Lin Qiu Tong had her own agenda when Shen Chi Yan sent Song Qi Nian, and she wasn't about to let her rival leave without making her point.
"Chuner, we must show proper hospitality. Let Miss Song in," Lin Qiu Tong said, her smile perfectly measured.
Zhou Xiaochun shot Song Qi Nian a hostile look as she stepped aside. "Remember, this is a hospital. Try anything, and you'll answer to Mr. Shen."
Song Qi Nian walked past her without acknowledgment and set down the thermal container.
"Ah Yan is being excessive," Lin Qiu Tong sighed with theatrical helplessness. "I have hospital staff to care for me, yet he sends food daily. And now he's imposing on you, Miss Song."
The casual way Lin Qiu Tong used Shen Chi Yan's nickname sent a sharp pain through Song Qi Nian's chest.
The complaint was a deliberate boast: Look who your husband really cares for!
As Song Qi Nian turned to leave, Lin Qiu Tong's voice stopped her. "Miss Song, you've come such a long way in this heat to bring me food. At least have some water before you go."
She emphasized "such a long way" with careful precision.
Song Qi Nian studied Lin Qiu Tong, puzzled. Their last encounter had left Lin Qiu Tong terrified. Why this sudden politeness?
It didn't add up. If her father had truly left Lin Qiu Tong in a vegetative state for three years, shouldn't there be hatred?
Lin Qiu Tong lowered her eyes, as if reading Song Qi Nian's thoughts. "I know it was your father who hurt me. You're innocent—I shouldn't transfer my pain onto you."
A masterclass in false virtue.
Zhou Xiaochun looked ready to weep at this display of forgiveness.
Song Qi Nian had been waiting for just such an invitation. She took a seat.
When Song Qi Nian reached for her phone, Lin Qiu Tong's smirk revealed her true feelings.
A mute wife? No competition at all.
Lin Qiu Tong picked up a pen and notebook, extending them to Song Qi Nian with calculated kindness. "Miss Song, typing must be so tedious. Why not write instead?"
Song Qi Nian's eyes flicked to the pen and paper before she shook her head. She finished typing and held out her phone to Lin Qiu Tong.
As Lin Qiu Tong reached for it, Song Qi Nian pulled back slightly, her eyes conveying a clear message: Look, don't touch.
Lin Qiu Tong's face hardened, a shadow crossing her features. The rudeness caught her off guard. After all, shouldn't Song Qi Nian be begging for forgiveness, given what her father had done?
Swallowing her pride, Lin Qiu Tong leaned forward to read the screen.
"I'm Shen Chi Yan's assistant. Delivering food during work hours is simply part of my duties. Please don't stand on ceremony, Miss Lin. And I prefer typing to writing by hand."
While composing the message, Song Qi Nian had started to type a question about how Lin Qiu Tong had managed to escape the warehouse after her father's alleged kidnapping. If he'd truly meant to extort the Lin family, would he have let her slip away so easily?
But she'd deleted it, knowing that such a direct question might put Lin Qiu Tong on guard.
Patience, she reminded herself. One wrong move could unravel everything. If Lin Qiu Tong grew suspicious now, the truth would only become more elusive.
"So I hear Miss Song prepared this meal herself?" Lin Qiu Tong's lips curved upward. "Chuner..."
Zhou Xiaochun let out a contemptuous noise as she unpacked the thermal container, laying out the food.
Lin Qiu Tong's smile widened at the sight of the three dishes and soup. "It looks quite presentable. Must taste wonderful. Chuner, get me chopsticks."
"Miss, something's off about this food. What if she poisoned it?" Zhou Xiaochun muttered.
"How dare you say such things! Apologize to Miss Song at once! She would never do that."
"I..."
"Apologize!"
Zhou Xiaochun shot Song Qi Nian a poisonous look before grinding out, "Sorry."
Song Qi Nian turned to Lin Qiu Tong, ignoring the maid. [Miss Lin, my cooking is rather ordinary. Please don't feel obligated to eat it if it's not to your taste.]
"Miss Song, you're being far too modest. Ah Yan wouldn't have asked you to cook for me if your food wasn't exceptional."
Song Qi Nian remained silent, watching intently as Lin Qiu Tong raised a piece of braised pork to her lips.
The instant the meat touched her tongue, Lin Qiu Tong's expression crumbled.
Her mind screamed: How is this even supposed to be edible?
Of all the essential elements of cooking - presentation, fragrance, and flavor - it seemed Song Qi Nian had invested everything into making it look pretty, and nothing else.
Lin Qiu Tong stole a glance at Song Qi Nian, who stood there with an air of innocence, her lips curved into a gentle smile, clearly anticipating praise.
Song Qi Nian pulled out her phone and typed three simple words: "Is it to your liking?"
Lin Qiu Tong couldn't decide if Song Qi Nian was deliberately tormenting her. But with the food already in her mouth, what choice did she have? If she spat it out and Song Qi Nian ran to Shen Chi Yan claiming she was being difficult on purpose - well, that wouldn't end well. Since she wasn't certain where Shen Chi Yan stood regarding Song Qi Nian, she couldn't risk creating drama over something so trivial.
So she forced herself to swallow.
Song Qi Nian, fully aware of her own culinary shortcomings, noticed Lin Qiu Tong's poorly concealed distaste. Yet she pushed the other dishes closer, encouraging her to try more.
Lin Qiu Tong could only stare in disbelief.
Earlier that morning, Shen Chi Yan had left for business in a neighboring province. During his return journey, he questioned Gao Kunlun, "Did Song Qi Nian deliver the food?"
"Yes, she did."
Shen Chi Yan's brow furrowed, his emotions a turbulent mix of unease and irritation.
His phone rang - Lin Lanxing calling from her sister's number.
"Brother Chi Yan, something terrible has happened. My sister's gotten worse after eating Song Qi Nian's food!"
When Shen Chi Yan rushed into Lin Qiu Tong's hospital room, he found her ghostly pale, looking fragile against the white sheets.
Upon seeing him, Lin Qiu Tong reached out with a trembling hand. "Ah Yan..."
Shen Chi Yan hurried to her side, supporting her. "What happened?"
Lin Lanxing's voice shook with fury. "Song Qi Nian brought that food on the table. After eating it, my sister doubled over in pain and started throwing up... Song Qi Nian did this deliberately! Who knows what she put in there?"
"Have you had the food tested?" Shen Chi Yan's tone was sharp.
"We did, but we're still waiting for the results!"
Lin Qiu Tong nestled against Shen Chi Yan's chest, her voice soft and measured. "Ah Yan, please don't blame Miss Song. Her intentions were good. My body's just too weak to handle her cooking, that's all."
Just then, the test results arrived. The food was clean—no trace of poison.
Lin Lanxing wouldn't accept it. "That's ridiculous! If nothing was wrong with the food, why did my sister get so sick after eating it?"
Shen Chi Yan caught Gao Kunlun's eye. Taking the hint, Gao Kunlun picked up the chopsticks and sampled a few bites. His face instantly contorted, and he looked like he was suffering through something beyond words.
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