Whoever Falls in Love First is the Dog - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Now She Deeply Regretted Signing

At this point, she deeply regretted signing that contract with Chen Yanxing. Maybe that person was only agreeable when in bed.

Du Junyi’s birthday banquet was held at Yuechen Mansion in the western part of the city—an area where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold and where celebrities and elites congregated.

Unlike Yaozhou, this place wasn’t easily turned into gossip fodder because it was never open to the public.

Looking across Jiangcheng, there truly weren’t many people who could host a banquet here.

Many luxury cars were parked outside. Shen Mengke swept her gaze across them—despite the bright colors, Jiang Zhixing’s car was actually considered low-key among them.

Jiang Zhixing had always disliked such occasions. If not for Shen Mengke wanting to come, that invitation would likely have ended up in the trash by now.

Come to think of it, Shen Mengke had never seen Jiang Zhixing hanging around with other rich second-generation heirs. She always seemed to be alone, rarely going home, often spending entire days holed up in her music studio.

As Jiang Zhixing got out of the car, she glanced up at the lights overhead, a trace of impatience flashing through her eyes.

“Same as always, I’ll walk you in,” she said.

Shen Mengke nodded.

Although they often arrived together, the one who stayed at these events was always Shen Mengke.

Usually, Jiang Zhixing would either find a corner or a room to sit in or simply leave and return later to pick up Shen Mengke.

Shen Mengke had once been curious about Jiang Zhixing’s completely anti-social lifestyle, but all Jiang Zhixing had ever said was, “I don’t need it. I don’t like it.”

But this time, Jiang Zhixing didn’t leave.

From the moment they stepped into the mansion, they walked under the lights.

The sycamore trees lining both sides stood like loyal guards, escorting their masters home.

With glittering lights and music in the air, this place was intoxicating.

Shen Mengke followed Jiang Zhixing inside, her gaze sweeping the room—some familiar faces, some unfamiliar, some she’d met in real life, others only seen online…

Unexpectedly, she saw Xu Shinian—the one who had delayed the filming schedule due to taking leave.

Xu Shinian stood under a spotlight, chatting and laughing with others, occasionally glancing around while covering her mouth—clearly searching for someone, or perhaps scouting for prey.

Their eyes met unexpectedly in midair. Shen Mengke froze—there was no avoiding it in this setting. She turned to Jiang Zhixing and said, “I’m going to greet someone.”

Jiang Zhixing gave a soft “Mm.” Shen Mengke didn’t think much of it and walked toward Xu Shinian.

Xu Shinian politely excused herself from the group, then brought a glass of wine to Shen Mengke. Without asking why she was here, her gaze turned to Jiang Zhixing and asked, “Who’s that?”

“A friend of mine.”

Xu Shinian clinked glasses with Shen Mengke and took a sip first. “What about your girlfriend? She didn’t come today?”

“She…” Shen Mengke hesitated, looking at the wine in her hand. She quietly set it aside and said, “Xu-jie, there’s been a misunderstanding. She’s not my girlfriend.”

Xu Shinian raised an eyebrow. “Hm?”

Smiling, Shen Mengke picked up a piece of pastry but didn’t eat it. “That day, we were just joking. She’s just a friend.”

Xu Shinian’s gaze lingered on her hand, then she smiled. “Oh~”

“By the way, Xu-jie, Director Qing mentioned you took time off. Is everything okay?”

“Just a cold, nothing serious. I’ll be back in a few days.”

“If you’re still recovering, don’t drink too much.”

Xu Shinian casually swirled her glass. “Already better,” she said, then leaned in close to Shen Mengke’s ear and whispered flirtatiously, “In a place like this, who can stay completely sober?”

Shen Mengke’s eyes dimmed, and she stepped back slightly. “Still, it’s bad for your health. Anyway… Xu-jie, I’ll head out. My friend’s not used to this kind of place…”

“Oh, really?” Xu Shinian raised her brows, looking off to the side. “She seems to be getting along just fine.”

Shen Mengke’s heart skipped a beat. She followed Xu Shinian’s gaze and saw Jiang Zhixing standing with a group of people. Suddenly, she grabbed someone by the wrist and dragged them away.

The commotion drew attention—many guests turned to look.

This wasn’t just any event. Everyone here was wealthy or influential. Causing a scene would surely land someone in the news tomorrow.

Without time to explain to Xu Shinian, Shen Mengke rushed forward but collided with someone unexpectedly.

She stumbled back a few steps and twisted her ankle. Just as she was about to fall, a pair of hands caught her.

She looked up and locked eyes with none other than Chen Yanxing.

Their encounters always seemed so sudden and unexpected. But Shen Mengke was too concerned about Jiang Zhixing to dwell on it. She muttered a quick “Thanks,” then tried to pull away to find Jiang Zhixing.

She scanned the crowded room. With so many people and her twisted ankle, finding someone was nearly impossible. She hadn’t gone far before Chen Yanxing grabbed her arm.

Shen Mengke turned back, confused.

“Where are you going?” Chen Yanxing asked.

“I… I’m looking for my friend.”

Chen Yanxing frowned at the high heels on her feet. “Like this? Do you have other shoes?”

Shen Mengke shook her head.

Chen Yanxing sighed—or seemed to—and led her to a quieter spot.

She took off her own shoes and stood aside, looking at Shen Mengke.

Shen Mengke froze, unsure how to react.

“Take your shoes off. Wear mine.”

Only then did Shen Mengke process what was happening. She glanced around and slowly crouched to remove her heels.

The moment her foot touched the ground, pain shot through her. Her vision blurred with tears.

She shakily stepped into the soft cloth shoes.

But switching the other shoe meant she had to rely on her injured foot.

She hesitated. She had a low pain tolerance.

Suddenly, a hand appeared in her blurred vision. Shen Mengke looked up to see Chen Yanxing say, “Hold on to me.”

She slowly placed her hand in Chen Yanxing’s. But before she could shift her balance, she lost her footing.

Startled, she didn’t scream, afraid of drawing attention.

She stared in disbelief at the person who lifted her up, then glanced around.

No one could remain completely invisible in a place like this. She was sure someone had already taken a photo.

She sighed in despair—her studio would be working overtime again.

Chen Yanxing slipped her shoes back on, bent down to pick up the abandoned heel, and tossed it into Shen Mengke’s lap before carrying her into a lounge.

She even made sure to walk along the edges of the hall and took the back stairs up.

But she didn’t expect anyone to be in the lounge already.

The room was quiet. Du Junyi and Chen Yanqing—one standing, one sitting—said nothing, but the tension was obvious.

Everyone was surprised to see Chen Yanxing walk in carrying someone.

Even Shen Mengke felt incredibly awkward. She patted Chen Yanxing’s shoulder, signaling to be put down, but Chen Yanxing walked in unfazed. She glanced at Chen Yanqing on the couch, then gently placed Shen Mengke on the other end.

“She twisted her ankle. I brought her to change shoes,” she explained.

Nobody was blind. Everyone could tell something had happened. Chen Yanxing could’ve easily chosen another lounge, but she came into this one.

Even Shen Mengke felt embarrassed but maintained a polite smile.

Du Junyi gave Shen Mengke a once-over, then nodded and pointed at a cabinet. “There are new slippers inside.”

She left first. As Chen Yanxing walked over, Shen Mengke sat up properly and placed the heel on the floor.

Chen Yanqing stood and glanced at Shen Mengke before saying, “Don’t stay up here too long. You just got back—it’s time to show your face.”

“Got it.”

Once they were alone, Shen Mengke, not knowing who those two were but sensing their importance, stayed quiet.

Chen Yanxing handed her slippers. “Are you staying here, or coming down with me?”

Shen Mengke didn’t answer immediately. She took off the other shoe and asked, “Just now… who were they?”

“One’s my sister, the other is today’s host—Du Junyi.”

Shen Mengke’s eyes lit up for a moment, but Chen Yanxing noticed and immediately said, “Don’t get any ideas. They don’t watch TV, let alone recognize celebrities.”

Shen Mengke frowned. “What kind of person do you think I am? If they don’t watch, why do you, a former nun, watch?”

“I don’t.”

Shen Mengke was too tired to argue. She now deeply regretted signing that contract with Chen Yanxing. Maybe this woman was only likable in bed.

“I’ll rest for a while. I’ll head out later. You go do your thing,” she said.

She was tactful—just a plus-one, she couldn’t hide in a lounge the whole night, nor monopolize the host’s friend.

Since she said so, Chen Yanxing had no reason to stay. She gave a nod and turned to leave—but not before glancing back.

That look lingered, as if she had something to say. But in the end, she left in silence, closing the door behind her.

With Chen Yanxing gone, Shen Mengke finally let her guard down and sank into the couch.

She messaged Jiang Zhixing twice, asking what had happened, only to get a reply that Jiang Zhixing had already left—and left the car for her.

Shen Mengke sighed. Well, at least she had a way home.

As for Jiang Zhixing—so long as she didn’t stir up trouble in the mansion, she could do as she pleased.

That person always knew her limits—and wouldn’t cause a real scandal.