HBWMA -Chapter 232 Leverage

Xiao Lanlan hadn’t expected the two of them to embarrass her like that in front of everyone. Feeling wronged, she tugged at Zhou Yanheng’s hand. “A-Heng, let’s go.”

Zhou Yanheng nodded, his gaze casually sweeping across the classroom.

By now, Jiang Huashan and Fu Sui’er had already returned to their seats. The two were huddled together, whispering and pointing at Zhou Yanheng and Xiao Lanlan. They looked just like gossiping aunties at the village entrance—chatting while working on their shoe soles and enjoying the drama. When they noticed Zhou Yanheng looking over, they quickly pretended to look up at the sky, as if to cover it up.

“…”

Without a word, Zhou Yanheng pulled his hand away from Xiao Lanlan and turned to leave the classroom.

Xiao Lanlan didn’t understand what was going on, but Zhou Yanheng’s sudden distance hurt her even more than the attitudes of Shen Lanxi and Shen Qingyu. She hurried after him and wrapped her arms around his again.

“A-Heng, what’s wrong?”

Zhou Yanheng’s expression was indifferent. Xiao Lanlan was, after all, the Shen family’s granddaughter. Given how fiercely protective the Shen family was, Shen Lanxi and Shen Qingyu’s behavior today was unusually abnormal.

Could something have happened in between?

If Xiao Lanlan had lost the Shen family as her backing, then there would be no need for him to keep playing along with her.

With that thought, Zhou Yanheng lowered his head, his tone gentle. “Lanlan, did something unpleasant happen between you and Shen Lanxi or Shen Qingyu?”

Xiao Lanlan froze for a moment, then quickly denied it. “No… nothing.” Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, she deliberately added, “Brother Lanxi has always been like that—cold to everyone. Brother Qingyu too, he’s arrogant and usually doesn’t bother with people.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Yanheng smiled slightly. But he had just seen those two stand up for Shen Mianzhi.

Xiao Lanlan felt a little guilty. “Mm, that’s how it is.”

After returning from the teaching building, Xiao Lanlan remained restless. She had a vague feeling that something about Zhou Yanheng’s attitude toward her had changed. Even though, when they parted, she had taken the initiative to kiss him and he hadn’t refused—still, something felt different.

This state of mind made it impossible for her to focus on work. After several consecutive NG takes, she simply quit filming altogether.

The crew was already used to her behavior. Even if they had complaints, they didn’t dare show them. Instead, they quietly called Shen E.

The entertainment company under the Xiao Group was the biggest investor in this drama. If it failed to air on schedule, the Xiao family would suffer the greatest losses.

When Shen E received the call, she had just finished a beauty treatment. Upon hearing that her daughter had gone on strike, she immediately told the driver to change course to Yucai. It wasn’t that she cared about losing a bit of money—she was simply curious what could have happened to make her daughter refuse to film.

After thinking it over, Xiao Lanlan decided to wait for Zhou Yanheng at the Arts Building.

Previously, Zhou Yanheng had been rather indifferent toward her, but after that day, things had clearly changed. So she planned to coax him the same way she had last time.

At the thought of that afternoon—the thrill of them tasting the forbidden fruit—ripples of excitement spread endlessly through her heart.

However, plans couldn’t keep up with reality. The moment she stepped into the elevator, Shen E’s call came in.

After weighing her options, Xiao Lanlan decided to go see Shen E first.

To ensure optimal filming conditions, the crew had specially applied to the school for several actor rest rooms. When Xiao Lanlan pushed the door open, Shen E was reclining gracefully on the sofa, sipping tea. Seeing her arrive, she immediately smiled and beckoned.

“Come here, let me see—what’s made my little princess unhappy this time?”

Xiao Lanlan looked aggrieved as she threw herself into Shen E’s arms, recounting all the cold treatment she had received from Shen Lanxi and Shen Qingyu that day.

The smile on Shen E’s lips faded slightly.

Ever since she had been expelled from the Shen residence by Shen Zhuang three years ago, no matter how hard she tried, his attitude toward her had remained cold.

Shen E had long since realized—when her father, the head of the family, turned ruthless, he showed no mercy at all.

When a daughter suffers, the mother feels it too. Shen E gently patted Xiao Lanlan’s back.
“Now do you see how impulsive you were back then?”

Xiao Lanlan didn’t think she was wrong—she only regretted confronting Shen Zhuang so directly. As she gained more experience, she became increasingly aware of just how much weight the name “Shen family” carried.

“Mom, will Grandpa really never let us enter Shen Garden again?”

Shen E’s expression turned complicated, but she forced a comforting smile. “Not necessarily. With your eldest and second uncles mediating, there will always be a turning point.”

Xiao Lanlan’s face darkened. “It’s all that little bitch’s fault! If it weren’t for her, Grandpa wouldn’t treat us like this.”

In fact, she had already spotted Jiang Huashan earlier today, but in that kind of setting, she had no intention of showing any connection between them.

“Just wait until I become the young madam of the Zhou family—then I’ll deal with her properly!”

Shen E originally wanted to persuade Xiao Lanlan to drop the idea. Over the past three years, even Shen Qian and Shen Yuan had been avoiding that little lunatic—there was no need for them to ruin their own future over someone irrelevant.

But when Xiao Lanlan spoke, there was not only resentment in her voice, but also a trace of shyness. Shen E’s attention shifted as she probed, “Lanlan, have you made progress with A-Heng?”

At the mention of Zhou Yanheng, even someone as sharp-tongued as Xiao Lanlan blushed. “Mm… we’re dating now.”

“Really?” Shen E looked delighted. Ever since they had been distanced from the Shen family, her husband hadn’t said much, but she knew the Xiao family was dissatisfied. That was why she had gone to great lengths to build a connection with the Zhou family.

One reason was to make up for losing the Shen family’s backing, and the other was that Zhou Yanheng was outstanding among the younger generation—someone Shen E was quite satisfied with.

Xiao Lanlan nodded. “It’s true.”

Shen E was in high spirits. It seemed sending her into Yucai to film had been the right move.

“Lanlan, when did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Just a few days ago.” Xiao Lanlan brushed her hair back.

Shen E nodded. “That’s good. That child A-Heng looks very decisive. Originally, Madam Zhou said he was meant for Mianzhi—I was worried things would fall through. But now it seems I was overthinking it. My daughter really is capable. With your looks, as long as A-Heng isn’t blind, there’s no way he’d choose Mianzhi over you.”

Xiao Lanlan had just been basking in sweetness, but hearing this suddenly made her alert. “Mom, what did you say? Madam Zhou likes Mianzhi?”

Shen E waved it off. “What does it matter what she likes? It depends on who her son likes. Since you’re already dating, there’s no need to hide it. I’ll invite Madam Zhou to dinner someday and test the waters.”

Xiao Lanlan’s expression soured, but she nodded.

Seeing her daughter’s unease, Shen E poked her forehead impatiently. “What’s the big deal? Don’t worry—with me here, who would dare look down on you? But you—I must remind you: dating is one thing, but don’t lower your status. A-Heng is already an adult; there are things he may not be able to control. But don’t be foolish and get deceived. Men don’t cherish what comes too easily.”

Xiao Lanlan’s face turned pale instantly.

She didn’t dare tell Shen E that she and Zhou Yanheng had already crossed the line—and that she had been the one to initiate it.

At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. She believed that once they had been together, Zhou Yanheng would never leave her. But now it seemed the opposite—she was the one growing more dependent on him. At the mere thought that he might get engaged to someone else, she felt like she was going mad.

“Mom… what if Madam Zhou still chooses Shen Mianzhi? What should I do?”

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

Shen E let out a disdainful laugh. “Don’t worry. If it were anyone else, that might be troublesome—but if it’s Mianzhi, I have plenty of leverage.”

Xiao Lanlan couldn’t help recalling the way Zhou Yanheng had looked at Shen Mianzhi earlier that day. Her eyes flickered as she grabbed Shen E’s hand tightly. “Mom, what leverage?”

Shen E thought for a moment, then lowered her voice.

“…”