The longer Shen Zhengcheng and Jian Mubai stayed in the study, the more anxious Shen Keqin became.
Xi Ruxue, seeing her almost straining her eyes to look, sighed softly, "Your father isn't going to eat Mubai, what are you worried about?"
Shen Keqin gave a dry laugh, "Worried? Who said I was worried? If Dad kills him, he deserves it."
Xi Ruxue chuckled and tapped Shen Keqin's nose with her fingertip, "I knew you were just putting on a brave face."
Not long after, the study door opened, and Shen Zhengcheng and Jian Mubai walked out one after another.
Shen Keqin, like a rabbit, immediately jumped up from the sofa and ran over, "Dad..."
Although she was calling out to Shen Zhengcheng, her eyes involuntarily drifted to Jian Mubai behind him.
Seeing Jian Mubai's red-rimmed eyes, looking like he had been crying, her heart skipped a beat. It was over. Had Jian Mubai really been beaten?
Or did her father not forgive him and forbid them to be together?
The thought made her heart flutter uneasily, and she kept signaling to Jian Mubai. Although Jian Mubai gave her a reassuring look, her worried heart remained unsettled.
"You probably have other things to do later, so we won't be keeping you for dinner."
Hearing Shen Zhengcheng's polite dismissal, Shen Keqin's face turned pale.
Jian Mubai nodded and bowed to the elders, "Uncle, Aunt, thank you. I'll take my leave now."
Shen Keqin immediately said, "Mom, I'll see him out."
As soon as they stepped out the door, Shen Keqin grabbed Jian Mubai's arm and eagerly asked, "What did you say to my father in the study? Did he forgive you?"
Knowing how worried Shen Keqin was, Jian Mubai handed the files in his hand to Shen Keqin. "Uncle gave this to me. He... is a good elder, and a good father."
"What is it?"
Shen Keqin took it and opened it, looking at Jian Mubai in surprise. "This... Dad wants you to join his law firm? Then you..."
Jian Mubai nodded, "Yes, I agreed."
As he spoke, Jian Mubai hugged Shen Keqin tightly, "Qinqin, Uncle loves you very much."
Jian Mubai knew clearly that Shen Zhengcheng's forgiveness was mostly out of consideration for Shen Keqin. As a father, his only wish was for his daughter's happiness.
So, even with reservations, he was willing to give him a chance.
Shen Keqin was often oblivious but also quite intelligent at times. She immediately understood what Jian Mubai meant.
She sniffled, her nose feeling a bit sore, and wrapped her arms around Jian Mubai's waist, "Jian Mubai, it's really your ancestors' luck that you could meet our family."
"Yes, so I will definitely work hard and not disappoint Uncle Shen, nor will I fail you."
In fact, regarding the Lin family case back then, even if Shen Zhengcheng hadn't taken it, others would have. The Lin family's bankruptcy and Lin Zhuyin's father's suicide were inevitable.
In a way, Shen Zhengcheng was also a victim. If Shen Zhengcheng had truly wanted revenge, Jian Mubai and Lin Zhuyin would not have even had a chance to settle in Jinghua City.
Yet, not only did he not do so, but he was willing to entrust his daughter to him. It required such great trust.
Jian Mubai asked himself, if it were him, he certainly wouldn't be able to do it.
Moreover, through this conversation, all the dark clouds that had been accumulating in his heart had dispersed, and Shen Zhengcheng had also made him understand what he should stick to.
"I believe you... You should go back by yourself today. I want to spend time with my parents."
Jian Mubai was very reluctant to leave Shen Keqin, but he understood what Shen Keqin was thinking, so he nodded, "Okay."
As soon as Shen Keqin entered the hall and saw her parents on the sofa, she pouted and ran over to hug them, crying, "Mom and Dad, I love you the most. You are the best parents in the world. In the next life, I still want to be your daughter."
The couple exchanged a look, smiled, and stroked their daughter's head, "Okay."
Shen Liubai: "You're still crying at this age, aren't you ashamed?"
Shen Keqin raised her head and glared at Shen Liubai, "I'm not ashamed at all. It's you who, at your age, still doesn't have a wife or children. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Shen Liubai: "..."
Xi Ruxue agreed with a nod, "Yes, Liubai, you should seriously consider your life events too."
There were many things Xi Ruxue didn't say explicitly, but her meaning was quite clear.
If Shen Liubai hadn't forgotten Lin Zhuyin, they could still be together.
Shen Liubai didn't seem anxious at all, "What's the rush? What is destined will come."
From then on, Jian Mubai started working at Shen Zhengcheng's law firm. Initially, there was a lot of gossip in the firm, mostly saying he got the job through connections.
However, as Jian Mubai's work ability became prominent and he won two more cases, people began to look at him with newfound respect.
Jian Mubai was either poring over case files or handling new cases every day, so busy he was overwhelmed. This made Shen Keqin, who had just started enjoying her relationship, furious that she couldn't see her boyfriend.
When they finally managed to go on a date, seeing Jian Mubai constantly taking phone calls, Shen Keqin felt very unhappy.
When Jian Mubai hung up the phone, he was met with Shen Keqin's huffy expression.
He immediately walked over and put his arm around Shen Keqin's shoulder, "Sorry, darling. From now on, I won't take any more calls."
Shen Keqin snorted, "My dad told you to make a name for yourself through your own abilities, not to work yourself to death. I think you love your job more than me. If you continue like this, you'll definitely lose me."
Jian Mubai's mind suddenly went on high alert.
Was this a sign of a breakup?
He held Shen Keqin tightly, not letting go, and whispered in her ear, "No, I can't lose you even if I lose my job. It's just that this case is quite big recently. It will get better after a while."
Thinking of something, Jian Mubai took out an exquisite box from his pocket. He opened it himself, revealing the Guanyin necklace inside.
"Qinqin, you promised me that as soon as Uncle forgave me, you would give me a chance. Now... can you accept this necklace?"
Seeing the necklace, Shen Keqin's emotions were incredibly complex.
Last time, Jian Mubai had secretly given her the necklace when she wasn't paying attention, and she had angrily returned it to him. She hadn't expected him to bring it out again.
"I only said I'd give you a chance, not that I agreed to be your girlfriend."
Jian Mubai smiled and kissed her smooth, beautiful forehead, "Shen Keqin, I, Jian Mubai, love you very, very much. I want to spend my life with you, doting on you and loving you forever. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Shen Keqin became proud, "It's not impossible for me to be your girlfriend, but I have three conditions."
"Tell me."
"First, from now on, whether it's work or anything else, you have to prioritize me. I am the most important one."
"Okay."
"Second, no flirting with other colleagues."
"Okay."
"Third, I'm still young and don't want to get married too early. You can't force me. I'll get married whenever I want."
Jian Mubai smiled and kissed her forehead again, "Okay, we'll be in love for a lifetime."