Chapter 15: Clinging for Favor

The smile on Shen Han’s face faded, his eyes grew deep and serious. Thinking about Ling Gaoyi, who had repeatedly and somewhat deliberately brought up Qingqing and Ling Haoxuan’s matters recently, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

What terrible luck!

Shen Nanru was an official at the machinery factory, so he could somewhat guess Ling Gaoyi’s purpose in coming here. When guests came calling, there was no reason to refuse entry.

He glanced at Shen Nanqing, then stepped out to open the door.

Soon, Shen Nanru brought Ling Gaoyi and Ling Yanhong inside.

Ling Yanhong’s face was full of smiles as she placed the pastries from the basket on the table. Her gaze casually swept over a handkerchief and some snow cream ointment, darkening slightly.

“Knowing that Nanqing was back, and that we happened to have some slot cakes at home, I knew she liked them, so I specially brought some for her,” Ling Yanhong said in a syrupy, sickly sweet tone, her obsequious attitude on full display.

Only a few hours had passed, yet it seemed she had already forgotten what had happened at the gate of the compound.

“Aunt Ling, thank you for your kindness, but you should take the pastries back,” Shen Nanqing said coldly, pushing aside the obviously opened slot cake, her tone indifferent. “Besides, I don’t like these.”

As soon as she spoke, all eyes in the room focused sharply on Shen Nanqing, appraising her from head to toe, trying to discern the truth of her attitude from her expression.

Ling Yanhong hadn’t expected Shen Nanqing to be so shameless as to publicly reject her. Her smile instantly froze, and her heart burned with frustration.

The atmosphere fell into an awkward deadlock. Ling Gaoyi seemed to have a sore throat and cleared it with a cough.

Ling Yanhong took a deep breath; her murky eyes darted around, and she sidled up closer to Ye Qilan.

“Sis, it’s all my little Haoxuan’s fault for upsetting Qingqing. When he comes back, I’ll definitely give him a harsh talking-to.” As she spoke, she affectionately linked arms with Ye Qilan, concerned. “Haoxuan grew up under your watch. He’s just awkward with words, no ill intentions. Those two kids have been close since childhood. You’ve got to help persuade Qingqing; we can’t just let this relationship break like this.”

Shen’s mother wore a polite but shallow smile, her eyes completely cold.

She slightly turned aside and subtly withdrew her arm. The movement seemed gentle but carried a sense of distance. She said lightly, “When it comes to the children’s affairs, I always listen to Qingqing. She makes her own decisions; I don’t interfere.”

After saying this, she turned her face away.

Shen Han and Shen Nanru looked genuinely surprised. They exchanged a glance full of inquiry.

What was going on that they didn’t know about?

They thought the Ling family’s visit was about the deputy factory director position.

The deputy director had a huge influence on the factory. Besides sucking up, Ling Gaoyi had no real capability to handle the job. For the machinery factory’s future, Shen Wenbo would never allow him to be promoted.

Both men knew that Qingqing favored Ling Haoxuan and were prepared for her to cause a big scene.

But the reality was truly unexpected.

Shen Nanqing knew the matter with the Ling family had to come to an end. If she didn’t break ties openly, the Ling family would just continue to feign ignorance and keep leeching off her.

Shen Han was a man of principles. Although he hadn’t done anything good for the Ling family, the Ling family had gained many benefits in Shen Nanqing’s name.

Take Ling Haojun’s promotion to team leader as an example: there were several candidates, some stronger than him, but he won only because the higher-ups showed favor for Shen Nanqing.

---

Who told Shen Nanqing she had a good father—sometimes you don’t look at the monk’s face but the Buddha’s gate.

Children are always sensitive to the kindness or malice of others. Before, Shen Man often complained to Shen Nanqing that Li Yanhong was very annoying and always spoke badly about her behind her back.

He even said it was Li Xiaotao who told him this.

Li Xiaotao was the son of Li Haoxuan’s older brother. Shen Nanqing knew that his sister-in-law and his mother didn’t get along well.

At that time, Shen Nanqing thought the child just disliked his grandmother and was making things up, so she didn’t take it seriously.

But now, everything had signs and evidence.

Several little brats, seeing Li Yanhong approach, narrowed their eyes and instantly showed tacit understanding. They gathered tightly around Shen Nanqing, each with a tense little face, chest puffed out proudly, hands on hips, firmly shielding her behind them.

There was no helping it—after learning from Shen Man’s example, they all knew their aunt was a bit simple-minded and could easily be bullied by the old witch.

Shen Nanqing watched her nephews stand guard and felt both helpless and amused.

She gently shook her head, couldn’t help but smile with fondness, and reached out to stroke their heads to soothe them.

Shen Nanqing said, “Xiao Zhe, take your little brothers upstairs first.”

Shen Zhe was her eldest brother’s son. Though only eight, he acted like a little scholar—serious and methodical.

His elder brother and sister-in-law were researchers; Shen Zhe had fully inherited their excellent genes—calm, polite, and a top student, always the model child in others’ eyes.

She didn’t expect he would also join in the ruckus—and so adorably.

Shen Zhe’s gaze swept over his grandpa and second uncle, then he nodded carefully and took the youngest nephew, Shen Fei, upstairs.

Shen Man was her second brother’s son, a year younger than Shen Zhe, but with a completely different personality—lively, cheerful, and quite cunning.

He looked at Shen Nanqing with some worry, as if the words “not at ease” were carved on his face. Finally, he sighed heavily, thinking he’d have to kick Li Xiaotao out of his team tomorrow—after all, who could blame him for having such an annoying grandmother?

Little but crafty—Shen Nanqing sighed, but her heart warmed. She looked back at the Li couple, and her mood wasn’t as bad as before.

After the kids went upstairs, Shen Nanqing didn’t want to waste time and went straight to the point.

“Aunt Li, let’s be clear today. You know very well you don’t truly like me. On the contrary, you must have said plenty of bad things about me behind my back! At first, Li Haoxuan didn’t want to play with me at all—you forced him to come near me. Your whole family just wants to cling to my family because of their wealth.”

“I was naive before and didn’t see through it. Now I see your tricks clearly. From now on, our two families will have no more contact.” After speaking, Shen Nanqing’s eyes suddenly turned cold, her tone warning, “Oh, and by the way, the team still doesn’t know that Li Haoxuan is secretly dating.”

At these words, Li Yanhong’s face instantly turned pale. She opened her mouth but was at a loss for words.

She knew if her son’s secret relationship was found out, it would be a huge problem—at best, a harsh reprimand; at worst, dismissal, destroying his future.

“Ah!” Li Gaoyi, who had been standing silently behind Li Yanhong, suddenly sighed and said, “Factory Director Shen, it’s really unfortunate for the family. I didn’t know Qingqing was back until my wife told me, so I came over to see. I didn’t expect that silly woman has been causing so much trouble behind my back. I apologize to Qingqing on her behalf.”

“You!!” Li Yanhong’s finger trembled as she pointed at Li Gaoyi, anger rushing to her face. She opened her mouth to retort but was pulled by the arm by him as he dragged her out, muttering under his breath, “Shut up! Isn’t this embarrassing enough?”

The two slunk out of the Shen house, but before they had gone far, someone called out to them.

---