A week later, Zhong Pei returned from LA.
His birthday party happened to be on a weekend.
He was supposed to pick up Sheng Xiangsi from West 12th Street, but she refused. Because at that time, she wasn't at home.
During the weekend gap, she naturally had arranged to rehearse for two more performances with Ren Ce.
So, she got the address from Zhong Pei and drove over after finishing her work at the theater.
There was a bit of traffic on the way, so she arrived a little late.
When the server led her in, the party had already started, and it was lively.
Sheng Xiangsi found Zhong Pei in the crowd, but he was busy, so she didn't disturb him and found a seat first.
The people present were all young faces.
Sheng Xiangsi secretly breathed a sigh of relief; there were no elders around.
"Hey, who's this?"
Suddenly, three or four people approached, led by a girl who smirked with arms folded. Wasn't it Tian Xin, Miss Tian?
Sheng Xiangsi frowned and intended to move to another place.
"Where are you going?"
However, as she stood up, Tian Xin stretched out her arm to stop her. "Sheng Xiangsi, long time no see. Let's chat, shall we?"
She was clearly here to cause trouble.
Sheng Xiangsi endured her impatience. "Let me through; we have nothing to talk about."
"Why is there nothing to talk about?"
Tian Xin chuckled, "How about you start by explaining why your face is so thick-skinned? It's one thing for Mrs. Fu to favor you, but what is a mere foster daughter of the Fu family doing here as if she's one of us?"
A reminder came from the girl next to her.
"It seems Mr. Fu is here too."
"Oh?"
Tian Xin raised her eyebrows, feeling self-righteous. "So, are you clinging to Mr. Fu? Haha, you're not just thick-skinned, you're shameless!"
"Haha..."
The group sneered and laughed.
"Just stop," a low male voice cut through the mocking voices of the group.
They all froze and looked up.
A group of people had arrived! Zhong Pei, Fu Hanjiang, Qin Yanzhi, and even Yao Leyi were among them.
Tian Xin stared at Fu Hanjiang's face and couldn't help but mutter, "Brother Fu..."
Not sure if he heard her, probably not, because Fu Hanjiang raised his chin slightly, his eyelids drooping without a hint of expression.
It was Zhong Pei who swiftly walked up to Sheng Xiangsi and grabbed her wrist.
Sheng Xiangsi was taken aback, feeling a bit uncomfortable but didn't pull away.
"You..."
Zhong Pei's handsome face was dark and cloudy. He glared at Tian Xin's group and shouted sharply, "Apologize to Xiangsi immediately!"
"What?"
They all widened their eyes, "Apologize? Why should we?"
"Why?" Zhong Pei sneered. "Because of your filthy mouths insulting her!"
"Insulting?"
Tian Xin was stunned. "When did I insult her?"
She had just said something about Sheng Xiangsi, but "Wasn't what I said true? She's just an orphan; I don't know how she managed to sneak in here..."
Someone tugged at Tian Xin's arm, gesturing towards Sheng Xiangsi.
Tian Xin was shocked and finally noticed that Zhong Pei was holding her hand?
"You... you..."
"Right."
Zhong Pei shielded Sheng Xiangsi behind him. "Xiangsi is my girlfriend. She is the most qualified person to be here today. As for you..."
His gaze swept over Tian Xin's group, "Please leave immediately! I don't welcome anyone who insults my girlfriend!"
Sheng Xiangsi became Zhong Pei's girlfriend?
This was undoubtedly a bombshell, and everyone present, except for Fu Hanjiang, was shocked!
"Don't you leave?"
Zhong Pei didn't care what they thought. "If you don't leave, I'll have security escort you out!"
The host had spoken, so what else could they do?
If they stayed and caused more trouble, it would be embarrassing.
"Fine, we're leaving!"
Tian Xin was ashamed and angry. "She's really something. Without Brother Fu, she's already getting close to Young Master Zhong!"
"If she didn't have some skills, could Mrs. Fu pamper her like this?"
"Poor Young Master Zhong..."
Tian Xin was annoyed by their comments and turned back, "Are you annoying? Why aren't you leaving yet? Ah..."
She wasn't paying attention and accidentally stepped on something.
Looking up, she had actually stepped on Yao Leyi.
"Yao Leyi?" Tian Xin's face turned pale, apologizing hurriedly, "Sorry, sorry, are you okay?"
"I..."
"What do you want to say?"
Before Yao Leyi could speak, beside her, Fu Hanjiang, with a black face like a demon, glared at her fiercely.
Suddenly, Tian Xin was scared to death.
"Hanjiang..." Yao Leyi tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "I'm fine, it's just a small accident."
Saying that, she glanced coldly at Sheng Xiangsi—was he doing this for her?
She was just an excuse for his anger!
Sure enough, Fu Hanjiang raised his eyes, glanced at Sheng Xiangsi, and ordered Tian Xin, "Just now, Zhong Pei asked you to apologize to Xiangsi. Are you deaf? Didn't you hear?"
"...?" Tian Xin was dumbfounded, her mouth gaping.
"Why aren't you apologizing?"
Fu Hanjiang's tone was heavy, his feet even stomping slightly!
"I apologize!"
Tian Xin swallowed nervously, hurriedly apologized to Sheng Xiangsi with a humble attitude, "Sheng Xiangsi, I'm sorry. I said something wrong just now. I'm sorry. Please don't be angry."
"Um..."
Sheng Xiangsi felt embarrassed. It was the first time she had seen Tian Xin act so submissive, which felt awkward.
"It's okay."
"Brother Fu!" Tian Xin seemed to get a reprieve, "Can I leave now?"
"Get lost," Fu Hanjiang frowned, waving his hand impatiently.
Tian Xin shivered and quickly ran off, looking disheveled.
Sheng Xiangsi watched silently; she had actually benefited from Yao Leyi's situation.
But she didn't need it, really.
"I mean..."
Zhou Jinting, who hadn't spoken yet, couldn't help but look at Fu Hanjiang, mumbling, "Sheng Xiangsi became Zhong Pei's girlfriend? Mr. Fu, aren't you reconciling with her?"