When Shen Chi Yan brought Zan Zan to the Song family, everyone was overjoyed.
Especially Song Jia Shu, who doted on his cute and exquisite nephew, wishing he could shower the child with all the good things in the world.
"Uncle... handsome... Zan Zan likes Uncle..."
"Oh, Uncle likes Zan Zan too, Uncle likes Zan Zan the most. Come, Uncle will show you your presents."
Song Jia Shu had brought many gifts for Zan Zan from abroad. The two, one big and one small, sat in Song Jia Shu's room looking at the presents, and Zan Zan was all smiles.
Watching this scene of harmony, Song Qi Nian's smile never left her lips.
This was the kind of life she had always yearned for.
"Sigh..."
Shen Chi Yan let out a heavy sigh beside her.
Song Qi Nian glanced back at him and met his melancholy and wronged expression.
"What's wrong?"
"First you, then Zan Zan. As soon as Song Jia Shu returns, you both stop loving me."
Hearing Shen Chi Yan's sour tone, Song Qi Nian couldn't help but chuckle, "What nonsense are you talking about? Jia Shu is my brother, Zan Zan's uncle. We are a loving family."
At this moment, Song Jia Shu came out of the room holding Zan Zan. They went to the sofa. Song Jia Shu cast a cool glance at Shen Chi Yan, then smiled at Zan Zan, "Zan Zan, do you like Daddy or Uncle more?"
At his young age, Zan Zan was already a master of balance. He looked at Shen Chi Yan, then smiled at Song Jia Shu, "I like both. I like Daddy and Uncle very much."
"Really? But if Daddy and Uncle fell into the water, who would you save first?"
Zan Zan frowned and thought for a few seconds, "Can Uncle not swim?"
"No, I can't."
"Then I'll save Uncle, because Daddy can swim."
Although the premise of this answer was that Shen Chi Yan could swim, Song Jia Shu was still very happy, feeling he had won this round against Shen Chi Yan.
Seeing this, Shen Chi Yan leaned on Song Qi Nian's shoulder and began his "green tea" monologue, "As expected, Uncle and nephew are closer. What is Daddy?"
Song Qi Nian: "...That's enough. You know how much Zan Zan loves you, why are you even jealous about this?"
"Then will you come home with me tonight?"
Before Song Qi Nian could reply, Shen Chi Yan continued with a wronged tone, "Never mind, you don't need to answer. I should be magnanimous. After all, your brother is back after such a long time, you'll definitely want to stay and accompany him for a few days. If I insist you come home, it would seem unreasonable of me."
At this moment, Shen Chi Yan noticed the necklace around Song Qi Nian's neck, "This necklace..."
Song Qi Nian immediately showed off to Shen Chi Yan, "Isn't it beautiful? Jia Shu brought it back from abroad. I really like it."
Shen Chi Yan let out a "heh" and looked as if he was deeply hurt, "As expected, the gifts I give you are never as good as the ones your brother gives you."
Song Qi Nian became anxious, "Not at all."
"Then why are you wearing the necklace he gave you and taking off the one I gave you?"
"I... I just wanted to wear them alternately sometimes."
"As expected, you always get tired of the old and like the new."
Song Qi Nian: "..."
Song Guan Liang and Liu Xiao Han had prepared a table full of delicious food. As the family sat down to eat, Song Qi Nian, thinking it was rare for her brother to be back, subconsciously put a piece of his favorite braised ribs into Song Jia Shu's bowl.
Seeing this, Shen Chi Yan whispered in her ear again, "See? Your first scoop used to always be for me. Now you're giving it to your brother. I really can't compare to your brother."
Song Qi Nian was mortified. She quickly scooped some of his favorite dishes into Shen Chi Yan's bowl. But Shen Chi Yan clearly had no appetite, "You only thought of me now. Isn't it a bit late?"
Seeing Shen Chi Yan looking displeased, Song Qi Nian could only tolerate it.
That night, the three of them stayed at the Song's house.
After Zan Zan fell asleep, Song Jia Shu invited Shen Chi Yan for barbecue. Song Qi Nian, afraid of trouble, followed them.
Song Jia Shu chose a barbecue restaurant. As they approached, the mixed smell of oil smoke and barbecue made Shen Chi Yan frown uncomfortably.
Song Jia Shu had already chosen a table and sat down. He looked at Shen Chi Yan with disdain and mocked, "If Mr. Shen dislikes this place, you can leave. My sister and I used to love the barbecue here. Since we're here, we have to eat our fill before going back."
Song Qi Nian looked at Shen Chi Yan worriedly.
Shen Chi Yan sat opposite Song Jia Shu, "Since it's a barbecue that Qi Qi likes, I naturally have to try it properly."
Song Jia Shu snorted, "Waiter, bring a case of beer."
Hearing this, Song Qi Nian said anxiously, "Will a case be too much? Shen Chi Yan's stomach isn't very good..."
Before Song Qi Nian could finish speaking, Shen Chi Yan grabbed her hand, "Don't worry, it's just a little beer, it'll be fine. It's rare for my little brother-in-law to be back, and he's so happy. I naturally have to accompany him for a good drink."
Song Jia Shu chuckled, "I like to hear that."
Soon, the beer was brought over. Song Jia Shu opened two bottles and poured them into large cups.
"Mr. Shen, here's to you..."
"Alright!"
After clinking glasses, they drank a bottle of beer in one go without blinking.
Song Qi Nian watched from the side, her heart in her mouth. But the two men were clearly engaged in a competition, and she didn't want to spoil the mood, so she could only eat while keeping an eye on them.
In fact, Song Jia Shu and Shen Chi Yan had been at odds for a long time.
Song Jia Shu always felt that Shen Chi Yan was not good enough for his sister. He felt that his sister, such a good cabbage, had been gobbled up by Shen Chi Yan, that pig.
And from Shen Chi Yan's perspective, Song Qi Nian treated Song Jia Shu even better than him, which made him jealous and unhappy.
But Shen Chi Yan was well aware that Song Jia Shu was his brother-in-law, and if their relationship wasn't good, his future life wouldn't be easy.
Often, men's communication didn't require many words; it was all in the drinks.
When both of them got drunk, their guards came down.
Song Jia Shu's alcohol tolerance was clearly much worse than Shen Chi Yan's. After only a few bottles, his face was already red.
He stared at Shen Chi Yan with bleary eyes and pointed at his nose, scolding, "Shen Chi Yan, I really hate you... How dare you... how dare you marry such a good woman as my sister?"
Shen Chi Yan wasn't that drunk, but he pretended to be, "Because I'm lucky, heaven favors me, and your sister loves me too."
Song Jia Shu snorted, "You hurt her so much back then. At that time, I was thinking that if I had the ability, I would definitely take my sister away from you. You don't deserve my sister. People like you should die alone."
The past had always been a thorn in Shen Chi Yan's heart. He understood very well that no matter how much he tried to make up for it, the damage he had caused Song Qi Nian was still there.
"Yes, you're right. I'm a scoundrel."
Song Jia Shu sighed heavily, "But my sister likes you, and you have such a cute son like Zan Zan."