Everyone stared at her in shock, disbelief plain on their faces.
"No way, Sienna Shaw, don’t do anything rash..."
"It’s not Yvonne Sung. It’s someone else," Lauren Shaw explained with a smile.
They had all met Yvonne Sung before. After that mess from earlier, everyone knew what happened.
Maya Wells let out a sigh of relief as soon as she heard it wasn’t that scumbag Yvonne Sung. "Now I’m really curious—what kind of man managed to win over a beauty like you, Sienna Shaw?"
"Sienna Shaw’s husband must be truly exceptional," Mia May chimed in from the side.
Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but laugh softly at their conversation. "He’s pretty busy, but next time when he has time, I’ll introduce you all."
"Deal! And Sienna Shaw, you got married without even giving us wedding candy! You at least have to let us get a little of your good luck, right?"
The group made a racket, egging her on.
Listening to their teasing, Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but picture Yancy Shaw’s stoic, reserved expression. If he were surrounded by all these people calling him "brother-in-law," she wondered what kind of reaction he’d have.
"Alright, when I ask him to come next time, I’ll make sure he brings wedding candy for everyone."
With that, she threw herself into work.
She’d been busy with personal matters lately, which meant a lot of work had piled up.
She worked straight through until the end of the workday. Remembering that Yancy Shaw had said this morning he wanted to visit her parents after work, she opened WeChat and messaged him, letting him know she was at the studio.
No reply—probably still busy.
Just before quitting time, Yancy Shaw had finally finished a surgery. He picked up his phone and saw a new message pop up on WeChat.
The note read "Bunny" had sent him a message.
"I’m at the studio. Come pick me up after work."
He couldn’t help the soft, indulgent smile that curved his lips. His long, elegant fingers quickly typed a reply: "Okay."
Just then, someone shoved open his office door, catching his smile before he could hide it.
"Hey, what’s this? Is the sun rising in the west? Dr. Shen’s lovestruck face in the middle of autumn?" Henry Mills teased, grinning mischievously.
Mona Lane followed him in. She, too, had caught that fleeting smile Yancy Shaw gave his phone.
She was deeply curious—just what kind of person could make him smile like that?
A seed of jealousy took root in her heart, but she managed to keep a smile on her face.
"What do you want?"
Yancy Shaw’s smile faded as he looked at them coolly.
It was as if that touch of tenderness had all been a trick of the eye.
This was just how he was—always courteous, but distant and reserved; no one was ever an exception.
"What, can’t we just stop by for no reason at all?"
Yancy Shaw didn’t answer, methodically taking off his lab coat. "If you don’t need anything, I’m heading home."
Henry Mills stopped him as he was about to leave. "What’s so urgent? Zane Young’s back, and he wants you over for drinks tonight."
"I don’t have time. Tell him I’ll treat him to a meal another day." Yancy Shaw rejected the offer without a second thought, grabbed his car keys, and turned to go.
Mona Lane called after him, "Dr. Shen, could you help me with something?"
He looked at her impassively.
"My friend’s dad needs a heart bypass soon. Could you be the surgeon?" Mona Lane looked at him, hopeful.
Yancy Shaw didn’t even break stride as he walked out, answering over his shoulder. "Dr. He can perform that surgery, too. You can ask him." He didn’t give her a chance to say another word before leaving with keys in hand.
"Hey, what’s the rush—off to a blind date?" Henry Mills gazed at Yancy Shaw’s retreating figure and sighed.
"Dr. Lin, about your friend’s dad’s surgery..."
"Thank you, Dr. He. Actually, my friend’s already found another doctor," Mona Lane smiled breezily.
Henry Mills: ...
Are these two for real?
By the time Yancy Shaw arrived, Lauren Shaw was waiting outside. When his car pulled up, she walked over with a bright smile.
They stopped at the mall to buy some gifts and then headed to her parents’ house.
The place the elder Lis lived was a little ways off.
A few years ago, her father was in a car accident. Ever since, his health had been shaky. The Shaw family business had been handed over to her uncle, Owen Shaw, and her parents had settled into a comfortable retirement.
"My mom and dad are very kind, but our wedding happened a little quickly. If they say anything unpleasant, please don’t take it to heart."
She felt she ought to give him a gentle heads-up. Even though they’d met before, awkward personal questions were inevitable, and she wanted him prepared.
"Your parents are wonderful. You don’t have to worry about that at all," said Yancy Shaw.
He really did know how to soothe her worries and guessed exactly what she was thinking. Just for this, he was worlds better than Yvonne Sung ever was.
When they reached the Li house, Yancy Shaw carried the carefully chosen gifts and followed behind Lauren Shaw.
At the door, as she was about to key in the code, the door swung open.
It was Aunt Sunny, the family housekeeper.
"Miss Bella is home!"
Aunt Sunny looked at her, then at Yancy Shaw beside her—a stranger she'd never seen before.
Noticing Aunt Sunny’s curiosity, Lauren Shaw introduced, "Aunt Sunny, this is my husband, Yancy Shaw."
Yancy Shaw greeted her politely, "Aunt Sunny."
Aunt Sunny’s face lit up with a big smile. This man was remarkably handsome, a perfect match for Miss Bella—much better than that previous boyfriend by a mile.
"Who’s here?" came Lauren Shaw’s mother’s voice from the living room.
"Ma’am, sir—it’s Miss Bella and her husband!" Aunt Sunny called back.
Lauren Shaw’s mother rushed over, quickly taking the gifts from Yancy Shaw and eagerly ushering them inside.
"You should have called first! I could have had Aunt Sunny make you something special!" She couldn’t hide her delight.
Lauren Shaw hadn’t let them know she’d be coming.
The change in her parents’ attitude tonight was obvious.
Her mother asked about Yancy Shaw’s family background. In fact, as soon as they’d heard the news last night, they had already searched his resume online—and what they found was worthy of a textbook.
With someone like this, their daughter was hardly getting the short end of the stick.
Aunt Sunny brought the dishes to the table.
"If you two had come any later, we would’ve finished eating. Next time you’re back, call ahead, and I’ll have Aunt Sunny make your favorite dishes," said her mother.
Lauren Shaw hadn’t expected her parents to accept things so quickly. Dinner that night tasted especially good.
After dinner, Lauren Shaw sat with her mother, telling her the story of how she met Yancy Shaw.
When she finished, her mother couldn’t hold back from lambasting the entire Yvonne Sung family.
"Your uncle has already pulled his investment from Huifeng Group. Back then, we only helped them because of you. They really are a bunch of ingrates."
The mere thought made her father fume. Just remembering what Yvonne Sung’s mother had said that day was enough to rile him up again.