Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
Due to this reason, between her two daughters, Shen Yaoting loved Shen Shuna a little more and was only lukewarm towards Shen Youran.
In addition, Shen Youran’s father didn’t like her, so she was sent to live with her grandmother. She returned home only when she was 13, after her grandmother died.
Shen Youran stood stiffly while Tang Huiru tried to speak up for her. “Dad, your 80th birthday is in half a month. Youran came specifically to wish you a long life,” she said, giving her a meaningful look.
Youran pretended not to notice and continued to stand quietly. If not for Tang Huiru’s repeated cajoling, she wouldn’t have bothered to return for an insignificant birthday celebration.
In this whole family, only Tang Huiru and Shen Shuna treated her well… but ever since Shen Shuna and Gu Jinchen got married, there had been a gap between the two.
To be fair, though, this gap was something only she perceived.
Shen Shuna treated her the way she always did, reminding her to take care when she was sick and being concerned over her eating habits.
She had a barrier in her heart that she couldn’t overcome, so she intentionally alienated Shen Shuna… The two of them weren’t as close as they used to be.
Shen Yaoting didn’t want the whole household to be uneasy because of her return, so he followed Tang Huiru’s instructions and said, “Dad, Youran called me a few days ago to ask what gifts you’d like. She spared a lot of thought in picking out a gift for you.”
If not for Shen Yaoting’s reminder, Shen Youran would have forgotten to prepare a gift, but luckily, there had still been half a month, which had been enough time for her to prepare something for him.
Upon hearing Shen Yaoting’s words, the Shen family head stopped himself from getting angry, but he still had a long face.
Even so, Shen Youran didn’t care because, in her memories, he had always looked at her with that unpleasant face.
The only time she got along with him was when she was 16, having been accepted into the provincial high school with the best grades in school while Shen Shuna had had to rely on family connections to enter the school.
The phone in the living room rang, and Tang Huiru was the closest to the phone so she picked it up.
After listening for a moment, she smiled and replied, “Alright, understood.”
She put down the phone and turned to the Old Master. “Dad, Shuna and Jinchen knew you were coming today, so they booked a hotel room for you to rest and clean up.”
Old Master Shen’s face softened. “Shuna, that child, she’s so considerate.”
Not long after, Shen Shuna and Gu Jinchen arrived at the Shen family house and brought everyone along to the hotel.
Shen Shuna, her makeup enhancing her features, took Old Master Shen’s arm and sat down as soon as she entered.
“Grandpa, I’ve missed you. Are you doing alright in Auckland?”
Old Master Shen was much closer to her, and his stony face carried a hint of a smile. “Everything is going great. Why didn’t you bring Yiyi?”
Shen Shuna smiled. “We’re going to go out soon, so it’s not convenient to bring her along.”
In the evening, they went to the hotel and were led to a private room by the attendants.
Shen Shuna sat next to Old Master Shen, often making him laugh at the dining table with her stories and jokes.
Old Master Shen talked about the customs in Auckland and the scenery, drawing the interest of everyone at the table.
The atmosphere was filled with joy. Only Shen Youran sat quietly and out of place in this family banquet.
She was bored out of her mind, as if she was a stranger at this table, and found an excuse to leave the private room.