Stepdaughter of a wealthy family? The little darling of a Beijing tycoon

Lu Jingxing sat alone in his study, a look of bewilderment and confusion on his face.

He kept recalling the scene in the car last night, unable to figure out what he had done wrong or what had displeased Shen Jingshu.

Could it be that my abrupt suggestion to get a marriage certificate was too abrupt and scared her away?

Having led the vast Lu Group for many years, he has been a prominent figure in the business world, handling major projects worth billions of dollars. He is calm, decisive, and resourceful, never making a single mistake.

But when it comes to matters of the heart, the usually decisive and ruthless CEO Lu is as clumsy as a clueless greenhorn. He can't figure out a girl's thoughts at all, doesn't know how to be tactful, doesn't know how to test the waters, and doesn't know how to win someone's heart.

Meanwhile, inside the Shen family mansion, Shen Xinyi remained deeply shrouded in the gloom of her failed banquet.

Ever since her embarrassing moment at her birthday party, becoming the laughingstock of the entire audience, she stayed home for a whole week, ashamed to see anyone. She dared not go out shopping, dared not participate in any social activities, and was most afraid of running into acquaintances and meeting the mocking and gossipy gazes of others.

For days, she has confined herself to her room, feeling depressed and resentful.

Even today, Lu Manman took the initiative to ask her out for a walk to clear her head. At first, Shen Xinyi was still not interested and just wanted to politely decline, but when Lu Manman casually mentioned that her brother Lu Ze would be attending the same party today and would also be there, a glimmer of obsession instantly ignited in Shen Xinyi's dead heart.

She quickly composed herself and focused all her attention.

Lu Ze is the only top-tier connection she can currently grasp and climb onto; he is her hope for climbing into high society and reversing her situation. This time, she must seize the opportunity no matter what, win over Lu Ze, and become his legitimate girlfriend.

As my thoughts raced, the painful images from the birthday party resurfaced in my mind.

She would never forget how, in front of everyone, Lu Ze ignored her carefully dressed up and her attempts to be friendly, and instead took the initiative to step forward and gently ask Shen Jingshu for her contact information.

At this thought, Shen Xinyi clenched her teeth tightly, her eyes surging with intense jealousy and resentment.

Shen Jingshu!

All these changes were because of Shen Jingshu!

In her previous life, Shen Jingshu was nothing more than a subservient follower who always yielded to her and looked up to her. In terms of appearance, family background, demeanor, and vision, she could not compare to her own dazzling brilliance.

But in this second life, everything is completely reversed.

Shen Jingshu seemed to have completely changed.

She is calm, insightful, and sharp-edged. She no longer makes any concessions to herself, no longer humbly tries to please others, and even crushes herself time and time again, stealing all her glory.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

Could it be... that Shen Jingshu, like herself, was also reborn?

Otherwise, it's impossible to explain her dramatic changes, why she avoided all pitfalls in advance and seized every opportunity, or why she changed from her former docile nature to becoming distant and retaliatory at every turn.

Once this thought arises, it takes root and sprouts wildly in the heart.

A sinister glint flashed in Shen Xinyi's eyes.

Regardless of the truth, she must find an opportunity as soon as possible to probe Shen Jingshu's background and confirm whether she is also a reborn person.

If Shen Jingshu really returns with memories of her past life, then in this life, she will never let Shen Jingshu be one step ahead of her again.

She will reclaim all the glory, opportunities, and connections that belong to her.

If necessary, she wouldn't mind taking action again to completely eliminate Shen Jingshu, this major threat.

Saturday morning was sunny and clear.

Remembering her promise to Old Master Lu, Shen Jingshu finished packing and was about to take a taxi to the Lu family's old residence.

Just as she stepped out of her dormitory and was about to call a taxi, her phone rang abruptly, and the name flashing on the screen made her heart skip a beat—Lu Jingxing.

She hesitated for two seconds, then answered the call.

The man's voice on the other end of the phone was simple and deep. There were no extra pleasantries, just a simple, "I'm at the gate of your school."

He hung up immediately after speaking.

Shen Jingshu gripped her phone, her brow furrowed slightly, a sense of helplessness welling up inside her.

Since that unexpected marriage proposal in the car last night, she has been deliberately avoiding Lu Jingxing for the entire week. She avoids meeting him whenever possible, and avoids speaking to him whenever possible, all to avoid the ambiguity and entanglement that leaves her feeling helpless.

She never expected that Lu Jingxing would drive over and block the school gate.

Left with no other option, she had to move to the school gate.

The black luxury car was parked quietly by the roadside, exuding understated luxury. Shen Jingshu opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat, remaining silent throughout, her expression indifferent, deliberately keeping her distance.

The carriage was enclosed, and the atmosphere was so quiet it was almost stiff.

Lu Jingxing glanced at the silent, aloof girl beside him, then parted his thin lips and spoke, his tone carrying a very faint explanation: "Grandpa asked me to pick you up."

Shen Jingshu nodded slightly, her tone polite yet distant: "Oh, thank you for your trouble, Mr. Lu."

The way he addressed him as "President Lu" sounded jarringly unfamiliar.

Lu Jingxing's eyes darkened slightly, and his voice lowered a few decibels: "Between us, is there any need for such formality?"

Shen Jingshu remained calm, her reply measured and leaving no room for negotiation: "Yes, Mr. Lu. We weren't that close to begin with."

"...Not familiar with each other?"

Lu Jingxing repeated the two words in a low voice, the last syllable of his voice slightly deep.

It's unclear which remark stung him, but the temperature inside the car suddenly dropped.

The man's usual aloof and oppressive aura instantly spread out, deep and taciturn, carrying an undisguised sense of stagnation and loss.

He stopped initiating conversation, a faint chill settling over his eyes.

The drive to the Lu family's old residence was completely silent.

Shen Jingshu leaned against the car window, looking ahead, maintaining a detached silence.

Lu Jingxing gripped the steering wheel, driving at a steady speed, but his heart was heavy with melancholy.

He could clearly sense that this girl was deliberately drawing a line between herself and him, deliberately acting like a stranger, and deliberately distancing herself.

The car came to a steady stop in front of the ancient and imposing vermilion gate of the Lu family's old residence.

The entire journey was marked by silence, the oppressive atmosphere lingering in the enclosed car. Shen Jingshu didn't look at the man beside her again, but instead unbuckled her seatbelt, pushed open the door, and got out of the car. Her movements were swift and decisive, revealing a deliberate sense of distance.

Lu Jingxing sat in the car, watching her back, a deep sense of helplessness and frustration flashing across his dark eyes.

He was a master of the business world, controlling a multi-billion dollar industry and manipulating people's hearts and minds, yet he was helpless against Shen Jingshu, who deliberately avoided him.

The servants of the old house were already waiting at the door. When they saw the two arrive, they quickly stepped forward, bowed, and led the way.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw Grandpa Lu leaning on his cane, smiling as he stood under the eaves waiting. His gaze immediately fell on Shen Jingshu, full of affection.

"Jing Shu, you've finally arrived! Come here and let Grandpa take a look at you."

Shen Jingshu put away her previous aloof expression, stepped forward gently, and greeted him obediently, "Grandpa Lu."

"Good, good, good." The old man smiled broadly, glancing at his grandson behind him, who was gloomy and silent. He instantly understood everything.

It's obvious without asking that this blockhead must have upset the girl again and is being deliberately distanced from.