Chapter 201 - 199: Qin Chengyuan Came Too

Chapter 201: Chapter 199: Qin Chengyuan Came Too

It was lunchtime.

Shen Jun posted the photo in the family group chat.

The few people in the group saw it almost immediately.

Shen Shilan had just finished meeting with a student about their thesis and was still worried her academic reputation was about to be ruined.

But then she sat down in the cafeteria and opened her phone.

She nearly blacked out.

Just from that table full of food, without even seeing a person in the photo, she knew who he had gone to see.

They were all dishes Le Yan loved.

And it was glaringly obvious who the caption below was aimed at.

Shen Shilan rubbed her temples.

Ever since she married Qin Chengyuan, her brother had been competing with him, trying to one-up him in everything.

Even when there was nothing to compare, he would force a comparison.

People who knew them understood they were just an older brother and a brother-in-law, but anyone who didn’t might think they were romantic rivals.

When Xia Ye saw the message, he replied directly: [If I were the group admin, I’d kick you out.]

Meanwhile, Qin Chengyuan had just finished work and was still in his car. He heard his phone buzz and took it out to look.

He stared at the caption for a long time before finally looking out the car window and letting out a soft sigh.

When Shen Yanzhou saw it, he tried to hold back, he really did, but in the end, he couldn’t help but complain silently in his heart: ’Childish.’

For as long as he could remember, his father had competed with his uncle over everything.

He just couldn’t stand his uncle, so it was a one-sided rivalry.

Even when the other party didn’t take the bait, he still had to compete.

Later, when Qin Leyan developed a liking for the food Zhuang Yanzheng’s mother made...

...his father had to compete with that too, constantly learning to cook, determined to surpass her.

Shen Yanzhou sighed.

Then, about twenty minutes later, he saw another photo appear in the group chat.

A picture of a pile of empty plates.

Su Miaoyi had cleared every single dish.

Even through the screen, Shen Yanzhou felt like he could hear his dad’s laughter.

Shen Yanzhou smiled too.

’She can really eat.’

After finishing the meal, Su Miaoyi sat in her chair, not wanting to move an inch.

Shen Jun was overjoyed. "What do you want for dinner? I’ll make it."

"Hmm... I’m too full right now. I don’t think there’s anything I want to eat."

"Then we’ll decide later," Shen Jun said.

"Okay," Su Miaoyi said with a smile. "Then I’ll play a game of chess with you."

While she was eating just now, she had suddenly, for some reason, remembered that he loved to play chess.

Shen Jun grew even happier. "Great! Let me see if you’ve improved."

"Let’s go."

The two of them went to the study to play Chinese chess.

As they set up the pieces, Shen Jun said, "Are you used to living here? I have an apartment that’s very close to the municipal bureau. You should move there. It’s bigger than this place."

"No, thanks. I’m quite used to it here. I like it here," Su Miaoyi said.

"As long as you like it," Shen Jun said. "If you ever get tired of this place, I have plenty of properties. You can live wherever you want. Just say the word, and it’s done."

Su Miaoyi nodded and smiled.

Having met him, she now realized that the way Shen Yanzhou and Zhuang Yanzheng showed off their wealth was just small potatoes.

They played chess all afternoon, and Su Miaoyi didn’t win a single game.

Fortunately, Shen Shilan and Shen Yanzhou arrived. Otherwise, Su Miaoyi would have dragged Shen Jun into another game, determined to win at least once.

She was so desperate she even considered signing up for a class.

They had dinner together that evening. Shen Jun drank a little wine and ended up sleeping over at Shen Yanzhou’s place.

Shen Shilan and Su Miaoyi went back to her place.

"He just has that impatient temper. When he wants to do something, he can’t even control himself." Shen Shilan was still a bit worried that he had troubled her.

Su Miaoyi smiled. "It’s fine. I ate until I was super stuffed today."

Shen Shilan chuckled.

"But... I don’t know why, I’m a little afraid of him," Su Miaoyi said.

Shen Shilan smiled again. "Kids are mischievous when they’re little. Both I and... your Minister Qin were busy, so my brother was the one who looked after the children most of the time."

As she spoke, she deliberately avoided saying Su Miaoyi or Qin Leyan directly.

"Yan Zhou was very mischievous as a child," Shen Shilan said, looking at her. "But you were even naughtier."

The corner of Su Miaoyi’s mouth twitched.

This was probably because the real Su Miaoyi had actually been a very well-behaved child.

So she had always assumed that she, too, had been well-behaved as a child.

"You were the only girl in the family. My dad couldn’t bring himself to discipline you, and Minister Qin couldn’t either. My brother has a short fuse, so he was always the one to do it," Shen Shilan said. "He would scold the two of you until you were wailing. Later, when you got older and stopped crying, he’d just make you stand against the wall. You only stopped getting yelled at when you went off to college. Oh, Shen Yanzhou still gets scolded by him to this day. Forget him, I still get an earful from him now and then."

Su Miaoyi looked at her.

Seeing her incredulous expression, Shen Shilan was amused and reached out to touch her cheek.

"No wonder I feel a little scared of him," Su Miaoyi said, scratching her head.

Shen Shilan looked at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yan Zhou told me Cheng Jue did well on his exam."

Su Miaoyi nodded. "He’s already submitted his college applications. Now we’re just waiting for the acceptance letter."

Shen Shilan nodded as well. "Although I’m not at the Film Academy, I know quite a few people there. We’re all in contact. If anything comes up, just tell me or Yan Zhou."

"Okay."

"The path of an artist is a difficult one. It requires talent, but also good opportunities and resources," Shen Shilan said. "If you need help, just ask. Don’t worry too much about it."

"Mm-hm," Su Miaoyi agreed, nodding.

"Alright, it’s getting late. You should get some rest. I’m going to head back."

Su Miaoyi stood up with her and glanced at the clock in the living room. "Why don’t you... sleep here?"

Shen Shilan paused for a moment, then broke into a smile. "Of course I’d love to, but I’m afraid Minister Qin at home was a bit provoked today. He’s all alone, the poor thing."

Qin Chengyuan was one reason. Another was that she felt the time wasn’t right yet and worried it might make Su Miaoyi feel awkward.

"Alright then." Su Miaoyi walked her to the parking garage.

But before they reached Shen Shilan’s car, the door of a nearby car suddenly swung open.

Hearing the sound, Su Miaoyi instinctively shielded Shen Shilan behind her and looked over.

Then she watched as Qin Chengyuan got out of the car.

The lighting in the parking garage was a bit dim.

Qin Chengyuan walked over step by step and stopped in front of them. He first looked at Su Miaoyi’s face, then at the arm she was using to shield Shen Shilan.

Su Miaoyi looked at him.

Qin Chengyuan looked back at her for a moment, then said, "Mistaking me for a thief?"

Su Miaoyi instantly straightened her back and snapped to attention. "Minister."

Shen Shilan laughed out loud.

Su Miaoyi glanced back, then stepped to the side.

Shen Shilan chuckled for a moment. "Minister Qin, it’s rare for you to have a free evening. Are you here to pick me up?"

Qin Chengyuan glanced at her, then his eyes moved back to Su Miaoyi.

"Oh~ So you’re not here for me," Shen Shilan said.

"Ahem." Qin Chengyuan cleared his throat lightly.

Shen Shilan stopped teasing him.

Qin Chengyuan looked at Su Miaoyi.

Su Miaoyi looked back at him.

Neither of them spoke; they just looked at each other.

Finally, Su Miaoyi shifted and asked cautiously, "Minister, do you have any orders for me?"