Mrs. Shen looks extremely young, with delicate and fair skin, well-maintained; she is the typical Jiangnan woman, appearing gentle and soft-spoken, nothing like a fifty-year-old.
It’s hard to believe that Shen Qian is her daughter. The mother and daughter do not resemble each other at all. Shen Qian is more like General Shen, thus receiving more of his favor.
When Mrs. Shen saw Mrs. Jiang approaching, she smiled and apologized to the person she was speaking with before standing up to greet Mrs. Jiang and the other two.
"Wenjing, you’re here," Mrs. Shen said with a beaming smile, as if she had a good relationship with Mrs. Jiang. In reality, the two families only had a regular relationship, with limited interactions apart from Father Jiang and General Shen working together.
Mrs. Jiang also smiled and said, "Congratulations on having a grandchild so soon."
Mrs. Shen softly replied, "If you’re envious, let Ke Chu get married quickly and have one too."
Just as she said this, Shen Qian walked over from Lin Jiayi’s side. She politely greeted Mrs. Jiang, "Hello, Auntie." Then she nodded at Jiang Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao." When she saw Wan Chuchu, she merely paused, then indifferently looked away.
In contrast to Mrs. Shen’s gentle demeanor, Shen Qian seemed rather casual.
Mrs. Jiang nodded with a smile and casually remarked, "Shen Qian has matured quite a bit." Then she pointed to Wan Chuchu and said, "This is my daughter-in-law, Wan Chuchu. She’s still studying at the First University. Once she graduates, she’ll marry Ke Chu."
The words carried a hint of pride.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shen feigned surprise, looked at Wan Chuchu with a smile, and praised, "She seems like a good child. No wonder you’re in such a good mood today."
Then she glanced at her daughter and said with a touch of regret, "Looks like our Qianqian is not destined for your family. It would be better if you had another son."
What a shameless remark, trying to steal Wan Chuchu’s place right in front of her, truly a fake innocent.
Wan Chuchu snorted coldly inside, maintaining a faint smile and standing silently by Mrs. Jiang’s side.
Mrs. Jiang was also displeased but knew Mrs. Shen’s nature very well. That was why she deliberately brought Wan Chuchu today. She said, "I liked Chuchu from the very first glance. In this lifetime, I acknowledge only Chuchu as my daughter-in-law."
Shen Qian’s expression stiffened for a moment, then she turned to Wan Chuchu and said, "I heard you and Jiang Kechu had a fight?"
Although phrased as a question, the tone was quite certain.
Everyone was surprised by Shen Qian’s blunt words. Wan Chuchu squinted; how did Shen Qian know about her fight with Jiang Kechu? Her gaze caught Mrs. Shen’s curved smile, and she calmly replied:
"Quarrels are a way we flirt with each other."
Such syrupy words said so seriously made everyone’s expressions crack a bit.
Mrs. Jiang quickly said, "Alright, you young folks go play elsewhere, instead of hanging around here." Mrs. Shen also agreed, sending the three of them away.
So, the three left the area. Shen Qian, supposed to be a gracious host, remained stern-faced, lost in thought, ignoring Wan Chuchu and Jiang Xiaoxiao.
Further away, Lin Jiayi waved at them from the crowd, but neither Wan Chuchu nor Jiang Xiaoxiao wanted to join. The two were about to head outside, looking to find a corner.
Suddenly, Shen Qian quickened her pace, stopped in front of them, and said seriously, "Wan Chuchu, come with me. I need to ask you something."
Jiang Xiaoxiao: "..."
It sounded like an interrogation, leaving Wan Chuchu and Jiang Xiaoxiao speechless. Shen Qian’s emotional intelligence was truly lacking.
Jiang Xiaoxiao glanced at Wan Chuchu, who shrugged and whispered, "Let’s go see what Miss High and Mighty has to say."
By a fountain in the Shen family’s backyard, Shen Qian intensely stared at Wan Chuchu, saying:
"I heard you were kidnapped a while back and spent three days and two nights with the kidnappers. Nothing happened during that time, right? Is that why you’re fighting with Jiang Kechu?"
The kidnapping incident was known by only a few select individuals; even the Jiang family aside from Jiang Kechu was unaware. So when Shen Qian mentioned it, Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face immediately changed.
Wan Chuchu was also shocked because the kidnappers were Japanese, aiming to exchange for a Japanese spy, a highly classified matter.
Yet Shen Qian nonchalantly brought it up, making Wan Chuchu think of her as a reckless person.
Jiang Xiaoxiao quickly defended, "How could that be? Chuchu is so skilled—she can even take you down, let alone get kidnapped. It’s definitely a rumor."
Shen Qian was at a loss for words, her sharp gaze fixed on Wan Chuchu, "I told you it’s true, right?"
It seemed she was bent on getting answers today.
Wan Chuchu raised her eyebrows, a teasing smile appeared, and she said to Shen Qian:
"No need to worry your head over it. However, I’d like to ask how you learned about this. It’s a state secret, and you’re not qualified to know. You should be well aware of the consequences of leaking it."
Shen Qian snorted, only saying, "You should leave Jiang Kechu."
Wan Chuchu: "..." Who do you think you are! Not wanting to listen to Shen Qian’s nonsense any longer, she simply turned away, dragging Jiang Xiaoxiao with her to leave.
Shen Qian raised her voice, "Can you account for what happened during your kidnapping? Jiang Kechu loathes you now; why cling on shamelessly? Even if your grandpa is Old Sir Zhong, you..."
Just then, a voice interrupted Shen Qian, "Who said I loathe Wan Chuchu!"
All three turned around at once to see Jiang Kechu approaching with a stern expression. His sharp, handsome features were frosty, making people shiver involuntarily.
Shen Qian stepped back, Jiang Xiaoxiao called out, "Big brother." Wan Chuchu stood still, pouting angrily at Jiang Kechu.
Jiang Kechu walked over steadily, wrapped Wan Chuchu in his arms possessively, and coldly said to Shen Qian, "I will report your leak upstairs for investigation."
Shen Qian’s face turned pale hearing this, her lips moved without speaking.
"And, even though Wan Chuchu was kidnapped, nothing happened; we are fine, we will continue to be fine, all our lives. Please, refrain from interfering in our affairs from now on." Jiang Kechu continued to lash at Shen Qian frostily.
Hearing these words, Wan Chuchu felt somewhat better, her grip on Jiang Kechu’s waist loosening.
Then, Jiang Kechu held Wan Chuchu as they walked away, with Jiang Xiaoxiao smilingly following, leaving Shen Qian so angry she wanted to hit someone.
Jiang Kechu’s sudden appearance caused a stir at the Shen family banquet, mainly because he stuck closely to Wan Chuchu the entire time, showing extreme affection, stunning the crowd.
Due to Jiang Kechu’s strong presence, Lin Jiayi dared not approach Wan Chuchu, only managing to quietly greet Mrs. Jiang. Right now, Jiang Kechu was the person she feared most.
After dinner, the group from the Jiang family didn’t stay any longer and immediately took their leave.
Jiang Kechu drove his mother and sister back to the compound and then left with Wan Chuchu.
As soon as they were out the gates, Wan Chuchu bared her teeth, "Weren’t you still angry with me? Weren’t you still sulking, so why suddenly appear today?"
Ignoring Wan Chuchu’s protest, Jiang Kechu ruffled her hair, "You’re really heartless, ignoring me so easily."
Hmph, turning the tables on her!
Angry, Wan Chuchu looked away, "I want to get out of the car!"
His apology was too insincere; he could not be easily forgiven.
Jiang Kechu looked at her pouty face with a smile, slowly pulled the car over, grabbed her shoulders, turned her around, and sincerely apologized, "I was wrong. I won’t give you the silent treatment again, and you shouldn’t ignore me again either."
Wan Chuchu was not one to persist excessively, she said curtly, "You clearly ignored me."
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Kechu kissed her, pulling her into his embrace.