Sheng Xinhua stepped out of the room as Mei Yuyin had already prepared breakfast for her.

Millet porridge, boiled egg, and a plate of vegetables and fruits.

She knew Sheng Xinhua was on a diet and wanted her to eat something nutritious without disrupting her weight-loss plan...

If she made fried dough sticks or rice noodles, she feared Sheng Xinhua wouldn't touch them.

She felt her daughter wasn't fat at all, just full-figured with a pleasantly plump look that matched her temperament.

The young people these days don't understand; a woman with some flesh is more appealing.

What's the fun in being all skin and bones?

"Morning, Lao Mei." Sheng Xinhua pulled out a chair and sat at the dining table, yawning widely.

"Why do you look so haggard?" Mei Yuyin looked at Sheng Xinhua with concern and said, "Didn't you go to bed early last night? Didn't sleep well?"

"Yeah, just thinking about things... It's fine, I'll take a nap at noon." Sheng Xinhua took an egg and began peeling it.

"You need to balance work and rest; you don't seem as energetic as before. You look worn out, like an old lady." Mei Yuyin subtly reminded her.

Ever since Tang Fei and Phoenix left, she had been gloomy, seemingly uninterested in everything and lacking energy.

She's drinking more alcohol as well.

She's really worried she might end up like her second uncle, a drunkard.

Sheng Xinhua glanced up at Mei Yuyin with dissatisfaction and said, "Do I look like a pretty and sexy old lady?"

"With dark circles like a panda, where's your pretty and sexy?"

Thinking about Tang Fei still being inside, it was too embarrassing for him to hear these things, Sheng Xinhua reminded, "Mom, keep your voice down."

"Why? You're afraid someone will hear us talking at home? This house wasn't cheap; doesn't it have good soundproofing?"

"I mean you're disturbing me; I didn't sleep well, my head hurts... Alright, alright, I won't argue with you. Hurry up and finish, then head back; I need to tidy up and go to work."

"Coming home for dinner tonight?" Mei Yuyin asked.

"Is there something going on?" Sheng Xinhua continued eating, not even raising her head as she asked.

"Your dad called... said Shen Jianping is bringing Shen Lewen over as guests..."

"Shen Jianping coming over, why should I come home for that?" Sheng Xinhua hesitated slightly and then realized the crux of the matter: "Is it for matchmaking?"

"Your dad means... its agreement is one thing, but meeting them is necessary, just for the sake of etiquette."

"The Sheng Family, who never takes sides, is now forced by the Shen Family's power to start selling daughters?"

Slap!

Mei Yuyin smacked Sheng Xinhua on the head and angrily scolded, "What nonsense are you talking? Just go meet them... I told your dad, we don't interfere with your love life; you can love whoever you want, we totally respect your choices."

"Then why are you asking me to meet with Shen Lewen?"

"Even if you don't agree, you should politely say so, understand manners, don't you?"

"Why would I want to meet someone I don't like? It's a waste of time."

"..."

Seeing Mei Yuyin caught off guard by her retort, Sheng Xinhua asked, "Shen Jianping choosing our Sheng Family for their son's matchmaking at this time... What's going on? Is Shen Jianping trying to secure a spot for his son?"

"Who knows? Everyone says that position is saved for Shen Xinglan, who else could compete with him?"

"Shen Xinglan hasn't appeared in public for a long time... Is there a problem? That's why people within the Shen Family are unsettled, with some thinking about replacing him?"

"What problem could Shen Xinglan have?"

"Who knows?" Sheng Xinhua said, her gaze deep. "As the representative of the younger generation of the Shen Family, he should have stepped up at this time to gather support and intimidate smaller factions, but he's been hiding all along... It doesn't add up."

"You're sounding like a conspirator. Hurry up and eat, the porridge is getting cold." Mei Yuyin urged.

She preferred listening to music over indulging in such mysterious topics.

Sheng Xinhua made a mental note, then buried herself in the porridge.

------

Tang Fei returned to the courtyard as Lu Siyu sat at the table eating noodles.

A bowl of shredded pork noodles, the meat and noodles sticking together, showed that the cooking skills weren't great.

"Do you want me to make you another bowl?" Tang Fei asked.

This was his sister, also his life-and-death partner on this trip, so he naturally treated her kindly.

"No need." Lu Siyu declined, not the kind of pampered girl who couldn't endure hardships, though she was indeed born into privilege. "Any news?"

She didn't ask Tang Fei where he'd gone last night or why he hadn't come back...

Adults are supposed to be responsible for their own actions.

"We haven't been able to determine the old man's whereabouts yet." Tang Fei sat across from Lu Siyu, watching her eat noodles, "But there's something noteworthy."

"What is it?"

"Since negotiation day, Shen Xinglan hasn't appeared in public." Tang Fei said.

"Do you mean... he's injured? Or dead?"

"If he's dead, there's no reason for the Shen Family to hide that news for long. Such things can't be concealed." Tang Fei analyzed, "So, personally, I think he's injured, and not lightly... probably receiving treatment and recovering during this period."

Lu Siyu looked up at Tang Fei, understanding the implication behind his words, "So, who exactly hurt him?"

"If it's someone on our side, everyone would have known if they had any interaction with Shen Xinglan... The old man is the only exception." Tang Fei said, "We don't know what happened in the Hundred Beast Garden. So, the one who ties the bell must untie it."

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