Song Qinian quickly let go, her face flushing crimson at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Just then, Smith clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention to him.
Smith smiled faintly at Shen Chi Yan and politely asked, "Mr. Shen, I'm feeling hungry too. May I join you for a meal?"
Shen Chi Yan curved his lips, "If Mr. Smith doesn't mind..."
"Madam Shen was kind enough to pack food for us from so far away. I should be thanking her, how could I possibly mind?"
Seeing Smith actually pick up a knife and fork to eat the leftover food, Zhou Ming Sheng and Lu Yu Zhu were both aghast.
What was going on?
Were rich people now all the rage for eating leftovers?
Zhou Ming Sheng sat to the side, unsure whether to eat or not, his face unusually sour.
Daphne approached Song Qinian then, "Miss Song, I apologize for not speaking with you earlier. It wasn't that I looked down on you, but I wanted to see what you were planning to do with this packed food. However, thank you for making my husband so happy."
In fact, Daphne had been observing Song Qinian and Lu Yu Zhu from the very beginning.
Affection could be faked, but the minutiae of daily life could not.
Shen Chi Yan bringing a mute wife to meet them made it difficult not to suspect him of ulterior motives.
But in their conversation, she discovered that Song Qinian genuinely loved Shen Chi Yan.
Moreover, Song Qinian was meticulous and attentive. Although not a pampered daughter of a wealthy family, she was neither servile nor arrogant, and her demeanor was proper.
Compared to Lu Yu Zhu, she seemed more like a lady from a distinguished family.
When Song Qinian packed the food, Daphne hadn't immediately reacted. She suspected Song Qinian might know something about Smith's past and intended to use it to curry favor.
However, along the way, Song Qinian's nervousness and unease made her realize that Song Qinian had no other motive than to avoid waste.
And Shen Chi Yan didn't blame Song Qinian at all. A man who was a germaphobe ate leftovers to prevent his wife from being sad.
Even though they three hadn't touched those leftovers.
Before Smith was with Daphne, he had endured much hardship, and he cherished food greatly.
Daphne's family also adhered to the principle of absolutely no waste, so packing leftovers was not something shameful in their eyes, but a virtue.
People could feign many masks, but sincerity was unbreakable.
Zhou Ming Sheng, realizing that his words had not only insulted Song Qinian but might also have offended Smith, spoke anxiously, "Mr. Smith, if you're hungry, let's go to a restaurant."
Smith and Shen Chi Yan finished all the packed food on the table. Smith looked at Zhou Ming Sheng and said calmly, "No need. I'm already full. Mr. Shen, thank you and your wife today. I'm very happy."
Lu Yu Zhu had never expected that her own dinner invitation would end up benefiting someone else, and she gnashed her teeth in anger.
This mute girl was not as simple and innocent as she appeared; she was actually cunning.
After the meal, Song Qinian wanted to clear the dishes, but Shen Chi Yan told her to sit and chat with Daphne while he handled it.
Seeing this, Zhou Ming Sheng grabbed Shen Chi Yan's arm, "Mr. Shen, let me help you clear the table."
Shen Chi Yan's face turned cold as he shook off Zhou Ming Sheng's hand. The back of his hand immediately turned red.
Song Qinian, seeing this and fearing Shen Chi Yan might lose his temper and lash out, instinctively rushed forward and tightly clasped Shen Chi Yan's hand.
Her hand was soft and cool, and the burning sensation on the back of Shen Chi Yan's hand seemed to ease a little.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom."
Daphne also saw the large red patch on the back of Shen Chi Yan's hand and knew Song Qinian wasn't lying. She smiled slightly and then whispered a few words to Smith.
Smith nodded, his mind already made up.
...
Song Qinian, worried about Shen Chi Yan, followed him to the restroom.
By the sink, Shen Chi Yan scrubbed his hands repeatedly. The inflamed skin was rubbed raw, and blood stained the basin as it flowed with the water. Shen Chi Yan's expression was dark and menacing.
Song Qinian watched with a pounding heart. Risking Shen Chi Yan's wrath, she pulled his hand away from the faucet and carefully wiped his hand with a tissue.
Sensing a sharp, scrutinizing gaze fixed on her, Song Qinian's heart leaped.
"Who gave you permission to touch me?"
Song Qinian bit her lip gently, feeling somewhat annoyed.
Zhou Ming Sheng had angered him, so why was he taking it out on her?
"Don't forget..."
Before Shen Chi Yan could finish speaking, Song Qinian, her eyes sharp, spotted Zhou Ming Sheng. Without a second thought, she stood on tiptoe and kissed Shen Chi Yan's lips with a soft "poof."
It was a fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly touching the water. Shen Chi Yan fell silent. Song Qinian blushed, her heart in a panic.
It was over. She had kissed Shen Chi Yan!
Would Shen Chi Yan, in his anger, make her bleed profusely!
At that moment, Shen Chi Yan also saw Zhou Ming Sheng. He wrapped an arm around Song Qinian's slender waist, his dark eyes like ink sweeping coldly over Zhou Ming Sheng. "I didn't expect Mr. Zhou to have a penchant for peeking at other people's affection."
Zhou Ming Sheng surveyed the two of them, a wicked smile curving his lips. "Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen have been married for three years, and Mrs. Shen still blushes so shyly when kissing, that's truly rare."
Song Qinian's heart suddenly tightened. Damn it, had Zhou Ming Sheng discovered something?
"Qiqi and I are in love every day. Our feelings won't change no matter how many years we've been married. Unlike Mr. and Mrs. Zhou, who went their separate ways after only two days of marriage."
Zhou Ming Sheng's face changed drastically. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Shen Chi Yan ignored him and started to leave, his arm around Song Qinian. Enraged, Zhou Ming Sheng blocked their path.
"Shen Chi Yan, don't think you can win over the Smiths by just finding some woman to play the part of your loving wife. A fake marital relationship like yours is like a balloon, it'll pop at the slightest touch. The Smiths will surely see through it."
"If that's the case, what are you afraid of?"
Seeing Shen Chi Yan's confident, high-and-mighty demeanor, Zhou Ming Sheng grew more displeased. He thought of something and chuckled, "Shen Chi Yan, how about we make a bet?"
Without waiting for Shen Chi Yan to respond, Zhou Ming Sheng looked at Song Qinian with malicious intent. "The stakes are who can win over the Smiths. If you win, I'll give you whatever you want. But if I win, you lend me that mute girl in your arms for two days."
Song Qinian's body trembled slightly. Zhou Ming Sheng's words reminded her of the time Shen Chi Yan had handed her over to Mr. Liang.
Would Shen Chi Yan really hand her over to someone else again?
Seeing that Shen Chi Yan hadn't immediately refused, Song Qinian gritted her teeth and pinched his waist fiercely.
Wake up! What if Zhou Ming Sheng was just testing him?
Shen Chi Yan gently released Song Qinian, grabbed Zhou Ming Sheng by the collar, and punched him hard. "Did you just call her mute?"
Neither Zhou Ming Sheng nor Song Qinian had expected Shen Chi Yan to throw a punch.
Zhou Ming Sheng was all show and no substance, only having money and good looks.
Remembering Shen Chi Yan's ruthlessness and cruelty, Zhou Ming Sheng was greatly frightened. He didn't dare to push his luck further and fled after uttering a harsh threat.
Song Qinian: "..."
She had thought Zhou Ming Sheng was tough, but he conceded defeat so quickly.
The next second, Song Qinian's chin was grabbed forcefully. She looked up and met Shen Chi Yan's cold, handsome face.
"If you dare pinch my waist again, I'll cripple your waist!"
Song Qinian quickly shook her head, her speed of concession not inferior to Zhou Ming Sheng's.