Cheng Shuwen could see that although the way the two interacted was extremely distant, Shang Chi had come in person and had even gotten into a fight for Jiang Zhi.
She had initially doubted whether Jiang Zhi was lying, but now she had no choice but to believe that the two had really gotten their marriage certificate.
At first, she had been trying every way to get Jiang Zhi married into the Shang family, but now she found herself jealous instead.
She sneered inwardly—saying she wouldn’t marry, then turning around and eagerly dragging Shang Chi to get the certificate. How hypocritical. If it weren’t for the fact that she had given birth to a son, would it even be her niece’s turn to marry into that family?
But Cheng Shuwen was someone who knew which way the wind blew. Right now, the most important thing was to curry favor with Shang Chi.
She took a jar of ointment from the cabinet and walked over to the two of them.
Cheng Shuwen shoved the ointment into Jiang Zhi’s hands and said with fawning enthusiasm, “Although President Shang isn’t injured, his knuckles are all red. I have this anti-inflammatory ointment here—it works wonders. Zhizhi, why don’t you help President Shang apply some?”
Cheng Shuwen had thought this gesture would win Shang Chi’s favor. Little did she expect that the moment her words fell, what she received in return was an inscrutable look laced with coldness.
However, the very next second, a proper smile curled at the corners of Shang Chi’s lips, as if that look from just moments ago had been nothing but an illusion.
His deep voice rang out, “Aunt-in-law, is it?”
The words were directed at Cheng Shuwen, but his dark eyes were fixed on Jiang Zhi.
The man’s shift in attitude was too sudden—Jiang Zhi didn’t notice it. Holding the ointment, she was stunned for a moment, then nodded. “Mm.”
Cheng Shuwen was so startled by that unfathomable look that a thin layer of sweat broke out on her back, and she stood off to the side, trembling with apprehension.
Shang Chi shifted his gaze to Cheng Shuwen, his fingertip slowly tracing the silver ring on his index finger, his smile unwavering. “I’m a cold-natured person by birth, extremely protective of my own. I only recognize people, not reason, and I certainly don’t show consideration for family ties. Aunt-in-law, what do you think?”
Cheng Shuwen’s heart jolted. How could she not understand what Shang Chi meant?
He was clearly still bothered by the fact that she had shoved Jiang Zhi out earlier, and now he was backing Jiang Zhi up.
Cheng Shuwen certainly didn’t think Shang Chi was doing this because he had feelings for Jiang Zhi. They hadn’t even known each other for a full day—what affection could there possibly be between them?
It was nothing more than the overbearing possessiveness of someone in a position of power.
As the saying goes: even when beating a dog, you must consider its master.
Cheng Shuwen wiped the sweat from her forehead and forced a flattering smile. “Of course, of course. Our Zhizhi is fortunate to have married you. With you protecting her from now on, we can rest easy.”
Shang Chi didn’t respond further, maintaining that faint, indifferent smile at the corners of his lips—polite, yet overwhelmingly oppressive.
Jiang Zhi hadn’t expected the man to defend her so directly, and her heart inexplicably tingled.
Everything that had just happened was too dramatic. Qin Mingsheng had naturally witnessed Cheng Shuwen shoving Jiang Zhi out, and he had also seen Shang Chi confront his wife Cheng Shuwen in defense of Jiang Zhi.
His heart shifted slightly. His preconceived impressions seemed to be quietly changing, though there was still much to explore and verify.
Qin Mingsheng approached Shang Chi with the demeanor of a businessman.
Having been steeped in the business world for years, Qin Mingsheng naturally possessed an extraordinary bearing and presence. Though far inferior to Shang Chi’s, he had his own distinctive and imposing air.
The two stood like opposing parties in a negotiation, simply introducing themselves.
“Qin Mingsheng, Jiang Zhi’s uncle.”
“Shang Chi, Jiang Zhi’s husband.”
After Shang Chi spoke, he glanced at Jiang Zhi beside him and continued, “Today was rather abrupt. Jiang Zhi and I will pay a proper visit another day.”
Today was indeed not a good day for catching up over family matters.
Qin Mingsheng said in a deep voice, “Alright. Zhizhi must have been frightened today as well. Take her home first.”
Shang Chi gave him a slight nod and led Jiang Zhi out of the Qin residence.
As for those troublemaking thugs, Zhou Xu had already dealt with them while the two men were conversing.
Qin Mingsheng watched until Shang Chi disappeared through the doorway, then lowered his head to look at the thin layer of sweat in his palm.
No wonder the man had established himself in the country within just half a year—his innate aura alone, with a single look, was enough to make one feel overwhelmed.
A man this powerful—if he loves you, he could spoil you to the heavens.
If he doesn’t, he could just as easily press you into the ground, never to rise again.
What was done was done. Qin Mingsheng certainly hoped for the former.
On the other side, Jiang Zhi followed Shang Chi into the back seat of the car. The driver started the engine and headed toward Qihayuan.
The man closed his eyes to rest the moment he got in the car. Even so, Jiang Zhi could still feel the oppressive aura radiating from him.
She sat in the corner, trying to minimize her presence.
Half an hour later, the car finally returned to Qihayuan.
The moment they entered, in the empty interior, the several large bags of daily necessities and change of clothes that Jiang Zhi had purchased sat right in the middle of the entrance, extremely conspicuous.
She quickly moved past Shang Chi, carrying the items to the side while explaining, “I left in such a hurry that I didn’t have time to put these away.”
The moment her words fell, there was a “clatter” as something dropped to the floor.
Jiang Zhi was in a hurry to put things away, her steps moving quickly. When she turned back, she was already two meters away from the fallen object.
And the man happened to have walked right up to it. He bent down and picked it up.
When she saw what it was, Jiang Zhi’s face burned like fire—red and hot.
The man lowered his gaze, and when his eyes landed on the object, his fingertips visibly paused.
A white silk lace lingerie piece, thin and delicate, hung from his hand—a hand with clearly defined knuckles and prominent veins. The visual impact was striking.
Jiang Zhi was already mentally digging herself a hole to hide in.
The main issue was that this piece was a promotional gift from the lingerie store—a buy-three-get-one-free sexy lingerie set, with minimal fabric, bold design, and extremely alluring!
The air instantly froze, the atmosphere both awkward and tinged with a hint of intimacy.
Perhaps the man noticed her discomfort, for he remained calm and composed, holding the lingerie with his fingertips as he walked steadily toward her.
“You dropped something.”
His deep, magnetic voice sounded by her ear, as if he were commenting on something utterly mundane.
At that moment, the oppressive aura he carried seemed to have receded, leaving no trace of pressure.
Jiang Zhi tried her best to appear composed, then reached out to take the lingerie and stuff it into her bag, offering a smile. “Thank you.”
With that, she turned around, eager to hide this scorching item away as quickly as possible.
But she had only taken half a step when his low, deep voice came from behind her, his tone serious yet laced with a hint of amusement. “The fabric is quite soft.”
After a pause, he even added slowly, “And the design isn’t bad either.”