Сhарtеr 8: Fighting for the Cоntrаct Wife 8
Wеn Shanyi аnd Shеn Jiаоjiао arrivеd аt thе toр floоr of the Shеn fаmily hоtel, whiсh wаs gеnerаllу not ореn tо thе рubliс and оnly rесeived distinguished guests.
Аs soоn as thе twо stерped оut of the еlеvаtоr, Shen Jiаojiаo’s fathеr, Shеn Zhеnghао, was аlready wаiting with а grоuр оf attendants.
Ноwеver, uрon sеeing Shen Jiаоjiао, Shen Zhenghао was visibly tаken abасk.
Вut nоw was nоt thе time to ask why she was herе. Shen Zhеnghао’s fасe brоke into a widе smile аs he еxtеnded his hand toward Wen Shanyi. “Mr. Wen, it’s been a long time!”
Wen Shanyi gave a slight nod and shook his hand in return.
Shen Zhenghao led him toward an elegantly and luxuriously decorated private room, with Shen Jiaojiao following behind them.
After they were seated, Shen Zhenghao asked with a smile, “Mr. Wen, how did you happen to come with Jiaojiao?”
These two should have had nothing to do with each other.
Moreover, the atmosphere just now felt a bit off.
Shen Zhenghao glanced at Shen Jiaojiao, feeling as though this once dignified and gentle daughter of his had somehow blossomed?
Wen Shanyi straightened his posture slightly. He realized that the person before him was not just someone seeking his investment but potentially his future father-in-law.
Thus, he adopted a more courteous tone. “We happened to run into each other.”
Shen Jiaojiao nodded in agreement.
Shen Zhenghao didn’t dwell on it. After exchanging more pleasantries, he turned and said, “Jiaojiao, go to the wine cellar and bring over the bottle of wine I’ve been saving.”
Seeing the hint in his eyes, Shen Jiaojiao nodded to Wen Shanyi and left the private room.
He was clearly trying to send her away.
After Shen Jiaojiao left, Shen Zhenghao wasted no more time. Today, he had finally managed to secure a meeting with Wen Shanyi, and this rising star of City A didn’t seem as cold as the rumors suggested.
“Mr. Wen, to be frank, I invited you here today because I have a favor to ask. Recently, Shen Family Hotel has been struggling due to competition from the Imperial Court Hotel and is in urgent need of an investment. I wonder if you would be interested?”
Shen Zhenghao didn’t beat around the bush. If Wen Shanyi couldn’t help, he would have no choice but to turn to his son-in-law.
However, old-money families prioritized profit above all else. The Shen and Xie families were bound by a business marriage with little emotional connection, so the Xie family might not be willing to lend a hand.
Even if they did, the Shen family would have to pay a hefty price.
That was why he had called Jiaojiao yesterday, urging her to hurry up and give birth to the Xie family’s first grandson. That way, the Xie family would have no choice but to help the Shen family.
But when he brought up the topic of having children, his usually obedient and gentle daughter had actually lost her temper and hung up on him.
Shen Zhenghao sighed. Jiaojiao had been spoiled too much by them.
Now, he only hoped that this distinguished and handsome man before him would not make too many demands.
What Shen Zhenghao didn’t expect was that Wen Shanyi agreed without hesitation. “The investment is no problem. As it happens, the Wen Group has been considering entering the hotel industry recently.”
A look of delight spread across Shen Zhenghao’s face as he quickly raised his glass in a toast. “Thank you, Mr. Wen.”
“It’s not convenient to discuss the details here. Why don’t you come to my company tomorrow, and we can talk further?” Wen Shanyi smiled meaningfully and added, “No need to stand on ceremony, Mr. Shen. I help you, you help me. If there’s ever anything I need your assistance with in the future, I hope you won’t hesitate.”
“Of course, of course. I’ll agree to anything you ask,” Shen Zhenghao quickly assured him, clapping his hands to signal the waiting attendants outside to begin serving the dishes in an orderly manner.
A meaningful smile played on Wen Shanyi’s lips, but unfortunately, Shen Zhenghao didn’t give it much thought.How could he have imagined that the man before him was actually coveting his own married daughter.
Wen Shanyi took a sip of wine and said casually, “This wine tastes quite good. I wonder what the fine wine Mr. Shen mentioned earlier tastes like.”
“Haha, Mr. Wen, please wait a moment. I’ll ask Jiaojiao if she’s coming up now.” Shen Zhenghao said, then sent a message to Shen Jiaojiao, asking her to bring the wine back.
Shen Jiaojiao soon returned to the private room with a bottle of decanted red wine, smiling lightly. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Wen.”
Wen Shanyi shook his head with a smile. “From now on, we’ll be partners. Jiaojiao and Mr. Shen don’t need to be so formal. You can call me Shanyi.”
He was three years older than Shen Jiaojiao, or she could even call him… Shanyi-gege.
But with Shen Zhenghao present, Wen Shanyi didn’t intend to reveal his feelings too soon.
Shen Zhenghao laughed. “Yes, yes. Jiaojiao, you should spend more time with Shanyi from now on. You’re both young, so I’m sure you’ll have plenty to talk about.”
Shen Jiaojiao followed along smoothly. “Shanyi.”
Hearing his name called out in Shen Jiaojiao’s soft, melodious voice, Wen Shanyi’s smile reached his eyes.
For a while, the atmosphere at the dining table was pleasant, with all three wearing smiles.
Glasses clinked, and the conversation flowed happily.
After the meal, as the three were drinking tea, Wen Shanyi’s phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and stood up. “I’ll take this call.”
As soon as Wen Shanyi left, the atmosphere in the private room instantly grew a bit colder.
Shen Zhenghao sighed and spoke earnestly. “Jiaojiao, the hotel hasn’t been doing well lately. Dad has been really worried, so I spoke harshly last night. Can you forgive Dad?”
Shen Jiaojiao’s eyes immediately reddened. Shen Zhenghao had always been extremely good to her. Because her mother’s health was poor and she had been recuperating abroad, he had acted as both father and mother while also managing the Shen family business. It had always been quite exhausting for him.
Perhaps because she had drunk a little wine, Shen Jiaojiao’s pent-up grievances unconsciously surged forth.
Her voice choked with sobs, she said, “Dad, you don’t know anything. Xie Yanqing and I are nothing but a contractual couple. There’s no real affection between us at all.”
After confessing the secret in her heart to her closest family member, Shen Jiaojiao felt a little lighter. She continued bitterly, “We’re practically living separately, and we’ve never even shared a room. How could we possibly have a child?”
Shen Zhenghao was shocked. How could this be!
He was both anxious and angry. They had been married for two years, and he hadn’t noticed anything amiss between them!
Shen Zhenghao quickly comforted Shen Jiaojiao. “Jiaojiao, tell Dad properly, what are you thinking? If you want to divorce Xie Yanqing, Dad…” He gritted his teeth. “Dad agrees!”
Outside the door, Wen Shanyi’s heart pounded like thunder. His handsome face wore a strange expression, his eyes filled with a profound light.
He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the father and daughter’s conversation. He had just finished his call and, upon approaching, heard Shen Jiaojiao’s words: “Xie Yanqing and I are nothing but a contractual couple.”
No one knew the secret delight Wen Shanyi felt upon hearing those words. His expression, beyond his control, broke into an unprecedented smile.
If there hadn’t been a waiter behind him, he might have even laughed out loud.
This joy was no less than signing a billion-dollar deal.
Wen Shanyi listened for a couple more sentences but didn’t continue. He needed to go back and carefully plan how to win the beauty’s heart as soon as possible.Thus, Wen Shanyi did not hear Shen Jiaojiao’s soft murmur: “Dad, I don’t want to divorce Xie Yanqing…”