No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

When Jiang Hua saw Xu Xiangjun again, she was much fuller-figured than before. Jiang Hua recalled how Xu Xiangjun had suddenly lost her temper with her on the opera stage.

"What are you thinking about?" Grandma Shen's voice broke Jiang Hua's reverie. She quickly snapped out of it. "Nothing. The baby is very cute. Have you named him yet?"

She smiled broadly at her chubby grandson in her arms, and then said to Jiang Hua with a smile, "We haven't decided yet. We want to wait until the first birthday party to make a decision. But we have already chosen a nickname for him, An'an."

"May you be safe and sound."

Jiang Hua chimed in, "The meaning is very good."

The elders of the Shen family have traditional ideas, and their meaning is simple and clear. After all, he is Shen Yebai's first child, and his existence is valued more than anyone else's.

"Great-grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, cousin, third uncle..." Xu Xiangjun stepped forward and called out to all the elders of the Shen family present. When it was Bao'er's turn, Bao'er snorted coldly and did not like her.

None of the elders in the Shen family said anything about Shen Bao'er's rudeness.

The sofa was full of people chatting about everyday things. Shen Yebai sat next to his grandmother. When it was Xu Xiangjun's turn, there were no seats left. She silently walked over, picked up the toys on the floor, and made the child happy in front of everyone.

Grandma Chen, "Have you fed the baby today?"

Xu Xiangjun replied, "Yes, I've fed you."

Shen Bao'er sat down next to Jiang Hua, glancing down at her cuffs, which were already wrinkled beyond recognition. She looked at Pei Zhan beside her, watching him being pestered by several young men from collateral branches of the Shen family, seemingly discussing something. She wanted to stand up and go find Pei Zhan to give up her seat.

Old Master Shen, who was sitting in the main seat with his cane in his hand, suddenly spoke up, "How have you been feeling lately?"

"Do you feel better?"

Jiang Hua: "Yes, it's much better than before."

Old Master Shen: "There are still some medicinal herbs at home to nourish the body. Take them all back with you later."

Jiang Hua was somewhat flattered. "No need. The food that was sent earlier, my dad, Pei Zhan, and I still haven't finished eating it."

The medicinal herbs sent by the Shen family are all rare tonics on the market and are quite valuable. When Jiang Hua was in the hospital, the Shen family sent a lot of them. Xu Ma prepared them for her in various ways, and there are still quite a few at home that haven't been eaten yet, mainly because they are too expensive.

The second aunt of the Shen family smiled and said, "Just accept it if the old man gives it to you. We're all family, no need to be so polite. Nothing is more important than your health."

"You agree, Mom."

Madam Shen replied, "Yes, keep it."

"Come and get more if it's not enough."

Jiang Hua couldn't refuse any longer, so she said, "Alright then."

"This is ginger tea. It's cold today, have some to warm yourself up." Xu Xiangjun, dressed in a cheongsam, was busy serving tea to everyone in front of the Shen family members, bowing and scraping. When it was Jiang Hua's turn, Jiang Hua reached out to take it, but Shen Yebai spoke up, "Pour her a cup of hot water."

Jiang Hua didn't like the taste.

Xu Xiangjun: "Mm."

The position of matriarch of the Shen family is prestigious when she goes out, but in front of all the elders of the Shen family, she needs to adopt this attitude to please everyone around her. This position is indeed not easy to hold.

If it were Jiang Hua… she… would find it even more unbearable.

“Brother is biased. He never remembers the things I don’t like.” Shen Bao’er suddenly said this, making Jiang Hua, who was already at a loss, even more at a loss. All the elders of the Shen family were here. No matter what, she was just an outsider. Even if Xu Xiangjun and Shen Yebai were not married yet, she would become the mistress of the house sooner or later after giving birth to the crown prince for the Shen family.

This statement was clearly meant to provoke Xu Xiangjun. When Xu Xiangjun poured Jiang Hua a glass of hot water, a gentle voice slowly rang out, "Be careful, it's hot."

"Thank you."

Second Aunt: "These three grew up together and have a great relationship."

"Your second aunt hasn't seen you in a long time either. Why don't you stay for dinner tonight before you leave?"

Jiang Hua watched as Pei Zhan left the group of aristocratic scions, walked outside and lit a cigarette. "No, I'm going to have dinner with my father at my maternal grandfather's place tonight. Pei Zhan and I were abroad and didn't have time to celebrate the New Year at home, so we're thinking of having a New Year's Eve dinner tonight."

The events that happened to the Jiang family caused quite a stir. It wasn't convenient for the Shen family to directly intervene in the business matters, so they could only try their best to suppress domestic news reports and reduce some negative impacts. Because of the 'shooting,' 'car accident,' and 'explosion' that happened to the acting president of the Jiang Group, everyone thought he was unlikely to survive. Unexpectedly... he was found to be unharmed, which shows he's quite resilient.

"It's okay if it's inconvenient tonight, then let's do it tomorrow night."

"The two families haven't gotten together for a long time."

After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hua nodded, "Okay." She also noticed that Xu Xiangjun was being ordered around like a servant. If she blocked someone's view, she would inevitably be given the cold shoulder, and even a warning look would be filled with disgust.

"You guys chat, I'm going to the restroom." Jiang Hua put down her water glass.

Xu Xiangjun: "I'll take you there."

Jiang Hua: "Thank you, but no need. I know where it is."

At this moment, Shen Bao'er stood up with Jiang Hua and said to her in an annoyed tone, "Why do you need to bring her? Hua Hua has come to my house countless times already."

Going to the restroom was just an excuse; Jiang Hua just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Upon reaching the large restroom on the first floor, Shen Bao'er asked, "Huahua, are you still angry with your brother?"

"Why should I be angry with him? Bao'er... your brother and I aren't like that. I'm already married. Saying things like that isn't good for anyone." Bao'er has always been able to easily receive everyone's love and affection since she was little. The Shen family is mostly men, and it was only with Aunt Yue that they had a daughter. Bao'er's existence has a very special status in the Shen family. She is very weak in the sense of feelings. In her worldview, whoever likes whom should be together.

Just like before, her relationship with Shen Yebai was arranged by their families when they were children. Bao'er thought that she and Shen Yebai were meant to be together.

Everyone else was an obstacle in her eyes.

Even now, Bao'er still tries to match her up with Shen Yebai.

“Bao’er, I have never liked your brother. I only see him as a brother, just like you.”

"You don't like your brother? Do you really like that country bumpkin?" Shen Bao'er said angrily, hands on her hips. "What's so good about him? He bullied you so much before. It's one thing that he looks fierce, but he's not nice to you at all."

When Jiang Hua's explanation failed, she immediately changed the subject, asking, "Where's Shen Bulu? I haven't seen him."

"I don't want to talk to him anymore, Huahua... Do you like Shen Bulu? If you like him, I can give him to you, it's better than staying with him."

"Shen Bulu is really powerful now. I saw that he has a lot of money in his phone."

"In a short while, Miss Shen has stolen my man and snuck up to me?"

Shen Bao'er said she felt a chill down her spine, until she heard a sinister voice behind her. She was still a little afraid of Pei Zhan. She didn't know why, even though he was just a country bumpkin with no background, his aura and his eyes were just like her brother's.

"What are you yelling at me for! Who are you trying to scare!" Shen Bao'er stood with her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest and raised her head, glaring at Pei Zhan with an equally imposing manner. "So what if I don't like you!"

With Shen Bao'er's sharp tongue and scathing insults, she was no match for Pei Zhan.

"Why are you scaring Bao'er? It's not like she's disliked you for just a day or two."

“Bao’er, don’t pay any attention to him. Just scold him when you need to. If he yells at you, I won’t let him come home tonight.” Jiang Hua was still on Bao’er’s side.

"Mrs. Pei, have you also learned to side with outsiders?" Pei Zhan stepped forward, put his arm around Jiang Hua's waist, pinned her against the wall, and kissed her in front of Shen Bao'er.

Shen Bao'er: "You...!"

Pei Zhan gave her a sinister look, then deepened the kiss. The faint smell of tobacco on him hadn't dissipated yet, and it wasn't too unpleasant to smell. Shen Bao'er felt bullied and walked away angrily.

The Shen family members, including the servants, were in the hall. It was quiet and almost deserted. Jiang Hua took the opportunity to hook her arms around Pei Zhan's neck and kissed him softly and tenderly, leaving her breathless. When they separated, a hint of lust appeared in the man's dark eyes. They had indeed not done it for a long time...

"Want to go back?" Pei Zhan cupped her face in his palm, wiping away the smudges on her lips with the pad of his thumb. His voice was deep and resonant, and she was clearly aroused. Jiang Hua, who had been restless just now, had slipped her hand under his black shirt. Her skin was incredibly hot, and he even had abs. Pei Zhan's physique was indeed impressive.

"Can't stand it anymore?"

“The Shen family members are all eyeing Mrs. Pei covetously. If we stay any longer, we’ll be all alone.”

"Being Mrs. Shen isn't an easy job."

Pei Zhan wrapped his arms around Jiang Hua's slender waist, pursed his lips and nodded, "That's true, it's always been others who have to read Miss Jiang's mind."

"I can't stand Xu Xiangjun's submissive manner in front of so many elders in the Shen family, serving them tea and water."

Jiang Hua reached out and covered Pei Zhan's mouth, "Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear."

Pei Zhan landed behind Jiang Hua in a secluded spot, took her somewhat cold hand in his, and held it tightly in his palm. "You're afraid too."

"You still said..."

Jiang Hua did not return to the elders of the Shen family, but instead hid herself. The two of them stood in a very secluded spot, and no one could see them admiring the snow scene from inside. The Shen family's garden layout was very well done. It was said that in addition to building the old Shen family mansion, they also invited the best feng shui master in the capital to arrange the scenery. No matter the season, the scenery here is indeed better than that of Yulong Bay.

Pei Zhan was also from a collateral branch of the Shen family. Several of his sons were studying business administration, either as graduate students or returned overseas students. When they saw Pei Zhan, they all pestered him to learn from him. They were all interested in the business cooperation between the Jiang family and the Huo family group, and wanted to ask about business matters.

Pei Zhan got annoyed by their questions and lost patience for further negotiation.

"If you think it's possible to cooperate, you can help them out. There's nothing wrong with the two families having more interactions."

"When did Miss Jiang become so generous? Is she planning to give away money like a freeloader?" Pei Zhan is a businessman. Even if the Shen family wants a share of a project, they have to consider his wishes. When doing business with a businessman, don't think about feelings, let alone the Shen family. How much they should give depends on whether he is willing to give more.

"What are you thinking? What if...they really want to learn something from you?"

Pei Zhan: "Is this an acknowledgment of my abilities?"

"Previously...didn't Mrs. Pei complain that I had a low level of education and was not worthy of sitting in the position of president of Jiang's Group?"

Jiang Hua's beautiful eyes narrowed dangerously. "If you want to bring up old grievances, I don't mind having a good talk with you right here."

"Okay, I won't say anymore." Jiang Hua's hands were cold, so she simply put her hand under his shirt. "Your figure is not bad. Don't be like those people who get fat over time. Then I won't like you anymore."

"I thought Mrs. Pei valued my abilities."

"Pei Zhan, I'm not joking."

"I don't like ugly things."

The servants sweeping the snow in the yard thought the couple was very pleasing to the eye.

Standing in the study upstairs, Shen Yebai's cold eyes gazed at the scene below through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Xu Xiangjun knelt on the ground, picking up the overturned porcelain.

All that could be heard was a cold voice from above, "Is this seat comfortable?"

"How does it taste?"

For so many days, Xu Xiangjun was no different from a servant, being ordered around. Shen Yebai didn't care about Xu Xiangjun; her status was only one level higher than that of a servant.

Xu Xiangjun paused, and accidentally, the sharp porcelain cut her index finger, drawing blood immediately. "I didn't mean to hide the birth of this child from you."

"The doctor said that if I abort this child, it will be very difficult for me to have a second child in the future."

"Whether you believe it or not, after I gave birth to this child, all I thought about was taking the child away to live a good life. I never thought about coming back."

“The child is still young now. After he is weaned, I promise you… I will definitely leave the Shen family and never appear again.”

"There's no need for that later. After today, you'll leave the Shen family. As for that child... there's one, and there will be another. Do you really think that giving birth to him will earn you the Shen family's approval? Will you be able to secure your position as the future heir of the Shen family? As long as I don't acknowledge him, he's nothing but an illegitimate child." Shen Yebai leaned down and tightly gripped her chin, looking at the astonishment and fear in her eyes, but feeling no emotion in his heart. "Do you really think that any woman is worthy of bearing my child?"

"Wanting to gain status through her son..."

"You've miscalculated."

Xu Xiangjun looked up in disbelief. She knelt before Shen Yebai, her pale knees pressing directly onto the shards, cutting her delicate skin. Unaware of the pain, she pleaded with him, "I know it was my fault, my greed, wanting to keep this child. But I never even dreamed of becoming the matriarch of the Shen family. I just wanted to keep this child, whether you believe it or not..."

“If you want me to leave, I can go, but I beg you… Ye Bai… as long as you protect this child and help him grow up, I’m willing to die.”

"I beg you, please don't hurt this child, An'an is innocent..."

"If you want to keep this child, tell me what kind of deal you made with him..."