Song Qinian started volunteering in high school.
She had experienced hardship herself and wanted to help others.
She enjoyed helping people and doing charity work, but her own capabilities were limited.
If becoming the Vice Chairman of the Hongou Foundation could help more people, she would naturally be happy.
When Ju Honglan saw that the old lady had not only allowed Song Qinian into the foundation but also made her Vice Chairman, putting her on equal footing with herself, her face turned grim.
As soon as she got home, Ju Honglan threw a big tantrum.
"I've sacrificed so much for the Shen family and the Hongou Foundation, yet I'm not as valued as Xi Ruxue. What has she done besides give the Shen family a son?"
Shen Zhengming was in a good mood because Shen Qiwen had joined Ding Sheng Group.
But seeing Ju Honglan smashing things, he said coldly, "Isn't one son enough?"
Ju Honglan's eyes widened with fury, "What do you mean? Are you blaming me for not giving you a son?
"Mom agreed to Qiwen joining Ding Sheng Group, and for my elder brother's family. My elder brother is a lawyer, and Liubai is an engineer; neither is in Ding Sheng Group. Mom gave my elder sister-in-law the position of Foundation Chairman merely to avoid making my elder brother's family overthink things and to maintain balance."
Upon hearing this, Ju Honglan became even more enraged, "Balance? Hmph, then you only cared about getting your illegitimate son into Ding Sheng Group, but you didn't help me fight for the position of Foundation Chairman. What kind of balance were you trying to achieve then?"
"Don't you see? Mom had already made her decision today; nothing anyone says will change it."
Ju Honglan was so angry her lungs felt like they would explode, "Fine, even if Mom wanted to maintain balance and let Xi Ruxue be the Foundation Chairman, why should Song Qinian be the Vice Chairman? What qualifications does she have to be on equal footing with me?"
The Shen family was a prominent clan, a wealthy and influential family.
When Xi Ruxue and Ju Honglan married into the family, the old lady was still young and had the final say in both the household and the foundation.
Both women only became Vice Chairmen of the foundation eight years after marrying into the Shen family.
Yet, Song Qinian had only been in the Shen family for three years and had no children, and the old lady had already given her the position of Vice Chairman of the foundation.
This was an extreme display of favoritism.
"I don't know what qualifications Song Qinian has, but I do know that if you don't achieve something to impress Mom soon, you might not even be able to keep your Vice Chairman position."
Ju Honglan's face changed drastically, "What do you mean?"
"Xi Ruxue has been promoted to Chairman, and you, as Vice Chairman, should have been enough. Why did Mom need to bring Song Qinian in? Honestly, what can a mute person do?"
"Are you saying Mom intends to groom Song Qinian and then replace me?"
The phone rang. Shen Zhengming answered it coldly, "Think for yourself. I'm busy enough with company matters. If you can't even hold onto the Vice Chairman position, you're useless."
Ju Honglan watched Shen Zhengming's indifferent and cold back, clenching her fists.
Just then, she received a text message. Upon reading its contents, a sinister smile curved her lips.
"Song Qinian, I will never let you climb over my head!"
The person who sent Ju Honglan the text message was Lin Qiutong.
Lin Qiutong had learned about what happened at the Shen family's home that evening from Shen Qiwen. Hearing that the old lady had given Song Qinian the position of Vice Chairman of the Hongou Foundation filled Lin Qiutong with jealousy and anger.
If it weren't for the damned Song Qinian, both Shen Chi'an and the Vice Chairmanship of the foundation would have been hers.
Song Qinian had stolen everything that rightfully belonged to her, and she couldn't possibly swallow that insult.
Knowing that Ju Honglan also hated Song Qinian to death, she told Ju Honglan about Song Qinian's fear of cats, which she had learned from Lin Lanxing.
It was more beneficial for her to use a borrowed knife to kill than to take action herself.
On the way back, Shen Chi'an's expression was grim.
Song Qinian dared not provoke him at this time.
But this didn't mean Shen Chi'an would let her off. As soon as they arrived at the villa, Shen Chi'an dragged Song Qinian into the room and threw her onto the bed.
Song Qinian's head spun from the fall; she didn't know what madness had taken over him this time.
The next moment, he was pressing down on her.
"When Grandma asked you to be Vice Chairman of the foundation, why didn't you refuse?"
Song Qinian was stunned. This was a good thing; why should she refuse?
"Are you that eager to let everyone know you are my wife, Shen Chi'an?"
Before Song Qinian could react, he said coldly, "I thought you had learned your lesson these past few days, but I didn't expect your scheming to be so deep! What, as soon as Qiu Qiu came back, you couldn't wait to declare your claim?"
Song Qinian didn't understand what Shen Chi'an was talking about at all.
Shen Chi'an didn't give her a chance to explain; he lowered his head and sealed her lips, venting all his pent-up frustration and annoyance onto her.
Later, Song Qinian learned that the change of Chairman for the Hongou Foundation required a press conference.
And as Vice Chairman, she would attend, and the old lady would surely introduce her to everyone as Shen Chi'an's wife.
Song Qinian originally wanted to explain to Shen Chi'an, but she gave up, thinking he might not believe her anyway.
Shen Qiwen reported to Ding Sheng Group the next day.
When he emerged from the President's office, he came before Song Qinian.
It was Song Qinian's first time seeing Shen Qiwen in professional attire. Regardless of anything else, the Shen family had excellent genes.
Even with the scar on Shen Qiwen's face, it didn't detract from his charm and handsomeness.
He smiled charmingly at Song Qinian, "Fifth sister-in-law, you injured me before, and then you almost crippled me. We're even now. I hope you'll take care of me in the future."
Song Qinian had been looking for an opportunity to approach Shen Qiwen and investigate her father's affairs.
Now that they were in the same company, it was indeed convenient.
To avoid alarming him, she smiled slightly and nodded at Shen Qiwen.
Shen Qiwen probably hadn't expected Song Qinian to smile back. He had to admit, she looked quite beautiful when she smiled.
It was a pity that she stood in the way of Tongtong!
...
The foundation's press conference was scheduled for Saturday.
Early that morning, Song Qinian tidied herself up and went to the old residence.
Today's schedule was packed. The old lady planned to take her daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law to visit children they had helped and elderly people living alone before the press conference began.
Song Qinian hadn't expected the cameras to start filming immediately. She was so afraid of the lenses that she almost couldn't walk.
Compared to Song Qinian's casual attire, Xi Ruxue wore a dark blue dress, while Ju Honglan was in a sexy and beautiful qipao.
Ju Honglan kept positioning herself near the cameras. With her introducing things, Song Qinian could hide behind others and quietly do her work.
The press conference was scheduled for three-thirty in the afternoon.
After visiting the elderly and children, there was still some time left. Ju Honglan glanced at Song Qinian, who was silently wiping sweat nearby, and smiled at the old lady, "Mom, I remember we have a stray animal rescue center around here. Since we're nearby, why don't we go and take a look?"