If we swapped lives, I'd be the CEO and you'd take care of the kids.

On the surface, Zhu Tingyue remained calm, but inside she was panicking: What should she do? Where the hell was Zhu Tingyue? They'd been in the garden for so long, and she hadn't given them a single clue?

Then, Zhu's mother called out from behind again, "Tingyue, what's wrong? Who upset you? Tell me, I'll go teach him a lesson!"

Help! With Zhu Tingyue's explosive temper, who could possibly upset her? It's good enough that she doesn't bother anyone!

Also, why is Zhu's mother speaking to her in such a childish tone? Does Zhu Tingyue usually complain to her mother like this? That's so... so childish! I could never do that!

Unable to keep up the act any longer, "Zhu Tingyue" could only turn to look at his mother. This was the first time he had met Zhu Tingyue's mother. At first glance, she seemed like a very kind person, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes, suggesting she smiled often. She was smiling back at him at that moment.

"...Why did you come here?"

Zhu Tingyue opened her mouth several times but couldn't bring herself to say "Mom," so she had to change the subject.

"I'm worried about you. Did you have fun with Wanjun?" Zhu's mother asked patiently, afraid that her daughter was unhappy.

Zhu Tingyue was momentarily at a loss; he hadn't felt this way in a long time—it was the tenderness that belonged only to his mother.

"Well, I'm quite happy."

Zhu Tingyue dared not look directly at her, her eyes darting away, and answered in a low voice.

"What's wrong? Did you argue with Yan Zhen about the engagement?"

Zhu's mother noticed that something was wrong with her daughter. Remembering that her daughter had left with Shen Yanzhen, she naturally connected it to the matter of the engagement.

Zhu Tingyue's mother's words struck her like a thunderbolt. Zhu Tingyue and Shen Yanzhen were engaged? No wonder she treated her like a toy; she just wanted to play with her. So, it was only natural that she smiled so happily at Shen Yanzhen!

A strange emotion welled up inside him, a sour feeling filling his heart. He didn't know what was wrong with him. With Zhu Tingyue's family background, wasn't it normal for her to be engaged? Even if it wasn't Shen Yanzhen, it could have been someone like Zhang San, Li Si, or Wang Ermazi. What did it have to do with him!

Seeing that her daughter didn't answer, Zhu's mother became certain of her thoughts and comforted her daughter, saying, "Yueyue, don't worry, Dad and Mom will take care of this for you. Just be happy, okay?"

"Um"

Zhu Tingyue was exceptionally well-behaved, which put Zhu's mother at ease. She told her daughter not to go too far and then left.

Zhu Tingyue felt empty inside. His mother's words overwhelmed him with mixed feelings, and he once again felt the gap between people.

Zhu Tingyue was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and was pampered by her parents from childhood, so she had the confidence to look down on others. No matter what happened, there was always someone to support her. She didn't have to worry about not being able to solve the problem; she always had someone to lean on. Home was a warm harbor, which was a true reflection of her life.

It's so unfair! Some people are in heaven, while others are in a slum. Two hundred thousand can buy a person's dignity, and two hundred thousand can also make a person lose face.

He turned and looked at the bright and magnificent reception room, where men and women in elegant attire, their clothes gleaming, chatted and laughed while raising their glasses. Now he was standing here too, but he knew clearly that he was different from them.

Class change cannot be achieved with just a word or blood ties; power is the greatest bargaining chip.

His mind was in turmoil, and it took him a while to calm himself down. The most urgent thing was to discuss with Zhu Tingyue how the two of them could get away with it. Otherwise, with their acting skills, they would be exposed in no time. Would they be treated like monsters? How could such a bizarre thing happen?

He scanned the room and found "Shen Yanqiu" following behind Shen Yingchu. He walked over slowly, and people kept greeting her along the way. Her face was her trademark; the bright "Zhu family heiress" was hard to miss.

Finally getting close, he stood a short distance away, winking at her. However, with so many people and so much noise, Zhu Tingyue didn't see him. Shen Yingchu, on the other hand, had sharp eyes and came over with a smile.

"Tingyue, long time no see! You've become even more beautiful. Did you have fun today?"

Zhu Tingyue didn't want to pay attention to him. Anyway, it wasn't him who would be embarrassed. She turned her head away and pretended not to see him.

"Look at this child, he's throwing a tantrum at me! His temper is getting worse and worse!" A refined middle-aged man next to him came to his rescue, gesturing with his eyes that he shouldn't go too far and should just let it go.

Zhu Tingyue didn't know who he was, so she simply ignored him. After all, he was Zhu Tingyue, so it was normal for him to have a bad temper.

The two men laughed, and Shen Yingchu teased, "Mingchuan, you have to be humble in front of your daughter too! Hahaha!"

"Yes, yes! It's all my fault for spoiling him, there's nothing I can do!" The middle-aged man's helpless tone was full of doting affection.

The person opposite him, "Shen Yanqiu," finally noticed him, glaring at him and gesturing with their hands, seemingly trying to say something.

Zhu Tingyue then realized that the person next to her was her "father." No wonder Zhu Tingyue was winking and making faces; her real father was right there! However, he didn't know that, and she hadn't said anything! Ignorance is no excuse; it wasn't his fault anyway.

After explaining for her, Zhu Mingchuan stepped forward to introduce Shen Yanqiu to his daughter, but his hand, which was reaching for his daughter, stopped in mid-air because "Zhu Tingyue" dodged it.

He wouldn't want to hold hands with a man! How disgusting! Is Zhu Tingyue usually so close to her parents? What would she do if it were her in that situation?

Zhu Mingchuan assumed she was just unhappy today and didn't pay any attention. He then introduced "Shen Yanqiu": "Tingyue, this is Yanqiu. You haven't met her yet, so come and get to know her."

The two exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves: We've known each other for ages, and we've even slept together!

Shen Yanqiu was the first to greet her: "Hello, Miss Zhu!"

Zhu Tingyue responded politely, "Mr. Shen, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Zhu Mingchuan was relieved that Zhu Tingyue no longer gave him a hard time. He was really afraid that this little princess would refuse to give him face and leave on the spot. He wondered who had offended her and would have to ask her about it when he got back.

After exchanging greetings, Zhu Mingchuan was about to leave with "Zhu Tingyue" when "Zhu Tingyue" stamped his feet in frustration. He still had things to say to "Shen Yanqiu"! In his desperation, he called out "Dad," which finally made Zhu Mingchuan let go of his hand.

Once free, Zhu Tingyue turned and left. Zhu Mingchuan had no choice but to let her go. He knew she would find out eventually anyway, but he could just suffer a few more insults in return!

Zhu Tingyue returned to the garden once again, and soon after, Shen Yanqiu followed.

"What do you mean? Why didn't you answer my father's question just now?" Shen Yanqiu asked angrily.

"What do you mean, 'your dad'? That's my dad!"

Zhu Tingyue felt good. The life of a young lady was really nice. She could do whatever she wanted, and someone would always find a reason for her!

"you……"

Shen Yanqiu was panting heavily with anger, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't hit him or scold him; it was truly unbearable.

"Stop with the useless talk, what's next?"

"You're asking me?" She was even angrier. She had no experience, so why was she being asked?

“I think our primary task is to avoid revealing any weaknesses, and then gradually find a solution. What do you think?” he suggested.

"You make it sound so nice, but how exactly can we do it without giving ourselves away? With the Shen family like a hornet's nest, tell me what to do?"

Her voice grew louder uncontrollably. After following Shen Yingchu around, she realized that her father wasn't very nice to her either!

And those people on the field, who usually greet her with smiles, but when they see Shen Yanqiu, they give her insincere smiles. Who are they trying to disgust? She had been holding back her anger all night, and now she was letting it all out.

Shen Yanqiu knew she might be treated coldly. It was normal for a delicate young lady like her to be unable to bear it, so she let her vent for the time being.

"Alright, go on!" After venting her anger, she continued listening to Shen Yanqiu.

“You don’t need to worry about the Shen family. Let them do whatever they want. The key is…” He suddenly stopped talking, and his gaze flickered as he looked at her.

"You don't need to care about the Shen family anymore? What are you hiding from me? Fine, don't tell me then! Anyway, with my abilities, I can ruin everything for you!" she threatened directly.

"Well... I have a small company, and you... you need to make an appearance there."

Shen Yanqiu finished speaking haltingly, and Zhu Tingyue immediately exploded: "You have a small company? You're dirt poor, where did you get the money to start a company? Or did you find another sugar daddy behind my back? Or have you already found someone else? Are they that generous?"

Her barrage of questions made Shen Yanqiu's scalp tingle. He knew that telling her would definitely lead to trouble, but now he had no choice but to tell the truth!

"The company I started with the money you gave me has no one else in it, and no one else will take over!"

"The money I gave you? Do you even have a share in that company? What about my shares? And a new employer? You can forget about it for the rest of your life!" Her tone was vicious, and her eyes were sharp.

He started the company with his own money and didn't even know it! Although it was rightfully his, Zhu Tingyue still felt uneasy.

"Yes, yes, yes, it's all yours!" Shen Yanqiu answered quickly. She couldn't refuse, after all, she was now the "Shen Yanqiu," and besides, the company needed her to manage it!

"If anything happens at the company, just tell me and I'll tell you how to handle it. The rest is up to your own judgment."

Shen Yanqiu explained the instructions again, then asked her, "What about your home? What should I do?"

"How? Let me think! It's nothing much... no! I'm a very filial person. You have to go shopping with my mother every day, make my father happy, and not let them be sad. You have to do whatever they say. In your spare time, you can practice playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You know I'm a lady from a respectable family! These are essential. As for the rest, do whatever you want!"

She rested her chin on her hand, offering advice in a serious manner, her eyes full of laughter as she looked at Shen Yanqiu.

"Oh, and also, you have to know how to be charming and affectionate! My parents love it when I'm charming and affectionate!"

Is this really her? Is she really like this? Shen Yanqiu strongly suspected that she was deliberately messing with her. But considering the behavior of Zhu's father and mother just now, it wasn't impossible.

"That's all. You must make them happy!" Zhu Tingyue said again, still not entirely at ease.

"I know, I know!"

The two went back together and ran into Zhu's mother looking for Zhu Tingyue. Upon seeing them, she immediately smiled and said, "Tingyue, where have you been again? We should go!"

Shen Yanqiu was still not used to Zhu's mother's tone and froze for a moment. Zhu Tingyue walked up and wanted to take her mother's arm as usual, but stopped halfway. The current situation was not appropriate.

Her movements caught the attention of Zhu's mother, who looked over with a smile: "Yanqiu, did Tingyue disturb you?"

"No, no, we just bumped into each other on the way." Zhu Tingyue changed her expression as she shook her head, afraid that her mother would notice something was wrong.

"That's good, we'll be going now!" Zhu's mother was relieved and took her daughter's hand to walk outside.

"Goodbye, Auntie!"

Watching them walk away, Zhu Tingyue could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.

She had never been separated from her parents before. She realized her mother's steps were so fast, her figure so small, that she could disappear in an instant. And her father was the same; he got on the bus and left without even glancing back at her.

A wave of grievance welled up inside me, and tears gushed out like a burst dam.