Chapter 16

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“How impudent of you. Let go of me!” Liu Rumei tried to get away from Shen Chi by force.

Unfortunately for her, Shen Chi maintained a tight grip on her arm. No matter how hard she struggled, it was fruitless.

Liu Rumei had allowed the servants to watch such an embarrassing scene. Her face alternated between flushes of red and white.

“From the looks of it, you don’t seem to understand the rules of the Shen family. Move all of your belongings to the west wing right now. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I throw everything out.”

Shen Chi spat out every word ruthlessly. He had already given her as much respect as he was ever going to.

“Let go of me, let’s talk properly. The Shen family rules are not set by you, Shen Chi. If you have anything to say, let’s wait until your father returns before we speak.” Liu Rumei did not concede.

This was only her first day here. If the servants saw her in such a shameful predicament, would she still be able to remain in the Shen family holding her head up?

Shen Chi exerted even more strength. Liu Rumei was in so much pain that her face became contorted with it.

Once again, Xu Zhaomu was itching for chaos to unfold. She spoke to the maids who were busy moving items, “Throw them out, throw them out. That flower vase is too ugly. This suitcase is too hideous. What poor taste.”

“This…” The maids exchanged glances with one another. They were stuck in the middle.

“Don’t you dare!” Liu Rumei almost leapt forward.

These were all her beloved belongings.

Liu Rumei couldn’t do anything to Shen Chi. She could only bellow at Xu Zhaomu, “Since when have you been allowed to speak up? What do you even amount to?”

Shen Chi strengthened his grip and raised his eyebrows. “I’ve gotten used to her. What can you do about it?”

When Xu Zhaomu heard this, her heart blossomed.

Her little face grinned happily, as though peach flowers had bloomed.

“You guys! Good luck, the days ahead are going to be long. Just you wait. Move everything to the west wing.” Liu Rumei finally gave in.

The maids hastily dabbed away their sweat, before starting to move the items.

Only then did Shen Chi release his grip with a sneer.

Liu Rumei swung her arm free and stormed off angrily. Everyone knew that the west wing of the Shen family villa was set aside specially for guests. By making her move everything over there, it proved that Shen Chi had no respect for her.

One day, she would move out.

Once everybody in the living room had taken their leave, Xu Zhaomu climbed up and threw her arms around Shen Chi’s neck proudly.

“Big brother Shen Chi, why wasn’t I aware that you cherished me so much?”

Shen Chi smirked. “Didn’t I tell her that she had to ask for the owner’s permission before she could hit the dog?”

“Mmm!” Xu Zhaomu nodded her head.

However, something didn’t seem right.

Pui, what was this about hitting a dog?

She wasn’t a dog.

Shen Chi pried her fingers away from his neck. “Behave. Otherwise, I’ll toss you out to feed to the dogs.”

“Are you treating me like Big White? I’m not a dog. What was that nonsense about asking the owner before hitting a dog. Shen Chi, you’re a big bully.”

“Since when have I treated you like Big White?” Shen Chi curled his lips. “Big White is much cuter than you.”

One second later, Shen Chi flung Xu Zhaomu onto the sofa before taking big strides out of the room.

“……” Xu Zhaomu kicked her legs frantically. “Shen Chi, you’re a bully!”

…

Once Liu Rumei had moved everything to the west wing, she was consumed with frustration. She gave Shen Cexian another call.

Shen Cexian merely offered her a few words of comfort. He didn’t say anything else.

As Liu Rumei was busy shifting her belongings to the west wing of the villa, the chauffer ferried her son and daughter over.

Her daughter’s name was Shen Yanrou, and her son’s name was Shen Shihan. They were both older than Shen Chi. Shen Shihan was a man of few words with a cold and indifferent personality.

When Shen Yanrou arrived at the west wing, she exclaimed in dissatisfaction, “Is this place even suitable for living? Even the trees are taller than the building.”

“Reserve your comments for yourself. Even someone from an orphanage lives more affluently than you,” Liu Rumei mocked her.

All the servants overheard this conversation between the mother and daughter. Naturally, Shen Cexian came to hear of it as well.

When Shen Cexian returned that night, a massive table of dishes had already been prepared for dinner.

Xu Zhaomu had been bickering with Shen Chi. However, she automatically took her seat next to him.

“Before we eat, I need to set some rules,” Shen Cexian announced.

No one spoke as they waited quietly for his announcement.

“We can’t ignore the matter of seniority. Although Shen Di is overseas, she’s the oldest. In the future, she will be the Eldest Sister. Yanrou will be the Second Sister, and Shihan the Third Brother. And Chi, you’re still young. In the future, don’t be impolite when you address others. Xu Zhaomu, you should learn this as well.”

Shen Cexian’s voice was powerful and resounding. His words were said with authority, and no one dared to interrupt him.

The room plunged into absolute silence.

“I have no problems with addressing my Second Sister and Second Brother in this manner. But unfortunately, I will only be able to call this woman Madame Liu.” Shen Chi spoke up while glancing at Liu Rumei.

“Oh, I heard the Shen Family’s Young Master Shen Chi studies at a top school. It turns out he doesn’t even know the concept of respecting his seniors. I’m not even asking you to call me mother; neither do I want you to. However, Madame Liu? I have never heard of such a manner of address.”

Now that Liu Rumei had Shen Cexian’s backing, she’d raised her voice by 80 percent.

“I’m calling you Madame Liu out of consideration. I don’t respect shameless people,” Shen Chi uttered icily.

Xu Zhaomu’s seat was not far from where Liu Rumei was sitting. Her little eyes turned and, taking advantage of the situation, she stomped accurately on Liu Rumei’s toes.

Quick! Accurate! Hard!

Liu Rumei pursed her lips in pain. She sucked in a breath of cold air.

She had to maintain her virtuous and noble image in front of Shen Cexian. Hence, she could only swallow the pain and humiliation.

Xu Zhaomu continued to shove rice into her mouth, as though it had nothing to do with her. However, her little feet continued to press against the tip of Liu Rumei’s shoes.

Before Shen Cexian could speak, Shen Yanrou could no longer hold back her anger. “How can you speak to my mother like that? She’s still your elder.”

“Big brother Shen Chi’s elders should all be as wise and farsighted as Uncle Shen. Not everyone is qualified to be Big brother Shen Chi’s elder.”

Xu Zhaomu was the first to speak. Her mouth was merciless, and her feet even more so.

She had been stepping on Liu Rumei to the point that her face had turned green. Before she could retaliate and use her sharp nails to scratch Xu Zhaomu, Xu Zhaomu changed her leg and stomped on Shen Yanrou’s foot.

Shen Yanrou did not have the same ability to hold back her anger as her mother. She immediately screamed.

In her frustration, her elbow spilled a large cup of grape juice onto Liu Rumei’s dress.

“Who stepped on me?”

Shen Yanrou stood up.

Nobody at the table moved. Especially Xu Zhaomu, who sliced her steak as though it had nothing to do with her.

Shen Chi had just taught her how to slice steak. She was practicing her rather impressive skills.

Liu Rumei also stood up. In a fluster, she used a paper napkin to wipe her skirt. Unfortunately, the grape juice had already stained her red dress purple. It was an utter mess.

“Xu Zhaomu, was it you?” After glancing around, Shen Yanrou singled Xu Zhaomu out.

“What about me?” Xu Zhaomu blinked her large eyes. An innocent expression was plastered all over her face.

“Were you the one who stepped on me just now?” Shen Yanrou clenched her teeth.

“Enough! Everyone calm down!” Shen Cexian finally spoke up.

He slammed his chopsticks down with a bang. Instantly, the room fell into absolute silence once more.

Xu Zhaomu continued to slice her steak. She placed the first piece she’d sliced onto Shen Chi’s plate.

Shen Chi did not reject it. He elegantly ate the steak that Xu Zhaomu had offered him.

Shen Yanrou’s lips twitched. She was forced to accept the fact that she had been unlucky.

Naturally, another person at the table remained calm and composed.

Shen Shihan.

From the beginning to the end, he sipped his fruit juice without a care. A trace of indifference identical to that of Shen Chi’s could be seen on his handsome face.

He remained taciturn as he watched everything unfold before him calmly.