"That's completely out of the question!" Liu Xiaohan's face darkened. "Your sister went through hell to marry him, and we haven't seen any return yet. Divorce is absolutely not happening!"
Song Jia Shu leapt to his feet, fixing his mother with a hard stare. "Returns, returns—that's all you ever think about! Have you even considered what kind of life my sister is enduring in that family?"
"She's living as the young madam of a wealthy household! The Shen family is the crown jewel of Jinghua. Girls would kill to marry Shen Chi Yan—there are more of them than students at your school. Your sister should count herself lucky."
"You're just thinking about yourself!"
Liu Xiaohan snapped. She lunged forward, striking Song Jia Shu repeatedly with trembling fists. "You ungrateful child, how dare you! Everything I do is for you, for this family!"
Her voice cracked as tears welled up. "When Niannian was little, she was perfect—beautiful as a porcelain doll. I used to think no man in the world deserved her. But now?" Her voice caught. "She can't even speak. Marrying Shen Chi Yan was a blessing. At least there, no one would dare mistreat her."
"Shen Chi Yan is the one mistreating her!"
"He's her husband. Married couples fight. If you hadn't interfered, none of this would have happened between them."
"I—"
Before Song Jia Shu could finish, Song Qi Nian touched his hand softly.
He turned to her, his eyes brimming with concern. "Sis, if you want to divorce him, I'm behind you. I'll drop out, get a job—whatever it takes to support you."
"You're still in high school! What kind of money could you possibly make? Stop putting these ideas in your sister's head. I won't allow it!"
Liu Xiaohan had fought tooth and nail to secure this marriage into the Shen family. She wasn't about to let it slip away.
Song Qi Nian stroked her brother's head gently, her gestures conveying: "Jia Shu, I know you're worried, but I'm really okay."
Okay?
How could she possibly be okay?
Song Jia Shu's chest tightened every time he remembered Shen Chi Yan publicly declaring his lack of love for Song Qi Nian, humiliating her by demanding she undress in front of everyone. The memory filled him with equal parts rage and heartache.
He hated himself for learning the truth so late. If he had known three years ago why his sister had married Shen Chi Yan, he would have moved heaven and earth to prevent it.
What pained him most was his utter helplessness to protect his sister now.
[Your college entrance exams are coming up soon. Right now, you need to pour everything into your studies and get into a good university. That'll give Dad some peace of mind in prison, and secure your future.]
Song Jia Shu knew she was right, but the thought of Shen Chi Yan tormenting his sister made his blood boil.
"But what about you—"
[I'm doing fine. The Shen family treats me well. Things aren't as terrible as you imagine.]
Liu Xiaohan jumped in, "See? That's what I've been saying. Stop fretting about your sister. Your only job right now is to study and get into a good university."
Song Jia Shu bit his lip, clearly torn.
But he'd never been able to refuse his sister, and after her persistent coaxing, he finally agreed to return to school.
The moment Jia Shu left, Liu Xiaohan rounded on Song Qi Nian.
"Just look at yourself! If you'd managed to make Shen Chi Yan fall for you earlier, or if you'd gotten pregnant, none of this would be happening now!"
Song Qi Nian couldn't bear to listen anymore. She turned away and shut her eyes.
Her silence only fueled Liu Xiaohan's anger. After a stream of bitter complaints, she stormed out of the hospital room.
Once alone, Song Qi Nian opened her eyes, a deep sadness settling over her.
Even with both her children hurt, her mother showed no real concern—only criticism and blame.
Shen Ke Qin visited that evening.
It was from her that Song Qi Nian learned why her brother had been at the clubhouse so late.
"That witch Lin Lanxing—she's determined to ruin things between you and my brother."
Lin Lanxing was a regular at the Emperor Clubhouse, spending most of her free time there with her wealthy friends.
She'd noticed Song Jia Shu, thinking he looked familiar. After asking around, she discovered he was Song Qi Nian's brother.
So she'd arranged to have him serve in their private room, where she deliberately revealed the real story behind Song Qi Nian's marriage to Shen Chi Yan.
Song Jia Shu, young and intensely protective of his sister, couldn't possibly let such provocation slide.
When he saw Shen Chi Yan, he lost control and lunged at him with his fists.
Lin Lanxing never showed her face, yet she'd managed to throw the Shen family into complete disarray. No wonder Shen Ke Qin was furious.
Song Qi Nian hadn't seen Lin Lanxing's hand in this.
She'd thought Lin Lanxing was just trying to undermine her at work; she never imagined she'd drag Song Jia Shu into her schemes.
But Lin Lanxing was emboldened by her sister's status as Shen Chi Yan's "first love" and his permissive attitude toward her.
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. I'll make Lin Lanxing pay for this."
Song Qi Nian felt touched by Shen Ke Qin's unwavering support. [Ke Qin, thank you, but the Shen and Lin families go back generations. I don't want to be the reason you and Lin Lanxing fall out.]
"That's the least of my concerns. We've been at each other's throats since we were kids. With or without you in the picture, it's always been war between us!"
Their conversation was interrupted by Liu Xiaohan's arrival.
The moment she spotted Shen Ke Qin, her face transformed into a simpering smile. "Well, if it isn't Ke Qin, Shen Chi Yan's sister! I'm your brother's mother-in-law—we're family now!"
Liu Xiaohan grabbed Shen Ke Qin's hand with uncomfortable eagerness, making the younger woman squirm.
"Ah... hello, Auntie..."
"Hello, hello! My goodness, you're gorgeous. Your family has such excellent genes. When Nian Nian has children, they'll be stunning no matter what!"
Song Qi Nian's face fell. Catching her expression, Shen Ke Qin understood. Song Qi Nian gestured, [Ke Qin, thank you, you should go now.]
Shen Ke Qin nodded, pulled her hand free, and made a quick exit.
The moment she left, Liu Xiaohan's facade crumbled. "You got rid of her awfully fast. Afraid I'd ask her for money?"
Song Qi Nian fixed her with a cold stare and gestured, [The money I gave you—did any of it reach Jia Shu?]
Liu Xiaohan's expression flickered. "Did that brat tell you? He's talking nonsense. If I hadn't given him money, how would he eat?"
Song Qi Nian drew a painful breath, her chest tight with anger, her back throbbing. [He ended up working at the Imperial Club because he had no money and was too ashamed to ask me!]
Caught in her lie, Liu Xiaohan showed no shame. Instead, she lashed out at Song Qi Nian. "This is all because you're worthless! You're married into such a rich family, but you give me pocket change. I can barely keep myself alive, let alone support Song Jia Shu!"
[Jia Shu is in his final year—it's make or break for his studies. And you're not just failing to help him, you're actively making things worse!]
"How am I making things worse? After your father landed in prison, who kept that boy in school? He's 18—what's wrong with him earning his keep?"
Song Qi Nian had hit her limit with Liu Xiaohan. Beyond disgusted, she pointed to the door. [Out!]
Liu Xiaohan exploded. "Song Qi Nian, I'm your mother, and you're throwing me out?"
Song Qi Nian's head was pounding. She reached for the call button, summoning the doctor to remove Liu Xiaohan.
"Look who's gotten a backbone! Playing tough with me now? If you're so mighty, why don't you get Shen Chi Yan to visit you? Has he shown his face even once since you've been here?"
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