Chapter 134: He Is My Lawful Husband

Lu Beiqin rarely frequented establishments of this kind. Usually, he relied on the family chef for meals or dined at high-end hotels. Places like this, with their constant flow of people, were never his first choice.

Shen Chutang, however, clearly misunderstood the situation, and Lu Beiqin saw no reason to clarify.

By the time they finished eating, night had completely fallen. As Lu Beiqin drove Shen Chutang back toward the villa district, a figure suddenly lunged out in front of the car. It was none other than Shen Xuejun.

Ever since the last time the Shen family caused a scene at the gates, security had been tightened, and outsiders were strictly barred from entry. Shen Xuejun kept insisting he was Shen Chutang’s father, but the security guards, still rattled by the previous incident, refused to let him in. They told him to call Shen Chutang to verify his identity.

Shen Xuejun found, however, that he could not get through to the stubborn girl’s phone, and the guards naturally dismissed him as a fraud. He had waited from daylight until dusk, his face growing longer and gloomier by the minute. When he finally saw Shen Chutang return, he barked, "Shen Chutang, get out of the car!"

Shen Chutang looked at his exasperated expression and smiled. "If you wanted to bring me something, you could have just done it. Why get so worked up?"

Shen Xuejun stifled his anger. "I told you I was coming today. Why are you coming back so late? Did you do this on purpose?"

Shen Chutang looked innocent. "I told you I’ve been busy lately, but you wouldn't believe me. To get this angry after waiting for a little while—if I didn't know better, I’d think I owed you a fortune, rather than you trying to 'care' for me and bring me gifts."

Shen Xuejun’s face darkened. He was still clutching the ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin he had mentioned earlier. "I am here to bring you things, but you’re a young woman out late, gallivanting with a strange man. You have absolutely no self-respect!"

Shen Chutang curled her lips. "I think you’ve forgotten something. The 'strange man' you’re talking about is my legal husband. We’re married. Don't tell me you’ve forgotten I’m even married?"

Passersby glanced curiously toward them. At first glance, it looked like a father catching his daughter out late, but upon hearing they were a married couple, they found the father’s behavior ridiculous. Was he really her biological father?

Stung by her words and losing face, Shen Xuejun’s gaze fell on the takeout containers in the backseat, and his fury reignited. "Is this how you treat your father? I’ve been here waiting for you on an empty stomach, and you went out to eat!" He recognized the logo on the containers; it certainly wasn't cheap.

Shen Chutang crossed her arms, too exhausted to continue the charade. "Speak. Why are you really here?" She didn't believe for a second that he had come out of kindness.

Shen Xuejun glanced at Lu Beiqin, who stood silently to the side. He found the man unnerving; his gaze was fierce, as if he were ready to devour someone. "You, stay out of this. I have things to discuss with her."

Shen Chutang grabbed Lu Beiqin’s hand. "He doesn't need to leave."

Lu Beiqin looked down at her hand in his, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

Left with no choice, Shen Xuejun spoke up. "Remember that banquet with the Crown Prince? You need to contact him and ask him to tell his people to stop making things difficult for the Shen family. Or, better yet, convince the Crown Prince to cooperate with us. Once he does that, everyone else will understand his intentions."

Shen Chutang laughed. "You came to find me just for this?"

Shen Xuejun replied sternly, "Is this a small matter? Do you know that over a dozen partners have canceled their contracts with my company? Your sister can’t even step foot into a luxury boutique, and you’re standing there acting like it’s none of your business. Don't you feel any guilt?"

"Guilt? Why should I feel guilty? You were the ones who offended the Crown Prince, not me. Besides, I don't have his contact information, and we aren't close. If you have an agenda, go find him yourself. Why on earth do you think my words are like imperial decrees, and that he would mindlessly obey me?"

With that, Shen Chutang pulled Lu Beiqin to leave, but Shen Xuejun chased after them. "You unfilial daughter! I am your father!"

"Now you remember you're my father? For the past ten years, you dumped me on the mountain and never once asked about me. Since I’ve come down, hasn't your entire family bullied and humiliated me enough? There were so many rooms in that house, yet you didn't leave a single one for me. All the family assets are for Shen Tingting. And now you’re telling me you’re my father? Shen Xuejun, you should be grateful that my master taught me that you gave me life. Otherwise, do you think you’d still be standing here barking at me so arrogantly?"

"You animal!"

Shen Xuejun raised his hand to slap her across the face, but before he could, his wrist was seized in a tight grip, frozen in mid-air.

Lu Beiqin’s expression was cold and ruthless. Shen Xuejun found he couldn't move an inch.

"Let go! What business is it of a lowly driver like you if I discipline my daughter?" As he spoke, Shen Xuejun tried to kick out at Shen Chutang.

In the next second, a crisp *crack* echoed through the air as his arm was snapped, followed by a howl of agony.