Song Qi Nian clung to Shen Chi Yan, her body trembling with desperation. Her grip was so tight it was as if letting go meant certain destruction.
Liang, who had followed them, smirked at Shen Chi Yan. "Director Shen, your secretary certainly has spirit. I like that."
As Liang reached out to grab Song Qi Nian, she pressed herself closer to Shen Chi Yan, her mind focused on a single, primal thought: she would not let Liang succeed.
Before Liang's hand could touch her, Shen Chi Yan coldly knocked it away.
"Director Shen, what is the meaning of this?" Liang's face darkened.
"It's quite simple," Shen Chi Yan replied. "You cannot control Secretary Song."
"I was—" Liang started to protest.
Shen Chi Yan cut him off. "Know your limitations, Director Liang."
Liang's wounded face twisted, blood still trickling down, making his features even more grotesque. His eyes, filled with pure malice, locked onto Song QiNian, who remained in Shen Chi Yan's protective hold.
"We haven't signed the contract yet," Liang said, his voice dripping with barely concealed threat. "You don't want to lose such a partner, do you?"
Shen Chi Yan's lips curved in a dismissive smile. "No contract needed. By this time tomorrow, Liang's Group will be completely acquired by the Shen Group."
President Liang's expression crumbled. "What did you just say?"
Ignoring him entirely, Shen Chi Yan lifted Song Qi Nian and carried her into a room. When Liang attempted to follow, a black-suited, stone-faced guard blocked his path.
Inside the room, Shen Chi Yan dropped Song Qi Nian onto the bed. Before she could gather her thoughts, he was already positioned above her.
"Weren't you so eager to please Director Liang?" he said, his voice sharp with accusation. "I gave you the chance to go with him. So why did you run?"
Song Qi Nian's heart shattered. Would she have even looked at Liang if not for him? He actually believed she wanted to seduce Liang just by smiling. Did he really think she was that desperate?
Tears streaming down her face, Shen Chi Yan gripped her chin harshly, his frown cutting deep. "I thought your father meant everything to you. Clearly, your body matters more!"
His sarcastic words crushed her. He was the one who pushed her toward Liang, the one who continued to torment her. The man she had loved for years now stood before her, ruthless and cold.
In a moment of raw desperation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply—a kiss born of pain, of years of unspoken longing.
Shen Chi Yan immediately pushed her away. "You climbed into my bed when I was drunk," he said coldly. "What makes you think I'd touch you now that I'm sober?"
Her eyes, once bright with emotion, gradually dulled. She pushed against him slightly, a silent plea: if he didn't want her, then let her go.
Something in her movement seemed to trigger him. His dark eyes turned to ice. One hand pinned her wrists above her head, the other gripping her chin. He kissed her—brutal, consuming, as if trying to punish her with every touch.
Song Qi Nian endured, completely exhausted by his anger.
After a while, Shen Chi Yan realized she hadn't moved. "Song Qi Nian!" he called out. When he slapped her face, he discovered she had passed out.
Silence.
When Song Qi Nian awakened, her entire body screamed with pain. Disoriented, she found herself in the basement—not the bed she remembered.
How had she gotten here?
Suddenly, the door burst open. A servant entered, carrying a tray of steaming food.
Song Qi Nian hadn't eaten since yesterday, and her stomach now growled at the sight of food. But she didn't rush. Instead, she watched the servant carefully.
Since marrying into the Shen family, the servants had treated her terribly. They'd always looked down on her, forcing her to eat leftovers because Shen Chi Yan didn't like her. So why suddenly this hot, appetizing meal?
The plump servant, her small eyes filled with disdain, sneered, "Mute, you're lucky today. Eat quickly."
In the Shen household, Song Qi Nian ranked lower than a house pet. She coldly gestured for the servant to leave, pointing at the door.
"Want me to leave? Not a chance," the servant smirked. "I'm here to make sure you finish eating."
Hunger clouded her thoughts. She was desperate to eat but still suspicious of Shen Chi Yan's sudden kindness. Whatever. He wouldn't want her dead, at least.
Song Qi Nian sat down and began eating. After three years of marriage, this was the first truly delicious meal she'd had. The Shen household was known for hiring servants who passed rigorous culinary tests, and now she understood why.
The servant watched, her mockery sharp. "Don't think the master's being kind just because you crawled into his bed."
Song Qi Nian kept eating, refusing to engage.
"The master's just keeping you well-fed," the servant continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "He needs your blood. Can't have you fainting and ruining the blood quality."
Her chopsticks paused for a moment.
Of course. Now she understood Shen Chi Yan's calculated kindness.
"You should be grateful your blood matches Miss Lin's," the servant added cruelly. "Someone like you would never have married the master otherwise."
The servant's sarcastic voice droned on. The delicious meal suddenly turned repulsive, churning Song Qi Nian's stomach.
"Eat faster," the servant sneered. "This room reeks—it's making me sick."
She dramatically covered her nose, mimicking retching.
"Your dad's nothing but trash," she spat. "And you? You're just like him—cheap. Disgusting. Just being near you makes my skin crawl..."
Before she could finish, the servant let out a horrified scream. Song Qi Nian had thrown the scalding soup directly into her face.
She could endure insults about herself. But attacking her father? Never.
The boiling soup splashed across the servant's skin. "My face!" she shrieked, dancing in pain.
In an instant, her shock transformed into rage. She lunged at Song Qi Nian, wild-eyed and furious. "You worthless, abandoned wife!" she screamed. "I'll teach you what happens when you dare mess with me!"
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