Chapter 112: Am I Making Things Difficult for You?

Shen Ke Qin had initially planned to pull Song Qi Nian aside for a photo, but Lin Qiu Tong's arrival immediately changed her plans. With a quick gesture, she nudged Song Qi Nian towards Shen Chi Yan.

"Brother, come here. Let me take a picture of you and Sister-in-law," she called out.

Before Shen Chi Yan could respond, Lin Qiu Tong's fragile voice interrupted, "Ah Yan…"

Lin looked pale and vulnerable, swaying slightly as if she might crumple at any moment. Shen Chi Yan felt a pang of guilt wash over him. He realized he hadn't paid her much attention throughout the day.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, genuine concern threading his voice.

Lin's heart flickered with a secret satisfaction. So what if Shen Chi Yan had been close to Song Qi Nian? Right now, he was focused entirely on her.

"I'm feeling a bit dizzy," she murmured, her voice weak. "My legs feel heavy. Xingxing has wandered off, and my parents left early... Could you possibly take me home?"

Her gaze deliberately shifted to Song Qi Nian as she added, "Miss Song, I'm not feeling well. Ah Yan will take me home—you don't mind, right?"

Song Qi Nian's expression darkened. It wasn't a request, but a calculated move designed to corner her. Refuse, and she'd appear petty and risk angering Shen Chi Yan. Agree, and it would feel like surrender.

Shen Ke Qin, who had long despised Lin Qiu Tong's manipulative nature, couldn't stay silent. Remembering the previous confrontation where she'd been slapped by Shen Chi Yan, she blurted out, "Miss Lin, are you serious? Plenty of people could take you home. Why does it have to be my brother? He needs to stay with my sister-in-law—he doesn't have time for you!"

Characteristically blunt, Shen Ke Qin never learned subtlety. Song Qi Nian watched nervously, worried that Ke Qin might provoke Shen Chi Yan just like last time.

At that moment, the Old Madam approached.

"What's happening here?" she asked.

Seizing her opportunity, Shen Ke Qin quickly recounted the recent events to the Old Madam.

Catching Shen Chi Yan's warning glare, she ducked behind the Old Madam and playfully stuck out her tongue at him.

Hmph, now that Grandma was here, she wasn't afraid of anyone.

The Old Madam's piercing gaze swept across Lin Qiu Tong, Shen Chi Yan, and Song Qi Nian before she smiled at Lin Qiu Tong. "Qiu Tong, as a guest, it's only proper for Chi Yan to take you home if you're unwell..."

Lin Qiu Tong's heart soared. Could it be? Had the Old Madam finally recognized her worth? Joy flooded her mind, almost too good to be true.

Surely, she was a far more suitable match for Ah Yan than Song Qi Nian. After all, Song Qi Nian came from a humble background, lacking the sophistication and status of the Shen family. The woman was even mute—a constant source of potential embarrassment and gossip.

But her elation was short-lived.

"However," the Old Madam continued, "we have many guests today, and Chi Yan needs to help Qi Nian entertain them. I'm afraid he won't be able to take you home."

The words hit Lin Qiu Tong like a bucket of cold water. Humiliation burned her cheeks. Her fists clenched involuntarily—frustration and powerlessness overwhelming her.

Forcing a composed expression, she nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"It's fine. I'll arrange for someone to take you home," the Old Madam replied.

Her eyes landed on Guan Ming Xu, who approached looking defeated. "Ming Xu, Qiu Tong isn't feeling well. Could you take her home?"

Guan Ming Xu's chest tightened. Seeing Song Qi Nian with Shen Chi Yan only intensified his pain. "Old Madam, I'm not feeling well either. Someone else will have to take her."

Behind the Old Madam, Shen Ke Qin gave Guan Ming Xu a discreet thumbs-up. Nicely done!

Lin Qiu Tong felt utterly rejected. Tears welled in her eyes, making her appear fragile and abandoned.

Seeing her trembling lip and helpless demeanor, Shen Chi Yan walked over and supported her. "I'll take you home," he said.

The Old Madam's expression instantly hardened. "Chi Yan..."

"The banquet is winding down. There aren't many guests left to entertain."

Lin Qiu Tong looked at Shen Chi Yan with soft vulnerability, her voice hesitant. "Ah Yan, maybe I should just take a cab home myself. You..."

"Let's go," he cut her off.

Without sparing a glance at Song Qi Nian, Shen Chi Yan walked out with Lin Qiu Tong.

As they left, Lin Qiu Tong cast a deliberate look at Song Qi Nian. Seeing the woman's pale face, a subtle triumph flickered across her lips. In the end, hadn't she won?

Guan Ming Xu watched the scene, his fists clenching in raw anger. Damn Shen Chi Yan! Just moments ago, he'd been intimately close with Song Qi Nian, and now he simply abandoned her. What did he really think of her?

Other guests stole cautious glances at Song Qi Nian. She understood the painful truth now: Shen Chi Yan might sleep with her, but he would never truly love her.

Refusing to show her hurt, Song Qi Nian forced a smile. "I'm fine," she told the Old Madam and Shen Ke Qin. "Grandma, Ke Qin, let's go take the family photo."

Inside the car, Shen Chi Yan's expression remained dark. Lin Qiu Tong, remembering the earlier conference room scene, felt a strange warmth spread through her body. She inched closer to him.

"Ah Yan, I'm sorry. Am I making things difficult for you?" she asked softly.

"No, don't overthink it," he replied.

"I truly don't understand why the Old Madam seems to dislike me so much. I came today with genuine intentions to celebrate her birthday."

Shen Chi Yan's brow furrowed. He remembered a time when the Old Madam had actually been quite fond of Qiu Tong. What had changed?

Was it because of Song Qi Nian?

It made sense. Song Qi Nian loved him, while he loved Qiu Tong. To Song Qi Nian, Qiu Tong must seem like a threat. Out of jealousy, she must have poisoned the Old Madam's opinion.

She can't speak, but she's remarkably skilled at manipulation.

Sensing Shen Chi Yan's silence, Lin Qiu Tong grew increasingly anxious.

Shen Chi Yan helped Lin Qiu Tong out of the car as they arrived at the Lin family's entrance. Noticing his distracted state, Lin Qiu Tong hesitated before speaking.

"Ah Yan," she said softly, biting her lip, "the day after tomorrow is my older brother's death anniversary. Would you come with me to visit him?"

Lin Feichi had been the Lin family's pride—a brother who died eight years ago saving Shen Chi Yan's life. Before his death, he'd entrusted the care of his two younger sisters to Shen Chi Yan. This promise was the very reason Shen Chi Yan harbored such deep hatred toward the Song family after Lin Qiu Tong fell into a vegetative state.

It was also why he consistently showed leniency to Lin Lanxing, out of respect for Lin Qiu Tong and her late brother.

"Alright," Shen Chi Yan responded.

Lin Qiu Tong's smile softened. "You must be exhausted today. Go home and rest early. I should head inside."

"Hmm," he murmured.

As she started walking toward her house, Lin Qiu Tong suddenly turned back. In a swift, impulsive moment, she ran to Shen Chi Yan and threw herself into his arms. She held him tightly, wordlessly, then just as quickly released him and darted into the house.

Shen Chi Yan watched the Lin family's home, a flash of irritation crossing his face. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around him in the quiet evening.