Chapter 96: Come to My Side

Fury coursed through Shen Chi Yan, but seeing Song Qi Nian's face—pale yet defiant—made his raised hand falter.

The door burst open as Guan Ming Xu stormed in, catching Shen Chi Yan with his hand still suspended in the air above Song Qi Nian.

"Stop!"

Guan Ming Xu rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Song Qi Nian protectively. His eyes landed on her bandaged fingers, now soaked crimson. Taking in her ashen face, furrowed brow, and the sheen of sweat from the pain, he whirled on Shen Chi Yan, rage burning in his eyes.

"Are you out of your mind? Look at her hands—they're bleeding! Won't you be satisfied until she loses the use of them completely?"

Only then did Shen Chi Yan notice the blood dripping from her fingertips. The sight sent a sharp pain through his chest, his expression darkening further. It should have been a minor injury—why was there so much blood?

Lin Lanxing watched Guan Ming Xu shield Song Qi Nian once again, jealousy twisting inside her until she snapped. "Guan Ming Xu, remember your place. Song Qi Nian is Brother Chi Yan's wife. How dare you protect her like this right in front of him?"

Her words drew Shen Chi Yan's attention to where Guan Ming Xu still held Song Qi Nian's arm. The sight of her leaning against him so naturally, accepting his support without hesitation, ignited a rage in Shen Chi Yan that burned even hotter than when he'd seen Lin Qiu Tong's injuries.

His voice turned to ice as he fixed his gaze on Song Qi Nian. "Come here."

Song Qi Nian remained still—not in defiance, but from sheer exhaustion. The day's injuries, emotional strain, and missed meals had drained her completely. Without Guan Ming Xu's support, she might have crumpled to the floor.

But Shen Chi Yan saw only willful disobedience. In his mind, her closeness to Guan Ming Xu sent a clear message—she was ready to end their marriage.

"I'll give you one last chance." His voice cut through the tension. "Crawl to my side!"

Lin Qiu Tong and Lin Lanxing felt the chill radiating from Shen Chi Yan. Lin Lanxing was too scared to speak, while Lin Qiu Tong frowned, troubled. If he truly didn't care about Song Qi Nian, why was he this angry?

Guan Ming Xu held his position, meeting Shen Chi Yan's stare despite the hint of unease in his eyes. "What do you think you're doing?"

The room crackled with tension, ready to explode.

"Brother! Sister-in-law!"

Shen Ke Qin's voice cut through the standoff. "Grandma, careful now."

The arrival of the Shen family matriarch caught everyone by surprise. Even Guan Ming Xu hadn't expected this—he'd only called Shen Ke Qin, but Shen Ke Qin had brought the old lady with him.

The matriarch's keen eyes immediately found Song Qi Nian, taking in her ghostly pallor and fragile state.

A quick look from the matriarch sent Shen Ke Qin forward to support Song Qi Nian. "Sister-in-law, how are you holding up?"

Song Qi Nian shook her head weakly.

"Come on. We're getting out of here."

Shen Ke Qin exchanged a look with Guan Ming Xu, and together they guided Song Qi Nian toward the door. She didn't spare Shen Chi Yan a single glance as they left.

Watching her walk away without even looking at him sparked a deep anger in Shen Chi Yan's chest.

He turned to the matriarch, who remained behind, keeping his voice steady. "Grandma—"

Slap!

The matriarch's hand struck his face hard, her eyes cold and commanding as she stared him down. "You have brought shame to this family."

Lin Lanxing, watching this unfold, ducked behind Lin Qiu Tong in terror, not daring to make a sound.

Old Madam Shen commanded the Shen family, and Lin Qiu Tong had feared her since she was little.

Lin Qiu Tong knew that being with Shen Chi Yan required Old Madam Shen's blessing. She'd planned to visit the matriarch after leaving the hospital. Now here the old lady was, appearing without warning in her hospital room.

Lin Qiu Tong dug her nails into her palms, pushing past her fear of the matriarch. "Madam, what happened yesterday wasn't Ah Yan's fault, it was—"

The old lady cut her off with quiet authority. "Lin family girl, you've only just woken up. You should be resting."

"Thank you for your concern, Madam," Lin Qiu Tong responded respectfully.

"I know you and Chi Yan grew up together, that you're close. But he's married now. Do you understand what that means about boundaries?"

Lin Qiu Tong blanched under the matriarch's piercing stare, visibly shaken. She hadn't expected such a direct warning.

"Grandma—" Shen Chi Yan started.

"Silence!" the old lady snapped.

Shen Ke Qin rushed in, taking the matriarch's arm. "Grandma, let's go."

The old lady nodded and walked to the door. Without turning, she declared, "Nian Nian is my grandson's wife. Anyone who dares bully her will answer to me."

At the hospital entrance, Guan Ming Xu helped Song Qi Nian into the car. As he prepared to join her, Shen Ke Qin arrived with the matriarch.

"Ming Xu, thank you for looking after Nian Nian. She can't speak and her hand is hurt, so this old lady will thank you in her place."

"No, please—it's the least I could do," Guan Ming Xu stammered.

The old lady's lips curved slightly. "Nian Nian is lucky to have a friend like you. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me."

Guan Ming Xu's stomach dropped. Was she warning him to keep his distance?

Shen Ke Qin, always quick to read a situation, pushed at Guan Ming Xu. "Thanks for yesterday! I'll treat you to dinner soon. Take care!"

She kept giving him pointed looks, urging him to leave, but Guan Ming Xu missed her signals entirely. Instead, he faced the matriarch squarely. "Madam, Nian Nian deserves better than this. If President Shen can't appreciate her, others will."

After this bold declaration, he bowed deeply and walked away.

Shen Ke Qin panicked. Seeing her grandmother's eyes follow Guan Ming Xu, she quickly said, "Grandma, sister-in-law's hand looks bad. We should get her home."

The hospital held too many painful memories for Song Qi Nian, so the matriarch took her straight to the Shen estate and called for their family doctor.

Song Qi Nian's fingers were infected. Combined with her fever, she passed out as soon as they arrived.

The old lady watched the doctor dress Song Qi Nian's wounds, sighing heavily. Tears streamed down Shen Ke Qin's face. Just looking at those damaged fingers made her chest tight.

When Guan Ming Xu had called, she'd been with her grandmother at an art exhibition. Realizing she couldn't handle this alone, she'd brought the matriarch along.

Growing angrier by the minute, Shen Ke Qin pulled out her phone, photographed Song Qi Nian's injured fingers, and sent the pictures to Shen Chi Yan.

"Shen Chi Yan, tell me—does your conscience hurt?!!!"