Everyone’s eyes fell on Song Qinian’s mouth after Shen Chi’an spoke. It was clearly a bite mark.
The expressions on everyone’s faces grew increasingly complicated as their gazes flickered between Song Qinian, Shen Chi’an, and Li Junchen. No one dared to speak.
Liu Xiaohan was quite anxious. She didn't know Li Junchen's current status, but she was very familiar with Shen Chi’an. If she angered him, her family would have a difficult time in Jinghua City.
However, she didn’t dare to step forward, so she tugged at Song Guanliang’s sleeve, urging him to think of a solution.
Song Guanliang saw his daughter's predicament. He walked over and stood in front of Song Qinian, saying calmly to Shen Chi’an, "Mr. Shen, today is my daughter's birthday. Thank you for coming to celebrate with her. If you don't mind, please sit down and have a meal and a drink before you go."
Liu Xiaohan’s heart sank upon hearing this.
She had asked Song Guanliang to send Shen Chi’an away, not to invite him to stay for dinner.
If he stayed, Song Qinian’s birthday party would essentially be ruined.
Song Qinian hadn't expected Song Guanliang to say that. Just as she was about to speak, Shen Chi’an’s clear voice rang out, "There’s no need. If I’m here, I’m afraid you won’t be able to eat."
He then gave Song Qinian a deep look and said, "Song Qinian, we have plenty of time!"
Shen Chi’an left. Shen Keqin looked at Song Qinian before following Shen Chi’an away. Seeing Song Qinian, Li Junchen, and their baby together, her heart felt quite heavy.
Because of Shen Chi’an's actions, a strange atmosphere settled over Song Qinian's birthday banquet, making it far from enjoyable.
Meanwhile, Shen Keqin caught up with Shen Chi’an at the elevator entrance. "Fifth Brother… wait for me…"
Seeing Shen Keqin, Shen Chi’an’s mood worsened. "Shen Keqin, you’re very good!"
Shen Keqin pouted aggrievedly. She knew Shen Chi’an was speaking sarcastically. Of course, Shen Chi’an was angry not because Shen Keqin had come to wish Song Qinian a happy birthday, but because Li Junchen had sent the invitation, and she had actually come.
"I just wanted to have a good chat with Sister-in-law, to ask her how she’s been these past two years, and…"
Shen Chi’an snorted, "Their family is so happy. She can talk now, and they have a child. Can’t you tell how they’re doing just by looking? Do you still need to ask?"
As if remembering something, Shen Chi’an said coldly, "Did you hold the child?"
"No… absolutely not! But to be honest, the child is quite cute and especially well-behaved. Not like other brats who cry or fuss at the drop of a hat."
"Heh… Where is he cute and well-behaved?"
Seeing how angry Shen Chi’an was, Shen Keqin silently zipped her lips and dared not speak further.
Shen Chi’an’s mood was as terrible as it could get. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have thought about a private world for two and wouldn’t have spared the child.
He should have kept having children with Song Qinian, a whole bunch of them. Then, even if she betrayed him, he would at least have a child.
Now, he had nothing.
And Li Junchen had stolen his woman and even had a son with her!
Thinking of this, Shen Chi’an felt like killing everyone.
"But Brother… giving Sister-in-law a bed as a birthday gift must really annoy Li Junchen, but Sister-in-law might think you did it on purpose."
"Hmph, if I’m not happy, no one else should be!"
Of course, Shen Chi’an had no intention of actually giving the bed to Song Qinian. He found the idea of Li Junchen sleeping in the bed that he and Song Qinian had shared disgusting!
He just took it there to provoke them. Knowing Li Junchen wouldn't accept it, he had someone move it back to Qilixiangdu.
That evening, the old lady invited everyone back to the old house for dinner. Shen Chi’an didn’t return, but everyone else did.
Over the past two years, the old lady’s health had declined. Perhaps sensing her time was limited, she wanted the family to gather.
At the dinner table, Lin Lanxing deliberately mentioned Song Qinian to the old lady. "Grandma, Song Qinian and that Li Junchen are back. They even have a son."
Although the old lady hadn't paid much attention to external affairs in recent years, she was aware of Song Qinian's situation.
After exchanging a look with Lin Lanxing, Shen Huanling said sarcastically, "Yes, Grandma was so good to her back then, even making her the Vice Chairman of the Hongou Foundation. I never expected her to do such a thing for Li Junchen. She truly embarrassed our Shen family."
Shen Huanling was in love with Li Junchen. She had finally found a man she liked, only for Song Qinian to snatch him away. How could she not hate Song Qinian?
Lin Lanxing sighed, "I really never expected that Song Qinian would be so good at deceiving people. She claimed her relationship with Li Junchen was purely platonic, with no other feelings, and then eloped with him the next day. I’ve never met anyone so deceitful and shameless."
Shen Keqin watched Lin Lanxing and Shen Huanling gloating and constantly slandering Song Qinian, feeling furious enough to explode.
No matter what Song Qinian had done, she was still a thousand times better than them.
The old lady had been eating the whole time and hadn't spoken. Everyone’s eyes were on her. After she finished eating and put down her chopsticks, she said calmly, "One should not talk while eating, nor speak while sleeping. What others do is their own business. Instead of worrying about others, you should focus on managing your own lives."
Saying this, the old lady looked at Lin Lanxing. "Lanxing, you and Qiwen have been married for two years, why isn't there any sign of a baby yet?"
Lin Lanxing’s face fell at this topic. To be honest, after marrying Shen Qiwen, he had been extremely busy, and they rarely saw each other. Every time they did that intimate act, Shen Qiwen would finish quickly, as if completing a task.
They hadn’t used any contraception, but her stomach remained stubbornly empty.
Of course, she wasn't particularly interested in having a child and even felt that having one might take up her time, so she was secretly happy about not getting pregnant.
But the old lady’s constant pressure was hard to bear!
"Grandma, don't worry. Qiwen and I are trying our best. We’ll let you hold a great-grandchild sooner or later!"
"Then you need to hurry. And Huanling, you're not getting any younger. It's time to find a boyfriend."
Shen Huanling's expression stiffened slightly. The person she liked was already married to Song Qinian. What could she do?
But!
She would never give up. Since Li Junchen and Song Qinian were back, wasn’t it easy to break them up?
"Grandma, I already have someone I like. I will work hard to win him over."
Fearing that the old lady might ask them more uncomfortable questions, they quickly excused themselves after dinner.
Only Shen Keqin remained, sitting on the sofa in the living room with the old lady.
"Qinqin, you've seen Niannian and her child, haven't you? How are they? Does the baby look like Niannian?"