Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: He Remembers All Her Preferences

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Jiang Lan’s expression suddenly changed; her tear-filled eyes sparkled with a fierce light, yet the arm she had draped over Lin Yuxia’s shoulder did not loosen. To outsiders, it still appeared as if a mother and daughter were holding each other in sorrow.

Jiang Lan whispered a warning, “Lin Yuxia, this is your father’s mourning hall. His remains are still here, and with so many distinguished guests present, I advise you not to tear us apart in front of everyone at a time like this.”

Lin Yuxia chuckled coldly, “What if I refuse?”

Suddenly, she shoved Jiang Lan away and, in front of everyone, pointed at the woman and cursed, “Poisonous woman Jiang Lan! After my father fell critically ill, you abandoned his treatment without my consent, causing his condition to deteriorate rapidly until he passed away.

“A murderer like you dares to stand shamelessly in front of my father’s memorial, putting on a show of conjugal devotion?!”

Her ugly intentions exposed before all, Jiang Lan trembled with rage but forced herself to respond angrily, “Don’t slander me with baseless accusations!”

Jiang Lan restrained herself, but Lin Hanhan could not. Disregarding her image of a refined lady, she spat, “Wretch!” and raised her hand to slap Lin Yuxia’s face.

Lin Yuxia caught her arm and countered with a sharp slap.

Lin Hanhan was stunned; growing up, she had always been the bully, never the one being bullied. For a moment, Lin Yuxia’s fierce demeanor intimidated her into silence.

Jiang Lan’s eyes nearly popped out in hatred, but she was still less impulsive than her daughter.

Concerned about the guests present, she did not act herself but ordered the security guards, “Miss Lin is out of her mind. Remove her immediately!”

The guards were initially stunned, but after Jiang Lan’s shout, they rushed forward clumsily to seize Lin Yuxia.

Having just left her sickbed an hour ago, Lin Yuxia was already drained of strength.

Just as several burly security guards were about to pin her down, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the main hall:

“Who dares to lay a hand on her?”

Though soft-spoken, the voice carried undeniable authority, like an arrow piercing the tense nerves of everyone present.

All turned to look, and there stood a strikingly handsome man walking calmly toward them.

It was none other than Shen Yan—someone none dared provoke.

He crossed the hall and stopped in front of Lin Yuxia, gently pulling her behind him, his voice low and firm, “Uncle Lin just passed, and your family treats his daughter like this?”

His icy gaze swept over Jiang Lan, her daughter, and the security guards, and through clenched teeth he added, “Who gave you the courage?”

A foolish young guard, perhaps trying to show off, raised his hand to grab Shen Yan’s collar.

Out of nowhere, a shadow appeared. One hand seized the guard’s wrist, the other clamped his neck, and like a ragdoll, the man was thrown to the ground.

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Only then did everyone realize it was Shen Yan’s personal bodyguard who had acted.

No one dared make a move after that.

Having witnessed the scene, Shen Yan’s mood for mourning the deceased evaporated.

He took Lin Yuxia’s hand and said, “Xiaoyu, let’s go.” Without looking back, he walked out of the memorial hall.

From the moment he entered until leaving, his attention never wavered from Lin Yuxia, not sparing a glance at Lin Hanhan.

Lin Hanhan glared at their retreating figures, grinding her teeth in hatred. Through clenched teeth, she cursed, “Wretch, I want you dead!”

*

Without asking Lin Yuxia’s opinion, Shen Yan took her back to his mountain-view villa.

Lin Yuxia had often visited this house as a child, but this was her first time entering since returning to the country.

She looked around, finding it unchanged from her memories.

Shen Yan fetched a bottle of orange juice and a crystal glass, then sat down with Lin Yuxia on the sofa.

She recognized the orange juice—an old brand she loved as a child—and the crystal glass, which she once insisted Shen Yan buy for her.

He remembered her preferences.

Shen Yan handed her half a glass of juice and spoke gently, “Tell me, what happened?”

Lin Yuxia lifted her gaze to him. His eyes were deep and sharp, his brow bone pronounced; when focused, he seemed inscrutable.

Yet instead of fearing those profound eyes, she fantasized that one day they might only hold her.

She longed to be like when they were children—whenever wronged, rushing into Shen Yan’s arms, sobbing and sniffling, then serenely enjoying his comfort.

She wanted to tear away her mask and beg him to reserve all tenderness and care for her alone.

But he already had someone he loved, and a child on the way. They seemed very happy.

As his younger sister, she knew her place.

Lowering her eyes, she said softly, “Just a little quarrel with the family. It’s nothing serious…”

Shen Yan didn’t believe her. He knew Lin Yuxia well—a sensible girl like her would never cause a scene at their father’s memorial unless pushed beyond endurance.

He looked at her, a heaviness in his chest. Had a trip abroad created a rift between them?

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Shen Yan reached out to stroke Lin Yuxia’s hair. “Xiaoyu, your brother will always be your support. No matter what difficulties you face, you can tell me. I don’t want you to bear it all alone, understand?”

Lin Yuxia’s heart trembled.

For a moment, she truly wished she could throw herself into Shen Yan’s arms and cry without restraint.

But she only lowered her gaze to the cup in her hands, her fingers tightening around its rim, then relaxing. She raised her head and smiled at Shen Yan.

“Brother, I really am fine.”

Shen Yan stayed to have dinner with Lin Yuxia. The table was laden with dishes tailored to her tastes.

He had given the kitchen precise instructions about her dietary restrictions and preferences.

Midway through the meal, Lin Yuxia suddenly remembered something and asked, “Brother, where’s your girlfriend? Isn’t she coming to eat?”

She assumed that since they were expecting a child, they must be living together by now.

Shen Yan swallowed a mouthful of food and asked, “Why do you care about Xiao Tian more than I do?”

Lin Yuxia thought affection extended to all connected to him, but replied, “Because she’s the future sister-in-law.”

Shen Yan set down his chopsticks lightly. “She’s not your sister-in-law.”

Lin Yuxia blinked innocent, “What? Did you two argue?”

“We broke up.”

Lin Yuxia was stunned. “You guys… weren’t you… how did this happen?”

Shen Yan’s explanation was even more baffling: “She wasn’t good to you, so we ended it.”

Lin Yuxia was dumbfounded. What did Xiao Tian’s feelings toward her matter? The key point was how she treated him! Why did it sound like he was choosing a stepmother for their child?

But her surprise lasted only a few seconds.

Soon, she lowered her head and ate fiercely.

Because if she didn’t fill her cheeks, she feared she wouldn’t be able to hold back the tears at the corners of her mouth.