Chapter 257: She Framed Me, Believe It or Not?

Xia Yangyang pouted. "I don't want to go back."

Shen Shichuan removed his coat and draped it over Xia Yangyang's shoulders. "No matter what happened, get in the car first. It's too cold here." It was mid-December, and a bitter wind was blowing. Xia Yangyang, wearing only an evening dress, was freezing and her skin was flushed, but she felt numb.

Once in the car, Shen Shichuan asked, "Where to?"

Xia Yangyang was at a loss. Where could she go?

Shen Shichuan said, "Never mind. Let me take you to eat something first."

He took her to a private porridge shop tucked away in an unassuming residential area, almost invisible to the casual observer. The environment, however, was elegant and tranquil. Their seafood porridge, in particular, was incredibly fresh and delicious. Xia Yangyang had initially lacked an appetite, but the savory, steaming porridge led her to eat more than half. Afterward, her hands and feet felt warm, and she felt herself returning to normal.

"What exactly happened? Weren't you at the auction dinner tonight? The necklace around your neck—the 'Heart of the Kingdom,' right? I remember that necklace wasn't up for auction." Shen Shichuan naturally knew her schedule; he managed her work.

Xia Yangyang didn't know what to say. Some things she preferred not to discuss, especially since Shen Shichuan was Shen Manbing's brother. Regardless of Shen Manbing's involvement, she didn't want to cause a rift between the siblings without proof.

Xia Yangyang said, "Don't ask. I don't want to talk about it now."

Shen Shichuan poured her a cup of hot tea. "It's fine if you don't want to talk to me, but you can't just stay out all night. Ah Chen is frantic searching for you."

Xia Yangyang frowned. How did he know Gu Qichen was looking for her? Were they in contact before he appeared?

A sense of unease washed over her. Sure enough, just as Shen Shichuan finished speaking, Gu Qichen appeared at the door. Xia Yangyang glared at Shen Shichuan, speechless.

Shen Shichuan chuckled. "I couldn't just leave you wandering around alone. I called Ah Chen to pick you up. Whatever you need to say, sort it out between yourselves." He rose, grabbed his keys, and left, patting Gu Qichen's shoulder at the door. "Have a good talk."

Gu Qichen stood at the door for a moment before entering. His expression was sullen and impassive. Xia Yangyang turned away, silent.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" Gu Qichen asked, his voice grave.

"Because I was very curious about what Shen Manbing wanted to say to you."

"So you heard our conversation in the garden?"

Xia Yangyang met Gu Qichen's gaze. "Yes, I heard everything."

Gu Qichen was silent for a moment. "Then why are you angry? I never suspected you stole the necklace."

Xia Yangyang responded sarcastically, "Yeah, because I don't have that kind of ability."

Gu Qichen furrowed his brow. "Are you angry because of that one sentence?"

"Gu Qichen, if I say it was Shen Manbing who planted the necklace in my handbag to frame me, will you believe me?"

Good night.