Even if she was truly on guard, she couldn't let the other person know. Shi Li laughed it off, "How else could we say we're kindred spirits? I heard about this charity gala and originally didn't want to attend, but when I thought you'd be here, I decided to come."

Bai Qianqian giggled at Shi Li's sweet talk, "Your little mouth is so sweet. If little Shi Li were a boy, even if you were incredibly ugly, you could still win over many girls with that silver tongue of yours."

"So it turns out that Sister Qianqian agreed to be with Second Young Master Fu not because she likes his money or his face, but because of his sweet talk."

Bai Qianqian smiled gently, "I was attracted by his character and talent."

Shi Li put on an awkward yet polite smile, "That's wonderful."

[What nonsense, it's clearly because Second Young Master Fu is the most gullible and easily deceived in the family]

Like a big sister, Bai Qianqian took Shi Li's hand and led her to the long table to eat. Song Ying naturally followed along.

Ever since the classmates learned that Bai Qianqian was a human trafficker, they couldn't take their eyes off Shi Li and Song Ying.

They were afraid that if they looked away for even a moment, Bai Qianqian would snatch them away.

Besides worrying about Shi Li and Song Ying being kidnapped by the trafficker, the classmates were now most concerned about one question: why on earth was Second Young Master Fu involved with a human trafficker?

Was this a moral decay or a distortion of human nature?

At the long table with Bai Qianqian, Song Ying, who had originally been holding Shi Li's wrist, had at some point let go of Shi Li's hand, allowing Bai Qianqian to stand between her and Shi Li.

Bai Qianqian had one arm around Shi Li's shoulders and held Song Ying's hand with the other.

"Which family does this little sister belong to? I find her so endearing."

Shi Li disliked intimate contact with strangers, especially knowing what kind of person Bai Qianqian was.

The moment Bai Qianqian's hand touched Shi Li's shoulder, Shi Li felt as if countless tiny insects were crawling on her skin.

Seeing that Shi Li hadn't answered Bai Qianqian for a long time, Song Ying laughed awkwardly and said, "We're from the same family. I'm my sister's younger sister."

Bai Qianqian thought to herself, could it be that she had once again chosen someone who wasn't easy to deal with? If she was from the Shi family, then it was best to leave her alone.

However, since when did Shi Li have a younger sister?

If she remembered correctly, Shi Li was the youngest girl in the family. Where did this younger sister come from?

Shi Li's maternal grandmother's family wasn't in Blue City, and Huang Jie's family was also from a prestigious background.

Bai Qianqian had once been specially taught about the various relationships in these wealthy and influential families.

Therefore, Bai Qianqian remembered that Shi Li had a string of cousins - older female cousins, older male cousins, younger male cousins - but notably no younger female cousins.

No matter how you calculated it, Shi Li shouldn't have a younger sister.

Wait, Bai Qianqian recalled hearing that Third Young Master Shi had brought a woman with a child back to the Shi family years ago.

There was only one possibility then - this girl must be Third Young Master Shi's stepdaughter.

If she was a stepdaughter of the Shi family, then she wasn't an important person. Even if she went missing, no one would make a big fuss about finding her.

Bai Qianqian mentally added her to the list of prime trafficking targets.

These thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. Bai Qianqian gently handed Song Ying a glass of fruit wine, "You've been here for quite a while now. Are you thirsty? Would you like something to drink? This wine has a low alcohol content, it won't make you drunk."

Shi Li didn't know much about alcohol and wasn't sure if what Bai Qianqian said was true or false.

However, she adhered to the principle that alcohol is a poison that goes straight through the intestines, so it's best not to drink at all.

Shi Li reached out to push away the wine glass, "She's still a child who needs to prepare for college entrance exams. Drinking alcohol damages the brain, so it's better not to let her drink this."

"It's alright, just a sip or two to moisten the throat won't make her drunk."

Second Young Master Fu, who was more knowledgeable about food, drink, and entertainment, frowned slightly, "Although the alcohol content of this wine isn't high, it has a strong aftereffect. You young ladies should just drink some juice. Try to avoid this kind of wine, especially in bars. One glass could knock you out, and you might be sold without even knowing it."

Selling people was her old profession, an unspeakable business. Hearing Second Young Master Fu mention human trafficking made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

Of course, it wasn't because she felt guilty, but mainly because she was nervous and afraid of being discovered.

Bai Qianqian gave her boyfriend a coquettish look, "You're so knowledgeable. I didn't even know that. I've only seen people drinking online and felt so envious. I don't know what it tastes like. I thought I could try it while you're here to see what it's like, so I won't embarrass myself by getting drunk and making a scene when you're not around."

Hearing his girlfriend say this, Second Young Master Fu instantly felt like a sinner. He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Qianqian. I spoke out of turn."

Song Ying, being inexperienced, didn't understand why he needed to apologize to Bai Qianqian.

She asked innocently, "Why do you need to apologize? Did you do something wrong? You warned us that this wine has a strong aftereffect, we should be thanking you."

Shi Li thought to herself: [Looks like she's also naturally oblivious]

To Song Ying's ears, this sounded no different from a compliment.

She blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Thanks to Song Ying's reminder, Second Young Master Fu finally came to his senses. That's right, why did he need to apologize?

Was it because he was afraid his girlfriend would be unhappy?

But why did he think Qianqian would be unhappy?

Encouraged by Shi Li, Song Ying spoke even more enthusiastically.

"This sister looks like such a kind person at first glance. You apologizing right away makes it seem like she's the type of person who doesn't listen to reason."

Second Young Master Fu nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, you're right. I was truly in the wrong just now."

Calling him a big fool wasn't an exaggeration at all. Even Song Ying, who was still in high school, could lead him by the nose. You have to wonder if he had any brains at all.

After the guests had taken their seats, the most important part of the charity gala began - the auction.

The leaders of the organizing and co-organizing companies gave brief introductions, then the host announced that the proceeds from this auction would be used to renovate Buddhist temples and promote traditional culture.

Watching the master in Buddhist robes standing on the stage, Shi Li found the scene utterly ridiculous.

Next came the auction. Shi Li wasn't interested in the items up for bid, but she was more interested in the people raising their paddles at the next table.

Every time that person raised their paddle, Shi Li had to control her gaze to avoid looking at Bai Qianqian.

Bai Qianqian seemed to have latched onto her, insisting on sitting next to Shi Li and Song Ying during the auction.

Her behavior made Third Young Master Fu complain a little, "You're so focused on playing with your new friends, you're not paying any attention to me."

For the sake of her mental health, Shi Li chose to selectively ignore Bai Qianqian's words as she coaxed her boyfriend.

After the auction introductions, they entered another period of mingling.

Third Young Master Fu nodded respectfully to Huang Jie, "Aunt Shi, I'm going to greet Uncle Sun."

Huang Jie was the most senior person at this table, and as an elder, he should say goodbye to her first before leaving.

Huang Jie nodded slightly, "Go ahead."

Second Young Master Fu, holding his girlfriend's hand, walked properly to Sun Shouli and said, "Hello, Uncle Sun."

Then he introduced his girlfriend to him.

Shi Li silently watched this from behind them, thinking: [As if he needs your introduction, they're already well acquainted]

[Why else do you think your precious Qianqian came to your side?]

Third Young Master Fu's voice also rang out at the same time, "Uncle Sun is my father's brother."

The classmates nearby thought: Wait, that's a lot of information to process, our CPUs are about to overheat.