
Soon, the tables and chairs were set up, and everyone sat down to eat.
Sheng Wenyin was naturally placed at the center seat.
Qi Si started heading toward the seat next to her, but just then, Sheng Ru called out from the other side, "Ah Si, over here!"
Qi Si paused mid-step, turning to look at Sheng Ru, who had just nudged Sheng Qiong. Sheng Qiong chimed in, "Exactly, Ah Si. Let the ladies sit together, and we men will sit on this side. Come join us."
Qi Si’s brows furrowed slightly, his displeasure evident. Without saying a word, he turned back toward Sheng Wenyin’s side.
However, just as he took another step forward, the seats on either side of Sheng Wenyin were swiftly claimed—one by his mother, the other by Aunt Zhan.
Qi Si froze.
In the end, he was stuck sitting between Sheng Ru and Sheng Qiong, a great distance from Sheng Wenyin. To put it plainly, if he wanted to pass her some food, he’d probably have to climb onto the table just to reach her.
From across the table, Sheng Wenyin finally noticed Qi Si. The man’s face was dark, his expression cold and brooding, exuding an aura that could ruin anyone’s appetite.
Puzzled, Sheng Wenyin mouthed, What’s wrong?
Qi Si pressed his lips into a firm line, saying nothing, though his gaze locked on hers with an intensity that made her heart skip.
Still baffled, Sheng Wenyin couldn’t spare much thought for Qi Si’s reaction, as the people beside her were enthusiastically chatting her up.
Dinner dragged on for two hours.
When it was time to clear the table, Sheng Wenyin instinctively stood to help, but her mother and Aunt Zhuang stopped her.
Smiling, her mother said, “Let the kids handle it.”
Sheng Wenyin paused, glancing up to see the younger generation—Sheng Xingyue, Sheng Xingmeng, and Sheng Xingru—already bustling around like industrious worker bees, tidying everything up. Even Feng Xiaoxiao and Shi Yan were helping.
Sheng Wenyin felt uneasy. Compared to sitting around with family, she’d honestly prefer washing dishes. She lowered her head, muttering, “I should help. It doesn’t feel right to let the guests work while the host rests.”
Aunt Zhuang pondered for a moment before nodding, “You have a point.”
Then she called out, “Qi Si! You’re part of the host family. Why are you just sitting there? Go help!”
Qi Si, who was deep in conversation with Sheng Ru, blinked in disbelief.
Sheng Ru chuckled and waved him off. “Go on, you’re needed.”
Reluctantly, Qi Si stood up and made his way to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Sheng Wenyin was ushered over to the sofa by her mother and Aunt Zhuang.
Xu Chu and Shen Mei were already there. When Sheng Wenyin joined them, the group leaned in closer to chat.
Noticing Sheng Wenyin’s discomfort, Xu Chu tried to lighten the mood, asking, “What have you been up to lately, Yinyin?”
Sheng Wenyin thought for a moment and replied nonchalantly, “Not much, just acquired some shares in a small company. Playing the role of chairman and CEO, you know, constantly working.”
Xu Chu: "…"
Shen Mei smiled, “Oh, I’ve heard about that. Your eldest brother mentioned it.”
Sheng Wenyin returned her smile.
Xu Chu feigned annoyance. “So, I’m the only one who didn’t know?”
Aunt Zhan looked at Sheng Wenyin with concern. “Running a company is exhausting, and being a celebrity is no easier. Do you enjoy all this work, Yinyin? If not, maybe you could—”
“Ahem!” Xu Chu suddenly interrupted, clearing her throat loudly.
Aunt Zhan stopped mid-sentence, remembering the family’s prior agreement: no pressuring Sheng Wenyin to come back home, no guilt-tripping, no unsolicited advice. Everything had to be done subtly and gradually.
Taking a deep breath, Aunt Zhan quickly changed her tune. “If you don’t like your current work, I can introduce you to something else. What do you enjoy doing?”
Sheng Wenyin lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers. After a moment of thought, she said quietly, “I’d like to be a soldier.”
The room fell silent.
Everyone stared at her, stunned.
No one had expected that.
For Sheng Wenyin, becoming a soldier had always been part of her life plan. Regardless of her new family situation, this ultimate goal had never changed. Acting and business were just temporary pursuits for her current stage of life.
One day, she would enlist, serve her country, and stand tall, just like her father.
As the silence lingered, Sheng Wenyin braced herself, anticipating their attempts to dissuade her. After all, it was rare for women to pursue a military career.
She began mentally preparing her arguments, considering how to convey her unwavering determination.
But just then, she felt a warm hand cover hers.
Looking up, she met her mother’s gentle gaze.
“A soldier, huh? Well, when your second brother comes back, you should ask him about it.”
Sheng Wenyin blinked, startled.
Her mother smiled. “You haven’t met your second brother yet, have you? He’s stationed at the border, so he doesn’t come home often. But you’ve met Sheng Xinghan and Sheng Xingkuang, right? Your second brother’s entire family, including his wife, are all in the military.”
Sheng Wenyin stared, her eyes wide with surprise.
Though she’d known about her second brother’s military background, she hadn’t expected her mother to be so supportive.
Aunt Zhuang sighed, “The military is tough—I can vouch for that. But if Yinyin truly loves it, I’ll support her. Perhaps you could consult your Uncle Qi, or even Qi Si—”
“Better ask your Uncle Qi,” Aunt Zhan interjected abruptly.
Aunt Zhuang glanced at her skeptically before adding, “Qi Si would also be a good choice. He knows a lot about—”
“Qi Si doesn’t count,” Aunt Zhan interrupted again. “He retired years ago, didn’t he?”
Aunt Zhuang’s expression soured. “Even so, he’s still a special consultant to the military. He occasionally participates in operations!”
Aunt Zhan scoffed lightly. “Consultants follow a different track than traditional soldiers. It’s not the same.”
Aunt Zhuang retorted, “But he still has valuable insights!”
“I never said he didn’t,” Aunt Zhan replied with an air of finality.
Aunt Zhuang bit her tongue, fuming silently. Clearly, Aunt Zhan had a bone to pick with her son.
Curious, Sheng Wenyin asked, “Qi Si was a soldier for many years?”
Aunt Zhuang hesitated, then waved her hand dismissively. “Well, his exact tenure isn’t important—”
“He served for three years. Am I right, Zhuang?” Aunt Zhan interjected with a sharp smile.
Aunt Zhuang flushed red. “Well, a bit more than three… But still, over a thousand days! That’s something, isn’t it?”
“Only three years?” Sheng Wenyin tilted her head, surprised.
Aunt Zhuang felt utterly embarrassed, especially compared to Sheng Cheng, who had served for over two decades. In contrast, Qi Si’s short tenure seemed laughable.
Just as she struggled to find something to salvage her son’s reputation, Sheng Wenyin suddenly exclaimed, “That’s amazing!”
Aunt Zhan: "..."
Aunt Zhuang: "?"
Sheng Wenyin glanced toward the kitchen, where Qi Si was bent over the sink, dutifully washing dishes.
“For just three years, he managed to qualify for the special talent system and continues to be called back for missions. That speaks volumes about his capabilities! No wonder he’s skilled in hacking—that’s a course reserved for top-tier all-around operatives. So, he’s… what, both brilliant and tough?”
She patted her chest, looking relieved. “Thank goodness I’m versatile too. I can fight and argue like a pro!”