"You're dressed way too conservatively. Here, try this on instead." Without waiting for a response, Shen Ke Qin nudged Song Qi Nian toward the fitting room. After a moment's hesitation, Song Qi Nian gave in and changed.
When she emerged, Shen Ke Qin's face lit up with delight. "Sister-in-law, you look incredible. That innocent face of yours with this dress? Perfect combination."
The red dress made Song Qi Nian's fair skin glow like porcelain. Her ethereal features created an arresting contrast - angelic yet tempting. The dress's cut revealed telling marks on her skin, evidence of Shen Chiyan's attention.
"My brother claims he doesn't like you," Shen Ke Qin said with a knowing smirk, "but his actions tell a different story."
Song Qi Nian's cheeks flushed deep red. She tried to retreat back to the fitting room, but Shen Ke Qin blocked her path. "This is definitely the one." Her tone left no room for argument.
By the time they left the mall, night had fallen. Standing before the bar's entrance, Song Qi Nian shifted uncomfortably. When Shen Ke Qin had suggested going out, this wasn't what she'd had in mind. As someone who'd always played by the rules, Song Qi Nian hadn't even set foot in an internet café, let alone a bar.
She tugged at Shen Ke Qin's sleeve and typed on her phone: "Qinqin, maybe we should head back?"
"No backing out now, sister-in-law. Trust me - when life's getting you down, this is the perfect place to forget your troubles for a while."
Shen Ke Qin guided her inside. The early hour meant the bar was still quiet, well-lit and mostly empty. After they settled into their seats, the bartender brought their drinks.
Shen Ke Qin poured one for Song Qi Nian. "Come on, sister-in-law, drink with me."
Song Qi Nian typed quickly: "I've never really drunk before."
"Then it's about time you learned! Nothing cures heartache like a good drink. Besides, you can't let me drink alone after coming all this way."
Song Qi Nian wavered, then thought to herself - what did it matter if she got drunk? She nodded.
They clinked glasses. Shen Ke Qin drained hers instantly. Song Qi Nian, new to drinking, winced at the taste.
"What are you doing, sister-in-law? Sipping it like that? When the feelings run deep, you down it in one go!"
Well, if that's how it's done…
Song Qi Nian threw back the entire glass. A warm rush swept through her - suddenly everything felt possible, as if she'd discovered something entirely new.
"Let's have another."
The drinks weren't particularly strong. After their second round, Shen Ke Qin leaned in close.
"Sister-in-law, grandmother told me you have real feelings for my brother."
Song Qi Nian gave a small nod. She'd carried those feelings for so long.
"Listen... if you truly care for him, you can't keep going on like this."
Song Qi Nian turned to her, confusion written across her face. Her innocent expression almost made Shen Ke Qin melt.
If I were a man, she thought, I'd spoil sister-in-law absolutely rotten!
"Yes, my brother has feelings for Lin Qiu Tong. But who knows when she'll wake up? Until then, you need to take your chance. Find a way into his heart!"
Song Qi Nian lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting shadows that couldn't quite hide her pain.
He'd told her himself - he'd never love her, not in this lifetime.
Seeing her despair, Shen Ke Qin pressed on. "Honestly? Even before you came along, I never liked Lin Qiu Tong. Something about her always felt off - like she was different on the inside than what she showed the world. I don't know the full story about your father, and I won't judge. But you're married to my brother now. Can you really be happy knowing his heart belongs to someone else?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head. Beyond unhappy - it felt like her chest was being crushed.
"Exactly. Remember, you're his legal wife now. You're not some opportunist taking advantage. Instead of waiting for Lin Qiu Tong to wake up and stepping aside, why not take control? Make my brother fall for you."
Something stirred in Song Qi Nian's heart, but sadness still weighed heavy. "I wouldn't know where to start." She typed
"Come on, feelings grow over time, don't they? Living together day after day, something's bound to develop. Besides, if he really hated you enough to want you dead, why would he ever touch you?"
At that, Song Qi Nian remembered his words from that afternoon - that he only slept with her to satisfy his urges.
Shen Ke Qin's words stirred something in her, making her heart race.
"Stop being so scared of him. Sure, my brother comes across cold and distant, but he's human underneath it all. You need to learn to be cute with him - men can't resist a woman who knows how to be adorable!"
Song Qi Nian typed, "How do I act cute?"
"Well..." Shen Ke Qin paused to think. "Since you can't speak, you'll have to use your eyes, your expressions, your body language."
"Hm?"
Shen Ke Qin waved over to someone nearby. "Jian Mubai, come here!"
Jian Mubai approached them, his face neutral. Thank goodness he was handsome - a man that cold in an all-black suit could be intimidating otherwise.
Shen Ke Qin grabbed his hand and gazed up at him with wide, innocent eyes, swaying his arm back and forth without saying a word. Then she threw herself against his chest, nuzzling against him before playfully punching him with her small fist.
She pulled away quickly - so quickly she missed how Jian Mubai had frozen solid.
"Like that, sister-in-law. Did you get it?"
Song Qi Nian nodded. She understood the concept, but would Shen Chi Yan actually tolerate that kind of behavior from her? Or would he lash out?
"Perfect! So that's step one - being cute. You're already adorable, so when you act cute, my brother won't stand a chance. Keep me updated on how it goes!"
Might as well try, Song Qi Nian thought to herself.
She nodded with determination.
They had two more drinks. Noticing Song Qi Nian still seemed down, Shen Ke Qin asked, "Something else on your mind, sister-in-law?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head quickly, but Shen Ke Qin wasn't having it. "Come on! I saved you and taught you how to win my brother over. I thought we were friends, but you're still keeping things from me."
Song Qi Nian waved her hands frantically, distressed.
"Then tell me what's bothering you!"
After a moment's hesitation, Song Qi Nian typed: "Qinqin, could you... help me borrow some money?"
"Money? Of course - how much do you need?"
Song Qi Nian held up two fingers.
"Two million?"
She shook her head.
"Twenty million? What could you possibly need that much for?"
"No, no - just two hundred thousand!"
"Oh, is that all? Give me your account number. I'll transfer it right now."
Song Qi Nian blinked in surprise. Did Shen Ke Qin really have that kind of money?
Catching her expression, Shen Ke Qin laughed. "That's nothing. My New Year's money alone is over ten million every year. But what's the two hundred thousand for? Shopping spree?"
Song Qi Nian pressed her lips together, silent. Seeing her discomfort, Shen Ke Qin didn't push.
Instead, Song Qi Nian typed on her phone: "I'll pay you back bit by bit."
"Don't be silly - we're family now. Two hundred thousand is nothing, don't worry about paying it back."
"No, I have to pay it back."
Song Qi Nian wouldn't budge.
Realizing Song Qi Nian wouldn't take the money unless she could repay it, Shen Ke Qin gave in. "Fine, fine, pay it back if you insist. But why do you need to borrow money at all? My brother's loaded - doesn't he give you spending money?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Ke Qin realized how stupid that question was. Shen Chiyan didn't even like Song Qi Nian - of course he wasn't giving her money.
How cruel!
She'd have to protect sister-in-law herself!
But before any protecting could happen, Song Qi Nian was already drunk from all the drinks Shen Ke Qin had pressed on her.
Being her first time drinking, she had no tolerance. After downing several glasses in quick succession, Song Qi Nian felt like she was floating, the whole bar spinning around her.
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