Sharing Dreams with My Bestie's Cousin

Chapter 34: Beauty Keeps Hair

Chapter 34: Beauty Keeps Hair

Shang Jing couldn’t quite grasp Shang Hexing’s attitude and came over to smooth things over, “Big brother, she is naturally timid, it’s not intentional ignorance of the rules.”

“Naturally timid…” Shang Hexing’s gaze shifted to Shang Jing, “Do you know her that well?”

“I…” Shang Jing was suddenly speechless.

Chen Jinhai came over to pour the tea, lifting the lid to release a faint aroma of floral and fruity notes, characteristic of the top-tier Jin Junmei.

Shang Hexing lowered his head to sip the tea, finding the Jin Junmei thick and mellow in flavor.

His brows relaxed, and he asked in a mild voice, “Didn’t grandfather tell you to stay at home? What are you doing running around?”

Shang Jing felt uneasy, “I found out Zhou Qin’s whereabouts.”

Zhou Qin was the female protagonist in this event involving Shang Mingshu.

Shang Hexing slightly shifted his gaze.

Chen Jinhai immediately leaned in and spoke, “We’ve found her, Zhou Qin is at Baixi Manor.”

Shang Jing was surprised, “Big brother is also investigating?”

Shang Hexing raised his hand, and Chen Jinhai took the teacup from him, and then addressed the surprised Shang Jing, “Young Master, since the day of the incident, Mr. Shang instructed me to investigate Zhou Qin. Any information you receive, I will also know simultaneously here.”

Shang Jing felt reassured knowing his elder brother was also investigating Zhou Qin’s whereabouts.

The only thing that bothered him now was, “Zhou Qin has already entered Baixi Manor. I made an appointment yesterday, but based on a three-day count, I’ll also have to wait until the day after tomorrow before I can go in. I’m worried that by the time I can go, Zhou Qin will have moved on to a new place.”

There has always been a rumor that there is a secret passage beneath Baixi Manor; exactly where this passage leads remains a mystery to this day.

Those who have personally been through the tunnels keep their lips sealed.

Those who haven’t been speculate wildly with various rumors, none of which are credible.

Shang Hexing saw Shang Jing’s anxiety in his eyes and asked him, “You’ve gone to great lengths to track down Zhou Qin’s whereabouts. What is your true intention, to overturn your uncle’s case, or to prove innocence?”

Shang Jing was stunned.

After a moment, he said, “Whether I’m innocent, I know myself, and as for overturning my uncle’s case, that’s indeed unrealistic. Before the law, everyone is equal, and if it wasn’t a mutual consent, my uncle’s life would be…”

He didn’t want to finish that sentence.

Over the years, Shang Mingshu’s reputation as a ladies’ man was well known outside, and the entertainment industry occasionally buzzed with rumors about Shang Mingshu’s engaging in unspoken rules.

But rumors are just rumors, ultimately elusive and unsubstantiated.

In Shang Jing’s view, although his uncle was a ladies’ man, he respected women. He changed girlfriends frequently, but they were all legitimately his girlfriends. From start to finish, relationships ended on good terms, and he was older and had a good reputation.

This time, at the dinner party, he fell in love with Zhou Qin at first sight while he was single, and he showed his affection openly. He was always willing to spend money to pursue, but if he failed, he would just regret it for a couple of days before shifting his target to the next. He would not jeopardize his future by forcing someone, so Shang Jing thought it highly likely that his uncle was being framed this time.

“Grandfather said this time is very dangerous for Uncle,” said Shang Jing, feeling uneasy.

Shang Hexing, “That is inevitable.”

Wen Zhi perked up her ears and secretly listened from the side.

Shang Hexing looked up at her, caught in the act, and Wen Zhi moved her gaze away with a sheepish smile.

His lips curled into a half smile as he returned his gaze to the flustered Shang Jing, “When you see Zhou Qin, how do you plan to interrogate her?”

Shang Jing thought about it, “I can’t detain her, can’t force her, can’t threaten her, of course the best way is to sit down and have a good talk.”

Shang Hexing looked at the naive Shang Jing, “If she could sit down and talk to you, would you still need to go through all this trouble to find her whereabouts?”

Shang Jing was choked up.

Shang Hexing said, “Behind her, there are ‘masters’ directing.”

Shang Jing was momentarily silent, indeed there were ‘masters’ guiding her, and they had also precisely manipulated the timing and circumstances, striking at the crucial moments.

“Wen Zhi,” Shang Hexing’s gaze passed over the obstructive Shang Jing and he called out to her.

Unexpectedly being named, Wen Zhi was taken aback, then looked towards Shang Hexing.

He didn’t mean for her to come over, but rather asked her, “Aren’t you tired standing?”

Wen Zhi was indeed tired from standing. While eavesdropping on Shang Hexing and Shang Jing’s conversation, she had shifted her legs into several positions, leaning to one side for a while and then alternating repeatedly.

She honestly admitted, “Tired.”

Shang Hexing raised his hand and pointed to a sofa behind her, “Go sit over there.”

Wen Zhi sat down on the sofa he indicated.

Shang Jing was also about to go over and sit down when Shang Hexing stopped him, “You stand there.”

Shang Jing, “…”

Shang Hexing motioned to Chen Jinhai to pour some tea. Chen Jinhai took a new cup, went over to Wen Zhi, and poured her a cup of Jin Junmei.

The aroma was rich and pleasant. Wen Zhi held the cup and took a sip, her eyes and eyebrows relaxing.

Chen Jinhai turned around to go back, when Shang Jing stopped him, “Chen Zhu.”

Chen Jinhai turned back, “What do you need, Second Young Master?”

Shang Jing wore an expression difficult to describe, seemingly asking, “What about me?”

Chen Jinhai understood Shang Jing’s expression and apologetically smiled, “Sorry, Second Young Master, no more.”

Shang Jing, “…”

It might have been his imagination, but Shang Jing always felt that his brother’s attitude towards Wen Zhi was different from what he had expected.

He tried to figure it out when a black cellphone on the coffee table lit up and vibrated, a call coming through.

Shang Hexing picked up the phone and answered the call.

The person on the other end was reporting something, and Shang Hexing listened quietly, his eyes catching something. He slowly lifted his hand and plucked a strand of hair from his left shoulder.

The room became unusually quiet.

Shang Jing had sharp eyes, and he saw it was a long strand of hair, uncolored, pure black.

It was a woman’s hair.

The hair could have fallen to the ground, and it wouldn’t have been anything out of the ordinary. However, the fact that this hair appeared on Shang Hexing’s shoulder clearly indicated a woman had been close to him or had been in his arms, and it was not long ago…

Not only Shang Jing, but Wen Zhi also saw the strand of hair in Shang Hexing’s hand. Her first reaction was to be annoyed at herself for losing hair.

It must be because she had been dreaming a lot lately, which caused her sleep quality to deteriorate.

“Wen Zhi,” Shang Jing stepped back to the sofa where Wen Zhi was sitting and called her in a soft voice.

Wen Zhi turned her head with her tea cup and saw Shang Jing staring at her with an inquiring look.

What he wanted to inquire about was obvious.

Wen Zhi kept her expression steady and her mind raced. Then she intentionally lowered her voice in a teasing tone, “What do you think, could the strand of hair on Mr. Shang’s body have been left by some exquisite beauty?”

Shang Jing immediately distanced himself, “That’s what you said. I didn’t say anything.”

Wen Zhi raised an eyebrow, “Oh, I thought you were going to ask about that.”

Shang Jing expressionless, “I’m not as curious as you.”

Although for a moment, he suspected that the strand of hair was Wen Zhi’s, Wen Zhi’s comment just now instantly dispelled that thought.

Wen Zhi also had long, straight black hair, but she wasn’t beautiful!

She could only be described as average, falling into the ordinary category.

Big brother, surrounded by various beauties, with high standards, naturally would not take an interest in Wen Zhi. He just feared that Wen Zhi lacked self-awareness and deliberately tried to get close to big brother.

Reading Shang Jing’s expression, Wen Zhi asked, “Am I that bad?”

Shang Jing didn’t want to hurt her pride, “It’s okay.”

Wen Zhi, “You can tell me the truth.”

Shang Jing hesitated for a moment, “Looks are something we are born with. Although you’re not that pretty, you’re not particularly ugly either.”