Chapter 110: Chapter 110

Suddenly, an insidious idea crossed her mind, and the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.

"Xiao Jing, your birthday is coming up. Why don’t you celebrate it this weekend? I’ll have someone tidy up the villa at Song Lake for your party. Invite all your classmates—ah, and don’t forget that girl named Shen You’an."

Song Xiaojing replied sweetly, "Sure, Auntie."

Huang Zhen and Song Qi exchanged glances and burst into laughter simultaneously.

This Zhang Jian was such an annoying obstacle; they just needed to seize this opportunity to kick him off the project, and everything would be much easier afterward.

Shen You’an returned from her morning jog to find the breakfast already prepared on the dining table.

"An’an, your uncle has been coming home late recently. I hope I haven’t disturbed your rest?" Zhang Jian emerged from the kitchen, holding a clay pot filled with Eight Treasure Congee.

Setting the pot down, Zhang Jian instinctively rubbed his fingers against his earlobe.

Shen You’an studied Zhang Jian closely. "Uncle, is your work very tiring?"

Zhang Jian replied with a cheerful smile, "It’s exhausting sometimes, yes, but this job is incredibly meaningful. I really enjoy it. Besides, earning a bit more money—how could I not be happy about that?"

Though he looked slightly thinner, his energy was vibrant, his eyes bright, and his expression spirited.

"You must take care of yourself. Eat on time, and don’t drink alcohol."

"I know, don’t worry. But let me tell you, for this project Guangda Group partnered with an investment company in Chunzhou—the person in charge is someone named Zhao, and we all call him President Zhao. President Zhao is a great guy; he never engages in that alcohol-fueled business culture. Your uncle is lucky this time."

Shen You’an let out a small smile. "That’s good to hear."

Zhang Jian finished his meal in just a few bites, grabbed his bag, and prepared to leave.

"Today I’m taking a few key people to tour one of the factories. I’ll come home early tonight and make your favorite sweet and sour fish."

After Zhang Jian closed the door and left, ensuring he had gone downstairs, Rong Xianning finally emerged from his room.

Rong Xianning’s eyes fell on the girl seated at the dining table, and for a moment, he was dazed.

Shen You’an was dressed in her high school uniform, the tailored design highlighting her slender figure. Bathed in the morning sunlight, she possessed an otherworldly beauty.

Having jogged and taken a shower, Shen You’an had changed into her uniform before sitting down to eat. Her freshly washed hair carried a faint scent of shampoo that hovered in the air.

"What are you daydreaming about? Come eat."

Rong Xianning pressed his lips together and walked over to sit opposite her.

When he raised his eyes, he noticed the name tag on Shen You’an’s uniform.

Lanya High School, Shen You’an.

He quietly mouthed the name Shen You’an, tasting it in his thoughts. For reasons unknown, a peculiar warmth spread from his chest to his cheeks.

Rong Xianning quickly lowered his head to hide his expression.

Shen You’an, unaware of his unusual behavior, answered a phone call that interrupted her.

"Boss, Ding Meng has been running around like crazy looking for people. The police have already opened a case. If anything happens to that kid, it’s going to be a big problem."

Shen You’an glanced at the boy silently eating across from her and replied casually, "Nothing will happen."

"Huh? Boss, how can you be so sure? Don’t tell me you...?"

Shen You’an stood up, slung her backpack over her shoulder, gestured slightly toward Rong Xianning, and exited the house.

In the descending elevator, Shen You’an spoke, "Ding Meng is probably more worried about losing her cash cow."

"From what I know, Ding Meng took Rong Xianning to meet some executives from a TV station, but some old man, surnamed Han, tried to harass him. No sane person could tolerate that, so Rong Xianning bolted immediately. The TV station was furious, and Ding Meng is scrambling to appease them while trying to locate Rong Xianning. If she does find him, that kid will be in for a rough time."

"You know, for someone his age, his life story is unbelievably tragic. His parents were absolutely despicable—forcing him into all sorts of art classes from a young age, hoping to turn him into a money-making machine. Later, Ding Meng spotted him and proved even more ruthless. She paid five million yuan to buy him off his own parents, ensuring he’d work for her for life. Can you believe there are parents like that?"

Zhao Heng spoke with growing indignation as his tone intensified.

Shen You’an hadn’t expected Rong Xianning’s background to be so pitiful. No wonder he always seemed so melancholic—the scars from his original family ran far too deep.

"Is he from Qingzhou?" Shen You’an asked suddenly.

"The records didn’t mention that. I’ll dig a bit deeper and find out."

At that moment, the elevator unexpectedly stopped at the twelfth floor, and the doors opened.

"Shen You’an? What are you doing here?"