Chapter 20: Stealing Someone's Partner?
Qin Shuzhi went to the restroom halfway through, and when only the two of them remained in the private room, Zhao Yunting asked Shi Yuanxing with a gossipy look:
"Is she really the goddess you saw for the first time abroad two years ago and have been unable to forget ever since?"
Shi Yuanxing's eyes softened as he took a sip of coffee, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Mmm."
Zhao Yunting looked on with the excitement of someone watching a melon, "Damn, the fate between you two is absolutely incredible."
A chance encounter in a foreign land, the person I'd been longing to see again, turns out to be from my own city.
"If you asked me, if you had returned to China two years earlier, you would probably already have a child with her."
Shi Yuanxing ran his fingertips along the rim of the coffee cup, chuckled, and shook his head. "Some things don't have a good outcome if they happen early on. The timing of the reunion has to be just right for it to be called a match made in heaven."
Even if they met again two years earlier, she had a boyfriend at the time, so what could he do?
Are you trying to poach someone from your side?
*
The two returned to the Shi Mansion at around 5 p.m.
Not long after, Shi Hongzhen also returned.
Everyone in Jiangcheng knows this big entrepreneur; even if they've never met him in person, they've seen him on TV and in newspapers.
Upon first meeting him in person, Qin Shuzhi felt that her father-in-law was even more dignified than he appeared on television and in the news.
He possesses an aura of authority that commands respect.
Fortunately, after an afternoon of mental respite, and with Shi Yuanxing's comforting words, Qin Shuzhi was much calmer when facing Shi Hongzhen.
The gift she gave him upon meeting him was a calligraphy and painting titled "Viewing the Sea" by a master artist.
This is a piece of excellent quality and meaning, but since it was given to Shi Hongzhen, it probably wouldn't even be good enough for him.
Nevertheless, Qin Shuzhi still saw him admire the painting for a moment, and then praise it, saying, "It's a good piece."
After thanking him, Shi Hongzhen called over the steward, intending to simply ask him to put the calligraphy and paintings away.
He had just opened his mouth when he saw the looks in the eyes of Old Madam Shi and Shi Yuanxing standing behind Qin Shuzhi. He hesitated, then had no choice but to change his words:
"...have it framed and hung in my study."
Upon hearing this, Qin Shuzhi looked flattered and surprised.
My father-in-law values the gift she gave him so much.
Seeing Qin Shuzhi turn her head to look at her, the old lady Shi, who had been giving Shi Hongzhen a warning look just a second ago, immediately switched to a kind smile and whispered to Qin Shuzhi with a doting tone:
"I told you your dad would love the gift you gave him. Look, it's hanging in his study."
Qin Shuzhi was delighted. She turned to look at Shi Yuanxing and saw him smiling and giving her a thumbs up, praising her: "Great job."
Qin Shuzhi felt much more relaxed after gaining Shi Hongzhen's approval.
Now only my older sister is left.
Just then, a maid came over and said, "Madam, Miss just called and said she has some urgent business to attend to and won't be coming back tonight."
Madam Shi paused for a moment with her smile, then said, "I understand. Let's prepare dinner."
She then turned and took Qin Shuzhi's hand, sighing, "My granddaughter is just like her father, a workaholic who's rarely home. It's good that she's not coming back; we don't have to wait for her to eat."
"Come on, let's go have dinner with Grandma."
She pulled Qin Shuzhi toward the dining table.
Qin Shuzhi thought to himself that he could only give her the gift next time they met.
At the dinner table, Madam Shi said to Shi Hongzhen, "Now that the young couple has obtained their marriage certificate, we can't be impolite. Let's set a time for you to formally meet your in-laws."
"Know."
Shi Hongzhen agreed, and then said to Qin Shuzhi, "I have to go on a business trip for half a month starting tomorrow. I'll arrange a time to meet with your parents when I get back. What do you think?"
Qin Shuzhi quickly put down her chopsticks and replied, "Okay, I'll follow your instructions."
After dinner, Shi Hongzhen called Shi Yuanxing to his study. Qin Shuzhi had promised her grandmother that she would stay overnight at the Shi mansion, so she went back to her room.
She was just about to call her parents when her mother called first.
As soon as the call connected, Qin's mother said, "Zhizhi, the people from G-FS came to my house today to do a skin test. They said that from now on, all my expenses will be charged to Yuanxing's account. Oh dear, these personalized skincare products are very expensive. He, he has been paying for my expenses for many years. Can he afford it?"
Sensing her mother's concern about Shi Yuanxing's financial situation, Qin Shuzhi coughed lightly twice, "Mom, do you know... what kind of person your son-in-law is?"
"...What is your identity?"
Qin Shuzhi is the son of Shi Hongzhen of the Shi Group.
There was a long silence on the other end before Qin's mother's voice, several decibels higher in shock, came through: "What did you say? You said him? He's... the son of the richest man in Jiangcheng, the president of the Shi Group?"
Qin Shuzhi slightly moved the phone away from her ear. "Yes."
"No, you brat, why didn't you say anything when you came back last time?"
"I only found out today."
Qin Shuzhi recounted what happened at the Shi family's house that day to her mother.
After listening, Qin's mother said with a relieved tone, "It seems that their family is quite satisfied with you."
"Yes. The Shi family is very nice," Qin Shuzhi said. "By the way, my father-in-law just said that he will arrange for you and Dad to meet formally in about two weeks after he returns from his business trip."
"Okay, then we'll schedule a time later."
After ending the call with Qin's mother, Qin Shuzhi waited in the room for a long time, but Shi Yuanxing still hadn't returned.
She stared at the large bed in the bedroom, slightly lost in thought.
They slept in separate rooms at Yushui Bay, but at the Shi family's house...
They had to share a bed.
After spending these past few days together, especially... the two even kissed, Qin Shuzhi no longer felt the same nervousness and awkwardness she had at the beginning with Shi Yuanxing.
But the thought of the two of them lying in bed together made her feel a little awkward.
But they were husband and wife, and sooner or later they would sleep in the same bed. Thinking about it this way, she felt much more relaxed.
Seeing that Shi Yuanxing hadn't returned yet, she decided to take a shower first.
The wardrobe in the walk-in closet was mostly filled with her clothes, which Shi Yuanxing had prepared for her in advance.
After all, they will still come back to stay here occasionally in the future.
*
Around 10 o'clock, Shi Yuanxing returned to his room and saw Qin Shuzhi sitting on the sofa playing on her phone, wearing a short-sleeved nightgown.
Under the scorching light, her exposed skin was snow-white, and a thin layer of gauze was wrapped around her left forearm. Her long hair fell casually over her shoulders, and her face was fair and clean.
"You're back?"
She looked up at him.
"Um."
He walked over and sat down next to her.
After their intimate contact, Shi Yuanxing was no longer as self-disciplined and polite as before, and he almost sat right next to her.
Qin Shuzhi noticed his closeness but didn't feel anything was wrong; she just sensed that he seemed somewhat lonely.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"I'm flying to Europe on a business trip with Dad tomorrow." Shi Yuanxing looked at her with reluctance in his eyes. "I'll be away from you for half a month."
Qin Shuzhi looked surprised. "You're going too?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
