No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

A faint smell of alcohol wafted from him. Jiang Hua looked at the person beside her and stood up. "You can come here."

She wasn't really interested in this kind of boring chess game; she just wanted to join in because she saw the old man playing so enthusiastically.

“Old Master Shen, if you don’t mind, I can play a few rounds with you.” A gentle voice came from the side. Mu Shiyue was wearing a dress with a suit jacket draped over her shoulders, as if she had returned from a banquet with Shen Yebai.

Mu Shishi stood beside Mu Shiyue, her eyes carrying a deliberate or unintentional provocation. Her gaze towards Jiang Hua seemed to say, "Look, my sister came back with him. So what if they have a good relationship? You can't get into the Shen family."

"You can do it? Then give it a try."

Mu Shiyue took off her suit jacket, and Mu Shishi, who was standing next to her, held it for her, gently instructing her, "Don't get it dirty, you'll have to return it later."

"This clothing is..."

Mu Shishi glanced at Shen Yebai with secret delight, but little did she know that Shen Yebai's mind was entirely on Jiang Hua as soon as he returned.

The three of them had already turned and left, heading towards another hall. The Shen family's old house was very large, with two halls, one on the east and one on the west. The one on the east was the main hall used to receive guests. Jiang Hua's few words of concern, neither too loud nor too soft, drifted into everyone's ears: "Have you been drinking?"

"Yes, I went to see several ministers, but I couldn't refuse."

Jiang Hua didn't say anything more. Since he had drunk too much, the Shen family's servants would naturally make him a hangover soup. "It hasn't started yet, why don't you go back to your room and rest..."

"it is good."

Back in her room… Jiang Hua suddenly thought of something for some reason.

She recalled Pei Zhan's warning to her.

If I tell him this, will he believe me?

As Shen Yebai turned around, Jiang Hua suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm. "I have something to tell you."

The little one, standing between the two, turned sideways, raised her left foot, and looked at them with curious eyes, her gaze bright and clear.

Shen Yebai, "Bao'er."

Shen Bao'er immediately understood and became clever, "Ah, I'm hungry, I'll go find something to eat."

“Brother, you talk to Huahua.”

Mu Shiyue's gaze kept slipping unnoticed as it fell on a spot not far away. Mu Shishi watched Jiang Hua and Shen Yebai alone together with burning anxiety, her heart filled with a burning desire to tear her apart.

Knowing full well that the Shen family and the Mu family wanted to form a marriage alliance, Jiang Hua still shamelessly tried to get involved.

How shameless.

Why did they have to come at this time of year?

Even if she had any dissatisfaction with Jiang Hua, she could only keep it to herself.

Jiang Hua looked at Shen Yebai, her eyes slightly dimming. Their gazes met; one looked hesitant, the other suppressed a certain expectation, but this expectation also harbored a thought, perhaps one that would lead to utter ruin. For a moment, Jiang Hua understood the emotion in his eyes…

She didn't know if these words would have any effect on him. If Shen Yebai had to use his marriage to stabilize the Shen family, Jiang Hua hoped that he could find a young lady who was not only a good match in terms of social status but also someone he could like.

"What's wrong?" His voice was tentative and cautious.

Jiang Hua noticed several gazes and pulled Shen Yebai to a quiet place.

"Are you absolutely certain that you will marry Mu Shiyue?"

He told her, "No."

Jiang Hua was conflicted and conflicted. After all, this was Shen Yebai's own business, but... thinking about Bao'er's fate, she couldn't just ignore it. If she couldn't change everything, then Bao'er's ending wouldn't change either. Bao'er was simple-minded, and even hundreds of Shen Bao'ers wouldn't be enough for the two Mu sisters to play with.

And she couldn't always be by Bao'er's side to take care of everything for her.

"I've said it before, the Shen family doesn't need a marriage alliance to maintain its stability. You... don't believe me?"

Jiang Hua couldn't tell her about her past life. "If I told her that there really would be a day when you would have no choice but to marry into the Mu family..."

"Could you please not give up on Bao'er?"

"Don't sacrifice Bao'er's happiness."

“Bao’er is simple-minded. If Mu Shiyue enters the Shen family, she will accept Mu Shiyue because of you. But you know, Bao’er may have to compromise herself for you.”

"I only hope that no matter what happens to the Shen family, Bao'er will have the right to choose her own lover."

Shen Yebai seized on a point in her words, "What makes you so certain that I will marry into the Mu family?"

"Huahua, what do you know?"

Jiang Hua: "It was Pei Zhan who told me that you need... that position in the Mu family."

They all understood that the family's interests outweighed everything else, including Bao'er's...

The Jiang Group is the foundation built by the mother's generation, and now it is all up to the father to keep it. Now... in order for the Jiang Group to continue to survive, Jiang Hua has no choice but to be tied to Pei Zhan for the rest of her life.

An individual's happiness is insignificant compared to the continuation of a family's legacy.

Many times, Jiang Hua had no choice; she couldn't just watch the Jiang family decline like this.

Shen Yebai is more rational than her, knows better how to make choices, and knows what to do.

He never thought about his own personal feelings, but rather about the fate of the entire Shen family.

From his position, whether he likes someone or not is no longer important. His wife, the matriarch of the Shen family, who she is... has never mattered.

"I promise you."

Jiang Hua was stunned, then a glint of light appeared in her eyes as she looked at him.

“No matter the time, I will let her choose for herself.” Shen Yebai was still slightly drunk. He reached out and stroked her face with a touch of tenderness. Jiang Hua nervously clenched her fingertips. “Many things will change. Things you think will happen may also be changed. You don’t need to worry. I will not go back on my word.”

"Old Mu is indeed nearing retirement and stepping down, and this position... isn't just being eyed by the Shen family."

"The Mu family has come again today, but they have no choice."

"The Mu family will not be the choice of the Shen family."

Sometimes, Jiang Hua really wished she could have a brother like Shen Yebai.

"Then be careful of Mu Shiyue, I'm afraid of her..."

"Oh, I see."

Shen Yebai turned and went upstairs to change his clothes. Shen Bao'er immediately came running over, "Huahua, Huahua, Huahua... what did you say to your brother?"

"Let me tell you, this Mu Shiyue is really being overly helpful for no reason. What does it have to do with my brother drinking? Why does she have to show off by making him a hangover soup?"

Hangover soup?

Could it be that Pei Zhan, that country bumpkin, was right?

Is Mu Shiyue planning to directly target Shen Yebai within the Mu family?

These underhanded methods are quite common in Beijing's elite circles, all for the sake of legitimizing one's rise to power.

It seems that Jiang Hua was initially deceived by Mu Shiyue's refined and dignified demeanor. She genuinely thought Mu Shiyue was an upright and honest person, but it turns out she was just another one of these kinds of people.

She's really not as good as the previous one...

Shen Yebai returned to his room, took a shower to get rid of the smell of alcohol, and changed his clothes. When he came out, there was a knock on the door. Shen Yebai was buttoning his clothes when he said, "Come in."

The person outside pushed open the door and entered. It was Mu Shiyue, who was holding a bowl of hangover soup. "I saw that you drank a lot at the dinner party, so I thought I'd make you some hangover soup. In the past... my father would get very drunk after coming back from a dinner party, and he would feel much better after drinking this soup."

"I thought I'd make some for you to try."

After Shen Yebai finished doing everything, his cold gaze fell on the bowl of hangover soup she had made. This glance made Mu Shiyue lower her head uncomfortably, not daring to look at him.

"You want to use this method to lose your virginity to me? Even if you end up in bed with me, I have hundreds of ways to make you regret it." Shen Yebai wasn't joking; he was never one to joke with others. Mu Shiyue knew he was serious.

Mu Shiyue's expression changed instantly, and she nearly dropped the hangover soup she was holding. However, her strong emotions allowed her to remain composed. In front of him, she forced herself to remain calm and collected.

"I was also...out of other options, so I resorted to this tactic."

"No one is more suitable than me for the position of matriarch of the Shen family."

"I hope you will reconsider this marriage between our two families, even if... it's just a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"I want to marry you only to protect myself; I've never even considered anything else."

Shen Yebai: "You're not worthy of this position." These few words, though not harsh, were a heavy blow to Mu Shiyue's heart.

Her face turned pale instantly.

Mu Shiyue still wanted to seize the last chance, "I know that the person in your heart belongs to Jiang Hua. I already knew about her before. She can't have children and she's married. She... for the sake of the Jiang family, she won't be with you."

"Say one more word, and I won't mind making sure you never speak again." Shen Yebai's tone was icy cold. He was a refined and gentle gentleman, like a clear moon and a gentle breeze, but his next words sent a chill down her spine, enveloping her in a cold aura. This was a ferocity Mu Shiyue had never seen in him before, and she never imagined that just mentioning Jiang Hua would make him so terrifying. Shen Yebai took a step forward, and her heart pounded with fear. Her body instinctively activated its self-protective mechanism, taking a step back.

Shen Yebai keenly heard the slight movement outside the room, as if footsteps were approaching. She quickly concealed her aura and in the blink of an eye, she returned to her original noble and aloof demeanor, as if her previous appearance was just an illusion.

Shen Yebai took two steps back, maintaining a safe distance. "I appreciate Miss Mu's kindness. However, it is inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room together."

"Please leave."

After putting it down, Mu Shiyue quickly went out, not forgetting to take the bowl of hangover soup with her. When she opened the door and saw the person outside, Mu Shiyue was still able to pretend to be calm and composed.

Upon seeing the person leaving, Bao'er quickly went into the room, "Brother, are you alright?"

"Um... is Mu Shiyue trying to seduce you? You mustn't fall for it."

“We were worried about you being alone with her, so Huahua and I came secretly.”

Shen Yebai, "What are you thinking about all day long?"

With just one glance, Bao'er, who had been wagging her tail, immediately drooped her ears, silently walked behind Jiang Hua, and peeked out with half her head.

Jiang Hua: "Let's go downstairs for dinner."

Shen Yebai: "Mm."

The two walked downstairs together, but Bao'er had already disappeared.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Jiang Hua immediately looked away and shook her head, "It's nothing."

She actually wanted to ask about Xu Xiangjun's matter. No matter what, it was his private matter, and it wouldn't be appropriate for Jiang Hua to ask so abruptly.

Judging by the time, she should be giving birth soon.

Xu Xiangjun is probably the first woman Shen Yebai would agree to let her give birth to a Shen family child. Shen Yebai must have feelings for her. If he didn't want to keep the child, he wouldn't have hidden her away. Speaking of which, Jiang Hua hasn't heard Xu Xiangjun's name in a long time since she went to see that drama troupe. Even if she asked, no one dared to say anything and just gave vague answers.

Downstairs at the dining table, the five elders of the Shen family sat at the head of the table. The great-grandfather, being the oldest, sat in the main seat, followed by the seats on either side. Jiang Hua sat next to Shen Yebai.

Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts during the meal, and the atmosphere at the table remained relatively quiet, with only occasional casual remarks exchanged.

Half an hour later, the dinner party was almost over. Shen Yebai went to his study to answer a phone call. Jiang Hua was standing in the courtyard digesting her food when a maid came over and said that someone was looking for her. Curious, Jiang Hua walked over to the poolside.

Upon seeing that it was her, Jiang Hua turned away listlessly.

"Miss Jiang, I didn't expect you to have this kind of relationship with the Shen family. No wonder you can be so fearless in the capital, daring to offend anyone and not afraid of anyone."

Jiang Hua stopped and turned around. Her curly hair fluttered in the wind, her posture languid yet arrogant. She slightly raised her chin, her aura superior and overwhelming. She smiled, her red lips curving upwards. "Tit for tat. Back then, the Mu family relied on the Wang family as their backer. Compared to what I did, what did they amount to?"

"Those people we offended can be easily appeased with a little money; they won't even take it to heart."

After all, the Jiang family is truly not short of money. Jiang Weiguo... is very generous with the money and gifts he gives to those who have offended Jiang Hua. In the capital, apart from being an adversary in the business world, the Jiang family is a hot commodity in the political arena. Whenever local governments want to build roads, subways, or various land, sea, and air projects, and the local treasury is short of money, the Jiang family has always provided it.

The taxes paid are enough to build an aircraft carrier.

Last year, the title of philanthropic entrepreneur fell on my father's head. With so many eyes watching, it wasn't given for nothing.

"The Mu family is different. They not only exterminate people but also leave them no way out. They have made so many enemies. Do they still think they can remain unscathed?"

"Is Miss Mu panicking because the path of marriage is not going smoothly? Are you afraid that you will fall into hell and be unable to face yourself in the future?"

"Sometimes, Heaven is watching what people do."

"He got what he deserved; no wonder, the others..."

“Jiang Hua!” Mu Shiyue still didn’t understand Jiang Hua’s character. Her words were like poison, each one piercing the heart. “I think… we’ve never had any connection before.”

Why do you always target me?

Jiang Hua frowned, then raised an eyebrow, “…”