Chaрtеr 14: Fighting fоr thе Сontract Wifе 14
Еvening.
Thе Shen familу villа wаs bustling with асtivitу. Althоugh Shеn Zhеnghaо had nо intention оf mаking it a grаnd affаir—hе didn’t еven сhоosе а hоtеl vеnuе—quitе a fеw guests hаd аrrived.
Fortunatelу, the Shеn homе hаd а fаirly largе living room, whiсh, with sоmе simрle dеcоrations, wаs trаnsfоrmеd intо a brilliаntly lit banquet hаll.
Тhе lоng dining tаble was alrеаdу set with еxquisitе dishes, pаstriеs, dеssеrts, and drinks.
Shen Zhеnghаo’s faсe glowеd with jоу. Еver sinсе Wen Corporation injеctеd funds, thе Нuаngting Нotеl, which had beеn subtly tаrgeting thеir hotеls, had toned down its aggression.
The Shen family’s hotels had returned to normal.
Good fortune brings high spirits, and it just so happened to be his fiftieth birthday, so Shen Zhenghao warmly engaged in lively conversations with every guest.
Shen Jiaojiao wore an elegant black haute couture gown. Though simple in design, it perfectly accentuated her flawless and graceful figure.
The off-the-shoulder design further highlighted her beautiful shoulder and neckline, as well as her delicate collarbones.
This haute couture dress was one she had ordered earlier. Thankfully, Wen Shanyi had been considerate, allowing her to continue wearing this revealing gown.
She stood by Shen Zhenghao’s side, wearing a polite smile, playing the role of a beautiful vase.
When they encountered a wealthy lady, the woman teased, “Mr. Shen, why don’t I see your esteemed son-in-law?”
Shen Zhenghao was just about to find an excuse to say that Xie Yanqing wouldn’t be coming.
But then he heard Shen Jiaojiao say with a smile, “Yanqing went on a business trip to another city today, but he just sent me a message saying he’ll be here soon.”
There was an important event in City S that Xie Yanqing couldn’t avoid, so he had no choice but to endure the long and tiring journey back and forth.
Shen Zhenghao nodded thoughtfully, recalling the phone call from two days ago.
While the hall was bustling with excitement, outside the Shen family villa, a Maybach entered from the left lane, and a Cullinan entered from the right lane.
The two cars almost simultaneously pulled up at the entrance of the Shen family villa.
Assistant Li, sitting in the driver’s seat of the Cullinan, glanced at the Maybach across from him and felt the license plate looked somewhat familiar.
But he didn’t think too much of it—why would that person be here? There was no connection.
Assistant Li softly reminded, “Mr. Xie, we’ve arrived.”
Xie Yanqing had been resting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing this, he opened his eyes.
He raised his hand to rub his temples, looking somewhat fatigued.
Having stayed up all night and rushing back today, even though he had managed to sleep a little on the way, he still felt mentally exhausted.
After a minute or two, Xie Yanqing opened the car door, his black leather shoes touching the ground.
Today, he wore a deep blue suit, exuding maturity and stability with a touch of elegance.
Xie Yanqing fastened his suit button with one hand and casually glanced to the left.
But he saw someone who shouldn’t have been there stepping out of the car.
He frowned slightly, his gaze meeting Wen Shanyi’s from a distance of one or two meters.
Wen Shanyi had deliberately waited for Xie Yanqing to get out of the car before stepping out himself, though their encounter was coincidental.
Without any attempt to hide it, he carefully sized up Xie Yanqing—too mature, clearly a rigid and boring person.
No wonder he and Jiaojiao had no feelings for each other.
Thinking of last night, Wen Shanyi’s eyes carried a hidden, profound meaning.
Xie Yanqing instinctively felt that the person before him had ill intentions. In truth, he and Wen Shanyi had no deep-seated grudges.
Their two companies weren’t locked in a life-or-death struggle either—they were merely ordinary competitors.
They had met on some occasions before, maintaining a nodding acquaintance.
But this time, seeing Wen Shanyi, Xie Yanqing felt as if he had encountered a peacock in heat.Wen Shanyi had deliberately worn a custom-made white suit today, his hair meticulously styled as well.
He looked elegant and noble, like a top model who had just stepped off the runway.
With such careful grooming, his intentions were clear without being spoken.
Their gazes met in mid-air for a few seconds. They nodded simultaneously, and both pairs of long legs stepped into the Shen family villa at the same time.
The Shen family’s butler had already sent someone to notify Shen Zhenghao when he saw the two men arrive, so Shen Zhenghao, with Shen Jiaojiao holding his arm, came to the entrance to greet them.
The moment Shen Jiaojiao saw Xie Yanqing and Wen Shanyi appearing together, her pupils contracted sharply, and the smile on her face stiffened.
The two men were of similar height. Though their temperaments were vastly different, both possessed strikingly handsome faces that were hard to look away from.
When they stood side by side, neither outshone the other.
Shen Zhenghao was also taken aback. He knew both would come, but he hadn’t expected them to arrive at the same time.
However, having weathered many storms, he quickly composed himself. “Yanqing, Shanyi, you’re here. Please, come in.”
Wen Shanyi smiled appropriately. “Happy birthday, Mr. Shen. May every day be as joyful as today, and every year as prosperous as this one.”
He handed over the gift he had prepared in advance.
Shen Zhenghao accepted it and passed it to the butler.
Xie Yanqing didn’t know when these two had become so close, but seeing Shen Jiaojiao walk over and take his arm, he didn’t dwell on it.
“Father-in-law, happy birthday. May everything go smoothly, and may you remain youthful and vibrant.”
Xie Yanqing also had a gift prepared.
Shen Zhenghao laughed heartily and led the two men into the main hall, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.
The two most outstanding young men in City A had actually appeared together at the Shen family banquet.
Many people’s eyes flickered with thoughtful consideration.
But the atmosphere of the banquet grew even livelier, with numerous guests stepping forward to greet the two men.
Shen Jiaojiao’s face was nearly stiff from smiling, so she seized an opportunity to slip into the back garden.
Wen Shanyi, who had been keeping an eye on Shen Jiaojiao out of the corner of his eye, saw his chance. He politely excused himself from the person he was speaking to, saying he needed to take a call, and then headed toward the back garden as well.
The Shen family villa was vast, with a back garden comparable to a small park. It even had a glass greenhouse, and roses were planted everywhere.
It was the season for roses to bloom, and the entire garden was filled with their fragrance.
Wen Shanyi scanned the area but didn’t see Shen Jiaojiao. Instead, he spotted a gardener trimming roses.
The gardener immediately recognized Wen Shanyi as one of the distinguished guests of the evening and greeted him politely. “Good evening, sir.”
Wen Shanyi nodded and casually asked, “Does Mr. Shen like roses?”
The gardener shook his head. “It’s the young lady who loves roses, so Mr. Shen planted them all over the house. Since the young lady is back tonight, Mr. Shen asked me to cut some fresh ones for her to take with her later.”
Wen Shanyi hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise—he had just learned that Jiaojiao loved roses.
“May I cut a few stems?”
Perhaps he could give them to Jiaojiao later.
The gardener handed him the scissors, and Wen Shanyi carefully selected and cut a few stems.
He lowered his head and gently inhaled, the delicate scent of roses filling his senses.
With a smile, Wen Shanyi cradled the roses in his hands as he walked, searching for Shen Jiaojiao.
When he reached a secluded spot, he finally saw her.
And there, holding Shen Jiaojiao in an intimate embrace… was Xie Yanqing.