Shi Lingyan, who had attracted all the attention, merely glanced at them indifferently and then, as if oblivious to their presence, took a seat on the living room sofa. He casually reached for the cigarette box on the small table, pulled out one, picked up a match without haste, lit it leisurely, and then, squinting his eyes, looked up with the cigarette between his lips.
Shi Yunchang felt a sense of humiliation burgeoning within him, as if he were being ignored. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth, saying, "You'd better explain to us what's going on here!"
Lingyan exhaled a long ring of smoke, his eyebrows slightly raised, and he gave a faint smile, "Who allowed you to come in?"
His voice was not loud, carrying a hint of laughter.
That laughter was faint and imperceptible, cold as frost.
Shi Xuebai realized the implications of Shi Lingyan's attitude and felt a sense of foreboding.
Who was Shi Lingyan, after all?
Not merely in Yan City, but across the entire Xia Country, he was a figure of significant influence!
Offending such a person was undoubtedly very unwise.
This was also their only chance.
As long as that project got off the ground, they would be solid enough to stand their ground in front of Shi Lingyan. By then, would they still need to fear him?
With that thought, the hearts of the Shi Family were ablaze with eagerness.
Wang Quanxia, gripping Shi Mei's hand, displayed her rage at discovering her daughter's betrayal in all its intensity, shouting, "What's the matter, do you dare to do it but not face it? This mistress can come in, but our Shi Mei, the legitimate wife, can't? Mr. Shi, I thought you were brought up by Mr. Shi himself and had been a soldier, definitely someone whose character we didn't need to worry about. I didn't expect you to be nothing more than this!"
Shi Xuebai looked at Shi Lingyan's face, so exquisitely perfect it was beyond criticism, and felt a twinge of fear as he pulled at his wife.
Who knew Shi Yunchang would also join the fray of accusers, saying, "If Mr. Shi knew about the mess you've made, how disappointed he would be!"
Third Uncle Shi, who had been quiet for quite some time, also looked troubled and disappointed as he spoke, "Indeed, this should not have happened... Should this matter get out... the Shi Family has much more to lose face over than our family."
Third Aunt Shi wore a look of regret, lamenting, "But after all, Shi Mei has the mental age of only five years old, who can blame a child of five for anything? Mr. Shi's affair can be understandable, it's just that... it might be tough to explain to the elder."
Shi Mei cooperated by lifting her head and revealing a bewildered expression.
She resented this family from the bottom of her heart.
Their coordination was impeccable, their roles clearly divided.
A couple played the bad cop causing a scene, another couple played the good cop acting kind, with the addition of Shi Yunchang fanning the flames, adding fuel to the fire.
Indeed, choosing them for this task couldn't have been more appropriate.
You should know, the Shi Family's upbringing was strict, and Elder Shi himself was an old-fashioned stickler for tradition, who valued education and face above all.
And these people were not straying from mentioning the elder in three sentences; the implication was clear: If you don't give us a satisfactory solution, we will take it up with your grandfather!
Bai Yuejie watched this act of the Shi Family, feeling a simmering anger within her, along with contempt and disdain for this family.
She subconsciously looked at the man who was the focus of everyone's attention, trying to find a hint of similar emotion on his face.
Shi Lingyan sat casually on the sofa, a wisp of pale smoke rising from his well-defined fingers, silently enveloping his face in a hazy aura, making the already inscrutable man appear even more mysterious.
There seemed to be a smile in the corners of Lingyan's eyes, and yet, there might as well have been none. He raised his eyebrows ever so slightly, his voice serene, "Are you done?"