Chapter 53: President Shen, You Squeezed Her Until It Hurt

Jiang Lai slightly lifts her head, calmly says, "I'm here with a friend and my aunt for a meal."

Ke Zhongying nods.

Being able to be friends with the Ke Family Eldest Miss and also call Ms. Nian "aunt", Shen Xun and Lin Shutong are again surprised.

Shen Xun's gaze sticks to Jiang Lai's face, still that usual pure countenance; perhaps the high‑quality clothing and the elegant restaurant setting make her look especially radiant.

Lin Shutong notices the scene, pressing her red lips together.

"Ah Xun." she calls, indicating that Ms. Nian is the important one.

Shen Xun looks back at Ms. Nian: "Hello Ms. Nian, I am Shen Xun of Star Universe Technology."

"President Shen." Ms. Nian smiles.

Lin Shutong also says, "Hello Ms. Nian, I am Lin Shutong, Ji Xiucheng is my grandfather."

Ms. Nian is slightly surprised: "So Mrs. Shen is Ji Lao's granddaughter, but I don't recall Ji Lao ever mentioning that his granddaughter is already married, especially to President Shen of Star Universe Technology."

After speaking, Shen Xun's eyes scan Jiang Lai anxiously.

"Ms. Nian, you are mistaken."

"Yes, Ms. Nian, you are mistaken." Lin Shutong also opens her mouth to explain; rather than let Shen Xun cause embarrassment, she explains herself, "Shutong and Ah Xun are not in that kind of relationship, and I'm not some Mrs. Shen."

"Mrs. Shen is the lady opposite you, Ms. Nian."

Ms. Nian is stunned, looking at Jiang Lai.

Shen Xun reaches out and pulls Jiang Lai's arm: "Jiang Lai is my wife."

Lin Shutong looks at Ms. Nian's surprised expression, turns her head and rebukes Jiang Lai: "Jiang Lai, why didn't you tell Ms. Nian?"

Ms. Nian furrows her brows, looking at Jiang Lai's arm being squeezed, unable to pull it free.

"President Shen, you squeezed Jiang Lai and hurt her."

Jiang Lai's body freezes, she lifts her eyes to Ms. Nian opposite, never expecting Ms. Nian to say that.

Shen Xun only then notices his grip was too strong and releases.

Jiang Lai looks gratefully at Ms. Nian, then turns to Lin Shutong: "I don't have the habit of constantly announcing my family connections outside."

Lin Shutong, who often hangs the title "Ji Lao's granddaughter" on her lips, is suddenly at a loss for words, her mouth corners drooping.

Ke Zhongying can't help but laugh out loud.

Ms. Nian says, "It's okay, Chongying doesn't need others to announce family ties to make friends."

"Exactly." Ke Zhongying proudly lifts her chin, reaches out and pulls Jiang Lai to sit again.

Ms. Nian looks at the two: "President Shen's family is still waiting."

She gives the order to send them away.

Shen Xun hesitates to move, his gaze fixed on Jiang Lai; asking her to leave now would leave a bad impression before Ms. Nian, so he says, "Wait for me downstairs in a moment."

"Mm." Jiang Lai verbally agrees.

Lin Shutong and Shen Xun go back.

Jiang Lai looks at Ms. Nian and Aunt Ellie, bends over and says an apology.

The two laugh and say it's fine, but Aunt Ellie occasionally glances at her, and in Jiang Lai's questioning look asks, "Is that your husband?"

"He won't be for long." Jiang Lai gives a faint smile.

Ms. Nian immediately understands; the couple is going through divorce proceedings.

But he sees President Shen doesn't seem to want a divorce with Jiang Lai; otherwise he wouldn't openly acknowledge Jiang Lai as his wife. Of course it could also be that he's afraid a divorce would affect shareholdings and can't be disclosed.

Aunt Ellie says meaningfully, "Your ex‑husband still likes tea."

Ke Zhongying adds, "It's still green tea, how disgusting."

"Alright, eat well, don't bring up others." Ms. Nian smiles at Jiang Lai, "Eat more, you're too thin."

"Thank you, aunt." Jiang Lai smiles sincerely.

Back at the table, Shen Xun cannot smile at all, occasionally turning his head to glance behind; apart from a greenish silhouette, he can't even make out the side of a face.

Lin Shutong's complexion worsens.

"Brother, Sister Shutong, what's wrong with you? You went over to greet and came back looking so pale." Shen Xi follows his brother's gaze, "And who is that woman? Why did you pull her just now? If I were Sister Shutong I'd be angry."

Lin Shutong forces a smile.

Shen Xun says, "That's Jiang Lai."

"What!" Shen Xi, with an incredulous face, raises his voice; a waiter quickly comes over to remind her to keep it down and not disturb other guests.

Shen Xi looks embarrassed.

"You said that's Jiang Lai? Jiang Lai sitting together with the chairman's wife of the Ke Group for a meal?" She doesn't have that ability; Jiang Lai can be friends with the Ke Family Eldest Miss and also dine with her mother?

Mother Shen immediately makes a sour face, muttering softly, "So eager to climb the high branch so quickly."

Father Shen lowers his voice, "If you can't climb, which Young Master would marry a twice‑married woman."

"What twice‑married?" Shen Xun suddenly looks at his parents.

Father and Mother Shen shake their heads.

"It's nothing, don't worry about Jiang Lai. We're here today to celebrate you; speaking of it, we all have to thank Shutong." Mother Shen smiles brightly at Lin Shutong, "Having you, my Shen Xun truly has a blessing."

"Aunt, you're overdoing it." Being approved by Shen Xun's parents, Lin Shutong feels she has turned the tide, and finally smiles.

While eating, Father Shen says, "This is just the beginning; whether we can win the bid later is another story. Shutong, you and Shen Xun have been together for so many years; help him where you can."

"Dad." Shen Xun frowns, "Don't make Shutong's job difficult; I have confidence myself."

Feeling cared for, Lin Shutong's smile deepens, saying to Shen Xun, "Ah Xun, it's fine; Uncle is also thinking about your career development, and of course I'll do what I can."

"Shutong, you're the main person in charge of this project; just reveal a little bit." Mother Shen whispers.

Shen Xun also calls out to his mother, "She signed a confidentiality agreement; any casual disclosure will be investigated."

Father and Mother Shen have to drop it.

Lin Shutong smiled: "Thank you, A Xun, for your concern." She thoughtfully cut the steak and pushed it toward him.

Shen Xun thought of Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai not only makes good Chinese dishes, her steak is also pan-fried to his taste; she likewise cuts it for herself.

He turned his head and glanced at Jiang Lai's back, seeing only that their table was eating happily.

Shen Xun ate the steak, suddenly finding it tasteless.

He stood up.

Lin Shutong hastily grabbed his hand: "A Xun, where are you going?"

"I'll go pay the bill first." Shen Xun went to the cashier, wanting to also pay for Jiang Lai's table.

The front desk person said: "President Shen, Ms. Nian's table doesn't need to pay; the person sitting beside Ms. Nian is actually our boss."

Shen Xun often feels the gap between himself and the wealthy aristocracy at times like this; when he goes out, people merely give him face, whereas when the Ke family goes out, they encounter familiar connections everywhere.

And Jiang Lai, unbeknownst when, suddenly squeezed into this circle.

Clearly she used to be just a wife who revolved around him; how did she suddenly acquire many things he didn't know about.

Shen Xun's expression gradually became agitated.