Chapter Eighteen: Reunion with Him

“Mm, the food is indeed to my taste, but you’re not my type, so let’s just forget it. I’ll go to the Song family to break off the engagement with your family, don’t worry!”

Cornered against the wall, Meng Shuyue faced the strikingly handsome man mere inches away without a trace of fear and spoke her mind directly.

Since the second son of the Song family had no interest in this blind date, it suited her perfectly. As for the young man there to stand in for his elder brother, she had already eaten his food and dealt with him—so that was that.

She never wanted any further contact with them.

But Song Shiyu was dumbfounded, unable to believe his ears.

This woman actually rejected him, claiming he wasn’t her type?

He was known as the handsome military academy cadet; who would have thought someone could turn him down?

Moreover, wasn’t this Meng Shuyue just trying to marry into the wealthy and powerful Song family? How was it that she was now talking about breaking off the engagement?

Even so, it was too late for her to back out. Song Shiyu and his second brother had already vowed to pursue her relentlessly—and then cruelly discard her.

Once spoken, he had to follow through!

He leaned in closer, peering into the young woman’s eyes with an unabashed smile. “It’s fine. You don’t fancy me, but I fancy you. I’ll show you my sincerity. I’m better at caring for a woman than my elder brother…”

“Care for your little sister, maybe. Stay away from me!”

Meng Shuyue snapped, furious at the mention of Song Shijing, and shoved the oily brat aside before flicking her braid and walking away.

Song Shiyu staggered back, bumping into the railing, clutching his shoulder in pain, teeth gritting. No wonder this girl could eat so much—her strength was astonishing!

Yet, as he watched her storm off with a flushed face, he was struck dumb.

That girl really had a fine figure.

Beneath her loose hair and dress, her legs were long, straight, and pale...

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Over the following month, Song Shiyu frequently called to invite Meng Shuyue out, but it was always her father who answered.

Her father, hearing from his prospective son-in-law Song Shixuan, was overjoyed and urged her to dress up and go out.

Meng Shuyue, seeing her father so happy, couldn’t bring herself to tell him that the Song family had sent someone else to the blind dates.

Originally, she planned to visit the Song family herself to discuss breaking off the engagement.

But after returning from the blind date with Song Shiyu, she intended to confess to her parents that she wanted to open a clinic specializing in gynecology.

She had no desire to marry.

She thought of the hundred or so yuan she had saved and considered borrowing a few hundred more from her parents to secure the shop she had eyed.

Yet, as she hesitated outside her parents’ door, she overheard something she had never known before.

That day, she learned her brother had injured his leg falling from a roof while repairing it in the countryside and was now struggling with farm work in the remote mountains.

Such a proud brother, whose hands were meant to write articles, now forced to carry a hoe and plant seedlings?

Inside, her parents sighed deeply, saying that if she could marry into the Song family, they could ask the Song family to help secure a city residency spot for her brother, so the family wouldn’t have to be separated.

Standing at the door, listening to this, tears streamed down Meng Shuyue’s face.

Her brother had gone to the countryside to spare her hardship, also because she had a limp.

She forced down the thought of breaking off the engagement.

Later, when Song Shiyu called again to invite her out, she went along.

They imitated young couples, watching movies together and sitting on park benches, blowing in the wind, staring into each other’s eyes.

Today, as usual, they strolled side by side in silence.

Song Shiyu glanced sideways at Meng Shuyue and noticed her face seemed less tanned.

He wondered if she had put on makeup.

Just as he focused on her, a sharp “slap” rang out by his ear, and his face was turned aside.

Looking up, he saw the female college student he had briefly dated for two days.

“Well, well, Song Shiyu, so you’re two-timing? People said you were a playboy—I didn’t believe it, but it turns out you really are!”

The woman raised her hand to slap Meng Shuyue’s face. “You vixen, how dare you seduce another woman’s boyfriend?”

Meng Shuyue reached out to grab the woman’s wrist, but suddenly several burly men appeared, surrounding them tightly.

“If you two dare bully our girl, we’ll teach you a lesson today!”

The fierce men rolled up their sleeves, ready to fight.

Song Shiyu’s slender frame was no match; he trembled with fear. “What are you doing? Do you know who I am?”

“We don’t care who you are. You little scoundrel who cheats around deserve everything you get!”

Seeing the situation turn dire, Meng Shuyue’s brow twitched sharply.

Her family was counting on the Song family’s help—she couldn’t let Song Shiyu get into trouble.

She pushed Song Shiyu away forcefully. “You run! They’re after you. I’m fine!”

Song Shiyu stumbled, turned, and fled. After a few steps, he glanced back at the small figure standing before the intimidating men and felt his eyes grow moist.

He turned and ran fast, hoping to find the police for help.

At a corner, he spotted a familiar figure and shouted loudly, as if spotting a savior.

“Uncle! Uncle! Please help!”

At that moment, Shen Jinxiao was accompanying an injured soldier from his unit for a hospital checkup, taking his usual headache medicine.

Unexpectedly, upon leaving the hospital, he heard Song Shiyu’s desperate cries for help.

Shen Jinxiao hastened over with his bodyguards, but from a distance, he was shocked by the scene before him.

By the roadside, a small figure curled on the ground was being punched and kicked by several burly men.

Blood was seeping from beneath the girl’s body.

Without hesitation, Shen Jinxiao charged forward and delivered a spinning kick that knocked the most aggressive man to the ground. The others, frightened, stopped immediately.

They explained, wearing military uniforms, that Song Shiyu had deceived their sister, and they were just punishing the homewrecker.

As they spoke, their faces paled when they saw the blood spreading beneath the beaten girl, and their words turned into pleading apologies.

The woman who had led the attack quickly fled as the situation escalated.

Song Shiyu was horrified. He rushed to scoop up the unconscious woman and called out in panic.

“Shuyue, don’t scare me—wake up! I’ll take you to eat ribs…”

His face suddenly felt cold.

Tears were streaming down.

Holding her, he shouted “Make way!” as he rushed her into the hospital.

Shen Jinxiao followed closely behind, his gaze fixed on the woman in Song Shiyu’s arms.

Shock and confusion flashed across his face.

Wasn’t this the fiancée of his eldest nephew, Song Shijing? How could she be involved with Song Shiyu?

A sharp pain pierced his mind; he staggered, bracing himself against the wall before regaining his composure.