Time flew by. One week after Song Qinian's stitches were removed, it was the Shen family matriarch's eighty-eighth birthday banquet.
Eighty-eight years of life is a rare feat, especially for a prominent figure in Jinghua City.
The matriarch's birthday banquet was not just a Shen family affair, but an event for the entire city of Jinghua.
The banquet was held at Jinghua City's most luxurious seven-star hotel.
For three days prior, the hotel was closed to regular guests, only accommodating those attending the birthday celebration.
On the day of the event, influential figures from all walks of life in Jinghua City came to wish the matriarch well, alongside major media outlets and reporters. The scene was grand and unprecedented.
The entire Shen family had been preparing for this day for a long time, each member eager to make a good impression at the matriarch's banquet, hoping to gain favors or connect with important people.
Only Song Qinian grew more anxious and conflicted as the banquet approached.
She had initially assumed the matriarch's banquet would be held at the old Shen family residence, allowing her to attend and celebrate with her grandmother.
However, with such a large guest list, and her marriage to Shen ChiYan being a secret, Shen ChiYan would undoubtedly prefer her not to be present.
What should she do?
Just as Song Qinian was pondering her dilemma, Shen KeQin arrived at the villa with a custom-made gown.
"Sister-in-law, Grandma said that while anyone else could be absent from her banquet, you cannot."
Seeing Song Qinian's continued hesitation, Shen KeQin patted her back reassuringly, "Don't worry, tomorrow Grandma and I will be there to protect you. No one will dare to bully you."
Song Qinian smiled faintly. It wasn't fear of being bullied that bothered her, but rather the fear of embarrassing the matriarch.
"Besides, no matter how my brother treats you, you are his wife after all. Tomorrow is the day to officially cement your 'couple status' and set the record straight."
After comforting Song Qinian for a while, Shen KeQin's phone rang. "Sister-in-law, the gift I ordered for Grandma is ready. I'll go pick it up now. See you tomorrow! Make sure you dress up beautifully!"
Song Qinian nodded. She had made up her mind. Her grandmother had been so good to her; she couldn't possibly miss celebrating her birthday because of others or certain circumstances.
The next morning, Song Qinian donned the gown prepared for her by the matriarch.
It was a black, strapless, Hepburn-style evening gown, paired with black gloves that perfectly concealed the scars on her fingers.
As soon as she finished dressing, there was a knock on the door.
Song Qinian opened it to find a man wearing sheer stockings, a black bodycon skirt, and a yellow t-shirt.
"Little darling, long time no see. Did you miss me?"
It took Song Qinian a moment to recall that this was the person Shen ChiYan had hired to do her makeup before, someone named Nancy.
Nancy scrutinized Song Qinian from head to toe, then exclaimed excitedly, "Oh my god, I thought the Hepburn style would only suit a strong-featured beauty, but I never expected 'little darling' to look so stunning in it!"
Song Qinian felt a little embarrassed by the compliment.
"Come on, let the greatest stylist of this century give you a makeover, so you can outshine everyone today."
What followed was Nancy's creative process. Song Qinian was placed on a chair for over an hour, feeling him daubing and painting her face while he occasionally let out exclamations.
When it was finally over, Nancy took several photos of Song Qinian with his phone and asked, with a hint of disappointment, "Darling, are you really not considering entering the entertainment industry? With your looks, you could become a superstar without even trying."
Before Song Qinian could reply, a cold and stern voice cut in, "Who are you calling darling?"
Seeing Shen ChiYan's displeasure, Nancy's survival instincts kicked in. He gave a dry laugh, "Mr. Shen, I just think Madam Shen is too beautiful not to be in the entertainment industry."
Shen ChiYan's eyes, dark as ink, then fell upon Song Qinian. The strapless gown perfectly showcased her fair, delicate swan-like neck and beautiful collarbones.
The hem of the dress covered her knees, yet revealed her straight and slender calves, making one wish to reach out and touch them at first glance.
Nancy had styled her hair into a noble and elegant princess hairdo, adorned with a delicate tiara, making her look like a little aristocratic princess.
Under Shen ChiYan's intense gaze, Song Qinian nervously rubbed her hands together.
The next second, she heard Shen ChiYan's emotionless voice, "Beautiful? I don't think so."
Song Qinian lowered her eyes, feeling a pang of sadness and disappointment.
Nancy was dumbfounded. Mr. Shen's standards were too high; if this wasn't beautiful, then what was?
He was about to speak when he met Shen ChiYan's cold, intimidating gaze.
Resisting the urge to be a third wheel, he beat a hasty retreat.
Seeing Song Qinian standing still, Shen ChiYan spoke coldly, "What are you standing there for?"
Song Qinian pursed her lips and slowly walked towards Shen ChiYan. As soon as she reached him, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist and cupped her chin.
He looked at her, frowning, lost in thought.
So close together, Song Qinian's heart pounded rapidly, her mind racing with thoughts that he might not like her makeup.
Suddenly, Shen ChiYan called out, "Zhang Qiaoqiao."
"Coming!"
Hearing Zhang Qiaoqiao's footsteps, Song Qinian tried to pull away, but Shen ChiYan held her tighter.
Zhang Qiaoqiao, who was also attending the matriarch's banquet today and had put on a pretty floral dress, giggled secretly upon seeing the couple embrace.
Song Qinian's face immediately flushed crimson.
"Young Master, what is it?"
"Is she missing something?"
"Huh?"
Zhang Qiaoqiao was perplexed. She looked at Song Qinian for a long time, only finding her exceedingly beautiful, and noticed nothing else.
Shen ChiYan, seeing Zhang Qiaoqiao's admiration for Song Qinian's looks, frowned and commanded sternly, "There's a box on my bedside table. Go get it."
"Oh..."
After Zhang Qiaoqiao left, Song Qinian tried to break free from Shen ChiYan's embrace, but he warned her sharply, "Move again, and you won't be attending Grandma's banquet today."
Song Qinian: "..."
They say that might cannot bend the strong-willed, but Song Qinian always capitulated quickly under Shen ChiYan's oppressive aura.
Soon, Zhang Qiaoqiao returned with the box.
"Open it!"
Zhang Qiaoqiao opened the box, revealing a string of pink pearls. Her eyes immediately lit up, "Wow, this pearl necklace is so beautiful!"
Shen ChiYan remained silent. He directly picked up the necklace and fastened it around Song Qinian's neck.
Zhang Qiaoqiao exclaimed, "Oh, that's wonderful! I knew Madam was missing something, it was the necklace! With this necklace on, Madam's beauty has leveled up by several notches."
Besides her excellent cooking, Zhang Qiaoqiao was also a master of flattery.
Shen ChiYan gave Song Qinian a deep look, then loosened his grip on her, his expression unreadable. "Let's go, we mustn't be late."
He walked out of the room first. Zhang Qiaoqiao excitedly said, "Madam, you are too beautiful! In my entire life, I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you."
Song Qinian: "..."
How old was she, really!
But... why would Shen ChiYan suddenly give her a necklace?
She reached out and touched the necklace. The pearls were pure and radiant, perfectly round and full. They must have been expensive.
Upon arriving at the hotel, as they alighted from the car, Shen ChiYan grabbed Song Qinian's arm and leaned into her ear, warning, "You'd better behave yourself and not go around seducing people!"