Shen Wei was very different from his older brother, Shen Ci.
Shen Ci was tall and well-built.
Shen Wei, however, was very small and thin.
Shen Qingran, standing nearly 1.7 meters tall, was already half a head taller than Shen Wei.
When Shen Yulian called out, Shen Wei rubbed his face.
Ouch!
Hiss!
Unwilling to accept it, Shen Wei stood up.
Shen Yulian, adding fuel to the fire, said, “How can you hit people!”
Shen Qingran’s brows furrowed. She sneered, “Mom just said it, didn’t she? I’m her child!”
“But my brother said I’m motherless!”
“Do you think I shouldn’t hit him?”
After Shen Qingran spoke, Zheng Xiuyu’s face fell!
Shen Qingran was extremely sensitive about anyone mentioning her mother being gone—especially at a critical moment like this!
Zheng Xiuyu intervened, softening Shen Wei’s anger.
“Oh dear, brother said the wrong thing!”
“We’re all one family!”
She winked at Shen Wei as she spoke.
Shen Wei clenched his anger and sat back down, sulking.
Shen Yulian, still unsatisfied, continued, “Sister, you’re the eldest, we’re family, how can you hit people!”
Shen Qingran said coldly, “Does eating stop your mouth? Stop pretending to be a good person!”
In her previous life, Shen Yulian’s constant provocation had caused Shen Qingran’s emotions to spiral out of control.
Shen Tang cleared his throat: “Uh, let’s forget it… let’s eat!”
Zheng Xiuyu enthusiastically served dishes to Shen Qingran.
Shen Yulian sat beside them, looking wronged.
As she served the food, Zheng Xiuyu explained her purpose.
“Qingran, Mom wants to tell you something!”
Shen Qingran knew the main topic had arrived.
“It’s about the Wan family next door—you know them, right?”
Shen Qingran nodded. Next door was the military district compound.
She often played there as a child, since some classmates lived there.
The Wan family was highly respected due to their ancestors’ military achievements.
“They want to propose marriage!”
Zheng Xiuyu’s eyes sparkled.
“Wan Ning—the youngest child of the Wan family! Remember him?”
Shen Qingran certainly remembered. As a child, he had been a little troublemaker.
Back then, the northern soda in the capital was popular. Wan Ning, punished by a teacher, bought a soda and, in the bathroom, poured his urine into it.
Tragically, the teacher drank it happily in the hot summer, unaware of the trick.
No one found out until Wan Ning graduated.
But Shen Qingran knew.
Before her, Wan Ning always behaved cautiously. A little sternness from her and he confessed everything!
Even a “big boss” to others, to Shen Qingran, he was just a mischievous boy.
“The Wan family insists Wan Ning marry you!”
Shen Qingran snapped back to reality from her stepmother’s words.
Indeed, in her previous life, he had helped her a lot after her death!
She wondered what meeting him this time would be like.
Shen Yulian felt her chest tighten.
Originally, the Wan family proposing excited her and her mother—they thought they were finally reaching a prestigious family!
But when Yulian eagerly told the matchmaker, she was scorned. The matchmaker said it was specifically Shen Qingran!
Yulian had been furious!
The Wan family! The young master Wan!
He had excelled in the military and achieved great merit. A special talent at a young age!
Yet such a family wanted Shen Qingran, not her.
In the end, her mother was right!
Soon they’d go abroad, and one man wasn’t worth it!
But Shen Yulian was still unwilling to accept it.
She pretended to be mysterious: “Sister, I heard Wan Ning hits people often!”
Shen Qingran feigned surprise, looking at her white-lily sister: “Oh? How do you know? Did he hit you?”
Yulian was caught off guard.
Previously, a girl in the military district confessed to Wan Ning. Unexpectedly, he rejected her, and her parents scolded her severely. She hid for a month, ashamed.
Yulian now put on a different expression: “No, sister, you know…”
“I heard that he has a disease!”
“A disease?”
Shen Qingran’s voice rose eight octaves.
“Yes! They say it’s a man’s disease!”
Shen Qingran recalled that in her previous life, such rumors had caused her to misunderstand Wan Ning, leading to a disastrous outcome.
“You, a girl who hasn’t left the house, are saying he has a man’s disease?”
“Do you understand him that well?”
As she spoke, she glanced around. The surrounding faces immediately changed.
“Seems this kind of thing really is hereditary!”
“Like mother, like daughter!”
Zheng Xiuyu understood—this was directed at her.
But now, regarding this marriage, she had to secure Shen Qingran first!
If Shen Qingran agreed, perfect. If not… humph!
At that moment, Zhang Ma brought a bowl of shrimp porridge.
“Madam, today’s fresh porridge!”
She bowed respectfully and left.
Zheng Xiuyu served Shen Qingran another bowl.
It looked soft, delicious, and fragrant.
“Qingran, trust me. If you marry into the Wan family, it’s a huge step up!”
“Your happy days will be ahead!”
Shen Qingran sneered. Those “happy days” were probably theirs, not hers!
As long as she nodded, Zheng Xiuyu and the others could present her to the Wan family, and the matter would be settled.
If Shen Qingran refused…
Shen Yulian couldn’t bear to see her succeed! Even if she herself went abroad, she wouldn’t want it!
“This match is so good, why not let your sister go?”
Yulian gripped her handkerchief tightly, bowing her head in silence.
“This marriage, your sister is too young!”
“Besides, they’re interested in you!”
Zheng Xiuyu knew Shen Qingran’s young miss temper well.
If she made a scene, she would cry and rush to the Wan family herself to work things out.
But unexpectedly, Shen Qingran nodded.
“I agree!”
“But…”
She elongated the word.
“What about the dowry? How much?”
Shen Tang felt his heart sink. This daughter must have taken some kind of medicine—she was daring more and more!
Zheng Xiuyu said: “Don’t worry. Your father won’t shortchange you!”
Shen Qingran glared at Shen Yulian and pinched her cheek: “It must be more than my sister’s!”
Shen Qingran laughed, serving porridge to Zheng Xiuyu and the others.
Yulian winced—it hurt! But she had no choice but to smile.
The huge contrast surprised everyone.
Wasn’t she just acting like a young miss? Now she was serving porridge!
Shen Qingran laughed and glanced at the clock.
Tonight, the real show was about to begin!