Ch 7: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Madam Shen did not agree to Shen Yunrui’s request and merely said she would consider it. She had no intention of giving the Lin family any face and instead hoped to make things difficult enough for them to withdraw from the engagement themselves.

However, Shen Yunrui went straight to Old Master Shen after returning home and shared the matter with him. The old master, sharp as always, immediately discerned that Shen Guobang and Madam Shen were doubting the Lin family, which infuriated him. To question the Lin family was to question his judgment.

With a burst of anger, Old Master Shen declared, “I’ll pay for your wedding and buy you a house. Let’s see who dares to stop me.”

Shen Yunrui wanted to agree, but ever since the thought of holding a joint wedding with Shen Yunxuan had popped into her head, she couldn’t let it go.

To her, Huo Siheng was a man she didn’t want in this life, and Lin Huaizhi was the man she had snatched from Shen Yunxuan. She couldn’t resist the idea of holding a joint wedding where she would stand proudly, having switched destinies. She relished the thought of Shen Yunxuan unknowingly watching her achieve happiness. That would be her ultimate wedding gift.

So Shen Yunrui clung to Old Master Shen’s arm, playing coy. “Grandpa, while Mom’s words were harsh, she made one valid point: If we cover everything, outsiders might say Huaizhi is freeloading. What if the Lin family hears those nasty remarks and gets upset? It would ruin the joy of the occasion.

But if my sister and I have a joint wedding, it’s different. People will see it as a celebration of the Shen sisters getting married on the same day—double blessings! And when we mention how both you and I owe our lives to the Lin family, everyone will marvel at the serendipity. Huaizhi and I love each other deeply, and this would leave everyone with nothing but congratulations. Don’t you think that’s better, Grandpa?”

Old Master Shen, hearing her argument, felt it had merit. It would elevate the act of repaying kindness into a grand and respectable gesture. When Shen Yunrui feigned hesitance about her sister agreeing, Old Master Shen assured her he would personally convince Shen Yunxuan.

Shen Yunxuan received a call from Old Master Shen and, after listening to his proposal, found it amusing. She had thought that once the assets were settled, she would be done with these so-called relatives and could focus entirely on her investments. Yet Shen Yunrui just couldn’t let things rest.

It wasn’t hard to guess Shen Yunrui’s plan: fueled by her rebirth, she wanted to flaunt her success at the wedding, bask in the glory of her “happiness,” and use Shen Yunxuan as a contrast.

At the wedding, Shen Yunrui would portray herself as the joyful bride marrying for love, while Shen Yunxuan would seem like a pawn in a business deal. As the elder sister marrying into the wealthiest family, Shen Yunrui could feign innocence and garner sympathy, painting Shen Yunxuan as the one with all the advantages but lacking grace.

And if Shen Yunrui managed to provoke her into losing her composure at the wedding, it would further cement the image of Shen Yunxuan as unworthy of sympathy—even within the Huo family.

But did Shen Yunxuan fear any of this? On the contrary, she saw it as a golden opportunity.

This joint wedding setup would allow her to publicly sever ties with the Shen family while creating her own narrative. If Shen Yunrui wanted to be her foil, then Shen Yunxuan would make sure to use it to her full advantage.

Thus, Shen Yunxuan readily agreed and told Old Master Shen, “I don’t mind. As long as they’re not afraid of embarrassment, I’m fine with it.”

Old Master Shen’s anger flared. “Get back here immediately! You’re becoming more and more insolent. Do you even respect your elders anymore? Don’t forget—you haven’t even met anyone from the Huo family yet. This engagement can still be called off!”

Unfazed, Shen Yunxuan replied, “Fine, call it off. With the assets I have now, I can start my own life without a problem.”

“You… You’re on your own now!” Old Master Shen bellowed, slamming the phone down and clutching his chest as he tried to steady his breathing.

In his entire life, he had never been defied so openly, not even by Shen Guobang, who had inherited the family business. Yet here was a once-overlooked granddaughter, daring to threaten him—and worse, he couldn’t do anything about it.

The Shen family needed this alliance with the Huo family. With Shen Yunrui tied to the Lin family for the sake of repaying a favor, the only feasible match for the Huo family was Shen Yunxuan. She had cornered them, and they all knew it.

Shen Yunrui quickly tried to calm her grandfather. “Grandpa, Sister is just throwing a tantrum. She’s always craved approval from the elders. I’m sure she’ll come around in ten days or so and go back to being as obedient as ever. Besides, she’s just bluffing—she wouldn’t really give up marrying into the Huo family.”

Old Master Shen nodded. He, too, believed that Shen Yunxuan’s threats held no real weight. Everyone knew the Shen family wouldn’t give up on the Huo family, and neither would Shen Yunxuan. He wasn’t giving in to his granddaughter’s demands—he was merely keeping the peace for now.

But Shen Yunxuan wasn’t bluffing. For her, marrying into the Lin family meant walking a familiar path she had already conquered once, with people she knew well. She could navigate it better this time.

Starting her own life with her current assets was also viable. While the Shen family might try to sabotage her, and others would be cautious about working with her, her foresight would ensure her success.

And as for marrying into the Huo family, it was the ultimate shortcut. Standing on the shoulders of a giant, she could surpass her previous life’s accomplishments within a fraction of the time. Moreover, if Huo Siheng became comatose as expected, she could seize control of the Huo family business, resolve its crises, and cement her position as the wealthiest person in the country.

Regardless of which path Shen Yunxuan took, she was confident she could navigate it successfully. The difference lay only in the level of difficulty—some paths were more challenging, while others were easier. Whether advancing or retreating, she would win, which made her unafraid of stirring the waters in the Shen family.

As a result, the Shen family, fearing further upheaval, delivered the easiest and most comfortable path to her on a silver platter. Naturally, she had no reason to refuse.

With the “internal conflict” in the Shen family resolved, Madam Shen began eagerly fostering ties with the Huo family. Unwilling to curry favor with Shen Yunxuan, she thought that if she established a strong relationship with her future in-laws, it would facilitate business cooperation without needing to rely on Shen Yunxuan.

However, her overeager efforts came across to Madam Huo as an act of groveling for profit, causing Madam Huo to regret her impulsive decision to select the Shen family.

Initially, Madam Huo had been told that the Shen family treasured their daughters, raising them with great care. She believed that marrying into such a family would bring her a daughter-in-law who was both gentle and sensible. Moreover, given the Shen family’s current difficulties, they would value the Huo family’s support, ensuring harmony and respect in the marriage.

But Madam Shen’s behavior now made her question the upbringing of the Shen daughters. If the mother acted so poorly, could the daughter truly be as virtuous as claimed?

Madam Huo subtly brought it up with Huo Siheng at dinner. “The Shen family might not be the best fit. Shall I consider other options for you?”

Huo Siheng thought of Shen Yunxuan—cold, money-driven, and estranged from her parents. She was the perfect candidate for a transactional marriage. He would provide her with wealth and status in exchange for her playing the role of a proper Huo family wife. Once his mother lost interest in meddling with his marriage, they could divorce.

This arrangement, inspired by what he had observed during their brief encounter at the business club, would likely appeal to Shen Yunxuan. But a different candidate might not accept such terms, potentially complicating his plans.

“Stick with this one,” he said flatly. “Let’s proceed with the wedding quickly. I need to leave the country soon for a business deal and won’t have time to delay.”

Madam Huo’s face darkened. “Business, business—you only care about work! Your marriage deserves some attention too!” But she was helpless against her workaholic son. Since he finally agreed to marry, changing the bride would mean more delays. Who knew if he’d still agree after returning from his trip?

With a sigh, Madam Huo relented. “Fine. We’ll stick with this.”

Later, when she spoke with Madam Shen about wedding details, she was shocked to learn the bride was the Shen family’s elder daughter. While it was never explicitly stated which daughter would marry, their previous conversations had revolved around praises for the younger daughter, Shen Yunrui. To switch brides now felt deceptive, like a bait-and-switch!

Madam Shen feigned ignorance, using her best acting skills to convince Madam Huo that the original intention was always for Shen Yunxuan to marry. She sang praises of Shen Yunxuan’s composed and dignified nature, emphasizing her suitability for the Huo family while also lauding Shen Yunrui’s selflessness in agreeing to marry into a poor family to repay her grandfather’s debt.

Madam Huo, furious, hung up and immediately began investigating Shen Yunxuan. Coincidentally, Shen Yunrui had previously spread good rumors about her sister to improve her image, and the Shen family’s internal disputes hadn’t leaked. As a result, Madam Huo only heard positive things. Considering her son might refuse a bride change, she reluctantly accepted the Shen family’s explanation.

However, Madam Huo had no desire to discuss wedding details further with the Shen family. Instead, she took over full control of the event, requesting the guest list from Madam Shen. To smooth things over, she even agreed to the idea of both sisters marrying on the same day, framing it as a gesture of goodwill and generosity from the Huo family.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunrui was spending her days in a blissful romance with Lin Huaizhi. Learning that the Huo family had not even arranged a meeting with Shen Yunxuan, she felt triumphant. In her previous life, Madam Huo had personally organized a meeting and gifted her a six-million-yuan jade bracelet. Now, Shen Yunxuan hadn’t even been acknowledged—a clear sign of rejection.

She imagined how Shen Yunxuan must feel—relegated to a hotel, crying in secret, her dreams of grandeur shattered. The thought delighted her.

Shen Yunrui could already picture the wedding day: the Huo family’s cold treatment of Shen Yunxuan contrasted against the Lin family’s warmth toward her. Even if people pitied her for marrying into a less affluent family, the narrative would frame her as someone who married for love, while Shen Yunxuan would be the one to garner sympathy for being unloved.

When Madam Shen informed Shen Yunxuan that she didn’t need to worry about wedding preparations and simply had to show up on the day, Shen Yunxuan felt relieved. Her schedule was packed with meetings and investment plans. While she intended to enjoy life, the initial stage required effort. The less she had to deal with wedding logistics, the better.

As for the Huo family’s attitude? It didn’t matter. She would soon be their official daughter-in-law. Once Huo Siheng fell into his anticipated coma, she was confident she could secure control over the family business, making practical gains far more valuable than symbolic gestures.

When Shen Yunrui sent her a mocking message under the guise of concern, Shen Yunxuan merely smiled. The wedding day was approaching, and she had a special gift prepared for her dear sister—one she would never forget.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆