Song Qi Nian jerked her hands away, heat flooding her face. She could feel the blush spreading across her cheeks, betraying her embarrassment.
The sharp sound of Smith's clapping cut through the awkward moment, drawing everyone's attention. He turned to Shen Chi Yan with an easy smile. "Mr. Shen, I find myself quite hungry. Would you mind if I joined you?"
"If you're not above it, Mr. Smith..." Shen Chi Yan's lips curved into a slight smirk.
"Your wife went to such trouble bringing food for us—how could I possibly object?" Smith picked up his utensils and began eating the packed leftovers, leaving Zhou Mingsheng and Lu Yuzhu gaping in disbelief.
What was happening? Since when did the wealthy elite start eating day-old meals?
Zhou Mingsheng sat off to the side, his face twisted with displeasure. He neither touched the food nor excused himself, simply radiating sourness.
Daphne made her way to Song Qi Nian. "Miss Song, I owe you an apology for my silence until now. I wasn't looking down on you—I wanted to observe how you'd handle this situation with the packed food. I must say, it's refreshing to see my husband eating with such enthusiasm."
The truth was, Daphne had been watching both Song Qi Nian and Lu Yuzhu from the start. While love could be feigned, the small moments of daily life revealed everything. When Shen Chi Yan had suddenly appeared with a mute wife, suspicion was natural. But through their interactions, Daphne had seen the genuine love Song Qi Nian held for him.
Despite her modest background, Song Qi Nian carried herself with quiet dignity—neither submissive nor proud, but with an innate grace that spoke of good breeding. Compared to Lu Yuzhu, she seemed far more at ease in their wealthy circles.
When Song Qi Nian had started packing up the food, Daphne had hesitated, wondering if perhaps Song Qi Nian knew something of Smith's past and was trying to curry favor. But watching her obvious nervousness and genuine concern about waste, Daphne understood: Song Qi Nian's gesture came from sincerity, nothing more.
Shen Chi Yan showed no signs of blaming Song Qi Nian. Despite his germaphobia, he'd eaten leftover food to spare his wife's feelings—even though the other three hadn't touched their portions.
Before meeting Daphne, Smith had known true hardship, teaching him the value of every morsel. The Daphne family lived by the same principle: wasting food wasn't just shameful, it went against their values. People could pretend many things, but genuine consideration like this couldn't be faked.
Zhou Mingsheng, realizing his words had not only insulted Song Qi Nian but possibly offended Smith, rushed to salvage the situation. "Mr. Smith, if you're hungry, we could visit a restaurant."
Having finished every bite of the packed food, Smith fixed Zhou Mingsheng with a cool stare. "No need. I'm satisfied. Mr. Shen, please thank your wife. This has been a pleasure."
Lu Yuzhu fumed silently from the sidelines, grinding her teeth. Her expensive treat had somehow turned into someone else's triumph. This mute woman wasn't the simple soul she appeared to be—she was calculating, crafty.
When Song Qi Nian moved to clear the dishes, Shen Chi Yan directed her to stay and talk with Daphne while he handled the cleanup.
Zhou Mingsheng grabbed for Shen Chi Yan's hand. "Mr. Shen, let me help with that."
Shen Chi Yan yanked his hand away, the skin immediately flushing angry red. Song Qi Nian, fearing he might lash out in rage, rushed forward and clasped his hand tightly. Her cool touch seemed to ease the burning sensation.
"Excuse me, I need the restroom."
Daphne noticed Shen Chi Yan's reddened hand and, knowing Song Qi Nian's concern was genuine, smiled faintly before approaching Smith to whisper something. He nodded, having already drawn his own conclusions.
…
Song Qi Nian followed Shen Chi Yan to the restroom, worry gnawing at her. She found him at the sink, scrubbing his hands raw. Blood mixed with water, staining the white porcelain pink. His expression was dark, dangerous.
Song Qi Nian watched with growing anxiety as Shen Chi Yan scrubbed his hands raw. Taking a risk that might cost her dearly, she pulled his hands away from the running water and gently dabbed them dry with tissue paper.
She felt his piercing stare before she heard his words. "Who gave you permission to touch me?"
Song Qi Nian bit her lip, hurt flooding through her. Why was he taking his anger at Zhou Mingsheng out on her?
"Don't forget—"
Before Shen Chi Yan could finish, Song Qi Nian caught sight of Zhou Mingsheng in her peripheral vision. Acting on instinct, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to Shen Chi Yan's lips.
The fleeting contact silenced him, while panic bloomed across Song Qi Nian's face. What had she done? She'd actually kissed him! Would he make her regret this?
Shen Chi Yan had spotted Zhou Mingsheng too. He wrapped an arm around Song Qi Nian's waist, fixing Zhou Mingsheng with an icy stare. "I wasn't aware Mr. Zhou enjoyed spying on private moments."
Zhou Mingsheng's lips curled into a smirk. "Three years of marriage and Mrs. Shen still blushes at a simple kiss. How... interesting."
Song Qi Nian's chest tightened. Had Zhou Mingsheng figured something out?
"Qiqi and I fall more in love every day. Unlike you and Mrs. Zhou—two days of marriage before going your separate ways."
Zhou Mingsheng's face darkened. "What are you talking about?"
As Shen Chi Yan turned to leave with Song Qi Nian, Zhou Mingsheng blocked their path, seething. "Don't think finding some woman to play house will win over the Smiths. This sham marriage of yours is fragile—they'll see right through it."
"Then what are you worried about?"
Shen Chi Yan's casual confidence only fueled Zhou Mingsheng's anger. A nasty gleam entered his eyes. "Shen Chi Yan, let's make a bet."
Before Shen Chi Yan could respond, Zhou Mingsheng's gaze slid to Song Qi Nian, dripping with malice. "We'll bet on who wins over the Smiths. If you win, name your price. But if I win... I get two days with your little mute pet."
Song Qi Nian trembled as Zhou Mingsheng's words brought back memories of Shen Chi Yan handing her over to Manager Liang. Surely he wouldn't do that to her again?
When Shen Chi Yan didn't immediately refuse the bet, panic shot through her. She bit her lip and pinched his waist hard. He needed to wake up—what if this was Zhou Mingsheng's test?
Without warning, Shen Chi Yan released her and grabbed Zhou Mingsheng's collar, landing a solid punch. "Who are you calling mute?"
The sudden violence caught both Zhou Mingsheng and Song Qi Nian off guard. Zhou Mingsheng, for all his money and good looks, was soft—completely unprepared for real confrontation.
Faced with Shen Chi Yan's cold brutality, fear flashed across Zhou Mingsheng's face. He spat out a few empty threats and fled.
Song Qi Nian stood there, stunned. She'd expected more resistance from Zhou Mingsheng, not this quick retreat.
Before she could process what had happened, iron fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to meet Shen Chi Yan's cold, beautiful face.
"Try pinching my waist again," he growled, "and I'll break yours."
Song Qi Nian's head bobbed in rapid agreement, backing away just as quickly as Zhou Mingsheng had.
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