The old lady's intention was clear: Shen Chi Yan was married, and Lin Qiu Tong should stop harboring any delusions.
Lin Xing An's expression was grim. Shen Qi Wen was an illegitimate son, and he looked down on him.
However, if he refused directly, Lin Qiu Tong's reputation, as well as the relationship between the Lin and Shen families, might be jeopardized.
Upon further consideration, although Shen Qi Wen was Shen Zheng Ming's illegitimate son, he was still a son of the Shen family.
He had long wanted the two families to form an alliance for the sake of Lin Corporation. Since he could no longer have Shen Chi Yan, if Shen Qi Wen treated Qiu Qiu well, it was reluctantly acceptable.
With this thought, Lin Xing An nodded, "If the two children like each other, then it's naturally permissible."
Lin Qiu Tong never expected Lin Xing An to agree with the old lady. She knew he had weighed the pros and cons before speaking, but she still felt heartbroken. She bit her lip tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"I..."
"I'm sorry, Grandma, I can't marry Qiu Tong because the person I love is not her."
Just as Lin Qiu Tong was about to speak, Shen Qi Wen interrupted her.
Everyone looked at Shen Qi Wen in disbelief. Shen Chi Yan stared at him coldly, his eyes filled with icy intent.
Shen Zheng Ming roared at Shen Qi Wen, "Qi Wen, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Damn Shen Qi Wen, such a good opportunity for an alliance with the Lin family, and he didn't want it.
One had to know that although Lin family's development was not as strong as before, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. He was now restricted everywhere by Shen Chi Yan at Ding Sheng Group. If they formed an alliance with Lin Corporation, it would only bring them benefits and no harm.
Was this little bastard trying to anger him to death?
Shen Qi Wen naturally knew what Shen Zheng Ming was thinking. He looked at Lin Lan Xing with deep affection.
Lin Lan Xing was full of questions.
Then, everyone heard Shen Qi Wen say, "The person I love is Lan Xing. I was drunk last night, and Qiu Tong and Lan Xing look very alike, so I mistook Qiu Tong for Lan Xing."
Lin Lan Xing was completely stunned, like someone who had been eavesdropping and then found themselves implicated.
Afterward, Shen Qi Wen looked at Lin Qiu Tong deeply, "Qiu Tong, I'm really sorry about last night. I mistook you for someone else, and I wronged you. Whatever compensation you want, I can give it to you."
Being looked at like that by Shen Qi Wen, Lin Qiu Tong felt flustered. She immediately and magnanimously shook her head, "Lan Xing and I are sisters, so it's natural that we look alike. It's understandable that you mistook me. Fortunately, Ah Yan arrived in time, and nothing happened between us, so I don't blame you."
Lin Qiu Tong's words had a triple meaning.
First, she followed Shen Qi Wen's words, saying she and Lin Lan Xing looked alike, intending to shift the focus to Lin Lan Xing and make everyone truly believe that Shen Qi Wen had mistaken her for someone else.
Second, she wanted everyone to know that Shen Chi Yan was with her last night, and even if something had happened, it would have been between her and Shen Chi Yan, not Shen Qi Wen.
Third, she magnanimously forgave Shen Qi Wen, showing everyone that even if she had suffered immense injustice, she would always be pure and kind.
No one expected things to develop in this direction, especially Lin Lan Xing. She looked at Shen Qi Wen angrily and said in exasperation, "Are you crazy? Didn't you find me noisy and dislike talking to me? How could you like me?"
Shen Qi Wen walked to Lin Lan Xing and smiled slightly at her, "That was because I was too shy to tell you directly. I approached your sister before precisely to get closer to you. Since so many elders are present today, I want to tell you, Lan Xing, I like you."
Lin Lan Xing was utterly bewildered. What the heck was going on?
Wasn't Shen Qi Wen her sister's devoted admirer? How could he like her?
Besides, she didn't like Shen Qi Wen either!
Before Lin Lan Xing could speak, Shen Zheng Ming burst into laughter, "Oh, I didn't expect it to be such a misunderstanding. Qi Wen, you are a son of our Shen family. You must speak up if you like someone; it's no fun to keep it hidden."
Shen Qi Wen nodded, "I understand, Father. From now on, I will pursue Lan Xing with all my might."
Given the circumstances, the Lin family found it difficult to say anything.
Even though Lin Xing An knew that Shen Chi Yan was with Lin Qiu Tong last night, he couldn't say such things in front of the Shen family. After all, Shen Chi Yan was a married man. Any misstep could turn his daughter into a mistress.
Few people were interested in the truth of the matter.
What mattered most to them was how much profit they could gain from this incident.
Shen Zheng Ming intended to form an alliance with the Lin family. Whether it was Lin Qiu Tong or Lin Lan Xing, as long as it was a daughter of the Lin family, it would suffice.
Therefore, as soon as he left, he happily went to find Lin Xing An.
Lin Qiu Tong, not having gotten what she wanted, was naturally unwilling to give up.
After Shen Chi Yan escorted her out, she said pitifully, "Ah Yan, I have to thank you for last night and today. Without you, I don't know what I would have done?"
Shen Chi Yan seemed somewhat preoccupied. He calmly comforted Lin Qiu Tong, "Don't worry, I won't let anyone harm you."
As if she thought of something, Lin Qiu Tong deliberately said, "I originally thought it was Song Qi Nian and Shen Qi Wen plotting against me together. I didn't expect Qi Wen to mistake me for Lan Xing. No wonder he kept calling out 'Xing Xing's' name when he brought me to the room last night."
"Mm, you didn't sleep well last night. Go back and get some rest early."
Lin Qiu Tong nodded and reluctantly left the Shen family's old residence.
When Shen Chi Yan returned to the living room, Song Qi Nian and the old lady were no longer there.
He asked Zhang Ma, "Zhang Ma, where are Grandma and Song Qi Nian?"
"The young madam said she had something to discuss with the old lady privately. They went to the old lady's room."
Shen Chi Yan's expression grew more somber.
At this moment, in the old lady's room, after Song Qi Nian helped the old lady sit on the sofa, she suddenly knelt before her.
The old lady was startled and then tried to pull Song Qi Nian up, "Hey, Nian Nian, what... what are you doing?"
Song Qi Nian pushed away the old lady's hand and kowtowed to her three times.
Then, she slowly gestured with her hands, "Grandma, thank you for fulfilling my wish and letting me marry Shen Chi Yan and be his wife for three years. Thank you for trusting me, supporting me, and making me feel unprecedented warmth."
Song Qi Nian's tears flowed uncontrollably. The old lady looked at her, as if sensing something, and sighed softly, "Get up first."
Song Qi Nian stood up and hugged the old lady tightly. After letting go, she slowly gestured, "I always thought that as long as I tried hard enough and loved Shen Chi Yan enough, he would eventually love me. But now I realize I was terribly wrong. These three years were a stolen married life, and it's time to end it."
The old lady truly felt sorry for Song Qi Nian, but matters of the heart could not be forced. Forcing the two of them to be together for life would benefit no one.