Yu Sinian had deliberately chosen a beautiful, sunny day. Shen Chi Yan, wanting to emphasize his and Song Qi Nian's marital status, had specially chosen matching outfits with her.
When they arrived at their destination, Song Qi Nian discovered that Yu Sinian's gathering was held at a picturesque farmhouse surrounded by abundant winter plum blossoms.
Song Qi Nian recognized most of the attendees, with only a few new faces.
Upon seeing Song Qi Nian, Shen Ke Qin immediately rushed over. Noticing their matching outfits, she playfully teased, "Oh, you're already coordinating outfits, afraid people won't know you're married."
At that moment, Qiu Pu Yu pushed Yu Sinian over. Yu Sinian smiled faintly at Song Qi Nian, "Nian Nian, everyone here is a close friend of mine, don't feel restrained, just do as you please."
Song Qi Nian nodded with a smile.
"Let me introduce you to Qiu Pu Yu. Pu Yu, this is A Yan's wife, Song Qi Nian."
Qiu Pu Yu extended his hand towards Song Qi Nian with a smile, "I've heard a lot about Madam Shen. May I be friends with you?"
Qiu Pu Yu exuded a warm, sunny aura, much like the kind elder sister Song Qi Nian used to admire on television. It was rare to see Shen Chi Yan not being jealous. Song Qi Nian smiled and shook his hand.
The gathering was essentially a way for people to get acquainted, enjoy a meal, chat, and have drinks.
Although Song Qi Nian couldn't speak, everyone made sure to include her in games and conversations, which made her feel rather overwhelmed.
"Miss Song, how did you and Master Shen Wu meet? Who pursued whom?"
As Song Qi Nian was about to use sign language, Shen Chi Yan took her hand and replied to the questioner, "We met in college. I fell in love with her at first sight, and I pursued her."
"We figured. After all, to get the usually aloof Master Shen Wu, who's never without his suit, to wear matching outfits must be true love."
Shen Chi Yan let out a soft hum, "You singletons can never understand the joy and happiness of wearing matching outfits."
Everyone burst into laughter. Song Qi Nian felt a little embarrassed by Shen Chi Yan's constant public displays of affection and gave him a look, signaling him to tone it down.
Shen Chi Yan leaned in and kissed Song Qi Nian's cheek in front of everyone, "Alright, I'll listen to my wife!"
Song Qi Nian: "..."
From then on, whether it was during meals or games, Shen Chi Yan doted on Song Qi Nian, vividly demonstrating what a devoted husband he was.
However, in the eyes of others, he was simply henpecked.
After playing for a while, Shen Chi Yan and Qiu Pu Yu exchanged a look. Shen Chi Yan then whispered in Song Qi Nian's ear, "Darling, it's a bit stuffy in here. Let's go for a walk."
Song Qi Nian nodded and followed Shen Chi Yan out.
The winter plum blossoms in the courtyard were blooming in full glory, stunningly beautiful. After taking a few photos of Song Qi Nian, Shen Chi Yan led her to a pavilion.
There, they saw Yu Sinian's Angora cat, basking in the sun on the pavilion steps.
The moment Song Qi Nian saw the cat, she froze as if she had encountered something terrifying.
Shen Chi Yan, who had been closely monitoring Song Qi Nian's emotions, saw her face instantly turn pale and distressed. He held her hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. This is a cat that Sinian has raised for several years. It's very gentle and won't scratch you."
As he spoke, Shen Chi Yan walked over and picked up the black cat. Song Qi Nian, however, stood rooted to the spot, unable to move a step, as if under a spell.
Shen Chi Yan stroked Xiao Hei's head. The cat purred contentedly and even licked Shen Chi Yan's hand.
"Good kitty, Xiao Hei... This is my Qi Qi, you've met her before."
Shen Chi Yan hoped that by introducing them, Song Qi Nian would let down her guard a little. However, her gaze was fixed on Xiao Hei. Whatever she was thinking, she kept shaking her head and backing away.
Sensing Song Qi Nian's urge to flee, Shen Chi Yan immediately put down Xiao Hei and rushed to embrace her, "Darling, don't be scared, I'm here."
Song Qi Nian shoved Shen Chi Yan away forcefully, pointed at Xiao Hei, and gestured with trembling hands, "Cat... no... it's very fragile... it will die."
Shen Chi Yan's heart tightened. He knew she must have been reminded of the cat she had as a child.
"No! No one will harm it!"
Song Qi Nian's face grew even paler, and she shook her head more vigorously. She turned to flee, but Shen Chi Yan held her back.
"Qi Qi, I know the cat you had as a child died, but not all cats are as fragile as yours. Xiao Hei..."
Before Shen Chi Yan could finish, Song Qi Nian pushed him away with great force. She looked at him with disbelief, her hands trembling as she gestured in fear, "Who told you? How do you know my cat died? What else do you know?"
Song Qi Nian's emotions were running high. She suspected that Li Jun Shen had told Shen Chi Yan.
She didn't know what Li Jun Shen's intentions were, but she hadn't felt at ease since seeing him that day.
Shen Chi Yan hadn't expected Song Qi Nian to react so strongly. He held her, patting her back to soothe her, "Your mother told me. She only said that after your cat passed away, you fell gravely ill, and when you woke up, you couldn't speak. I want you to speak, I want to hear you call my name, I want to hear you say you love me."
Liu Xiao Han paid little attention to her son and daughter. Song Qi Nian was unwilling to confide in her, so she had no idea the real reason Song Qi Nian had lost her voice.
Hearing that Liu Xiao Han had said it, and that Li Jun Shen had nothing to do with it, Song Qi Nian felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
She absolutely did not want Shen Chi Yan to interact with Li Jun Shen. That man was too terrifying; he had a face that made people like him and let down their guard, but he was actually ruthless.
"Darling, cats are nothing to be afraid of. Look, Xiao Hei is looking at you. Shall we go and pet it?"
Song Qi Nian glanced at Xiao Hei, who was perched on the steps. The human and the cat made eye contact. Her mind flashed back to "Hamburger," the cat that had always stuck to her, only to be disemboweled by Li Jun Shen.
Shen Chi Yan thought Song Qi Nian was softening and tentatively pulled her closer to Xiao Hei, "If you're scared, we don't have to pet it. We can just sit next to it, okay?"
As he spoke, Shen Chi Yan cupped Song Qi Nian's face and had her look at him, "Darling, listen to me. Running away solves nothing. I'll always be by your side. If even sitting next to it feels unbearable, then we can leave, alright?"
Shen Chi Yan also instructed Xiao Hei, "Xiao Hei, stay put. Don't run around or move."
Xiao Hei feared no one, not Yu Sinian nor Gong Yuqi, but it was terrified of Shen Chi Yan.
Logically, Shen Chi Yan had never withheld its food and even brought various imported cat food and canned food whenever he visited the Yu family. Yet, it was still afraid of Shen Chi Yan.
Xiao Hei was naturally a boisterous cat, but in front of Shen Chi Yan, it was incredibly well-behaved.
If told to lie down, it would obediently lie down, not daring to move a muscle.
"Qi Qi, let's go."