Chapter 48 The Uninvited Qin Shi

"Good, good, good."

After listening to Chen Yan's detailed explanation, Old Master Liu, seated at the head of the table, said three 'good's in one breath.

An old man with one foot in the grave was now full of vitality, brimming with energy.

This scene left the Liu family members utterly baffled.

Seriously, old man, did you take the wrong medicine today, or did you forget to take it at all? It's just a 100-million-yuan investment project. Our Liu family has assets worth tens of billions. Is there any need for you to get so worked up???

"Grandpa... you... what's..."

Seeing the old man's agitation, Liu Ruyan, being more concerned, quickly stood up and gently patted his back, fearing he might get too excited and have trouble breathing.

Only then did the other Liu family members snap out of it, hurriedly gathering around to fuss over the old man with feigned concern.

"I'm fine... I'm fine. Let's eat."

Old Master Liu looked at this group of hypocritical descendants. Although somewhat annoyed inside, he could only pretend to know nothing and waved his hand dismissively.

Old Master Liu waved his hand, signaling everyone to return to their seats, but his gaze remained fixed on Chen Yan, a sharp glint flashing briefly in his eyes.

"Chen Yan," he said unhurriedly, picking up a napkin to dab the corner of his mouth, "what's the name of that short drama you mentioned earlier?"

Chen Yan was taken aback, not expecting the old man to follow up on this.

"Uh... this... can I not say?"

Hearing this, Chen Yan genuinely felt embarrassed. It was true he wrote that novel, but he never imagined that his spur-of-the-moment idea back then would turn out to be a perfect reflection of his current experiences. If this got exposed, what if Liu Ruyan flew into a humiliated rage? Another dose of anesthetic, and he'd really be done for.

Back then, he was purely just trying to earn a bit more manuscript fee. Otherwise, why would he write something so brainless?

"Just answer whatever Grandpa asks! Where do you get all this nonsense!"

At this moment, Liu Ruyan was speechless. This damn man, always playing coy. If there weren't so many people around right now, she really wanted to give him a hard slap.

"Roger that, wifey. The name is 'My Tsundere Wife Fell in Love with Me'."

The boss had spoken. Chen Yan gave a start and quickly spoke up.

"Pfft—"

The soup Liu Ruhui had just sipped sprayed right out. Luckily, her mother reacted swiftly, blocking the bowl in front of her face.

Well, that did it. Liu Ruyan's face flushed bright red again.

Even a fool could tell who that title was about!

"Adapted from your novel?" Old Master Liu continued asking.

"Yes, the novel is called 'Please Be Gentle, My Wife'."

Liu Ruyan: "..."

She was numb, utterly numb. Forget destroying the Earth; she wanted to destroy all eight planets of the solar system.

She now strongly suspected this damn man was doing it on purpose.

He was using words to chirp back all the grievances he suffered at her hands.

Old Master Liu nodded, pulled out his phone, grabbed his reading glasses, then skillfully opened a certain short video app and handed it to Chen Yan. "Search it. Let me have a look."

The entire room fell silent.

The over-eighty-year-old patriarch... actually uses short video apps?

Chen Yan was also a bit stunned, but he took the phone, entered the drama's name, and handed it back once the search results popped up.

Old Master Liu put on his reading glasses, tapped on the first episode, and turned up the volume.

"You heartless thing! I've been married to you for three years, what have you ever given me? You can't even afford decent clothes!"

"Wife, I..."

"Don't call me wife! We're getting divorced tomorrow!"

The shrill female voice from the phone was especially clear in the quiet dining room.

Liu Ruyan's face had turned from red to purple, then from purple to black.

Her cheeks burned hot. She was truly numb.

Because she realized—the way that female lead spoke bore an uncanny resemblance to her own tone!

"Ahem." After watching for about two minutes, Old Master Liu closed the video, took off his reading glasses, and his look towards Chen Yan changed.

It became... somewhat complicated.

Could it be that what that old Taoist priest said back then was all true?

A good son-in-law... could bring prosperity to the Liu family for three generations?

"Grandpa... what's wrong?"

Seeing the old man looking at him with a strange expression—sometimes surprised, sometimes incredulous—gave Chen Yan the feeling of being targeted by a hunter, making his skin crawl with goosebumps.

"Oh... no... nothing. My mind just wandered for a moment. Since... you have experience in this area. Well, I'll have someone draft a notice. This short drama project will be handed over to you and Ruyan to manage as a couple."

Old Master Liu waved his hand, changing the subject. He didn't want to talk about the old Taoist priest with these people. After all, with such metaphysical matters, the fewer who knew, the better.

As soon as Old Master Liu finished speaking, the atmosphere in the dining room instantly shifted.

Second Uncle Liu Jianguo's chopsticks clattered onto the table. He picked them up nonchalantly, but the smile on his face had already stiffened like a slab of concrete.

"Dad," he forced a dry laugh, "Ruyan is, after all, the group CEO. She already has a lot on her plate. Taking on a short drama project on top of that might be too taxing. How about letting Hao Ran learn the ropes and assist Ruyan?"

Liu Haoran Liu Haoran immediately straightened his back, putting on what he thought was his most appropriate smile. "Yes, yes, I'm quite interested in this too. I could help share some of the load for my Liu Haoran."

Share the load?

Chen Yan rolled his eyes inwardly.

More like snatch a share of the pie, right?

"No need. We can talk about involving more people after it's done successfully. Hao Ran still needs more experience."

However, the second branch's suggestion was directly vetoed by Old Master Liu.

"But, Dad..."

Liu Jianguo wanted to say more, but then he saw a servant hurrying in.

"Old Master, Young Master Qin is here."

Hearing this, the smile on Old Master Liu's face instantly froze.

The Liu Jianguo family from the second branch even revealed a playful smirk. Interesting. At this very moment, Qin Shi actually showed up. Knowing full well the old man doesn't like him, his timing couldn't be more 'perfect'.

Meanwhile, the third branch and the married-off fourth daughter could only give Liu Ruyan a helpless look. She's been married for four years, and she still can't cleanly break things off with Qin Shi???

Doesn't she have any sense of the current situation?

"Qin Shi?"

Liu Ruyan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly before returning to normal. Only her fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly.

She was somewhat surprised. Why would he come here? She clearly hadn't told him about this.

Catching this subtle movement out of the corner of his eye, Chen Yan understood perfectly well.

Qin Shi.

Oh ho.

Chen Yan whistled inwardly.

Heh heh heh, this is getting more and more interesting.

"What is he doing here?"

Old Master Liu's tone was less than pleased as he frowned and looked at Liu Ruyan.

"Ruyan, did you invite him?"

Liu Ruyan quickly shook her head. "No, Grandpa, I didn't."

Just then, a clear, pleasant male voice came from the entrance.

"Old Master Liu, I heard the family is gathered today for a rare reunion dinner. I took the liberty of coming over. I hope I'm not intruding."

Following the voice, a tall, handsome man in a well-tailored suit walked in, holding a gift box. It was none other than Qin Shi.