Chapter 41: Song Jia Shu Struck Shen Chi Yan

Song Qi Nian felt marginally better after breakfast, though the lost attendance bonus still gnawed at her. Work was work, though—it wouldn't wait for her mood to improve.

The morning passed in a blur of activity. After grabbing lunch in the cafeteria, she settled back at her desk to continue her illustrations. Opening WeChat, she found only seven new contact requests from the previous night.

Her jaw clenched as she thought of Shen Chi Yan. That conniving bastard had played her this morning! Thanks to his games, she'd been late and lost her perfect attendance bonus. She was certain he'd planned it, deliberately ensuring she wouldn't get that 5,000 yuan reward. Typical capitalist, she thought bitterly, always finding ways to shortchange their workers.

She methodically went through the WeChat messages from her new contacts, reviewing their commission requests. The last one caught her attention—they'd added her but hadn't made any requests. Their profile was stark: just a black square for an avatar and "qq" for a username.

After finishing the other commissions, she messaged "qq": "Hello, what kind of drawing would you like? Do you have any specific requirements?"

When no response came, she let it be.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Miao Ziai approaching, arms full of roses.

"Niannian, guess who sent you flowers again? Your friend Guan Mingxu."

Song Qi Nian stared at the brilliant red blooms, feeling a migraine coming on.

This "Guan Mingxu" was Shen Ke Qin's latest matchmaking attempt. Song Qi Nian was almost certain he didn't exist—just another of Ke Qin's elaborate schemes to play cupid.

She texted Ke Qin in frustration: [Ke Qin, Shen Chi Yan clearly doesn't care if someone's pursuing me. Can you please drop this whole act?]

[Absolutely not! We're committed now. And of course my brother's indifferent—nothing serious has happened between you two yet. Just trust me on this.]

That response only made Song Qi Nian more anxious. She knew Ke Qin well enough to recognize the warning signs—more drama was definitely coming her way.

Still smarting from the lost attendance bonus, Song Qi Nian threw herself into work over the next few days, taking on extra commissions. Her body ached, but the steady stream of completed projects gave her a sense of accomplishment.

Shen Chi Yan's absence from home for several days had given her a much-needed respite. That evening, after dinner, she retreated to her room to focus on her art commissions.

She was deep in concentration when her phone started ringing, making her realize she'd missed several WeChat messages. The call itself was unusual—most people knew to contact her through messages since she couldn't speak.

Seeing Shen Ke Qin's name on the screen, she paused before accepting the call.

"Sister-in-law! It's bad—your brother just attacked mine!"

Song Qi Nian's heart lurched. She automatically tried to ask where, before remembering her inability to speak.

As if anticipating her question, Shen Ke Qin quickly added, "We're at the Emperor Clubhouse. Get here now!"

Her mind raced. Jia Shu had actually hit Shen Chi Yan? How had they even crossed paths?

She scrambled to change clothes and rushed out to flag down a taxi to the Emperor Clubhouse.

Song Qi Nian spotted Shen Ke Qin waiting at the entrance as soon as she arrived.

"Sister-in-law, over here..."

Song Qi Nian gestured frantically, "Ke Qin, what happened?"

"I don't know all the details. Your brother just charged at mine out of nowhere and started throwing punches. I've never seen my brother look so furious—his face was terrifying."

Ke Qin explained that she'd been there yesterday, drinking with friends. They were about to hit the dance floor when she saw two security guards dragging a cursing young man into a private room.

"Kid's got some nerve, attacking Fifth Master Shen like that. Does he have a death wish?"

"From his shouting, sounds like he's trying to get payback for his sister."

The mention of her brother's name had made Ke Qin peek into the room. Though she hadn't known Song Jia Shu, the family resemblance to Song Qi Nian was unmistakable.

Worried things might escalate, she'd immediately called Song Qi Nian.

As they finished talking, they reached the private room. Ke Qin led the way inside.

The blast of cold air made Song Qi Nian shiver as she entered. Her eyes immediately found Jia Shu, restrained by the guards. His white shirt was crumpled and filthy, his face a mess of bruises, blood trickling from his split lip.

[Jia Shu!]

She rushed toward him.

Jia Shu stiffened at the sight of her. "Sis, what are you doing here?"

Song Qi Nian shook her head desperately, hating her muteness more than ever—trapped in silence when she needed her voice most.

She grabbed at the guards' arms, trying to make them release Jia Shu. But without orders from Shen Chi Yan, they simply shoved her away.

"Sis!"

"Sister-in-law!"

Shen Ke Qin caught Song Qi Nian, then rounded on the guards. "Are you blind? This is your Fifth Master's wife, my sister-in-law!"

The guards didn't budge.

Fuming, Ke Qin turned to her brother. "Brother, tell them to let Sister-in-law's brother go!"

Shen Chi Yan reclined on the sofa, absently swirling his wine glass with a gloved hand. An angry bruise marred his elegant features—Jia Shu's handiwork. The dim room masked most of his face, but his presence radiated such menace that everyone in the room felt it.

"Jian Mubai, take Ke Qin home. It's late."

"I'm not going anywhere!" Ke Qin protested. "You can't just send me away so you can bully Sister-in-law. I—"

"I've been lenient because you're my sister," Shen Chi Yan cut in, his voice glacial. "But don't forget your place in this family."

Sensing Shen Chi Yan's mounting anger, Jian Mubai grabbed Ke Qin's arm to lead her out.

Though Ke Qin was clearly intimidated by her brother, she couldn't stay quiet. "If Grandma finds out you're mistreating Sister-in-law—"

"Heh..." A cruel smile twisted Shen Chi Yan's lips. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you the one who brought her here?"

"I..."

Ke Qin froze. She'd called Song Qi Nian to protect her brother, not to endanger her.

"And her brother threw the first punch. What could Grandma possibly say about that?"

Ke Qin's stomach knotted. True, Grandma usually took Song Qi Nian's side, but Shen Chi Yan was still her favorite—she'd raised him herself. Would Grandma still support Sister-in-law after learning her brother had attacked him?

The sound of shattering glass pierced the air as Shen Chi Yan slammed his wine glass to the floor. His dark eyes bore into Ke Qin as he spoke with deadly precision: "Shen Ke Qin, what has Song Qi Nian done to make you turn against your own blood?"