After the divorce, he went on a motorcycle trip, and his ex-wife and daughter were filled with regre

At this moment, the Shen family hall was filled with elegant ladies and dazzling lights.

A huge crystal chandelier illuminated the entire hall as bright as day, and long buffet tables were laden with a variety of expensive wines and exquisite pastries. Waiters in uniform carried trays and moved through the crowd.

Although everyone in the Hanju business circle knows that the Shen Group's traditional business has declined sharply in the past two years, several large projects are in a loss-making state, and the cash flow is very tight, showing signs of decline.

However, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.

The Shen family has been rooted in Hanzhou for decades, and their connections and influence remain strong. Today is also the 70th birthday of the Shen family's matriarch, Zhao Yulan, so everyone should still give her the respect due to the occasion.

Many business tycoons and partners came to the event, even if it was just to make a brief appearance and test the Shen family's strengths and weaknesses.

In the very center of the hall stood a grand master's chair covered with red brocade.

Dressed in a festive Tang suit, Zhao Yulan sat regally at the head table. Although she had been quite angered by Shen Qinghan in the side hall, she suppressed her rage in front of the guests, maintaining a dignified and respectful smile as she accepted their gifts and birthday wishes.

The Shen family's butler stood to the side, holding a thick red-and-gold-embossed guestbook. Whenever a guest presented a gift, he would loudly announce the guest's name and record it in the book.

"General Manager Wang of Hanzhou Building Materials presents a pair of exquisite Hetian jade ruyi scepters! Wishing the matriarch good fortune and happiness!"

"General Manager Li of Donghai Trading presents two century-old wild ginseng roots! Wishing the matriarch a long and healthy life!"

As the butler called out the names in a loud voice, the atmosphere in the hall reached a climax.

Soon, it was Gu Ziming's turn, who was standing at the very front of the crowd.

Gu Ziming straightened his expensive white suit, a gentle smile on his face, and held an exquisite sandalwood box in his hands as he walked up to Zhao Yulan.

"Grandma Shen, Zimo wishes you boundless happiness and longevity."

Gu Ziming bowed slightly and handed over the sandalwood box with both hands, saying in a loud voice, "Ziming knows you usually like to drink tea. This is a top-grade Da Hong Pao from the mother tree that I specially asked a friend to find for me in Wuyi Mountain. Although it's only half a catty, it's a token of Ziming's filial piety. I hope you like it."

Sitting in the armchair, Zhao Yulan didn't even lift her eyelids, let alone reach out to take the sandalwood box.

The old lady merely glanced coldly at Gu Ziming, her smile vanishing instantly, her tone flat and devoid of any emotion: "Mr. Gu, you've gone to great lengths. Butler, please accept it and put it aside."

"Yes, madam."

The butler, observing the situation, immediately stepped forward, took the box from Gu Ziming's hand, and casually placed it in the corner of the table piled with gifts, without even bothering to announce the names.

Gu Ziming's smile froze instantly, his hands still in the gesture of handing over the gift, hanging in mid-air, looking extremely awkward.

He never imagined that the gift he had spent a fortune on would be so unworthy of even a glance in the old lady's eyes. The feeling of being ignored and humiliated in public cast a shadow over Gu Ziming's eyes, but he still suppressed his humiliation, awkwardly withdrew his hand, and stepped aside.

The atmosphere in the hall became somewhat awkward because of the old lady's cold attitude.

Just then, a voice with a hint of laziness and casualness suddenly came from the entrance of the hall.

"Wow, it's quite lively here!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Jiang Ye was dressed in an ordinary black motorcycle windproof jacket, carrying a red gift box without any logo, with his hands in his pockets, and slowly walked in from the entrance of the hall.

Upon seeing Jiang Ye appear, a murmur rippled through the hall.

"Isn't this the Shen family's live-in son-in-law?"

"I heard he's been the Shen family's driver for seven years, and he's usually so quiet he doesn't dare utter a sound. Why is he dressed like this today?"

"Look at that tattered box he's carrying. It's probably some cheap stuff he bought from a street stall. Compared to the Da Hong Pao tea that President Gu just gave him, it's utterly shabby."

Jiang Ye ignored the mocking and disdainful looks around him. Over the past seven years, he had heard far worse things said to him and was already immune to them.

He walked straight through the crowd toward the main table.

Just then, a little girl in a pink princess dress, holding a balloon, skipped and hopped out of the crowd, blocking Jiang Ye's way.

It's Shen Xinyu.

"Words from the Heart"

Jiang Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and forced a gentle smile. He squatted down and stretched out his hands to the little girl. "Come here, let Daddy give you a hug."

However, Shen Xinyu simply stopped and looked at Jiang Ye with an extremely unfamiliar and even somewhat disdainful gaze.

Then, without hesitation, the little girl turned around and ran towards Gu Ziming, who was standing not far away, like a cheerful little bird.

"Zimo's dad! You're finally here! Xinyu missed you so much!"

Shen Xinyu buried her face in Gu Ziming's arms, hugged his leg tightly, tilted her head back, and giggled.

Gu Ziming picked up Shen Xinyu and kissed her on her rosy cheek. He glanced at Jiang Ye provocatively and said with a smile, "Daddy Ziming misses Xinyu too."

Seeing this, Jiang Ye's hands, which were outstretched in mid-air, froze instantly.

The surrounding guests, seeing this, made no attempt to hide their laughter.

"Oh dear, this is so embarrassing. My daughter, whom I've raised for seven years, is calling someone else 'Dad'."

"That green hat is really well-held."

Jiang Ye slowly stood up and withdrew his hands.

His gaze fell on Shen Xinyu's innocent smiling face, but the scene that happened the night before last involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

That night, Shen Qinghan brought Gu Ziming back to the Shen family villa for the first time. Jiang Ye was furious and started fighting with Gu Ziming.

Just as the two were arguing, Shen Qinghan took sides, and Shen Xinyu suddenly rushed out, holding a heavy metal ashtray in her hand, and smashed it hard on Jiang Ye's forehead.

The little girl's shrill screams, accompanied by blood streaming down her forehead, became the final straw that broke Jiang Ye's last shred of attachment to this marriage and this family.

Jiang Ye subconsciously raised his hand and touched the scar on his forehead that had just scabbed over and was covered by his hair.

The wound no longer hurt much, but the wound in my heart was completely frozen at that moment.

"never mind."

Jiang Ye silently said this to himself.

Seven years of effort, and in the end, it was all for nothing but feeding the dog.

Since the family of three is living happily together, why should I be presumptuous?

Jiang Ye withdrew his gaze, his eyes returning to their cold and calm state, and strode up to Zhao Yulan.

"Grandma, happy birthday and good health," Jiang Ye said respectfully, bowing slightly.

Zhao Yulan, who had been wearing a cold expression, instantly lost all her gloom the moment she saw Jiang Ye, and replaced it with a genuinely kind smile.

"Ono, you've finally arrived! Come quickly, come to Grandma's side!"

The old lady excitedly reached out and grabbed Jiang Ye's wrist, looking him up and down.

Suddenly, the old lady's gaze fell on Jiang Ye's forehead, and her brows furrowed sharply.

The old lady had sharp eyes and immediately spotted the dark red scab.

"Ono, what happened to your head injury? Who hit you?!" The old lady's voice suddenly rose, her tone filled with heartache and anger.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghan, who was standing not far away, felt her heart leap into her throat.

Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and her palms were covered in cold sweat.

If Jiang Ye were to reveal at this moment, in front of all the guests, that Xin Yu injured Gu Zi Mo the night before last while protecting him, not only would her relationship with Gu Zi Mo be completely exposed, but the old lady would also fly into a rage on the spot, and the entire Shen family would lose face!