Qiao Xi: "???"
Qiao Xi was utterly baffled. Did this person really have some kind of problem?
Having composed her appearance, her facial expression was cool and collected as she said, "Boss Shen, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Shen Dang leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "You know, like the slapping scenes in dramas."
Qiao Xi took a deep breath, her tone eerie. "Even if that's the case, it's just pretend! If you have something to say, say it directly and don't beat around the bush."
Qiao Xi certainly did not believe Shen Dang was concerned about her acting in dramas.
Shen Dang clicked his tongue lightly. "Grandma did actually slap you just now."
He genuinely did not expect his grandma to throw a punch like that.
Qiao Xi, growing impatient, asked, "What exactly do you want to say?"
Shen Dang said lazily, "Even though it was acting, I didn't protect you well. Whatever you want, I'll satisfy you."
Qiao Xi burst out irritably, "I want a divorce from you!"
Why should she endure this? Their contract marriage didn't even guarantee her personal safety.
Being treated that way by the Old Madam for no reason, she felt aggrieved.
When Qiao Xi raised her voice, the air around them seemed to still.
Shen Dang, licking his teeth, smiled. "What's the rush? I won't go back on my word, I haven't even helped you deal with the Qiao Family yet."
Qiao Family, Qiao Family, Qiao Xi was sick of hearing it. "What in the world is going on with your grandma anyway?"
There was an unusual glint in Shen Dang's eyes. "Grandma wasn't like this before; she's sick and has some issues. On her behalf, I apologize to you."
Qiao Xi spoke without hesitation. "But it seems like your grandma only behaves this way with me."
She could tell from the Old Madam's attitude.
Shen Dang narrowed his eyes. He seemed to have thought of the same thing but preferred to think he was overanalyzing. He masked the emotion in his eyes. "You know Grandma has dementia. Patients can't control their behavior, it's not just directed at you."
Standing upright, Shen Dang's hand with the watch slid into his trouser pocket, his demeanor somewhat nonchalant. "Alright, Old Master Shen has seen you. You rest here for now. After the birthday banquet is over, I'll take you away."
Qiao Xi smoothed the stray hairs by her ear, her expression calm and poised. "No need."
If she hid here, who knew how others might view her.
"Let's go down together."
Shen Dang nodded and bent his arm in front of her, wearing a casually charming smile.
Qiao Xi glanced at him.
When Qiao Xi showed up again, this time she was arm in arm with Shen Dang.
The party was bustling with excitement, and their joint appearance instantly attracted many gazes.
Those gazes were filled with a mix of envy, jealousy, and even a few smirks.
Everyone had been gossiping about their impending divorce, but here they were, appearing together as a couple; truly shocking!
Old Master Shen, dressed in a Sun Yat-sen suit, sat energetically at the head of the table, having heard about the recent events. Seeing the couple, he warmly waved them over.
"Xixi's here."
Qiao Xi pursed her lips into a smile. "Grandfather."
Shen Dang raised an eyebrow playfully. "Grandpa, why do I only see our lovely granddaughter-in-law in your eyes, not your grandson?"
Old Master Shen pretended to scoff. "You just give me a headache. There's no comparing you to Xixi for me."
Shen Dang chuckled. "Grandpa, that's just favoritism."
Ran Jing laughed lightly, teasing, "Ah Dang, you're such an adult and still jealous over your wife's affection."
"Not jealous." Shen Dang lowered his gaze, reflecting Qiao Xi's delicate features in his eyes. "I spoil my wife too."
Ran Jing's smile deepened. "Really, just can't be serious."
Shen Hongxuan, gently-refined, held his wife close, "In our family, doting on wives is a hereditary trait."
At these words, everyone around them laughed.
Qiao Xi merely smiled without saying a word, looking obedient and proper.
Such a harmonious family was something outsiders simply couldn't penetrate.
As in-law, Qiao Zhenbin naturally also came with his wife and daughter today.
Qiao Nan, seeing how cherished Qiao Xi was by the Shen Family, was envious to the point of gnashing her teeth, heart bleeding, yet she had to put on a facade of deep sisterly love. "Sister, so you're here, Mom and Dad have been looking for you."
Turning to Shen Dang, she wore a delicate makeup and a coy smile. "Brother-in-law."
From the glint in Qiao Nan's eyes, Qiao Xi saw her burgeoning ambition.
And love.
Indeed, who wouldn't like a man with Shen Dang's excellent qualities?
Shen Dang's face showed little emotion, appearing rather cold.
Qiao Nan, spiteful inside, asked Qiao Xi, "Sister, we haven't seen each other for so long, when are you coming home?"
Stepmother Wang Wen chimed in, "Yes, you've been away filming for a long time and haven't been home. We all miss you."
She couldn't wait for Qiao Xi not to return, but they still needed her for the time being.
Qiao Xi had no intention of giving them face. Her lips curled with faint sarcasm, eyes downcast, showing a hint of sadness. "Miss me? Over the past two years, I haven't seen you call me for the holidays."
With so many people watching, the mother-daughter's faces changed.
Qiao Xi really didn't give them any face!
Wasn't this making them a laughingstock?
Wang Wen reproached. "Xixi, listen to how you talk. Didn't your dad call you yesterday, and you didn't come home?"
"Yes, because I was with my husband yesterday."
Shen Dang gently patted Qiao Xi's hand. "It's a good time, I'll accompany you back to your parents' house."
"It's time to go back and show that someone's there for Xixi." Old Master Shen ended the topic with one sentence.
Qiao Nan beamed with joy. "Brother-in-law, then I'll wait at home for you."
Her eyes almost seemed glued to Shen Dang.
Shen Dang had seen such looks countless times and, disgusted, clicked his tongue. "Are you tired, wife? Let's go for a walk outside."
Qiao Xi couldn't wait to leave.
"Mhm, tired." Qiao Xi's tone was sweetly lethargic, like a coquettish charm, stirring Shen Dang's heart.
This woman...
Shen Dang composedly wrapped his arm around Qiao Xi's shoulder and walked away.
Old Master Shen watched their matching silhouettes with laughter in his eyes. "These two children really are a perfect match."
Until they were out of sight, Qiao Xi immediately shook off Shen Dang's hand, keeping her distance from him.
Sigh... She was tired, and this was more exhausting than acting.
"Let's just mind our own business from now on."
"Fine by me, that's exactly what I was thinking."
They went their separate ways.
Qiao Xi planned to find a quiet spot. She walked a few dozen meters ahead and saw a woman on a swing.
"Tutu, didn't you go on a honeymoon with Sheng Chao? Why are you here too?"
Qiao Xi had attended her wedding just the day before.
"We'll go after Old Master Shen's birthday banquet is over." Su Tutu, in a champagne-colored gown, her petite face delicately featured, kicked her straight, slender legs, obviously bored. "I saw you were always with Shen Dang, so I didn't want to disturb you. What's going on with you two now?"
She patted the swing next to her, inviting Qiao Xi to sit down.
Su Tutu was the only person in the industry who knew about her husband's identity.
After all, her husband Sheng Chao and Shen Dang were the best of brothers.
"Just sparring in a drama, that's all." Qiao Xi leaned on the swing, speaking in a lazy manner.
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