Everything Guan Ming Xu knew about Shen Chi Yan came filtered through his family's endless praise. Growing up, his parents had constantly held up Shen Chi Yan as the gold standard, warning him not to end up like his older cousin. During every holiday gathering, relatives couldn't resist comparing the two of them, with Shen Chi Yan cast as the archetypal perfect child from another family.
Yet surprisingly, Guan Ming Xu never harbored any resentment. Instead, he'd placed Shen Chi Yan on a pedestal, almost hero-worshipping him. When Shen Chi Yan took over Dingsheng Group after his father Shen Zhenghao's departure, everyone had expected failure. Instead, he'd transformed it into Jinghua City's leading corporation, expanding its influence across international markets.
Throughout those years, Guan Ming Xu had sung his praises endlessly, viewing Shen Chi Yan as something close to divine. Never once had he imagined that his "Little Sweetheart" would turn out to be Shen Chi Yan's wife.
Now, as Shen Chi Yan stood before him, his voice was eerily controlled, devoid of any anger. "Where is Song Qi Nian?"
Guan Ming Xu's emotions swirled violently as he clenched his fists, paralyzed with indecision. Noting his distress, Shen Chi Yan laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I heard you saved Song Qi Nian last night. Thank you."
Without waiting for a response, Shen Chi Yan pushed open the hospital room door and stepped inside. The lively chatter within died instantly. The boisterous group froze like children caught in mischief, standing rigid and barely breathing. These men, wild as they might be elsewhere, knew better than to act out in Shen Chi Yan's presence.
Song Qi Nian's face fell the moment she saw him. She quickly ducked her head, avoiding his gaze. Shen Chi Yan's eyes fixed on her immediately – perched on the hospital bed, head bowed, her expression hidden. But he could feel the emotion radiating from her like heat. She wasn't just upset. She was livid.
Under everyone's stares, Shen Chi Yan strode directly to her bedside. Before anyone could process what was happening, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.
The room erupted in silent shock. Fifth Master Shen, the man infamous for his strict personal boundaries, the untouchable figure—was he really cradling Guan Ming Xu's "Little Sweetheart" so casually? The questions hung heavy in the air: Who was she to him?
Song Qi Nian hadn't expected this. She stiffened in his arms, her resistance evident in her deepening frown and ice-cold expression. Her heart clenched painfully. After all, he had abandoned her last night, leaving her vulnerable to…
"I'm sorry."
His quiet words stopped her mid-struggle. The emotions she'd been holding back rushed forward, burning behind her eyes. How weak she was—just two words from him, and her anger began to dissolve.
Shen Chi Yan tightened his hold and turned to leave, carrying her with unwavering determination. At the doorway stood Guan Ming Xu, frozen like a man carved from stone. His eyes fixed on Song Qi Nian in Shen Chi Yan's arms, a deep ache spreading through his chest.
How had everything unraveled like this?
Something snapped inside him. Before he could think better of it, Guan Ming Xu lunged forward, planting himself in Shen Chi Yan's path. The onlookers drew sharp breaths, terrified by his audacity. Had he lost his mind? Nobody blocked Fifth Master Shen's way—nobody.
Shen Chi Yan's gaze cut toward him, sharp as winter frost. "Do you have something to say?"
"I saved her. What right do you have to take her away?" Guan Ming Xu's face darkened with anger.
Shen Chi Yan's soft laugh held no warmth. "Ah yes, I remember now. You're the one who sent her roses and love letters every day, aren't you?"
He hadn't paid much attention to Guan Ming Xu's apparent pursuit of Song Qi Nian before.
Someone sending daily flowers and letters without showing their face—it hadn't fit Guan Ming Xu's character. After a moment's reflection, Shen Chi Yan realized this must have been Shen Ke Qin's doing. He'd been too busy to care about such things at the time, but now the situation seemed more complicated than he'd thought.
Song Qi Nian stiffened in his arms. What was happening? Was this Guan Ming Xu really her mysterious admirer?
Before Guan Ming Xu could respond, Shen Chi Yan's voice cut through the tension. "What's this? Are you trying to steal from me?"
"Sis-in-law!!!"
Shen Ke Qin's voice echoed down the hallway, interrupting them. She ran up, out of breath, and visibly relaxed when she saw everyone was intact.
"Sis-in-law, are you alright? Your face—who's the bastard who hit you?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head quickly, trying to reassure her.
Sensing the charged atmosphere, Shen Ke Qin forced an awkward smile. "Brother, sis-in-law's injuries aren't minor. She needs to rest properly."
Shen Chi Yan's cold stare made her shrink back instinctively. Without acknowledging Guan Ming Xu further, he turned to leave with Song Qi Nian.
Guan Ming Xu started to protest, but Shen Ke Qin clapped a hand over his mouth, signaling frantically to the others. The group, worried he might provoke Shen Chi Yan and face dire consequences, yanked him back into the room.
"Let me go!"
The others patted Guan Ming Xu's shoulder with genuine sympathy. "Take it easy, buddy."
Finding his "Little Sweetheart" only to lose her before anything could begin—they knew the pain must be crushing.
Suddenly, Guan Ming Xu whirled to face Shen Ke Qin. "You used my name to pursue Song Qi Nian?"
Shen Ke Qin's head spun. She never could have imagined Song Qi Nian would turn out to be Guan Ming Xu's "Little Sweetheart." If she'd known, she would never have dared use his name to toy with her brother's wife.
"Why would you do that?"
Before she could respond, Guan Ming Xu's voice rose sharply. "Because you knew he didn't love her, didn't you?"
"Whether my brother loves my sister-in-law or not, they're married!" Shen Ke Qin shot back. "Stop having feelings for her!"
Guan Ming Xu's emotions boiled over, his thoughts scattered and raw. "If you'd told me this a month ago, maybe I would have listened. But now... it's too late!"
The group's faces fell. Shen Ke Qin stared at him, stunned. "Ming Xu, you can't! Are you really going to challenge my brother over his wife?"
"Little Master Guan, please think this through! Fifth Master Shen is your idol—you're really going to try to take what's his?"
But Guan Ming Xu brushed off their concerns. "What does an idol matter now? I've finally found a woman I truly care about. I won't give her up!"
Shen Ke Qin slumped in defeat. How had everything gone so wrong?
Since Song Qi Nian wasn't well enough to transfer hospitals, and Shen Chi Yan refused to leave her in one run by Guan Ming Xu, he had her moved to a different room. His fingers traced the edge of her swollen, bruised face with surprising gentleness. Something tightened in his chest, and his voice softened without him meaning it to. "Does it hurt?"
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