Chapter 36: He Felt He Had Gone Mad

"Sister-in-law!"

At the familiar voice, Song Qi Nian turned to see Shen Ke Qin waving enthusiastically. 

Qinqin!

She smiled warmly at Shen Ke Qin before her eyes landed on Shen Chi Yan's stormy expression. The moment their eyes met, his cold, piercing gaze sent a shiver through her.

Why was he here? And why did he look so angry?

Remembering Shen Yu Shu's presence and knowing Shen Chi Yan might want to keep their marriage private from company employees, Song Qi Nian shot Shen Ke Qin a subtle warning look.

Quick to understand, Shen Ke Qin smoothly jumped in. "Nian Nian, what a surprise! What brings you here?"

[I'm doing research for an amusement park project with my colleagues,] she explained.

Shen Yu Shu bowed his head respectfully. "President Shen."

Shen Chi Yan's dark eyes swept coldly over him. "Having such dedicated employees at Dingsheng Group is our company's pride."

His cool gaze settled on Song Qi Nian. The warmth drained from her body under his stare, replacing her earlier flush with a bone-deep chill.

"Since we've all run into each other, and it's my nephew's birthday today, why don't we spend time together?" Shen Ke Qin suggested.

Only then did Song Qi Nian notice Wen Ziqian. She and Shen Chi Yan hadn't held their wedding ceremony yet, and she barely knew anyone in the Shen family, including Wen Ziqian. But married or not, loved or not, she was still Shen Chi Yan's wife. Until divorce papers were signed, Wen Ziqian was her nephew.

Without a gift prepared, she decided she would treat him to whatever attractions he wanted to try today. She nodded her agreement.

Shen Yu Shu eagerly agreed. The chance to spend time with President Shen and his family felt like a gift from heaven. His mind raced with possibilities - if he could make a good impression today, a promotion might not be far behind.

Fueled by ambition, he rushed to pay for every attraction, leaving Song Qi Nian no opportunity to treat anyone. At least the children's presence helped break the tension, making things less uncomfortable.

But still…

Shen Chi Yan stood out like a stark reminder of the corporate world in his black suit, his commanding presence and icy demeanor completely at odds with the cheerful atmosphere of the amusement park.

Song Qi Nian couldn't help watching him. While everyone else enjoyed the attractions, he sat apart, silent and brooding, his expression growing more forbidding by the minute.

Near the Ferris wheel, Shen Yu Shu made another attempt to curry favor. "President Shen, would you care to ride the Ferris wheel?"

Shen Chi Yan's cold stare needed no words to convey his thoughts: "Do I look like someone who rides Ferris wheels?"

Song Qi Nian quickly messaged Shen Ke Qin: [Qinqin, take Xiaoxiao and Ziqian on the Ferris wheel. I'll stay here with Shen Chi Yan.]

"OK, but be careful. My brother's in a foul mood."

Song Qi Nian hesitated. Surely he wouldn't make a scene with so many people around?

The Ferris wheel car fit four, so Shen Ke Qin dragged Shen Yu Shu along with her and the children.

As noon approached, the heat intensified. Noticing sweat beading on Shen Chi Yan's forehead, Song Qi Nian bought him an iced coffee and held it out.

Shen Chi Yan's mood had reached rock bottom. He felt like a fool for bringing Wen Ziqian here to roast in the sun. He could have left at any time, so why hadn't he? The thought only fueled his irritation, pushing him closer to rage.

When he didn't take the drink, Song Qi Nian opened it herself and offered it again.

"You expect me to drink diluted coffee?"

[The owner said this brand is really good,] Song Qi Nian explained, setting the coffee on the table. [It's the most expensive one they have - twenty-two yuan per can.]

Shen Chi Yan fell silent. Twenty-two yuan for canned coffee? How good could it possibly be?

He noticed sweat glistening on her forehead and the tip of her nose. Frowning, he picked up the coffee and took a sip. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't remarkable either.

"What about you?"

Her heart skipped at his hint of concern. [Oh, I have something!]

She pulled out a two-yuan bottle of mineral water from her bag, unscrewed the cap, and took a few sips. The heat had turned her cheeks pink, and as her lips touched the bottle, his gaze darkened. The temperature seemed to rise even further.

She'd barely finished drinking when she realized Shen Chi Yan had walked away. After a quick glance at the still-turning Ferris wheel, she messaged Shen Ke Qin and hurried after him.

[Where are you going?]

"You expect me to stand here baking in the sun?"

Song Qi Nian looked around - he had a point. There wasn't a scrap of shade in sight.

Before she could process what was happening, Shen Chi Yan grabbed her arm and pulled her into the haunted house next to them.

The cooler air inside the entrance brought immediate relief. But as Song Qi Nian peered into the darkness ahead, with its bloody scenes and oppressive atmosphere, she felt her anxiety rise. She'd never liked haunted houses.

Catching her unease, Shen Chi Yan's lips curled into a sneer. "Aren't you here to research the amusement park? How can you do that if you're scared of a simple haunted house?"

He turned and strode into the darkness. Song Qi Nian bit her lip, confused. Hadn't he just finished saying all the attractions were childish? Why was he suddenly so keen on the haunted house?

Though Song Qi Nian knew the "ghosts" were just costumed actors, anxiety gnawed at her as she watched Shen Chi Yan enter the haunted house. After a moment's hesitation, she followed him inside.

The eerie soundtrack and gore-splattered props sent chills down her spine. She hurried forward, but Shen Chi Yan had vanished. Worse still, the other visitors who'd been around moments ago seemed to have disappeared, leaving her alone in the vast, dark space. Unable to call out, she pressed on, her pace quickening with each step.

A strong hand suddenly grabbed her arm, yanking her into what looked like a prison cell. She tried to scream, but her voice caught in her throat.

A haunted house actor lurked in the cell, ready to perform his scripted scare. But before he could begin, an ice-cold voice cut through the darkness: "Get out!"

The actor bristled at the command. No visitor had ever dared to challenge him before. He'd show this one what real fear meant.

"Wooo~ Gaaah~ Huuu~ Wuuhu~" He lurched toward the pair, preparing to reveal his bloodied face and lolling tongue. Before he could complete his performance, a swift kick sent him flying out of the cell.

He landed hard, pain shooting through him. What kind of visitor would actually assault an actor?

"Emergency notice, there's a situation in the haunted house. All actors and visitors must exit immediately!" The announcement blared twice through the speakers, sending everyone scrambling toward the exits.

Song Qi Nian tried to join the exodus, but found herself trapped against the cold cell wall, Shen Chi Yan's presence immovable before her...