Shen Qi genuinely didn’t want to see Shen Yinyin’s face, so she had the housekeeper arrange Shen Yinyin’s guest room far from her own bedroom.
In just an hour, Shen Yinyin had already shown up at the entrance of Jinghua Manor, laden with bags and bundles.
The security at the gate, having received the news, let her in directly upon seeing her.
Shen Yinyin gazed at the stunningly exquisite manor before her and couldn’t help but flash a smug smile.
She had finally moved in!
She was finally one step closer to her prince charming!
As long as she seized the opportunity, He Yining would surely be hers!
Standing in the guest room the housekeeper had assigned her, Shen Yinyin looked around and couldn’t resist asking the maid, “Which room does He Yining stay in?”
The maid glanced up at Shen Yinyin, her disdain barely concealed.
Both daughters of the Shen family—how could they be so different?
Still, the maid answered her question: “The young master and the second young mistress live on the floor above.”
Hearing this, Shen Yinyin shrieked, “What? That far? No way! I want to stay on the same floor! I need to switch rooms!”
The maid replied calmly but firmly, “Miss Shen, this is Jinghua Manor, not your family’s villa. Anyone who steps into Jinghua Manor must abide by its rules.”
“Rules?” Shen Yinyin snorted dismissively. “What about Shen Qi? Does she have to follow the rules too?”
“The second young mistress is the lady of Jinghua Manor, so she can do as she pleases,” the maid answered.
“I’m her sister! If she has that privilege, then I should have it too,” Shen Yinyin declared, plopping down on the sofa with an air of entitlement. “Go tell Shen Qi I don’t like this room! I want to stay next to hers!”
The maid stood her ground, expressionless.
Shen Yinyin’s loud complaints stirred up a ruckus in the house.
Shen Qi approached. “What’s going on?”
Before the maid could respond, Shen Yinyin immediately said, “Shen Qi, reassign my room! I’m not staying here! I want the room next to yours!”
Shen Qi frowned. “The upstairs is He Yining’s private space, and no one is welcome to disturb it. I can’t make decisions for He Yining. If you want to go upstairs, call him yourself. If he agrees, I have no objection.”
Shen Yinyin fell silent.
“Alright, hurry up and get settled. Yining will be back for dinner tonight,” Shen Qi said, turning and leaving.
Hearing that He Yining would be home for dinner, Shen Yinyin’s eyes lit up.
She tossed her luggage into the room without a second thought and dashed off to the kitchen.
When the servants reported this to Shen Qi, she smiled bitterly and said, “Let her do whatever she wants. We’ll prepare our meal separately.”
“Yes, second young mistress.” The servant promptly relayed Shen Qi’s orders to the housekeeper.
The housekeeper understood Shen Qi’s intent and instructed the head chef to use a different kitchen for tonight’s dinner.
Shen Qi texted He Yining: “Sushi for dinner?”
“Sure,” He Yining replied. “What’s with the sudden craving for Japanese food?”
“The kitchen’s been taken over by Shen Yinyin.” Shen Qi sent a wry smile emoji. “Knowing her, it’s probably a disaster zone in there. Honestly, are you really okay with her staying here?”
“To彻底 eliminate this threat, you have to pay a price,” He Yining chuckled. “Sacrificing a kitchen for your lifelong peace of mind—it’s worth it!”
Just as Shen Qi had predicted, wherever Shen Yinyin went turned into a mess.
Shen Qi didn’t even need to check; a servant came to report: “Second young mistress, the kitchen’s in chaos. What about the young master…”
“It’s fine. I’ve already arranged for sushi tonight. If that gets ruined too, we’ll just eat out,” Shen Qi replied without looking up. “Just make sure she doesn’t burn the place down.”
Shen Yinyin stumbled out of the kitchen, covered in grime, and screamed at a maid standing at a distance: “What are you standing there for? Don’t you see the kitchen’s on fire? Put it out now!”
The maid grabbed a fire extinguisher and doused the flames on the stove.
This was the sixth time.
Shen Yinyin muttered under her breath, “Isn’t it just cooking a meal? Why is it so hard? It never seemed this complicated when Shen Qi did it!”
She ripped off her gloves in frustration and stormed off to find Shen Qi.
Shen Qi was in the living room reading a book. He Yining had given her such a great opportunity for further study that she couldn’t afford to waste it. She needed to brush up on her college theory so she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of a master.
Shen Yinyin plopped down in front of Shen Qi, crossing her legs arrogantly. “Shen Qi, how did you make those dishes before? Tell me step by step.”
Shen Qi looked up at her. “If you can’t cook, don’t bother. The He family has its own chef team, and Yining is very picky. He won’t eat what others make.”
“Who are you kidding?” Shen Yinyin screeched. “You’ve cooked for him before, haven’t you? He ate it all! Why would he eat yours but not mine? You just don’t want to teach me, right?”
Shen Qi ignored her and kept reading.
Shen Yinyin lunged forward, snatched the book from Shen Qi’s hands, and raised it as if to slap her across the face—a move she’d perfected over time.
Shen Qi stared at her calmly. “This is Jinghua Manor. Are you sure you want to lay a hand on me here?”
Shen Yinyin’s hand froze mid-air.
Shen Qi grabbed the book back. “If you want to throw a tantrum, go back to the Shen family. This is Jinghua Manor. If anyone causes trouble, the bodyguards here are authorized to shoot any attacker without needing to call the police first. Are you sure you want to hit me?”
“You’re lying! A mere bodyguard can’t just…” Shen Yinyin argued defiantly.
“That’s because the He family has its own security company with international gun permits. No matter where He’s bodyguards go, they can legally carry firearms.” Shen Qi stood up slowly, meeting Shen Yinyin’s gaze. “And you probably don’t know this, but He Yining holds dual French and Chinese citizenship, with diplomatic immunity.”
“So, what do you think would happen if you caused trouble on his turf?” Shen Qi turned to leave, adding, “When you asked to move in, I told you not to cross the line, or face the consequences. And let me remind you—I’m one of He Yining’s boundaries.”
Shen Yinyin stared at Shen Qi’s retreating back, her face twisted with rage.
What did she say?
Shen Qi was one of He Yining’s boundaries?
What a joke!
Fine, even if you’re a boundary now, I’ll make sure you become nothing!
Shen Qi, just you wait!
Shen Yinyin kicked the sofa in fury, but her foot slammed into the table instead, making her double over in pain, her hatred for Shen Qi burning even hotter.
Though she stopped bothering Shen Qi, she turned the kitchen into an even bigger circus.
Realizing she had no talent for cooking, Shen Yinyin thought it over and called a local private kitchen, ordering a full spread of takeout.
When the maid reported this to Shen Qi, her expression was priceless.
This Shen Yinyin was truly something!
Did she think no one was home?
That evening, He Yining returned to Jinghua Manor.
Before he could even step inside, Shen Yinyin, dressed in a maid’s outfit, stood at the door, looking pitiful and alluring.
“Yining, you’re back,” she cooed, reaching out to take his coat.
He Yining looked at her with an amused smirk.
Xiao Chun, Xiao Xia, Xiao Qiu, and Xiao Dong, standing nearby, couldn’t help but snicker.
Shen Yinyin’s expression stiffened.
Just then, the housekeeper stepped forward, respectfully took He Yining’s coat, draped it over his arm, and bowed. “The young master is back. The young mistress has been reading in the study; yogurt and fruit have been sent in.”
He Yining nodded, completely ignoring Shen Yinyin, and strode inside.
Left standing there, Shen Yinyin felt invisible. She chased after him again. “Yining, dinner’s ready. Can we eat now?”
As she spoke, she tugged at her maid outfit, striking a pitiful pose.
He Yinyin didn’t spare her a glance and kept walking.
Xiao Chun stepped in to block her. “Sorry, Miss Shen. The CEO doesn’t like people getting too close.”
Shen Yinyin shot him a venomous glare.
This mere assistant dared to be so arrogant with her?
Once she became the He family’s second young mistress, she wouldn’t let him off!
Xiao Chun ignored her hostile look, only releasing her after He Yining had climbed the stairs, then followed.
Xiao Xia, Xiao Qiu, and Xiao Dong stayed put, awaiting orders.
As soon as He Yining entered the room, he saw Shen Qi hunched over the desk, scribbling. He leaned in to see her reviewing her studies.
He gently tousled her hair. “Working so hard?”
Shen Qi grimaced. “What do I do? I graduated only two years ago, but it feels like I’ve forgotten half of it!”
He Yining chuckled, leaning against the desk with a carefree grin. “Do you have to be so serious? Planning to become a world-class designer? Then I’ll have you design all my clothes from now on!”
Shen Qi’s eyes lit up. “Really? If the president of He Corporation wore my designs… Oh my god, that would be a dream come true!”
He Yining laughed softly, took her hand, and led her out. “Alright, my great designer, I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
Shen Qi snapped back to reality—it was dinner time.
Hand in hand, they descended the stairs. Xiao Chun and Xiao Xia pulled out chairs for them.
Shen Qi sat down gracefully, took a towel from the maid’s tray, and carefully cleaned her fingers.
Suddenly, Shen Yinyin walked over and plopped down in the seat next to He Yining.