Xinxin didn't know that she could break countless rules for Sheng Chenjin.
Sheng Chenjin readily agreed, "It's fine, just focus on the competition."
His immediate agreement made Shi Xinxin hesitate. She tilted her head, "Why did you agree so easily?"
Suddenly thinking of something, Shi Xinxin's voice turned serious, "You're not planning to find another female companion for the banquet behind my back, are you?"
Sheng Chenjin was about to instinctively answer her.
But seeing Shi Xinxin's wary expression, an idea suddenly struck him. He chuckled, "What? Are you jealous?"
"Ridiculous." Shi Xinxin turned her face away, her gaze also shifting aside, feigning indifference. "I'd rather eat salt than be jealous of you."
Even though she said so, the blush gradually creeping up her neck betrayed her emotions at that moment.
Sheng Chenjin chuckled inwardly. He leaned forward slightly and turned on the music player.
It was an instrumental piece, the deep tones of a cello echoing in the space.
Sheng Chenjin rested his hands on the table, raising an eyebrow. "Don't worry, aside from you, I will have nothing to do with any other woman."
Shi Xinxin felt the temperature on her face rising. She nodded casually, "Oh, so what are you trying to say?"
Sheng Chenjin leaned back a little. "I mean, the banquet can be skipped."
Shi Xinxin turned to face him directly. "You're not going because you feel embarrassed without a female companion, right?"
"No." Sheng Chenjin replied decisively, his naturally beautiful eyes fixed on Shi Xinxin, his words as affectionate as a certain part of his gaze. "It's because you won't be there, that's why I don't intend to go."
Shi Xinxin met his gaze directly, and suddenly felt as if all other sounds around her ceased to exist, reaching directly into her heart.
She blinked, momentarily flustered and lost, then quickly pretended to be unconcerned.
"Oh, so you're going because you're lonely without someone to go with, and that's why you don't want to go."
Seeing her trying to convince herself, Sheng Chenjin didn't expose her, but simply smiled indulgently.
Shi Xinxin no longer dared to meet his gaze directly. It was truly strange; every time she looked into his deep eyes, her heart seemed to stir uncontrollably.
This was not a feeling Shi Xinxin liked. She had always been in control of everything, and she couldn't afford to lose herself in matters of the heart.
Thus, Shi Xinxin decided she couldn't stay in the same space as this man any longer.
Otherwise, she would always be dazed and follow Sheng Chenjin's train of thought.
She stood up indignantly, looking down at Sheng Chenjin, her tone as cold and unfeeling as reporting work to a boss. "My work is done for today, I'm off duty and going home."
With that, she turned and walked out of the office in her high heels.
Only when the automatic door of the office closed did Sheng Chenjin smile slowly.
On her way, Shi Xinxin looked through the design drafts sent by Qiaoqiao. Among the three or four drafts with different details and main colors, she finally selected one as her entry for tomorrow's competition.
Afterward, Shi Xinxin instructed Yang Yue to send this design draft to the competition system's email.
Now everything was ready, and all that was needed was the opportune moment. Shi Xinxin stood still, looking at the blue sky and white clouds, feeling that the air had become much fresher at that moment.
She changed her mind about going home, sent a message to the three little ones at home, and then turned towards a residential area not far from here, the address Feng Yu had given her.
After leaving Shi Xinxin's place, Feng Yu, with a considerable amount of savings in hand, rented a place in a more prosperous area.
Shi Xinxin thought she hadn't seen him in a long time and should go and visit.
She found a building according to the address, went upstairs to find the door number, and knocked.
A sound of footsteps quickly came from inside the house, then seemed to pause at the door, likely looking through the peephole.
Shi Xinxin then took a step back, so she would be fully visible in the peephole.
As expected, the door was opened quickly, and Feng Yu's surprised face appeared. "Sis, why didn't you tell me you were coming to see me?"
Shi Xinxin entered and first surveyed her surroundings. It was not bad. She then said, "I just had a sudden impulse to see you, no need to send a message. Could it be you're hiding something from me?"
Feng Yu stood behind her, scratching his head. "How could that be? My place is just messy because I haven't tidied up. If you had messaged me beforehand, I would have cleaned it first."
Shi Xinxin glanced at the sofa. It was indeed messy, covered with computers and a series of electronic devices, with tangled wires wrapped around them. There was no place to sit.
However, looking at these electronic devices that seemed out of place in the room, Shi Xinxin frowned. "What have you been up to lately? Why are you getting into mechanics?"
Feng Yu briskly moved a stool out of the room and placed it in front of Shi Xinxin. "Sis, you forgot I'm still at Qing Jiao. These things are indispensable."
Shi Xinxin said "Oh," then looked back and sat on the stool.
She had been busy with company matters lately and had indeed neglected those she was dealing with.
It seemed that after this competition, she would have to quickly come up with a plan to deal with these people. Otherwise, they would always be a hidden threat, and she wouldn't know when they would make their move.
Shi Xinxin thought this, then looked up at Feng Yu. "In a while, I'll find a way to expose their weaknesses. Then you..."
Feng Yu quickly understood her meaning. "Sis, don't worry, I'll help you find clues."
His hearty agreement made Shi Xinxin feel a little embarrassed. Under the surveillance of that force, secretly collecting a large amount of clues would not be easy; it was a risky endeavor.
She nodded, looking at Feng Yu, and said sincerely, "I naturally trust your abilities, but please remember, nothing is more important than your life. No matter the cost, you must return safely."
Her gaze was fixed intently on Feng Yu.
A trace of warmth flowed through Feng Yu's heart. He nodded, flashing a smile. "You don't have to be so serious, as if I won't come back this time."
Seeing his youthful smile, Shi Xinxin also smiled. For a moment, the atmosphere between them seemed to have returned to many years ago.
She chatted with Feng Yu about many other things, reminiscing about their youth with a face full of memories.
As the sun was about to set beyond the mountains, Shi Xinxin finally ended the conversation. "It's getting late, I should be going back."
Feng Yu quickly got up and enthusiastically saw her off.