Chapter 80: White Lotus Wan Strikes Again, Using a Retreat As a Way to Advance 𝘪𝑎.

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Shen Wan hadn’t expected that her recent show of filial affection would have such a significant impact on her cheap father, Shen Chunjiang. If she had known, she would have devoted all her energy to pacifying Shen Chunjiang instead of Shen Qian.

“Aunt.” she gazed at Yang Lan with sincere eyes, “I’m truly sorry for causing you so much trouble. I…,” Shen Wan pursed her lips as if she had made a momentous decision. “I won’t go. It doesn’t matter.”

Although she said so, her resolute expression didn’t seem to convey a sense of “it doesn’t matter.” On the contrary, it seemed quite important!

Everyone present saw through this “using a retreat as a way to advance” tactic, except for Shen Chunjiang.

Shen Chunjiang’s gaze brimmed with even greater compassion as he insisted, “No! You must go!”

“Dad…” Shen Wan’s eyes welled up with tears, filled with the adoration and admiration that Shen Chunjiang found hard to resist.

“Wan Wan, you have to trust Daddy, okay?”

She nodded hesitantly.

Observing this, Yang Lan struggled to hold back her emotions. She felt a heavy lump in her chest that seemed to get stuck, neither rising nor falling, causing her eyes to sting and her nose to tingle. She feared she might start crying at any moment.

Shen Qian remained silent, but his occasional glances at Shen Wan hid a subtle and profound coldness that others found difficult to perceive.

Shen Ru, with a quick wit, patted Yang Lan’s hand and offered some obvious comfort, saying softly, “Since Wan Wan just wants to make a few more friends, attending the banquet as the hostess is not a big deal…” .

“Aunt Ru!” Yang Lan whispered.

“Mom, don’t worry, let me finish. Wan Wan can attend the banquet, but there’s no need for her to perform the opening dance. According to tradition, you and Dad can do it, so both sides can compromise and everyone will be happy, isn’t that better?”

Yang Lan didn’t say anything, her expression restrained.

Shen Chunjiang had initially wanted to reject it outright and fight for his daughter, but unexpectedly, Shen Wan suddenly spoke up.

“Dad, Sister Ru is right. It’s more appropriate for you and Aunt to perform the opening dance. I…” She pursed her lips and her eyes quickly filled with tears. “I’m already very content, truly. With your care and love, I feel really blessed.”

“Wan Wan…” Shen Chunjiang frowned, vaguely displeased, feeling like his kindness was being taken for granted. But the next moment…

“Because of all the thoughtfulness you’ve shown me, could you please allow me to reciprocate you this time, okay? It truly makes me uneasy to see you frown like that!” She added, her eyes and nose reddening.

In just a few words, Shen Chunjiang was soothed, and warmth spread from his heart to his limbs. His whole body felt like it was bathed in sunlight, and even his hair and toes radiated warmth.

So it was settled. Shen Wan would attend the anniversary party, but she wouldn’t be part of the opening act.

“Wan Wan, wait a moment.”

“Sister Ru, is there anything else?”

Shen Ru was still dressed in the same outfit she hadn’t had the chance to change out of. Despite the worn and heavy gray clothing, her beauty was undeniable, and it complemented her poised and dignified presence even more. “Do you know what the opening dance at the anniversary party symbolizes?”

Shen Wan shook her head.

“If you can dance with Big Brother, I believe the entire upper social circle of Ning City will soon know that the Shen family has a third lady.”

“Does it mean that if I don’t dance with Big Brother, others won’t know that I’m the third lady of the Shen family?”

Shen Ru raised an eyebrow, taking her first good look at this illegitimate daughter she had never paid much attention to. Shen Wan’s overly slender figure, her delicate and innocent face, and those eyes that seemed unaware of the world – none of it appeared to be the traits of a scheming person.

Yet, this girl had not only ignited a war between her parents but also prompted Old Master Shen to intervene, and as for Shen Qian…

His apparent indifference was already suspicious!

“Wan Wan.” Shen Ru leaned closer, lowered her voice so that only the two of them could hear, and asked, “I’m very curious, what method did you use to persuade Old Master Shen?”

Shen Chunjiang making such a decision wasn’t surprising to Shen Ru, but the fact that even Shen Zongming had agreed was truly astonishing.

“Perhaps it’s my embroidery skills?” Shen Wan said with a smile.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to say…” After all, she would find out sooner or later!

“Sister, I really don’t know.”

Shen Ru left with a parting phrase, “Take care of yourself,” and turned away. Shen Wan climbed the stairs and returned to her room. She was about to close the door when a strong force pushed it open. Then, a large hand gripped the door frame, and as her eyes traveled upward, she was met with the handsome face of a man.

“Brother.”

“Aren’t you going to invite me in for a seat?”

Shen Wan looked at him and calmly replied, “It’s not appropriate.”

“What is not appropriate?”

“I need some rest.”

He smiled. “It’s still early, no need to rush.” As he spoke, he pushed the door further open with a bit of force, making room for himself to enter. He then closed the door behind him effortlessly, the whole process flowing smoothly.

This wasn’t the first time Shen Qian had entered her room after dark. Besides taking two steps back, Shen Wan didn’t make any additional moves.

“See, you didn’t refuse me either, did you?” The man smiled as if he were savoring a pleasant spring breeze, with a trace of playfulness and recklessness in the corners of his upturned eyes.

In that brief moment, his expression reminded Shen Wan of another face, a man whose eyes also seemed to hide a wickedness…

More pronounced than the occasional glimpses of Shen Qian’s nature, this man’s demeanor was bolder, more daring.

“What are you thinking?”

Shen Wan suddenly raised her eyes and saw Shen Qian’s face up close, his expression shadowed and unclear.

It turned out that while she was lost in thought, he had closed the distance between them, and now he was right in front of her, with a slightly threatening sharpness in his eyes….

𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮