"It looks like Miss Quinn has misunderstood. This is my lawful husband. As for the pretty boy you mentioned, if you’re interested, I suggest you visit a male model club."

Lauren Shaw's eyes sparkled with mirth as she looped her arm around Yancy Shaw’s and introduced him solemnly.

Yana Quinn hadn’t expected her to actually be married.

She stared in shock, forcing a smile onto her lips.

Only then, belatedly, did she sense the man’s icy gaze.

His eyes sent a chill down her spine, unsettled as she was, but in front of Lauren Shaw she forced herself to remain composed.

"Oh~ So it was my misunderstanding. This doctor is your husband? I never thought you’d get married so fast. Your engagement to Yu Che still feels like yesterday…"

Lauren Shaw thought: What an expert at hitting sore spots—the woman just can't help herself.

While saying this, Yana Quinn glanced at Yancy Shaw, hoping to spot some flicker of emotion on his face.

To her disappointment, Yancy Shaw didn't even spare her a glance—his expression remained unchanged.

"You’ve got a good memory. Thanks to you, I managed to find such a thoughtful, caring husband." Lauren Shaw tilted her gaze up at Yancy Shaw, her eyes full of affectionate warmth.

Caught off guard, Yana Quinn was fed an eyeful of public display of affection.

Her smile grew awkward, but she figured their previous unpleasantness could just be left in the past.

"Lauren Shaw, I really like your personality. I think we could be friends."

"Sorry, I have trypophobia.* I can't handle people who are too scheming.*"

(Trypophobia—literally ‘fear of clusters.’ Here, Lauren Shaw is playing with words, implying she has an aversion to schemers.)

With that, Lauren Shaw pulled Yancy Shaw along, leaving Yana Quinn standing there, face as black as coal.

"Dr. Shen, she just called you a kept man. Are you mad?" Lauren Shaw lifted her chin to look at him.

Yancy Shaw peered down at her. "Why should I be? If I’m a kept man, at least I’m yours."

As her lawful husband, he felt completely content. Whatever others said didn’t matter.

"She’s just jealous I found such a great husband."

Yana Quinn was constantly looking for chances to throw shade at her, and even today had come fishing for attention. Talk about shameless.

That woman was always scheming. Lauren Shaw resolved to keep her distance from now on.

Actually, someone so devious was a perfect match for Su Yu Che. The two of them together would be a public service—she hoped they locked themselves together and she threw away the key.

——

Grandma's birthday banquet was held at a riverside restaurant in Jiangnan.

Since the old lady preferred peace and quiet, she’d only invited some family, making it a cozy gathering.

Yancy Shaw had taken a day off for the occasion, and as they left home, Lauren Shaw asked him to wear the new outfit she’d bought him the day before.

Their black Audi rolled to a stop in the parking lot.

Lauren Shaw got out and heard someone calling her from behind.

"Shengsheng."

It was her eldest cousin.

Her maternal grand-uncle’s granddaughter—Vivian James—was a few years older than her, and they’d played together often as kids.

Lauren Shaw nodded at her and greeted her politely. "Cousin."

Yancy Shaw got out as well, picking up the things they’d brought, and walked over to join Lauren Shaw.

"And this is…?" Vivian James sized up the man beside her.

"This is my husband, Yancy Shaw," Lauren Shaw introduced him.

Vivian James gave Yancy Shaw a friendly smile, her gaze flicking to his car before landing on Lauren Shaw with a hint of deeper meaning.

"When did you get married? I didn’t hear a thing about it."

"We registered the marriage first, but haven’t held a ceremony yet," Yancy Shaw explained before Lauren Shaw could answer.

Everything about the man exuded quiet elegance and nobility. If Vivian James hadn’t seen their car, she might have thought he was the young master of a wealthy clan.

Vivian James just smiled, "I see."

"Let’s head inside," Lauren Shaw said, unaware of Vivian James’s thoughts.

Vivian James shook her head. "You two go ahead. I’m waiting for someone."

"Alright, we’ll go up first," Lauren Shaw said, looping her arm through Yancy Shaw’s as they walked inside together.

Behind them, Vivian James watched Yancy Shaw’s departing figure, lost in thought…

Inside the private dining room, Lauren Shaw’s parents were already there. Grandma sat in the seat of honor, her face crinkling into a smile when she saw Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw arrive.

"Shengsheng, how could you get married and not tell me?" she asked kindly.

Although she addressed Lauren Shaw, her gaze was fixed on Yancy Shaw.

"Grandma," Yancy Shaw greeted her politely.

Sitting beside the old lady, Owen Shaw regarded him curiously.

"This is Uncle," Lauren Shaw said, gesturing toward Owen Shaw.

Yancy Shaw followed suit, "Uncle."

He then greeted Lauren Shaw’s parents as well, his manners impeccable.

Grandma nodded, clearly pleased. "Good boy. What’s your name?"

Lauren Shaw’s parents had already explained things to Grandma. Her judgment was sharp—one look was enough to know her granddaughter hadn’t chosen wrongly.

"My name’s Yancy Shaw." As he spoke, he pulled out a chair so Lauren Shaw could sit first.

No sooner had they taken their seats than the door opened again.

It was Nina Shaw and her husband, with the grand uncle’s whole family behind them.

"Auntie, it’s been ages! You’re looking tougher and stronger than ever," said the grand-uncle’s daughter-in-law, Cindy Hunt.

Grandma smiled, "I’m getting on in years."

After everyone was seated, Cindy Hunt noticed a new face.

"And who might this be?" She looked Yancy Shaw up and down—such a handsome man!

"That’s Shengsheng’s husband," Lauren Shaw’s mother replied, and then addressed Yancy Shaw, "Yancheng, this is your auntie."

Yancy Shaw greeted her as well.

"What does Shengsheng’s husband do?" Cindy Hunt was the type who loved gossip, and Lauren Shaw’s mother had no fondness for her.

But Cindy Hunt act oblivious and kept firing off questions at the table.

"I’m a doctor," Yancy Shaw answered patiently.

"Eh? But weren’t they saying before that Shengsheng’s fiancé had the surname Su?" The moment Cindy Hunt said this, Vivian James kicked her hard under the table.

Lauren Shaw’s mother’s expression darkened, as if struggling to keep her composure.

Cindy Hunt forced a sheepish smile. "Oops, I must have been mistaken."

Underneath the table, Lauren Shaw squeezed Yancy Shaw’s hand, surprised to find her palm sweaty.

Yancy Shaw patted her hand—he was completely unfazed by Cindy Hunt’s words.

A server came in to pour wine.

Yancy Shaw had brought several bottles of rare vintage red. Anyone with an eye for wine would immediately see its value.

"A ’76 Romanée-Conti. Excellent choice," Xavier Quinn remarked, giving Yancy Shaw a meaningful look.

Yancy Shaw had picked it up from the Shen house—Shen Yukbai’s personal treasure, saved for years and never opened even for himself.

One could only imagine what he’d think if he knew his dear younger brother had brought his prized wine to dinner.