"My boss, your coffee is the most expensive here, and I'm already giving you a good price," Shi Xinxin said, shaking her head and putting on a pitiful expression. "How about I knock off a bit? Sixty yuan?"
The proprietress shook her head helplessly. "Fine, sixty it is. Wait a moment."
"Thank you, boss!" Shi Xinxin stood up with a smile.
She turned and walked to the counter, picked up her milk tea and coffee, and prepared to leave.
Just then, a customer arrived. "Boss, one cappuccino, please."
"Coming right up," the proprietress said with a smile as she took the customer's order, tucking Shi Xinxin's bill into a drawer and locking it.
"Hello, customer, please wait a moment." Shi Xinxin bowed to the customer and turned to leave.
"Huh, Xinxin?" the customer exclaimed in surprise.
Shi Xinxin turned around and, upon seeing who it was, her eyes widened in astonishment. "Sis... you... what are you doing here?"
"What?" Shi Xuewei asked Shi Xinxin with a half-smile. "Can't I be here?"
Shi Xinxin shook her head nervously. "Of course not, you can. How did you get in?"
"I just walked in, of course," Shi Xuewei said. "Xinxin, this isn't your family's business, so why do you care how I got in?"
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips and lowered her head guiltily.
Of course, she knew it wasn't her family's business.
"I remember you never used to come to such high-class places," Shi Xuewei said, a slight curl at the corner of her lips. "What's going on? Has someone been keeping you lately? Hmm?"
"Sis... what are you talking about?" Shi Xinxin's face flushed with embarrassment. "I don't have a boyfriend."
"Really?" Shi Xuewei looked at Shi Xinxin skeptically. "You'd better not lie to me."
Shi Xinxin quickly nodded. "No, really. How would I dare lie to you?"
"Then tell me, how do you know Sheng Chenjin?"
Shi Xuewei's words made Shi Xinxin fall silent.
Actually, she didn't know Sheng Chenjin at all.
That day, she was shopping with her classmates and happened to pass by the commercial plaza. She saw Sheng Chenjin buying clothes in a department store and stopped to watch.
Looking at Sheng Chenjin, so sharp and handsome in his impeccably tailored suit, she couldn't help but pause to admire him.
Suddenly, a man approached her and struck up a conversation. She found him unattractive and didn't want to talk to him, but he persisted, even reaching out to touch her face.
At the time, a crowd had gathered around. Fearing embarrassment, she ran away.
To her surprise, as soon as she turned, she bumped into Sheng Chenjin.
"Hey, who are you? Why are you blocking my way?" Shi Xinxin grumbled angrily at Sheng Chenjin.
Sheng Chenjin glanced at Shi Xinxin indifferently, walked around her, and left.
Shi Xinxin stomped her foot in anger. "Hmph, so arrogant!"
Shi Xinxin walked to the cashier and took out her card to pay.
The cashier handed her the coffee and milk tea she had ordered. "Good luck, young lady!"
"Thank you!" Shi Xinxin said with a sweet smile, holding her two cups of coffee and leaving.
Sheng Chenjin sat on the sofa, idly playing with his phone. His gaze drifted to Shi Xinxin as she entered the elevator.
Sheng Chenjin suddenly stood up and followed her to the elevator.
He pressed the floor button.
The elevator door slowly opened. Sheng Chenjin stepped in. Shi Xinxin saw him and was slightly surprised. "President Sheng, it's you."
Sheng Chenjin looked at Shi Xinxin. "Secretary Shi, I haven't eaten yet. Treat me to a meal."
"I don't have money," Shi Xinxin shrugged.
Sheng Chenjin frowned slightly.
"I'm sorry, President Sheng. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now." Shi Xinxin picked up her bag and prepared to leave.
"Ding dong—" The elevator stopped on the sixteenth floor.
Sheng Chenjin stepped out.
Shi Xinxin was stunned for a second before following him out.
"President Sheng, wait for me!" Shi Xinxin called out.
Sheng Chenjin turned around, glanced at Shi Xinxin lightly, and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Shi Xinxin hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Let's find a place to talk."
Sheng Chenjin nodded slightly.
"Let's go for a cup of coffee," Shi Xinxin suggested.
Sheng Chenjin nodded and led the way towards a nearby coffee shop.
Shi Xinxin followed closely behind.
"Please, sit." Sheng Chenjin gentlemanly pulled out a chair for Shi Xinxin.
Shi Xinxin sat down nervously, holding her coffee cup and taking small sips.
"Secretary Shi, are you here to see me today about work matters?"
Hearing Sheng Chenjin's words, Shi Xinxin looked up at him. "President Sheng, I've come today because there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Go ahead," Sheng Chenjin said, resting his hands on the table and staring intently at Shi Xinxin.
Shi Xinxin took a deep breath and mustered her courage. "I just want to know, are you interested in my father's case?"
"Heh!" Sheng Chenjin let out a light laugh and raised an eyebrow. "Secretary Shi, you don't think I'm interested in your father's death and that I'm trying to gain benefits through you, do you?"
Shi Xinxin scratched her head awkwardly. "No, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to confirm."
"Secretary Shi, I advise you to forget that idea as soon as possible," Sheng Chenjin said flatly. "If you continue to pester me, I can't guarantee what I might do."
"Are you threatening me?" Shi Xinxin frowned.
"It's not a threat," Sheng Chenjin said casually, leaning back in his chair. "It's a kind piece of advice."
"You..."
Shi Xinxin was furious.
She had never met such an arrogant man as Sheng Chenjin, who treated her with such disrespect!
Her chest heaved with anger.
Sheng Chenjin continued to leisurely sip his coffee, showing no emotional reaction.
After a long while, Shi Xinxin finally calmed her anger.
"President Sheng, I admit you are very capable, but I hope you understand that I truly have no interest in you whatsoever!" Shi Xinxin said sternly. "If you're looking for any information or data from me, it's probably unrealistic. Because I don't understand law, let alone finance. I'm just an ordinary employee!"
"Heh heh, since Secretary Shi is so candid, I won't beat around the bush," Sheng Chenjin said lightly. "I am simply interested in your father."
Shi Xinxin froze, asking somewhat confusedly, "Interested?"
"Mmm," Sheng Chenjin replied. "Your father's will states that you are the sole daughter of Shengshi Group, and the entire Sheng Group will belong to you in the future. Do you know what that means?"
"What?" Shi Xinxin's eyes widened.
"It means you own shares in Sheng Group," Sheng Chenjin said, a smile playing on his lips. "For you, this is like striking it rich overnight."
Shi Xinxin's heart pounded. She had never imagined herself becoming a billionaire.
But Sheng Chenjin was right. She did indeed own twenty-five percent of Shengshi Group's shares.