Volume 1, Chapter 10: Can You Shut Up?
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Shen Zhi received a sudden notice from He Yunshen and had no choice but to cancel her date with Jiang Shan and return home for dinner first.
“Shan Shan, I’m sorry, I can only accompany you next time.”
Shen Zhi forced a bitter smile. If it were an invitation from He Yunshen, she might have refused, but when the chairman gave an order, she didn’t want to embarrass the old man.
Moreover, the matter between her and He Yunshen had not yet become publicly known.
“All right then! If you need me to pick you up, just let me know anytime.”
Jiang Shan saw her off at the doorstep, then took a call and left.
Not long after, a black Maybach slowly stopped in front of Shen Zhi. She was about to habitually open the front passenger door when the car window rolled down.
Zhou Qin looked up, a wide smile curving her lips, raising an eyebrow as she said, “Sister-in-law, sorry, I’m only used to sitting in the front on Yunshen’s car; I get carsick in the back…”
Halfway through, her gaze flicked to the backseat, signaling that only Shen Zhi could sit there.
Why was she in the car?
Shen Zhi’s eyes were filled with confusion as she turned to He Yunshen in the driver’s seat, hoping for some explanation.
He, however, coldly averted his gaze and stared straight ahead, showing no intention to explain.
He only told her that their father had summoned them home for dinner, but never mentioned Zhou Qin would be coming along.
Though displeased, she had no choice but to open the rear door and get in.
Throughout the journey, she remained expressionless and silent, occasionally glancing at He Yunshen through the rearview mirror, who also kept quiet.
Unable to resist, Zhou Qin finally spoke, “Oh, don’t be so stiff! Not saying a word, people might think you don’t know each other well!”
After saying this, she cast a coquettish glance at He Yunshen.
“By the way, Yunshen, what do you think I should bring as a gift to our dad? I haven’t seen him for years and have no idea what he likes.”
“Whatever you want. Dad’s not picky about those things.”
He Yunshen finally spoke, his tone filled with affection.
A gift? Only then did Shen Zhi realize that He Yunshen’s so-called family gathering was really about bringing Zhou Qin home, while she was merely a prop.
“Sister-in-law, what do you think?”
Zhou Qin deliberately turned around to feign seeking Shen Zhi’s opinion.
When Shen Zhi didn’t respond, she turned her attention back to He Yunshen, teasing him playfully.
“Oh, it’s all your fault for giving her so much work! You were too busy with company matters earlier to prepare anything!”
As she spoke, Zhou Qin’s hand ambiguously rested on He Yunshen’s thigh.
Shen Zhi felt a sinking heart—they were shamelessly disregarding her presence.
He had repeatedly said he was willing to make Zhou Qin leave for her sake, yet now that she had left home and stayed at the company, she was just clearing the way for them.
“Don’t you like my arrangement? Then I’ll take it back tomorrow.”
He Yunshen’s face lost its gloom, replaced by a gentle, teasing smile.
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“No, if you hadn’t begged me, I wouldn’t have come back to help you!”
They bantered back and forth, treating Shen Zhi in the backseat as if she didn’t exist.
“But you’re really inconsiderate. Sister-in-law was handling such an important task at the company, but you never told me. I showed up empty-handed the first time I met her!”
Zhou Qin brought up old grievances. He Yunshen smiled faintly, “You don’t need to bother with those social niceties. Just don’t make me worry anymore.”
“Who asked you to worry? I don’t even know who went abroad right after the wedding night. Just a minor injury, but you left your new wife behind and rushed off…”
“Zhou Qin!”
He Yunshen suddenly snapped harshly, his expression turning serious.
Abruptly braking and turning sharply, Shen Zhi, startled and unsteady, leaned forward violently, her forehead hitting the seat in front.
He Yunshen’s eyes darkened as he glanced at Shen Zhi through the rearview mirror, then impatiently shot a glare at Zhou Qin.
Zhou Qin covered her mouth, feigning surprise, then looked back to see Shen Zhi sitting upright again.
Her eyes reddened slightly as she stared silently at He Yunshen through the mirror, still hoping for some explanation.
It turned out the call he received on the wedding night was from Zhou Qin, and he had booked a last-minute flight, leaving for abroad before dawn.
…
“Yunshen, are you leaving so early?”
“Mm, I bought the first flight out this morning. You don’t need to get up; sleep a little longer.”
He Yunshen gently stroked Shen Zhi’s head, then hurried out after dressing.
“But I don’t want to let you go…”
Before Shen Zhi could even say goodbye, his figure had disappeared into the dawn.
…
In the rearview mirror, He Yunshen’s eyes flickered evasively, as if gauging Shen Zhi’s emotions.
“That was just a coincidence.”
He did not explain but hoped Shen Zhi would understand, though it was clearly because of Zhou Qin that he had rushed abroad.
He didn’t want to lie either.
“Really? That’s great! Otherwise, it would have hurt sister-in-law’s feelings terribly. A woman’s most important day in life…”
Zhou Qin deliberately trailed off, then turned with a forced smile and apology, “Sister-in-law, I’m just blunt; don’t take it personally.”
“Can you just shut up?”
Shen Zhi raised her eyes and glared at Zhou Qin, feeling murderous intent welling up.
After all, she was still He Yunshen’s wife, and Zhou Qin’s ambition was glaringly obvious—openly provoking her boundaries.
No matter how much Shen Zhi loved He Yunshen, she could not accept that on their wedding night, he went to another woman.
Even if that woman was his nominal sister, it was unacceptable!
Upon hearing this, the tension on He Yunshen’s face suddenly eased, a smile tugging at his lips.
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“Qin Qin, watch your words!”
Though it seemed like a reprimand, it was also a gesture of respect toward Shen Zhi.
“All right, all right, I didn’t know you hadn’t told sister-in-law about such a big thing!”
Zhou Qin pouted, complaining playfully before shutting up.
It was as if to say, your relationship is nothing special!
Back then, He Yunshen had left her alone to go abroad, constantly reassuring her over the phone and asking her to wait obediently for his return.
Indeed, he flew back a few days later, full of guilt and care for her.
Now, looking back, it was likely he had done something shameful and was trying to make up for it.
In the blink of an eye, the car arrived at the Zhou family villa gates.
The servants waiting at the door bowed in unison, gesturing an invitation.
“Welcome, Young Master and Young Madam, home!”
The villa gate slowly opened, and the car drove straight in.
The Zhou family villa was huge, designed more like a luxurious estate. There was still some distance from the gate to the chairman’s residence, and each time they came, they drove directly to the villa’s courtyard parking area.
Once inside, without a guide, outsiders could easily get lost like in a maze.
Therefore, in the three years, Shen Zhi had hardly ever come alone to the Zhou villa, always brought along by He Yunshen for family dinners.
As soon as she got out, He Yunshen moved closer to Shen Zhi, attempting to take her hand in a show of affection.
She refused.
After a day of calm reflection, she not only hadn’t forgiven him but felt even more repelled.
“Yunshen, I’m… a little scared…”
Zhou Qin shrank back, clutching He Yunshen’s sleeve like a timid bird, looking pitifully at him.
“What’s there to be afraid of? That’s your dad.”
He Yunshen reached out, rubbed her forehead, gently pried her hand away, and stubbornly took Shen Zhi’s hand as he walked forward.
Shen Zhi’s heart burned with resentment as she struggled to break free from his grasp, but not only did she fail, his grip tightened further.
“Don’t move!”
He forced a smile as a warning. Shen Zhi was about to pry with her other hand when the butler approached.
“Greetings, Young Master, Young Madam! The Chairman has been waiting for some time.”
Only then did Shen Zhi compose herself, smiling calmly and nodding in response.
Zhou Qin followed timidly behind, eyes scanning the vast villa grounds.
It seemed as if the father she was about to face was less a man and more a terrifying beast.