203 Giftn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Shen Yin had never had such a lively birthday celebration before. Even Old Master Lian, who was bedridden, insisted on coming downstairs to celebrate with her.
The family sat around the dining table and happily toasted Shen Yin.
Shen Yin grabbed Old Master Lianâs hand and said worriedly, âGrandpa, you canât drink alcohol. Let the butler give you a cup of hot tea instead.â
âThatâs right, Great-Grandpa. You have to take good care of your health.â Shen Nian jumped down from his chair and ran to Old Master Lianâs side to take his wine glass. He then took the tea from the butler and placed it on the table. âGreat-Grandpa, you can have tea instead of wine. When you recover, Iâll ask Mom to drink with you.â
!!
âAlright, Iâll listen to you.â Old Master Lian happily tapped Shen Nianâs nose and smiled as he picked up the hot tea and slowly savored it.
The Lian residence had been quiet for so many years. He had not expected it to become so lively again in his last days.
Lian Jing filled a bowl with soup and placed it in front of Shen Yin. There was a big smile on his face. âDonât drink so much wine. You still have to finish all this soup.â
Shen Nian looked at the soup in the pot and said in surprise, âMom, can you really finish so much soup by yourself?â
It was one of the rare occasions in which Shen Yin felt a little worried. He must have done it on purpose! He had deliberately made so much soup for her to finish by herself. If she failed to finish it, he would have another reason to punish her!
To think that he could come up with such a plan!
Shen Yin turned her head and glared at him. Unexpectedly, behind her, Shen Nian was also glaring at Lian Jing with the same look.
He knew that his naughty father must be using this to bully his mother!
Despite the two of them glaring at him, Lian Jing raised his eyebrows calmly. He casually scooped a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Old Master Lian. Then, he pushed the pot towards Shen Yin. âIâve helped you with one bowl. The rest is yours.â
Cheng Mu looked at the fragrant clay pot and gulped. However, she knew that Lian Jing did not like her. She tactfully shrank aside and lowered her head to eat the food near her. She did not dare to ask for soup. After dinner, she quietly let the butler to send her back to the Cheng residence in a car.
Shen Yin sat on the sofa and rubbed her bloated stomach, not wanting to move at all.
After Shen Nian settled Li Zi, he went to her side and asked mysteriously, âMom, what did Dad give you today?â
Only then did Shen Yin remember. Stunned, she shook her head and said, âNothing.â
âHe actually didnât give you a birthday present! How could he be so petty!â Shen Nian looked at his watch. It was already 10:30 p.m. Shen Yinâs birthday was going to end in an hour and a half!
âIâll go ask him!â Shen Nian angrily ran to the study, but he did not see Lian Jing there.
Puzzled, he went to Lian Jingâs room to look for him, but he still found nothing.
âWhere did Father go? He was here just now!â Shen Nian looked around the room in confusion and finally saw Lian Jing coming out of Shen Yinâs room.
âDaddy!â Shen Nian walked over and blocked him unhappily. âWhat are you doing in Mommyâs room? Also, why didnât you prepare a birthday present for Mommy?â
âWho said I didnât?â Lian Jing glanced at him and looked away.
âThen what have you prepared?â Shen Nian clearly did not trust him. If Lian Jing had really prepared a present, surely he would have given it to her already?
Could he had forgotten and had just taken something he had on hand to give to his mother?
âWhy should I tell you?â Lian Jing walked downstairs without looking back. He found Shen Yin sitting on the sofa and pulled her up.
âWhat am I doing? Iâm so full, I donât want to move.â Shen Yin slumped lazily on the sofa to digest her food.
Lian Jing had no choice but to bend down and put his arm under her knees to pull her into an embrace.
âWhere are we going?â Shen Yin leaned her head on his arm and narrowed her eyes contentedly.
âWeâre going to open a gift.â Lian Jing carried her out of the Lian residence and stuffed her into the car. He slammed the car door shut.
Shen Nian, who was standing at the staircase and witnessing everything, could not say a word. He did not dare to follow and be a third wheel. Disappointed, he returned to his room to sleep.
Before Shen Yin could say anything, Lian Jing picked up the coat he had prepared earlier and threw it into her arms. âPut it on. It might be a little cold later.â
âWhere are you taking me?â Shen Yin put on her coat. Her curiosity had already reached its peak.
âYouâll know when we get there.â Lian Jing smiled evilly. The car sped along the streets and soon reached the outskirts. It stopped abruptly in front of a small courtyard.
Shen Yin already knew what Lian Jing was up to. She opened the car door and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar house in a daze. She pressed her lips tightly together and her voice trembled. âYou⦠how did you knowâ¦â
âFrom now on, this place is yours.â Lian Jing stuffed the key into her hand and hugged her shoulders, pushing her towards the door although her legs were stiff. âDonât you want to open it and take a look?â