The banquet was held at the Lin family villa. Standing at the entrance of the villa, Song Qinian dared not move forward.
Although it was a luxurious and ostentatious villa, she felt as if it were a man-eating beast, ready to devour her completely if she stepped inside.
Why did Shen Chi Yan bring her to Lin Xing An's birthday banquet?
What did he want?
Seeing Song Qinian stop, Shen Chi Yan's gaze turned cold, a sarcastic curve on his lips. "What? Afraid to go in? Are you afraid of seeing the Lin family and feeling guilty, or are you afraid they'll seek revenge on you?"
Before Song Qinian could react, Shen Chi Yan pulled her into his arms. His sexy lips brushed against her ear, his breath warm, his voice icy. "I'm telling you, even if they scold you or hit you today, you have to endure it. Because you and your father owe them."
It was only then that Song Qinian realized Shen Chi Yan had brought her here for atonement.
If she could, Song Qinian would turn and leave. She had always believed her father was innocent.
But her father was suffering in prison. If she left, Shen Chi Yan would not only not let her off, but he would also vent his anger on her father.
The Lin family was considered a prominent family in Jing Hua City, and their villa was indeed grand.
Shen Chi Yan walked quickly, showing no intention of waiting for Song Qinian.
Song Qinian followed him, her heart filled with anxiety as she watched his tall, slender back. She had no mind to appreciate the scenery.
"Brother Chi Yan, you're here."
Dressed in a pink dress and with her hair in a princess style, Lin Lan Xing saw Shen Chi Yan and ran towards him, her skirt trailing behind her.
Shen Chi Yan subtly avoided her touch, a faint smile appearing on his handsome face. "Lan Xing, long time no see. You've grown so much."
"It hasn't been that long. Didn't we just see each other in Sister's hospital room..."
Lin Lan Xing's words were cut short as she saw Song Qinian behind Shen Chi Yan.
The smile on Lin Lan Xing's face vanished instantly. She bypassed Shen Chi Yan and walked furiously towards Song Qinian. "Song Qinian! What are you doing at my house?"
At this moment, other members of the Lin family also came out to greet the guests.
Lin Xing An's arm was linked with his wife, Ye Fang Lin.
Upon seeing Song Qinian, the smiles on their faces disappeared instantly. Ye Fang Lin glared at Song Qinian with resentment, her fists clenched.
There were many guests at the Lin family's home. Even for the sake of the Lin family's reputation, Ye Fang Lin could not openly lash out at Song Qinian at this time.
The guests didn't recognize Song Qinian, but because of Lin Lan Xing's angry shout, all eyes turned to her.
The gazes of others made Song Qinian uncomfortable, but the Lin family's eyes sent a chill down her spine.
If looks could kill, Song Qinian would have died thousands of times over by now.
The more Lin Lan Xing looked at Song Qinian, the angrier she became. She shoved Song Qinian hard. "Get out! You're not welcome here, daughter of the one who harmed my sister!"
Lin Lan Xing's strength was considerable. Song Qinian, pushed so forcefully, almost fell to the ground.
Everyone knew that the eldest daughter of the Lin family had been kidnapped and in a car accident, leaving her in a vegetative state. However, they didn't know the specific details.
Now, seeing the woman Shen Chi Yan brought was somehow connected to the Lin family's eldest daughter's condition, everyone started to gossip, their discussions growing louder.
"That woman didn't say anything even when the second young lady of the Lin family pushed her. Is she mute?"
"Didn't the second young lady of the Lin family say it? Her father is the culprit who caused the eldest young lady of the Lin family to become vegetative."
"So it was their family. I heard her father kidnapped the eldest young lady of the Lin family for ransom. And looking at her, she doesn't seem like a good person. Indeed, the whole family are rabble-rousers."
"Then how does she have the nerve to be here?"
"Exactly. The eldest young lady of the Lin family was so lively and cute, lying in a hospital bed for three full years. It's truly pathetic."
"Heaven's justice will eventually prevail. They won't have a good end."
Their voices were not low, and Song Qinian heard every word. Their words, coupled with their contemptuous gazes, made Song Qinian's face turn pale and her expression contorted. Her hands clenched into fists.
Song Qinian's eyes were fixed on Shen Chi Yan. His indifference and ruthlessness in his eyes pierced her heart like a knife.
Seeing Song Qinian staring at Shen Chi Yan, her gaze still lingering, Lin Lan Xing's anger erupted completely. She continued to push Song Qinian while cursing, "Get out, you slut! Why don't you just die!"
Song Qinian lost her footing and began to fall towards the ground. Seeing herself about to be humiliated in front of so many people, Song Qinian glanced at Shen Chi Yan. He stood like an outsider, his eyes filled with icy coldness.
Lin Lan Xing's insults and shoves, along with the naked stares of others, were not as devastating as that one cold glance from Shen Chi Yan. It made Song Qinian's heart ache unbearably.
However, the anticipated fall never came. Someone behind her caught her.
After regaining her balance, Song Qinian turned to look behind her. The first thing she saw was a head of short pink hair.
"Sister-in-law, are you alright?"
Song Qinian hadn't expected the person who helped her to be Shen Ke Qin.
Shen Ke Qin was the daughter of Shen Chi Yan's uncle. Song Qinian had only met Shen Ke Qin once in the three years since she married Shen Chi Yan, but she had a deep impression of her pink hair.
Song Qinian quickly waved her hand. "I'm fine. Thank you."
Thinking that Shen Ke Qin couldn't understand sign language and that she herself couldn't speak, Song Qinian felt anxious.
Would Shen Ke Qin be in trouble for helping her and offending the Lin family and Shen Chi Yan?
Shen Ke Qin seemed to sense Song Qinian's thoughts. She winked at her and then took her hand, saying, "Sister-in-law, I told you to come in with me. How could you run off with my brother and leave me to carry two gifts alone?"
Shen Ke Qin emphasized the word "Sister-in-law" as if intentionally letting everyone present know that Song Qinian was a member of the Shen family's wife.
Her words successfully shocked the onlookers.
Sister-in-law?
This woman was Shen Chi Yan's wife?
Weren't the rumors saying Shen Chi Yan liked the eldest daughter of the Lin family? How could he have married her?
Also, Shen Chi Yan brought her here, and he didn't intervene when the Lin family bullied her. Could it be that he deliberately sent her to be taken revenge upon?
And from the current situation, this woman seemed quite favored by the old Mrs. Shen.
Song Qinian and Shen Chi Yan were married in secret. She truly hadn't expected Shen Ke Qin to openly call her "Sister-in-law" in front of so many people. She glanced uneasily at Shen Chi Yan, who remained expressionless, his gaze on her growing colder.
Song Qinian shivered. The next moment, Shen Ke Qin shoved a box into Song Qinian's hand. "Sister-in-law, Grandma gave you a task. You handle it yourself."
With that, Shen Ke Qin looked coldly at the Lin family, a brilliant smile playing on her lips.
"Uncle Lin, my grandmother hasn't been well recently. She asked my sister-in-law to come on her behalf to celebrate your birthday. Yet, you let your daughter bully my sister-in-law like this. Is this how your Lin family treats guests?"