He hadn’t thought it would be , but the appearance of Chu Xiuyun had unexpectedly shattered the tacit understanding and balance they had always maintained.
He could even feel Qiao Xi’s indifference—the kind that stems from something being inconsequential.
A fierce light flashed in Shen Dang’s eyes, "I will resolve this matter."
She didn’t blame him for his stance.
If the old master really found out, then there would be no need for her to entangle herself further with Shen Dang. That would be for the best.
After all, she had done what she could, and there were some things she couldn’t prevent.
She was just an ordinary person and couldn’t expect everything to go her way.
"Then I’m hanging up."
Qiao Xi hung up the phone abruptly before he could finish speaking.
Leaning against the sofa, Qiao Xi let out a gentle sigh, her gaze drifting across the ceiling, her eyes gradually glazing over.
She should feel relieved.
Now it was just a one-sided feeling on her part. As long as Shen Dang didn’t puncture the thin film between them, she could pretend to be oblivious.
That way, no matter what choices she made or if the results weren’t what she wanted, there wouldn’t be too much pressure on her.
Shen Dang made a trip to the Shen Family Mansion.
He entered without even taking off his overcoat.
Ran Jing was about to leave the house when she saw him, both happy and surprised, "Hey, why did you come back all of a sudden?"
But she quickly noticed that Shen Dang’s expression was grim, his mood was off, cold and indifferent.
Ran Jing found it strange, "Ah Dang, what’s wrong with you?"
Shen Dang tugged at the corner of his lips, "I’m looking for grandma, where is she?"
Ran Jing didn’t know why he was asking this.
She hummed a response, "Should be. Miss Chu is keeping Old Madam company. I found it annoying and was about to leave, and then you arrived."
When Old Madam was lucid, she insisted that Chu Wan keep her company. Ran Jing had no choice but to accept Chu Wan’s visits, despite disliking them.
But the frequency of her visits had decreased, which showed that the old master’s words had some effect.
Shen Dang’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he strode upstairs.
Arriving at Old Madam’s door, Shen Dang knocked, "Grandma."
"It’s Ah Dang, come in!"
Shen Dang pushed the door open, his dark, cold eyes sweeping over Chu Wan like a sharp blade, "Miss Chu, please step out for a moment."
Chu Wan felt a tightness in her chest under his gaze, and she instinctively looked at Old Madam, but Old Madam’s eyes were only for her grandson.
Chu Wan had no choice but to leave. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
Shen Dang half-slouched into the sofa.
"Ah Dang, you haven’t visited grandma in a long time," Old Madam said with a twinkle in her eye.
Shen Dang managed a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes, "Grandma, I have a question for you."
Old Madam’s gaze flickered, "What is it, you ask."
Shen Dang’s deep eyes carried a touch of faint hostility, "Did I not say that the matter of my divorce from Qiao Xi should not be mentioned to anyone? If this accidentally reaches grandfather’s ears, even you, grandma, won’t be able to shoulder the responsibility."
"I... I haven’t told anyone."
"Is that so? Then how did Chu Xiuyun find out? Are you not the one who told Miss Chu?"
Shen Dang’s expression was certainly not pleasant, his lips pressed into a firm line, "Grandma, I’ve said before that I don’t want Chu Wan to come to our house. Alright, you want her as company, I can’t say anything, but the matter of my divorce from Qiao Xi is of great importance. If you can’t keep others from speaking, then I can only remarry Qiao Xi."
"You dare!" Old Madam’s expression was fierce but filled with inner turmoil.
Shen Dang’s eyes were half-closed, the thick lashes veiling his dark pupils, a shadowy light flickering within.
"For grandfather’s sake, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do."
Over the recent period, including those days in Jiang City, Shen Dang could sense a certain conformity developing between him and Qiao Xi.
As long as he took a step forward, even if she didn’t move towards him, she wouldn’t back away because of it.
Unfortunately, this matter had suddenly changed everything between them.
This wasn’t what Shen Dang wanted.
Shen Dang’s demeanor conveyed a genuine impression that he could indeed carry out his threat.
Old Madam couldn’t accept it at all, fearfully grabbing Shen Dang’s hand, "Ah Dang, I really didn’t say anything, maybe I accidentally let it slip when I was ill, I didn’t mean to say it."
Old Madam Shen was panicked upon hearing that Shen Dang intended to remarry Qiao Xi.
She had been looking forward to their divorce for so long, how could she sit back and watch them remarry!
Shen Dang’s lips curled slightly, a smirking but cold mien about him, "Yes, I’m just worried that you might accidentally say this to grandfather when you are ill, and then what would we do?"
"No, no," Old Madam Shen said, unable to hide the panic on her face, "Grandma was just too happy, so she wanted to share the news with Ah Wan. I promise this won’t reach your grandfather, you can rest assured."
"Grandma, it’s easy to get divorced nowadays, and it’s not hard to remarry either. Please remember this."
Shen Dang’s voice was gentle, and he left after finishing his words.
Chu Wan saw him, a refined smile on her face, "Ah Dang."
Her makeup was immaculate, and her smile was just right.
Shen Dang’s eyes gleamed with coldness, his words casual, "Miss Chu, we are not close. Please call me Mr. Shen, or President Shen would do as well."
Chu Wan’s smile cracked slightly.
Shen Dang lifted his eyes, a mocking light brimming in his gaze, yet his tone was even, "Even if I divorce Qiao Xi, you and your brother have no chance. Don’t act like you’re the only clever ones in the world; it’s rather ridiculous. But since your brother has entangled himself with Qiao Xi, I owe her an explanation."
Shen Dang spoke and leisurely made his way downstairs.
An explanation, what explanation?
Chu Wan had no idea what he meant.
Could it be that he had developed feelings for Qiao Xi?
Downstairs, as Shen Dang was about to leave, Ran Jing blocked his path, "Ah Dang, are you leaving just like that?"
"Gone, just came to see grandma, nothing else," Shen Dang said nonchalantly with a smile.
Ran Jing wanted to ask more, but Shen Dang excused himself, mentioning he had other matters to attend to and left.
Chu Wan entered Old Madam’s room.
Old Madam picked up a vase from the table and hurled it at Chu Wan.
Caught off guard and unable to dodge, Chu Wan’s clothes were instantly soaked, leaving her in a sorry state.
A cold light flashed in Chu Wan’s eyes; had the old lady gone mad again?
She looked up in shock to see Old Madam was not insane.
What on earth was going on with this old lady?
"I told you about Ah Dang’s divorce from Qiao Xi so you would put in effort, and you told someone else?!"
Old Madam was fierce, her eyes tight with severity.
She had merely mentioned it to her brother. What had he done to alarm the old madam?
Old Madam did not want an explanation, "If this gets to the old man, I won’t let you off the hook. Keep your mouth shut; I don’t want to see you now, you’ve disappointed me too much!"
"Grandma, it’s really not like that..."