Chapter 524: Shen Yuanyang, Leave Me Alone

Chapter 524: Shen Yuanyang, Leave Me Alone

Despite Su Youyue asking Shen Yuanzhen if he accepted the apology, she didn’t ask Shen Yuanyang, leaving him with an odd feeling in his heart.

"What about my antidote?" Jin Wenwu asked anxiously right after apologizing.

Jin Wenwu had always gotten whatever he wanted, living a far more luxurious life than the commoners. Naturally, he didn’t want to die mysteriously at the hands of a woman.

Su Youyue turned her gaze back, her eyes curved beautifully, her long lashes fluttering like delicate threads caressing one's heart.

However, seeing her smile set off Jin Wenwu’s alarm bells; he sensed something was off.

Damn it, is she backing out on her promise and refusing to give me the antidote?

How dare she!

Su Youyue chuckled lightly, "Young Master Jin, with your esteemed status, how could I, a mere woman, dare to poison you? I was just playing a joke on you earlier."

The young men present almost dropped their jaws in disbelief.

Shen Yuanyang grimaced slightly, still annoyed with Jin Wenwu but unable to watch his humiliation.

Indeed, in front of Shen Nan, they were just being toyed with.

Jin Wenwu, realizing what had happened, immediately flared up. "You dare to play me!"

Su Youyue sighed softly, "Young Master Jin, how could I dare to play you? I thought you were joking when you refused to honor the bet earlier, just as I was."

"Young Master Jin, surely you’re not so petty as to not be able to take a joke? You’re a man of great stature, surely you wouldn’t quibble with a lowly woman like me?"

You! Jin Wenwu had never been played so boldly before, and being blamed for it made him so furious he felt like tearing her apart.

Seeing his livid face, Su Youyue quickly shifted to a playful tone.

"Alright, alright, Young Master Jin, you're too generous. Surely, you wouldn’t hold a grudge against a humble woman like me. Today’s incident was just a joke. There was no real winner or loser. If Young Master Jin hadn’t shown mercy and let me have those two moves, I wouldn’t have stood a chance."

Hearing this, Shen Yuanyang shot Su Youyue a confused glance.

He hadn’t expected this woman to back down. Just moments ago, he thought that if Jin Wenwu continued to make a fuss, she might have given him a few lashes.

Jin Wenwu’s expression faltered, then slightly softened.

The lackey next to him whispered into his ear.

"Young Master Jin, this woman is right. Clearly, she won unfairly earlier, so it was a draw. The bet was just a joke."

Jin Wenwu’s eyes flickered with understanding. If he admitted that what had just happened was a joke, then his apparent loss to a woman wouldn’t count; it would just be a joke. It wouldn’t be embarrassing if it got out...

So, he immediately snorted coldly, "You’re lucky I took it easy on you earlier because you’re a woman, otherwise you wouldn’t have had the chance to use your tricks!"

Su Youyue nodded, playing along, "What you say is true, Young Master Jin. My pitiful skills are nothing in front of you, like performing in front of Guan Gong."

This made Jin Wenwu feel quite pleased, his previously deflated chest puffing up again, returning to his earlier cocky demeanor.

"As a man of honor, I won’t waste time on a woman like you. Let’s go!"

With that, Jin Wenwu led his men away.

Shen Yuanyang stood there, his face frozen in disbelief.

Was Jin Wenwu actually going to let this slide just like that?

This was unheard of.

Last time someone crossed him, Jin Wenwu didn’t stop until the person was left crippled. The victim had also come from an official family, and in the end, they were unable to do anything about Jin Wenwu.

But Shen Nan had somehow managed to smooth things over with just a few flattering words.

For a moment, Shen Yuanyang shot Su Youyue a look filled with mixed emotions.

Su Youyue, however, ignored him. She stroked Shen Yuanzhen’s fluffy head and grabbed his chubby little hand. "Let's go."

Shen Yuanzhen had no objections. His admiration for Su Youyue had reached an unprecedented peak. If he had a tail, it would’ve been spinning like a propeller by now.

Once the two left, Shen Yuanyang hurriedly caught up. After a while, not knowing what to say, he stammered, "I didn’t think you’d stoop to flattery like that..."

He had assumed this woman’s temper was as tough as a rock in a cesspool.

Su Youyue gave him a brief, sideways glance but said nothing.

Shen Yuanyang finally summoned the courage to say, "Thanks for what you did back there."

He wasn’t an ungrateful person. This woman had indeed helped him a lot just now and vented his anger for him.

Moreover, if it weren’t for her final words, Jin Wenwu probably wouldn’t have been willing to let it go so easily. Who knows what kind of revenge he might have planned against the Shen family later.

Su Youyue responded indifferently, "Don’t mention it. I only did it for Yuanzhen."

Shen Yuanyang was taken aback. Seeing her expression, he realized she wasn’t lying. She was telling the truth.

So, he was just an afterthought...

That uncomfortable feeling welled up in Shen Yuanyang’s heart again.

He even began to think that, not only was he just an afterthought, but even the final words she said to prevent Jin Wenwu from seeking revenge on the Shen family were also for Xiao Wu, not for the Shen family.

As they walked, his steps suddenly halted.

Only Shen Yuanzhen looked back at him, a bit puzzled.

But that woman didn’t spare him a single glance.

Watching her walk away without hesitation, it finally hit Shen Yuanyang.

To Su Youyue, the Shen family meant absolutely nothing.

She didn’t need their affection, nor did she care about their disdain.

Because she had the confidence.

Her confidence came not only from the guards by her side but also from herself.

She had the intelligence to solve problems.

Thinking about it, if she truly intended to curry favor with the Shen family, gaining their affection would only be a matter of time.

She couldn't care less.

Understanding the utilitarian relationship between Shen Nan and the Shen family, Shen Yuanyang’s previously inexplicable self-confidence suddenly collapsed, and he began to lose confidence.

Since Shen Nan didn't care about the Shen family, would she leave suddenly one day?

When the Ding'an Houfu came to break off the engagement, Shen Yuanyang had thought that this woman was no longer useful and that it would be best to kick her out of the estate.

But now, he was afraid she might up and leave one day.

As he watched her steps growing further away, about to disappear around the corner any second, Shen Yuanyang clenched his fists and ran after her.

"Where did you learn that needlework just now? It was masterful. Jin Wenwu is no match for you."

He asked Su Youyue, as if they were old friends.

He couldn’t bring himself to call her 'sister,' despite being genuinely moved when she helped him apologize earlier. In his life, he had only acknowledged Zhuyu as his sister. Especially after his bold declarations when Shen Nan came back, how could he possibly humble himself now?

However... from now on, he couldn't keep treating this woman the way he used to.

Su Youyue glanced back at him.

Shen Yuanyang’s eyes lit up with hope.

Through her veil, her red lips said, "Shen Yuanyang, leave me alone."