Liu Xiaohan's words dripped with sincerity, her face a perfect mask of remorse and redemption.
Song Qi Nian found herself wavering. True, her mother had a history of senseless cruelty - actions that brought pain to others without any gain for herself. But wasn't there value in giving someone a chance to change? After all, blood ties weren't easily severed, and Liu Xiaohan was still her mother.
The thought of a family meal stirred something in her. Since her father's troubles and her marriage to Shen Chi Yan, such gatherings had become rare treasures. With Jia Shu drowning in the pressure of his upcoming college entrance exams, perhaps this could offer him a brief respite.
Liu Xiaohan's face lit up at Song Qi Nian's agreement. "Nian Nian, wear something nice when you come."
Song Qi Nian responded with a question mark emoji.
"You're Shen Chi Yan's wife now," her mother explained. "You need to maintain appearances in public. And I don't want Jia Shu worrying about how you're faring in the Shen household."
[Understood.]
Despite knowing her marriage to Shen Chi Yan had an expiration date, Song Qi Nian couldn't deny the logic. Until the divorce, she carried his name - and she wouldn't let her exam-stressed brother waste energy worrying about her situation.
That afternoon, she chose a pale pink dress and swept her hair into an elegant bun. A touch of light makeup completed the look before she headed to the private restaurant her mother had selected.
Liu Xiaohan was already there, resplendent in a purple cheongsam. Her hair followed the latest trends, her makeup bold and fashionable. It was easy to see why she'd been the village beauty in her youth, pursued by countless admirers. Yet she'd chosen Song Guanliang purely for his handsome face.
Reality had proved harsh. Marriage couldn't survive on good looks alone - even basic necessities demanded money. Liu Xiaohan's gambling habit only strained their finances further, making Song Guanliang's salary stretch impossibly thin.
Yet he'd never reproached her. Instead, he'd shouldered the burden alone, letting her maintain her pampered lifestyle while he handled the family's financial responsibilities.
Having never known true hardship, Liu Xiaohan had preserved her beauty. Combined with careful grooming, she exuded an almost youthful vitality.
She stood waiting at the entrance, breaking into a broad smile at her daughter's approach. "Nian Nian, you made it! Come in - I've reserved us a private room."
Song Qi Nian glanced around before gesturing, [Has Jia Shu arrived?]
Liu Xiaohan's eyes darted away for a moment before she forced a laugh. "I just called Jia Shu. He's on his way - we should head up first."
Song Qi Nian nodded, accepting the explanation without suspicion.
Her steps faltered as she entered the private room. A stranger sat waiting inside - a man in a garish red suit with a thick gold chain around his neck. His hair was slicked back with too much product, and his sunken features gave him an unsavory appearance. He looked to be in his forties, and everything about him seemed wrong in this setting.
His small, yellowed eyes brightened instantly at the sight of her.
Liu Xiaohan hurried to make introductions, pulling Song Qi Nian forward. "Nian Nian, come meet someone. This is my boss, Mr. Gao - Gao Dashang."
She turned to him with a practiced smile. "Mr. Gao, this is my daughter, Song Qi Nian."
"Nian Nian, what a pleasure..." Gao Dashang extended his hand, making sure his gold watch caught the light.
Song Qi Nian's lips tightened, but she gave his hand a brief shake before quickly pulling away.
"Please, sit down. Let's talk," he insisted.
Liu Xiaohan rushed to pull out a chair for Song Qi Nian, settling herself next to her daughter. Throughout it all, Gao Dashang's gaze never left Song Qi Nian. He stroked his chin, examining her with an openness that bordered on invasion.
His stare made her skin crawl. It reminded her of a predator sizing up its prey.
Under the table, she tugged her mother's sleeve, signing discretely: [What kind of boss is this? What exactly are you doing for work?]
If Gao Dashang noticed her signing, he didn't show it. "Such a tragedy about your voice, Nian Nian," he said, feigning sympathy. "Your mother told me about the childhood accident. Life must have been quite difficult."
Song Qi Nian's unease deepened. But with him being her mother's employer, she could only manage a stiff smile and turn to Liu Xiaohan.
Her mother jumped in eagerly. "Mr. Gao owns a chain of foot massage parlors - more than a dozen locations across Jinghua City. He makes millions monthly. And you should see his villas, his cars..."
With each word, Song Qi Nian's suspicions grew. She fixed her mother with an icy stare. [A foot massage parlor? That's where you're working?]
Liu Xiaohan, clearly relieved that Gao Dashang couldn't understand their silent exchange, leaned in close. "What's wrong with that?" she whispered. "As long as it makes money, I'll do whatever it takes."
Song Qi Nian had no prejudice against foot massage parlors - legitimate ones, at least. But everything about this boss set off alarm bells.
Her mother had never worked outside the home before. The thought of her being taken advantage of made Song Qi Nian's stomach turn.
[You need to find different work.]
"Absolutely not! Boss Gao pays incredibly well - 10,000 yuan monthly just to supervise the staff. I barely have to lift a finger!"
Each detail only heightened Song Qi Nian's suspicions. What legitimate business would pay that much for such light work?
"Nian Nian, don't let his appearance fool you," Liu Xiaohan pressed on. "He made his fortune in coal mining back in Xishan. Then he came here and built this massage empire from nothing - over ten locations in just five years! And here's the best part - he's still single. Just imagine marrying into all that wealth!"
Song Qi Nian shot to her feet, startling her mother. "What's wrong with you?"
[When is Jia Shu arriving]
Liu Xiaohan's face twitched. She pulled out her phone, making a show of dialing. "I don't know why he's not here yet. Let me check..."
The waiter's arrival with their food gave Liu Xiaohan her opening. "Nian Nian, keep Boss Gao company for a moment. I'll be right back."
Before Song Qi Nian could protest, her mother had slipped out, pulling the door shut behind her.
Song Qi Nian's heart sank. Gao Dashang's smile turned predatory as he noticed their sudden privacy. He slid into the chair beside her, bringing with him a cloud of cloying cologne. She leaned away, her expression hardening.
"Nian Nian, this place has quite a reputation - thirty years in business. The food is exceptional."
He lifted a piece of beef brisket with his chopsticks, holding it out to her. "Try some."
Song Qi Nian drew a steadying breath. Despite her misgivings about Gao Dashang, was she being too harsh? Her mother rarely worked - what if this was a legitimate opportunity?
Meanwhile, in another room, Shen Chi Yan was wrapping up a successful business meeting. His partner, riding high on their signed contract, had just ordered another bottle of wine when Shen Chi Yan's phone lit up with Lin Qiu Tong's name.
He stepped out to take the call but stopped short. There, at the next room's doorway, a familiar figure was peering inside, trying not to be seen...
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