The next day.
As soon as Shen Qiu arrived at the sanatorium, she received a call from Tang Yuehua.
Shen Qiu hung up and set her phone to silent. A moment later, Tang Yuehua sent her a text message.
[Very good, it seems you truly don't regard me as your mother anymore.]
Shen Qiu saw it but still didn't reply.
For the next few days, Shen Qiu didn't contact the Shen family again, and she tried not to think about their affairs.
Everything was fine.
—
The Shen Residence.
Shen Xia racked her brains to get closer to Meng Zhihan, but Shen Qiu had blocked her.
She was completely helpless.
Just then, her phone rang.
Zhao Mohan.
Shen Xia raised an eyebrow, answered the call, and her voice was sweet and coquettish, making Zhao Mohan's body go soft. "Dr. Zhao, what made you think of calling me?"
Zhao Mohan couldn't even think straight and said shamelessly, "I want to call you, Xia Xia, twenty-four hours a day."
"Hee hee hee." Shen Xia chuckled.
Zhao Mohan, on the other end of the line, blushed and quickly said, "Xia Xia, tomorrow is the weekend, and I'm off. Do you... want to go out and play?"
Shen Xia's eyes darted. "Just the two of us?"
Before Zhao Mohan could answer, she added, "That would be so boring. Dr. Zhao, why don't you invite your buddies along too?"
She's shy!
The little person in Zhao Mohan's heart jumped three feet high.
Xia Xia must be shy when she's alone with him, which is why she suggested he find someone else.
Buddies... Zhihan!
Last time Zhihan said he was married. It's a good opportunity for him to see what kind of person Mrs. Meng is.
Who managed to capture Zhihan's heart!
"Okay," Zhao Mohan agreed. "Then I'll invite Zhihan."
Shen Xia's smile grew wider. Her mood, which had been gloomy for a few days, finally brightened. It seemed that Zhao Mohan, this sycophant, was still useful.
She would have to make good use of him in the future.
"Alright, Dr. Zhao, I'll see you tomorrow."
Zhao Mohan was overjoyed. "Okay, see you tomorrow!"
After hanging up, Zhao Mohan immediately called Meng Zhihan to finalize the plan.
Meng Zhihan didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked at Shen Qiu on the other side of the dining table. "My friend is inviting us for a small gathering tomorrow. Do you want to go?"
Shen Qiu's hand holding the chopsticks paused, and she almost choked.
"Your friend?"
"Yes," Meng Zhihan nodded.
"He also wants to meet you."
Shen Qiu's cheeks flushed, and she murmured, "Why would he want to meet me?"
Meng Zhihan's lips curled into an almost imperceptible arc. "You are my wife."
Shen Qiu's face turned completely red!
But then she thought that Meng Zhihan had even met Wan Ge.
What was wrong with her meeting his friends? It would be fair only if they met.
"...Okay."
The next day, early in the morning.
Shen Qiu woke up very early. Looking at the clothes hanging in the walk-in closet, she felt a little troubled.
What should she wear?
She still hadn't decided when she heard a knock on the door.
She carefully opened the door a crack and saw Meng Zhihan standing outside. She instinctively wanted to hide the messy pile of clothes scattered behind her.
Those were all the outfits she had tried on.
Shen Qiu had clearly forgotten the height difference between her and Meng Zhihan.
Meng Zhihan's gaze swept over and he saw clearly. He lowered his eyes and his gaze fell on Shen Qiu.
She was wearing a white and blue gradient camisole dress with a ruffled design at the shoulders. It was gentle, fresh, and elegant.
"It looks very good."
He praised her without reservation.
Shen Qiu's face turned red again, her eyes unfocused. "I, I'll need a little more time..."
"I'll wait for you."
Shen Qiu slammed the door shut and her steps became lighter. She walked to the dressing table and simply styled her hair.
Only then did she turn and leave the room.
The two got into the car and headed to the agreed-upon location.
It was a resort villa in the suburbs of Nancheng.
As soon as Meng Zhihan and Shen Qiu got out of the car, they heard a familiar voice, "Sister, over here!"
Shen Qiu's expression stiffened.
Shen Xia?!
She subconsciously looked at Meng Zhihan, only to see that he also frowned slightly, seemingly unaware.
Shen Qiu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Shen Xia had already walked over quickly. Her gaze fell on Meng Zhihan, but her hand affectionately linked Shen Qiu's arm. "Sister, you're finally here."
Shen Xia was wearing a goose-yellow dress, looking charming and radiant, making her skin appear even fairer.
Zhao Mohan also froze when he saw Shen Qiu.
How could these two look exactly alike?
Shen Xia lightly stuck out her tongue. "Dr. Zhao, let me introduce you. This is my sister, Shen Qiu."
Shen Qiu felt awkward and frowned, pulling her arm away from Shen Xia.
Seeing this, Zhao Mohan frowned slightly. How could Xia Xia's sister be like this?!
Especially when he saw the dejection on Shen Xia's face, his heart ached even more.
Shen Xia, like a little sun, quickly regained her spirits and fluttered around Shen Qiu like a little butterfly.
"Sister, it's a bit hot outside. Let's go inside."
"Sister, what drink would you like? I'll go buy it for you."
"Sister, you haven't been home for several days. Mom, Dad, and I all miss you."
Shen Xia was extremely enthusiastic, but Shen Qiu remained expressionless, not giving Shen Xia a single glance.
Shen Qiu knew exactly what was going on.
If Meng Zhihan weren't here, Shen Xia wouldn't even give her a smile, she wouldn't be named Shen!
She had no interest in playing along with Shen Xia's sisterly affection act.
Moreover, Shen Xia, while appearing concerned about her, was actually looking at Meng Zhihan and sending him flirtatious glances. Did she really think she couldn't see it?
Shen Xia aggressively squeezed herself between her and Meng Zhihan, practically pressing her body against him.
Of the four people present,
Only Han Shao's friend seemed oblivious.
Meng Zhihan was impatient with Shen Xia's closeness and moved further away from her.
Shen Xia saw this and felt a pang of frustration.
She looked down at herself. Was she not looking pretty enough today?
"Sister," Shen Xia said again, "You're getting more and more beautiful."
Shen Qiu silently maintained her distance from Shen Xia, with no intention of replying to her comment.
Zhao Mohan's brows were already tightly furrowed, and anger simmered within him.
He couldn't understand how Zhihan could have married such a cold, heartless, and impolite woman!
He looked at Shen Xia and broke into a smile. "Xia Xia, you're the most beautiful!"