Chapter 101: This Is How You Try to Cheer Me Up?

Irritation surged through Shen Chi Yan as he grabbed Song Qi Nian's shoulders, turning her to face him. The words he'd meant to say died in his throat when he saw her tears. Something about seeing her cry, outside of their intimate moments, unsettled him deeply.

"Stop it! If you don't, I won't tell you anything!"

Convinced he was lying again, Song Qi Nian shoved him away.

She didn't realize how her rejection cut through him. His eyes turned to ice as he leaned in, capturing her red lips between his teeth.

In the past, his kisses had always filled her with joy and anticipation. Even when he'd left her lips bruised and tender, she'd found a strange satisfaction in it. But now, for the first time, she wanted nothing to do with his kiss.

Her resistance only stoked the flames of his anger. He forced her lips apart, claiming her mouth with ruthless determination.

When he finally released her, she was gasping for air. "Such weak lungs," he taunted, "for someone with such a fierce temper."

Song Qi Nian glared at him, furious with herself for melting into his kiss despite her initial resistance. If she'd known better, she would have bitten him hard enough to draw blood.

"I was going to arrange for your brother to study abroad," he said coolly. "But since you're being so ungrateful – and giving me that look – forget I mentioned it."

He leaned back, closing his eyes.

Song Qi Nian froze, his words slowly sinking in. Excitement overtook her anger, and she scooted closer, nudging him with her elbow.

Shen Chi Yan remained perfectly still, ignoring her completely.

She bit her lip in frustration. Without his attention, she had no way to reach him. Why had she argued with him earlier? Her heart sank as she wondered how she could possibly fix this now.

The idea of sending Jia Shu abroad had crossed her mind before, but she'd never had the means to make it happen. Now the one person who could help—Shen Chi Yan—was the very person she'd managed to upset.

Her anxiety mounted with each passing moment. With him deliberately ignoring her, she felt trapped. Her eyes drifted to his lips, and she swallowed hard before quickly pushing the thought away.

No, she couldn't kiss him. Not only did she lack the courage, but it might just make him angrier. Still, she had to do something. Her gaze shifted to Gao Kunlun in the front seat.

Catching her flushed face and awkward expression in the rearview mirror, Gao Kunlun immediately understood. He raised the privacy divider between the front and back seats.

His discretion only made her blush deeper, her face burning hot. Before she could second-guess herself, she climbed onto Shen Chi Yan's lap and pressed her nose against his.

His dark eyes snapped open instantly, piercing into hers. Her heart stuttered.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Terrified he might push her away, she quickly signed with trembling hands, [I... I know I was wrong.]

Her lips were still swollen from his kiss, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright with unshed tears. The softness of her body against his triggered an immediate response he couldn't control.

"I asked—what are you doing?" His voice came out low and rough, sending shivers down her spine.

There was no backing down now. Gathering her courage, she signed, [...Cheering you up…]

"By sitting on my lap like a wooden doll? Is that your idea of cheering someone up?"

Song Qi Nian was at a loss for words.

"Gao Kunlun, pull over!"

"Yes, sir!"

Gao Kunlun pulled over, stepped out, and walked to a large tree nearby. His methodical movements as he began reciting his calming mantra spoke of long practice and plenty of similar experiences.

An hour passed before they resumed their journey.

Shen Chi Yan hadn't taken things as far as he'd wanted—solely because of Song Qi Nian's injured hand. Even at his worst, he couldn't ignore her injury.

Seeing how agreeable she'd been, he softened his tone. "The college entrance exam matters, but failing it isn't the end. There are many paths to success. If Song Jia Shu has real talent, he'll do well abroad too."

Song Qi Nian understood what an incredible opportunity studying abroad would be for her brother. Whatever Shen Chi Yan's reasons for helping, she felt genuinely grateful and determined to find a way to repay him.

Noticing her delighted expression, he scoffed. "Don't look so pleased, as if studying abroad automatically guarantees success. Whether he's worth anything or just dead weight—time will tell."

With her brother's future secured, Song Qi Nian could finally breathe easier.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lin Qiu Tong hurled her glass to the floor, glaring at the scattered shards with pure hatred.

Since their last encounter, Shen Chi Yan had visited just once. Every call, every message was met with the same excuse: he was "busy."

Then she'd learned he'd returned to the Shen estate—to pick up Song Qi Nian, of all people.

"That mute must have slipped something to the old lady to make her so protective!"

"And Shen Chi Yan," Lin Lanxing added. "Sister, I think his feelings for her are changing. Even if he loved you before, he's shared her bed for three years. You need to act before she steals what should be yours."

Suddenly, Lin Lanxing's eyes lit up. "The old lady's 88th birthday is coming up. Sister, this is perfect."

"Perfect how?" Lin Qiu Tong's voice was cold.

"Song Qi Nian's broke. She won't be able to buy anything decent. The old lady may dote on her, but she cares about keeping up appearances. Give her something expensive and tasteful, something she'll love—she might warm up to you."

Lin Qiu Tong's fists clenched. She refused to lose to a mute. Not again.

That night, a shadow crept into her hospital room.

Seeing her lying there, the figure approached silently and bent to kiss her lips.

Lin Qiu Tong woke with a start and tried to fight back, but he held her down, kissing her harder.

Her face twisted in fury. She bit down on his tongue—hard.

He jerked back with a yelp of pain. She grabbed her pillow and started swinging.

As he dodged, he tried to speak through his swollen tongue: "Stop! Stop! It's me!"

Lin Qiu Tong slapped on the bedside light. There stood Shen Qiwen, blood dripping from his mouth, face contorted in pain.