Chapter 8: Serve You Well

However, with so many people present, Shen Tingting naturally couldn’t act too ruthlessly; otherwise, how could she highlight her gentle and virtuous side? She put on an air of magnanimity. “Let it go, it’s just a dress. I don’t think she did it on purpose. After all, she grew up in the countryside, so it’s normal for her to feel jealous. As her younger sister, how could I stoop to her level?

As for the matter with the counterfeit wine, it was my eagerness to be a good hostess that led me to be deceived. The blame lies with me.”

After speaking, Shen Tingting let out a delicate sob, the tears of a beauty instantly evoking everyone’s sympathy. They began praising her generosity, commending her for not holding a grudge against Shen Chutang.

Seeing this, Shen Tingting feigned concern and turned to Shen Chutang. “Sister, I heard you had a flash marriage with someone. Why didn’t you bring him to meet us? Even if he’s ugly, or his background can’t be shown in public, we are still family. How could we possibly look down on him just because you failed to preserve your virtue?”

Shen Chutang regarded them coldly. Although Lu Beiqin had said he would come, his work schedule was unpredictable. She had sent him the address, but he was probably driving and hadn’t replied.

When she didn’t respond, Shen Tingting knew she had guessed right.

Just then, Shen Xuejun stepped forward and exchanged a look with Liu Shuhua, who immediately understood. She took Shen Chutang’s hand and said, “It’s rare for you to come home. I made some hot soup for you—come and have a taste.”

Shen Chutang didn’t believe for a second that Liu Shuhua was being kind. She was curious to see what trick the woman was up to.

When they reached the kitchen, Liu Shuhua eagerly ladled out a bowl of soup. “I made this especially for you. I know you’ve never tasted such delicious soup. Drink up.”

Shen Chutang refused without betraying any emotion. “It’s too hot.”

Liu Shuhua persisted. “Soup like this must be drunk while it’s hot.”

As she spoke, Liu Shuhua pressed the bowl into Shen Chutang’s hands.

Suddenly, a little boy ran in and bumped straight into Shen Chutang, who pretended to stumble. The bowl of soup spilled directly onto Liu Shuhua’s hand.

“Aaah! My hand! You wretched girl, are you blind?”

The soup was scalding, and a large patch of Liu Shuhua’s hand turned red instantly. She forgot all about Shen Chutang and rushed to run her hand under cold water.

The little boy cast a panicked glance at Shen Chutang, signaling to her with his eyes.

Liu Shuhua’s shrieks soon drew the attention of the servants, and the boy darted away, pausing at a distance to make a gesture warning her not to drink anything.

Shen Chutang smiled to herself—what an amusing little fellow.

After soaking her hand for a long while, Liu Shuhua turned to see the floor littered with broken porcelain and, beside herself with rage, shouted, “Can’t you even hold a bowl steady? What use are you?”

Shen Chutang put on an innocent face. “I said it was too hot and I’d drink it later, but you insisted. Anyone would think you’d put some treasure in that soup, so desperate were you for me to drink it.”

Liu Shuhua froze. Could this wretched girl have guessed something?

Shen Xuejun came over, visibly irritated but feigning calm. “There’s an important guest in the guest room. Take him some wine. Remember, treat him well!”

Shen Chutang agreed obediently. “Alright.”

Once she had left, Shen Xuejun glared at Liu Shuhua in frustration. “You can’t even handle such a simple task!”

Chastened, Liu Shuhua didn’t dare retort and could only stand there in silence.

Shen Chutang arrived at the guest room and pushed open the door. The room was pitch dark, the curtains drawn tightly as if to keep out all prying eyes. Suddenly, a figure strode quickly toward her, reaching out to pull her into an embrace. In the next second, Shen Chutang lifted her foot and kicked him hard in the groin. The man collapsed to his knees in agony.

Unhurried, Shen Chutang turned on the light and smiled at Jiang Han, who was now clutching his abdomen.

“Young Master Jiang, long time no see.”

Jiang Han, still in pain, took a while to recover before speaking. “You dare hit me? Believe it or not, I’ll break off all cooperation between our families!”

Shen Chutang shrugged innocently. “But it was my father who told me… to come and take good care of you!”