For many years of companionship and care, Shen Keqin had grown accustomed to Jian Mubai being by her side.
Every morning when she ate breakfast, Jian Mubai would have her going-out essentials ready. He was like a treasure chest, immediately producing whatever Shen Keqin needed.
He would even thoughtfully prepare red date and brown sugar water, along with a hand warmer, during Shen Keqin's menstrual period.
So, when someone else suddenly took his place, Shen Keqin felt all sorts of discomfort.
Especially when she saw Jian Mubai attending to Han Yunuo with such meticulous care, and Han Yunuo provocatively teasing Jian Mubai, Shen Keqin was so angry she wanted to kill someone.
She was angry that even though she knew Han Yunuo was deliberately provoking her, she still fell for it.
She was angry that Jian Mubai, knowing she was in a temper, actually agreed to follow Han Yunuo.
She was angry that Jian Mubai was even better to Han Yunuo than he was to her, and the two of them were being so intimate, as if afraid others wouldn't see. And it had been almost a week, and Jian Mubai hadn't said anything about returning, hmph…
Men were all scumbags!
After listening to Shen Keqin's complaints, Song Qinian was at a loss for words. She glanced at Lin Zhuyin, hoping she would comfort Shen Keqin, but Lin Zhuyin was gazing out the window, lost in thought, with no expression on her face.
Song Qinian had no choice but to gesture to Shen Keqin, "If you want him back, just call him. It's no big deal."
"Hmph, I'm not like I can't live without him. Besides, he seems quite happy by Han Yunuo's side, and Han Yunuo likes him so much. Perhaps this is his chance to soar to success. How can I ruin their good fortune?"
Song Qinian knew Shen Keqin was speaking against her better judgment. She took the opposite approach and advised, "If I remember correctly, Jian Mubai must be twenty-five this year. He is indeed at the age for marriage. He seems quite good. If he were to become the Han family's son-in-law, it would indeed be much better than being your bodyguard. You should be happy for him."
Shen Keqin: "..."
"Of course, if you feel that Han Yunuo is not someone worth dedicating himself to, and that Jian Mubai being with her would be a waste of his potential, then you can call Jian Mubai back. After all, he protected and served you for so many years. Even if he hasn't achieved great merit, he's certainly put in a lot of effort."
Upon hearing this, Shen Keqin huffily declared, "I don't care about him at all!"
Despite her words, she seemed to have figured something out, and her expression visibly improved.
"By the way, sister-in-law, where is my brother? At this hour, he wouldn't still be at the company, would he?"
Song Qinian shook her head, "He said he had something to attend to and would be back later."
"Oh… eldest sister-in-law, and what about my second elder brother?"
Lin Zhuyin, seeing Shen Keqin mention her, said faintly, "Liubai is still in the laboratory."
"Ah… my second elder brother is really too busy. Will he be back for the New Year's Eve dinner tonight?"
"He should be."
Shen Keqin sighed heavily, "In the end, my father and my second elder brother are busier than one another. I haven't seen my father for half a month. When I see him tonight, I must get a good amount of red pocket money from him."
Not long after, Shen Qiwen's family arrived.
After exchanging greetings, Lin Lanxing and Shen Huanling walked over to the three of them.
"Eldest sister-in-law, fifth sister-in-law, Qinqin… Happy New Year…"
After they greeted each other, Shen Huanling suddenly made a video call.
"Mr. Li, I'm home… Do you want to say hello to my family?"
"Okay."
At first, when Song Qinian heard Shen Huanling call him Mr. Li, she became overly cautious. It wasn't until she heard Li Junshen's voice that her brows furrowed, and her expression turned quite unpleasant.
Since when were Shen Huanling and Li Junshen this close?
"Mm, then I'll introduce you."
Shen Huanling, holding her phone, trotted over to Lin Zhuyin. "This is my eldest sister-in-law, Lin Zhuyin. Eldest sister-in-law, this is Mr. Li."
Lin Zhuyin wasn't particularly keen on video calls with strangers, but it was the New Year, and she didn't want to cause any unpleasantness, so she nodded gently. "Mr. Li, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year!"
Shen Huanling then brought her phone over to Shen Keqin and Song Qinian. "You've met this one before. One is my fifth sister-in-law, Song Qinian, and the other is Shen Keqin."
Shen Huanling was worried that Li Junshen might take a liking to Shen Keqin, and didn't want him to have too much interaction with her. As for Song Qinian, she disliked her and naturally wouldn't let Song Qinian's face appear in her camera for even a second longer.
Although the camera panned past quickly, Song Qinian still saw Li Junshen. In those few short seconds, their eyes met, and Li Junshen offered Song Qinian a faint smile.
That smile held a deep meaning, and Song Qinian felt quite uncomfortable.
"My entire family will be at the old house celebrating New Year today. After dinner, we'll all do our own thing… Mr. Li, if you have time, you must come visit us."
Shen Huanling was wearing a red coat today, looking exquisitely beautiful. It didn't look like she was attending a family dinner, but rather going on a date.
Seeing Shen Huanling chat with a light tone and rosy cheeks, Song Qinian's brows furrowed tightly.
Had Shen Huanling gotten together with Li Junshen?
"Mr. Li, my grandmother and my parents are over there. I'll take you to meet them…"
Song Qinian didn't hear what Li Junshen said next. She only saw Shen Huanling happily run towards the old lady.
"Grandma, I'd like you to meet someone…"
Saying this, she lowered her head and saw that the other party had already hung up. Shen Huanling immediately stopped, then called Li Junshen again, but the call was rejected.
"Sorry, I have something to attend to now. I'll visit the elders of the Shen family another day."
Upon seeing this message, Shen Huanling was so happy she almost flew.
She reread Li Junshen's words several times, her face wearing an expression of happiness and excitement.
Visiting the Shen family's elders, wasn't that equivalent to meeting the parents?
She knew that no matter what kind of man it was, they would all fall at her feet.
Li Junshen was handsome, outstanding, and so wealthy. If she were with him, who would dare to look down on her in the future?
What was the use of being good-looking and capable? Finding a suitable husband was what a woman should focus on.
The old lady heard Shen Huanling's voice and asked her, "What were you saying just now?"
"Grandma, Happy New Year, wishing you health and peace."
Because Shen Huanling was in a good mood, everything seemed pleasant to her. She had just thought that meeting on the phone wasn't formal enough, and she should find an opportunity to bring Li Junshen back to the Shen family in the future.
Song Qinian watched Shen Huanling gloat, acting like a smitten young girl, and her beautiful eyebrows knitted together.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She took it out and saw a text message from an unknown number: "Niannian, Happy New Year. In the new year, I hope you are happy and joyful, and I hope all our New Year dreams come true."
If there hadn't been a signature at the end of the message, Song Qinian might have wondered if a friend had sent it to her. It wasn't until she saw the last character, "Li," that her face changed drastically. She directly deleted the message and blocked the number.