Chapter 1261: Chapter 1260: Falling for Someone Else
If Shen Rushuang could indeed marry Wang Junyi, he might uncover the truth behind Wang Junyi’s rapid rise in rank and his taming of Exotic Beasts.
If things were as they suspected, and Wang Junyi had truly apprenticed under a master, he might be introduced through Wang Junyi, and then he too could seek apprenticeship.
But Shen Yunlong never expected Wang Junyi to so firmly reject Shen Rushuang, and even more unexpectedly, the master he longed to find, Wang Junyi’s mentor, turned out to be Su Changfeng, whom he personally drove away!
"Is this amusing to you?" Su Changfeng naturally understood that all of this was orchestrated by Shen Yunlong. However, he couldn’t grasp the purpose. Did a few taunts really make him feel better?
He truly wanted to ask, "Kid, how old are you this year?"
Su Changfeng had been ridiculed so many times throughout his life that he was long accustomed to it. Consequently, this childish behavior didn’t stir him at all; if anything, it amused him a bit.
"Su Changfeng, at this point, there’s no need to pretend. I know you’re in pain, but our Shen Family doesn’t tolerate trash like you, so get out," Shen Yunlong said with a smile.
Pain? Su Changfeng couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.
"Soon you’ll know what real pain is. If you think this can make me suffer, you’re overthinking," Su Changfeng laughed wantonly, not bothering with Shen Yunlong further, and strode out of the Shen Family estate.
Secretly grinding his teeth, Shen Yunlong saw Su Changfeng’s indifferent expression, as if everything he did was but a joke. This sparked a bit of fire in his heart.
But why? When has someone ever felt nothing when their pride is so trampled upon?
"No way, he’s just pretending to hold strong in front of me. Su Changfeng, you’re definitely embarrassed inside, right? It must be like that." Staring at Su Changfeng’s retreating figure, Shen Yunlong’s gaze deepened; no man could disregard such insults.
In truth, this whole ordeal wasn’t significant in Su Changfeng’s eyes. He couldn’t be bothered to argue with Shen Yunlong. He was too weak, so weak that even if Su Changfeng could easily kill him, he didn’t even deign to lift a finger.
Only the weak care about others’ opinions, trapping themselves with a few words. True strength isn’t swayed by mere words.
Soon, Shen Yaowen and Shen Rushuang returned, and upon hearing the news, Shen Yunlong quickly came out to meet them.
"Father, Rushuang, what did the City Lord Mansion say?" Shen Yunlong’s excitement was evident.
However, seeing their expressions, Shen Yunlong’s heart sank, a bad premonition taking root, especially as Shen Yaowen’s face was particularly grim — had they succeeded, wouldn’t there be a hint of joy?
"Rushuang, did Wang Junyi bully you?" Shen Yunlong asked, face contorted, as he approached Shen Rushuang.
Shen Rushuang was still pondering over Wang Junyi’s last words, unease gnawing at her. What had she missed? Was it not Wang Junyi? If not, then what?
"Wang Junyi rejected me," Shen Rushuang replied blandly.
Hearing this, Shen Yunlong’s expression changed instantly. Despite having some inklings, given that Wang Junyi was no longer the idle son of the City Lord Mansion, Shen Yunlong still couldn’t accept it. Wang Junyi had once liked Shen Rushuang so much, so why reject her now that she reached out?
"Could the rumor be true?" Shen Yunlong murmured.
"What rumor?" Shen Rushuang looked puzzledly at Shen Yunlong, not understanding where this sudden remark came from.
"It’s nothing much. It’s just that recently, many in Tianshui City have been saying that Wang Junyi has fallen for another woman. I always thought it unlikely, though, as she couldn’t possibly compare to you," Shen Yunlong explained.
"Who is this woman, what does she look like?" Shen Rushuang asked through gritted teeth. She hadn’t heard of this and didn’t believe anyone in Tianshui City could be prettier than her. How could Wang Junyi possibly have a change of heart, preferring someone else over her?
"Hold on," Shen Yunlong, recalling something, turned and ran into the room.
Shortly, he returned with a painting, explaining to Shen Rushuang, "Recently, Wang Junyi indeed sent many people out to search for the woman in this painting."
Upon hearing this, Shen Rushuang hurriedly unfolded the painting.
The painting depicted Chen Qingqing, whom Su Changfeng had asked Wang Junyi to help find. But now, with all of Wang Junyi’s actions closely watched, various rumors had surfaced, and the version that reached Shen Yunlong’s ears claimed Wang Junyi was infatuated with another woman.
"Her?" Shen Rushuang grew even angrier. The woman in the painting was too ordinary; neither her looks nor her figure compared to hers. Was this Wang Junyi’s taste? Was something wrong with his eyes?
"She certainly doesn’t outshine you, but Wang Junyi has been persistently searching for her. Still, it’s just a rumor; no one knows if it’s true," Shen Yunlong noted.
Shen Rushuang pursed her lips. Her years of pride wouldn’t allow her to lose to someone inferior in every aspect. She suddenly looked at Shen Yunlong, her eyes flashing with a hint of murderous intent.
"Brother, do me a favor," Shen Rushuang spoke coldly.
"Alright, just say the word. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll definitely help," Shen Yunlong replied.
Clenching her fists, Shen Rushuang seethed with hatred. "You must find her before Wang Junyi does and kill her."
Shen Yunlong’s heart sank, yet he didn’t stop Shen Rushuang. After pondering, he said, "Alright, I’ll keep this in mind. I’ll have more portraits drawn soon. I’ve traveled to many places over the years and know a lot of people. I’m sure we’ll hear something soon."
"Thanks, brother, I’ll head back now." With that, Shen Rushuang walked towards her room. She needed to ponder the meaning behind Wang Junyi’s final words.
After Shen Rushuang left, Shen Yunlong asked Shen Yaowen, "Father, what should we do about this? If we act on Rushuang’s suggestion and end up angering Wang Junyi, could it be bad?"
"This girl is likely not in Tianshui City; otherwise, with Wang Junyi’s resources, he would have found her by now. If she isn’t here, even if she dies, no one would suspect us," Shen Yaowen said.
Enlightened, Shen Yunlong nodded. "Father, I understand."
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