Shi Niannian...
Why did she feel that Shi Xinghe's actions towards her had become too intimate lately?
As she sat in the passenger seat, Shi Niannian fastened her seatbelt first. She was still hesitant, "Big brother, I didn't bring any clothes to change into. Maybe I shouldn't go after all!"
"I'll have someone send them over, and they should be available for sale there too." These matters were trivial in Shi Xinghe's eyes.
Seeing that she couldn't change anything, Shi Niannian could only accept the arrangement.
Driving from the downtown area to Sacred Water Villa took nearly 2 hours, and by the time they arrived, it had already turned completely dark.
Shi Xinghe walked ahead while Shi Niannian followed a step behind.
Shi Niannian looked around at the surroundings, shaded by greenery, with a rockery standing not far away, dividing two large hot spring pools shrouded in mist above.
They entered a three-story villa, and as soon as they went in, they were in a spacious hall with only a few servers standing at the entrance.
Shi Xinghe asked where everyone was, and a server led them to the entertainment lounge on the second floor.
The server knocked on the door, then pushed it open and allowed Shi Xinghe and Shi Niannian to enter.
Upon entering the room, Shi Niannian saw three men playing cards, each with a beautiful woman sitting beside them.
She only recognized one couple, which was Ling Yichen and Shi Shuyao.
Huh? There was another beauty she recognized, a newly debuted young actress named Qiao Wan.
The people inside heard the noise and all looked up towards the door.
"Brother, why are you only just arriving?" Shi Shuyao spoke in a soft and delicate voice.
Shi Xinghe pulled Shi Niannian, who was hiding behind him, to the front, "I was waiting for Niannian."
"Wow, the sun must've risen from the west today, Xinghe actually brought a female companion for fun," Qin Zheng teased.
Su Yinian leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing the pretty young girl Shi Xinghe brought with him, a face fresh and sweet, and her figure, quite voluptuous.
Ling Yichen wore a faint smile on his lips, not expecting that Shi Xinghe would bring her along; he'd been missing that flavor quite a bit these last few days.
Qiao Wan and the other woman showed little reaction; they were brought there by men, and it wasn't much of their concern.
Shi Shuyao was a little unsettled. Her brother had never brought Shi Niannian out for gatherings before. What did he mean by this? Was he planning to introduce Shi Niannian into their circle?
Shi Xinghe ignored his friend's teasing, "Shi Niannian, my and Shuyao's younger sister."
"Younger sister?" Qin Zheng was taken aback for a moment before remembering that the Shi family had an adopted daughter, but he had never seen her, "Such a beautiful sister, why have you only just brought her out for us to meet?"
Whether she was a real sister or not, she was still a sister, and Qin Zheng and Su Yinian approached.
"Qin Zheng, you can call me Brother Qin," Qin Zheng extended his hand.
Shi Niannian lightly touched Qin Zheng's hand, nodding slightly, "Brother Qin Zheng."
"I'm Su Yinian." Su Yinian held onto Shi Niannian's hand, which she had not yet withdrawn.
"Brother Yinian," Shi Niannian softly called out.
Just as Shi Niannian was about to lower her hand, someone else grasped it. She looked up and saw Ling Yichen.
Ling Yichen rubbed Shi Niannian's tender hand, "I'm your Brother Yichen!"
"Brother Yichen, stop it now," Shi Niannian pulled her hand back forcefully.
Qin Zheng slapped Ling Yichen on the shoulder, "Do you know Niannian, little sister?"
"We've met a few times," Ling Yichen looked meaningfully at Shi Niannian. The recent encounters had been quite out of the ordinary!
Watching Shi Niannian being surrounded by several men, Shi Xinghe felt uncomfortable inside, regretting that he had brought Shi Niannian into this group of scoundrels.
He encircled Shi Niannian in his arms, saying to her, "Don't mind them, not one of them is a good person."
This remark drew the displeasure of several others.
"So if we're not good people, you are?" Su Yinian said with disdain.
"Who says she isn't," Qin Zheng leaned in toward Shi Niannian and said, "Little sister Niannian, your big brother here is a subdued pervert. We might be bad on the surface, but he's bad to the bone."
Shi Niannian's face flushed with embarrassment; whether these guys were bad or not had nothing to do with her.
"Niannian, don't bother with these men anymore." Shi Shuyao came over and pulled Shi Niannian away.
No matter what her motives were, Shi Niannian was very grateful to her right now.
Shi Shuyao pulled Shi Niannian to sit on the couch, where Qiao Wan and another girl came over to say hello.
The other girl was named Song Qi, a freelance model.
The men stopped playing cards, too, and gathered to sit on the couch.
Ling Yichen directly sat between Shi Shuyao and Shi Niannian, who immediately scooted to the side, almost ending up in Shi Xinghe's lap.
"Ah!" Shi Niannian was startled and moved back a bit, "Sorry, Brother, I didn't see you there."
"No worries." Shi Xinghe stretched out his legs, casually draping an arm over the back of the couch behind Shi Niannian.
Shi Shuyao snuggled up close to Ling Yichen.
On the other side of the couch, the two couples were less reserved; Qiao Wan was kissing Qin Zheng while sitting in his lap, and Qin Zheng's hands were quite restless.
Su Yinian was somewhat better, just holding Song Qi in his arms, and Song Qi took the initiative to plant a kiss on him.
Shi Niannian really wanted to poke her own eyes out; the scene was too stimulating. Just as she was counting sheep in her head with her gaze downcast, a hand touched her buttocks.
Shi Niannian dared not turn around; she scooted forward, trying to get away from the hand, but it didn't move as she wished—it was like it was glued to her.
There was no need to guess who it was; Ling Yichen, the bastard, was always taking advantage of her.
Sitting on the edge of the couch was exhausting for Shi Niannian. No matter what, she got touched; so she lifted herself slightly and sat back, leaning on the couch, with Ling Yichen's hand pinned underneath her.
Ling Yichen chatted with Shi Shuyao, his hand creeping under Shi Niannian's skirt.
Shi Niannian was wearing a knee-length dress today. Sitting down, she revealed half of her thigh, and with Ling Yichen's hand pinned underneath, it became even more convenient for him.
Shi Niannian abruptly stood up.
Shi Xinghe looked up, "What's wrong?"
"I'm thirsty, I want to drink some water," Shi Niannian found an excuse.
Shi Xinghe pointed to the refrigerator next to the bar, "There are drinks in there, help yourself."
"Alright," Shi Niannian adjusted her dress and walked over to get a bottle of beverage, opened it, and took a sip.
She didn't return to the couch but instead sat on a chair at the bar.
Ling Yichen squinted his eyes at Shi Niannian, thinking defiantly that he would deal with her later for running off.
Qin Zheng patted Qiao Wan's buttocks, "It's boring just sitting around; why don't you dance for everyone?"
Qiao Wan was stunned for a moment, and then glanced at Qin Zheng's expression. A bitter smile crossed her lips.
She got up from Qin Zheng's lap, turned on the big screen, and played a slow jazz number. She began to sway with the music.
Shi Niannian watched earnestly; Qiao Wan had the talent to be a professional, clearly with strong dance foundations, no doubt the result of many years of practice.
At the end of the dance, Shi Niannian applauded, "Qiao Wan, that was really good!"
Qiao Wan looked at Shi Niannian with some surprise; in her eyes, there was no contempt, only appreciation.
Qiao Wan smiled and said to Shi Niannian, "Thank you!"
Shi Shuyao sneered, "Niannian, didn't you study dance? Why don't you dance one for us as well!"