Chapter 61 - 61: Bring Her Out and Meet He Huai
Siblings can have a close relationship, but when they become so intimate that they touch each other’s faces for an extended time, accompanied by possessive looks, it becomes somewhat inappropriate.
The maid, who stumbled upon this forbidden scene, immediately felt her hands and feet turn cold, and she trembled all over.
Upon hearing the noise, Shen Qian and Shen Wan turned their heads toward her.
“S-sorry… Young Master and Third Lady, 1 didn’t see anything!”
Shen Qian’s face darkened.
Shen Wan couldn’t help but sigh. Was this place a setting for a television drama? Little did she know that the more she emphasized her innocence, the more suspicious it would seem, inevitably leading to a misunderstanding about their relationship.
With Shen Qian’s status, he couldn’t possibly explain anything to a mere servant. To avoid gossip, it was certain that the maid would be dismissed.
As expected, in the afternoon, Steward Zhou found a pretext to dismiss her.
Perhaps it was due to well-handled reassurances, or maybe they gave her sufficient warnings, but the maid didn’t show any signs of grievance or reluctance on her face as she left quietly.
“Young Master, the matter has been taken care of.”
“You’ve worked hard, Steward Zhou.”
Steward Zhou smiled and waved his hand. “It was nothing. Just now, the family doctor called to inquire about Third Lady’s condition. How should I respond?”
Shen Qian’s actions paused momentarily. He held the newspaper halfway open in his hands and then smoothly folded it and placed it on the coffee table.
“You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll handle it.”
Steward Zhou’s eyelid twitched, he bowed slightly and gave a soft reply.
At dinner, Shen Wan, who had been missing from the dining table for two days, finally showed up. Shen Yan took the chance to taunt her a bit, while Shen Ru stayed silent and refrained from bringing up the topic of Shen Wan working at the company as if she had forgotten about it. It seemed like everyone was conveniently ignoring the incident.
However, Shen Wan didn’t mind at all. What could she learn by working as Shen Ru’s assistant? Or rather, what could Shen Ru teach her?
Old Master Shen, on the other hand, broke his usual indifference to inquire about her health.
“It’s all fine now, Grandpa. Thank you.”
“Hmm.”
That night, a strong wind blew, hinting at an impending storm.
Shen Wan went upstairs to her room, intending to close the door behind her. However, Shen Qian suddenly appeared and placed his hand against the door, silently but firmly, making it clear that refusal was not an option.
“Do you need something?”
“Let’s discuss it inside.”
Before Shen Wan could react, the man had already squeezed through the door and slammed it shut with a resounding thud.
He locked it from the inside.
Shen Wan took two steps back, her pitch-black eyes gazing at him with a hint of surprise and suspicion. Her eyes were bright and radiant, but they also held a fleeting sense of caution.
“Why so nervous?” he chuckled.
Shen Wan detected a hint of malicious playfulness in his tone but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she furrowed her brow involuntarily and asked, “Is there something you need?”
“You haven’t addressed me yet.”
n?n
“What should you call me?” The man slightly bent forward, bringing his head close to her, and wore a charming smile on his handsome and refined face.
He was very handsome and quite intriguing.
Shen Wan stared at him for a moment, her gaze shifting between clarity and darkness. Then, she softly spoke, “Brother.”
Shen Qian was satisfied, patting her head. “Since you want to make friends, 1’11 take you out tomorrow.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a secret for now.” With that, he opened the door and left.
Shen Wan stood there motionless, her eyes changing from bright to dark. Eventually, a smile curled on her lips, and the corners of her eyes lifted. Her once serene and plain countenance now had a touch of elegance, revealing a hint of mystery.
The next day, Shen Wan woke up at eight and went downstairs for breakfast. She noticed that everyone except Shen Qian was absent.
As if he could read her confusion, Shen Qian casually explained, “Grandpa left for the summer resort before dawn.”
With the grandfather absent, some rules naturally didn’t need to be followed.
“What would Third Lady like to have for breakfast?”
This time, she didn’t give Shen Qian a chance to decide for her. She firmly stated, “I want hot and spicy noodles with soybean paste!”
The servant looked at Young Master Shen with hesitation. After he gave an almost imperceptible nod, she felt relieved and withdrew.
Soon, a steaming bowl of hot and spicy noodles with soybean paste was placed in front of Shen Wan, but the portion was not large. The considerate servant had also prepared a small bowl of vegetable congee for her.
Shen Wan glanced across at the man opposite her and silently cursed him as a “control freak”.
At that moment, she felt like she was seeing Shen Qian from her previous life, equally stubborn and near fanatical about what he believed in. For instance, this bowl of vegetable congee; even if he compromised, it would only be on his terms.
After breakfast, the two of them set out.
“Where are your things?” the man frowned.
“What things?”
“Didn’t 1 ask you to pack yesterday…”
Shen Wan blinked, looking utterly clueless as if she was saying, “Are you sure you mentioned anything about me packing?”
He chuckled, “Why else do you think I told you in advance?”
“Okay, I’ll go pack now.”
“Forget it.” Shen Qian checked his watch, “We don’t have enough time. We can buy whatever we need locally.”
Locally?
Shen Wan didn’t miss the information hidden in his words until they were at the airport, confirming that Shen Qian indeed intended to take her on a trip. “Can you tell me where we’re going now?”
“No.”
“…” Motherfu*ker!
“Why? Worried 1 might sell you?” The man raised an eyebrow and chuckled lowly.
“Well, it’s a possibility.”
The two of them entered the VIP lounge, where someone was already waiting.
“All Qian.” Qin Zeyan stood up and approached, his gaze passing over Shen Qian to rest on Shen Wan, who was a step behind. Subtly, he examined her from head to toe without a word.
Shen Wan skillfully avoided his scrutiny by positioning herself behind Shen Qian.
Qin Zeyan raised an eyebrow. “And who is this…”
“Shen Wan,” Shen Qian stated her name without specifying her status. Those aware of the situation instantly grasped the significance, and their gazes took on a deeper meaning.
“I’ll go to the restroom.” Shen Wan turned and walked away, her slender figure carrying a hint of fragile beauty.
Qin Zeyan withdrew his gaze, and instead, his deep black eyes locked onto Shen Qian’s.
Um…
It’s a bit awkward to say.
“Is this the one you recently acknowledged as part of your family?” Qin Zeyan’s excellent manners prevented him from uttering the words “illegitimate child”.
“Mmm.”
“Just based on looks, she’s not as stunning as the other two beauties.” Good things come in pairs, and Shen Ru and Shen Yan were indeed pleasing to the eye. As for Shen Wan… although not ugly, her features were somewhat plain.
Shen Qian heard this assessment but didn’t offer any response, just a brief, light chuckle.
Qin Zeyan couldn’t quite read Shen Qian’s attitude. However, at today’s gathering, if he brought his newly recognized half-sister along, he either genuinely intended to be a good brother, or he had some ulterior motive.
Soon, He Huai and Song Lin also arrived.
“What kind of mineral water is this? It tastes like medicine residue…” He complained and, while gesturing, accidentally splashed it on Shen Wan’s foot as she had just entered.
She was wearing a white dress today, paired with nude-colored flat sandals. The shoe surface was made of sheepskin, and it would darken when exposed to water, making it difficult to dry.
“Oh! I’m sorry…” He Huai held a disposable paper cup with both hands, wearing a helpless expression that lacked a genuine apology.
Shen Wan’s eyelids flickered, and she suddenly raised her head.
“Huh? You look oddly familiar.. Have we met somewhere before?”