The hospital room door was suddenly pushed open. Before they could react, someone walked in.

Mrs. Chen saw what was happening inside and immediately backed out a few steps, giving a light cough and muttering to herself, “I thought you two would be packing up by now. You’ve been upstairs for ages.”

These two really have no sense of restraint. It’s like hugging and holding each other all day isn’t enough—for just a moment apart and they’re already attached again.

No wonder people say young folks never run out of energy.

Even as she grumbled, Mrs. Chen sensibly pulled the door closed behind herself as she left.

“Is Yu Bai not ready yet?” Shen Wenting, having grown impatient downstairs, came up to check.

Mrs. Chen stopped him, blocking his way. “Let your son enjoy his moment—don’t interrupt.”

Shen Wenting was baffled. “What moment?”

“The young couple is in there sharing some sweet nothings.”

Understanding dawned instantly on Shen Wenting’s face. Nodding his approval, he smiled. “That rascal’s doing well—reminds me of myself back in the day!”

Mrs. Chen rolled her eyes so hard it was almost audible. “Keep dreaming.”

Just then, the hospital room door opened from the inside. Bryce Shaw, holding Li Qiuchi’s hand, looked calmly at his parents.

“Mom, Dad, what brings you here?”

Mrs. Chen sighed, glancing at the refreshed Bryce Shaw, then at the rosy-cheeked Li Qiuchi. Even with her eyes closed, she could guess what the two had just been up to.

“Aren’t you being discharged today? We came to take you home.”

If she’d known they were coming, she wouldn’t have bothered herself—seems like every day she’s either witnessing lovebirds or stumbling onto another ‘show of affection’. These two brothers truly never give her a break.

Bryce Shaw looked better than ever now—gone was the half-dead look from his days lying in the hospital bed. The couple could at last breathe easy.

“If it weren’t for Qiuchi taking such great care of you, you wouldn’t have recovered so quickly. Shouldn’t you invite her over for a proper meal at home?” Mrs. Chen was direct, knowing full well her son would otherwise have dodged the question.

Truthfully, she had already accepted Li Qiuchi a long time ago. Over the past days, she’d watched how devotedly Qiuchi cared for Yubai, tending to him night and day. As a mother, she could see the love between them. Her only wish was for her son’s happiness—she could never dream of forcing them apart.

Bryce Shaw looked at Mrs. Chen with delight, then turned to seek Li Qiuchi’s opinion. “Qiuchi, would you like to come home with me for dinner?”

Mrs. Chen cringed inside—did this boy have no sense, or just no emotional intelligence? How could he ask a girl something so directly? Of course she’d be embarrassed!

“Qiuchi, come have dinner with us. I had our housekeeper make all your favorites,” Mrs. Chen offered, stepping in at just the right time. As the future mother-in-law, she figured it was time to get to know her future daughter-in-law a little better.

With Mrs. Chen personally inviting her, how could she refuse?

Evening, at the Shen family’s ancestral home.

Mrs. Chen summoned all three Shen brothers home tonight—attendance was non-negotiable.

The annual family banquet was set for next Monday. Mandy Snow had already arranged the event hall; now everyone was just waiting for the big day to arrive.

Outside, on her return, Mandy Snow encountered Nathan Shaw just as he pulled into the driveway. She parked her car and walked over.

“Heard your recent project even made it onto TV—congratulations.”

It was a rare moment of camaraderie between the married couple.

Nathan Shaw hadn’t taken over the family business, but he’d inherited the Shen family’s excellence. Mandy Snow had once been moved by him. But after years of constant arguments, those old feelings had faded.

Nathan Shaw cast her a bland glance and said nothing.

Just then, Yancy Shaw’s car pulled in.

Seeing the couple get out of the car, Nathan Shaw strolled over with a smile. Mandy Snow’s heart fluttered at the sight of him smiling—even though that smile was never meant for her, just seeing it moved her all the same.

“Big Brother, Sister-in-law,” Lauren Shaw greeted them with a smile. She might have her quarrels with Mandy Snow, but no matter what, the woman was the Big Brother’s rightful wife.

Yancy Shaw held Lauren Shaw’s hand as they walked—so affectionate that it hurt to watch. The sight made Mandy Snow’s heart ache.

Hearing voices, Mrs. Chen came out to greet them.

“Sheng Sheng, you’re back!” She went straight to Lauren Shaw’s side, taking note of the couple’s interlaced hands before turning to Nathan Shaw.

“Nanfeng, you haven’t been home in a while, have you?”

Nathan Shaw knew this was coming. He chuckled, “Work’s been busy lately—lots of business trips.”

“Busy, busy, busy. That’s all you ever are. If you have some free time, come see your dad and me a bit more often—we’re getting old. We don’t want for much, just to see our kids at home now and then.”

Mrs. Chen treated Nathan Shaw as if he were her own son.

Standing aside, Mandy Snow felt like an outsider. Watching the display of maternal warmth and filial piety, a mocking smile tugged at her lips.

Shen Siyi came running out from inside, heading straight for Mandy Snow.

“Mom, you’re back!”

Mandy Snow chided, “You’re not a child anymore—act your age.”

Shen Siyi clung to her mother’s arm, her gaze falling on Lauren Shaw with poorly-concealed scrutiny, a look that made Lauren Shaw distinctly uncomfortable.

Shen Wenting waved everyone in from the doorway. “Why is everyone standing out here? Come in, let’s eat!”

Tonight, the Shen home was especially lively. With everyone gathered around the table, Li Qiuchi felt out of place—it was her first time in the Shen household, and though she’d met all kinds of people before, being surrounded solely by Shens left her nervous.

Lauren Shaw shot her a reassuring look, signaling her to relax.

Shen Siyi, still holding a grudge against Lauren Shaw for what happened last time, quietly simmered. In her mind, Lauren Shaw was to blame for causing her beloved cousin to marry an ‘invalid’, so she resented her on Eva Snow’s behalf.

At the dinner table, Yancy Shaw served dishes to Lauren Shaw; Bryce Shaw did the same for Li Qiuchi. Only Mandy Snow’s bowl remained empty—Nathan Shaw didn’t look her way at all. The two looked less like husband and wife, more like strangers.

Mandy Snow lowered her head in sadness.

Li Qiuchi, quick-eyed, noticed something was off between them, but since Bryce Shaw said nothing, she kept her silence. As for Lauren Shaw, she wasn’t surprised in the least; she’d long grown used to it.

Anyone who knew what Mandy Snow was like would understand why Nathan Shaw treated her so coldly—who could warm to a woman forever scheming against her own family?

Suddenly, Shen Siyi got up and raised her glass of juice to Lauren Shaw. “Auntie, I was wrong about last time. I’d like to apologize.”

Last time? Lauren Shaw was confused—Siyi must be referring to Second Madam Xue’s tumble down the stairs. But that had been ages ago; she’d nearly forgotten about it. Why bring it up now?