“Shengsheng, you look incredible today.” Claire Xu had always known that Lauren Shaw was beautiful, but she usually kept a low profile and rarely dressed herself up like this. Today, though, she outshone everyone in the room.
Qin Jia, who was standing off to the side, heard Claire Xu’s words and gave an awkward little tug at the corner of her lips.
Claire Xu wasn’t wrong—whether it was about her presence or her looks, Lauren Shaw was in a league of her own.
She glanced at Yancy Shaw, who was watching with a gentle smile, and teased, “President Shen, do you think Shengsheng is beautiful?”
Qin Jia perked up, eager to know Yancy Shaw’s answer as well.
Yancy Shaw looked at Lauren Shaw, his eyes filled with genuine warmth. He answered seriously, “She’s gorgeous.”
That answer clearly satisfied everyone. Claire Xu gave Qin Jia a look of smug challenge—see, this is the aura of a legitimate wife.
Qin Jia couldn’t keep up appearances any longer and quickly turned to leave.
Watching the flustered figure hastily depart, Claire Xu couldn’t help but mutter, “How does she even have the nerve to try to make herself seen in front of you?”
Lauren Shaw shrugged, “She’s probably wondering why Yancy Shaw doesn’t like her. After all, she’s beautiful and capable.”
She glanced sideways at Yancy Shaw, noticing that he was looking right at her, his eyes holding a smile she couldn’t decipher.
He leaned in close to whisper by her ear, “Baby, I only like you—I love that spark in you.”
That made Lauren Shaw blush a pretty shade of red.
This man really had no sense of occasion—he’d say anything, anywhere.
Claire Xu overheard and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “You two really have your own unique flavor of marital fun.”
She winked dramatically at Lauren Shaw, her smile clearly up to no good.
Lauren Shaw couldn't help but pinch her friend's waist. “You’ve got some nerve! Next time I’m getting you a gift—so you can ‘enjoy’ yourself, too.”
“No, no, no! My dear Shengsheng, I was wrong!”
Amid their laughter, Yancy Shaw went off to greet the guests.
As he walked away, Claire Xu tugged Lauren Shaw aside and whispered, “Shengsheng, can I ask you something?”
“What is it?” Lauren Shaw saw the bashfulness on her friend’s face—whatever it was, it was definitely not a question your average schoolchild would have. Adults’ curiosities were always more complicated.
Claire Xu hesitated, her face reddening before the words even formed.
“When you kiss Yancy Shaw, does he… have a physical reaction?”
Don’t ask how she knew—she’d found out herself the night before.
Lauren Shaw looked at her in surprise, then started grinning, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of gossip. “You and Henry Mills did it?” It was finally her turn to tease.
Claire Xu’s face flamed, “No, don’t say nonsense! I just wanted to ask—when we kissed last night, I noticed that he, uh, well, there was definitely a reaction…”
It was both embarrassing and confusing.
She’d always heard that men only… reacted when doing more intimate things, not just from kissing. It baffled her.
“A reaction just means he’s healthy.”
“Of course I know it’s normal.”
Lauren Shaw’s sly look made Claire Xu blush even more, wishing she could disappear.
“How do you know all this, huh? Maybe you should give me an explanation.”
It was rare to see Claire Xu actually shy, and Lauren Shaw wasn’t going to waste such an opportunity to tease her.
At that moment, Henry Mills walked in wearing a suit. For a split second, she saw how handsome he was—it made her heart stutter, skipping wildly, like she’d lost her bearings.
“Qingqing, why is your face red?” Lauren Shaw kept up the teasing.
Claire Xu panicked, “Is it?” Watching Henry Mills approach only made her more flustered, her gaze darting away.
Lauren Shaw tactfully left them some space, wandering over to Nina Shaw.
Xavier Quinn was there too, standing beside Nina Shaw. The two of them really looked like they belonged together.
“Sis, brother-in-law.” Lauren Shaw came over, wineglass in hand, clutching at her skirt.
A smile spread on Nina Shaw’s face when she saw her. “Shengsheng.”
Nina Shaw hadn’t wanted to come at first, but Xavier Quinn said it was a Shen family gathering and that Lauren Shaw would be there. That made her agree to tag along. Now, with her sister here, she felt settled at last.
“Why don’t you two chat here? I’ll head over there.” Xavier Quinn knew the sisters must have things to say and took the chance to leave them alone. With Lauren Shaw by her side, Nina Shaw wouldn’t feel lonely.
As Xavier Quinn walked off with his wine, the smile slipped from Nina Shaw’s lips.
Lauren Shaw picked up on her mood. “Sis, how are things with you and your husband lately?”
“Same as ever, just getting by, I guess.” There was a faint bitterness in Nina Shaw’s tone that made Lauren Shaw’s chest tighten with helpless sorrow.
She squeezed her sister’s hand. “Let’s move over there. It’s quieter—and honestly, I’m hungry, and there’s food.”
Settling in a corner, Lauren Shaw spotted Eva Snow. What was she doing here tonight? Although it piqued her curiosity, she didn’t dwell on it and instead kept chatting with Nina Shaw.
“Is your husband good to you?” Xavier Quinn seemed nice and gentlemanly, but what was he really like behind closed doors? Lauren Shaw realized she didn’t really know.
Nina Shaw’s gaze drifted to where Xavier Quinn stood, mingling with others, looking every inch the considerate gentleman. In that instant, she actually found his manner rather pleasing.
Lauren Shaw caught the subtle affection hidden in her sister’s eyes. “Sis, you actually do like brother-in-law, don’t you?”
Nina Shaw pulled her gaze away. The truth was, she didn’t know the answer herself. What did it mean to like someone? She had no clear definition.
“Shengsheng, things are different between me and your brother-in-law. It’s nothing like what you have with Yancheng. Our marriage is all about interests.”
Their families had arranged their marriage before the two had even met properly, so how could there have been any affection to begin with?
If not for Xavier Quinn, she probably would’ve become an outstanding ophthalmologist by now—instead of leading a mediocre life like this.
Feeling her sister’s sadness, Lauren Shaw squeezed her hand and gently patted it.
“Sis, I truly hope you can be happy, but I honestly don’t know how to help you find happiness.”
There were so many helpless moments in an adult’s life. What Nina Shaw carried was something Lauren Shaw could never understand, and in that sense, she recognized her own good fortune.
“Silly Shengsheng, how do you know I’m not happy? Life has so many imperfections—why demand too much? Happiness is simple: having healthy family is happiness, having enough to eat and wear is happiness, having nothing weighing on your heart is happiness…”
Not being loved didn’t mean she wasn’t happy. She never liked tying herself down with uncertain feelings. Men would only slow her down; she didn’t want to risk fretting over love.
As they spoke, it was as if Xavier Quinn sensed something. He turned his head to glance at her. Their eyes met, and Nina Shaw locked gazes with him, as if seeing who could stare the longest without flinching.