Sharing Dreams with My Bestie’s Cousin
Chapter 168 - 168 Get married next spring

Chapter 168: Get married next spring Chapter 168: Get married next spring Zhou Family arranged seating according to one’s social status.

It was only after Wen Zhi sat down that she realized this table was filled with significant figures from the city, all around their forties and fifties. Some had brought their wives, while others, who had lost their spouses early on and remained unmarried despite having lovers, knew that such companions couldn’t be presented in this setting.

Wen Zhi was the youngest, and also the only one who had the rare privilege of attending as Shang Hexing’s girlfriend.

Everyone present was well aware that Wen Zhi normally would be seated at a different table. Since Shang Hexing brought her to the main table, it was a clear indication that she was the one he intended to marry!

Therefore, it didn’t take long for two noblewomen to start a conversation with Wen Zhi.

They were especially gentle and lively in their conversation. Wen Zhi, not often exposed to such grand social situations, managed to maintain an outward calm, but she felt somewhat anxious inside.

Shang Hexing noticed, and tightly clasped her hand under the table, leaning in a bit closer he said, “Just treat it like a normal banquet and don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Wen Zhi smiled and whispered a reply that only Shang Hexing could hear, “That would be easier if this were truly a ‘normal banquet’.”

Shang Hexing couldn’t help but chuckle, “Nervous?”

Wen Zhi immediately responded, “Not at all.”

Shang Hexing reminded her, “Do you understand what it means for me to bring you to this table?”

Wen Zhi’s eyes twinkled and her eyelids fluttered as she looked at him quietly.

He said, “It’s to let everyone know that I plan to marry you.”

Wen Zhi gave a light smile, but she didn’t take his words to heart.

Falling in love was easy, but marriage was a difficult barrier. With the Han Family obstructing and pressures from above, she was certain she and Shang Hexing wouldn’t reach the point of discussing marriage.

At that moment, the lady opposite, Mrs. Qin, inquired, “Have you set the date yet?”

Wen Zhi didn’t know how to respond, so she looked to Shang Hexing.

He answered Mrs. Qin, “Soon, by the start of next spring.”

Mrs. Qin smiled amiably and said, “Congratulations.”

Shang Hexing nodded and returned the smile.

“Isn’t that Mr. Wu and his wife over there?” a noblewoman suddenly remarked.

The others turned to look.

Wen Zhi’s thoughts were still immersed in Shang Hexing’s earlier response—by next spring.

By the time next spring arrived, she probably would have parted ways with him.

Gathering her scattered thoughts, Wen Zhi suddenly stood up, “I need to go to the restroom.”

Shang Hexing naturally caught her wrist, “Do you need me to accompany you?”

Wen Zhi shook her head, “No need, I won’t get lost.”

Mrs. Qin couldn’t resist teasing them, “The affection between young couples is always so sweet.”

A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Shang Hexing’s eyes, his hand still holding Wen Zhi’s, and he said to Mrs. Qin, “You flatter us.”

“Far from it, I’m envious,” Mrs. Qin replied sincerely.

Wen Zhi was about to withdraw her hand when a sharp voice suddenly came from behind, “Wow, here you are!”

The voice was somewhat familiar.

Wen Zhi turned around and saw Wu Youyan pointing at her, her gestures wild.

However, in the next second, Wu Youyan’s pointing finger was fiercely grasped and pressed down by Xun An, who was standing beside her.

Wen Zhi frowned.

As Wu Youyan shouted out in pain and Mrs. Wu turned pale with shock, she quickly covered her daughter’s mouth, “Secretary Xun! It was my fault for not holding back Yanyan, please forgive us.”

Xun An released her hand, stepped back half a pace, and dusted off his cuff, his expression cold.

Wu Youyan’s eyes reddened as she brushed off the hand covering her mouth, and turned to complain to Mrs. Wu with tears, “Mom, why did you cover my mouth? My hand really hurts.”

Mrs. Wu hurriedly consoled, “It’s all right now, it’s all right. Secretary Xu didn’t do it on purpose.”

“He did!”

“Yanyan, Secretary Xu really didn’t mean to do it, he just wanted to help support you,” Mrs. Wu said in a lowered voice, emphasizing each word.

Wu Youyan pouted, clearly understanding the implication of her mother’s words: “Mom, I was bullied, and you’re still saying it’s nothing. Look at my hand.”

With that, Wu Youyan extended her hand for Mrs. Wu to see.

Actually, there was nothing unusual about her hand; it only hurt because Xu An had pressed down with a bit too much force.

Mrs. Wu, sympathizing with her daughter, quickly began to coddle her.

Wen Zhi had no choice but to sit back down, believing that Wu Youyan had intentionally come to pick a fight, and she was amazed at how bold Wu Youyan was, especially since everyone present was a person of importance.

It was only when she met Shang Hexing’s gaze that she suddenly understood what was going on.

Shang Hexing’s tone was icy: “Someone saw her bump into you.”

“Bump into…” Wen Zhi was surprised by Shang Hexing’s choice of words.

Shang Hexing countered, “Is it not so?”

Wen Zhi’s lips uncontrollably curled up as she whispered to him, “No, it was I who bumped into her first, but I have already apologized.”

“Shang Hexing said, “She is unyielding even when she’s in the right.”

Wen Zhi nodded, “That’s true, but I don’t think it’s necessary for her to apologize to me in front of so many people.”

“It is necessary.” That was Shang Hexing’s stance.

Besides, he wouldn’t allow anyone to belittle her: “You apologized to her, she accepted, and that should have been the end of it. But since she’s unyielding even when she’s in the right and continues to bully you, she should apologize to you again. I need to let everyone know that bullying you will result in the same consequences as for her.”

It was unusual for Shang Hexing to speak such a long sentence.

Wen Zhi felt a stirring in her heart, an indescribable feeling spreading within.

On the other side, Mr. Wu was taken aback when he caught sight of Shang Hexing’s expression and then hastily tugged at Mrs. Wu’s sleeve.

It wasn’t until Xu An kindly spoke up to remind them: “Mrs. Wu, remember what you came here for, don’t delay.”

Mrs. Wu snapped back to reality and quickly pulled her daughter from her embrace: “Yanyan, hurry over and apologize to Miss Wen.”

“What, no way!” Wu Youyan stubbornly refused.

“Nonsense, come with me right now,” Mrs. Wu insisted, dragging Wu Youyan along.

On the way over, Wu Youyan already knew what was going on. Her mother had coaxed her for a long time, but she had refused until Mr. Wu lost his temper, and that’s when she fell into line.

But throughout the journey, Wu Youyan couldn’t have been more reluctant.

When she actually saw Wen Zhi, she couldn’t help but become angry again, nearly causing another scene.

Now she continued to be defiant: “I’m not going. You all can go if you like. An outsider climbs into a position of power and then bullies others. Why should I apologize to her? She was the one who bumped into me first.”

Mrs. Wu’s heart trembled: “But I heard that she already apologized to you, and you’re being unyielding even though you’re in the right.”

Called out on it, Wu Youyan couldn’t save face, so she huffed, “Well, I still won’t go. It’s beneath my dignity.”

Furious, Mr. Wu grasped Wu Youyan’s hand and marched forward: “Rather than losing face, would you rather watch our Wu family go bankrupt?”

The Wu enterprise, backed by the government, was once glorious, but it had been declining over the past two years, something Wu Youyan didn’t know. She was also unaware of the current financial difficulties; the company was relying on the approval of a prime piece of land to rejuvenate the enterprise, and it was uncertain whether the deal would go through.

This issue had already turned Mr. Wu’s temples noticeably grayer.

However, his daughter Wu Youyan only had eyes for luxury goods and high-end socializing, never bothering with such matters.

So when she heard her father’s words, Wu Youyan was inevitably shocked. Was the Wu family really going to fall?

Mr. Wu pulled Wu Youyan over and addressed Shang Hexing in a humble tone, “Mr. Shang.”

Shang Hexing cast a cold sidelong glance at Mr. Wu but remained silent.