Chapter Ninety-Seven: I Like Your Sister

As she was being pulled to the surface, Sheng Jiaoyang had a premonition of trouble. Sure enough, before she could even hold on to Ning Xiaoruan, that bastard had already let go and darted to the side.

"Ning glug glug..."

Ning Xiaoruan laughed heartily at her frantic struggle in the water, showing no intention of immediately pulling her out. Instead, she spoke in a smug, gloating tone, "Xu Jiaojiao, Xu Jiaojiao, so you're a landlubber!"

"Stop fooling around, Ning Xiaoruan!" Mr. Ning shouted from afar, seeing the commotion.

Ning Xiaoruan stopped laughing, also worried about something happening, and was about to pull her out when someone got there first.

When Sheng Jiaoyang was first drowning, her mind was filled with thoughts of killing Ning Xiaoruan, but as she struggled, she completely panicked. The feeling of seawater rushing in and the suffocating sensation of not being able to breathe filled her brain, making her forget about cursing Ning Xiaoruan. As she lost her strength and sank, a hand reached around from behind and caught her waist, bringing her to the surface.

As soon as she breathed in the fresh air, Sheng Jiaoyang gasped and coughed uncomfortably. The person who had pulled her from behind moved to her side and swam towards the beach. When they reached the shallow water and her feet could touch the sand, she felt limp and didn't even have the strength to stand up.

Shen Zhining simply picked her up and carried her to the beach.

Afraid of falling, Sheng Jiaoyang instinctively reached out and hooked her arms around Shen Zhining's neck. His watery face looked particularly captivating through her blurry vision.

Ning Xiaoruan, finally realizing she had gone too far with her joke, followed beside her and said nervously, "I'm sorry, Xu Jiaojiao, I didn't realize you couldn't swim at all."

"Ning Xiaoruan, I want to see your market research report by tomorrow morning," Shen Zhining said coldly.

"Isn't there still a week?" Ning Xiaoruan exclaimed in surprise.

"Is it you who decides, or me?"

"No, cousin, you can't bully me just because I bullied your girlfriend..."

Shen Zhining placed Sheng Jiaoyang on the wicker chair and glanced at Ning Xiaoruan: "You have a problem with that?"

"...No." Ning Xiaoruan covered her eyes in sorrow. How could she forget how protective her cousin was?

The Ning family couple also came over. Madam Ning gave Ning Xiaoruan a reproachful look and asked Sheng Jiaoyang with concern: "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Sheng Jiaoyang shook her head and went back to the villa early.

Watching the girl leave alone, Madam Ning glared at Ning Xiaoruan again and said to Shen Zhining: "Do you want to go see her? Jiaojiao seems quite frightened."

"It's okay, she's not a child anymore." Shen Zhining didn't care.

"You're wrong. Women need to be comforted regardless of age. She's been wronged again. You should comfort her properly later, don't let the young girl think you're inconsiderate." Madam Ning said.

Shen Zhining nodded perfunctorily.

"Ning Xiaoruan, you're not a child anymore! How can you joke like that? Do you use your brain like this when you're working? I really don't know how you studied!" Mr. Ning scolded Ning Xiaoruan harshly.

Her cousin joined in the fun: "Cousin, if you treat girls like this, you'll end up a bachelor!"

Ning Xiaoruan grinned at her cousin, only to be scolded by her father again.

Meanwhile, Sheng Jiaoyang returned to his room, washed up, and nestled into the hanging chair by the French windows, swaying gently as he gazed at the boundless sea outside, lost in thought.

As night fell, Philip delivered his painting supplies as promised. Sheng Jiaoyang had no appetite and only ate a few bites before returning to his room.

"She's still angry with me," Ning Xiaoruan said, somewhat annoyed. "Cousin, can you help me talk to her?"

"I didn't make her angry, why should I talk to her?" Shen Zhining said calmly.

"The one who tied the knot must untie it, Xiaoruan. You caused this mess, so you have to clean it up yourself. Don't rely on others," Madam Ning said.

Ning Xiaoruan had no choice but to ask, "Cousin, what does Jiaojiao like?"

Like what? Shen Zhining's eyebrows twitched. Facing Ning Xiaoruan, who was eagerly awaiting his answer, he dodged the question with a tai chi move: "Figure it out yourself."

So, this idiot, late at night, took a gold card and knocked on Sheng Jiaoyang's door.

"Jiaojiao, what do you like? I'll go buy it for you!"

Sheng Jiaoyang stared at Ning Xiaoruan for two seconds, "Like your sister!" He slammed the door shut.

Ning Xiaoruan: "..."

Like my sister? Ning Xiaoruan scratched his head. Every cousin is a treasure in the family; he couldn't buy one even if he earned money for two lifetimes.