"His name is Chi Li." Shen Xunye put his arm around Chi Li's shoulder, shielding him completely. "You can just call him by his name."
He wanted to show off his boyfriend to everyone, but he didn't want people to only know that he was his boyfriend and ignore ' Chi Li '.
"Of course I know." Shen Ling's eyes curved into crescent moons with laughter. She turned to the birthday boy and said, "Dad, happy birthday! I'm taking Brother Ye and Chi Li away now." Then she pulled the two away from the scene.
After taking only a few steps, Shen Xunye gently pulled her hand away from Chi Li's sleeve. "We have to see Grandma later, we don't have time to chat with you."
"Oh dear, with so many filial sons in the Shen family, are you worried that no one will be dutiful to Grandma?" Shen Ling pouted and simply took Chi Li's arm. "I flew back from abroad for 20 hours, what's wrong with keeping me company?"
Shen Xunye: "Twenty hours, your dad must be moved to tears, right? Why don't you go spend more time with him?"
"Who would fly back just for an old man?" Shen Ling couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Of course I came for Chi Li."
Chi Li a little confused. "... Me?"
"Yes." Seeing that Chi Li had spoken to her, Shen Ling immediately raised her voice and said sweetly, "But before the flight, I only knew that Shen Xunye was taking her boyfriend home, and I wasn't sure if I would really see you~ After landing, I saw that everyone in your live streams had posted 'out of town,' so I was sure~"
"Do you watch our program?" Chi Li asked.
"Yeah, right." Shen Ling moved closer to Chi Li and said mysteriously, "I'm still a fan of your pairing."
Chi Li: "..."
A slight sense of shame suddenly arose.
Shen Ling, immersed in the pink bubble she had created, couldn't help but feel smug. "I must be the only CP fan who knows ' Night Ashes Dawn are real,' right? Hehehe."
Hearing Shen Ling's words, Shen Xunye's expression improved considerably.
The hand that was linked with Chi Li's no longer seemed so offensive.
After all, what malicious intent could a CP (couple) fan possibly have?
"Don't tell anyone yet," Chi Li said with a light laugh, giving her a gentle reminder.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it a secret." Shen Ling patted her chest to assure her, then her expression turned somewhat regretful. "However..."
Chi Li: "But what?"
"But..." Shen Ling spared a glance for Shen Xunye, then pulled Chi Li forward a couple of steps before whispering, "But why did you choose him? I think Brother Shen Qiang is a better match for you."
" Shen Ling-- " Shen Xunye appeared behind her like a ghost, "You don't think you can shake me off with those short legs of yours, do you?"
Shen Ling shuddered reflexively and tightened her grip on Chi Li's arm. "Wh... what's wrong? I was just... just expressing my opinion."
Damn it, she was only afraid of Shen Yu, but now she was almost scared out of her wits by Shen Xunye?
Is this what they mean by "a husband is strong"?
Shen Xunye forcefully separated the two, grabbed Chi Li's waist, gave Shen Ling a defiant look, and coldly uttered a few words: " Night Ashes Dawn are inseparable and irreversible."
Chi Li paused for two seconds, then covered her mouth and laughed. "... Where did you learn that from?"
It was quite surprising to hear such niche fandom slang from Shen Xunye...
Shen Xunye curled his lips. "That's what everyone says."
Ever since he was introduced to the existence of 'fan fiction', he has become completely immersed in it, unable to extricate himself. While recording various poses, he has also absorbed more of the language and knowledge of CP fans.
Shen Ling rubbed her shoulders and reluctantly said, " Night Ashes Dawn are inseparable and irreversible, I agree with that... I've also said I'm a fan of your pairing now! But I also have the right to express my regret, right?!"
Chi Li reached out and quietly poked Shen Xunye's waist. "Didn't she know that Shen Qiang was just helping out as a friend?"
"We don't usually talk much, and when we do, we don't discuss this with her," Shen Xunye explained to Chi Li, then glanced at Shen Ling, somewhat impatiently. " Shen Qiang doesn't like Chi Li; he was only retweeting to help me."
"I can tell, I'm not stupid." Shen Ling jumped up immediately, as if she had heard something insulting. "But that doesn't stop me from wanting them to be together, does it?"
Shen Xunye gave her a kind smile, "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is... I think it's very likely that Brother Shen Qiang's fake feelings will become real!" Shen Ling said confidently, head held high. "Isn't it amazing how someone in a position of power, who thinks his feelings are just an act but has already given his heart away, can be so charming?!"
"Heh..." Shen Xunye sneered, "Besides Shen Qiang, you're also involved with other people, aren't you? Jiang Yue?"
"Yes..." Having been suddenly seen through, Shen Ling's arrogance instantly diminished by more than half. "A gentle, selfless senior, she's... she's truly a celestial being..."
"Speak, who else?" Shen Xunye looked at her leisurely, as if he was going to continue this interrogation to the end.
"And Fang Jin." Shen Ling looked up at the sky, not wanting to say it, but unable to stop herself from speaking. "He's the one who was rescued from unrequited love!"
Chi Li held her forehead, "..."
What are these things they've been hitting? Each one is more bizarre than the last.
Shen Xunye: "Hunger will make you eat anything."
"This isn't called being indiscriminate in your choices!" Shen Ling waved her finger, emphasizing, "It's called having a good appetite, being able to eat a little bit of everything~ I'll even swoon over handsome men I have no connection with~"
When the six major sects besieged Bright Peak, she tried her hand at every possible pairing.
They then ate and drank to their hearts' content.
"Don't ever say you're Night Ashes Dawn pairing again." Shen Xunye pulled Chi Li and turned to leave. "You omnivorous person."
After taking two steps, he turned back and warned, "Don't follow me."
Shen Ling pouted and looked to Chi Li for help with her eyes.
Chi Li shrugged, indicating that he couldn't help.
He even wanted to add, "Little sister, you've really gotten me into big trouble."
Shen Xunye has such a fragile heart; she'll definitely feel wronged again later and then insist on getting a sense of security from him.
As originally planned, Shen Xunye brought Chi Li to his grandmother.
The "Shen" in the Shen family name refers to the Old Madam Shen.
Shen Xunye's grandfather was a son-in-law who married into the family. He passed away not long after Old Madam Shen gave birth to Shen Xunye's younger brother.
She didn't take in any new sons-in-law. Instead, with her fierce style and the support of her family, she rapidly expanded her business, becoming the founder of the Shen family's business empire. She was a true businesswoman.
She has now begun to gradually relinquish her power, but her authority remains undiminished.
As soon as Chi Li stepped into the room, he sensed a serious atmosphere that was noticeably different from before.