With a stern expression, Mother Shen reprimanded everyone and demanded that they apologize to He Lingchuan one by one.
Someone who hadn't participated in the farce boldly asked, "Madam, I didn't hit anyone, so I don't need to apologize, right?"
"Are bystanders always right?"
With just one look from Shen's mother, the man shut up. He Lingchuan looked at the row of people standing in front of him, and apart from Shen Yanxi, they all apologized to him one by one.
After everyone apologized, Mother Shen held He Lingchuan's hand and comforted him: "I've taught them a lesson for you. If you still have any complaints, just say so. I'll back you up."
"Aunt Chen, I have no complaints."
Since Mother Shen had gone this far, even if he wanted to say something, he had no grounds to do so and could only let it go.
After all this commotion, He Lingchuan has successfully become an object of hostility for the Shen family.
Before, maybe only one or two people disliked him, but now, a large majority of people have started to dislike him.
But then Zhou Mingyan had to come and cause trouble.
When he arrived at the banquet with gifts and tonics, Madam Shen's face darkened considerably.
The moment Sister-in-law Shen saw Zhou Mingyan, her expression changed completely. She showered him with compliments until her mouth was dry: "Look at what he brought, so impressive! Mingyan, you are truly outstanding in appearance, strong in physique, and meticulous in your work. This is a real man, unlike some people who cry and wail as if they are about to die just because they suffered a minor injury."
He Lingchuan ignored her sarcasm and stood aside, watching coldly.
Zhou Mingyan completely ignored him, not only burying his mother but also bringing gifts for the servants in his household.
Looking at his ingratiating smile, Chen's mother replied indifferently, "Indeed, you've taken care of everything."
Sensing the sarcasm in Chen's mother's words, Zhou Mingyan felt somewhat embarrassed. He leaned forward, slightly bent over, and remained in that position, not daring to straighten up.
"Mom, Mingyan meant well."
After a long silence, He Lingchuan suddenly spoke: "Given your current status, it is indeed inappropriate to bring gifts for the servants."
Zhou Mingyan is a guest, not a host. His actions will only make Shen's mother feel superior.
After hearing He Lingchuan's words, Zhou Mingyan realized his mistake. He wanted to explain himself, but saw Mother Shen raise her hand and stop him with a cold face: "Since you're already here, just put the things down for now."
She couldn't very well kick Zhou Mingyan out. Firstly, she didn't have the standing to do so, since Shen Yanxi and He Lingchuan were already divorced. Secondly, it would be too petty of her to kick him out now, and it would make her a laughingstock.
"Mr. Zhou's actions were indeed a bit inappropriate, but at least he brought us all gifts."
"That's right, we've been here for so long, and I haven't even seen some people's gifts."
After putting down the gift, Zhou Mingyan looked at He Lingchuan, his desire to watch the show quite obvious: "Mr. He, I wonder what good things you brought with you?"
After Zhou Mingyan finished speaking, Shen Yanxi realized that she had forgotten to prepare a gift for He Lingchuan.
She walked up to He Lingchuan, about to remind him that he wasn't prepared, when she saw him take a jade pendant out of his pocket.
"I already gave you the gift, but I didn't let you see it."
The gifts he gave were all antiques he had acquired through deception. These people would only ridicule him and think the items were worthless, so he simply gave the gifts to Shen's mother.
But based on my understanding of them, I know they'll keep harping on this matter if they don't see that I gave them a gift.
So he also prepared another jade pendant.
The onlookers focused their attention on the jade pendant in He Lingchuan's hand.
Under the light, the jade pendant in He Lingchuan's hand appeared rather dark in color, with some irregular patterns on it.
"What the hell is this? It looks like someone threw it away."
"Do you think our Shen family are beggars? You dare to bring us anything?"
Shen Yanxi was surrounded by them, their faces close to hers.
"He Lingchuan, is this what you gave my mother?"
She would rather He Lingchuan tell them directly that he forgot to prepare a gift than have him casually pull out a jade pendant he picked up from who-knows-where to fool her mother.
"This jade pendant is mine..."
"I bet you didn't spend much money."
Shen Yanxi interrupted her, and she felt as if her cheeks were burning.
She felt ashamed standing next to He Lingchuan, especially when He Lingchuan took out the jade pendant. She could almost hear people pointing and whispering behind her back.
"This is not an ordinary jade pendant; it is very valuable."
He Lingchuan showed them the back of the jade pendant, and was about to explain its origin when Shen Yanxi took it and casually tossed it outside the door.
The jade pendant fell next to the trash can. Shen Yanxi crossed her arms over her chest and raised her head arrogantly: "You've been deceived."
She snorted coldly, looking at He Lingchuan with disdain: "If you're unwilling to spend money, you naturally won't be able to buy good things."
Upon hearing Shen Yanxi's words, He Lingchuan's face immediately darkened.
"How do you know I didn't spend any money when you didn't even let me finish?"
Shen Yanxi turned her head away, not wanting to hear his explanation.
He Lingchuan clenched his fists. Only now did he realize that Shen Yanxi's ability to humiliate people was truly exceptional.
He snorted coldly and looked up to find the jade pendant. Shen Yanxi saw through his purpose and said coldly, "Don't bother looking for it. I'll have the butler throw the jade pendant away."
"Dad, here you go."
As soon as Shen Yanxi finished speaking, Nan Chen ran back with the jade pendant in his hands.
He gently tugged at He Lingchuan's sleeve: "I think the jade pendant is very beautiful."
Shen Yanxi was so angry that her chest ached. She couldn't bear to blame the child, but she also didn't want to make a fool of herself by arguing with He Lingchuan over a jade pendant. So she could only warn him: "If you dare to give this jade pendant to my mother, you can forget about ever seeing the two children again."
He Lingchuan squatted down, hugged Nan Chen, and put the jade pendant into his pocket.
"Don't worry, I'm also afraid that some people won't recognize its value."
He Lingchuan was too lazy to argue with them and turned to leave, but Zhou Mingyan grabbed his wrist: "Mr. He, look, we have all prepared gifts, but you have not prepared anything. It is really not right. How about this, I know you are a good cook. Why don't you cook a meal for us, and that will be your gift to Xixi's mother."
Cook?
"I'm here for a banquet, and you want me to cook for you?"
Zhou Mingyan was clearly trying to humiliate him; how could a guest become the chef?
He Lingchuan looked Zhou Mingyan up and down and retorted without any mercy: "If you want to cook, then cook yourself. There are professional chefs here, but you're making me cook. Are you deliberately trying to prevent me from eating well?"
He Lingchuan turned the tables, and Zhou Mingyan visibly panicked: "Mr. He, you misunderstood me. I meant well. After all, you didn't prepare any gifts, which is really unreasonable."
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