Chapter 37: Difficult Choices

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Ji Qian’s eyes instantly lit up. Was this what it felt like when someone believes you? Was this what it felt like to have someone standing firmly by your side when the whole world did not believe you? This feeling was damn wonderful!

Ji Qian could not help but turn her head to look at Shen Hanxing’s beautiful and confident face. At this moment, Shen Hanxing seemed imposing, like a sharp spear that could cut through all the darkness in the world.

“Little girl, this matter is not up to you.”

Old Master Zhuang snorted coldly. “But, I like your personality. How about this, I’ll let the Ji family off the hook for destroying my orchids as long as you throw Fourth Young Missus out. If you do that, the Zhuang family and the Ji family will still be on friendly terms. How about it?”

He already took a step back. If Shen Hanxing was not stupid, she would know how to answer.

Using Ji Qian to exchange a friendly relationship between the Ji family and the Zhuang family, this deal was worth it no matter what.

The smile in Ji Qian’s eyes froze. She did not expect Old Master Zhuang to say this. She bit her lip. This time, she did not dare to think that Shen Hanxing would choose her. Sacrifice her in exchange for peace between the Zhuang family and Ji family was an easy decision to make.

She was prepared to give up. She was the one who caused this disaster, so she should be responsible for it. At the thought of this, she took a step forward and wanted to agree to Old Master Zhuang’s demands, but Shen Hanxing raised her hand and stopped her.

Shen Hanxing’s expression did not change much. She smiled and shook her head. “Old Master Zhuang, you’re forcing me to make a difficult decision. Even though I just married into the Ji family, I still know that families are supposed to stick together. Ji Qian is a member of the Ji family and my younger sister. My younger sister was insensible and caused trouble. As her senior, I naturally have to take responsibility. How can I let my juniors take the hit for me?”

What? Was Shen Hanxing Crazy? She did not go with Old Master Zhuang’s suggestion?

Everyone present, including Ji Qian, couldn’t believe what they just heard. Was it wise to offend the Zhuang family for an insignificant Ji Qian?

Even though they recognize that Shen Hanxing’s actions were not wise, they were still jealous regardless. No one was willing to be the chess piece that their family gave up on. If it was possible, they also wanted someone standing in front of them, telling them with a resounding voice, “You have someone to protect you. You will always be a part of us!”!

At this moment, many people watched the gentle but determined figure confronting Old Master Zhuang. Their emotions were rotating through envy, jealousy, sarcasm, disdain, and so on

They wanted to communicate with the people around them and say that Shen Hanxing was indeed someone who came from a poor area. They wanted to say that she could not see the situation clearly and could not differentiate between priorities. However, these sarcastic words were hard to say. If they could… they wanted to be Ji Qian, they wanted to be the person Shen Hanxing was protecting.

They wondered if they were the ones who caused trouble today, what would their family do? Would their family protect them like Shen Hanxing? No, they wouldn’t. They would only push them out without hesitation to appease Old Master Zhuang’s anger, regardless of whether they were really at fault.

No one cared about the truth. They only cared if Old Master Zhuang calmed down.

Humans were social animals. Many people did not realize that their attitude toward Shen Hanxing already changed.

As for Ji Qian, who Shen Hanxing was protecting, she felt everything even more deeply. Her tears fell like they were free. She frantically tried to wipe them away, but she realized that the more she wiped, the harder her tears fell.

Why… such an easy decision to make and yet Shen Hanxing still chose incorrectly? Why was there such a foolish person like Shen Hanxing in this world? All she needed to do was to throw her out, and the rest of the Ji family could continue attending the banquet and protect the Ji Corporation.

Old Master Zhuang’s sharp gaze landed on Shen Hanxing. The corners of Shen Hanxing’s mouth curled up into a smile as she met his gaze without the slightest hint of panic. Slowly, Old Master Zhuang’s expression eased up a little as he revealed a hint of admiration. “That kid from the Ji family married a good wife.”

Capable, responsible, and caring. It was hard to find a person like this nowadays.

“You flatter me, Old Master Zhuang.”

Shen Hanxing was neither servile nor overbearing. “I believe that in your eyes, you’ve already noticed the problem. You needed time to vent your anger, which is why you directed your anger at Ji Qian. However, the Ji family was indeed in the wrong this time. Even if we were maliciously framed, it’s an indisputable fact that Qian Qian destroyed your orchid.”

Old Master Zhuang lived a long life, what type of trickery has he not seen before? The incident was full of loopholes and Old Master Zhuang did not bother to investigate it earlier because he was upset and wanted to vent his anger.

Now that Old Master Zhuang calmed down, it was much easier to communicate with him.