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Shen Minghuai also saw Ye Tingtong's social media post, his focus being the watch on Ye Tingtong's wrist.
It really suited him well.
Liang Yuting, beside him, asked, "Is something important going on?"
Shen Minghuai had been very attentive and considerate towards her during their time together, but this time, he was spending a bit too much time on his phone.
Shen Minghuai hid his smile and put the phone back in his pocket, "Nothing, being with you is what matters most."
This caused Liang Yuting to blush, "I heard there's going to be a fireworks show at sea this evening, would you like to watch it together?"
Shen Minghuai: "Of course."
His quick reply widened Liang Yuting's smile.
She had always been fond of Shen Minghuai, but with so many girls around him, she kept her dignity and pride, not making any advances, just hinting at it to her family. Unexpectedly, this led to a mix-up involving a blind date with Shen Jin.
She thought that was the end of the matter, but surprisingly, Shen Minghuai reached out to her, and they had been seeing each other often, growing closer.
For this birthday banquet, Shen Minghuai eagerly invited her as his companion and introduced her to the Shen family.
The message was clear.
When the elders of both families met, they were already talking about setting an engagement date.
All day, Shen Minghuai stayed with Liang Yuting, and Ye Tingtong ran into them several times, wisely deciding not to interrupt.
No wonder Shen Minghuai didn't have time to go with him to meet the Ye family; he had a new interest.
After all, the cruise party was three days long; he wasn't in a rush.
However, that evening, he got an invitation from Shen Minghuai, asking if he wanted to grab a drink in the bar area, and even saved the best spot for tonight's fireworks show.
Of course, Ye Tingtong wouldn't turn down such a great offer.
However, he overlooked the complex structure and the crowd in the bar area. When he called Shen Minghuai, the latter seemed to have had too much to drink, his speech was slurred, and their conversation was like speaking in tongues. Ye Tingtong couldn't understand where Shen Minghuai was, and instead, he wandered off the path.
When Ye Tingtong looked up, he realized he might have walked into a dead end. Just as he was about to turn back, he heard whispers from the end.
"Are you sure Shen Jin drank? If we're found out, none of us will be spared."
"Of course, do you think I lost those chips to him at the table for nothing? Just arrange for someone to go over, make sure they're pure and obedient. He's on the opposite terrace, I've cleared it out in advance, no one's there."
Ye Tingtong overheard their conversation clearly, crouching in the shadows, the two were in such a hurry that they didn't notice his presence.
After they left, Ye Tingtong didn't hesitate and ran towards the opposite terrace.
A perfect opportunity to play the hero, why not!
"Someone went in, should we catch him?"
Yu Mo, seeing the figure running over, held back the eager security guard, smirking mischievously, "No need to catch this one, your boss can handle it himself."
Ye Tingtong made his way unimpeded to the opposite terrace, it was indeed empty, a stark contrast to the bustling bar area, further confirming what he had overheard.
However, as he approached, he carefully lightened his steps, slowly peeking out to take a look.
If he was late, he wouldn't interrupt whatever was going on.
In the dim light of the terrace, a figure leaned against the railing, his long, muscular arms resting on it, the tips of his fingers glowing red. A breeze swept by, carrying the heavy scent of tobacco.
Ye Tingtong stifled a sneeze, scanned the terrace corners to make sure no one was around, then cautiously stepped out, moving slowly toward him.
From what he'd overheard, Shen Jin was supposed to have been drugged, but outwardly, he seemed completely normal.
What went wrong?
As he stepped closer, Shen Jin turned his head in the darkness to look at him. At that moment, the lights from the bar area swept past, illuminating Shen Jin's current appearance.
Only then did Ye Tingtong realize how wrong his previous assumptions had been.
His suit collar was casually open, his eyes darker than the sea at night. When Ye Tingtong met his gaze, he felt like a lamb being led to slaughter, a blade poised to cut his throat at any second.
The two locked eyes in the darkness for two seconds before Shen Jin raised his hand, snuffing out his cigarette, the intimidating aura around him ebbing away like a tide.
When Ye Tingtong came to his senses, he realized his heart was pounding so loudly it nearly deafened him—he was clearly terrified.
Ye Tingtong swallowed hard and ventured, "Are you okay?"
Shen Jin reached over and flicked on the terrace light. It wasn't bright, but it lit up the small space.
Only then did Ye Tingtong realize how close they were. Shen Jin stood half a head taller, forcing Ye Tingtong to look up to meet his gaze.
In the dim light, Shen Jin's features looked sharper—his jawline angular, his eyes narrow. When he looked down, his gaze was icy and commanding.
Shen Jin asked, "How'd you get here?"
Ye Tingtong blinked and replied simply, "I walked here."
Shen Jin remained silent for a second or two, not delving further.
It had to be Yu Mo's handiwork.
The sea breeze rolled in, swiftly carrying away the smoke lingering on the terrace. With the smoke gone, Ye Tingtong could now clearly smell the sharp, heavy scent of alcohol coming from Shen Jin.
"Have you had too much to drink?" Ye Tingtong pressed on. "Do you need help? I overheard someone planning something against you and came right away."
Shen Jin took a small step back, "A little alcohol isn't going to kill me."
Hearing Shen Jin's calm tone, Ye Tingtong couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment.
After Shen Jin spoke, he noticed Ye Tingtong eyeing him with a hint of frustration, as if wishing he had some injury to fuss over.
That little gesture melted the last of Shen Jin's coldness. "There are guards outside. Nothing's going to happen."
"Huh?" Ye Tingtong frowned. "But when I got here, there wasn't anyone—"
Before he could finish, he heard a scream—cut short, as if someone had clamped a hand over the person's mouth.
Then, whether real or imagined, Ye Tingtong heard a splash, like something hitting the water.
A flood of thoughts turned his face pale, and he blurted out, "I'm not with them! I came to help you!"
Afraid Shen Jin wouldn't believe him, he grabbed his sleeve. "I don't want to end up as fish bait—don't toss me in the ocean!"
Shen Jin looked down at his wrinkled suit sleeve and said, "I didn't say I was going to throw you out."
Ye Tingtong asked uncertainly, "Really?"
Shen Jin replied, "I'll arrange for someone to take you back."
At this, Ye Tingtong remembered why he had come out in the first place. "I need to find Shen Minghuai. He said he reserved the best spot for watching the fireworks for me. I'll call him to ask where he is."
It was quiet here, so he could hear clearly.
But when he checked his phone, he saw there was less than a minute left before the fireworks started.
At this point, there was no time to make it to Shen Minghuai's spot for the fireworks!
Ye Tingtong reluctantly put his phone back in his pocket, thinking he might as well go back to his room and sleep early. But then he heard Shen Jin beside him slowly say, "You can watch the fireworks from here."
As soon as he finished speaking, a loud bang echoed, and fireworks shot into the sky, blooming into brilliant flowers that fell like stars.
Ye Tingtong's wide eyes mirrored the dazzling fireworks, his expression a mix of surprise and tenderness.
Then, Shen Jin saw him close his eyes and fold his hands together.
Amid the explosions, Shen Jin caught Ye Tingtong's soft wish.
"May this year be a good one."
After the fireworks ended, Ye Tingtong had no reason to stay and said, "I'll head off now! Shen Jin, thanks for watching the fireworks with me."
Maybe it was the atmosphere, or maybe it was because Shen Jin, who had been drinking, wasn't as cold as usual, but Ye Tingtong naturally called out Shen Jin's name and waved goodbye with a smile.
As soon as he left, Yu Mo slipped in. "Why didn't you keep him around to chat more? And weren't you drunk?"
Shen Jin glanced at him, his usual coldness returning. "Being drunk doesn't mean losing control."
Hearing his serious tone, Yu Mo exaggeratedly said, "You're not blaming me now, are you? I set up an opportunity for you, and you didn't take it?"
"If it weren't for me, the kid would have gone to watch the fireworks with Shen Minghuai."
Shen Jin asked, "So?"
"We've known each other for so many years, and you're still playing dumb with me?" Yu Mo looked at him with a knowing expression. "Let me ask you one thing: did you set up Shen Minghuai and Miss Liang?"
"Alright, such a big favor. You have to let me pick a few bottles from the wine cellar today, or I won't let it go."
In the end, Shen Jin silenced Yu Mo with three bottles of wine.
Meanwhile, Ye Tingtong went back to his room and went to bed early, very healthily. When he woke up the next day, he saw Shen Minghuai had sent him a message the night before.
"I'm drunk. Come pick me up."
The message was sent close to 1 a.m.
Shen Minghuai had a good tolerance for alcohol, so if he said he was drunk, he must have been really out of it.
Ye Tingtong thought for a moment and considerately asked a waiter for a glass of honey water before heading to Shen Minghuai's room.
After all, it was the Shen family's yacht, and Shen Minghuai's room was on the top floor with the best view. Ye Tingtong stepped out of the elevator and was about to ask a waiter for Shen Minghuai's room number when he saw Shen Jin walking towards him.
The hallway wasn't very wide, so Ye Tingtong thought for a moment and stepped aside, leaving most of the space for Shen Jin to pass first.
Reflecting on last night's events, he now feels embarrassed.
Others had set a trap, and he foolishly fell into it, still hoping for gains—utterly shameless.
Luckily, Shen Jin didn't take it personally and even let him stay to watch the fireworks.
Ye Tingtong sucked in his stomach and pressed against the wall, but Shen Jin stopped right in front of him.
Ye Tingtong suddenly realized how silly he looked, nearly on tiptoes, and stammered, "Uh, just some morning exercise."
Shen Jin tactfully didn't call him out, simply saying, "Hmm."
This only made Ye Tingtong more uncomfortable, so he blurted out, "Excuse me, do you know where Shen Minghuai's room is? I'm bringing him honey water."
Shen Jin replied slowly, "His room's occupied."
Ye Tingtong caught on and was about to leave when he noticed Shen Jin eyeing the honey water in his hand.
He suddenly remembered that Shen Jin had also drunk a lot last night.
Ye Tingtong tentatively offered the honey water, "Uncle, care to try some?"
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