"Big sis is back, too?" Hearing her grandmother mention it, Lauren Shaw realized Nina Shaw was home as well.

Mother Li nodded. "She's upstairs."

Lauren Shaw made her way up to Nina Shaw's room. Whenever she was upset in the past, she always liked to confide in her sister. Today, her heart felt just as stifled as ever.

"Sis, how long have you been back?" Lauren Shaw asked.

After Grandma’s birthday last time, Nina Shaw went back to Hong Kong with Xavier Quinn. The two sisters rarely got to see each other after getting married.

"I got home a little before you did. What's all that nasty stuff online about?" Nina Shaw asked, having just scrolled past Lauren Shaw’s trending news in the living room. Not wanting the family to know, she’d taken her phone to her room to call Lauren Shaw, but coincidentally, she’d returned.

Lauren Shaw flopped onto her sister’s bed, found a comfortable position, and sighed. "What else could it be? Someone’s trying to frame me. I really don’t get why someone would have it in for me like this."

Not only was she accused of plagiarism, they even dug up things from her past. Just when her career was on the rise, she thought she was getting closer to her dreams—only to be thrown flat on her face.

Did she break some heavenly law to deserve this?

Nina Shaw lay down beside her, propping her head up with one hand as she looked over. "I think you must’ve offended someone. Try to think—who have you rubbed the wrong way lately?"

Who else? Other than Yana Quinn or Eva Snow. But when it came to plagiarism, Eva Snow’s handful of useless drafts hardly seemed enough to stir up such a storm.

Yana Quinn? That was even less likely; she’d never had access to the designs.

"Time to eat!" Mother Li called from the living room.

Lauren Shaw made a shushing gesture to Nina Shaw, telling her not to mention any of this to their parents.

If they found out, they’d only worry again.

Just as they were about to eat, the doorbell rang. Mother Li looked puzzled. "We weren’t expecting any guests…"

As she spoke, Aunt Sunny ran to open the door.

"It’s the second son-in-law!" Aunt Sunny announced.

Lauren Shaw looked over in surprise. Yancy Shaw stood at the door, travel-worn and with clear anxiety written on his face.

Before she could react, Aunt Sunny had already welcomed him inside.

Yancy Shaw politely greeted the elders, and Grandmother quickly called him to sit beside Lauren Shaw.

Aunt Sunny added another bowl and chopsticks.

"Shengsheng, why are you dawdling?" Mother Li shot her a look.

Taking the hint, Lauren Shaw picked up some food for him. Under the table, Yancy Shaw patted her hand. "You don’t have to. I can do it myself."

She never would’ve guessed that just saying she missed him a little would make him show up at her door in person.

"Didn’t you say Yancheng was on a business trip, Shengsheng?" Grandmother asked.

"I just got back," Yancy Shaw explained.

Wait, that didn’t add up. They had just video-called two hours ago at most.

"How did you get here so fast?"

"I took my second brother’s helicopter."

Lauren Shaw: "..."

Nina Shaw edged closer and whispered, "Your Mr. Shen sure knows how to dote on people. As soon as he heard you were in trouble, he rushed right back."

Though her words were teasing, there was a trace of envy in her tone.

Her own relationship with Xavier Quinn was nothing like Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw’s; there were too many interests tangled up between them. Their marriage had only ever been about mutual benefit, so love was something she never dared wish for.

Lauren Shaw could hear the bitterness in her tone, but with both their parents there, it wasn’t the right moment to ask further.

After dinner, Yancy Shaw and Lauren Shaw headed home. Grandmother called Nina Shaw over to keep her company.

Nina Shaw sat by Grandma’s side, smiling, though her expression couldn’t fool the old lady.

"Ningning, are you two quarreling?" Grandma asked.

She was happy to see Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw so close, but Nina Shaw always left her a little worried.

Every year she went up the mountain to pray, wishing only for the younger generation's peaceful and happy lives.

Not wanting her family to worry, Nina Shaw reassured her. "No, we’re fine, really."

"You can’t fool me with that look. Tell me the truth—did Xavi Quinn bully you?"

Nina Shaw’s nose burned, but she still kept up a relaxed facade. "How could he? Xavi Quinn treats me well; there's no way he'd bully me."

The real reason she'd come home this time had nothing to do with Xavier Quinn, though.

Father and Mother Li sat silently on the sofa as rain pattered outside the window. The living room was filled with quiet.

"Grandma, do you really think your granddaughter is so easy to bully?" Nina Shaw half-joked. Family was finally together—she couldn't ruin it by airing her grievances. Some things were better swallowed down with a smile.

Grandmother let out a sigh. Young people’s problems—there was only so much she could do, even if she knew the truth. Worrying solved nothing.

In the car, Yancy Shaw drove while Lauren Shaw sat in the front seat, music playing softly.

"Why did you come back early? Weren’t you supposed to be gone a whole week?" Lauren Shaw asked.

"I was worried about you." Yancy Shaw glanced over, his eyes sparkling softly.

After a whole afternoon of gloom, Lauren Shaw felt herself relax instantly at his words.

"I didn’t plagiarize."

"I know."

No matter what people said online, Yancy Shaw only trusted her.

At a red light, the car stopped; traffic was backed up from the rain.

Yancy Shaw gently took Lauren Shaw’s hand and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. "I can’t sleep at night without you."

Lauren Shaw, who’d been smiling, twitched at the corners of her lips.

"So you’re saying you rushed back just because you couldn’t sleep?"

"That’s not all," he replied seriously. "As soon as I left, someone was already sending you flowers. If I’d really stayed away for a week, I’d be afraid you’d run right off my household register."

How does he always catch her off guard with his words? She couldn’t help but laugh.

"Dr. Shen, could you have a little more faith in yourself?"

Yancy Shaw actually shook his head. "With you, I can't."

"Pfft—" Lauren Shaw finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

"Feeling better now?" Yancy Shaw’s eyes sparkled with mirth. Seeing her laugh, he broke into a grin as well—he’d only been teasing to cheer her up.

He’d known from home she was upset, but none of them could show it in front of the family.

"When did you get so funny? I never noticed before."

"If it makes you smile, I can be even funnier."

Seeing his usual refined and aloof expression paired with such doting words, any lingering gloom in her heart was swept away. Or maybe, as long as she was with him, she always felt at peace.

"Someone fainted!"

A passer-by shouted. Yancy Shaw glanced quickly out the window.

Under the red light, someone was lying unconscious in the street.

Before Lauren Shaw could react, Yancy Shaw had already undone his seatbelt. As he opened the door, he called out, "Shengsheng, stay in the car and wait for me."

Without waiting for her reply, he closed the door and strode toward the crowd.