Shen Siyan's expression changed, causing Shi Wan to halt in her tracks.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
She feigned nonchalance and cut straight to the point. "It was just a formality."
The man's face stiffened. His eyes instinctively darted to the man beside her, sensing an air of danger.
He nodded and walked away.
"Are you still hungry? Didn't you have enough to eat?"
"Let's talk outside."
Shen Siyan took her hand and led her away.
Once in the car, Shi Wan flipped her hair and took the initiative. "You were at the state banquet?"
Better not mention other women; it's asking for trouble.
"Yeah, I went there for dinner."
Shi Wan: "..."
She had only herself to blame.
"Where should we go for dinner next?"
"I was just being polite. You brought a female companion too, didn't you?"
Shen Siyan tightened his grip on her hand and looked up. "It's always been just you. I've never brought anyone else."
"What about just now...?"
"You're blind."
He had been alone all along. The people who often appeared beside him were either his good friends or his assistant.
Shi Wan coughed lightly, skeptical. Just then, Wenren Jin walked over, his face flushed with anger, as if he had been provoked.
"Wenren Jin, come here."
Seeing his expression, Shen Siyan immediately understood what was going on.
"What do you want?"
His anger seemed to intensify. He approached but kept his distance, looking displeased.
"Explain to your sister - in - law what that man just said."
"Sister - in - law, Siyan has indeed brought people... but it's always been us around him. No one else has ever had the chance to get close, let alone a woman."
Wenren Jin's face darkened further. He gritted his teeth and forced a smile.
"Right? Believe me, it's really just you. He's never brought anyone else."
Wenren Jin pursed his lips and volunteered. "Actually, that man was talking about me."
Shi Wan: ".......?"
So she had really been cuckolded by a man?
"No, I usually have long hair. That man misrecognized me before." Under the man's cold glare, he explained. "When I was leaving with someone just now, he suddenly remembered and even asked me... if I had had a sex change."
Shi Wan: "..."
He did look quite feminine.
"Okay, you can go now."
After the explanation, Shen Siyan unceremoniously issued an order to leave.
Wenren Jin was extremely depressed and walked away.
"It was his fault. There really aren't any women around me."
"Got it. Let's go."
"Where to? For dinner?"
They still hadn't settled their own matters.
"He came to me on his own. It has nothing to do with me."
She shifted to the side until she was pressed against the edge of the seat.
Unexpectedly, the man stretched out his long arm and easily pulled her into his embrace.
"I know, I just don't like other men pestering you."
He rested his chin on her shoulder and murmured.
"I ignored him."
Distracted by him, Shi Wan forgot about the state - banquet matter.
Even though his status was no ordinary, not just anyone with status could attend a state banquet.
"Take me with you next time. Introduce me to everyone so that those blind guys won't keep coming at you."
She stifled a laugh. "Yes, I'll tell everyone this is my precious darling."
"Fine, as long as others know you have me by your side."
...
Back at the Shen family mansion, the second - wife's relentless voice rang out. "Oh, with the old master in this state, you two still have time to go out and play?"
Shi Wan frowned. Only then did she notice that in the living room, there were not only Old Master Shen, the second - wife's family but also a few familiar faces.
Since Shen Jiao's incident, the second - wife no longer hid her hatred for Shi Wan. If it weren't for her rationality, she would have killed her on sight.
"I took her out. So what?"
Seeing that they were both wearing evening gowns, Shen Tianhong's eyes flickered. "Which banquet did you attend? It's so late. Siyan, your second aunt doesn't mean anything else. She's just worried that no one is taking care of your grandfather at home."
"With Wanwan here, I'm doing just fine."
Old Master Shen spoke up.
"I see..."
There was a hint of malice in Shen Tianhong's eyes. If he guessed correctly, there was only one banquet that could draw everyone's attention tonight.
But with the Shen family's strength, Old Master Shen could barely get in. As for the others, they didn't even have a chance.
And yet, Old Master Shen had given this rare opportunity to Shen Siyan, this so - called "good - for - nothing".
If he wanted to cultivate him, he had to see if Shen Tianhong agreed.
"Alright, there are guests today. Don't say any more."
Seeing that the second - wife was about to say something else, the old master interrupted her impatiently.
"Wanwan, this man is here to see you."
Old Master Shen looked at the man on the sofa.
Shen Siyan half - squinted his phoenix eyes, a glint of danger in them. He had seen this man before, in the research institute.
"Wanwan?" A hint of interest flashed across Gong Qi's eyes. It was a nice way of addressing her.
He could naturally feel the man's gaze on him. However, he was more curious about how much Shi Wan cared about this man.
"Do you need something?"
"Of course. Come with me."
Gong Qi's smile remained on his face, as if he were provoking someone.
Shi Wan looked at the man, who seemed unharmed, and followed Gong Qi.
"Even after getting married, she's still not behaving herself."
The second - wife sneered.
"If you think your mouth doesn't suit your face, you can just get rid of it."
Shen Siyan's tone was calm, but his words carried an inexplicable coldness.
The second - wife flinched. "I'm not wrong. Why else would a man invite her out?"
"So this is how the second - wife of the Shen family thinks of her own family?"
Gong Qi followed Shi Wan in, his face devoid of any smile.
The second - wife fell silent, her eyes full of disdain.
"You go back first. I'll find a time to go there later."
Shi Wan stood beside Shen Siyan and took his hand.
The man's heart immediately relaxed, and his handsome face was filled with a smile.
A strange look flashed across Gong Qi's eyes. "I'll wait for you."
"Humph, there must be something going on."
"Get out."
"Shen Siyan, who do you think you are to tell me to get out?" The second - wife was not the least bit afraid. "Your own wife brings a man home, and you don't even dare to say a word. You're such a coward."
"What did you say?" Shi Wan's smile didn't reach her eyes. She took a step towards the second - wife. "The barking of a dog is really annoying."
"Wanwan, don't be impulsive. Your second aunt doesn't mean any harm. She just..."
"She just doesn't need to speak anymore." Shi Wan raised her hand. Somehow, she touched a spot on the second - wife, causing her voice to become hoarse and strained. "You..."
"Who do you think you are to judge my man? If you have the guts to say it, you should have the guts to take the consequences."
Shen Siyan stood by without saying a word. Even under Shen Tianhong's murderous gaze, he remained unfazed.
He just loved the way she had eyes only for him.
As for the second - wife...
A hint of coldness flashed in the man's eyes.
"Alright, you're never idle. That man came to invite Wanwan to the research institute." Old Master Shen said impatiently. "Wanwan is the founder of the YT Research Institute. Why can't he come to see her? That man just now is Gong Qi, the current director of the research institute."