Shen Qingqing was sensitive to emotions and naturally sensed Lin Fengmian's hostility.
Before coming to the Lin Family as a guest, Shen Qingqing had mentally prepared herself.
Therefore, she didn't feel uncomfortable.
Jiang Zhixun lifted his eyelids and glanced at Lin Fengmian lightly, "I brought a family member, sorry for the disturbance."
Lin Fengmian's expression froze.
Having been warned before not to speak harshly to Shen Qingqing, she immediately understood that Jiang Zhixun was backing Shen Qingqing again.
She felt incredibly sour inside.
Shen Qingqing had only been here a few days and had already won Jiang Zhixun over.
Clearly, on the first day Shen Qingqing appeared, she tried to talk to Jiang Zhixun in the cafeteria, but he ignored her.
He even wished to distance himself from her in front of so many people.
How, in the blink of an eye, was Jiang Zhixun now protecting Shen Qingqing like this?
What on earth did this woman do!
Lin Fengmian's breathing was heavy, yet she had to control her expression to prevent herself from losing her temper.
She couldn't bear Shen Qingqing, but she couldn't chase away other guests.
She managed a forced smile, "My brother and sister-in-law are cooking, so I came down to welcome you."
Everyone present was aware of Lin Fengmian's thoughts.
Chen Shaojie tried to smooth things over, "Surely Xiao Bao wants to see us, let me hold him quickly."
With that, he reached out to take the little baby from Lin Fengmian's arms.
The little baby kept staring at Shen Qingqing.
The expression was frozen.
Chen Shaojie teased as he weighed the little baby, "So young, yet already appreciating a beautiful woman?"
The little baby was just at the age of learning to speak.
He babbled indistinct words, reaching out for Shen Qingqing to hold him.
His small body twisted non-stop.
Chen Shaojie couldn't resist and had to pass the little baby to Shen Qingqing.
"Old Jiang's godson, which makes him your godson too, Miss Shen. This boy really has an eye, he can recognize his own people."
Shen Qingqing was surprised. Could Jiang Zhixun, typically cold-natured, actually have a godson?
Her shoulder was strained, so Jiang Zhixun naturally took Xiao Bao.
"Everyone here today is a godfather."
No official recognition had been made, just a joke casually tossed when the child was a month old at the dinner table.
Shen Qingqing knew they had a good relationship, otherwise, they wouldn't eat at the cafeteria together and invite her to visit at home.
Each person's ration was fixed, so hosting guests for meals was considered quite a luxury.
The little baby still wanted Shen Qingqing to hold him, reaching with his chubby hands constantly towards her.
His expression was anxious, almost on the verge of crying.
Lin Fengmian was almost brought to tears by her nephew's actions.
This little baby, why did he also have to follow his parents in treating outsiders better?
Since Shen Qingqing arrived at the compound, her brother and sister-in-law couldn't wait to invite her home.
Now even Xiao Bao fussed about wanting Shen Qingqing to hold him.
Their whole family was just too much!
Forcibly snatching the little baby from Jiang Zhixun's hands, Lin Fengmian scolded irritably.
"You're not behaving at all. Why insist on a stranger holding you? Should someone try to kidnap you one day, would you foolishly follow them?"
The little baby started crying loudly.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Cheng Jingliang and Chen Shaojie exchanged looks and simultaneously shook their heads.
They knew Lin Fengmian's temper; she never spared anyone with her sharp tongue.
Now she aimed her verbal knife at Miss Shen, making it incredibly awkward.
Were it not for Lin Zhidong and Zhou Xiaomei's presence, they'd likely leave.
Jiang Zhixun's expression was impatient, his hand beside him moved slightly as if wanting to hold Shen Qingqing's wrist.
Seeing her calm expression, he quietly withdrew his hand.
At that moment, Jiang Zhixun felt like he was reassessing Shen Qingqing.
She seemed gentle and easygoing, but deep down she built a defense.
Since she didn't care about Lin Fengmian, whatever the latter said or did couldn't affect her mood.
Jiang Zhixun was emotionally conflicted, unsure whether to pity Shen Qingqing for her indifference.
Or to resent her for always maintaining a gentle and obedient image in front of outsiders.
Like a little rabbit, anyone would think she's easy to bully.
If she were more fiery, would Lin Fengmian treat her like this?
Shen Qingqing was quite annoyed inside.
She hadn't received help from Lin Fengmian, nor did she have any connection; why should she endure this treatment?
The urge to leave grew stronger.
If she hadn't repeatedly reminded herself to endure, not make a scene and thus impact her relationship with Jiang Zhixun, Shen Qingqing would've wanted to leave.
Jiang Zhixun's friendship with Lin Zhidong was his affair.
Once the divorce was finalized, it would have nothing to do with her.
She just wanted Jiang Zhixun to quickly apply for a transfer back to Beijing.
She completed the task Madam Jiang assigned, repaying the Jiang Family's kindness.
Afterward, they'd go their separate ways, no longer entangled.
Seeing Shen Qingqing's unhappiness, Chen Shaojie cleared his throat, "Where would there be kidnappers in the compound, Xiao Mian? Your concern for Xiao Bao didn't have to be exaggerated."
Lin Fengmian glared at him, "I didn't say there are kidnappers in the compound. I'm teaching Xiao Bao to be cautious of strangers, lest one day he gets sold and even helps count the money!"
Her tone was a bit harsh, making the little baby cry even louder.
The Lin Family lived on the third floor.
The child's cries were loud enough to penetrate back home.
Lin Zhidong peeked from the kitchen downstairs, "Why is he crying again?"
Then he saw Jiang Zhixun with them.
Immediately said, "Old Jiang, quickly bring Miss Shen up, it's cold outside, don't catch a chill."
Zhou Xiaomei, who was assisting, also peeked out to see the people downstairs.
Warmly stated, "Miss Shen, come on up quickly. I've prepared ginger sugar water, just waiting for you to arrive so we can drink it together."
Zhou Xiaomei suffered greatly during her monthly cycle.
Especially in winter, her hands and feet would get cold.
Lin Zhidong specifically cooked ginger sugar water to warm her body.
A little for women is good for their health; Zhou Xiaomei saved hers waiting for Shen Qingqing to use it to entertain her.
Though their family wasn't lacking, sugar was considered precious.
Using sugar water to host guests was quite dignified.
Shen Qingqing quickly calmed down, nodded with a smile, "I'll come up right away."
Lin Zhidong had good eyesight, just by looking at his sister's expression, he could tell it wasn't pleasant earlier.
He muttered softly, "This girl must have been babbling again, it's no wonder they were standing downstairs not coming up."
Zhou Xiaomei sighed, "I told her not to speak carelessly, or it would affect your relationship with Jiang Zhixun, and everyone would be embarrassed, but it seems it was in vain."
Zhou Xiaomei genuinely couldn't understand why her sister-in-law harbored such hostility.
Shen Qingqing hadn't done anything to harm her.
Nor had she stolen her man.
Disliking a rival is natural.
But Shen Qingqing was Jiang Zhixun's wife in name on the marriage certificate. Even if she disliked Shen Qingqing, she should hide it.
Instead, she did the opposite, fearing others wouldn't see why she disliked Shen Qingqing.
If it wasn't for Lin Zhidong's large face, in the compound, she'd be incredibly unpopular!