Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 8 Winning Mr. Qu's Favor
Shen Yue smiled and said, "Mommy, you have foresight."

Unlike some short-sighted and foolish women, Tang Hui understood a principle: rather than making enemies, it's better to use them for your own purposes. Therefore, she never shortchanged Shen Guining in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities over the years. In this way, the Shen family would have been kind to her, and as long as she grasped this point, she could control her.

Of course, there is another reason: the fact that the couple treats their niece like their own daughter will earn them praise from the outside world, thus gaining them a good reputation and making Shen Honglin's image as an entrepreneur more credible.

Kill two birds with one stone, why not.

Outside the greenhouse, Shen Guining froze, a sharp, throbbing pain shooting through her chest, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Tang Hui's voice continued: "I heard that Young Master Zhou has already declared that no company is allowed to sign a contract with Shen Guining. If she doesn't listen, your father will cancel her card. Then she will have nowhere to turn and will have no choice but to obediently agree to an arranged marriage."

In August, Shen Guining suddenly felt a chill all over her body, and unconsciously clenched her fists, her nails digging into her flesh.

She was actually foolish enough to think about finding another marriage partner to benefit the Shen family, unaware that her so-called family members only treated her as a tool to be used from beginning to end.

She had thought that her uncle and aunt had some affection for her, but reality slapped her hard in the face.

There was no gratitude involved; it was all just deception and exploitation.

After so many years of pretense, what lies beneath is rotting pus, emitting a foul stench.

The mother and daughter were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice a third person present.

Changing the subject, Tang Hui asked Shen Yue, "Have you prepared your dress and jewelry? Do your best at the charity gala the day after tomorrow, make some friends of the opposite sex, pick a good one, and find a suitable partner as soon as possible."

"I'm all set. I've been dieting these past few days to prepare the dress I'll be wearing for the banquet the day after tomorrow."

"I heard that Mr. Qu from Beijing will also be there. If you have the chance to get to know a man like him, the Shen family will never have to worry about anything again."

Shen Yue nodded, "Yes, I know, Mommy."

Shen Guining loosened her stiff hand, turned around, and left silently.

Those sharp voices filled my ears, and my mind was in complete chaos.

She forced herself to calm down; she couldn't just sit and wait to die.

Who wouldn't fear the Zhou family?

A name suddenly popped into her mind, taking over all her reason.

—Qu Yanci.

If she could get Mr. Qu's protection, no one would dare to touch her.

But how can one get close to this high and mighty Mr. Qu?
Half an hour later, Tang Hui and Shen Yue entered the house with the arranged vases. They were both taken aback when they saw Shen Guining coming down the stairs.

Tang Hui asked in surprise, "Gui Ning, when did you get back?"

Shen Guining's expression remained unchanged. "I just got back a little while ago and went back to my room to change my clothes."

"It's good that you're back. You don't have to stay away from home for days just because you had a fight with your uncle." Tang Hui walked over and gently comforted him, "Guining, don't take it to heart. Your uncle was just too anxious because it involved the company."

Shen Guining pursed her lips gently and hummed in agreement.

"I knew you were the most sensible." Tang Hui smiled and instructed the kitchen to prepare more of Shen Guining's favorite dishes for dinner.

To outsiders, her every word and action seemed exceptionally gentle and considerate.

Shen Guining only felt disgusted.

It turns out that people can be so hypocritical, hiding a knife behind a smile, and a needle hidden in cotton.

Shen Yue pulled Shen Guining to sit down on the sofa, "Cousin, where have you been these past few days?"

“At my friend’s house.” Shen Guining withdrew her hand without saying a word. “It’s the weekend today, why isn’t your uncle home?” Tang Hui sighed. “There’s been so much work at the company lately, your uncle has been working overtime for several days in a row, he can’t sleep well, and his health is getting worse and worse. I’m so worried about him.”

Shen Guining lowered her head silently and did not speak.

Tang Hui used this opportunity to steer the conversation toward serious matters, "Guining, why don't you go and apologize to Young Master Zhou? That collaboration is very important to the Shen family. If it falls through, the company's operating report for the next quarter will be disastrous. At that time, your uncle might not even be able to hold onto his position as chairman. And how many people in the industry are waiting to see the Shen family decline?"

Shen Guining feigned hesitation, and after a long while, she finally relented: "Okay, I can go apologize."

"That's wonderful. Young Master Zhou likes you, so I don't think he'll make things too difficult for you." Tang Hui didn't forget to comfort her, "But I'm still sorry to trouble you."

Her acting is quite good.

Shen Guining was also good at acting. "Aunt, I heard there's a charity gala the day after tomorrow, and the Zhou family will definitely be there. Why don't I go with my uncle and apologize to Young Master Zhou?"

Tang Hui hesitated, "But there are only two invitations, and your uncle wants to take Yueyue with him."

The annual charity gala in Hong Kong Island is a grand affair with strict attendance requirements. Only companies that donate more than ten million dollars a year are eligible to attend, and most of the attendees are top tycoons and elites from all walks of life.

The Shen family gritted their teeth and did charity work in order to expand their network of contacts in such occasions.

Shen Guining lowered her eyes, "I don't dare to apologize to the Second Young Master alone, for fear that he will try to force me again... In a formal occasion like a charity gala, he will definitely have some reservations and will not do anything inappropriate."

After thinking it over, Tang Hui said, "Then I'll talk to your uncle and ask him to find a way to get another invitation."

"Okay, then I'll go back to my room to find my evening gown."

"Ah."

Shen Guining got up and went upstairs.

She had two dresses in her wardrobe that she hadn't worn yet, and she chose one with a low-key color and a simple style.

She rarely attends banquets and doesn't own many clothes or jewelry, so she went downstairs to find Shen Yue again. "Cousin, I have a light green evening dress but no matching jewelry. You have so much jewelry, could you give me a set?"

Shen Yue was stunned for a moment, "I..."

Those pieces of jewelry were her favorites, and each set was expensive; she couldn't bear to part with them.

Tang Hui gave a wink and spoke up just in time: "It's okay, Yueyue, you take Gui Ning to pick out an outfit she likes."

Shen Guining smiled and said, "Thank you, Auntie, and thank you, Cousin."

Shen Yue's lips stiffened slightly.

Shen Guining continued to play the innocent and charming role, saying, "I knew my cousin was the best to me."

That evening, Shen Yue complained to Tang Hui, feeling wronged: "Mommy, Shen Guining took away my favorite emerald necklace, which I bought for 300,000 yuan!"

Tang Hui held her hand and patted it gently. "We can buy a better one later, or you can find an excuse to get the necklace back after the charity gala. Right now, the most important thing is to get Shen Guining to apologize to Zhou Shilin and finalize the cooperation agreement with the Zhou family. We absolutely cannot let anything else go wrong."

It's just a necklace; if it can save a multi-million dollar deal, then it's nothing.
-
late at night.

Shen Guining was suffering from insomnia and lay in bed staring quietly at the ceiling.

My heart is heavy with worries, stuck in my chest.

She didn't know if Mr. Qu would actually attend the charity gala; she could only try her luck.

If you provoke a man like that, the consequences are unpredictable.

But she had no other choice. Rather than being used as a tool for a political marriage to marry Zhou Shilin, she would rather please Mr. Qu and gain his protection.

(End of this chapter)