Volume One, Chapter 15: The Name Preceding Is Yours, Shen Chiyan

In Jinghua City, no one was unaware of the great achievements of the matriarch of the Shen family. She and the Shen patriarch had started their business ventures when Jinghua was far less developed than it is today. Back then, they established schools, built hospitals, constructed roads, and planted trees throughout the city.

It could be said that the current stature of Jinghua City owed much to the efforts of this elderly couple.

Even the highest-ranking officials of Jinghua City would show them some courtesy upon meeting them.

Sometimes, a single word from the Shen matriarch could determine the fate of a company or enterprise.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xing’an’s face darkened considerably.

Lin Lanxing had not expected Shen Keqin to openly defend Song Qinian. The two had never gotten along. Lin Lanxing disliked Shen Keqin’s daily haughty and overbearing attitude, acting as if he were supreme. As for Song Qinian, a young lady of noble birth, she always engaged in peculiar pursuits and dressed like a street thug.

Today, Shen Keqin wore a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, paired with jeans. His fingers and neck were adorned with numerous accessories.

Compared to other young ladies who were either ladylike or elegantly refined, he looked less like someone attending a birthday banquet and more like a troublemaker.

Furious, Lin Lanxing pointed at Song Qinian and Shen Keqin, shouting, “Her father ruined my sister so badly, and you still…”

Before she could finish, Lin Xing’an interrupted, “Lanxing, guests are here; don’t cause a scene.”

“I’m not causing a scene, Dad! Song Qinian came here deliberately to provoke us. She just wants you to have a miserable birthday.”

“Enough!” Lin Xing’an scolded sternly. “Someone, escort the second miss out!”

“Dad!” Lin Lanxing looked at Lin Xing’an in disbelief but was nonetheless dragged away by servants.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely apologize. My daughter was a bit emotional just now and made a spectacle. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend Lin’s birthday banquet. I am very pleased. Please enjoy the food and drinks. I hope you will forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality.”

Such was the nature of high-society gatherings: no matter what grave incident occurred moments before, the next moment everyone could still laugh and toast with ease.

Afterwards, Lin Xing’an approached Shen Keqin. “Miss Shen, I apologize…”

“Uncle Lin, the one who should be apologizing isn’t me.”

Lin Xing’an clenched his teeth and glanced at Shen Chiyan, who showed no intention of intervening. He guessed that Shen Chiyan would never oppose the Shen matriarch on behalf of the Lin family, so he turned to face Song Qinian.

Apologizing to the daughter of the woman responsible for his own daughter’s suffering was harder than killing him.

But since she was the Shen matriarch’s granddaughter-in-law, for the sake of the entire Lin family, no matter how unwilling, he had to swallow his pride first.

“Miss Song, I apologize for today’s incident. Our Lin family did not treat you properly and caused you distress.”

Song Qinian glanced at Shen Keqin, who gave her a subtle signal, then handed the gift to Lin Xing’an.

“Uncle Lin, since my sister-in-law can’t speak, I’ll say it for her. My grandmother asked us to wish you a happy birthday, with blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains.”

Lin Xing’an forced a false smile. “Very well, thank the matriarch for me. You two enjoy yourselves. I’ll take my leave now.”

Shen Keqin smiled and nodded. After Lin Xing’an left, she snorted coldly. “Such a hypocrite. It’s obvious he’s no good.”

At that moment, Shen Keqin spotted Shen Chiyan. She smiled at Song Qinian, “Sister-in-law, wait here for me. I’ll be right back.”

Song Qinian watched as Shen Keqin took a glass of champagne and approached Shen Chiyan, feeling somewhat uneasy.

“Bringing your own wife to the Lin household just to be humiliated — this is really something Shen Chiyan would do!”

Shen Chiyan gave Shen Keqin a cold glance, displeased. “This is grown-up business. You’re a childish brat; don’t interfere.”

“Heh… grown-up? You can’t even protect your own wife. What kind of grown-up are you?”

Shen Chiyan’s brows furrowed tightly — a sign of impending anger.

Within the Shen family, Shen Keqin feared nothing — not even their grandmother — except this cousin.

Fortunately, she had their grandmother’s backing!

Shen Keqin shrugged. “Fine, I won’t meddle in your affairs with my sister-in-law and the Lin family. But Song Qinian is my sister-in-law; she’s family. I won’t stand by and watch her be bullied.”

Taking a small sip of champagne, Shen Keqin continued, “Luckily, Grandma had foresight. She guessed you’d bring sister-in-law to the Lin household, guessed they would bully her, and told me to come to her rescue. Otherwise, who knows how badly they’d treat her.”

She glanced sideways at Shen Chiyan. “Brother, Song Qinian is your wife, after all. Her name carries yours. Anyone bullying her is slapping your face. And you just stand there and let it happen. Tsk… I don’t know if I should call you devoted or just plain…”

“Stupid,” she didn’t say aloud, but her expression said it all.

Meeting Shen Chiyan’s fierce glare, Shen Keqin shivered, quickly put down her glass, and immediately backed down. “Hey, one last thing — I think sister-in-law is a thousand times cuter and prettier than Lin Qiutong. If you don’t like her, that’s your loss!”

Before Shen Chiyan could explode, Shen Keqin dashed off, taking Song Qinian with her.

“Ha ha…”

Once outside the Lin family villa, Shen Keqin threw her head back and laughed heartily.

“I’ve never seen this expression on my brother’s face before. It’s so satisfying!”

She laughed joyfully, but Song Qinian felt deeply melancholy.

Given Shen Chiyan’s vengeful nature, Shen Keqin had just ruined his plan and insulted him in the process. No doubt she would soon be on his list of targets for revenge.

Seeing Song Qinian’s gloomy expression, Shen Keqin pinched her smooth cheek and tugged at the corners of her mouth, “Aw, sister-in-law, you look so cute when you smile. Smile more; don’t always look so burdened.”

Anticipating what Song Qinian would say, Shen Keqin smiled. “Don’t worry, Grandma’s got my back. Brother won’t do anything to me.”

Hearing the certainty in Shen Keqin’s voice, Song Qinian relaxed slightly.

After all, Shen Keqin was Shen Chiyan’s sister. No matter how angry Shen Chiyan got, he probably wouldn’t take it out on her.

Just then, Shen Keqin’s bodyguard arrived in a car.

When Shen Keqin was twelve, she had been kidnapped once. The Shen family then assigned her a bodyguard and driver to ensure her safety at all times.

The bodyguard’s name was Jian Mubai, tall and handsome, with a cold, expressionless face and a taciturn demeanor.

“Sister-in-law, it’s rare for us to meet up. I’ll take you out to have some fun.”

Song Qinian wasn’t in the mood for fun, but since Shen Keqin had just helped her, refusing would be improper. She nodded gently.

“Hmm… but you need a change of clothes. Come on, get in!”

Shen Keqin pulled Song Qinian into the car, and they headed to a mall.

There, Shen Keqin picked out a red dress suitable for nightlife. “Sister-in-law, go try this on.”

Song Qinian examined the dress. The fabric was comfortable, but it was shockingly scanty.

Is this really an outfit?

— End of excerpt —