Song Qinian had not expected Shen Chi'an to throw the question back at her.
His dark, deep eyes were fixed on her, holding an emotion she couldn't decipher.
A wedding?
When she first fell for Shen Chi'an, she had indeed fantasized about their wedding.
Back then, she was dressed in a beautiful white wedding gown, walking down the aisle with her father's arm, facing Shen Chi'an in a sharp black suit, his face beaming as he waited for her.
Her father placed her hand into Shen Chi'an's palm, asking him to take good care of her. Shen Chi'an nodded in agreement and led her hand towards the flower-adorned ceremony stage.
They exchanged rings, embraced, and kissed. Shen Chi'an whispered into her ear, vowing to love her forever and always.
A fantasy, however, remained a fantasy. She lacked the courage to confess to Shen Chi'an, burying her secret, bittersweet crush deep within her heart.
Later, for various reasons, they became husband and wife, but the wedding she had longed for never materialized.
If asked whether Song Qinian wished to have a make-up wedding, her answer was undoubtedly yes, she wished for it in her dreams.
No one wanted to tell the world more than she did that Shen Chi'an was her husband, Song Qinian's husband.
But she dared not say it, for she knew Shen Chi'an had no desire for a make-up wedding.
The old lady, perhaps displeased with Shen Chi'an turning his attention to Song Qinian, looked unhappy.
Seeing this, Song Qinian smiled and shook her head at the old lady, implying that she and Shen Chi'an had been married for three years and there was no need for a make-up wedding.
The old lady saw that Song Qinian was protecting Shen Chi'an. While her heart ached for Song Qinian, she glared fiercely at Shen Chi'an.
Why couldn't this brat see how good Niannian was?
Shen Chi'an couldn't bear to stay at the old residence for another day. The old lady was giving him the cold shoulder, and the household servants were fussing over Song Qinian in front of him, treating her as if she were made of glass, to be handled with utmost care.
As for him, the young master, they treated him as if he were invisible.
And then there was that woman, Song Qinian. Normally, whenever he returned home, her eyes would follow him, as if she were afraid he wouldn't know she liked him.
Now, she was treating him like air, just like everyone else.
So, during lunch break, Shen Chi'an pulled Song Qinian into a room. He stared at her with a cold face and a sharp tone, "Are you planning to stay at the old residence and never leave?"
Song Qinian couldn't understand why Shen Chi'an was suddenly furious.
Her staying at the old residence didn't inconvenience him; why was he angry?
"I'm going back to Xiangshan Yue tonight. You're coming with me!"
Song Qinian was astonished. Logically, he detested her so much that he wouldn't want to see her. Why would he suddenly ask her to return to Xiangshan Yue?
However, one thing she was clear about was that since her arrival at the old residence, everyone had been accommodating her in terms of their routines and meals. This made her feel very embarrassed, and she didn't want to trouble them further.
Before she could figure out how to say it, Shen Chi'an had already come looking for her.
Seeing Song Qinian's lack of response for a long time, Shen Chi'an said coldly, "Your brother failed one exam, so good universities are out of reach for him. I have a good idea."
Thinking about Song Jiashu's college entrance examination still made Song Qinian feel quite upset.
But hearing Shen Chi'an say he had a good idea, her eyes lit up, and she excitedly grabbed Shen Chi'an's arm.
Hiss...
Her fingers brushed against her wound, and Song Qinian winced in pain.
Seeing this, a surge of anger rose in Shen Chi'an. "The moment you mention your brainless brother, you get so excited. You two really have deep sibling affection."
Song Qinian, oblivious to the sourness in Shen Chi'an's tone, anxiously asked, "What idea?"
Shen Chi'an's displeasure grew. He smirked coldly and said, "Come back to Xiangshan Yue with me, and I'll tell you."
Song Qinian: ...
Half an hour later, Song Qinian and Shen Chi'an came downstairs together.
The old lady was in the living room, watching television and sipping tea. Upon seeing them descend, she ignored Shen Chi'an and smiled at Song Qinian, "Niannian, come and try the freshly picked Lushan Yunwu tea. What do you think?"
Shen Chi'an watched Song Qinian hesitate and said calmly to the old lady, "Grandma, we should be going back."
The old lady glanced at Shen Chi'an indifferently, "You go your way. No one is stopping you."
Shen Chi'an: ...
If he hadn't known he was a member of the Shen family, Shen Chi'an would have thought he was adopted.
He gave Song Qinian a cold glance. Receiving his signal, Song Qinian immediately gestured slowly towards the old lady, "Grandma, my hand has almost recovered. I should be going back too."
"There's a big difference between almost recovered and fully recovered. You're living well here; why go back?"
Song Qinian wasn't good at lying, especially to the old lady. She was so nervous she could have been picking her toes.
"I... I have some things to take care of."
The old lady was sharp; how could she not see that Song Qinian was being coerced by Shen Chi'an?
She then mused that her grandson, usually reserved and distant with everyone, was using his cunning on Niannian. It seemed his hatred for Niannian was gradually diminishing.
"Alright, if you must go, Grandma can't keep you. But be careful with your hand. Don't use it for a while. If you need anything, just tell Zhang Qiaoqiao directly."
Song Qinian nodded obediently.
The old lady looked at Song Qinian's docile and obedient demeanor, finding it incredibly endearing. She reached back and patted her head, "Good girl. When you get back, if anyone bullies you, be sure to tell Grandma. Grandma will get revenge for you."
As she spoke, the old lady shot Shen Chi'an a frosty glare. There was no doubt that "anyone" she referred to was Shen Chi'an.
In the car, Shen Chi'an's expression was grim.
Song Qinian knew that if she were smart, she wouldn't provoke Shen Chi'an at this moment.
But she was too worried about Jiashu's situation, so she made an unwise decision. She nudged Shen Chi'an with her elbow.
When Shen Chi'an's cold gaze swept over her, she flinched in fear but still braved herself to gesture with difficulty, "About my brother's schooling, you said you had a good idea..."
Shen Chi'an was full of anger. Didn't she see he was unhappy? Couldn't she comfort him, and instead, she was still preoccupied with her useless brother!
Shen Chi'an smirked coldly and said, "No, I lied to you."
Song Qinian stared at Shen Chi'an in disbelief, her eyes reddening with anger. How could he lie to her about this!
Giving her hope, only to crush her down heavily!
Seeing Song Qinian's tears fall like pearls from a broken string, a flicker of something unusual crossed Shen Chi'an's mind. He frowned, "Hold back your tears!"
Song Qinian glared at him fiercely and turned her head to look out the window, no longer wanting to look at him.
Shen Chi'an became increasingly agitated, especially seeing Song Qinian's back. His head suddenly began to ache severely. Damn it...