Chapter 3

Shen Wan stood where she was, her expression showing discomfort, and her fingers clutching the edge of her skirt, a subtle tinge of blue appearing.

She perfectly embodied her first-time experience stepping into a prominent family through her evident anxiety and nervousness.

Soon, everyone gathered around as the old master entered the room.

Shen Yan acted like a lively oriole, coquettish and sweet in her manner. Her sugary words even made Shen Zongming laugh heartily.

“You, all you do is pick sweet words. At my age, this old man still looks like Pan An? Don’t you dare claim to be a student from G University out there; you might not even know how to use idioms!”

His speech effortlessly flowed in the distinct dialect of the capital city, markedly different from the Ning City accent.

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It was said that Shen Zongming was born in the capital city of Jingping. After losing in a family feud as an adult, he was “exiled” to Ning City. Despite this predicament, he managed to establish the Mingda Group.

After several decades of development, the Shen family had already become one of the prominent families in Ning City, with their industries spanning various sectors.

After listening, Shen Yan pouted in a playful manner, wrinkling her brows cutely. She nudged Shen Qian aside and held onto the old master’s arm, gently swaying like a little daughter. “That’s not true! Grandfather, you don’t look old at all!”

“At 75 years old, I’m not old?” Shen Zongming pretended to be annoyed, but the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his joy at the moment.

“In Ah Yan’s eyes, Grandfather will always be eighteen.” She looked coquettish and her voice was crisp.

So, in the previous life, there was a reason for Shen Yan to be doted on before that person returned.

With her silver tongue, she played both the angel and the devil.

Shen Qian occasionally added a comment from the side. Shen Chunjiang and Yang Lan, as a couple, nodded from time to time. At first glance, the scene was heartwarming.

As a result, Shen Wan, standing in the middle of the living room, seemed even more conspicuous.

Shen Zongming halted his steps, his old eyes half-closed. “This is…”

Madam Shen, Yang Lan, quickly concealed her gentle smile, her gaze at Shen Wan as if she was staring at something repulsive.

Shen Yan continued to giggle sweetly.

As the atmosphere began to stiffen noticeably, Shen Chunjiang gestured for Shen Wan to come closer. “Come here, stand closer.”

Shen Wan complied and stepped forward.

“This is your grandfather…” He pointed to Shen Qian and Shen Yan. “your older brother and sister. From now on, you’re the youngest in our family. You need to listen and be polite, understand?”

Shen Wan nodded, then proceeded to address each of them in a docile manner, her demeanor so submissive that it showed no trace of hostility.

Yang Lan’s lips curled into a scornful smile, then she looked at her husband. “Chunjiang, it seems you’ve forgotten someone.”

“Let me see…” The man acted as if he suddenly realized upon being reminded, “This is Dad’s wife. You can call her… Aunt.”

Shen Wan dared not look at her, but obediently called out, “Aunt.”

The young girl lowered her head, revealing a fair stretch of her neck. Her meek and submissive posture reminded Yang Lan of that woman, who was also so timid and subservient, nodding along in agreement.

Even in death, she couldn’t rest in peace, and now she had sent such a contemptible creature to create trouble for her!

Growing angrier the more she thought about it, Yang Lan’s smile seemed superficial, her words carrying a biting edge. “Aunt? Ha… I don’t have a niece this old.”

The old master’s face darkened suddenly.

Not that he took offense at the veiled sarcasm directed at his elder daughter-in-law; he simply found it dampening.

Shen Zongming didn’t lack sons, grandsons, or even granddaughters, including those raised outside the household.

Regarding Shen Wan’s return to the family, Shen Chunjiang had already informed him beforehand. The old master wasn’t overly surprised. After all, it was just another mouth to feed; what was the big deal?

Shen Chunjiang warned his wife with a look, reminding her to tone it down.

Although Yang Lan’s eyes flashed with anger, she ultimately pursed her lips and refrained from erupting again.

“Today is Grandfather’s seventy-fifth birthday. It’s rare for us to gather at the old residence. Mother has prepared a special menu and instructed the kitchen to prepare meticulously. Since everyone is here, let’s take our seats.” Shen Qian intervened to defuse the situation, not only salvaging Yang Lan’s dignity but also easing the atmosphere and incidentally giving Shen Wan a reality check.

Indeed, he was cultivated as the legitimate eldest grandchild in line to inherit Mingda Group. Just by opening his mouth, one could perceive his high status.

Although he didn’t believe that Shen Wan, with her demure and compliant appearance, could cause any significant trouble, he still needed to give a forewarning.

The grand seventy-fifth birthday banquet had been arranged well in advance at Ning City’s largest hotel. The venue was booked for three days, and the grandeur was undeniable.

However, today was the genuine lunar birthday of Shen Zongming. Shen Chunjiang and Yang Lan had specifically gone to Ludu to fetch the old master, who was undergoing recuperation, for his birthday celebration. They also planned to stay for a while.

Shen Wan sat below Shen Qian, directly positioned across from Shen Yan.

The attractive girl with a charming face offered a brilliant smile, but it lacked warmth and carried an eerie, unsettling air.

Shen Wan’s pupils contracted, and she was so startled that she almost knocked over her utensils.

She had embodied the image of the pitiful and fragile “damsel in distress” perfectly. In this day and age, who wasn’t an actor?

In her past life, her inability to hide her true self and her desperate need to prove herself to the Shen family resulted in her wings being broken time and again. When she finally mastered the art of concealing her true nature, she was already covered in scars.

Shen Yan observed the untouched utensils in front of Shen Wan, feeling a sense of pity. Why didn’t she take a bite? The old master was very particular about manners…

As the dishes were served, and everyone began eating, Shen Yan didn’t witness Shen Wan making a fool of herself.

This was mainly because she was excessively timid, to the point of extreme caution. She dared not reach for dishes at a distance, nor did she allow the slightest clinking of plates and glasses. She even struggled to chew her food with any vigor.

As a result, she unintentionally followed proper table manners. Unlike Shen Yan, who frequently went beyond the norms due to her privileged upbringing, she appeared more like a well-mannered young lady.

Certainly, this condition involved disregarding her excessively thin and pale complexion.

Shen Chunjiang couldn’t resist casting a subtle glance, privately satisfied. Undoubtedly his descendant, even while raised in such unfavorable circumstances, she still exuded remarkable elegance.

And all of this was a result of genetics. How could he not be proud?

Yang Lan’s eyes gleamed with mockery. No matter how well she imitated, she was fundamentally different.

Shen Yan, on the other hand, seethed with resentment.

The calmest individuals in the room were Shen Zongming and Shen Qian. One sat serenely at the center of attention, while the other maintained a tranquil demeanor.

“Grandfather,” Shen Yan suddenly spoke, presenting an exquisite gift box, “This is the birthday present my brother and I picked for you. We put a lot of effort into it!”

“Is that so? Let me see…”

Shen Yan handed it over with a smile.

The old master opened it and looked inside, “An inkstone?” He pressed his finger against the inkwell, and then applied slight pressure. Finally, he burst into hearty laughter. “It’s a desk inkstone!”

“Do you like it? Xiao Yan took a long time to choose it. I almost got deceived, but in the end, I had to ask Brother for advice before daring to make the purchase. It made me so nervous.”

Shen Zongming laughed heartily. “I love it! Of course, I love it!”

Shen Yan let out a relieved sigh, then revealed a pair of sweet dimples. “Then I can rest assured…”

Having lived through a previous life, Shen Wan couldn’t help but admire her counterpart’s skill at seeking favor. If she had a third of Shen Yan’s ability to flatter and please others back in those days, she might have avoided many detours and suffered much less.

However, it wasn’t too tardy to acquire this skill now, although she must adjust it to align with her present “damsel in distress” character…

“Oh, by the way, Wan Wan, what gift did you prepare for Grandfather? Why don’t you show everyone?” Shen Yan coquettishly suggested.

For a moment, Shen Wan fell silent.

Just look at this bitch.