Chapter 14: Reunion

After a short while, Tang Xue’er came out of the bathroom, wiping her damp hair.

“Did someone knock just now?” she casually asked while heading to get the hairdryer.

“Yeah, they told us to hurry downstairs to welcome the teachers from Qingbei Gaowu,” Shen Xing replied, feeling a subtle twinge of jealousy. He glanced at her momentarily before quickly looking away.

Swish, swish! Tang Xue’er nodded and switched on the hairdryer.

Ten minutes later, both were ready and left the room together.

“Please follow me, both of you,” Zhao Zhenzhen, who had been waiting in the corridor for some time, said, shooting Shen Xing a resentful glare when Tang Xue’er wasn’t paying attention.

Shen Xing ignored her.

The three quickly descended the stairs. The front hall was already filled with many people.

The most dazzling figure, naturally, was today’s guest of honor, Tang Xinya.

She wore a specially tailored warrior’s outfit, black and red with gold trim. Her hair was tied in a spirited high ponytail, her face glowing with confident smiles, making her shine brilliantly.

Around her gathered numerous relatives, both near and distant, like stars orbiting a moon, surrounding her in the center.

“The time is near. Please take your seats quickly. If you need anything, just call me,” Zhao Zhenzhen said softly, then stepped back quickly.

Tang Xue’er held Shen Xing’s hand as they approached the main table.

“She seems a bit off today,” Tang Xue’er whispered.

“Who?” Shen Xing asked.

“Zhao Zhenzhen. She definitely has something going on—her defenses were strong just now, even a bit aggressive. Not sure if it’s aimed at you or me.”

Shen Xing felt a chill run down his spine; women’s intuition always amazed him.

“Really? I didn’t notice. Maybe you’re just too sensitive.”

“Maybe, but she works for Zhao Sujuan. It’s better to be cautious. Watch her closely when talking,” Tang Xue’er advised but didn’t push further.

Shen Xing nodded, and soon they reached the dining table.

Just as they were about to sit, Zhao Pengyu beat them to Shen Xing’s original seat.

Tang Xue’er frowned.

“Pengyu, you’re in the wrong seat.”

Zhao Pengyu laughed playfully.

“No, my aunt arranged for me to sit here. Xue’er, sit down quickly. I have a really interesting story to tell you!”

Tang Xue’er ignored him and looked toward Zhao Sujuan.

Zhao Sujuan explained, “It’s the servants’ fault. They didn’t arrange the seats properly and forgot one person—Shen Xing. Xue’er, you sit first. Shen Xing, you’ll have to endure a little and sit at the other table; there’s an empty seat there.”

Tang Xue’er’s expression darkened. Just as she was about to speak up for Shen Xing, he beat her to it with a soft reply.

“Alright, no problem. Everyone makes mistakes. Xue’er, you sit. I’ll go over there.”

He patted Tang Xue’er’s shoulder, signaling her to sit, then turned and walked to the corner table.

That table was filled with unfamiliar faces—obscure distant relatives of the Tang family, clearly marginalized and unwelcome.

They had only heard of Shen Xing before and were jealous over his engagement to Tang Xinya.

Although they later heard it changed to Tang Xue’er, envy still lingered.

Seeing Shen Xing put in such an awkward position, their expressions were gleefully malicious.

Shen Xing sat calmly, as if oblivious to their sneers.

Their reaction made them think he was easy prey, and they began to gossip even more harshly.

Chen Fan yawned, glanced at them, and memorized their faces.

This was a welcome banquet, and no dishes had been served yet—only fruit and snacks as guests chatted.

Time dragged, and boredom crept in.

The younger ones started pulling out their phones to play games; the older guests kept busy networking.

Fortunately, this dull period didn’t last long.

Just after eleven, the awaited guests arrived.

Upon hearing the car’s arrival, Tang Tianming led everyone out to greet them.

Shen Xing and the others at his table remained at the back of the crowd.

Being tall, Shen Xing stood on tiptoe to see afar, but he was uninterested, scrolling through news online about the rebellious forces.

He felt those bandits were no ordinary rabble; they were too professional.

Their professionalism wasn’t just in weapons and combat skills.

A key point was the heavy casualties on both sides during clashes with the police.

Normally, such bandits would have scattered long ago.

How could they fight so desperately?

Shen Xing had personally eliminated one of their elite members, which weighed on his mind.

What if they traced him?

In this era, Shen Xing’s exposure was limited; many methods were unknown to him.

Theoretically, anything could happen.

He replayed the scene in his mind, trying to catch any overlooked details.

“Tattoos... none. Unique accessories... none. Standardized weapons... nothing. Do I have to ask that woman?”

Shen Xing frowned; the woman named Ying gave off a mysterious vibe.

He didn’t want to interact much until he fully understood her identity.

While he pondered, the guests had already gotten out of their cars.

The Tang family clustered around as they entered.

Shen Xing stayed on the outskirts, avoiding the crush.

As they passed, he casually scanned the crowd.

The person leading the group stunned him beyond expectation!

Ying’s cold and striking face appeared vividly before him.

Whether by instinct or fate, she glanced in his direction.

Their eyes met.

Shen Xing’s heart instantly raced to a terrifying pace.

He knew this wasn’t a flutter of attraction but a primal tension—like a prey sensing a superior predator.

His heartbeat thundered in his chest.

He struggled to breathe.

Fortunately, the eye contact didn’t last long. She gave him a long, deep look before averting her gaze.

Shen Xing, gasping like a nearly drowned fish, felt a surge of confusion.

“What was that look? Strange... yet puzzled. Why does it feel like she doesn’t remember me? Otherwise, she’d be shocked, right? And... why does she now radiate such pressure? It’s completely different from yesterday!”

A huge question mark appeared over Shen Xing’s head as he returned to his seat, still bewildered.

Only then did he notice she wasn’t alone.

Beside her stood another woman with a similar aura.

Though less beautiful, wearing black-rimmed glasses, she looked like an assistant.