The other Shen family siblings

Fang Qiong :

A few hours later, I was standing in front of the mirror, admiring the results of the grueling session at Shen BingBing's friend's boutique. Looking at my reflection, I could see that it was definitely worth the effort.

My skin visibly glowed with health and vitality. My hair was styled in an elegant updo, with a few strands artfully framing my face. My makeup was natural yet accentuated my features, making me look radiant.

The only problem I could see was the dress I had been made to wear. It was a lacy white Qipao, the traditional Chinese dress. At first glance, it looked normal, albeit somewhat revealing. But as soon as I moved, the slits in the dress caused a wardrobe malfunction, exposing my underwear underneath.

I frowned at the inappropriate design. This was not the kind of dress I would normally choose to wear, especially not for an important banquet.

Shit, you look great! Shen BingBing exclaimed as she entered the boutique. She was still wearing her normal clothes, not having bothered to change. She had a grin on her face as she looked me up and down, her gaze making me feel uncomfortably exposed.

"What's with this dress?" I asked, frowning at the inappropriate design. "If you have had your fun, can you tell me why you chose something like this?"

"I didn't choose it," Shen BingBing replied, still fixated on my scantily clad form. "It was your fiancé who picked it out. Fuck, I'm jealous of him."

I cursed under my breath, realizing Shen Mu must have orchestrated this little prank. The bastard.

Shen BingBing finally tore her gaze away and said, "Okay, now that you're ready, you need to leave for the banquet. You're getting late."

She started pushing me towards the exit, ignoring my protests. "I don't want to get a scolding from the brute," she said brusquely, referring to Shen Mu.

I could only stammer as I was literally pulled out of the boutique, "A-Are you not coming?"

Shen BingBing smiled and said, "No, I don't like private banquets, especially not today. I have a date tonight."

She then closed the car door, leaving me alone and bewildered as the car started moving.

Chen Fan :

I slowly pushed open the old, creaky door, keeping a watchful eye out. Fortunately, the noise from the banquet taking place in the distance helped to muffle any sounds I might make.

Most of the guards were patrolling the more important sites, leaving this ancestral temple unguarded. They probably assumed there was nothing worth stealing inside, as the doors were only opened twice a year.

Kachak! With a sharp sound, the lock finally gave way. I sighed in relief. It seemed all my training in picking ancient locks had paid off.

I carefully opened the door and slipped inside the temple, my heart pounding with anticipation. The musty scent of age-old incense filled my nostrils as I gazed around the dimly lit interior.

Ancient statues of gods and goddesses lined the walls, their weathered faces seeming to watch me with stern disapproval. I knew I was trespassing in a holy place, but the lure of the incomplete manual was too strong to resist.

I had a rough idea of the temple's layout from my previous reconnaissance, so I didn't waste any time gawking at the ancient statues and artifacts. I quickly made my way towards a small, inconspicuous Buddha statue in a corner.

First, I carefully used my senses to scan for any traps or dangers around the statue. Finding none, I then gingerly moved my fingers to the statue's outstretched hand.

One, two, three - I counted, and pulled the third finger. The solid bronze finger suddenly came loose, as if it had been oiled recently.

With a low groan, the statue's mouth slowly swung open, revealing a dark, empty cavity. I grinned triumphantly, expecting to find a scroll box concealed inside.

But as I shone my torch into the gaping mouth, my heart sank. The interior was disappointingly bare, with no sign of the manual I had hoped to find.

Frustrated, I slammed my hand against the statue's head. "Damn it," I muttered under my breath. "Where is the manual?"

I was shocked and frustrated as I peered into the empty statue's mouth, expecting to find the manual. Deciding to take another look, I moved closer and shone my torch directly inside. But my sharp senses suddenly detected the returning patrolling guards. I cursed under my breath, realizing it was time to call it quits.

I carefully placed everything back as it was before and rushed out, locking the door behind me. My heart was pounding as I hurried back, hiding carefully from the guards' view.

Finally, as I reached the doors to my quarters, I stopped, feeling someone's breathing from inside. Was I found out? No, I don't think so as then it would not be a single person. I carefully opened the door.

"You really made a beauty wait, huh?" Shen BingBing's voice purred sitting on my bed.