Chapter 2 Miss Shen

He Zhong believed that Zhong Yi wouldn’t remember to fasten his seatbelt, so he leaned over.

“Ah! Uncle, what are you doing?” Zhong Yi watched the middle-aged man approach warily, startled enough to shrink back into the corner.

He Zhong’s face flushed with embarrassment as he forced a smile. “Don’t be afraid, young man, I just wanted to help you with your seatbelt.”

Zhong Yi twitched his lips. “Well, thank you then.”

Only after buckling him in did He Zhong start the car.

Fan City was a bustling commercial hub, its prosperity ranking among the top in the country.

“Miss, here’s a bank card from the master. There’s fifty thousand yuan in it—buy whatever you wish.” He Zhong handed over a card.

“Fifty thousand?” Zhong Yi took it, glanced at it, and passed it to Shen Qing without hesitation.

He Zhong nodded, noting Zhong Yi’s exaggerated reaction and shaking his head inwardly. Clearly, he’s from a small place—just fifty thousand yuan and he’s this excited.

“Miss, your monthly allowance is five thousand yuan. Does that suit you?” He Zhong asked cautiously. The young master and young lady each received ten thousand a month, so five thousand was indeed much less.

“That’s fine,” Shen Qing replied indifferently, slipping the card into her pants pocket.

He Zhong acknowledged with a hum and focused on the drive.

Zhong Yi bowed his head, fiddling with his phone. Before long, Shen Qing received a message.

“Fifty thousand? Are they tossing a bone to a beggar?”

Shen Qing quickly replied.

Ding!

The volume on Zhong Yi’s phone was so loud that He Zhong’s hands trembled on the steering wheel. He glanced over, never having seen such a thick phone—it looked like a brick!

“You calling me a beggar, sister?”

Embarrassed, Zhong Yi turned and grinned sycophantically.

“Your little brother’s a beggar. You’re a fairy!!!”

**

By the time they arrived, the sky was not yet fully dark, though it was nearly seven o'clock. He Zhong drove them into an upscale residential complex.

Zhong Yi leaned against the window, marveling at the rows of four-story villas—nothing like this existed in Jiang City.

The difference between first-tier and one-hundred-and-eight-tier cities!

“Miss, we’re here.” He Zhong parked the car. Zhong Yi hopped out first, opening the door for Shen Qing in a gentlemanly fashion.

Shen Qing followed He Zhong into the villa, which was spacious, with four servants visible.

In the living room before a large-screen TV, a man and a woman were so absorbed in the program that they didn’t notice the new arrivals.

“Madam, young master, Miss is here,” He Zhong announced.

“My sister’s back! Where is she?” Yu Jiaxuan was the first to react, looking excitedly toward the entrance.

Shen Qing stood beside He Zhong, taller than him by a head. The oversized T-shirt concealed her shorts, revealing long, elegant legs.

A flash of astonishment crossed Yu Jiaxuan’s eyes.

“So this is Shen Qing.” Qin Lin rose gracefully from the sofa, every movement exuding the air of a noblewoman.

But at the name “Shen Qing,” Yu Jiaxuan’s face darkened. So she’s the daughter of the other woman.

“Hello.” Shen Qing greeted them with a cool nod.

Qin Lin paused, a hint of displeasure flickering in her eyes.

“You must be tired from the journey. Come sit down—have you eaten?” she asked, scrutinizing Shen Qing.

Shen Qing didn’t resemble Yu Fei, but seven-tenths of her features reflected her mother’s: thick brows, bright eyes, delicate nose—a flawless face and figure, striking and refined.

“And who is this?” Qin Lin’s gaze settled on Zhong Yi, who looked young, a little tanned, but with fine features.

A child Shen Fangfei had with someone else?

He didn’t look like her either.

“This is Zhong Yi, Miss’s neighbor,” He Zhong explained quickly.

Yu Jiaxuan lounged on the sofa, a mocking smile on his lips. “Neighbor? Or is he your mother’s bastard?”

Qin Lin’s face changed; she hastily rebuked him. “Jiaxuan!”

Though her words were sharp, she felt a secret satisfaction.

“Don’t mind him, Shen Qing. The boy doesn’t know when to hold his tongue.”

Shen Qing said nothing, her dark eyes unreadable.

Zhong Yi snorted coldly. “With a mouth like that, maybe you should look in the mirror and see if you have any virtue left before you speak.”

“You—” Yu Jiaxuan started to retort, but Qin Lin smacked him.

“Mom!” he protested, rubbing his arm. That really hurt!

“Go to your room,” Qin Lin ordered, then turned back to Shen Qing with a smile. “Have you eaten?”

“Where’s my room?” Shen Qing subtly evaded Qin Lin’s grasp. Qin Lin was momentarily taken aback.

“Miss, let me show you,” He Zhong offered, easing the tension.

“Thank you.” Shen Qing called Zhong Yi to follow as they went upstairs to the third floor.

The room was spacious. The bed was made, and everything was simple and white—no unnecessary decorations.

Zhong Yi’s room had been hastily arranged, but Shen Qing’s was much nicer.

“Hey, your stepmother is quite something,” Zhong Yi commented once He Zhong had left.

Shen Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, glancing up at Zhong Yi. “I have a stepmother?”

Zhong Yi smacked his forehead, remembering that Shen Qing’s household registration hadn’t even been transferred to the Yu family yet.

**

Downstairs, Qin Lin sat in the living room, instructing a servant to bring dinner up to Shen Qing and Zhong Yi.

“Madam, you wanted to see me?” He Zhong stood respectfully.

Qin Lin rubbed her temples. After a pause, she spoke slowly. “Steward He, you’ve been with the Yu family for over ten years. We’ve only ever had one eldest daughter—Min’er.”

He Zhong started, then nodded. “You’re right, Madam.”

“Check if the chicken stew is ready in the kitchen. Bring it to the young master.”

“Yes, and what about Zhong Yi?”

Qin Lin smiled. “He’s just here to see the world—doesn’t matter.”

“By the way, Min’er will be home next week. How’s the recording studio renovation coming along?”

“Don’t worry, Madam, it’ll be finished in three days.”

“Good. Make sure the quality is up to standard. Take extra care.”

He Zhong paused, then nodded.

“Understood,” he replied, bowing as he left.