Everyone in Jinghua City knew the weight the Shen family's matriarch carried. She and her husband had started from nothing, building their legacy when Jinghua City was little more than potential. They'd given the city its bones - schools rising from empty lots, hospitals where there had been none, roads cutting through wilderness, and trees taking root where concrete now bloomed.
Jinghua City owed its transformation to their vision. Even now, the city's highest officials bowed to their influence. A single word from the Shen matriarch could spell a company's salvation or doom.
Lin Xing'an's face darkened at the mention of their name.
Lin Lanxing stood frozen, struggling to process what she was seeing. Shen Ke Qin - of all people - defending Song Qi Nian? These two had always been like oil and water. Lin Lanxing couldn't stomach Shen Ke Qin's daily swagger, the way she carried herself like she owned the air she breathed. She was everything a young society lady shouldn't be.
Today was no exception. Shen Ke Qin had shown up in a black leather jacket thrown over a beige T-shirt, jeans hugging her frame, dripping with accessories from neck to fingers. While other young women floated through the banquet in elegant dresses, she looked ready to start a street fight.
"Her father destroyed my sister's life, and you have the nerve to-" Lin Lanxing's accusation cut through the air.
Lin Xing'an's voice sliced through his daughter's words. "Lanxing, mind your manners. These are our guests."
"Manners? Dad, Song Qi Nian came here to spite us. She's trying to ruin your special day!"
"Enough!" Lin Xing'an's shout echoed. "Someone remove her!"
"Dad!" Lin Lanxing's eyes widened in betrayal as servants led her away.
Lin Xing'an turned to his guests, smoothing over the moment with practiced ease. "My sincerest apologies for my daughter's outburst. I'm deeply grateful you've taken time from your busy schedules to celebrate with me today. Please, enjoy yourselves. Don't let this minor disruption spoil the evening."
Such was the nature of high society - where storms could rage one moment and dissolve into champagne bubbles the next, all traces buried under practiced smiles and raised glasses.
Later, Lin Xing'an approached Shen Ke Qin. "Miss Shen, I must apologize-"
"Uncle Lin," she cut him off, "I'm not the one who deserves your apology."
Lin Xing'an clenched his jaw, stealing a glance at Shen Chi Yan. The man's deliberate indifference told him everything - Shen Chi Yan wouldn't risk crossing the old madam for the Lin family's sake. Left with no choice, he approached Song Qi Nian.
Having to apologize to her - the daughter of the man who had destroyed his own child's life - felt like swallowing broken glass. But what choice did he have? She was the old madam's daughter-in-law now. For his family's sake, he had to bend.
"Miss Song, please accept my deepest apologies for today's incident. Our family has failed in our duties as hosts and caused you distress."
Song Qi Nian looked to Shen Ke Qin, catching her subtle signal before extending the gift to Lin Xing'an.
"Uncle Lin, since my sister-in-law cannot speak, let me convey her message. Grandmother sends her birthday wishes - may your joy be as boundless as the Eastern Sea, your life as enduring as the Southern Mountains."
Lin Xing'an's smile never reached his eyes. "How kind. Please thank the old madam for me. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
After he left, Shen Ke Qin let out a quiet scoff. "What a two-faced man. Evil runs in his blood."
She turned to Shen Chi Yan, then flashed Song Qi Nian a reassuring smile. "Wait here, sister-in-law. I won't be long."
Song Qi Nian watched anxiously as Shen Ke Qin grabbed a champagne flute and strode toward Shen Chi Yan.
"Quite the show, President Shen - bringing your wife here to be humiliated by the Lins!"
Shen Chi Yan's cold stare could have frozen fire. "This is adult business. You're just a child playing at grown-up games. Stay out of it."
"Adult business? You can't even protect your own wife. What kind of man does that make you?"
Shen Chi Yan's brows drew together - a warning sign she knew well.
In the Shen family, Shen Ke Qin feared no one, not even her grandmother. No one except this cousin. But tonight, grandmother had her back.
She shrugged, taking another sip of champagne. "Fine, I'll stay out of whatever game you're playing with your wife and the Lins. But Song Qi Nian is my sister-in-law now - a Shen. I won't stand by while anyone disrespects her."
"Lucky grandmother saw this coming. She knew you'd drag your wife here, knew the Lins would try something, and sent me to watch over her. Otherwise..." She let the implication hang.
Shen Ke Qin cast him a sideways glance. "Brother, remember - Song Qi Nian carries your name. When someone insults her, they insult you. You're offering up your own dignity on a platter. I don't know if that makes you devoted or..."
The word "stupid" hung unspoken between them, but her eyes said it all.
Under Shen Chi Yan's piercing stare, Shen Ke Qin's bravado crumbled. She set down her glass with shaking hands, her voice dropping to a rush. "Look, I'll say this once more - my sister-in-law is a thousand times better than Lin Qiu Tong. It's your own fault if you can't see that!"
Before Shen Chi Yan could unleash his fury, she grabbed Song Qi Nian and fled.
Once they were safely outside the Lin villa, Shen Ke Qin burst into uncontrolled laughter, her head thrown back. "I've never seen my brother look so cornered! This is priceless!"
But Song Qi Nian couldn't share her joy. She knew Shen Chi Yan's nature - he never forgot a slight. After tonight's disruption and Shen Ke Qin's taunts, he'd surely add this to his growing list of grievances.
Noticing Song Qi Nian's worried face, Shen Ke Qin reached out and playfully squeezed her cheek, tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Come on, sister-in-law, you're adorable when you smile. Stop looking like you're carrying the weight of the world."
Anticipating Song Qi Nian's concerns, she added with a confident grin, "Don't worry about me. Grandmother's got my back. My brother wouldn't dare touch me."
Song Qi Nian felt herself relax slightly at Shen Ke Qin's assured tone. After all, they were cousins. Surely his anger had limits.
Right then, Shen Ke Qin's bodyguard pulled up in the car. She'd had one since she was sixteen, after a kidnapping incident. The Shen family had hired Jian Mubai not just as protection but as her personal driver too. He cut an impressive figure - tall, handsome, with a stoic face that rarely spoke.
"Sister-in-law, since we're already out, let's have some fun!"
Song Qi Nian wasn't really in the mood, but after Shen Ke Qin's help tonight, refusing felt ungrateful. She nodded quietly.
"Perfect! But first, we need to get you out of these clothes. Come on, get in!"
Shen Ke Qin practically dragged Song Qi Nian into the car and directed them to a shopping mall. She quickly picked out a red dress, pushing it into Song Qi Nian's hands. "Try this on!"
Song Qi Nian stared at the dress - the fabric felt luxurious, but there seemed to be so little of it. Her mind went blank.
This... this was supposed to be a dress?
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