Chapter 89 - 89: Considering Spending More Time Together in the Future
After the banquet ended, the Shen family returned home.
“Wanwan, come with me to the study,” Shen Chunjiang said abruptly, striding away.
Shen Wan obediently followed, her head down, her pale neck catching the faint light.
Meanwhile, Shen Yan watched her walk away with a frustrated glare. Tonight, this detestable woman had completely stolen the spotlight!
“Mom, why did Dad let her go to the study?”
In the Shen family, the study was akin to the emperor’s court, where the harem was forbidden from interfering in matters of state. So, apart from Shen Ru, who was occasionally summoned to report necessary work, among the same generation, it was mostly Shen Qian who visited more often. Usually, it was Old Master Shen and Shen Chunjiang who spent the most time there, occasionally joined by Shen Chunting and Shen Chunhang when they returned.
As for Shen Yan, she hadn’t experienced such treatment yet. While she didn’t particularly mind, the fact that Shen Wan had been granted this subtle privilege triggered an instinctual sense of unease in Shen Yan.
Not caring didn’t mean she could just watch as someone she disliked surpassed her and gained privileges ahead of her. This time it was the study, what would it be next time?
Since Shen Wan joined the family, it felt as though everyone had undergone a transformation overnight. Dad’s affectionate gaze toward Shen Wan intensified day by day, and her brother’s demeanor grew increasingly gentle. Even Shen Yan’s older sister, Shen Ru, whom she had expected to support her, maintained an enigmatic distance, allowing that detestable woman to have her way unchecked.
After tonight, Shen Yan was convinced that within the upper echelons of Ning City’s social scene, everyone would become acquainted with the name “Shen Wan”. In the future, everyone would mention the Second Lady along with the Third Lady of the Shen family, and Shen Yan took that as an insult!
Yang Lan, upon hearing this, seemed momentarily stunned. Her face showed a pale complexion, and even her perfect makeup couldn’t hide the fact that she had suddenly lost her vitality.
Among those present, aside from Shen Qian, Shen Ru was probably the calmest person.
However, the outward calmness belied the turmoil within. “Mom, I’m a bit tired, I want to go upstairs first.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Ru retreated to her room. She shut the door and released her pent-up frustration by slamming down the glass of water she typically sipped from onto the table. Thanks to the carpet, it didn’t create a loud noise, but her emotions were in turmoil.
Why did he invite Shen Wan to dance?
Why specifically her?
How is she any worse than that illegitimate daughter? Was it so difficult for him to even look at her?!
The study.
Shen Chunjiang sat in a chair, while Shen Wan stood in front of him, her head lowered. A massive office desk separated the two.
Silence hung in the air, and tension permeated the atmosphere.
After a while, Shen Chunjiang sighed softly. “Wanwan, do you know who the person you danced with tonight is?”
“I heard people call him Sixth Lord, but you asked me to address him as Sixth Uncle.”
“I meant his identity.”
Shen Wan shook her head, her eyes displaying a hint of curiosity, but mostly confusion.
Meeting his daughter’s gaze like that, Shen Chunjiang’s heart softened. “Come, sit down.”
The young girl smiled slightly, feeling a sense of satisfaction from being cared for.
“Wanwan, the Sixth Lord has a favorable impression of you. In the future, you can try… to interact more with him,” Shen Chunjiang said, his voice unexpectedly dry and his throat parched.
A sense of shame washed over him, feeling like he was pimping out his own daughter. It almost made him lose the courage to continue the conversation, especially when Shen Wan looked at him with that adoring and worshipful gaze.
In the end, Shen Chunjiang could only shift his gaze by pretending to take a sip of tea, inadvertently missing the mocking smirk that the girl concealed in response to his words..