77: The Flower Protector

He opened the package to find a beautifully wrapped gift box inside.

"What a pretty box. Who sent this, Xiao Xue?" Liu Xiaoxiao asked.

"I don't know," Su Muqing replied, shaking her head. She quickly tore it open, her face instantly falling.

"This is..."

Inside the box were two invitations.

Seeing the change in Su Muqing's expression, Shen Yifei stood up at once and glanced at the invitations in her hand.

The sender was Luo Tianyao.

These were two invitations for a dinner party, one for Su Muqing and one for Shen Yifei. The event was to be held the next evening at seven o'clock, on a luxurious cruise ship called the 'Queen Phyllis' at Golden Dragon Port.

"So it's that Young Master (the privileged son of a wealthy and powerful family) from the Luo family. Xiao Xue..." Liu Xiaoxiao's brows furrowed with worry as she looked at Su Muqing.

Su Muqing took a deep breath. What was meant to come, always would. "It's fine," she said softly.

Liu Xiaoxiao knew Luo Tianyao had been relentlessly pursuing Su Muqing and sighed. "I just hope that guy stops bothering you."

"Mmm," Su Muqing nodded silently.

To keep Liu Xiaoxiao from worrying, Su Muqing hadn't told her about the incident that happened at Tianrong International before.

"But why would Luo Tianyao invite Shen Yifei?" Liu Xiaoxiao asked, casting a curious glance at Shen Yifei, hoping he could provide an answer.

Shen Yifei sneered inwardly. The reason was obvious. Luo Tianyao had likely invited him to deal with him at the party.

Su Muqing's eyes were filled with concern. Shen Yifei had far too much trouble on his hands now. Not only Luo Tianyao, but he had also provoked Qiao Lan... The thought of it all gave her a headache.

This was likely something she couldn't hide from Liu Xiaoxiao, so Su Muqing simply said, "Xiaoxiao, I might as well tell you. Shen Yifei is... my fiancé."

"What?!" Liu Xiaoxiao's pretty face went blank. For a moment, she thought she had misheard.

Su Muqing sighed softly and explained her relationship with Shen Yifei to Liu Xiaoxiao.

Liu Xiaoxiao was completely dumbfounded, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' as she swallowed hard. "You... so that's your relationship!"

No wonder Su Muqing had Shen Yifei act as her secretary and bodyguard and even live with her. It turned out they had this connection.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Xiaoxiao. It's only a fake engagement," Su Muqing quickly clarified.

"Who's to say it won't turn into something real?" Liu Xiaoxiao teased with a smile.

"You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting?" Su Muqing's face flushed a little as she playfully tapped Liu Xiaoxiao on the head.

Seeing the hint of shy embarrassment on Su Muqing's face, Liu Xiaoxiao felt a little stunned. She thought to herself, "Even this Ice Queen can make an expression like this because of a man."

Who would believe they were just a CEO and her secretary?

"So, Secretary Shen, you've been a secretive one. I thought you had some other motive for getting close to Xiao Xue, but it looks like I was wrong about you." Liu Xiaoxiao glanced at Shen Yifei, a pang of envy in her heart.

"It's not about being secretive or not. Protecting Su Muqing is just my mission," Shen Yifei said, finishing his coffee in one gulp.

For some reason, hearing Shen Yifei say that made Su Muqing's heart feel heavy.

"It's good that you know that," Su Muqing said with a small huff, her tone as commanding as ever.

"Hey, how about we go shopping this afternoon?" Liu Xiaoxiao suggested, clapping her hands together.

"Maybe not," Su Muqing said, shaking her head. She was in no mood to shop.

"Go ahead. It's not good to be so tense all the time. Think of it as a way to clear your head," Shen Yifei spoke up.

Su Muqing was silent, but she had to admit that she only felt a sense of security when Shen Yifei was by her side.

The stress of Luo Tianyao's advances had been getting to her, and Su Muqing felt like she really needed to relax, or she'd go crazy.

"Okay, fine. But... you have to protect both me and Xiaoxiao," Su Muqing whispered.

"Don't worry," Shen Yifei said with a wide grin.

Watching the two of them whispering to each other, Liu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but feel they were a good match.

"Alright, it's settled. We're going shopping this afternoon," Shen Yifei announced loudly.

"Shen Yifei, Xiao Xue and I are going shopping. Why are you getting involved?" Liu Xiaoxiao felt a little put out.

"No reason. Just being your knight in shining armor, a protector of flowers (a charming, valiant man who protects beautiful women)," Shen Yifei said with a shrug.

Liu Xiaoxiao pouted but didn't argue. Two stunning beauties of their caliber going out alone would definitely attract a lot of creeps. Liu Xiaoxiao herself had plenty of experience with that.

After they finished eating, the three of them went shopping.

Liu Xiaoxiao said they didn't need to drive, and Shen Yifei couldn't be bothered either.

The three of them experienced what it was like to take the subway.

Around two in the afternoon, they boarded the Line 12 subway.

It was still a few weeks until July, but the weather in Huahai City was already scorching. The air conditioning in the subway car seemed to be broken, and the air was exceptionally muggy.

"I shouldn't have taken the subway. It's so hot!" Liu Xiaoxiao's pale neck was already glistening with sweat.

It was the weekend, and the subway was packed. There were no seats, so all three of them were standing.

"Xiaoxiao, it was your idea to take the subway," Su Muqing said with a slight pout, feeling uncomfortable as well.

Being squeezed in the middle wasn't the worst of it. What really annoyed Su Muqing was the way a group of men around them kept letting their eyes wander over their bodies, their gazes filled with lewd suggestions.

Shen Yifei stood right between Su Muqing and Liu Xiaoxiao, occasionally shooting warning glares at the men.

The moment he showed a hint of menace, several of the men broke out in a cold sweat, feeling an inexplicable fear when they met Shen Yifei's eyes. They quickly and obediently averted their gazes.

Shen Yifei was standing very close to the two beautiful women, and their hair even fell onto his shoulder, wafting a pleasant, intoxicating scent.

Noticing Shen Yifei was staring at her, Liu Xiaoxiao's cheeks reddened. She quietly turned her head away, feeling a little smug inside. Did this guy finally realize her charm?

"Hey, Shen Yifei. Go help that girl!" Su Muqing suddenly leaned in and whispered in his ear, pointing to a girl not far away.

Shen Yifei followed the direction of her finger.

The girl was wearing a sky-blue dress and had a tall, fiery figure. Her features were as delicate as if they had been carefully carved, making her an extremely beautiful young woman.

At first glance, she was as lovely as a lotus emerging from water, but a cold aura emanated from her, giving off a "don't come near" vibe.

However, the girl's face looked upset, as if she were being harassed.

A young man with dyed blonde hair was constantly pressing himself against her. The girl clearly knew he was trying to grope her and looked disgusted, shifting her body away. But the blonde-haired man continued to inch closer.

"My apologies, but this car is just too crowded!" the blonde-haired man chuckled, his face brazenly revealing his true nature.

His lecherous gaze wandered over the girl's body. He imagined her slender waist and her pale, beautiful legs and thought how amazing it would feel to touch them. A little fondling would be even better!

The girl's lips curled into a cold smile. She had reached her limit. Just as she was about to slap the blonde-haired man across the face, Shen Yifei suddenly darted between them, his body directly knocking the blonde-haired man away. He gave a dry laugh. "Oops, sorry, did I crowd you?"

The blonde-haired man stumbled backward, almost falling, and roared at Shen Yifei, "Damn it, are you f*cking blind?"