The old lady doted on Shen Zhenghao so much that she even threatened to disown him to keep him by her side. Yet, this naive fool, Shen Zhenghao, abandoned his mother and family for the pursuit of true love.
Now, his brazen return with Ji Luofei and her son not only publicly shamed the old lady but also brought immense embarrassment to the entire Shen family.
Ever since Shen Zhenghao's birth, Shen Zhengming had been jealous of him. It wasn't just because Shen Zhenghao was favored by their grandfather and grandmother; the primary reason was Shen Zhenghao's intelligence.
Despite not being particularly fond of studying, Shen Zhenghao always came first in exams, drawing much attention.
What Shen Zhenghao achieved effortlessly required Shen Zhengming to exert tremendous effort, fueling his jealousy and hatred.
However, the old lady was right about one thing: Shen Zhenghao's body grew, but his mind didn't. He was indeed intelligent, but when it came to interpersonal relationships, he was as dull as a pig.
Seeing Shen Zhenghao in this state filled Shen Zhengming with immense joy.
"Zhenghao, you should go back first!"
Shen Zhenghao, his heart consumed with worry for Ji Luofei and Li Junshen, hesitated for a few seconds before leaving the Shen residence with a parting remark, "Mom, I'll visit you another day." Shen Zhengming escorted him out.
As soon as they left, the old lady could no longer maintain her composure and slumped onto the sofa.
"Grandma!"
Shen Chi Yan and Shen Ke Qin immediately supported her.
"Grandma, how are you? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
The old lady shook her head. "I'm fine. Ah Yan, help me back to my room."
"Alright."
Shen Chi Yan signaled Shen Ke Qin to entertain the family while he helped the old lady back to her room.
It was the first day of the Lunar New Year, a day meant for joy, but it had been ruined by Shen Zhenghao.
In the room, the old lady took out her husband's photograph and gazed at it, her eyes red. With a heavy sigh, she murmured, "Old man, your youngest son is truly a disgrace!"
The old lady's objection to Shen Zhenghao and Ji Luofei's union wasn't due to Ji Luofei's family background or social standing. It was because Ji Luofei was a hypocrite, outwardly virtuous but inwardly deceitful.
She was adept at feigning innocence and helplessness, completely captivating Shen Zhenghao.
In dramas, parents would offer money to make the girl leave. Ji Luofei, however, did the exact opposite.
The old lady still vividly remembered their first meeting. Ji Luofei was wearing a white dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, appearing demure and ladylike.
But her first words left the old lady utterly astonished.
"Madam Shen, I know that with my circumstances and family background, I am not worthy of Zhenghao, and you would never permit our marriage. If you give me five million, I will completely leave Shen Zhenghao and never appear before him again."
The old lady had encountered many women who sought money, but Ji Luofei's audacious demand was a first.
She smiled at Ji Luofei. "Does Zhenghao know you've come to me for money?"
Ji Luofei smiled confidently. "Madam Shen, who do you think Zhenghao will believe, you or me? If you don't give me the money, I'll tell Zhenghao you're trying to break us up, or else I'll make it impossible for me to stay in Jinghua City!"
Shen Zhenghao was a hopeless romantic. If he found out the old lady had approached Ji Luofei privately, he would surely be furious, perhaps even leading him to disown her.
For the first time in her life, the old lady felt a strange sense of novelty at being threatened. "Then why don't you marry Zhenghao and become a young lady of the Shen family? Not just five million, but tens of millions would be within reach."
"Heh... would you let me marry him? You wouldn't. And I'm not foolish enough to dream of becoming a phoenix by climbing onto a branch. I only want five million!"
Later, Ji Luofei broke up with Shen Zhenghao, and Shen Zhenghao always believed it was the old lady who had separated them.
For her son's sake, the old lady had never revealed the truth to Shen Zhengming. She never imagined things would escalate to this point.
If Ji Luofei hadn't instigated something behind the scenes, Shen Zhenghao wouldn't have created such a scene at their home on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Yet, Ji Luofei still acted as if she were the one who had been frightened. That woman's manipulative skills were truly becoming formidable.
"Ah Yan, is that man named Junshen truly your father's son?"
Shen Chi Yan's expression was no better than the old lady's. The thought of Shen Zhenghao's outrageous actions made him wish they would all disappear from Jinghua City.
"I only found out yesterday. I haven't investigated yet. If Li Junshen is indeed Shen Zhenghao's son, what do you plan to do, Grandma? Let him join the Shen family?"
"No! That would be too unfair to your mother and you! Qiwen was still young when he returned to the Shen family, and his mother was no longer alive. I couldn't leave him to wander outside. But that Li Junshen, even if I die, I will not let him enter the Shen family."
Shen Chi Yan gently patted the old lady's back to comfort her. "Then don't worry about it, and don't trouble yourself with this matter. I am the pillar of the Shen family now. Leave everything to me, alright?"
Tears welled up in the old lady's eyes as she looked at Shen Chi Yan, smiling with relief. "Ah Yan, your grandfather loved you the most and had the highest hopes for you. He said only you could make the Shen family better and better. You are so capable now; your grandfather in heaven would be very happy to see it."
Then, as if remembering something, the old lady patted Shen Chi Yan's hand. "Ah Yan, Niannian is a good child. You must cherish her."
Thinking of Song Qinian, Shen Chi Yan's heart softened. "Don't worry, Grandma. I will love her with my life."
Meanwhile, Shen Chi Yan was in Gu Zhiyan's room, chatting with her. As soon as they entered the room, Gu Zhiyan didn't bring up Shen Zhenghao or Ji Luofei at all. Instead, she chatted with Song Qinian about everything under the sun.
Seeing that Gu Zhiyan seemed unaffected, Song Qinian breathed a sigh of relief. Shortly after, Shen Ke Qin burst in.
"Third Aunt, Sister-in-law, something terrible has happened! Third Uncle said that Li Junshen is his son and wants the old lady to acknowledge him!"
Gu Zhiyan lit a cigarette, showing little reaction. Song Qinian, however, reacted strongly, jumping up from the sofa.
She looked at Shen Ke Qin incredulously, gesturing, "What did you say? Li Junshen is Shen Zhenghao's son?"
Ji Luofei's husband, wasn't Li Junshen's father Zhou Shaoyuan? How did he become Shen Zhenghao?
Right, she remembered asking Li Junshen out of curiosity why his surname was Li if his father's name was Zhou Shaoyuan.
How had Li Junshen replied?
"Heh... because my first father's surname was Li."
She had been young then and thought Li Junshen was amazing to have multiple fathers. But she never imagined Shen Zhenghao was Li Junshen's biological father.