Song Qinian maintained an attitude of detachment, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.
Song Qinian harbored doubts about whether Lu Yuzhu was truly a wealthy heiress, wondering why she seemed so unfamiliar with dining etiquette.
Even if she didn't understand Italian table manners, she should have known the ancestral adage of "do not speak while eating, do not speak while sleeping."
To converse while eating, with undigested food in her mouth, would make Daphne perceive her as lacking upbringing.
Of course, Song Qinian wasn't born knowing these etiquettes either; she only began to learn about different countries' customs after marrying Shen Chiyan.
During the meal, Lu Yuzhu found no opportunity to converse with Daphne, her expression becoming increasingly displeased.
The three women didn't eat for long, and by the end, several dishes on the table remained untouched.
Lu Yuzhu waved her hand to call the waiter for the bill. Song Qinian, with a frown, looked at the dishes on the table, hesitating and struggling.
Such a waste!
Song Qinian couldn't bear it any longer and typed a message for the waiter on her phone.
The waiter nodded and brought several boxes, packing up all the untouched dishes.
Lu Yuzhu did not object upon seeing this, but a mocking and triumphant curve formed on her lips.
The atmosphere in the car on the way to the hotel was quite strange.
Daphne had been chatting with Song Qinian all afternoon. After Song Qinian packed the food, Daphne stopped speaking to her.
On the other hand, Lu Yuzhu was as proud as a victorious hen.
Hmph, no matter how capable Shen Chiyan was, with such an embarrassing wife, he was destined to fail miserably.
Song Qinian appeared somewhat flustered, regretting her decision to pack the food a little.
When she suggested packing, neither Lu Yuzhu nor Daphne had said anything, so why were they ignoring her now?
If her actions caused Shen Chiyan to lose the contract with the Smiths, her sin would be great.
Shen Chiyan would surely kill her!
...
Ever since Song Qinian went out with Daphne and the others, Shen Chiyan had been restless.
Could that woman, Song Qinian, really handle it?
After waiting all afternoon, he finally saw them return. Lu Yuzhu had a joyful expression, while Daphne's face was impassive, revealing neither joy nor anger.
And Song Qinian, trailing behind them, carried a few packing boxes, her head hung low, her face as pale as could be.
When her gaze met his, she quickly shifted away, appearing guilty and wronged.
Shen Chiyan frowned slightly. What was wrong?
Had she messed up?
Or had she been bullied by Lu Yuzhu and Daphne?
"Husband~"
"Oh my dear wife, you're back."
"Mmm, my foot hurts..."
"Quick, come, sit on the sofa and rest for a while."
Zhou Mingsheng rushed over and carried Lu Yuzhu to the sofa. The two of them began to show off their affection, oblivious to anyone else.
Smith was also a devoted husband. Upon seeing his wife return, he immediately got up, leaned in, and gave her a kiss, helping her sit on the sofa.
Song Qinian became increasingly uneasy.
It's over, it's over. Shen Chiyan is truly angry.
Her packing must have embarrassed Shen Chiyan!
Seeing Shen Chiyan walking towards her with a stern face, Song Qinian felt even more wronged amidst her fear.
She had expected Shen Chiyan to scold her, or even drag her away in anger.
To her surprise, Shen Chiyan simply took the bag from her and pulled her into an embrace, "What's wrong?"
Smelling Shen Chiyan's pleasant scent, Song Qinian's nose felt even more sore.
She took Shen Chiyan's hand and wrote in his palm, "I'm sorry..."
Before Song Qinian could finish writing, Lu Yuzhu's triumphant voice rang out, "Mr. Shen, you are the CEO of Ding Sheng Group, with immense wealth. How could you marry such a poor and humble wife who even packs leftover food? We couldn't persuade her otherwise."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingsheng cast a malicious gaze up and down Song Qinian, "Mrs. Shen, that's what beggars do. How can you, a dignified lady of a wealthy family, disregard Mr. Shen's reputation?"
"Exactly, food packed away loses its original taste. Who would eat it!"
The husband and wife's words made Song Qinian feel even more ashamed and terrified.
Zhou Mingsheng's face was filled with smug arrogance. He had been contemplating how to outdo Shen Chiyan, but never expected Shen Chiyan to bring his own flaw to light.
Shen Chiyan, Shen Chiyan, for all your cleverness and intelligence, how could you be so foolish this time?
Smith didn't say anything, but Daphne held him back. Daphne kept her eyes fixed on Shen Chiyan and Song Qinian, as if waiting to see how Shen Chiyan would handle the situation.
Song Qinian had never regretted anything so much. Thinking that she had caused trouble for Shen Chiyan on his first request for her help, Song Qinian felt both self-reproach and deep sadness.
Shen Chiyan suddenly let out a soft laugh. He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on Song Qinian's forehead, "How did you know I was hungry?"
Song Qinian looked at Shen Chiyan blankly, and he led her by the hand to sit on the sofa.
Shen Chiyan arranged the packed food on the table. "I'm often busy with work and can't even guarantee three meals a day. Over the years, my stomach hasn't been very good. Qiqi developed the habit of bringing me meals. Today, she must have thought I hadn't eaten yet, so she packed food for me. I apologize for making everyone witness this spectacle."
Song Qinian was deeply touched that Shen Chiyan not only wasn't angry but also covered for her.
At this moment, Zhou Mingsheng snorted, "Mr. Shen and Mrs. Shen are truly affectionate. But will Mr. Shen really eat this packed food?"
Although the Shen family was a powerful business empire, their male lineage was scarce.
Shen Chiyan had been doted on since birth, his every consumption and possession being a luxury item.
Moreover, there were rumors that Shen Chiyan suffered from severe mysophobia. How could he possibly eat food that others had touched?
Furthermore, while the international market was important, Shen Chiyan was certainly not someone who would compromise himself for a mere collaboration.
Shen Chiyan had already laid out the packed food on the table: steak, pasta, and various kinds of bread and noodles.
As the boxes were opened, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
Shen Chiyan picked up a piece of steak and put it in his mouth. Song Qinian stared at him in disbelief, and for some reason, her heart felt even more pained.
Shen Chiyan's other hand had been holding Song Qinian's. After swallowing the food, he smiled slightly at her, "It's delicious."
As a child, Shen Chiyan was often sent to military camps by his grandmother and had eaten all sorts of communal meals.
The gourmet food packed from a five-star restaurant was far tastier than the steamed buns and congee in the military camps.
Shen Chiyan looked at Smith and the others. "My wife, Shen Chiyan's wife, is not lacking for a meal. However, we were educated from a young age to be thrifty and oppose extravagance. This food is not spoiled; why shouldn't we eat it?"
With that, Shen Chiyan looked deeply at Song Qinian. "This is not being poor, nor is there anything to be ashamed of. Qiqi, you did the right thing!"
Although she knew Shen Chiyan's words were likely intended to win favor with the Smiths, Song Qinian was still deeply moved.
Her heart was warm and excited. Disregarding the fact that they were only pretending to be a loving couple for personal gain, she tightly hugged Shen Chiyan's neck.
How she wished she could hold him like this forever!
Shen Chiyan was only slightly taken aback before he reached out and hugged her back. "Can you let me finish eating first, then I'll hug you, okay?"