Back in the magic city, Jiang Ling continued to stay home. Besides collecting rent as usual each month, she spent her free time shopping and binge-watching dramas. Her life was incredibly idyllic.
While Jiang Ling enjoyed peaceful days, An Qiuyan was experiencing a harsh winter, suffering greatly.
The reason was none other than the return of the true helmsman of the Shen family, Old Master Shen, after a year of recuperation abroad.
It was through a chance encounter that Jiang Ling had saved Old Mrs. Shen years ago, which led to the original owner crossing paths with Shen Mingjue.
Old Master Shen was very optimistic about the marriage between Jiang Ling and Shen Mingjue.
This was not due to the deep affection between Old Master Shen and Old Mrs. Shen, but rather his appreciation for Jiang Ling as a person.
Old Master Shen was a traditional patriarch. In his view, for a family to prosper continuously, men had to be capable, but women were also not to be overlooked, especially the one brought into the family.
After all, as the old saying goes, an ill-suited wife brings disaster to the household.
He didn't mind his descendants marrying women from ordinary families, but the chosen person must have good character.
Because only a woman with good character, who wouldn't cause trouble, could become a capable helper after marriage and raise children well.
This point was more important than anything else.
The fact that Jiang Ling, at a time when hearts were growing cold, had stepped in to save his old wife, risking being implicated, showed she was a good child with upright and kind character.
If his eldest grandson could marry her, the Shen family would surely flourish even more in the future.
After Old Mrs. Shen passed away, Old Master Shen was overcome with grief. His old illness flared up, and he went abroad for recuperation, leaving the company for Shen Mingjue to manage.
He had expected his eldest grandson to follow his late wife's dying wish and marry Jiang Ling, but he never anticipated things would turn out this way.
He was even more displeased to hear that after breaking up with Jiang Ling, Shen Mingjue had gotten together with An Qiuyan.
Old Master Shen had always looked down upon entertainers in the entertainment industry, finding their private lives too messy and unsavory.
Male artists were somewhat better. After all, the ones holding capital were mostly men, and even if a few were indifferent to gender, it wouldn't escalate to that extent.
Female artists were different. Lust was a sharp blade, and the more beautiful they were, the more likely they were to lose themselves.
If he were to marry a woman from such a circle, would the children born be alright?
Further investigating the reason for Jiang Ling and Shen Mingjue's breakup, Old Master Shen became even more vigilant.
He didn't blame Jiang Ling for not shielding Shen Mingjue from a knife at a moment of life and death, because the instinct for self-preservation was human nature.
Jiang Ling and Shen Mingjue were neither childhood sweethearts nor had they known each other for a long time. They had no deep feelings, so why should she risk her life for him?
On the contrary, An Qiuyan had known his eldest grandson for an even shorter period than Jiang Ling, yet she had acted so desperately in a moment of crisis.
If it wasn't for an extreme depth of love, then she was a schemer, intending to use this incident to climb higher.
Old Master Shen, having navigated the business world for many years, was a seasoned elder. How could he possibly believe the nonsense of falling head over heels in love at first sight?
Considering An Qiuyan's background and her identity as an entertainer, Old Master Shen had already reached a conclusion.
Old Master Shen summoned Shen Mingjue and questioned him about the matter.
Shen Mingjue simply said, "This matter is already in the past, Grandfather. Why do you need to interfere so much?"
Old Master Shen was so enraged that his beard bristled, and he cursed Shen Mingjue for being blinded by lust, completely deceived by an actress.
Shen Mingjue felt indignant but dared not retort.
The Shen family's power was still in the hands of the elder.