"Brother Dang, sister-in-law, come over here and sit," Tang Honghe swiftly made room, a rare sight to behold!
Shen Dang sat down with his hand on Qiao Xi's shoulder, bending over behind her with a low and tender voice, "Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? I'll get it for you."
Qiao Xi felt numb, she raised her phoenix eyes and cooperated with Shen Dang, "No need, I'm not hungry yet. I'll eat when I feel hungry."
Do they need to put on such a show in front of his friends?
Doesn't everyone know their relationship is a sham?
Several friends of Shen Dang were sitting around, the younger generation from several big families in Hai City had all arrived, as well as a few wealthy young masters.
Seeing Shen Dang's "doting husband" act, everyone was shocked.
Damn, who's spreading rumors that Brother Dang is getting a divorce?
With this affectionate display, it doesn't seem like they're headed for divorce!
Shen Dang sat down beside her, crossed his legs, and assumed a cynically indifferent and lazy posture, "Put out your cigarettes."
Several lit cigarettes were promptly extinguished in the ashtray.
"Sister-in-law is here, we'll stop smoking now. Brother Dang really loves his sister-in-law."
Shen Dang's hand rested on the back of the sofa behind Qiao Xi, the corner of his mouth curled into a carefree smile, yet the gesture carried a sense of possessiveness, "Wait until you guys get married and have wives, then you'll understand."
Chu Wan felt a twinge of jealousy, although her face didn't betray a thing, "Ah Dang, so you dote on Miss Qiao like this privately, I am so envious." Why wasn't she the one being doted on?
Then she said to Chu Xiuyun, "Brother, Miss Qiao is truly fortunate."
Everyone knows that the eldest son of the Chu Family has liked Qiao Xi since they were young, that he experienced a failed confession and even once got drunk over her after learning she was married. Of course, it was hardly a secret anymore.
Chu Xiuyun's smiled thinly, his gaze piercing as he looked straight at Qiao Xi's face, "Xixi, are you really happy?"
Shen Dang just smiled, still laid-back, and said nothing.
He was waiting for Qiao Xi to state her stance.
Qiao Xi didn't like Chu Xiuyun, not in the least, "I am very happy. My husband is the perfect man whom all the women in Hai City would want to marry. I couldn't be happier being his wife."
Chu Xiuyun's expression turned cold as well, "But I heard you're planning to divorce. Xixi, I have always been waiting for you."
Everyone: "..."
That's not how you steal someone's girl, big bro. Where's your morality?
I'm afraid Brother Dang will flip out.
Shen Dang snorted coldly, "Young Master Chu, my wife's standards are very high, aside from me, she can't look up to anyone else."
Trying to steal someone's girl in public, has he no shame?
After all, Qiao Xi is still his wife in name.
Chu Xiuyun scoffed disdainfully, "Your marriage to Xixi is a business alliance with no love involved. Everyone is well aware of this!"
Shen Dang's eyes took on a playful glint as he gazed down and twirled a strand of Qiao Xi's hair with his long, fair fingers, "Wife, our love is being questioned. What should we do about it? Should we prove it to Young Master Chu, hm?"
Qiao Xi secretly gritted her teeth, "How do we prove it?"
Qiao Xi felt he was up to no good. What mischief was he plotting?
"How about... a kiss?" Shen Dang pointed to his own cheek.
His audacious demeanor must be to upset someone.
Qiao Xi secretly gave him a look. Shen Dang, don't go too far!
Everyone was watching, Shen Dang was overacting and couldn't keep it in check, leaving Qiao Xi in a dilemma. This damned man was really trying to screw her over!
Chu Xiuyun barked, "Enough!"
His expression dark as if dripping with water.
Qu Jiashu spoke up at the right moment, "Young Master Chu, spare us the marital drama between Ah Dang and Xixi. We're all single here; no need to hurt each other's feelings."
Tang Honghe: "Yeah, yeah, I don't want to eat dog food."
Cui Wenbai: "We dare not partake in Brother Dang's dog food either."
Qu Keke couldn't hold it in anymore; she always kept quiet due to Qu Jiashu's authority but seeing their intimacy in person was more than she could bear, "Young Master Chu, don't trouble Miss Qiao anymore, it's indecent to do such things in public."
Aren't they concerned about losing face?
Qiao Xi noted everyone's expressions, "If you doubt it, Shen Dang and I can prove it publicly if we must."
Chu Xiuyun stood up abruptly, casting a deep look at Qiao Xi before striding away.
One day, Qiao Xi would be his!
Qiao Xi breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Chu Xiuyun didn't insist further.
Shen Dang clicked his tongue, "Such a pity, my wife is shy."
Qiao Xi: "..."
Will this ever end?
Just as Qiao Xi was about to find an excuse to leave, a commotion suddenly arose from nearby; Old Madam Shen had run downstairs.
She had been reclusive ever since she fell ill, but without the servants' notice, she'd escaped her room and followed the noise downstairs.
Looking lost and confused, it was obvious something was not right, as a murmur swept the crowd, "What's happened to Old Madam Shen?"
Shen Hongxuan and Ran Jing hurried over, each taking one of Old Madam Shen's arms, "Mom, why have you come here?"
Old Madam Shen didn't recognize her son and daughter-in-law; as she scanned the crowd, searching frantically for something, "I want Ah Dang."
The banquet hall was enormous, Old Master Shen hadn't noticed the commotion yet, but Old Madam Shen spotted Shen Dang first; she pulled free from her son and daughter-in-law's grip and ran towards Shen Dang, "Ah Dang, you are here, Granny will take you to play."
Seeing Qiao Xi, Old Madam Shen's gaze shifted, she grabbed Qiao Xi's hair, and struck her head with a fist, "You wicked woman!"
No one could have anticipated this scene.
Fortunately, Shen Dang acted quickly to stop her, glanced at Qiao Xi, and commanded the servants in a cold voice, "Quick, help Granny back to her room!"
Old Madam Shen kept struggling, "Ah Dang, I'm not leaving, Granny will stay with you, Granny will take you fruit picking."
"Xixi, are you alright?" Ran Jing looked at Qiao Xi with concern.
Qiao Xi's hair was a bit messy, but it couldn't hide her beauty, even though she looked somewhat disheveled, "I'm fine, Mom."
Shen Dang could no longer attend to Qiao Xi, calming Old Madam Shen as they went upstairs, "Mom, you take Qiao Xi back to the room, I'll accompany Granny."
"Go ahead."
The disturbance subsided quickly.
Qu Keke whispered in disbelief, "Brother, what's wrong with Granny Shen? How scary, she just hit Qiao Xi."
But Qiao Xi deserved to get hit! She thought to herself resentfully.
Qu Jiashu: "Granny is ill."
Chu Wan lowered her gaze to conceal the emotions in her eyes, seeming puzzled, "But why does Granny Shen especially treat Miss Qiao like that?"
No one answered her question.
Chu Wan didn't feel awkward; does Granny Shen really dislike Qiao Xi that much?
Ran Jing led Qiao Xi to Shen Dang's room and tidied her hair for her, "Xixi, does it hurt? Your Granny, she…"
Qiao Xi shook her head, "I understand; it doesn't hurt. Granny doesn't have much strength."
Qiao Xi didn't understand why the ailing elderly lady harbored such hostility towards her.
"Xixi, why don't you rest here then? There won't be any issues downstairs without you."
"It's okay; I'll just tidy myself up. Mom, there are many guests downstairs, you should go first. No need to stay here with me."
After Ran Jing left, it wasn't long before Shen Dang came, and his first words were, "Miss Qiao, do you often have fight scenes in your acting?"