Chapter 342 It's time to invite someone to perform.
Shen Shuyao stood awkwardly in the middle of the hall, while Shen Zhiye's family sat down.
The old man ignored her, but she could clearly feel the two younger people behind her giving her meaningful glances.
I don't understand how my cousin's family could be so easily fooled by that little orphan girl.
She's the blood relative, it doesn't make sense.
Shen Shuyao knew who to please, so she immediately put on a smile and went to Shen Zhiye's side, "Cousin, your outfit is nice. You used to wear black, but this year you look more energetic in white."
Shen Zhiye took a sip of tea, in a good mood, "Isn't it beautiful?"
"Beautiful, beautiful," Shen Shuyao smiled even more broadly, having successfully flattered him. "Did your cousin-in-law choose this for you?"
"Oh, my daughter gave it to me. It's handmade and custom-made. It's very expensive; it's my child's monthly allowance."
Shen Shuyao's smile froze.
She walked up to Lan Xinyan with an awkward smile, "Sister-in-law, you look great lately! Which salon do you go to for treatments? I'd like to check it out too."
“I don’t take care of myself, but my husband doesn’t get angry with me, and the kids are obedient. I don’t have to worry about anything. I just play cards and go shopping, and my complexion naturally improves. Why don’t you give it a try?” Lan Xinyan looked at Shen Shuyao gently.
The smile on the latter's face began to falter.
But her purpose in coming here was for her home.
She had to curry favor with the person in charge of the Shen family.
“Yanzhou, it’s been many years since we last met. Last time I went to the company to see you, the receptionist said I couldn’t come in without an appointment. I told her I was her cousin, and only then did the young lady politely bring me a cup of tea and tell me you were away on a business trip.”
After hearing this, Shen Buyu and Shen Yunqi both inwardly scoffed.
It's no surprise that the shrew caused a scene at the Shen Group's front desk, but luckily the employee was quick-witted and managed to calm her down.
We need to give the young woman a raise; she shouldn't be taking the money for nothing.
"If you're looking for me to bail someone out of the police station or to find a lawyer to defend a domestic abuser, then you don't need to. If word gets out, it will damage the reputation of the Shen Group and affect the stock price, which is not just a matter of a few million." Shen Yanzhou's voice was indifferent and emotionless, with a businesslike demeanor.
Just as Shen Shuyao was about to speak, she heard the voice of her younger sister, Shen Shuxin.
"That's right, big sister. We all rely on the group's year-end dividends to make a living. Because of you, the profits of several of our companies have decreased. Can you afford to lose that money?"
“Uncle, Happy New Year! I brought Rui Rui to wish you a Happy New Year,” Shen Shuxin said, nudging the little girl next to her. “Say something.”
"Grandpa, Happy New Year," the little girl said in a soft voice.
Grandpa Shen nodded and gestured for the butler to distribute the red envelopes.
Shen Buyu stared at the girl named Rui Rui. She remembered that the two of them had played together when they were little.
The tin box that held the cicadas was a gift from her.
Zhao Rui felt her gaze fall upon her and, as she wished, saw the girl's curved eyebrows and eyes.
A surge of joy welled up inside me.
While the parents weren't looking, she waved to Shen Buyu.
Then I couldn't care less.
The scene of paying New Year's respects to elders turned into a forum for the two sisters to expose each other's dirty secrets.
Old Master Shen was getting really annoyed and was about to tell everyone to get lost when he saw that the little one was watching with great interest.
Forgetting he was afraid, he grabbed the pistachios on the table and shared them with his second grandson.
Let's argue a little longer then, since we only get to see the kids for a few days each year around this time anyway.
They've invited someone to perform.
The two sisters, Shen Shuyao and Shen Shuxin, were arguing fiercely, bringing up old grudges and new ones.
No one present offered any advice; they all seemed quite amused by what they heard.
Lan Xinyan asked Shen Zhiye in a low voice, "So the root cause is that the younger sister stole the older sister's fiancé, and then the older sister blames her current miserable life on the younger sister?"
“Yes, back when you were out with Yunqi, they pulled this stunt. I was too lazy to ask about it later.” Shen Zhiye handed his wife a lotus-shaped pastry.
Shen Buyu sat between Shen Yanzhou and Shen Yunqi.
She turned to her left, "Big brother, do both families have to cater to your every whim?"
Shen Yanzhou nodded, "So you don't need to be afraid of them. Remember the families I circled? Those two are among them."
She turned to the right and said, "Wasn't it her son who scolded me when I was little? You beat him so badly he was crying for his parents."
Shen Yunqi hummed in agreement, "I haven't dared to come these past two years."
Shen Buyu nodded and then peeled and ate a pistachio.
That makes sense now, otherwise Shen Shuyao wouldn't dislike her so much.
When she was a child, Shen Shuyao's son called her a bastard without parents, and her brother beat her to the ground, knocking out two of her front teeth.
Old Master Shen drank half a cup of tea, then glanced at her and remained silent.
After watching the excitement, he was full, so the child couldn't eat the meal he had prepared.
"You two," the old man said.
The two sisters, Shen Shuyao and Shen Shuxin, immediately stopped arguing and looked at him at the same time.
"Get out, all of you." Old Master Shen stood up and walked towards the back hall. "The rest of you, come and eat."
"Uncle, I need some money," Shen Shuyao said, still wanting some money.
"What bad luck! I should have avoided meeting you at the same time. Rui Rui, go inside and eat." Shen Shuxin pushed the girl.
"Mom, Grandpa told us to get out." Zhao Rui said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. "It would be even more embarrassing to go in and then be kicked out again."
Shen Shuxin looked at him with disappointment, "You're not even as good as that Shen family member. So what if he suffers a little grievance? Look at the car he drives, which is worth tens of millions. Look at you."
“Other people are lucky to have such supportive parents. I’m not so fortunate.” Zhao Rui turned and left.
What a pity, I was hoping to have a good chat with her today.
"It's all your fault." Shen Shuyao started repeating herself again.
Shen Shuxin snorted coldly, "I only took action because you thought he was incompetent back then. You should thank me."
The empty hall was filled only with the sounds of the two sisters arguing.
Shen Buyu walked beside Shen Yunqi and said, "Why do sisters have to act like this? Their parents are gone. Shouldn't they be the closest people in the world to each other?"
“If everyone thought like you, the world would be too peaceful,” Shen Yunqi rubbed her head. “Too many people turn against their families and sabotage them behind their backs for petty gains. You should be more careful.”
“Yunqi is right, Buyu, you’re too naive. When you interact with people, you need to think more and ask more questions. If you’re unsure about something, you should discuss it with your family.” Shen Yanzhou, who was walking ahead, heard this and stopped to speak to his younger sister.
“Okay,” Shen Buyu nodded, “I will remember it.”
Old Master Shen had rules: he didn't speak while eating or sleeping.
He prefers quiet and absolutely does not allow others to make noise while he is eating.
Everyone in the Shen family knew these rules. After all, he was the eldest member of the family, and no one at the dinner table would deliberately provoke him.
Shen Buyu always felt like he was sitting on pins and needles whenever he ate at the old man's house.
She has excellent upbringing, and her table manners are impeccable.
But when I get to this environment, a sense of tension inexplicably creeps into my heart.
I feel uncomfortable doing anything.
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