Chapter 44: After All, the Lady Likes Herself

"Shen Linyan, you're smoking upstairs at a time like this? With so many elders downstairs, do you not even know to go greet them?"

By the railing on the second floor, a man in a deep black suit leaned against the terrace balcony. His long legs were slightly bent, his posture lazy and relaxed.

A cigarette was held between his well-defined fingers, the ember flickering. The wedding ring on his ring finger accentuated his elegant and ascetic aura.

Hearing the voice, the man unhurriedly stubbed out the cigarette on the railing. The expression in his eyes was mild, and his voice was gentle yet distant.

"I thought that on an occasion like this, Mother would prefer Lu Jingshen to make more of an appearance. After all, today is his birthday party."

The smoke wrapped around the man's deep contours. Though his posture was casual, it carried a noble aloofness that warned strangers to keep their distance.

Mother Shen looked at this face, a flash of disgust passing through her eyes.

She crossed her arms, her tone cold. "As the newly appointed head of the Shen family, you should let them see you too."

"Yes."

As if remembering something else, Mother Shen spoke up, "I told you not to tell that woman. You didn't say anything, did you?"

The man paused. With his hands in his suit pockets, he slowly gave an "Mm" of agreement. "I didn't tell her."

Besides, his wife didn't like coming here anyway.

Hearing this, Mother Shen frowned. Thinking of what happened a few days ago, she still couldn't swallow her anger.

Most importantly, An Ling had changed too much recently, always giving her an unsettling feeling.

"That girl has been very abnormal lately. She speaks even more presumptuously than before. If she keeps this up, divorce her as soon as possible."

Shen Linyan didn't say anything, but the smile faded from his face.

His dark eyes swept over Mother Shen's face. With almost no emotion in his eyes, he indifferently withdrew his gaze.

"Why?"

The man's flat, unwavering voice made Mother Shen freeze.

She turned her head as if unable to believe it.

"You're asking me... why?"

It had been many years since she last heard Shen Linyan question her.

The bizarre feeling in Mother Shen's heart expanded.

"I say no because I don't want it! I am your mother! Shen Linyan, I am the one who feeds and provides for you, and you ask me why?"

She lowered her voice, but her tone was heavy. "I arranged this marriage for you in the first place. I am not satisfied with this wife, change her! I won't hold your brother's matter from a while ago against you."

Shen Linyan patted away the lingering smell of smoke on his clothes. His eyelids drooped, casting a shadow under his eyes, revealing his lack of interest.

If he had known, he wouldn't have come.

It would have been better to accompany his wife for dinner at home; she would probably be very happy.

"I will handle it. Mother doesn't need to worry."

Mother Shen furrowed her brows, not quite satisfied with this answer.

She felt that Shen Linyan had also changed a lot compared to before. When he first came back, he wouldn't dare disobey her words at all.

She seemed to want to say something more, but thinking of the relatives downstairs, she held her tongue and shot him an irritated glare.

"As long as you know. Hurry up and come down."

After Mother Shen left, Shen Linyan took out his phone, a thoughtful look on his face.

At this time, his wife should be home.

Should he ask what she had for dinner? As a husband, it seemed he ought to ask.

If he asked, his wife would probably be happy too. After all, his wife liked him, so he needed to respond in kind.

Tapping his fingertips lightly on the screen, the corners of the man's lips curled up slightly.

A familiar voice sounded by his ear.

"Big brother."

He stopped his movements and lifted his eyelids to take a glance.

Zhou Wen walked over with a smile on her face. "Is sister-in-law not here today? I looked for a long time just now but didn't see her."

The young woman was wearing a long white dress today, with slender ribbons draping from her shoulders. Her hair was swept to one side, and her eyes held a soft smile.

Shen Linyan looked at her quietly for a moment, his gaze then falling on the corner not far away. He gave a casual response.

Was there a need to ask?

She had clearly been eavesdropping over there for so long just now.

Zhou Wen seemed to want to say something else, but saw the man suddenly raise his hand, tapping his knuckles lightly against his watch. His voice was clear and smooth.

"Sorry, it's getting late and the party is about to start. I'll go down first to help prepare."

"Ah? Ah... okay."

She subconsciously stepped aside to make room. Remembering her purpose for coming, she hurriedly spoke up, "Big brother, can you wait a bit before leaving after the party ends? I have something I want to give you. It won't take long."

Shen Linyan was about to refuse when Zhou Wen suddenly added.

"It's a gift for sister-in-law. Didn't you tell me to get a gift for her last time?"

He paused, his gaze lingering on the young woman's face for a moment, before slowly withdrawing his hand.

"Alright."

The guests were all relatives of the Shen family. When Shen Linyan went downstairs, Lu Jingshen was standing with Shen Jiandong.

Mother Shen stood nearby, and the three of them seemed to be talking and laughing.

Faint compliments like "a man of striking appearance" and "highly capable" could be heard.

Ever since Lu Jingshen returned to the Shen Group to take up the position of CEO, he had shed his former playboy image. Nowadays, his steady and reliable demeanor left an increasingly deep impression on people.

Out of the twenty-something people in the hall, no one struck up a conversation with Shen Linyan. As the true heir of the Shen family, he was instead given the cold shoulder.

But it was normal. Most of the people here were invited by Mother Shen, all for the sake of paving the way for Lu Jingshen.

Shen Linyan picked up a glass of wine and walked over to a table. Just as he was about to take out his phone, a voice sounded from behind him.

"Linyan, An Ling didn't come today?"

Being interrupted time and time again made Shen Linyan frown slightly.

Turning his head, he saw that Shen Jiandong, who had just been talking with Lu Jingshen and the others, had walked over at some point.

Without waiting for Shen Linyan to answer, he laughed a few times. "Without An Ling, this party is going to be boring."

His words implicitly and explicitly mocked the things An Ling had done over the past two years.

Shen Linyan took a sip of wine, his tone indifferent. "If Uncle Jiandong is bored, why not convene a shareholders' meeting right here? Let the other shareholders come over and liven up the atmosphere."

Shen Jiandong's expression soured. He twitched the corners of his mouth and spoke with an ambiguous meaning, "Maybe An Ling will come later. Chairman Shen had better keep a closer eye on his own wife, lest she make a fool of herself again."

Shen Linyan shot him a sideways glance. He was just about to speak when a sudden commotion broke out in the crowd.

A servant hurriedly ran over, looking nervous.

"...Eldest Young Master, the Young Madam is here!"

Hearing this, Shen Linyan's expression slightly froze.

Shen Jiandong let out a sneer. "Speak of the devil and she appears."

The man ignored him and walked straight toward the center of the crowd.

The moment An Ling pushed the door open and walked in, she drew countless stares.

Sizing, mocking, and expectant gazes fell upon her, as if looking at a piece of merchandise.

Shen Fuyuan stood beside her, hands on her hips, and sighed, "Walking in with you really gives me face. It's just like attending a press conference, except without the cameras."

"..."

An Ling's gaze swept over the people in the hall. Under the crystal chandelier, unfamiliar faces stared at her without any attempt to hide it.

In such a setting, everyone was dressed differently than usual, making them even harder to recognize.

That was why An Ling used to hate attending these kinds of parties the most.

It took ages just to figure out who was who.

But this time shouldn't be too troublesome.

Amidst a flurry of hushed whispers, two people emerged from the crowd. The middle-aged woman frowned upon seeing her and issued a familiar questioning tone.

"An Ling, why are you here?"

The corners of An Ling's mouth curled up.

See, there was always some idiot who would jump out and reveal their identity first.