In Jinghua City, no one was unaware of the great deeds of the Shen family's old madam. She and the Shen family's old master had started their businesses when Jinghua City was not as developed as it is now. They built schools, hospitals, roads, and planted trees.
It could be said that the current status of Jinghua City's development owed much to the two elders.
Even the top official of Jinghua City showed them respect when he met them.
Sometimes, a single word from the Shen family's old madam could determine the fate of a company or enterprise.
When Lin Xing'an heard this, his face turned as ugly as could be.
Lin Lanxing did not expect Shen Keqin to openly defend Song Qinian. The two of them already had a poor relationship. Lin Lanxing couldn't stand Shen Keqin's arrogant, "I am the only one" demeanor. A young lady from a prominent family engaged in all sorts of eccentric things, dressing like a hooligan.
Today, Shen Keqin wore a black leather jacket, paired with a white t-shirt inside, and jeans. Her fingers and neck were adorned with jewelry.
Compared to other young ladies from prominent families who were either ladylike or noble and elegant, she didn't look like she was attending a birthday banquet, but rather crashing a party.
Lin Lanxing was furious. Pointing at Song Qinian and Shen Keqin, she cursed, "Her father harmed my sister so badly, and you still..."
Lin Lanxing's words were cut off by Lin Xing'an, "Lanxing, guests are here. Don't be ridiculous."
"How am I being ridiculous? Dad, Song Qinian is clearly here to provoke us. She just doesn't want you to have a good birthday."
"Enough!" Lin Xing'an shouted. "Someone, take the second young lady away!"
"Dad!"
Lin Lanxing looked at Lin Xing'an in disbelief and was then dragged away by the servants.
"Everyone, I apologize profusely. My youngest daughter is a bit emotional, and I've made a spectacle of myself. Thank you all for coming to my birthday banquet despite your busy schedules. I am very happy. Please enjoy yourselves, and I hope you will overlook any shortcomings in my hospitality."
This was how banquets in high society were. No matter what significant event happened moments before, they could all be chatting and clinking glasses moments later.
Afterward, Lin Xing'an approached Shen Keqin. "Miss Shen, I apologize..."
"Uncle Lin, the person who should apologize is not me."
Lin Xing'an gritted his teeth. He glanced at Shen Chi Yan and, seeing that Shen Chi Yan had no intention of intervening, approached Song Qinian.
Making him apologize to the daughter of the person who had wronged his daughter was more painful than killing him.
But who could she blame? She was the Shen family's old madam's granddaughter-in-law. For the sake of the entire Lin family, he had to humble himself despite his reluctance.
"Miss Song, I apologize for today's incident. It was our Lin family's poor hospitality that caused you distress."
Song Qinian glanced at Shen Keqin. Seeing Shen Keqin give her a look, she handed the gift to Lin Xing'an.
"Uncle Lin, my sister-in-law cannot speak, so I will convey her message. My grandmother asks that we wish you a happy birthday, boundless blessings, and a long life."
Lin Xing'an wore a fake smile. "Thank you. Please thank the old madam for me. You two, please enjoy yourselves. I must excuse myself for a moment."
Shen Keqin smiled and nodded. After Lin Xing'an left, she scoffed, "Such a hypocritical face. Clearly not a good person."
At this moment, Shen Keqin saw Shen Chi Yan. She smiled at Song Qinian and said, "Sister-in-law, wait for me here obediently for a moment. I'll be right back."
Song Qinian felt a little worried as Shen Keqin took a glass of champagne and walked towards Shen Chi Yan.
"Bringing your own wife to the Lin family to be humiliated, President Shen really knows how to do that!"
Shen Chi Yan gave Shen Keqin a cool glance, his expression displeased. "This is adult business. You, a child who hasn't grown up, shouldn't interfere."
"Heh... Adult? If you can't even protect your own wife, what kind of adult are you?"
Shen Chi Yan's brows furrowed tightly, a sign of impending anger.
In the Shen family, Shen Keqin feared nothing, not even her grandmother. The only person she feared was this cousin of hers.
Fortunately, she had her grandmother as her backing!
Shen Keqin shrugged. "Alright, I won't interfere with your business with sister-in-law and the Lin family. But Song Qinian is my sister-in-law, she's part of the Shen family. I absolutely will not stand by and watch her be bullied by others."
Taking a sip of champagne, Shen Keqin continued, "Fortunately, Grandmother was far-sighted. She guessed you would bring sister-in-law to the Lin family, and she guessed sister-in-law would definitely be bullied by the Lin family. She sent me to rescue sister-in-law. Otherwise, I don't know how badly sister-in-law would have been bullied by the Lin family."
Shen Keqin cast a sidelong glance at Shen Chi Yan. "Brother, Song Qinian is your wife, after all. Her name is preceded by yours, Shen Chi Yan. Anyone who bullies her is slapping your face. You're offering your face to be slapped... Tsk... I don't know whether to say you're devoted or..."
She didn't dare to say the word "stupid," but her eyes said it all.
Meeting Shen Chi Yan's murderous gaze, Shen Keqin shivered all over. She immediately put down her wine glass and instantly conceded, "Hey, I'll just say one last thing. I think... sister-in-law is ten thousand times cuter and more beautiful than Lin Qiutong. It's your loss if you don't like sister-in-law!"
Before Shen Chi Yan could unleash his anger, Shen Keqin turned and fled, dragging Song Qinian away with her.
"Haha..."
After Shen Keqin pulled Song Qinian out of the Lin family villa, she threw her head back and laughed.
"This is the first time I've seen my brother look so flustered. It's so satisfying!"
She was laughing happily, but Song Qinian felt deeply troubled.
Given Shen Chi Yan's vengeful nature, Shen Keqin had disrupted his plan and spoken to him like that, so he would definitely add Shen Keqin to his list of targets for retaliation.
Seeing Song Qinian's troubled expression, Shen Keqin pinched her smooth cheek and used her finger to pull the corners of her mouth up. "Oh, sister-in-law, you're so cute when you smile. You should smile more. Don't always look so dejected."
Knowing what Song Qinian was about to say, Shen Keqin smiled. "Don't worry, I have Grandmother protecting me. My brother won't do anything to me."
Seeing Shen Keqin speak so resolutely, Song Qinian believed her and felt slightly relieved.
Indeed, Shen Keqin was Shen Chi Yan's sister. No matter how angry Shen Chi Yan was, he shouldn't vent his anger on Shen Keqin.
Just then, Shen Keqin's bodyguard arrived in a car.
When Shen Keqin was kidnapped at the age of twelve, the Shen family had hired a bodyguard and driver to protect her at all times.
The bodyguard was named Jian Mubai. He was tall and handsome, but his face was always cold and he didn't talk much.
"Sister-in-law, since we've met, I'll take you out to have some fun."
Song Qinian didn't have the energy to go out and play, but Shen Keqin had just helped her. If she refused, it wouldn't be good, so she nodded gently.
"Hmm... But you need to change your outfit. Come on, let's get in the car!"
Shen Keqin pulled Song Qinian into the car, and they went to a shopping mall.
Shen Keqin picked out a red dress suitable for a nightclub for Song Qinian. "Sister-in-law, go and try this on."
Song Qinian looked at the dress, which was comfortable in texture and fabric, but had very little material. Her head buzzed.
Is this... really considered clothing?