Chapter 22: Do you find it amusing to deceive me?

For years, despite bearing the title of the Sheng family’s adopted daughter, Wen Jin had never truly been a part of their social circle. People in that world were experts at reading the room, and they knew well that Wen Jin was nowhere near as important as the old patriarch claimed.

With the situation regarding her father, Wen Chaosheng, becoming increasingly urgent, Wen Jin had no choice but to turn to her friend Qiaoqiao for help.

"Honey, this really isn't easy," Qiaoqiao said, her expression pained. "My family's connections can get you in to see your uncle, but as for the rest..."

She trailed off, but Wen Jin already understood her dilemma. She gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "I know. You’ve already done so much for me. Thank you."

Qiaoqiao sighed and reached out to hug her for comfort. But as she recalled the cause of the trouble, she grew indignant, slamming her hand on the table. "I swear, these rich people are absolutely heartless! It was that man who provoked your father into hitting him, and I suspect Wen You intentionally set the whole thing up. Sheng Yang is just covering for her!"

"He is," Wen Jin replied flatly.

Qiaoqiao blinked, looking at her in surprise. Wen Jin’s gaze drifted past the window to the street outside. "Sheng Yang isn't an idiot," she murmured.

Raised by the Sheng family with the best resources, Sheng Yang was far from naive. He was perfectly capable of seeing through all of Wen You's schemes. He simply possessed an internal scale for weighing benefits, and he knew exactly how to choose between Wen Jin and Wen You. Wen Jin hadn't seen that scale clearly before, which was why she had been so foolish—but she understood it now. Sheng Yang knew Wen You was in the wrong; it was just that Wen Jin wasn't important enough for him to contradict her.

Qiaoqiao was speechless, unsure of how to comfort her. Wen Jin took the initiative: "The most important thing right now is for me to figure out how to handle my father's situation. I can't worry about anything else."

"Honey," Qiaoqiao suggested, blinking, "have you considered going back to talk to Grandpa Sheng? Sheng Yang is trash, but surely Grandpa isn't like that?"

Wen Jin remained silent. It was true that the old man had brought her into the Sheng family, but there had always been an invisible distance between them. She knew exactly where she stood in the hierarchy of his affections. Yet, what other choice did she have?

After much hesitation, Wen Jin decided to seek the old man’s help. To her surprise, Sheng Yang was there, playing chess with him.

Wen Jin stood at the doorway, unsure whether to enter. The old man spotted her and greeted her with a smile. "Xiao Jin? What brings you back so suddenly?"

Sheng Yang didn't even look up. "You don't visit without an agenda. Do you really take this place for your own home?"

Before Wen Jin could speak, the old man scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting! If this isn't Xiao Jin's home, whose is it?" He turned to Wen Jin with a look of warm affection. "Don't mind him. I'll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes. Stay and have dinner with this old man tonight."

Wen Jin nodded, handed the gift she had brought to the butler, and stepped forward to massage the old man’s shoulders. The smile on his face deepened. "Xiao Jin is the only one who is thoughtful. Unlike this brat, who only knows how to aggravate me."

Sheng Yang lifted his head, shot a cold glance at Wen Jin, and set down a chess piece. He asked with a mocking smirk, "Are you here to show filial piety, or are you just here to make trouble? You know the answer." He stood up and said to his grandfather, "You’ve lost again. It seems you really are getting old."

The old man glared at him but said nothing. Feeling the fatigue of age, he stood up and patted Wen Jin’s hand. "I’m going to rest for a while. You and Sheng Yang can chat. Make sure you stay for dinner."

Wen Jin nodded obediently and helped the old man to his room. When she returned, she found Sheng Yang leaning against the wall, staring at her with an expressionless face.

"Coming to Grandpa for help—you really have a thick skin," he said coldly.

Wen Jin bit her lip, remaining silent as she tried to walk past him. Sheng Yang grabbed her wrist. She stopped and frowned. "Let go."

Instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer with increased force. He looked down at her. "If you’re begging for help, you should act like it. This isn't the place for your temper."

Wen Jin’s gaze darkened as she struggled to pull her hand away. "Sheng Yang, do you find it amusing to deceive me?"

This was the umpteenth time he had played her for a fool. From their clandestine relationship to her father’s increased sentence, Sheng Yang had always dangled promises before her, carefully weaving a web of lies just for her.

Sheng Yang took in the wariness in her eyes, his brow furrowing with arrogance. "Don't play the victim. Do you even have the strength to fight back?" He tilted his chin up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Someone who relies on the Sheng family for their livelihood should learn to be obedient."

Wen Jin felt a suffocating pain in her chest, as if her heart had been crushed. She stood straight and reminded him, "I am not a servant of the Sheng family." She had the right to leave at any time.

Sheng Yang, however, didn't take her words seriously. He dragged her into the study and slammed the door shut, pinning her between his arms. She heard her own heartbeat, still steady, as she looked up at him with a mocking curve to her lips. "What are you doing? Aren't you worried someone will find out?"

They had a tacit agreement: whenever they were at the old Sheng estate, they were to act like total strangers. Sheng Yang had never wanted their relationship to be known.