Chapter 58 - 58: Will You Chase Me Out of the Shen Family?
The morning light streamed through the partially open window, casting a dazzling golden hue onto the bed.
The man, asleep, turned over and stretched his long arm, which draped across the woman’s flat abdomen.
With a muffled groan, Shen Wan was jolted awake. She kicked out, and Zhou Chi slowly opened his eyes. “Ouch! That hurt!” He winced while rubbing his buttocks, his voice still bearing the unique low and husky tone of awakening.
Shen Wan sat up, moved her stiff neck, and found that her entire body reeked of alcohol, which wasn’t pleasant. Glancing out the window, she saw the rising sun, its rays piercing through the clouds, painting a bright tangerine color across the sky.
“Is your head spinning?” Zhou Chi yawned, his beautiful eyes slightly misty with sleep, but he still didn’t forget to care about Shen Wan.
“Not really.”
“It seems we didn’t drink that much yesterday. It’s just this smell…” Zhou Chi waved his hand in front of his face and then couldn’t help but grimace. “It’s really stinky.”
Shen Wan chuckled and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom.
Zhou Chi quickly followed. “Wan, can we consider this as having spent the night together?”
“…If you want to die, just say so.”
“Just kidding, don’t be so serious.”
Perhaps in this lifetime, Zhou Chi hadn’t experienced the pain of amputation or the despair of being partially paralyzed. Compared to his past life, he seemed a bit carefree, lacking depth and seriousness, but he possessed the youthful energy and vitality appropriate for his age.
“Go outside,” Shen Wan said, holding onto the door, her cold expression carrying a hint of restraint.
Zhou Chi’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Why?”
“I want to take a shower.”
“Okay.” He scratched his nose and left, but suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. “But 1 don’t have spare clothes for you here, you know? The shops aren’t open yet to buy some.”
“I think that red pullover of yours is pretty nice.”
“So?”
“I’m wearing it.”
“…” That was a limited edition piece he had splurged half a month’s salary on! He had only worn it twice.
“You previously mentioned you found a job right?”
“Yeah.” Zhou Chi sighed and went to the wardrobe to fetch the clothing. “Here you go.”
Shen Wan shook it open and gestured in front of the mirror. The length was just right; it could easily pass as a dress. “Where are you working now?”
“Oh, at a bar.”
“What were you doing?”
“Dishwashing.”
“Why didn’t you go to work yesterday then?”
“It was my day off.”
Shen Wan didn’t ask further questions. She closed the door, turned on the shower, and while waiting for the hot water, she undressed, tying her hair up. Fifteen minutes later, the smell of alcohol had completely dissipated, leaving only the fresh scent of body wash.
Zhou Chi sat in the computer chair and turned to look at her. “You look quite good in that outfit.”
“Really? I think so too.”
“…” She must have a lot of self-love.
But, she did look good.
The red pullover had a sporty and casual style, with an exaggerated hood that carried a hint of hip-hop flair. When Zhou Chi wore it, he looked like a sunny boy. However, on Shen Wan, especially with the hem wrapping around her hips and resting above her knees, revealing her two long, slender legs, it exuded an invisible allure.
Zhou Chi suddenly recalled the discussion about the “Legs Connoisseur” a couple of days ago with some guests. He had heard the term “Legs to Die For” more than once and hadn’t thought much of it at the time. But now he understood. It was for someone like Shen Wan.
“Is it nice?” She smiled.
“Huh?!” He was startled.
Shen Wan didn’t tease him further. Going too far with jokes could lead to misunderstandings. “I’m heading out now. Don’t contact Yi Hong for the time being.”
“So you’re helping him for free?”
“No rush for now. The longer it takes, the higher the interest. Bye.” With that, she picked up her bag and walked out.
Zhou Chi listened to the sound of her high heels fading into the distance, sighed, and resignedly turned on the computer, beginning the dull and tedious task of coding.
Lately, he had been contemplating the idea of designing a small game. While he had a basic concept in his thoughts, the actual development would require some time.
Shen Wan had breakfast outside and didn’t return to the Shen estate until almost ten o’clock.
While passing through the garden, she encountered Uncle Ding, who was busy turning the soil. “Good morning, Third Lady.”
“What’s this?” Shen Wan pointed to a potted plant.
“It’s a Clivia, also known as a Kaffir Lily.”
“Can 1 take care of it?”
“Of course, should I have someone bring it to your room later?”
“No need, 1’11 take it up myself.” It was a small pot, easily held with one hand.
As she entered the living room, Shen Wan climbed the stairs while examining the little guy in her hand. It was fluffy and had a subtle green hue, quite adorable.
“Stop right there.” A stern voice came from behind her, carrying a faint trace of anger.
Shen Wan acted as if she hadn’t heard and continued up the stairs. She had seen Shen Qian sitting on the living room sofa when she entered the house. But so what? The heavy blow from yesterday had been enough to wake her up.
Since the strategy of appeasement wasn’t effective, she wasn’t afraid to confront things directly. Compared to her previous life, where she had to tread carefully, she had the upper hand in this lifetime. So, Shen Wan had the confidence. Even if she were to leave the Shen family now, she could establish her own empire based on her abilities. The process of seeking revenge might be a bit convoluted, but after all, the mastermind had not yet appeared. The best choice was to bide her time and prepare covertly.
“I told you to stop!”
She halted in her tracks. “Are you speaking to me?”
“Other than you and me, is there anyone else in this household right now?”
Shen Wan remained emotionally distant, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and detachment. The warmth and reliance she had shown before had disappeared. “Is there something your want?”
Her face had always had a cool and subdued expression, but now, it bore a few more traces of aloofness, like an unmeltable iceberg.
Shen Qian’s gaze darkened. He didn’t like seeing Shen Wan with this expression, not at all!
In a stiff tone, he asked, “Where did you go last night?”
“Are you interrogating me?”
“Yes!”
She paused. “Some questions are better left unasked if you know they’re inappropriate. That’s what you taught me yesterday. As a secret daughter, 1 wouldn’t dare trouble you, the legitimate wife’s son, with concerns about my whereabouts. If you want answers, let Dad or Grandpa come and inquire. You don’t have that right.”
“Shen Wan! Do you realize who you’re speaking to?” The veins in the man’s temple pulsed twice, and despite his efforts to restrain his expression, his hidden anger leaked through.
“Would you kick me out of the Shen family?” She suddenly asked.
Shen Qian was momentarily speechless. She was brought back by Shen Chunjiang and had passed the Old Master’s test with the embroidered handkerchief. Until he officially became the head of this household, he had no authority to drive her away.
His sharp eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to threaten me?”
“No,” Shen Wan shook her head. “I’m just being straightforward with you, letting you see clearly my only leverage now, which is also the only thing you can take away from me.” At most, she would be kicked out of the Shen family, but besides that, Shen Qian couldn’t touch any of her vulnerabilities.
“Before,” she pursed her lips, “1 didn’t understand my place and had unwarranted expectations. From now on, I won’t.”
Shen Qian’s body trembled.
Shen Wan smiled, revealing a pair of small dimples. “Let’s just consider ourselves half-siblings with different mothers.” Not too close, not too distant. After saying that, she turned and continued upstairs.
The next moment, her wrist was firmly gripped. The force was so strong it felt like her bones might snap. The man’s eyes blazed with anger. “Yesterday when you went out, you weren’t wearing this outfit..”