Chapter 57: Possibly Connected to the Lu Family

It seemed that someone intended to use Grandfather's birthday banquet as an opportunity to strike at the Shen family.

The Shen family held an unshakable position in the capital. Such a prominent family in the military and political circles attracted both admiration and envy, and there were always those who coveted their status. Yet these motives alone were not enough to explain why some sought to frame the Shen family. Only by directing the blame toward them could those who were on the verge of exposure hope to slip through the cracks of investigation and hide once more in the shadows.

#

The next day, at Grandfather Shen's birthday banquet, Huayuan was filled with noise and chatter—the majority of the capital's elite had arrived. It could be said that all the illustrious families of the capital circle, the major clans, and celebrities from the worlds of military, politics, and commerce were present.

Huayuan buzzed with excitement, yet in a secluded spot at the center of the lake, the atmosphere was tranquil.

Amid the lotus blossoms, a small boat rested beside deep green leaves. A young woman dressed in a watercolor-hued cheongsam lay quietly on the boat, facing upward, covering her head with a lotus leaf.

Suddenly, the boat rocked gently, and a slight movement was heard. Someone removed the lotus leaf from her face.

“Seriously, boss, what are you doing here?”

“Sleeping.” Shen Chaoxi opened her eyes for a moment, impatience flickering in her gaze, then closed them again. She snatched the lotus leaf from the man's hand and placed it back over her face, a picture of serenity.

Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback.

“Boss, the matter you asked me to investigate is almost clear.”

Shen Chaoxi replied, her tone impatient. “Speak.”

“It might be related to the Lu family.” Jiang Chen finally sat at the stern, propping himself up with one hand, his brows furrowed, his expression serious as he reported to Shen Chaoxi.

“What did you say?” Upon hearing this, Shen Chaoxi lifted the lotus leaf from her face and tossed it into the lake. Sitting up, her cool, clear eyes fixed on Jiang Chen.

“The Lu family.”

Across the entirety of Country Y, how many Lu families could there be? There was only the Lu family of the capital.

But the Lu family would never do such a thing.

“Lu Zhennan.”

Jiang Chen's expression betrayed nothing, his demeanor earnest as he mentioned the name.

When he first uncovered this lead, he was shocked—his heart trembled. No matter what, he had thought, this matter could not possibly involve anyone from the Lu family. Yet, following the faint clues, it was undeniably him.

“Lu Zhennan...” Shen Chaoxi squinted in surprise.

“A member of the Lu family.”

Jiang Chen's brows knitted tighter. “And, boss, he’s here at the Shen family's birthday banquet.”

“Is that so.” Shen Chaoxi's gaze became inscrutable, as if weighing something within her mind.

She carefully chose her words. “It seems I’ll have to meet him properly.”

“Boss, what are you planning?” Jiang Chen frowned.

“It’s not about what I want to do,” Shen Chaoxi said leisurely, her voice trailing off with a hint of playful calculation. “It’s about what he intends to do here at the Shen family’s estate.”

Jiang Chen's brows drew together even more.

Indeed, Shen Chaoxi was protected by her grandfather and several elder brothers.

#

Because of that, she had always been sheltered since childhood. If she wished, the swirling intrigues and hidden schemes in the capital would rarely touch her.

But Shen Chaoxi had always preferred relying on herself.

Turning to Jiang Chen, she spoke in an even voice. “Keep an eye on his movements lately. I also need to give Sheng Ting a heads-up—she should stay discreet. I fear those people might target her.”

Sheng Ting was head of District Seven. Investigating people and handling cases had always been dangerous, but this time, what she had to uncover was even riskier than before. The matter was deeply entangled, not something that could be resolved simply through wit or capability.

“Yes, boss.” Jiang Chen had found Shen Chaoxi lying here in the depths of the lake, surrounded by clusters of lotus blossoms, basking in the sunlight.

While the front hall of Huayuan was filled with guests and lively performances, the center of the lake where Shen Chaoxi lingered was quiet.

The water rippled gently.

“Who’s there?”

Suddenly, Shen Chaoxi’s voice turned cold and biting. A flicker of wariness flashed in her eyes.

Her slender fingers flicked a small pebble she held, which struck the knee of a girl.

“Ah!”

A splash followed.

Someone fell into the water.

Leaves rustled and drifted down, floating atop the lake.

“Glug, glug, glug…”

A pink-clad figure tumbled into the secluded lake of Huayuan. She flailed her arms upward twice, submerged beneath the water, her mouth and nose filling with water.

“Help…”

“Help me…”

Her voice was faint and weak, calling out for help.

Shen Chaoxi finally saw who had fallen in—it was a young girl.

Jiang Chen frowned.

The boat was hidden among the lotus leaves at the lake’s center, so those at the shore could not see what was happening here.

Yet Shen Chaoxi wasn’t sure if the girl’s appearance was intentional, or just a coincidence.

She hesitated briefly, watching the sinking figure in silence, then turned to Jiang Chen.

“Save her.”

Her lips pressed together, her voice lowered and calm.

“Yes, boss.”

Jiang Chen glanced at Shen Chaoxi, received her order, then jumped into the lake.

Right now, only he could save her. Otherwise, with Huayuan so large, by the time anyone from the Shen family’s front hall arrived, the girl would have already drowned.

The lake in Huayuan connected to the outer river, and some parts were extremely deep. The lotus flowers concealed the depth and the verdant waters. If it were an ordinary artificial lake, as long as one didn’t get caught in the silt, it would be fine. But this lake was different—far deeper.

#

What could this be called?

If you have nothing better to do, never eavesdrop on others.

Otherwise, you can never predict what might hit you next—a pebble, or a bullet.

This girl was lucky, at least. Shen Chaoxi and Jiang Chen were not villains, and had no intention of silencing her for good.

After Jiang Chen rescued her, the girl coughed violently, bringing up a mouthful of water. Clearly, she had swallowed quite a bit while in the lake.

But soon, as she regained some strength, she shoved Jiang Chen away fiercely.

“Get lost…” She even threw a tantrum, like a spoiled heiress.

Shen Chaoxi frowned.

Jiang Chen merely watched her, relieved that she was unharmed.

“It’s all your fault!”

Lu Shangshang’s face was flushed; her hair clung wetly to her body. She was furious.

Shen Chaoxi: “?”

She didn’t even bother to breathe or gasp for air. Was there any logic in spying on them and then blaming them? Who had spoiled her?

At that moment, the commotion by the lakeside drew many guests from the front hall, though most still had no idea what had transpired.

Shen Chaoxi glanced up and saw, among the crowd, a young man in a pure black suit, striding urgently towards them. Just then, the girl who had been so rude and ungrateful burst into tears at the sight of the man.

“Waa, waa…”

As if she had endured endless grievances.

“Brother…”

“It’s her, and him—they bullied me.”

“Waa, waa…” Lu Shangshang cried, gasping for breath.

She was soaked to the bone.

Jiang Chen let out a helpless laugh.

“I bullied you?” His voice carried a hint of curiosity, as he looked at Lu Shangshang, speechless.

“It’s alright, it’s over now, be good.”

The young, handsome man patted Lu Shangshang’s back, then drew her into his embrace, soothing her in the gentle tone of an older brother comforting his little sister.

Extremely gentle and patient.

But the man's actual aura was rather cold and aloof.

“What did you do to her?”

He looked up and stared in their direction, his tone sharp and accusatory.