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

"Is there anything else?" She turned her head in confusion.

Lu Jingxing did not respond, but leaned slightly forward, his tall figure gradually moving closer to her.

As the distance between them shortened, his crisp, snowy scent, mixed with a rich, warm purple aura, wafted towards them.

Shen Jingshu's pupils dilated slightly, her mind instantly in a state of chaos.

Xu Zhixia uncontrollably pulled out clips of idol dramas she had watched.

No way! What is he trying to do? Could it be... he wants to kiss me?

What should I do? What should I do? How should I react? Should I push him away, or close my eyes?

She tried desperately to recall the actions the female lead in the drama should have taken, but at the crucial moment, her mind went completely blank, and she couldn't remember any of the rules or patterns.

Her chaotic thoughts vanished in an instant as Lu Jingxing's handsome and refined face loomed larger in her vision.

The next instant, a soft, warm touch gently landed on her lips, a fleeting, fleeting touch like a dragonfly skimming the water.

A light, gentle kiss landed.

Lu Jingxing straightened up, a faint, warm light spreading across his eyes, his fingers still loosely encircling her wrist.

Shen Jingshu froze on the spot, her eyes wide open, completely stunned.

The faint, warm sensation remaining on my lips was incredibly clear.

Okay, goodnight, girlfriend.

Shen Jingshu had no recollection of how she got out of the car in a daze; her mind was blank, and she walked lightly into the Li family villa.

Only after rushing back to her bedroom did she suddenly collapse onto the soft bed, letting out a short, muffled scream:

"Oh! He kissed me! How could he just kiss me like that?!"

This was her first real kiss in both her lives, and it was gone so suddenly!

"How could this man be like this? He didn't even ask me beforehand..."

She raised her hand and gently touched her lips, a strange, inexplicable flutter rising in her heart.

So this is what a kiss feels like—warm, light, and airy. Just thinking about the rich, mellow purple aura surrounding Lu Jingxing makes her cheeks burn uncontrollably again.

Shen Jingshu tossed and turned in bed, her mind in turmoil, when suddenly there was a soft knock on the door.

She hurriedly got up, slapped her burning cheeks hard, and then opened the door.

Lin Wanqing stood outside the door, dressed in a gentle and elegant dress.

"Jing Shu, you're back. Why are you so late? I told you to come home early to discuss the banquet."

"I was held up by some personal matters."

"Would it be convenient for Mom to come in and sit down? I have a few words I'd like to say to you."

Shen Jingshu stepped aside to make way: "Come in."

This was the first time Lin Wanqing had stepped into the Li family's room since the mother and daughter moved in.

Upon entering, Lin Wanqing couldn't help but look around. The room was decorated in a warm and comfortable style, and the open dressing room on the side was particularly eye-catching—a whole row of high-end designer dresses, and the dressing table was piled high with a dazzling array of luxury skincare and makeup products.

Lin Wanqing looked surprised. She had never bought Shen Jingshu a single one of these things before. She hesitated and then spoke:

"These things... I didn't prepare them for you, where did they come from?"

Shen Jingshu glanced at her indifferently in the direction of her gaze: "Second brother had it delivered."

"So it's Beichen."

"Otherwise, who would Mom think it was?"

A casual question instantly made Lin Wanqing look embarrassed.

She, the biological mother, was not as generous and attentive to her daughter as a stepson with whom she had no blood relation.

After a moment of silence, Lin Wanqing seemed to suddenly remember something important. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her tone carried a hint of admonition:

"Jing Shu, Bei Chen is now the president of Li's Group, and in name he is still your brother. It's true that you are not related by blood, but in the eyes of outsiders, your relationship is already established. You are not young anymore, so you should pay more attention to your boundaries in your daily interactions in the future."

Shen Jingshu was puzzled and was about to ask where this came from when she suddenly realized—

It seems that Li Beichen was too warm and considerate towards her on weekdays, and others noticed and gossiped about it, which reached Lin Wanqing's ears.

She looked up at Lin Wanqing, her expression calm and composed.

"Mom, what do you think is wrong in the relationship between my second brother and me?"

This question left Lin Wanqing speechless and stammering.

She felt uneasy; she couldn't very well admit that Shen Xinyi had gossiped about it earlier that day.

Previously, Lin Wanqing felt somewhat relieved to see Li Beichen and Li Hanting, her two non-blood-related brothers, doting on Shen Jingshu in every way.

But after hearing Shen Xinyi's ambiguous explanation today, a thorn was planted in my heart, which is why I thought of subtly reminding my youngest daughter to be more tactful during the day.

But as soon as I entered the room, I saw a wardrobe full of designer clothes and expensive skincare products on the dressing table. My hidden worries were stirred up, and I blurted out the words uncontrollably.

"Mom didn't mean anything by it, she was just giving you a friendly reminder."

Shen Jingshu stared straight at her with her clear, bright eyes, her gaze calm and insightful, making Lin Wanqing feel inexplicably guilty.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. You're an adult now, you should know your own limits. I won't say any more, you should get some rest."

Lin Wanqing seemed unable to stay any longer, hastily wrapped things up, and left Shen Jingshu's room almost as if fleeing in panic.

The door closed, and Shen Jingshu watched her hurried departure with a slightly cold look in her eyes.

She knew Lin Wanqing too well; she would never say such things without reason. Someone must have been gossiping about her. Shen Xinyi had visited the Li family today, making her the prime suspect.

When she returned, her mind was filled with the unexpected kiss Lu Jingxing had given her, and she hadn't paid much attention to the details. Now, calming down and looking around the room, she keenly sensed that something was amiss.

Someone came into this room today.

The servants in the Li family always knew her habits; they only cleaned and would never rummage through her personal belongings. The cosmetics on the table had been moved, and the clothes in the wardrobe showed signs of being handled.

She moved to the area in the wardrobe where bags were stored, and her eyes turned cold.

One bag is missing, and it was the most valuable one among all the bags.

They certainly know how to pick things, always choosing the most expensive ones.

Shen Jingshu instantly understood the whole story. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she did not immediately make a fuss.

The next morning, the Li family gathered at the dining table for breakfast.

When Li Beichen and Li Hanting saw her come downstairs, they immediately smiled and warmly invited her to sit down.

Lin Wanqing saw this and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Shen Jingshu took in her mother's subtle movements, her expression calm and unperturbed, and pulled out a chair to sit down.

Li Hanting casually pushed a plate of exquisite steamed pastries in front of her: "I heard you came back very late yesterday, come and try the pastries that the kitchen just made."

Li Beichen placed a cup of warm soy milk next to her, his tone gentle: "The dresses I asked the studio to send yesterday should arrive tomorrow. If you don't like the styles, just tell me."

The two men's undisguised concern for her did not escape Lin Wanqing's notice. Her lips moved, but she did not speak.

Shen Jingshu picked up the soy milk and took a small sip, subtly observing everyone's expressions.