Chapter 145: Child’s Play

The atmosphere in the main hall of the Chen family residence was somewhat awkward.

Everyone present was an adult. Given Dai Yanqiu’s tone and actions, even a fool could tell what was on his mind.

Although the Chen family’s relatives and guests held Dai Yanqiu in contempt, his current power and status in Huaizhou were undeniably formidable. Even if they felt disgusted, none of them dared to voice their objections or attempt to dissuade him.

Chen Shufen’s face flushed red with anger. She hadn't been this furious even when Hong Yu scolded and retorted to her earlier.

After all, no matter what Hong Yu said, it only served to make her lose a bit of face. But for Dai Yanqiu to act this way—that was a direct strike at her heart.

That was her own niece! For Dai Yanqiu to openly curry favor in front of a crowd like this, there was no doubt that when she wasn't around, he would be a hundred times more brazen.

Chen Shufen could no longer contain her fury. Just as she was about to lash out, the old patriarch of the Chen family wisely intervened, calling out loudly, "Alright, now that everyone is here, let's eat. I see some people are already getting hungry."

The old patriarch’s words immediately eased the tension somewhat.

With all the relatives and guests now assembled, the crowd began to take their seats without further ado.

"Jianwei, your family take those two tables on the right."

"Shufen, since you have more people, take the two tables on the left."

There were a total of six tables in the Chen family’s main hall. One was assigned to the eldest son, two went to Chen Shufen, and two to Chen Jianwei, leaving only a single table remaining.

Furthermore, the old patriarch had an old friend coming, so an extra seat needed to be added to that very last table.

Having finished his arrangements, the old patriarch looked toward Lin Shuyu. "Shuyu, you can squeeze in at the table with Jianwei and the others. Since only you came from your household this time, we won't bother setting up a separate table for you this year."

The old patriarch’s tone was indifferent, entirely unconcerned about what Lin Shuyu might think.

In the past, the old patriarch had indeed doted on Lin Shuyu, his granddaughter. But now that she had married such a useless live-in son-in-law and kept defending him, the old patriarch felt that Lin Shuyu was showing a lack of respect for him.

In truth, Lin Shuyu had no real objection to where she sat. After all, there were so few of them, and for just the two of them to occupy an entire table would be even more humiliating.

Lin Shuyu nodded, then thought of Hong Yu and asked, "Grandfather, what about Hong Yu? Can he sit with me?"

The old patriarch sneered. "Ha, what a dutiful granddaughter I have. Why are you always thinking about that good-for-nothing?"

Chen Jianwei chimed in with a laugh, "He's just a useless live-in son-in-law. Since there are some children coming later, I was planning to set up a small table outside in the courtyard and have him go keep the kids company."

"Rest assured, our Chen family is wealthy and influential; we're not short of this bit of food. He won't starve to death."

***

The words of the old patriarch and Chen Jianwei caused Lin Shuyu’s expression to shift.

Chen Shufen sneered on the side, choosing to remain silent this time.

Meanwhile, Dai Yanqiu carefully studied Lin Shuyu’s expression. Although he did not join in the mockery, he secretly hoped that the old patriarch and Chen Jianwei would pile on the pressure even more.

In all his years mingling in society, Dai Yanqiu had rarely seen a woman as breathtakingly beautiful as Lin Shuyu.

Even on the rare occasions he had, such stunning women were already taken by powerful figures whom Dai Yanqiu dared not cross. Now that Lin Shuyu had landed herself a useless live-in husband, how could he possibly let this opportunity slip through his fingers?

As for the familial ties of niece and aunt's husband, to Dai Yanqiu, those were utter bullshit!

The Chen family had ridiculed and treated him with disdain before; now, taking a little interest on that debt felt entirely justified to him.

Chen Yingying chuckled as she walked over to Lin Shuyu and said, "Sister Shuyu, my dad is completely right."

"For a useless live-in husband like him, being able to eat a meal from our Chen family is already the greatest benevolence bestowed upon him."

"Sister, I've said it so many times—won't you seriously consider divorcing that good-for-nothing?"

Hearing this, Chen Shufen’s heart skipped a beat.

If Lin Shuyu were to get a divorce, Dai Yanqiu might actually make his move.

This situation...

Chen Shufen panicked slightly, but having spent the entire time humiliating Hong Yu, it was impossible for her to turn around and speak up on his behalf by telling Lin Shuyu not to divorce.

However, her mind worked quickly, and within seconds, she came up with a plan.

Chen Shufen smiled and said, "Shuyu, you should divorce him immediately."

"Your aunt's husband's direct nephew is doing exceptionally well in your uncle-in-law's company, and he's tall, strong, and imposing. If you get a divorce, I'll introduce him to you right away."

With those words, Chen Shufen internally sneered.

You dare lay a hand on the Chen family's niece, do you?

You surely wouldn't dare touch your own flesh-and-blood nephew's wife!

Didn't this scoundrel usually treat that nephew like his own son? Besides, the Dai family only had that one junior left, an only son for nine generations. She refused to believe he would dare mess around under those circumstances!

***

Dai Yanqiu immediately frowned.

He hadn't expected Chen Shufen to come up with such a scheme.

If Lin Shuyu were truly to get together with his own flesh-and-blood nephew, Dai Yanqiu would genuinely not dare to hit on her.

To satisfy a momentary impulse and incur the resentment of his own brother, nephew, and parents—that was something no one with a shred of humanity would do.

After a moment of thought, Dai Yanqiu said, "Let's drop this idea. My nephew already has a girlfriend. How bad would it look if you drove them apart?"

Chen Shufen knew Dai Yanqiu wouldn't let her achieve her goal so easily. With a cold snort, she retorted, "What girlfriend? Didn't they break up just two months ago? Besides, how could those outside women ever compare to Shuyu? Let's just consider this matter settled!"

Before Dai Yanqiu could reply, Chen Jianwei chimed in, "Shufen, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"I haven't even met my brother-in-law's nephew yet, and I don't know if he'd be a good match for Shuyu."

"Actually, I've already scouted a prospective husband for Shuyu. He's a truly wonderful man. I'm sure Shuyu will find happiness with him."

Chen Shufen asked anxiously, "Who is it? Don't tell me it's another one of those useless live-in sons-in-law. I feel like Shuyu has suffered enough in the past, so this time she must find an outstanding young talent."

Chen Jianwei laughed, "Don't you trust my judgment?"

"He is the only son of the chairman of Wang's Real Estate. His family runs a listed corporation with assets worth over a billion."

"Not bad, not bad!" Chen Shufen nodded repeatedly. "Then let's settle on that! The sooner the wedding, the better, so my sister won't have to keep worrying for so long."

The remarks of the Chen family members caused Lin Shuyu to clench her fists tightly.

This was her marriage, her major life event! How could they treat it as casually as buying pork at a vegetable market?

Furthermore, she was already married! What on earth was wrong with these relatives?!

Lin Shuyu said angrily, "Everyone, let me repeat myself: I will never divorce Hong Yu, not ever!"

Seeing that the old patriarch was about to speak again, Lin Shuyu cut him off. "Grandfather, you can continue your conversation. I won't go to my uncle's table; Hong Yu and I will eat outside."

"Don't worry, we're just dropping by briefly and will be heading back to Fengzhou soon."