It was dinnertime.
The atmosphere at dinner was more subdued than usual today. Everyone ate quietly with their heads lowered, and no one spoke.
Even Xu Junshan, who liked discussing serious matters at the dinner table to assert his authority, remained silent tonight.
Instead, as dinner was drawing to a close, Shen Shuyi
brought up her visit to Mrs. Xie's for tea, where another woman had worn the same necklace as hers.
"Mom, wasn't that necklace a gift from Grandma, with only one ever made? How could someone have the same one?" Qingfeng asked in confusion.
"At first, I thought that woman had commissioned a copy based on Dennis's design, but we were at a friend's house, so I didn't want to make a fuss.
"But she said hers was a one-of-a-kind piece by a world-renowned designer, and that mine was a fake copied from hers.
"In the end, I had no choice but to ask Dennis Lu's assistant to come authenticate them.
"And the one I was wearing turned out to be fake-"
"How is that possible? Grandma would never have commissioned a fake necklace for you, Mom," Shen Jinyan scoffed.
"That's exactly the problem. Mine was fake, while the one that woman was wearing was genuine.
"And coincidentally, its serial number matched the necklace your grandmother gave me."
"Then the necklace that woman was wearing must have been yours, Mommy!" Qingfeng said bluntly.
"She called to ask about it afterward. It turned out her husband had bought stolen goods-my limited-edition necklace.
"And the thief had actually known enough to make a convincing replica, swap it in, then steal the original and sell it cheaply.
"If we hadn't happened to wear matching necklaces today,
"and if she hadn't kept smugly showing off how hers was genuine and mocking mine as a cheap imitation of hers, I wouldn't have insisted on getting to the bottom of it.
"I certainly wouldn't have asked Dennis Lu's assistant to authenticate it,
"and I would never have discovered that my necklace had been swapped for a fake," Shen Shuyi said with a sigh.
"We actually have a thief in our house?" Shen Zhishan asked incredulously.
"We need to investigate the people who work closely with Mom. Not just anyone has access to her jewelry," Shen Lingyun said, going straight to the heart of the matter.
"So I'm planning to have every item and ornament on the Shen Family property thoroughly inventoried and authenticated, inside and out.
"Otherwise, we won't even know what's been swapped or stolen.
"For all we know, someone could empty out the entire house without us noticing." Only then did Shen Shuyi get to her real point.
"We certainly should investigate this properly. They even dared to steal your jewelry!
"Shuyi, I'll have someone look into this and get you an answer."
Xu Junshan, who had said nothing until now, volunteered his help.
"There's no need for the head of the household to get involved in something so minor."
Shen Shuyi smiled and shook her head.
"I've already told the butler to notify everyone.
"Anyone who has taken anything belonging to the Shen Family has one week to put it back where it belongs, and I'll let bygones be bygones.
"Otherwise, if I find out, I won't go easy on them!"
"Why give the thief a chance? Just find them and call the police."
"Calling the police is such a hassle. Just leave them to me." Shen Ruogu flashed a sinister smile that sent a chill down one's spine.
"We don't know the full situation yet. It's possible nothing is missing apart from my necklace.
"It's too early to call the police. Besides, making a big scene would inevitably affect the Shen Family's reputation.
"And most of our employees have been here for over three years. Perhaps someone simply had a momentary lapse in judgment. We should at least give them a chance.
"Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know so you're prepared.
"That way, if we make a bigger move later, you won't think something has happened at home."
After finishing, Shen Shuyi turned to her daughter and asked,
"Is one serving enough? Should I ask Sister Lian to bring you some more food?"
"No need, Mommy. Sister Lian knows I have a big appetite, so she already gives me the largest portions," Shen Banxia replied, looking up with a satisfied expression.
Then she lowered her head and went back to eating.
It was as though nothing but good food could interest her.
Whatever topic came up at the table, it never distracted her from her meal.
Just then, Xu Junshan's phone rang.
He set down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up his phone, glanced at the caller, and rejected the call. Unexpectedly, it rang again a second later, as though something urgent had happened.
He had no choice but to leave the dining room to answer it. Before long, he hurriedly drove away from the Shen Family home.
I really want to go to the mistress's house and watch. A fight between Xu Yanni and Lin Xiyue would be quite a show.
Shen Banxia thought wistfully as she continued shoveling down her food.
Hearing her daughter's thoughts, Shen Shuyi's lips curved slightly. Her appetite suddenly improved, and she asked Sister Lian to serve her another half bowl of soup.
Good news really did lift the spirits.
If she could have found a reason or an excuse, she would have loved to follow him and watch the show too.
After dinner, Shen Banxia went to her second brother's bedroom and knocked.
Shen Jinyan opened the door, saw his seventh sister standing outside, and almost reflexively shut it again, leaving her on the other side.
A second later, he opened it again and said,
"Let me put some clothes on!"
Then he turned back, grabbed a sweater, and pulled it on. Only then did he return, brace one hand against the doorframe, and look down at his seventh sister.
"Banxia, what's up?"
"Jinyan, are you free?"
He looks anything but free. He must be flirting with some girl again. He really does think with his dick!
"I'm free. Whatever you need, just say the word!" Shen Jinyan replied immediately, exasperated.
Having no privacy in front of his own sister was truly awkward.
"Then sorry for the trouble, but could you take me out for a bit? I'm feeling cooped up!"
"No trouble at all. You don't need to be so polite with your brother. Where do you want to go?" Shen Jinyan agreed without hesitation.
"Anywhere, as long as we go out!"
Shen Jinyan grabbed a jacket and followed his seventh sister downstairs.
He had assumed she would want to see a movie or go shopping.
Instead, she took him roaming the streets, strolling down one to buy sunflower seeds, then another to buy an ice cream cone.
Finally, she had him park beside Riverside Road to eat and enjoy-the river breeze!
His seventh sister certainly had unusual hobbies.
He was freezing to death!
Shen Jinyan hurriedly rolled up the window on his side in secret and turned on the heat, reassuring himself that he was merely a little sensitive to the cold, not in poor health.
Shen Banxia had already finished her ice cream and was now cracking sunflower seeds as she looked out the window.
"This is a pretty good angle. I can see everything clearly!"
"See what?" Shen Jinyan leaned over and followed her gaze out the window, curious.
"People fighting!" Shen Banxia replied.
"Where... where's the fight?" Shen Jinyan instantly crowded closer, his blood pumping with excitement.
But his seat belt held him back. He unfastened it in frustration, then leaned over again.
"Over there-" Shen Banxia said, pointing to an apartment upstairs in a nearby residential building.
Following the direction she indicated, Shen Jinyan searched for a few seconds and indeed spotted two women grappling in one apartment's living room.
"Banxia, your eyesight is amazing. You even noticed that."
"Spend less time looking at things you shouldn't, and your eyesight will be great too!"
"..."
Kids say the darndest things. I can't hold it against my own sister, Shen Jinyan reassured himself.
He lowered the convertible roof outright. That gave them a wider view and a clearer look at the drama. Apart from being a little cold, it was perfect.
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