Chapter 68: Utter Disgrace

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Utter Disgrace

But she suppressed those thoughts as soon as they emerged.

As for that pang of guilt toward Song Yao?

She had indeed hesitated for a moment, but she suppressed those thoughts as soon as they emerged.

When she saw Sheng Hui lower his head and give Shen Shuangshuang a gentle smile, they had long since vanished completely.

That wasn’t just politeness; it was a genuine, focused gaze fixed on Shen Shuangshuang.

Yao Yuzhen took all of this in and completely crushed that lingering guilt.

’As long as Shuangshuang can secure a stable marriage and live well, nothing else matters.’

She had already paved the entire road for Shen Shuangshuang, from the school gates to her front door.

All she wanted was for Shen Shuangshuang to have a stable and secure life; she didn’t ask for anything more.

Sheng Hui gave Shen Shuangshuang a slight nod. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

He spoke softly, but everyone in the room heard him.

Shen Shuangshuang’s nose tingled, and she bit her lip, her watery eyes glued to him.

Seeing this scene, everyone in the room understood the situation perfectly.

"Hah, it looks like Song Yao’s attempt to climb the social ladder has failed."

Cheng Hai added with a sneer, but his tone was sourer than a vat of spilled vinegar.

He didn’t dare glance in Shen Shuangshuang’s direction, keeping his eyes fixed on the tips of his shoes.

Song Yao let out a soft laugh. "Comrade Cheng Hai, you should worry about yourself first. The dear Shuangshuang in your heart is busy making eyes at someone else."

"Your poor little heart must be shattered into a million pieces, right?"

Her tone was calm, but every word was like a nail, hammered one by one into Cheng Hai’s ears.

Cheng Hai’s face paled. "Nonsense! There’s nothing going on between Shuangshuang and me! I help her because of the bond we share from growing up together. Besides, I can’t stand your bossy attitude!"

He shot to his feet, wanting to argue, but swallowed his words before they could escape.

"Oh?"

Song Yao tilted her head toward Wu Yufeng. "And what about you, Comrade Wu Yufeng? Did you also grow up with her? Or do you just not like me either?"

Wu Yufeng had been staring at Shen Shuangshuang the whole time.

He remembered the scraped knee from the first time she went running, and the tears she shed after failing an exam.

’He remembered too many trivial details, remembered them so clearly that he didn’t dare bring them up.’

But as soon as Song Yao looked his way, he immediately lowered his eyes and quickly averted his gaze, as if hiding from something.

"Song Yao, you’re taking it too far!"

The man glared at her, his voice full of impatience.

"Brother Hui is one of the top figures in our circle. Him being with Shuangshuang is a match made in heaven! What are you doing here, trying to stir up trouble?"

He slammed his right hand on the table, making the teacups tremble.

’Tsk, what do you expect from Shen Shuangshuang’s die-hard fans? They’ve certainly developed thick skins, haven’t they?’

Song Yao started clapping, laughing loudly. "Well, well, Shen Shuangshuang, you’re really something! How do you do it? Getting all these young masters from wealthy families to flock around you? I bet even if you got your marriage certificate and held your wedding with Sheng Hui today, they’d still willingly be your little lackeys. That’s some serious skill!"

For once, Shen Shuangshuang had the upper hand. The corners of her mouth lifted, and her voice carried a hint of smugness.

"Sister, this isn’t something just anyone can learn. We grew up together, so our bond is just like family."

"They’re like my real brothers. As long as I’m doing well, they’re willing to help me with anything."

After speaking, she graciously nodded to Cheng Hai and Wu Yufeng. "Thank you, Brother Cheng. Thank you, Yu Feng, for always taking such good care of me."

Hearing this, the two of them were instantly delighted. But just as they were about to reply, Song Yao let out a snort of laughter and dropped a bombshell.

"That’s right, the ’brothers’ are so reliable. Especially Ji Xianbei. He gave his life for you."

The air froze. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

Mrs. Cheng and Mrs. Wu were already simmering with anger. Hearing Song Yao describe their sons as Shen Shuangshuang’s lackeys had made them tremble with fury.

They only held back and didn’t explode out of respect for Shen Zhenwu.

Just moments ago, hearing Shen Shuangshuang’s sweet words, they had thought, ’Oh well, the kids have been playing together since they were little. It’s not so out of line for them to be close, is it?’

But the next second, the two words "Ji Xianbei" came out, and the image of Mrs. Qiao kneeling in the hallway, crying and begging, instantly slammed into their minds!

The image was too jarring, too impossible to ignore.

The two women’s faces turned deathly pale. Without another moment of hesitation, they rushed over, grabbing their sons by the ear with one hand and seizing their arms with the other, and began dragging them toward the door!

Their movements were swift and harsh, showing no mercy.

"Stop embarrassing yourself here and come home with me!"

Cheng Hai and Wu Yufeng were stunned. "Mom???"

"Don’t you ’Mom’ me!"

Mrs. Cheng’s voice rose. "Does Shen Shuangshuang need you to jump out and play the hero? The main party, Sheng Hui, hasn’t even said a word. What gives you the right to stick your nose in this?!"

She pointed a finger at Shen Shuangshuang.

She paused, then lowered her voice to deliver the final blow. "Don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind! Before, when those two hadn’t made things official, I didn’t stop you from pining after her. But today, they’re practically getting married, and you’re still shamelessly fawning over her? Fine, you have no shame, but I do! When your father finds out about this, he’ll do more than just break your legs!"

Before she finished speaking, she gave a sharp twist of her wrist, and the tip of Cheng Hai’s ear immediately turned red.

Cheng Hai’s face was beet red, and he opened his mouth to try and bluff his way out.

"You believe Song Yao’s nonsense too? It’s really not like that between Shuangshuang and me..."

"Shut up! Stop wasting your breath and come with me now!"

Mrs. Cheng turned to Yao Yuzhen and forced a smile. "Well, we certainly got to see some excitement at this family reunion banquet today. They’re waiting for me to make some decisions back home, so we won’t stay any longer. Congratulations to Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen on finally finding your real daughter. What a joyous occasion!"

Things weren’t any better on Wu Yufeng’s end.

His mother didn’t twist his ear, but she gripped his arm tightly and refused to let go.

She could never bring herself to be forceful with her son, so she resorted to her usual tactic.

Wiping away tears, she started bringing up the past, repeatedly mentioning how Ji Xianbei took the fall and how Mrs. Qiao had knelt and begged her maiden family for help.

"Tell me, do you really want to see your mother end up like your Aunt Qiao, unable to sleep at night? If you’re really that heartless... I might as well just go and bang my head against a wall right now!"

Hearing this, Wu Yufeng’s scalp went numb. Who could bear the crime of angering their own mother to death?

He could only shoot a quick, apologetic glance at Shen Shuangshuang before lowering his head and letting his mother drag him away by the arm in disgrace.

Shen Shuangshuang’s two most vocal supporters had been chased away by Song Yao in just a few sentences.

Her face flushed red, the tips of her ears burning. It was impossible to describe how furious she felt inside.

Fortunately, Sheng Hui was still there.

When Song Yao’s gaze swept over, Shen Shuangshuang’s heart skipped a beat.

Before Song Yao could speak, she preemptively put on a smile, her voice soft and sweet. "Sister, you can say all you want, but aren’t you just sour because you couldn’t get Brother Sheng Hui yourself? You don’t have to pretend! It’s much more liberating to be open about things, like me."

Before the words had even left her mouth, she took the initiative and linked her arm through Sheng Hui’s.

Sheng Hui glanced down at her arm but didn’t pull away.

Shen Shuangshuang’s smile immediately widened, a flash of triumph in her eyes.

"Sister, why would someone as outstanding as Brother Sheng Hui ever be interested in you? People win others over with sincerity and ability, not just by running their mouth."

After speaking, she turned her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, and winked at Sheng Hui. "Brother Sheng Hui, I’m right, aren’t I?"

Sheng Hui paid her no attention at all, his eyes fixed on Song Yao the entire time.