Sheng Minglan was afraid to wake Jing Yun up and ask him. What if she had misunderstood?

However, she was also upset that she couldnt get to the bottom of thingsin the end, she had to ask Sheng Xiao about it for assurance.

That said, she was not going to see him leave his room for the entire night.

***

The next day, Sheng Minglans had a weak look on her face when she left the guest room.

She took a seat beside Sheng Xiao when she found him having a coffee in the guest hall.

Jing Yun hasnt woken up yet? Sheng Xiao asked before all elsehe more or less knew that those two would be sharing a room for the night.

Is that the most important thing right now? Sheng Minglan gave him a stern look. Sheng Xiao, I have something to ask you.

Sheng Xiao looked up with what resembled a vague smile on his face. You want to ask whether Jing Yun likes you?

How did you know?

About that, its best if you ask the person himself. Would what I say matter to you anyway? Sheng Xiao said, deliberately baiting Sheng Minglans curiosity. Cant you feel in your heart whether a man likes you?

Sheng Minglan said nothing, but the look on Sheng Xiaos face made her more or less positive.

It doesnt matter if he likes you anyway. You are the fourth sister of the Sheng family while he is my assistantthats lower in status than Qier. Furthermore, there is another condition in learning the answer to that: can you shoulder his feelings? You cant even stay friends with him if you exposed him without so much as having thought about it.

In fact, was Sheng Minglan supposed to think about that question at all?

Of course, she shouldnt. She wasnt even able to handle the immediate crisis she was facing, and she wouldnt be able to bear involving Jing Yun. After all, what had been his sin that he had to suffer with her?

Looks like youve made up your mind. If you stay, youre going to have to face Jing Yun and what happened last night. That said, you could also leave Jing Yun right now and pretend you didnt have a clue while I handle him.

Hence, Sheng Minglan rose from the sofa, having thought things through. Then Im off. Look after Jing Yun.

Sheng Xiao nodded. Still, even as he studied Sheng Minglans reaction, he knew that Jing Yun still had a long road ahead of him.

Mu Qiqi came downstairs as Sheng Minglan left.

She felt puzzled even as she watched her from behind. Why is Fourth Sister leaving?

She hasnt made up her mind to confront Jing Yun. Thats why I stopped her from wavering like that in front of himit would only hurt him more.

Mu Qiqi nodded in agreement at that and wrapped her arms around Sheng Xiaos neck. Youre always so prudent.

But its so tiring watching a couple having a restrained relationship.

That was Sheng Xiaos own principle. After all, what joy is there in life unless you claim what you cherish?

Soon, Jing Yun came out of the guest room as well, straightening respectfully once he saw Sheng Xiao.

Dont drink too much from now on. Its been tough for Aunt Wu, taking care of you the whole night.

Jing Yun frowned at that, since he clearly remembered that it was Fourth Sister who had cleaned his face last night, and that they seemed to have a talk.

Could he have been dreaming?

Whatever the case may be, Jing Yun answered. Got it.

Hence, Sheng Xiao managed to disguise the whole affair vaguely.

He wouldnt be telling Jing Yun what had happened last night, and would wait until the time was right for everything to come out at once.

***

Meanwhile, back at the Sheng familys house.

Seventh Sister immediately knew that Sheng Minglan had been to Jing Ting after staying out overnight and smelling of thick alcohol.

Fourth Sister is so close to Sheng Xiao and his lover.

Already a mess inside, Sheng Minglan was certainly not in the mood for courtesy since Seventh Sister came looking for trouble.

She promptly caught her sleeve and warned her. Im telling you now. Dont make me angry.

Seventh Sister was certainly stunned by Sheng Minglans reaction, although she snorted after Sheng Minglan left. Grandpa is the one making the decisions in the family. Isnt she taking the wrong side?

Moreover, hanging out with Mu Qiqi? What good would that be?

With that, Seventh Sister headed to Grandpa Shengs study. Grandpa, did you know that Fourth Sister stayed the night at Jing Ting and didnt come home?

Up to no good again, are you? Grandpa Sheng paused in his calligraphy and looked up at her. Cant you hold back until after the VVIP night?

No, Grandpa. Think about itFourth Sister might have agreed to her engagement on the surface, but all of us could see how reluctant she is about it. And now that she is so close with Mu Qiqi, arent you afraid at all that she would change her mind suddenly?

What couldnt Mu Qiqi do? And wouldnt Sheng Xiao urge Fourth Sister to pursue her own freedom?

Despite how illogical Seventh Sisters words were, it pierced straight into the old mans misgivings.

Was Sheng Minglan really afraid to go against him just because she always listened to him and never showed resistance?

It seemed that plans had to be made, and the deal sealed before that happened.

Alright, stop fussing over Mu Qiqi twenty-four seven. Arent you using her right now?

Seventh Sister finally stopped talking then. It was true when she thought about it, and it wouldnt be too late to deal with her after waiting out the VVIP night.

As for the old man who was bent on avoiding any unforeseen circumstances over Sheng Minglan and the Englishmans engagement, he took the extra step of inviting the Englishman to their house for dinner before the engagement party.

What was he trying to achieve? Nobody knew.

***

Unable to tell what the old man was planning, Sheng Minglan dialed Sheng Xiaos number. Grandpa has arranged for the Englishman to have dinner at our house. Did you get the news?

I heard about it, but the old man didnt invite me or Qier. Sheng Xiao replied.

What do you think hes trying to do? Could he have picked up on something and was trying to take precautions?

Ill have my mother keep an eye on the matter. You can ask for her help if you have any trouble. Sheng Xiao told Sheng Minglanit definitely wouldnt be a casual dinner since the old man was doing such a thing while disallowing him or Qiqi from going.

He was definitely going back and have fun since the old man didnt want him around.

After all, the old man had always been shrewd. With Seventh Sister weaving tall tales around him all the time, things would certainly get even more complicated.

Nonetheless, Mama Sheng became more aware of the old mans movements thanks to Sheng Xiaos instruction, and that he had specially bought an expensive bottle of Chateau Lafite.

She had assumed that the old man was going to share the treat with the Englishman, only to realize that the old man had kept it in his study and didnt know what she was planning.

A day later, the old man called in the family doctor for a checkup. It was nothing suspicious since the old man had checkups from time to time, but Mama Sheng later learnt from one of the maids on hand that the doctor had prescribed the old man some medicine.