Gao Kunlun, as the top assistant to the president of Ding Sheng Group, quickly located Song Qinian at an Italian restaurant in the skyscraper.
However, before he could find out who Song Qinian was dining with, Shen Chiyan had already rushed to the skyscraper in impatience.
Shen Chiyan's expression was terrifying. The chilling aura surrounding him made everyone involuntarily shiver as he passed by.
His demeanor, as if he were going to catch someone in the act, greatly frightened Gao Kunlun.
Just as Gao Kunlun was about to send a WeChat message to Song Qinian, he was detected by Shen Chiyan.
"Try to tip her off, and see what happens!"
Gao Kunlun, even with a hundred more guts, wouldn't dare to court death. He silently put away his phone.
He silently chanted, "Amitabha, Young Madam, whoever you're eating with, it better be a woman, or we're all dead today!"
But Shen Chiyan and his group were still a step too late. By the time they arrived at the restaurant, Song Qinian and Gu Zhiyan had already left.
"Where are they?"
Gao Kunlun was bewildered. "I... I don't know either!"
Seeing Shen Chiyan's cold and piercing black eyes, Gao Kunlun immediately raised his hand and swore, "Fifth Master, I absolutely did not contact the Young Madam."
"Hmph, no need to guess, it must be Miao Zi'ai!"
Miao Zi'ai, who had just finished her meal and was picking up her bowl to drink soup, sneezed heavily.
"Ah, in broad daylight, who's thinking about me?"
After her initial excitement for two seconds, she sneezed again.
Thinking of someone, scolding them, then catching a cold!
Her expression changed instantly, and she cursed, "Which bastard is bad-mouthing me?"
Shen Chiyan said furiously, "Find her! I want to see who has such great charm that Song Qinian dares to have a rendezvous with him right under my nose!"
Meanwhile, because Song Qinian couldn't speak, she hadn't had a proper chat with Gu Zhiyan during the meal.
After dinner, Gu Zhiyan suggested going shopping, and seeing that it was still early, Song Qinian naturally agreed to accompany her.
In fact, Gu Zhiyan didn't particularly enjoy shopping, but she knew very little about Song Qinian. She wanted to use this opportunity to get to know this daughter-in-law better.
The two entered a clothing store, and Gu Zhiyan picked out a few outfits for Song Qinian to try on.
When Song Qinian saw the prices, her legs went weak. She decided to just look at the clothes.
"Mom, I have quite a few clothes at home. I think this one would suit you well. Why don't you try it on?"
Gu Zhiyan's clothes were all made-to-measure by the brands and delivered directly to her home.
She certainly didn't lack clothes either.
Noticing Song Qinian's awkwardness, she chuckled, "Since we're here to buy clothes, we should naturally buy together. It's no fun trying them on alone."
At this moment, a shrewd sales assistant smiled at them, "The two of you must be mother and daughter, right? We have mother-daughter outfits here. With your looks and figures, you'll look stunning in them."
Gu Zhiyan was wearing sunglasses and a mask, so the sales assistant didn't recognize her.
Even if she thought she looked familiar, she would have assumed that a star as big as Gu Zhiyan wouldn't be buying clothes herself, so she didn't consider that possibility.
"Would you like to wear mother-daughter outfits with me?"
Regardless of whether Gu Zhiyan was a big star or her mother-in-law, Song Qinian couldn't refuse this request.
Song Qinian nodded. It was rare for her to go shopping with Gu Zhiyan. Whether it was out of filial piety or other reasons, she couldn't let Gu Zhiyan pay.
She still had a decent amount of money before, but Shen Chiyan had extorted quite a bit from her with just a brooch.
If all else failed, she would have to ask Qinqin.
Song Qinian changed quickly. When she came out in her new outfit, the sales assistant showered her with praise.
"Oh, you look absolutely beautiful! This dress is as if it were tailor-made for you."
The dress was a light pink strapless halter-neck gown, with a low back that was perfectly concealed by her long hair.
Song Qinian had fair skin, and her shoulders and neckline were exquisitely shaped, making her look like a little angel in the dress.
"Well, isn't this Song Qinian? Why aren't you at work, and instead shopping here?"
Song Qinian never expected to run into Ju Honglan and Shen Huanling at the mall. The mother and daughter, dressed in designer brands, were strutting around with an arrogant air.
Shen Huanling had always disliked Song Qinian. The moment she saw her, she couldn't help but taunt, "Do you know how much one of these dresses costs? Can you even afford it?"
Ju Honglan also held a grudge against Song Qinian for the matter of the Vice Chairman of Hong Ou Fund. Seeing Song Qinian, she wished she could eat her flesh and drink her blood.
"Her salary at Ding Sheng Group isn't even ten thousand. Chi Yan doesn't like her and won't give her money, so she's just trying on clothes here to save face. How could she possibly afford them?"
As she spoke, Ju Honglan turned to the sales assistants, "Don't blame me for not warning you. Be careful she doesn't steal your clothes if she can't afford them. Also... can just any riff-raff wear the clothes in your store? Huanling, I think we should go to another place. Who knows what kind of woman has worn the clothes they're going to let us try on!"
Shen Huanling sneered, "Yeah, what if it's been worn by someone with a disease? Ugh, how disgusting!"
The sales assistants' faces grew increasingly unpleasant, but Ju Honglan was a VIP member of their clothing store, so they didn't dare to neglect her.
"Ms. Ju, all the clothes in our store are washed and disinfected after any customer tries them on. Furthermore, if a purchase is confirmed, we will provide a new item."
"Hmph, although washing and disinfecting can clean the clothes, the disgusting smell that clings to them cannot be removed even after a thousand washes."
Just as Ju Honglan finished speaking, a cold voice rang out, "Since you find it disgusting, then get out of here."
Gu Zhiyan, who had changed into her outfit, walked out from the fitting room.
Song Qinian couldn't speak, and Ju Honglan and her daughter continued to mock her like a machine gun. Song Qinian had no way to fight back.
Seeing Song Qinian's pale face, Gu Zhiyan walked over, patted her back, gave her a reassuring look, and then coldly turned to Ju Honglan.
Both Ju Honglan and Shen Huanling were astonished to see Gu Zhiyan.
They were surprised to see Gu Zhiyan there and even more surprised that she was with Song Qinian.
What was going on?
Didn't Gu Zhiyan dislike Song Qinian?
Why were they shopping together?
Although Ju Honglan was arrogant and overbearing, she was still somewhat afraid of Gu Zhiyan. She immediately smiled and said, "Oh, sister-in-law, when did you finish filming and return? Why didn't you tell us? We could have had a family dinner together!"
Gu Zhiyan had no mood or energy to engage in any feigned family affection with Ju Honglan. She snorted, "Family? Niannian is Yan's wife, my daughter-in-law. Do you consider her family?"
"Her? Heh... Sister-in-law, don't forget how she married Chi Yan?"
Shen Huanling immediately chimed in, "Yes, Third Aunt, you were away filming and don't know the family situation. Song Qinian is insidious and took advantage of Grandma's senility to scheme against Mom!"
Ju Honglan shot Shen Huanling a glare and, smiling, explained for her daughter, "Huanling means that Mom is old and can't distinguish good from bad, mistaking a wolf for a little rabbit to keep by her side, causing our family no peace."