Chapter 27: The Family Banquet, Part 2
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She reached out, took Shi Yun by the arm, and gave it a gentle shake. Raising her voice and pretending to be extraordinarily affectionate, she called, “Sis, you have no idea how worried I’ve been about you these past few days. The things people have been saying online are absolutely vicious. Good heavens, how could anyone send you a dead rat? That’s terrifying!”
As she spoke, she knitted her brows slightly, looking pitiful and deeply concerned.
Shi Yun calmly yanked her arm free and cast her a cool glance without saying a word.
If this had happened at all, wasn’t it all because of those brainless fans of hers?
How could she still have the nerve to put on such a grand display?
Shi Tian had deliberately brought it up. Sure enough, she wanted everyone to recall the online uproar of the past few days while subtly implying that Shi Yun had bullied her.
For a moment, the Shi family relatives looked at Shi Yun with complicated expressions—some doubtful, others scrutinizing.
Her grandfather and grandmother were still completely confused. Her grandmother, frantic with worry, hurriedly took Shi Yun’s hand and asked, “What dead rat? Who dares bully our little Yun?”
Shi Xuanxuan was straightforward and, without thinking too much, blurted out, “People online have been calling Sister Yun a usurper who stole someone else’s place. There was even a video saying she poured red wine on Sister Tian and bullied her.
“Some people got angry and sent Sister Yun a dead rat. Oh, and they even went to the Ink-Confucian Hall and splashed red paint all over it! Those haters seem to be Sister Tian’s fans.”
The moment she finished speaking, an uproar broke out in the private dining room.
The eldest uncle’s face darkened. He quickly reached out and tugged at Shi Xuanxuan, scolding her in a low voice, “What nonsense are you talking about?”
He knew perfectly well that this was someone else’s family business. Running her mouth here and stirring up trouble would be difficult to clean up afterward.
Shi Xuanxuan realized that she had said the wrong thing. She stuck out her tongue like a startled little rabbit and hurriedly sat down in silence.
Grandfather and Grandmother immediately turned questioning eyes toward Shi Xiao and Gao Yun. “What happened?”
Shi Tian instantly put on an obedient, sensible expression. Her eyes were still red, and she sniffed softly as she explained in a delicate voice, “It was those meddlesome people online. They insisted on claiming that Sister bullied me, but that never happened. She was only fooling around with me.”
With that appearance, she looked exactly like a pure, innocent flower who had suffered endless grievances yet remained magnanimous and forgiving—as though she were the only one trying to smooth things over.
Shi Yun actually felt like laughing, but her face remained expressionless. In a flat voice, she said, “Since you knew we were only fooling around, why didn’t you come forward and explain? Do you know that your fans were the ones insulting me?”
If only Shi Tian had spoken up, none of this would have happened.
The instant Shi Tian heard that, the tears in her eyes burst forth. Large drops rolled down her cheeks as she choked out miserably, “Sis, how can you say I didn’t explain? But those fans simply wouldn’t listen to me. I never expected things to get this far either. I feel terribly guilty about it.”
Shi Tian’s tears elicited different reactions from everyone in the room.
Grandfather and Grandmother still had their doubts, but seeing her sobbing so pitifully, they could not help softening a little.
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Even so, their eyes continued to drift toward Shi Yun from time to time, hoping to confirm the truth from her.
Shi Yun quickly shook her head at them.
She did not need to say anything more. They immediately understood and grew even more displeased with Shi Tian.
How petty.
Gao Yun was heartbroken. She hurriedly rose and went to Shi Tian’s side, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she comforted her in a soft voice. “Tian Tian, don’t cry.”
She shot Shi Yun a reproachful glare.
This daughter of hers was becoming more and more impossible to discipline.
Gao Qi’an looked at Shi Yun worriedly and was just about to speak when his mother, Liu Dan, patted his hand, signaling him to keep quiet.
Sensing that the atmosphere had turned awkward, Shi Xiao hurriedly exchanged a glance with the waiter, waved his hand, and said, “Everyone’s here. Let’s serve the food.”
He was clearly trying to break the tension.
Gao Yun also looked uncomfortable and quickly echoed him. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Eat, everyone. It’s not often that we’re all together.”
As she spoke, she escorted Shi Tian back to her seat and lowered her voice. “Good girl, Tian Tian. Let’s forget about this.”
Her parents treasured Shi Yun like their own eyes. How could they possibly believe all that nonsense online?
And what good would it do to say anything? In the end, they would only blame her.
Shi Tian pursed her lips, her eyes rimmed red, looking aggrieved.
The waiters began bringing out the dishes, one exquisite plate after another.
Once everything had been served, everyone chatted and laughed as they ate.
Every so often, Gao Qi’an would pick up his chopsticks and precisely select the dishes Shi Yun liked, placing them in her bowl.
The others noticed. The eldest aunt immediately teased, “These two children really do have such a good relationship. It hasn’t changed all these years. Qi’an must really like little Yun.”
She had spoken without a second thought, but her words carried an unintended implication.
Gao Qi’an’s parents exchanged a glance, their smiles stiff and uncomfortable, as though she had touched upon something they had been trying to hide.
Gao Yan quickly said, “Of course two siblings would have a good relationship.”
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Liu Dan looked at Shi Yun with a complicated expression. She picked up her chopsticks and placed some food in Shi Yun’s bowl, wearing a somewhat forced smile. “Here, little Yun. Eat a little more.”
Shi Yun smiled generously, the curve of her lips perfectly measured. “Thank you, Auntie. You should eat too.”
Grandfather and Grandmother ate while quietly exchanging affectionate words with Shi Yun, occasionally shooting a glare at Shi Xiao and Gao Yun.
Their meaning was unmistakable: they were standing up for Shi Yun.
Shi Tian could not stand seeing them favor Shi Yun so blatantly. Anger smoldered inside her, but she continued smiling. With an ingratiating air, she picked up a piece of fish and placed it in Grandmother’s bowl, her voice sweet to the point of cloying. “Grandma, try this fish. It’s so fresh.”
Grandmother did not even raise her eyes. She said indifferently, “I can serve myself. Little Yun knows what I like.”
As she spoke, she gently patted Shi Yun’s hand, her eyes filled with affection and trust.
Gao Yun noticed the awkwardness and, though she felt helpless, quickly stroked Shi Tian’s back and tried to smooth things over. “Tian Tian, try this. It’s the chef’s specialty.”
With that, she placed a piece of meat in Shi Tian’s bowl.
Shi Tian forced a smile, but it never reached her eyes. A flash of venom flickered across her gaze and vanished in an instant.
That old hag. She’s really refusing to show me any respect. I’ll make sure they regret this later.
She seethed inwardly, yet on the surface she obediently nodded and said sweetly, “Thank you, Mom. You should eat too.”
Halfway through the meal, Shi Tian deliberately set down her chopsticks, casually brushed back the hair beside her ear, and asked with an almost childlike smile, “By the way, Sis, I saw you with Brother Yuezhou yesterday. Have you two made up?”
The moment those words left her mouth, everyone’s expression turned ugly.
They were all reminded of the humiliating scene at the engagement banquet.
Their gazes toward Shi Yun grew complicated.
Shi Xiao’s face darkened so severely it seemed water might drip from it. He fixed Shi Yun with a furious stare and coldly reprimanded her, “The Shen family doesn’t think highly of us, yet you still insist on throwing yourself at him? What for?”
Gao Yun also glared at Shi Yun in displeasure. Merely thinking of the engagement banquet made her angry.
Shen Yuezhou had made the entire family lose face in front of so many people—all because of her.
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