Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

When Lin Xi walked down the stairs, the ball had already officially begun.

Although many people were curious about why Mrs. Tasha had invited her upstairs alone, when the cheerful music started, most people were captivated by the dazzling atmosphere and temporarily forgot about the commotion upstairs, pulling their partners onto the dance floor.

Mrs. Tasha was still immersed in the emotional turmoil of learning about her sister's news. Although Lin Xi's timely explanation of her purpose distracted her somewhat, she ultimately lost interest in dealing with the guests downstairs.

Therefore, Lin Xi came down alone, and apart from two guests who happened to be talking by the stairs, she did not attract much attention.

These two guests were Shen Jingyuan and Ivanov, who had just finished their conversation.

"Darling, did you enjoy your conversation with Mr. Ivan?" Lin Xi lifted her skirt and stepped down the last step, smiling as she walked towards the two of them, and naturally took Shen Jingyuan's arm.

Hearing her address him so naturally and affectionately, Shen Jingyuan's eyes flickered slightly, his eyelashes trembled, and his voice softened unconsciously. "Of course, Mr. Ivan is very knowledgeable and I have benefited greatly from his teachings."

Ivanov's gaze swept across the empty staircase behind Lin Xi, landing on her face. His brows furrowed slightly. "Mrs. Li, Tasha...?"

"Mr. Ivan, rest assured, Madam is doing well, it's just that..." Lin Xi smiled gently, but her tone was slightly hesitant.

"But what?" Ivanov asked, raising an eyebrow.

"But Madam is currently experiencing emotional turmoil and may need your company." Lin Xi pursed her lips, a hint of concern showing between her brows.

"What?" Ivanov's face darkened abruptly, and he asked in a serious tone, "What did you do to her?"

“Mr. Ivan, please don’t worry. I have no ill intentions towards Madam. She is just overjoyed to hear the good news and is having trouble calming down. She needs your comfort right now.” Seeing his sudden change in attitude, Lin Xi couldn’t help but explain.

"Happy? What did you say to her?" Ivan's expression softened upon hearing this.

"It is indeed good news, but I think Madam would prefer to share the details with you personally." Lin Xi's expression was calm, as if she had not noticed the stern look in his eyes just now.

“I hope so, otherwise—” Ivanov glanced at her coldly, drawing out his words.

Seeing this, Shen Jingyuan subtly shifted his body to shield Lin Xi behind him, met Ivanov's gaze, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Sir, you can rest assured that my wife always knows how to act appropriately and would never do anything to displease Madam Tasha."

Seeing his protective stance, Ivanov snorted and walked past the two upstairs. "It had better be that way, otherwise, my cooperation with Mr. Li would probably be out of the question."

Once Ivanov's figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Lin Xi turned her gaze away, her tone barely concealing her excitement, "From what he said... he's willing to do this business with us?"

"Mmm." Meeting her bright eyes, Shen Jingyuan couldn't help but smile, a tenderness he himself didn't realize filling his eyes. He leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear.

"In line with our previous investigation, Ivan harbors deep resentment towards the Japanese. This ball was intended to warn those Japanese trading companies that took advantage of his absence from Fengtian."

“I mentioned to him that we were on bad terms with the Japanese, and he took the initiative to continue the conversation. Although it’s not officially confirmed yet, judging from his attitude, it seems like it’s a sure thing.”

Shen Jingyuan is usually a man of few words and doesn't speak without reason. The fact that he could explain so much in one go suggests that the deal is indeed secure.

Thinking of this, Lin Xi's smile became even brighter, but then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, the corners of her mouth fell down.

Shen Jingyuan's gaze never left her face, and he naturally noticed the changes in her expression, which made him frown.

After a moment's thought, he understood, raised an eyebrow, and gently tapped her forehead.

"Huh? What are you doing?" Lin Xi was startled by his knock, and couldn't help but cover her forehead, glaring at him with some dissatisfaction.

Shen Jingyuan realized his actions were inappropriate the moment he reached out, and now that she was glaring at him like that, he felt inexplicably guilty and subconsciously rubbed his slightly hot fingertips together.

He composed himself and explained earnestly, "Hey, don't overthink it. The fact that things went so smoothly is mostly thanks to you."

He paused, then continued, "Just as you predicted, Mrs. Tasha has a great influence on Ivanov. The reason he agreed so quickly is largely because you won Mrs. Tasha's favor."

"Really?" Upon hearing this, Lin Xi's previously droopy tail immediately perked up again, her eyebrows curved, and she smiled like a smug little fox.

"You don't even know what I said to Mrs. Tasha, so how do you know it was my doing? Aren't you afraid I'll talk nonsense and ruin things?" As she spoke, she pretended to be serious and put on a stern face, but she couldn't suppress the upward curve of her lips.

"Hmm." Shen Jingyuan's gaze fell on the corners of her lips that couldn't be suppressed from turning up. Suddenly, he felt his throat go dry and pursed his lips unnaturally.

"Hehe, you're smart to know what's good for you. I can't help it, I'm just that likable." Lin Xi's tail was practically sticking up to the sky. If she weren't still holding Shen Jingyuan's arm, she probably would have arrogantly put her hands on her hips.

"Yes."

Shen Jingyuan remained as taciturn as ever. Lin Xi was in a good mood and wasn't annoyed by his mute appearance, but she couldn't help but glare at him deliberately, pouting and muttering, "What is it? All you do is say 'yes' or 'um' all day long. Why are you so stingy with words?"

Shen Jingyuan's lips moved, as if he were whispering something, but at that moment, the music on the dance floor suddenly increased in intensity, and the exciting melody drowned out his voice.

"What did you say?" Lin Xi blinked and asked curiously.

"It's nothing," Shen Jingyuan shook his head.

"Silent type!" Lin Xi couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, then turned to look at the men and women dancing gracefully in the center of the dance floor, her eyes immediately lighting up with excitement.

She grabbed Shen Jingyuan's hand and headed towards the dance floor. "Oh my, I haven't danced in ages! I'm so happy today, I'll let these foreign devils have a go!"

Shen Jingyuan let her lead him to take steps, but his gaze involuntarily fell on her.

He watched as a strand of her hair swayed slightly with her movements, and he felt his heartbeat begin to beat gently and irregularly in sync with the rhythm of that strand of hair.

His gaze moved downwards, uncontrollably sliding from the top of Lin Xi's fluffy head to the back of her fair neck, then along her arm that was pulling him, and finally down to their intertwined fingers.

As the lights and shadows swayed and music flowed by the dance floor, he suddenly curled his lips into a very slight smile, his tone so gentle it was almost a sigh.

"Yes...very charming...likeable."