Chapter Thirty-Six: Lost Interest Once Again

“To settle the company’s artists,” Jiang Yunzhu answered, polite but distant.

Shen Tingxiao tilted his head to look at her, asking in a seemingly casual tone, “Just now I heard the word ‘banquet.’ What banquet is that?”

“Our company’s internal banquet,” Jiang Yunzhu replied offhandedly. “It’s not convenient to invite outsiders, so I won’t be sending you an invitation this time. When there’s another gathering in the future, I’ll make sure to invite you.”

She glanced at the plush toy still in Shen Tingxiao’s hand, realizing she wouldn’t be able to retrieve it today and resigned herself to letting it go for now.

“A company internal banquet?” Shen Tingxiao repeated, as if pondering something.

Jiang Yunzhu was highly alert. “Yes, is there a problem?”

“Can family members attend?” Shen Tingxiao asked again.

Jiang Yunzhu quickly reviewed in her mind and confirmed that none of her artists had any relationship with Shen Tingxiao, finally allowing herself a sigh of relief. She lifted her brows slightly, the gesture giving her a touch of arrogance. “Family members are allowed, but as I recall, you have no connection whatsoever with anyone in our company.”

Shen Tingxiao smiled faintly again, that air of assurance about him. “Not necessarily.”

It was the look of someone holding all the cards.

After leaving the hotel, Jiang Yunzhu kept pondering what he could have meant by “not necessarily.”

She drove into the garage. As soon as she entered the house, she saw Jiang Zhen and Chen Li skulking about suspiciously.

“Dad? Mom?” Jiang Yunzhu called out, “What are you two up to?”

“Nothing,” Jiang Zhen straightened up immediately, using his body to block Chen Li from view. He looked at Jiang Yunzhu, “Why are you home so early? Did you pick up your friends?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yunzhu changed her shoes at the entrance. “I’ve already arranged for them to stay at the hotel. Once things settle down at the company, I’ll see where best to rent a place for them.”

After changing her shoes, she walked over to the two of them, noticing something off about Chen Li’s expression.

“Mom,” Jiang Yunzhu, exhausted from a day’s work, finally poured herself a glass of water. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, nothing at all.” Chen Li quickly put her hands behind her back. “Your dad and I were just talking. By the way, when is your banquet?”

“The day after tomorrow.” Jiang Yunzhu downed a glass of water. “Are you both planning to come?”

“Of course! We’ll be there to support you!” Chen Li gave a forced laugh. “It’s your company, after all.”

Jiang Yunzhu held her glass, staring at her mother. “Mom, you seem off.”

“Not at all!” Chen Li laughed even louder. “It’s just that your father and I are so happy to see you so focused on your career, we can’t help but be overjoyed.” As she spoke, she nudged Jiang Zhen with her shoulder.

Jiang Zhen clasped his hands tightly on his knees. “Exactly, exactly.”

Jiang Yunzhu couldn’t quite put her finger on what felt wrong, so she let it slide for now. She tapped the glass lightly with her index finger. “Mom, Dad, I want to discuss something with you.”

“Oh? What is it?” Chen Li asked.

Jiang Yunzhu sat opposite them. “I’d like you both to act as legal representatives for the company.”

“You want us to be the legal representatives?” Jiang Zhen frowned slightly. “Don’t you want to manage your own company directly?”

“I want to further my studies. Once the company is settled, I plan to go back to school.” Jiang Yunzhu set down her glass. “Besides, you’ve lived in the States for many years. Using your connections is much easier than me building a new network from scratch.”

That was one reason. The other was that she didn’t want to expose herself too much to the spotlight. Among the artists she had brought in, some would surely become very famous in the future, and when that happened, people would start digging into the founder of the company.

Chen Li and Jiang Zhen exchanged glances.

“We’re your parents. Of course we’ll act as your company’s legal representatives,” Chen Li said after a brief hesitation. “But you said you wanted to study—where are you thinking of going?”

Jiang Yunzhu had always been an excellent student. If not for wanting to stay close to Shen Ruizhang, she would have already started her graduate studies in directing, her true passion.

“I’m still looking at schools,” Jiang Yunzhu replied.

It was the truth; she hadn’t yet decided where to go.

Jiang Zhen thought for a moment. “If you want to focus on your studies, your mother and I will take good care of the company. You just concentrate on what you want to do.”

Jiang Yunzhu smiled gently. “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”

“We’re family—no need for thanks.”

The day of the banquet arrived.

The hotel ballroom was filled with elegance and glamour, glasses clinking amid lively conversation. Jiang Yunzhu wore a silver mermaid gown, a lustrous pearl necklace at her throat and pearl earrings to match, the ensemble shimmering in the light.

Shen Tingxiao strode in with steady, purposeful steps, dressed in a sharply tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. Wherever he went, conversation faded and heads turned in his direction.

It was Shen Tingxiao again—an uninvited guest?

This banquet owed much to the influence of Jiang Zhen and Chen Li, but most of the guests were from the film and television circles. Jiang Yunzhu truly hadn’t expected Shen Tingxiao to show up; he had nothing to do with the industry.

As Jiang Yunzhu mingled with the guests, a voice suddenly cut in.

“Well, Miss Jiang, what a grand affair you’ve put together!” Lin Yue sashayed over, her fake smile particularly grating. She and Jiang Yunzhu had never gotten along. A few years ago, Lin Yue had entered the entertainment industry as well and was now a third-tier celebrity. This grand banquet hosted by Jiang Yunzhu, gathering so many resources, was bound to threaten Lin Yue’s own prospects.

Jiang Yunzhu frowned slightly but replied with courtesy, “Miss Lin, you flatter me. You look lovely tonight as well.” She knew Lin Yue hadn’t come with good intentions.

But Lin Yue had no intention of letting her off so easily. She laughed behind her hand, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Pretty as you may be, some people’s minds are never on proper business. I heard that while you were abroad, you had a crush on your little uncle, Shen Ruizhang, and clung to him every day. Aren’t you ashamed? If that got out, it would be the biggest scandal in our circles.”

The surrounding guests instantly fell silent, their gazes like spotlights on Jiang Yunzhu. Her face darkened as she prepared to strike back.

“Miss Lin,” came Shen Tingxiao’s cool voice from behind. He strode forward and stood firmly at Jiang Yunzhu’s side, his eyes sharp as icy stars. “Spreading malicious rumors at someone else’s banquet—where are your manners?”

Lin Yue’s face turned ashen, panic flickering in her eyes. She tried to maintain her composure. “Mr. Shen, I… I was just joking. Please don’t take it seriously.”

Shen Tingxiao snorted coldly, his voice deep and commanding. “A joke? If spreading slander counts as a joke, then can I say you’re seeing four or five male celebrities at once?”

If he said that, Lin Yue’s reputation would be destroyed.

She frantically waved her hands, her voice trembling. “No, no, Mr. Shen, it was my fault, I apologize!”

Shen Tingxiao didn’t spare her another glance. He turned to Jiang Yunzhu, his gaze softening. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Thank you,” Jiang Yunzhu replied sincerely.

After an evening of socializing, Jiang Yunzhu felt utterly drained, both body and soul.