Chapter 34
What a coincidence, Shen Yin had seen this woman before, right at the entrance of this courtyard.
Before Shen Yin could speak, Qi Yan took the initiative to introduce herself, "Hello everyone, I'm their friend." As Qi Yan spoke, she deliberately glanced at Xu Xiuhe.
A woman's sixth sense is always so scary. Shu Yi has been in the entertainment industry for several years and understands women's thoughts very well. Qi Yan's deliberate glance definitely had more meaning behind it.
Shen Yin recalled when she last saw Qi Yan at the courtyard entrance. Qi Yan clearly knew them but still claimed she walked to the wrong place. This residential area is so big yet doesn't have many residents. Shen Yin figured Qi Yan must have deliberately come over that time.
The three women were putting on an act. Chang Zhiyuan clearly had an I-don't-care expression as he walked straight to the dining table and marveled, "Sister-in-law, you made so many dishes today. We're lucky. But some people, oh well..."
Shu Yi hugged Zhengzheng and retreated back a little, as she still feared Chang Zhiyuan very much. Some days ago, Chang Zhiyuan said her previous home had poor security and was easy for paparazzi to stalk her. So he moved Shu Yi to live in Ziyue Courtyard instead. Shu Yi was unwilling at first, always feeling like Chang Zhiyuan had ulterior motives. But her agent told her that her status in the entertainment industry had risen considerably, so she did need to be more careful. He said it was the company's arrangement and she had to obey. After thinking about it, Shu Yi admitted Ziyue Courtyard was very nice, plus Shen Yin also lived there, so she decided to just move.
Chang Zhiyuan hated how Shu Yi was avoiding him. He walked up, wanting to hold Zhengzheng, and deliberately said "Godson, godmother is tired. Let godfather hold you."
Shu Yi felt awkward. Shen Yin went into the kitchen, intending to bring out the peach blossom wine and osmanthus wine. Seeing this, Shu Yi considered that with two jars, Shen Yin may not be able to carry both herself. So Shu Yi also went into the kitchen.
"Yinyin, you've seen Qi Yan before right?" Shu Yi deliberated for a few seconds then decided to give Shen Yin a reminder. She murmured near Shen Yin.
"Yeah, I saw her at the courtyard entrance last time. She said she walked to the wrong place."
"Yinyin, the way she looks at your husband seems off. Be careful of this woman. She's not simple."
"Okay, got it." Although Shen Yin agreed, this didn't seem to have much to do with her. Her current relationship with Xu Xiuhe could only be described as dining companions, distant and polite. So this matter wasn't hers to handle.
At the dining table, the dishes were full. Shen Yin put down the peach blossom wine and conveniently pulled over the baby chair. "It's quite tiring to hold him. Let him sit down and get ready to eat."
Chang Zhiyuan put Zhengzheng down. He was rather intimidated by Shen Yin now. If Shen Yin got unhappy and directly beat him up again, what would he do? That video had left a trauma on him.
Chang Zhiyuan took out his phone and sent a message in their group of three, "Dude, how did Qi Yan get here? So awkward."
Xue Jingui replied, "She asked me for Xiuhe's number, so I brought her over to show her that Xiuhe is doing well now. Hopefully she can give up."
"Please, she was the one who abandoned poor Xiuhe first back then. Now that she knows he's successful, she comes back."
"Alright, let's eat first." After Xue Jingui sent this message, the group fell silent.
"Sister-in-law, this wine smells so nice. Where did you buy it?" Chang Zhiyuan opened the jar and asked.
Just as Shen Yin was about to reply, Shu Yi quickly cut in, "You can't buy this wine anywhere. Yinyin made it herself!" The young girl had completely forgotten that she also asked this when eating wontons last time.
Seeing they were ignoring her, Qi Yan felt rather awkward and cut in, "Sister Yinyin, you're so awesome to even be able to make wine."
Things were fine before she spoke up. But now Shu Yi got even angrier. Qi Yan was clearly older than Yinyin, yet she dared call her sister? Acting like she was some amazing character? How shameless to even step through this door!
Shu Yi became unlike herself again and retorted, "Sister Qi, you don't know our Yinyin's cooking tastes even better!"
"Let's not just stand here, sit down everyone." Xu Xiuhe came downstairs, apparently having changed into a white t-shirt and gray pants.
Shu Yi first noticed something amiss. Shen Yin wore a white skirt with a smoky grey top. At first glance, the two seemed to be wearing couple outfits. Shu Yi felt she had discovered a sweet treat but there was no one to share it with. So she observed Qi Yan's expression - she refused to believe the cheap tea hadn't noticed anything.
It's said a woman's thoughts are meticulous. The moment Xu Xiuhe came downstairs, Qi Yan's eyes never left him. She probably also noticed how Xu Xiuhe's outfit matched Shen Yin's clothing. Her complexion changed slightly for two seconds before recovering.
At the table, the six people all had their own thoughts. Qi Yan secretly observed Xu Xiuhe's attitude towards Shen Yin. Shu Yi and Chang Zhiyuan were different - with such delicious food on the table, it'd be a waste not to fully enjoy it. Xue Jingrui occasionally glanced at Qi Yan.
"Qi Yan, eat more. The sister-in-law's cooking skills are indeed as good as Zhiyuan said." Xue Jingrui reminded.
Qi Yan had eaten a few bites and admitted it was delicious. But she had no appetite at all, much less wanting to taste a love rival's cooking.
As Chang Zhiyuan drank the osmanthus wine, he kept praising, "I've never had such tasty wine before!"
Hearing this, Xu Xiuhe also lifted his cup and gently drank a sip. The osmanthus fragrance flowed into his mouth with the wine. After drinking it, a lingering fragrance remained in his mouth, mixed with a light sweetness.
"It is quite nice to drink." Xu Xiuhe commented.
Shu Yi quickly chimed in agreement, "So far, the wine Yinyin makes is the most pleasant I've ever had. None sold on the market taste as good."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yan felt even more heartbroken. Why did it have to be this way? Xu Xiuhe clearly liked her a lot in the past. She wanted to see just how good this rival's wine actually was that everyone praised it so much.
After one sip, Qi Yan felt it was just ordinary. Why were they all praising it when she was the one who had known them for longer? How could they all commend that other woman?
Qi Yan felt irritated and downed cup after cup of the osmanthus wine. Xue Jingrui noticed something wrong - the wine's alcohol percentage wasn't high compared to others, but it still couldn't withstand such heavy drinking!
"Qi Yan, stop drinking." Xue Jingrui shook Qi Yan.
Qi Yan had already lost most of her sobriety. She stared straight at Xu Xiuhe without bothering to disguise it at all. The other four weren't blind and could tell there was definitely an unusual past relationship between them.
Xue Jingrui had only wanted to bring Qi Yan here to show her that Xu Xiuhe was living well now with a wife and child, hoping she could give up. Before coming, Qi Yan had also promised she would act just as an ordinary friend during the meal. But now Qi Yan was losing control. If Shen Yin lost her mind again because of Qi Yan, Xue Jingrui wouldn't be able to shoulder that responsibility.
"She's had too much to drink. I'll take her back first." Xue Jingrui supported Qi Yan as they headed towards the door.
After Xue Jingrui left with Qi Yan, Shen Yin showed no reaction. She continued eating and drinking, feeding Zhengzheng, acting as if nothing had happened.
Chang Zhiyuan and Xu Xiuhe exchanged a look. Chang Zhiyuan then sent a message in their group, "Really something, Jingrui. You deal with this situation yourself! I'm out."
After the meal ended, Shu Yi and Chang Zhiyuan left. Xu Xiuhe cleaned up the remaining dishes and placed all the bowls, plates, and chopsticks into the dishwasher.
Shen Yin was still playing with Zhengzheng. Xu Xiuhe felt that he needed to provide an explanation, given that despite having no feelings between each other, they still had to continue living together. Clearing things up would prevent any psychological burden.
"Shen Yin, I had a previous relationship, that is with Qi Yan, but now I don't have any contact with her anymore. Xue Jingrui is pursuing her, so that's why he brought her over tonight. Also, I didn't know she was coming over, and Jingrui was innocent in this too."