Volume 1 Chapter 4: Did You Take Out a Naked Loan?
Shen Sili was baffled by Shen He’s reaction. He asked, “Big Sister, why are you looking at me like that?”
Suppressing the sorrow in her heart, Shen He reached out and carefully straightened Shen Sili’s slightly crooked tie knot.
Shen He spoke earnestly, “Siri, you’re the eldest boy in the Shen family and the first in our family to pass the civil service exam and become a police officer. Today, standing here representing your younger brothers to greet guests, you must set an example.”
“You must always be mindful of your words and actions, so as not to give guests the impression that our Shen family lacks manners and upbringing.”
Shen Sili was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and dared not move, his body stiff as a stone sculpture.
Big Sister had always been reluctant to get close to the Shen family. In the past, whenever she saw him and his brothers, she would keep her distance as if they were strangers.
Today, she had actually taken the initiative to help him adjust his tie…
How bizarre.
After thinking it over, Shen Sili hesitantly asked, “Big Sister, are you short on money?”
Huh?
“How much do you need?” Shen Sili pulled out his phone, opened Alipay, and explained, “I have three hundred thousand saved in my Yu’e Bao. How much do you need? I can transfer some to you first.”
“…”
Noticing that Big Sister hadn’t moved, Shen Sili looked up at her curiously.
When he saw the tears glistening in her eyes, Shen Sili immediately panicked.
“Big Sister, don’t tell me you… took out a naked loan!” Instantly, headlines about young women forced to take nude photos after defaulting on online loans flashed through Shen Sili’s mind.
This little fool!
Shen He turned aside to wipe her face, holding back her tears, before saying, “I didn’t take out a naked loan! Besides, Big Sister has more savings than you. How much money could a little police officer like you have?”
All the Shen children were quite accomplished—some were in research, others served the country—only Shen He had gone into business and started a company.
Financially, Shen He was relatively free.
“Then why are you crying?”
After a moment’s thought, Shen Sili glanced toward Mu Tingyun, who was chatting with others in the courtyard.
“Big Sister, did Mu Tingyun bully you?” Shen Sili’s expression turned extremely serious, as if he were ready to roll up his sleeves and throw a punch at any moment.
Shen He quickly clarified, “It has nothing to do with him.”
She said, “I just suddenly realized how awful I’ve been in the past. I shouldn’t have distanced myself from everyone in the Shen family just because of my parents’ situation.”
Hearing these words from Shen He, Shen Sili felt deeply gratified.
He sighed, “Grandma was right. Big Sister used to be stuck in a dead end. Now that you’ve let go, you naturally understand the importance of family.”
Shen He was somewhat surprised. “The old lady said that?”
The old lady had always been rather cold toward her. The number of times they had spoken during holidays could be counted on one hand.
She had always thought the old lady disapproved of her.
Seeing that Big Sister was completely in the dark, Shen Sili patiently explained, “Grandma studied architectural design when she was young, but our great-grandfather was traditional-minded. He believed women shouldn’t run companies and forbade her from getting involved in the family business.”
“Grandma spent her whole life as a full-time housewife. She strongly supports you starting your own business. The first big project for your studio was actually introduced by her.”
Failing to become an architect was a lifelong regret for Madam Zhong. In Shen He, she saw the continuation of her dream.
Shen He felt somewhat dazed.
In her previous life, how much kindness had she actually missed?
"Shen He."
Shen Guanghui's voice interrupted Shen He's thoughts.
Shen He looked up toward the courtyard and saw Shen Guanghui waving at her.
Standing beside Shen Guanghui was an exceptionally beautiful woman in a purple velvet gown, her features bearing a thirty to forty percent resemblance to Shen He's.
That was Shen He's mother, Zhou Yulan—the kind who gave birth but never raised her.
"Siri, you go ahead with your work. We'll talk later." Patting Shen Sili's arm, Shen He then took small steps toward Shen Guanghui and the woman.
Before Shen He could get close, Madam Zhou furrowed her slender willow-leaf brows as she scrutinized Shen He.
Noticing that Shen He had brought no gifts and carried only a clutch purse, her expression immediately turned displeased. In a reproachful tone, she questioned Shen He, "You came empty-handed? Didn't prepare a birthday gift for your grandmother?"
Glancing at her niece Ji Ya standing beside her, Madam Zhou deliberately taunted Shen He, "Your cousin arranged a set of rare porcelain from an auction a week ago to celebrate your grandmother's birthday. As the eldest daughter of the Shen family, you didn't even prepare a gift for your grandmother's birthday—how utterly disgraceful!"
Madam Zhou's voice was clear and bright, and she made no effort to lower her volume while scolding Shen He.
For a moment, the surrounding guests all turned their gazes toward Shen He, sizing her up and speculating.
So this was the Shen family's only granddaughter?
The legendary arrogant, troublemaking, unfilial daughter?
Hearing these words a second time, Shen He remained remarkably calm.
With a radiant smile directed at Madam Zhou and her cousin Ji Ya, Shen He said, "Mother is right. Compared to my cousin, I'm just a heartless little brat."
Just as Madam Zhou was surprised by how sensible Shen He seemed today, she heard Shen He continue, "My cousin was raised and educated by Mother since childhood—intelligent, filial, and sensible."
"Unlike me? I grew up in the countryside, attended a village primary school, ate baked potatoes, and never had the chance to learn manners or upbringing."
"Shen He has embarrassed Mother."
"…" The atmosphere around them fell into an odd silence.
Shen He's sharp tongue had, in just a few words, stripped away Madam Zhou's fig leaf.
Whispers of discussion arose from the corners of the courtyard—
"So Shen He really was abandoned by the Shen family. Throwing their own daughter into the countryside while raising their niece by their side—the Shen Guanghui couple are quite something."
"How could Madam Zhou be like this? Giving birth but not educating the child, then blaming her for lacking propriety and shame."
"No wonder Shen He became unfilial. If you want a daughter to be filial, parents must first be kind."
"…"
Hearing those murmurs, Madam Zhou flushed with anger and hurriedly warned Shen He, "Shen He, what nonsense are you spouting! There are Mu family relatives here today too—don't you dare act foolishly!"
Cousin Ji Ya also gently tried to mediate, "Shen He, you've finally come back. Don't start arguing with Aunt as soon as you return. With so many guests here, it'll become a laughingstock."
A laughingstock?
Shen He looked amusedly at her cousin, whose demeanor was serene and graceful, having received the Shen family's high-end education, and teased, "How could I be as laughable as you, Cousin?"
Ji Ya felt a chill under Shen He's playful gaze.
Shen He stated matter-of-factly, "I heard that when your grandmother celebrated her birthday last year, you only sent a three-hundred-yuan red envelope. Yet today, for our family's matriarch's birthday, you actually bid for a set of rare porcelain at an auction."
"You city folks are certainly particular—casual about your own elders' birthdays, yet so grand for someone else's grandmother."
"In the countryside, doing something like this would have the village aunties gossiping about you for a lifetime."
Hearing this, the guests all looked at Ji Ya with expressions of disbelief.