The commotion startled Ye Lin and Wang Yi, and the couple hurried downstairs.
"What's going on?"
Ye Tianbao glared at Shen Yaoyao, "Kneel down!"
Shen Yaoyao flinched, "I..." She clutched her stomach and instinctively looked at Ye Lin and Wang Yi.
Ye Lin asked, "Can't you talk things out properly? She's pregnant, don't make her kneel down for every little thing."
Ye Tianbao lost his patience, "You should ask her what she's done!"
Ye Lin looked at Shen Yaoyao, who mumbled without speaking.
Ye Tianbao gritted his teeth, "This bitch, pregnant with my child, yet she uses my money to try and win over Fu Jingshu. Making her kneel is being lenient. If she wasn't carrying my child, I would have kicked her out!"
Ye Lin's expression turned grim, "Shen Yaoyao, is what Tianbao says true?"
Shen Yaoyao slowly lowered her head.
Wang Yi snorted, her eyes full of disdain, "I knew this woman was restless. If you weren't lucky enough to be carrying our Ye family's child, I would never have agreed to let you enter our Ye family!"
Shen Yaoyao clenched her fists tightly. She was in the wrong, and kept her head down in silence.
"Kneel down and apologize now," Ye Tianbao's face was contorted with rage, "If you don't apologize, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
"How can you treat me like this?" Shen Yaoyao finally couldn't help but cry out, "No matter what, I'm carrying your child, don't you have any feelings for me?"
"Kneel down!"
Ye Tianbao didn't need to answer. There was not a trace of affection for Shen Yaoyao in his eyes.
Shen Yaoyao fell into complete despair. But she knew if she knelt down today, she would never be able to hold her head up in the Ye family again. She took out her phone and called her mother for help.
Chen Xiang listened to the whole story and comforted her, "Mom knows you did all this for the good of the family."
Then, her tone shifted.
"But you were indeed wrong this time. You are already Mr. Ye's woman now, you can't still be thinking about others."
Shen Yaoyao's tears stopped in her eyes, and she murmured, "Mom... what are you talking about?"
"Yaoyao, be good."
Chen Xiang's words chilled Shen Yaoyao's heart. After hanging up, she was lost.
Ye Tianbao pressed on, "I'll give you two choices: either kneel, or get out of the Ye family."
Getting out of the Ye family was absolutely out of the question.
Shen Yaoyao's face changed several times. She forced herself to bend her knees, enduring immense humiliation, and knelt on the ground. The moment she knelt, her dignity shattered.
But she didn't hate Ye Tianbao or Fu Jingshu. Her heart was filled with a growing hatred for Shen Qingqing.
The next day was the Fu family's birthday banquet.
Shen Yaoyao linked arms with Ye Tianbao and walked into the Fu family's residence under the gazes of many.
The first thing she saw upon entering was Fu Jingshu and Shen Qingqing.
The man was tall and imposing, with a stern face. The woman wore a burgundy evening gown, had a good figure, and a delicate, beautiful face. The two looked exceptionally well-matched standing together.
Shen Yaoyao's heart burned with anger.
Ye Tianbao gave her a warning look, "I brought you with me today to save face for the Fu family. Behave yourself and don't cause trouble!"
After all, it was publicly known that Shen Yaoyao was carrying his child. Bringing another woman of unknown status would inevitably lead to speculation that they didn't respect the Fu family.
Otherwise, he really wouldn't have wanted to bring Shen Yaoyao!
Shen Yaoyao replied obediently, "I know. I won't say anything out of line at this occasion. Besides, Shen Qingqing is considered my sister."
Ye Tianbao grunted, "It's best if you think that way. Shen Qingqing is someone we can't afford to offend now. She's attending as Fu Jingshu's companion today."
There was a hint of sourness in his words.
Although this woman was fierce, she was indeed beautiful, making people's hearts flutter.
Shen Yaoyao almost gritted her teeth as she said, "I understand. I'll go and greet her later."
"That's more like it," Ye Tianbao said, but his eyes were already scanning the women at the banquet, looking at whoever was pretty.
Shen Yaoyao found an opportunity when Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu were separated, and approached Shen Qingqing with a smile, "Sister, you look so magnificent today."
Shen Qingqing glanced at her and couldn't be bothered.
Shen Yaoyao continued, "Didn't you say before that you weren't interested in the Fu family?"
"What do you want to say?"
"Since you weren't interested," Shen Yaoyao asked disingenuously, "Why are you attending today as Jingshu's companion? So it turns out you're just like other girls, saying one thing and meaning another."
"Because he's pursuing me."
Shen Qingqing's retort left Shen Yaoyao speechless.
Just then, Fu Jingshu walked over, his gaze falling on Shen Qingqing, "Grandmother wants to see you."
"Okay."
Shen Qingqing left with Fu Jingshu, the two of them tacitly ignoring Shen Yaoyao standing beside them.
She still wanted to say something, to greet Fu Jingshu, but the words she was about to say were swallowed back. She could only watch them leave.
She broke a freshly made fingernail.
Madam Fu was an elderly woman full of grace and kindness. The moment she saw Shen Qingqing, she was extremely fond of her and pulled her to her side to talk.
"You're Qingqing, aren't you? You're so beautiful. And you, with such an outstanding young man by your side, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
She said this while glaring at Fu Jingshu.
Fu Jingshu lowered his voice, "It's my fault."
Seeing him so obedient and gentle, Shen Qingqing was somewhat surprised.
"Good child, I'm so happy you could come to my birthday banquet today," Madam Fu couldn't explain why, but she just felt an affinity for this girl. She was old, and felt a connection with her. "Jingshu mentioned yesterday that you were coming, so Grandmother specifically prepared a gift for you."
"Madam..."
"Don't call me Madam, call me Grandma," Madam Fu interrupted, grabbing her hand. "Madam is what outsiders call me. Calling me that sounds too formal."
Shen Qingqing readily changed her address, "Grandma, I'm the one attending your birthday banquet today. I should be the one giving you a gift, how can I accept yours?"
"What's wrong with accepting? I'm the elder, of course I'll give you a meeting gift."
Madam Fu not only wanted to give her a meeting gift, but also had servants bring out a pile of precious items and display them, saying they were all ancestral treasures.
This pile of treasures made everyone's eyes widen.
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow, remaining poised. Then she saw Madam Fu wave her hand generously, "Take a look and pick whatever you like."
Even though she was calm, she was somewhat surprised.