The Buddha Beads had already been passed on by Chong Wanyin.
She naturally would not wear them again.
Thus, she casually made up an excuse to brush off Wen Zhi, "I'm too fond of them to wear, so I put them away, If you want to see me wear them, you'll have to wait until next time."
Wen Zhi could tell that Chong Wanyin's words were perfunctory.
But to see for herself and be at peace, Wen Zhi could only pretend not to understand, "The Buddha Beads really complement Madam's complexion, I hope to see you wear them next time."
The smile at the corner of Chong Wanyin's mouth faded slightly as she made a subtle gesture to Zhao Qin.
Zhao Qin understood, meaning that if Wen Zhi asked about the string of Buddha Beads next time, they'd simply make up an excuse that they had been lost.
"Wen Zhi, it's been several days since you moved in, has your father contacted you?" Chong Wanyin, fidgeting with the Xiuyu Bracelet on her wrist, changed the topic.
Wen Zhi shook her head, "My dad... he probably forgot that he has a daughter out there."
Chong Wanyin reached out to touch Wen Zhi's cheek, "Do you hate him?"
Wen Zhi was indifferent, "Hate or not, it's all the same."
"Hate and not hating are certainly not the same," Chong Wanyin carefully examined Wen Zhi's features, "I've noticed, you really resemble your father, especially these eyes, they're like his replica."
Wen Zhi turned her face away, "It'd be better if I didn't."
But unexpectedly Chong Wanyin said, "Actually, resembling him is not so bad."
Wen Zhi, puzzled, looked towards Chong Wanyin.
Chong Wanyin smiled and took Wen Zhi's hand, saying earnestly, "Your mother and I were the closest of friends, and though she's gone, our bond remains. As I've taken you into the Shang family, I intend to look after you well. Please don't feel burdened or that you're imposing. As long as you're willing, you can stay here often."
To stay here often...
Wen Zhi's lips curled slightly, lost in reminiscence.
A year earlier, her mother had died unexpectedly. Less than a month after the funeral, her father announced his intention to marry her aunt.
Unable to accept this, she chose to leave home, only to be brought back by the Wen Family a year later.
But the Wen Family was not as it had been, and upon her return, she did not have it easy. Having learned of her recent situation, Chong Wanyin personally came and took her to the Shang household.
She vividly remembered being taken away in glory that day, with no one from the Wen Family daring to object.
She felt profound gratitude towards Chong Wanyin in her heart.
But she would not stay for long.
The Shang household was merely a temporary shelter for her.
Once she uncovered the truth behind her mother's death, she would have to leave.
"Madam, there's been an incident."
Zhao Qin's voice preceded her down the corridor.
Hearing the commotion, Chong Wanyin looked up to see Zhao Qin hurrying down the stairs, a bad premonition suddenly rising within her as she called out, "What's happened?"
Zhao Qin quickly approached Chong Wanyin's side and whispered something in her ear, causing Chong Wanyin's expression to change dramatically, "How could..."
Zhao Qin suddenly grasped Chong Wanyin's agitated hand, reminding her of Wen Zhi's presence.
Chong Wanyin caught herself, stopping the words that were about to spill out.
Zhao Qin glanced at Wen Zhi.
Wen Zhi tactfully shifted her position, turning aside as if casually; she knew there were things she was not meant to hear.
Chong Wanyin gestured for Zhao Qin to come closer, instructing her in a low voice, "Go listen at the door. If the old master decides to punish Little Jing with family law, come down immediately and tell me."
"Don't worry, Madam, I understand," Zhao Qin turned and went upstairs.
With half an hour before the meal was to begin, Chong Wanyin shifted in her seat and looked upstairs from time to time, clearly restless.
When noon struck, the family banquet officially commenced.
Wen Zhi thought there would be many people from the Shang family, but after taking her seat, she discovered it was just her and Chong Wanyin.
The Shang family was a large clan, blessed with many descendants. The old master had four sons, all living in the ancestral home. They just didn't eat together usually, each having their own kitchen.
As far as she knew, all four sons of the old master were married. The eldest son of the Shang family was Shang Jing's father, also Shang Hexing's father. However, Shang Hexing was the son of the first wife, while Chong Wanyin was from the second.
The second, third, and fourth sons had their own sides.
Logically, at today's family banquet, all the houses should have gathered together. Even Wen Zhi, an outsider who was just staying there, should have been able to join in on the fun. But who would have expected this family banquet to be so eerily quiet?
Zhao Qin came down from upstairs again.
Chong Wanyin anxiously stood up. Zhao Qin came over and whispered in her ear. Chong Wanyin's hand suddenly clenched the Xiuyu Bracelet on her wrist, her expression tense.
This time, Wen Zhi did not look away. She vaguely made out from Zhao Qin's lip movements that the old master of the Shang family was angry for some unknown reason, and the others were being scolded upstairs.
Seeing Chong Wanyin looking so anxious and tense, maybe the person being scolded was her son, Shang Jing?
It was possible.
But Wen Zhi truly couldn't imagine what Shang Jing could have done that was so out of line as to enrage the old master of the Shang family on the day of the family banquet.
After Zhao Qin left, Chong Wanyin looked even more distraught than before. She could hardly sit still, and having barely eaten, she excused herself from the table. Before leaving, she reminded Wen Zhi to eat well.
Wen Zhi didn't ask anything and just nodded obediently.
Once Chong Wanyin left, Wen Zhi was the only person left at the huge dining table. Looking at the full spread of delicious dishes, Wen Zhi's lips curved into a smile.
All of it was hers now~
...
Meanwhile.
The atmosphere in the upstairs study was so oppressive that it was difficult to breathe.
The old master of the Shang family had a furious expression, standing outside the desk while everyone else kept their heads low, their faces solemn.
Only Shang Hexing was sitting comfortably on the sofa, and no one dared to criticize him.
Today's family banquet should have been harmonious and joyful; however, just before noon, the old master received a phone call that Shang Mingshu had been arrested.
Shang Mingshu was the third son of the old master. Upon hearing the reason for Shang Mingshu's arrest, the old master flew into a rage, calling everyone together to scold each one in turn. Shang Jing received the worst of it, almost to the point where family law would have been applied. If not for Shang Hexing's presence, Shang Jing would have certainly received that punishment today.
After the old master had vented his anger, he walked over to the couch and asked, "Hexing, are you hungry?"
Shang Hexing countered, "Have you calmed down?"
The old master glared at Shang Jing and snorted, "This anger isn't going away."
"Holding on to anger harms the body," Shang Hexing stood up and casually straightened his cuffs. "As for Uncle Three's situation, I've already sent someone to gather information at the police station. Just wait patiently for the results."
The old master sighed, "What good results could there be?"
Though furious, the old master was still rational and said calmly, "It's one thing to help with the investigation, but you've just been promoted; don't get involved too easily."
A smile appeared at the corner of Shang Hexing's eyes. "Then take your time lecturing them; I'm going to eat."
The old master nodded.
When Shang Hexing left the study, his assistant Chen Jinhai immediately approached him and said, "We've found out, the woman who framed Shang Jing had close dealings with President Song of Shunhe Group half a month ago."
Shang Hexing walked downstairs slowly, "How much evidence can we obtain?"
Chen Jinhai followed Shang Hexing and answered, "We can get all the evidence, but the woman refuses to recant, sticking to her initial testimony."
Shang Hexing spoke lightly, "Then find a way to make her change her statement. Everyone has a weak spot."
Everyone has a weak spot.
Chen Jinhai followed quietly thinking that this saying of Mr. Shang applied to others indeed, but it definitely did not apply to Mr. Shang himself.
Because in his life, Shang Hexing would never have a weakness.