Shen Chi Yan had a very pleasant perfume scent about him. Song Qi Nian had secretly looked up the brand before; it was a niche perfume from country F.
The top notes of lemon and orange blossom oil exuded a fresh, cheerful, and captivating aroma. Gradually, the scent of tea emerged, like damp tea leaves after being steeped in water, which instantly brought a sense of peace. The base notes of woody accords and tobacco blended perfectly, a scent that was alluring in its subtlety, neither too close nor too distant.
Song Qi Nian's heart pounded, and her cheeks flushed rapidly.
"The Smiths are not easy to fool. Don't let them think we're acting. You must have dated before, so you know what couples in the throes of love do, right?"
Song Qi Nian pouted. *Should do what?*
She had only ever harbored a secret crush on him. Who else would she have dated?
But even if she hadn't eaten pork, she had seen pigs run. It was just showing affection, who couldn't do that?
Moreover, Shen Chi Yan said it was acting, so whatever she did to him was for the sake of helping him secure the cooperation.
With this thought, Song Qi Nian cupped Shen Chi Yan's handsome face and quickly kissed him on the lips.
Shen Chi Yan's body stiffened. Just as he was about to get angry, he caught sight of the Smiths entering from his peripheral vision. His dark eyes flashed slightly. He wrapped an arm around Song Qi Nian's slender waist and kissed her deeply.
The kiss didn't last long. Shen Chi Yan released Song Qi Nian. He smiled, tucked a stray strand of her bangs behind her ear, and said in a low, sexy, and doting voice, "Alright, no fooling around in public."
Before they were married, Song Qi Nian often saw Shen Chi Yan smile. When he smiled, a dimple would appear on his right cheek, completely dispelling his cool and detached demeanor, making one feel as if bathed in spring breeze.
After they got married, Song Qi Nian had seen Shen Chi Yan smile, but it was mostly a smirk, a cold smile, or a mockery.
Seeing his doting smile now, Song Qi Nian was momentarily mesmerized.
Shen Chi Yan saw Song Qi Nian staring at him intently. His brow furrowed briefly. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You're overacting!"
His words were like a heavy blow to Song Qi Nian's head. She instantly came to her senses, feeling a pang of discomfort in her chest.
"Mr. Smith, Daphne, I apologize for the spectacle."
Only then did Song Qi Nian notice that the Smiths had arrived.
Shen Chi Yan took Song Qi Nian's hand and introduced them, "This is my beloved wife, Song Qi Nian. Qi Qi..."
The word "Qi Qi" slipped out of Shen Chi Yan almost unconsciously. He paused slightly, then continued with a smile, "This is Mr. Smith, and this is Mr. Smith's wife, Miss Daphne."
Shen Chi Yan spoke fluent Italian, his voice sexy and pleasant, making one's skin tingle.
Song Qi Nian's body tingled from Shen Chi Yan's Italian, but she didn't forget her mission. After composing herself, she smiled and extended her hand to them.
"I apologize. My wife cannot speak, but she knows you have traveled all the way from Italy and wanted to meet you both to extend our hospitality."
When the Smiths heard that the elf-like girl before them couldn't speak, they felt it was a great pity.
"That is truly regrettable."
Song Qi Nian's greatest weapon was her smile. The Smiths had been displeased with Shen Chi Yan previously. Firstly, because Shen Chi Yan was aloof and arrogant, always giving off an air of supreme confidence.
Secondly, at their first meeting, Shen Chi Yan had immediately put on black gloves after shaking their hands, making them feel disrespected.
But today, Shen Chi Yan was like a deity brought down from the heavens, possessing a touch of earthly charm.
The couple hadn't intended to attend the meeting, but Shen Chi Yan's status and position in Jinghua City, coupled with the influence of the Ding Sheng Group, made it difficult for them to refuse outright.
"There is nothing to regret. Although my wife cannot speak, it does not affect my love for her."
Knowing that Shen Chi Yan's words were solely for the purpose of closing the deal, Song Qi Nian smiled outwardly but felt a pang of bitterness inside.
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes full of affection.
Shen Chi Yan was acting.
Song Qi Nian's feelings were genuine.
After the four were seated, Shen Chi Yan and Mr. Smith chatted in Italian, while Song Qi Nian typed a few sentences in English on her phone.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Daphne, I cannot communicate with you verbally. Please allow me to use my phone to chat with you."
Daphne smiled faintly and nodded, not exactly enthusiastically.
Seeing Daphne's gaze fixed on Shen Chi Yan's gloved hand with a displeased expression, Song Qi Nian guessed what might be the matter.
She lowered her head to type and then smiled as she handed the phone to Daphne.
"Wearing gloves on such a hot day is rather strange, isn't it? Let me tell you a little secret about my husband: he's actually extremely germaphobic and can break out in an itchy rash with the slightest exposure, which is why he always wears gloves."
Upon reading the words on the phone, Daphne's sharp gaze fell on Song Qi Nian's sweet little face.
Song Qi Nian continued typing for her to see.
"I actually feel quite sorry for him. Wearing gloves might be fine in winter, but it's too hot in summer. His hands often get heat rash. However, it also causes him a lot of trouble. Many people find his behavior rude, but that's not the case."
Although Shen Chi Yan was chatting with Mr. Smith, a part of his mind was on Song Qi Nian.
Song Qi Nian kept her head down, typing, and it was unclear what she was discussing with Daphne, as their eyes occasionally fell on him.
Song Qi Nian's expression was quite animated, while Daphne remained composed. Fortunately, she didn't show any signs of impatience.
"Well, isn't this Mr. Shen and Mr. Smith?"
An untimely voice suddenly interjected. Shen Chi Yan frowned and saw Zhou Ming Sheng's annoying face...
Zhou Ming Sheng, dressed in a black suit, arrived with his wife, Lu Yuzhu, clad in designer brands.
Zhou Ming Sheng claimed it was a chance encounter and, with utter lack of tact, suggested they chat together.
Shen Chi Yan, of course, saw through Zhou Ming Sheng's petty intentions.
Mr. Smith clearly favored Zhou Ming Sheng, and upon seeing him, immediately invited him to sit down.
No matter how much Shen Chi Yan disliked Zhou Ming Sheng, he couldn't possibly ask them to leave at this juncture.
The original group of four suddenly became six.
When Zhou Ming Sheng heard that Shen Chi Yan's wife was mute, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Mr. Shen, you truly are someone who makes a great impact when you act. If all the women in Jinghua City knew you married such a mute beauty, I wonder how many pillows would be soaked with their tears."
Zhou Ming Sheng's eyes leered at Song Qi Nian, his tone full of disdain. "It's just that I wonder which prominent family this Miss Song hails from?"
"My wife may not be from a prominent family, but her position in my heart is unrivaled."
"Oh really? But I heard that Mr. Shen is particularly fond of the Lin family's eldest daughter who has been lying in bed for over three years?"
Song Qi Nian's heart sank. This Zhou Ming Sheng really knew how to touch a sore spot.