Sheng Jianan turned his head to meet Tang Yanqi’s eyes, which were smiling gently. Her smile was soft, with a hint of a woman’s coquettishness, vastly different from the way she usually looked at him. However, Sheng Jianan noticeably saw that Tang Yanqi’s smile was only surface-deep and did not reach her eyes.
The meal was enjoyed in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Tang Ruhai, being a businessman, was good at creating topics of conversation, neither overly flattering nor indifferent, while Shen Wanqing was more concerned about daily life matters.
"Jianan, Wanwan has been spoiled by us. She can’t do anything, and it’s our fault. Please be more tolerant."
As Tang Yanqi listened to Shen Wanqing’s words, her face showed no expression whatsoever, but Sheng Jianan raised an eyebrow. She can’t do anything?
No, she can cook instant noodles.
He didn’t know why he thought of that bowl of noodles, but the memory popped into his mind involuntarily, and he even gave a slight smile. This subtle action went unnoticed by Tang Yanqi and Shen Wanqing, but the old fox Tang Ruhai saw it clearly, and in his eyes, he naturally took this slight smile as indulgence.
After dinner, Tang Yanqi was called by Shen Wanqing to cut some fruit, and Tang Ruhai smiled and said, "Jianan, how about a game of chess?"
Sheng Jianan did not object, and the two men set up the chessboard. Whatever Tang Ruhai wanted to say or what he had in mind, Sheng Jianan knew it well. He smiled with his eyes, but the smile was genuinely detached.
In the kitchen, Tang Yanqi emotionlessly plated the cantaloupe that Aunt had cut. Shen Wanqing stood beside her, a cold smile in her eyes, "Hmph, just like your mother, you’ve got the art of seducing men down to a fine skill."
Tang Yanqi had long learned to automatically block out Shen Wanqing’s trash talk. She prepared to leave with the plate of cantaloupe, wholly ignoring Shen Wanqing’s presence.
Most of the time, Shen Wanqing’s jabs were merely verbal, and Tang Yanqi would just ignore them, but today, for some reason, perhaps stimulated by something, Shen Wanqing suddenly reached out and grabbed Tang Yanqi’s arm, "Tang Yanqi, who are you pretending to be superior in front of? Who are you trying to impress with that face? It’s a shame Young Master Sheng can’t see through this facade of yours to see if he would still want you."
Tang Yanqi’s calm gaze fell on Shen Wanqing. For a woman who was clearly already well into middle age, Tang Yanqi couldn’t understand how she could speak with such an arrogant tone that only young girls usually have.
Indifferently withdrawing her arm from Shen Wanqing’s hand, Tang Yanqi curled her lips, "I couldn’t ask for more."
Those four words made Shen Wanqing’s eyes turn red with anger, her hands clenched into fists, and the aura she emitted was as if she wanted to rip Tang Yanqi, who had walked out, into pieces.
In Shen Wanqing’s ears, Tang Yanqi’s words were a provocation. Why did Shengshi invest in Tang Family? Because of Tang Yanqi. Why did the Tang Family manage to latch onto the big tree that is the Sheng Family? Because of Tang Yanqi.
However, as the person involved, Tang Yanqi had never considered these things. Indeed, she couldn’t ask for more. Without the Tang Family, she wouldn’t have to marry Sheng Jianan, nor would she be in such an awkward situation now.
He not liking her was not a problem, but Tang Yanqi at least hoped he wouldn’t hate her.
But Sheng Jianan now truly hated her, and what was the reason for all this?
Because of the Tang Family!
So she couldn’t ask for more.
Carrying the cantaloupe to the living room, Tang Yanqi placed it on the coffee table. Tang Ruhai smiled and beckoned, "Wanwan, come and take a look at the chess game between Jianan and me."