The Cannon Fodder NPC Went Too Far [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Seeing Xia Yu return triumphant and smug, Shen Zheng paid no mind to what she had done and led her straight up to the second floor.

It was widely known that the second floor of the Shen family was exclusively reserved for Shen family members. Furthermore, only those high-ranking Shen family juniors who were well-regarded by the powerful elders were granted invitations to set foot there.

However, these rules were meaningless to Shen Zheng.

Shen Zheng nodded to the guards at the door, didn’t even produce an invitation, and led Xia Yu directly inside. The guards looked straight ahead, pretending not to see them and remaining silent.

In the massive private room, the main table sat in the center of the hall, heavily occupied by the direct descendants of the Shen family and a few exceptionally capable collaterals. Only the seats at the head and several ebony-agarwood chairs around it were empty, obviously reserved for the Head of the Shen Family and several highly respected elders.

A few smaller tables were placed next to the main table, where the women from the direct Shen line and some members of the collateral branches were seated together.

Shen Zheng glanced at the men chatting merrily at the main table, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. She turned away and walked toward the two empty seats at the side table.

A young girl about Xia Yu’s age, sitting near the seats, instantly brightened upon seeing Shen Zheng and excitedly waved at her.

“Sister, you’re finally here.” The girl familiarly hooked her arm around Shen Zheng’s, then looked at Xia Yu behind her with some confusion.

Since stepping onto the second floor, Shen Zheng had maintained a cold expression and full aura. Her eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s. Everyone who met her gaze felt a chill down their spine, quietly lowering their heads to avoid her scrutiny. Only Shen Yu dared to converse with her.

Seeing this, Shen Zheng’s expression softened slightly. She nodded at the girl and softly introduced Xia Yu: “This is my younger sister, Shen Yu.”

“This is Xia Yu. My…” Shen Zheng paused, uncharacteristically unsure how to introduce her.

“Oh, oh, I know! This is Sister’s stepdaughter,” Shen Yu seamlessly finished the sentence.

Shen Zheng’s face immediately became extremely awkward at the mention. She opened her mouth to explain but didn’t know how, and thus tacitly accepted the introduction.

Xia Yu secretly gritted her teeth and subtly poked Shen Zheng’s side. Shen Zheng’s breath hitched, her fingertips trembled, and she immediately grasped Xia Yu’s mischievous hand. Seeing Xia Yu still secretly struggling, Shen Zheng sighed, nodded to Shen Yu, and skillfully led Xia Yu into an unoccupied private room.

After quietly closing the door, Shen Zheng finally released her hand. Xia Yu’s cheeks were puffed out, her nostrils flared, and she glared at her angrily.

These past few days with Shen Zheng had been so harmonious that she almost forgot this was their nominal relationship.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow, asking softly with a half-smile.

She was clearly pretending not to know. Xia Yu coldly snorted, crossed her arms over her chest, and stood on her tiptoes to meet her gaze, attempting to win the battle of wills.

“Shen Zheng, let me make this clear. Don’t even think about taking advantage of me or making me call you that title.”

“Mhm, mhm. Don’t worry, I won’t make you call it in public.” Shen Zheng’s gaze unconsciously fell upon her opening and closing red lips.

She pursed her lips, feeling something was amiss, and diverted her gaze downwards. Her flawless white neck and delicate collarbones rose and fell slightly with her heaving chest. If I were to bite it, it would turn crimson immediately. Shen Zheng distractedly replied to Xia Yu.

Then, her eyes sharpened, catching sight of a faint red mark on Xia Yu’s wrist.

Shen Zheng slightly frowned, subconsciously taking a step closer to her.

Xia Yu stiffened, suddenly feeling as if she were being stalked by a vicious wolf. Before her mind could catch up, her body instinctively recoiled.

Tap, tap, tap. Shen Zheng leisurely maintained her original pace. Just as Xia Yu had nowhere left to retreat and her head was about to hit the wall, Shen Zheng shook her head. One hand protected her head, and the other wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her into an embrace.

The calloused pad of her finger traced down Xia Yu’s arm, gently rubbing the slightly reddened wrist, both gentle and forceful.

Warm breath brushed against Xia Yu’s ear. Xia Yu felt the sandalwood scent growing intensely, making her feel slightly dizzy. She froze motionless in Shen Zheng’s arms.

Seeing Xia Yu docilely nestled against her, Shen Zheng’s slightly cool fingertip pressed harder against Xia Yu’s wrist, asking in a seemingly punitive yet inquiring tone: “Why were you dodging?”

Seeing Xia Yu lower her head and ignore her, Shen Zheng softened her voice, leaning her lips close to Xia Yu’s ear and quietly saying: “If you feel uncomfortable anywhere in the future, just tell me directly.” She hadn’t raised children before and didn’t know she was so fragile. It was just a light grab.

My fault. I didn’t know my own strength.

Shen Zheng waited until the red mark on Xia Yu’s wrist faded before finally releasing her.

She glanced curiously at Xia Yu’s slightly flushed cheeks but paid it no mind. She lowered her head and carefully straightened Xia Yu’s hair and collar, which had been ruffled by her earlier mischief. Only when everything was back in order did she nod in satisfaction, then quietly instructed:

“Don’t wander off later. Stay with Shen Yu.”

Xia Yu pursed her lips, looked up, and glared fiercely at Shen Zheng. Without saying anything, she promptly opened the door and walked out, leaving Shen Zheng with an angry retreating back.

Shen Zheng blinked in confusion, quite puzzled. She was raising the child exactly as described in the book. Why wasn’t the child as close to her as depicted?

Shen Zhenghui, now seventy years old, was dressed in an expensive suit, looking robust as he opened the door and walked out, followed by several venerable elders.

The entire hall immediately fell silent. The seated Shen family juniors respectfully rose and bowed deeply to him.

The old man’s deep eyes swept over everyone present. Just as he was about to stroke his beard in satisfaction, he saw Shen Zheng and Xia Yu, conspicuously motionless among the crowd. His brow furrowed. He seemed to recall something and mercifully ignored them, slowly sitting down with his hands grasping the armrests of his chair.

The surrounding people then straightened up and sat back down.

He cleared his throat, gave a tens-of-minutes-long opening speech, and then ordered the feast to begin.

The main table started serving themselves food according to seniority, while the side tables had already picked up their chopsticks.

Midway through the banquet, the Shen family juniors began raising their wine glasses to toast according to seniority.

Shen Tingyu, as Shen Zhenghui’s eldest legitimate grandson, was only a few seats away from Shen Zhenghui. He had just raised his glass to toast an elder when he saw Shen Zhenghui wave him over. He quickly rushed to Shen Zhenghui and squatted down to listen to the family head’s instructions.

Now that Shen Zheng is married, she is an outsider. It is unreasonable for her to keep the Shen family’s businesses. Take them back while you have the chance today.

However, it is truly pitiful that my daughter finally married someone, only for her husband to die soon after, leaving her with a burden. I will make an exception today and meet her stepdaughter as compensation.

Shen Zhenghui glanced at Shen Yao, who was drinking with the elders until his face was red, and frowned. It’s a shame. He had often lamented that if Shen Zheng had been a boy, he might have long considered setting aside the elder and establishing the younger. The inheritance would have been up for grabs.

But that’s not the case. Everything must be set right.

“Auntie, Grandfather is calling for you and Miss Xia to come over.” Shen Tingyu scurried up to Shen Zheng, bending at the waist and whispering to her. The look of satisfaction and schadenfreude on his seemingly respectful face was unmistakable.

The elders are involved this time. Without the power the Shen family gave you, let’s see how long you can remain arrogant.

Shen Zheng looked up, gazing at the distant Shen Zhenghui. Beneath the simple lines of his silhouette, his smile was exceptionally benevolent. An elder beside him, seeing Shen Zheng hadn’t moved, loudly addressed her:

“Zheng’er, bring the Xia child over for us old folk to see. It’ll be a proper introduction.”

Shen Zheng placed her hand on Xia Yu’s shoulder, stopping her from rising, and shook her head.

She slowly walked toward the main table alone, her back straight, striding with her head held high. The ends of her hair near her waist swayed slightly. She exuded authority without anger.

Under everyone’s gaze, she walked straight to the seat vacated by Shen Tingyu, sat down, and casually crossed her legs.

Shen Tingyu was stunned. Seeing the elders around exchanging covert glances, none of them spoke first. He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and reminded her quietly:

“Auntie, this is my seat. I believe you’ve made a mistake.”

Shen Zheng slanted a look at him, idly twirling the red wine glass on his table, and said flatly: “It isn’t anymore.”

“Shen Zheng, what do you mean! Today is Dad’s 70th birthday, not the place for you to run wild!”

Seeing Shen Tingyu standing awkwardly with a flushed face, Shen Yao couldn’t sit still any longer. He slammed the table and shouted in reprimand. Shen Zheng was clearly humiliating him, the Young Master of the Shen family.

“Too much?” Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow at his words. She suddenly stood up, placing the wine glass heavily on the table, and raised her voice provocatively: “There’s something even more outrageous. Do you want to see it?”

“Shen Yao, you piece of trash. The only reason you hold that position is because of the Shen family’s antiquated system. But you certainly did inherit one essence from Father—your dear younger brother…”

Seeing Shen Zheng pushing the limits, Shen Zhenghui, who had endured enough, heavily slapped the table several times, abruptly cutting Shen Zheng off. He roared:

“Rebellious daughter, that’s enough! Guards! Take Shen Zheng away and punish her according to family law!”

The surroundings fell silent, save for the sound of heavy breathing. There was no movement from the doorway, which was what he wanted.

Shen Zheng looked at Shen Zhenghui’s rare stunned expression, curved her eyes, and smiled with evident pleasure.

She heavily clapped her hands. The large door burst open. Strong, menacing bodyguards streamed in, blocking all exits. Qin Ying, leading the group, reported respectfully and loudly:

“CEO Shen, those people have all been dealt with. Everything is secure.”

“Head… Head of the Family, the stocks of many Shen family businesses are dropping! And many… have been seized!” Shen Zhenghui’s confidant, with Shen Zheng’s silent approval, stumbled in, reporting tearfully.

Shen Zhenghui’s eyes widened at the news, the muscles on his face twitching uncontrollably. He shook his finger at Shen Zheng, unable to form a complete sentence.

Shen Yao stared fiercely at Shen Zheng with bloodshot eyes, pointing his finger and shouting in reprimand: “Shen Zheng, are you trying to rebel? How can there be a woman as rebellious and treasonous as you in this world? Today, I will discipline you properly for Father!”

He charged forward, swinging his fist fiercely at her. But before he could get close to Shen Zheng, he was punched a few times by a nearby bodyguard and awkwardly pinned to the floor.

Tap, tap, tap. Shen Zheng leisurely approached him, looking down at the beaten Shen Yao like a stray dog, and signaled to the bodyguard beside her.

The bodyguard immediately hauled Shen Yao up. Shen Zheng contemptuously patted Shen Yao’s face and quietly said: “Brother, have I ever told you that I hate being pointed at?”

Shen Zheng directly pulled out the blade sheathed at the bodyguard’s waist. In the cold light, the blade sliced through the air and instantly plunged into Shen Yao’s abdomen. He seemed shocked that Shen Zheng truly dared to attack him, freezing for a moment.

A piercing scream echoed through the entire hall. Splatters of bl00d sprayed across Shen Zheng’s face. Shen Yao slumped onto the floor, immediately passing out.

Shen Zheng noticed the absolute silence around her. Many Shen family juniors were tucking their heads down, terrified of drawing her attention. She smiled indifferently, waved her hand, and signaled for Shen Yao to be taken away for medical attention.

She slowly walked toward Shen Zhenghui. She picked up the wine glass Shen Yao had left behind, looked down, and lightly clinked it against Shen Zhenghui’s. She smiled faintly.

“Father, Happy Birthday.”

She then walked on without stopping, paying no mind to Shen Zhenghui, who was convulsing and on the verge of fainting behind her.

She walked onto the second-floor balcony, looking down at the guests who were murmuring quietly after hearing the commotion.

The guests looked up, seeing a person in charge finally appear after a long while. Shen Zheng, dressed in a sharp black suit, stood alone on the second floor, her face severe.

Spots of crimson bl00d were splattered on her face, like red plums adorning her, yet it did not diminish her authority. Instead, it added a terrifying aura, making her gorgeous and dazzling.

She raised her wine glass, virtually toasting the crowd, and said loudly: “It’s nothing serious. Please enjoy the food, drinks, and festivities.”

The ground floor fell silent for a moment, then returned to its previous lively atmosphere. In the midst of their conversations and laughter, no one seemed to care about the incident that had just occurred.