Chapter 6

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Upon receiving the news, Shen Shaozhou and his wife immediately rushed to the hospital with their son to visit Shen Angu. The high-ranking ward and the outpatient building of City First Hospital were connected by a skybridge, with a dedicated security guard checking credentials at the entrance.

Shen Luan followed closely behind his parents into the ward. His younger uncle was leaning against the hospital bed, looking fairly well, though his lips were paler than usual.

The Shen family’s relationships were complicated. Shen Shaozhou was the son of Shen Xingbang and his first wife.

The Yuanxing Group was co-founded by Shen Xingbang and his second wife, Shang Huilan. Shang Huilan gave birth to their son Shen Angu but separated from her husband a few years later and remained secluded in Hong Kong, rarely appearing in public.

At that time, Shen Xingbang was in his forties, in the prime of his life, and soon found a young mistress. Over the years, this mistress took care of him and bore him an illegitimate son.

Three sons, each by a different woman. Among outsiders, Shen Angu was undoubtedly the most prominent—not only because his mother was a renowned businesswoman in Xuncheng, but also because when he turned eighteen, Shang Huilan transferred all her shares to him and ceased all involvement with Yuanxing. Shen Angu himself was exceptionally capable, becoming general manager of Yuanxing at just twenty-six.

Shen Luan was twelve years younger than Shen Angu and had always held a mix of respect and awe for his younger uncle.

Perhaps his gaze was too direct, for Shen Angu suddenly looked up in his direction and said, “I heard you got into Xun University? Congratulations.”

The fact that he still cared about his nephew’s academic progress suggested that his injuries were not severe this time.

Fu Qin, standing nearby, smiled: “Luan’s scores were just a few points shy of Jing University. We wanted him to stay closer to home, so we chose Xun University.”

Shen Luan wanted to study elsewhere, but his family insisted he stay in Xuncheng. His mother’s explanation seemed to confirm something unspoken, which made him inexplicably restless. He pressed his lips and said, “It’s just Xun University. It’s nowhere near Jing University.”

As he spoke, a nurse came in with a thermometer to check Shen Angu’s temperature. Having been transferred from the emergency room, he still had an IV drip and several tests pending. Nurses came and went, and within a short while, three different nurses had attended to him.

The entire nursing station was abuzz—word had spread that a particularly handsome patient was at Ward A701, and the young nurses took turns sneaking glances.

Fu Qin frowned at the chaotic ward. The nurses at City First Hospital were nowhere near as well-trained as those at the People’s Hospital.

Since Shang Huilan moved to Hong Kong, Fu Qin, as the eldest daughter-in-law, had effectively become the matriarch of the Shen family, managing many internal and external affairs.

Just as Fu Qin was about to find the head nurse, Shen Xingbang arrived. The old man, in his seventies, still stood upright, but the deepening lines around his mouth and thinning upper lip gave him a stern, severe look rather than a kindly one.

Fu Qin knew the patriarch had matters to discuss with his two sons. She instructed the nurses to wait until after the IV was completed before starting any tests, then took her son out to wait.

In the ward, Shen Xingbang inquired about his son’s condition. Learning that Shen Angu needed to remain under observation for a few days, the old man gripped his cane tightly, his eyes flashing coldly, “I told you before, you can’t cooperate with a family like the Weis! They’re all desperados. Something like this was bound to happen sooner or later.”

Shen Angu remained calm: “Dad, this time it wasn’t the Weis. It has nothing to do with them.”

Shen Xingbang growled with hatred: “How can it have nothing to do with them? It happened on their turf. If anyone’s to blame, it’s them for handling things poorly and leaving a mess behind!”

Shen Angu replied, “The Weis don’t have that capability. Their uniforms and guns were real. Whoever supplied those things isn’t ordinary.”

“Did you say the person who saved you was a girl?” Shen Xingbang picked up the bloodstained white shirt his son had taken off. “The timing was so coincidental—could this have been a setup?”

Shen Angu’s gaze fell on a crumpled hundred-dollar bill nearby. He said quietly, “I don’t know if it was planned, but I know she wasn’t working with the kidnappers.”

Shen Xingbang waved dismissively: “You don’t have to worry about it. It’s already being handled. Such a big case will have an explanation.”

“Focus on recovering. Some procedures can be handled by Secretary Zhang and your aunt,” the old man said as he stood up, then added casually, “By the way, have Lexian come back to work at the group.”

Shen Angu, in a foul mood, couldn’t help but smile: “Recover? What recovery? It’s just a flesh wound—I don’t need my aunt to fuss over me. As for Lexian, he’s only been away two months. Dad, can’t you wait a bit?”

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Shen Xingbang narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him: “Is that a complaint?”

The air in the ward thickened, heavy with tension. Father and son faced off silently.

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Shen Angu’s lips: “I have no complaints. But Dad, if you have any issues with me, just say it.”

“I want Lexian at the group because I want someone for you to rely on in the future.”

Shen Xingbang was clearly displeased with his son’s attitude and frowned. “Yuanxing was founded by your mother and me. If you have the ability, it will be yours one day! If we hadn’t locked down the news during your disappearance, do you think you could be lying here so leisurely now?”

The old man’s hoarse voice echoed through the silent ward, oppressive enough to suffocate. Shen Shaozhou intervened: “Dad, Angu was shocked by this incident and needs a full checkup. We can talk about anything else after he recovers.”

Shen Xingbang’s sharp gaze fixed on his eldest son: “If you were business material, would I need to bring Lexian into the company? I treat all Shen descendants equally! Luan, don’t just play during summer break. I want you to have some responsibilities.”

Shen Shaozhou bowed his head, accepting the reprimand.

Shen Xingbang couldn’t stand to see his second son’s life going too smoothly, jumping straight to a high position. He always kept his sons on a tight leash, but neither the eldest nor the illegitimate son outside had amounted to much.

It was ultimately because they didn’t share the same mother. The eldest’s mother was a rural woman; the youngest’s mother was a former model. Only the second son—thinking of that woman caused Shen Xingbang a wave of frustration. After giving birth, she refused to share a bed with him or bear more children.

He turned to look at his youngest son with closed eyes, leaning there lost in thought, and gritted his teeth: “After you’re discharged, you better get serious about the matchmaking with Director Zhao’s daughter. Your brother had a kid in kindergarten at your age.”

The patriarch finished his lecture and left with his entourage. Shen Shaozhou followed.

The ward finally quieted down. Shen Angu stared coldly at the door.

A familiar feeling surged again. He tried to suppress the impulse deep within but could not control himself.

Crash!

The teacup in his hand shattered into pieces across the floor.

Zhang Ye pushed open the door and saw Shen Angu expressionless and leaning there. Thinking he had accidentally broken the cup, he hurriedly called a nurse to clean up.

Shen Angu stared at the bloodied white shirt in a daze, then suddenly spoke: “Zhang Ye, that girl who saved me recognized me. I heard her call my name. But I can’t remember where I’ve seen her. I have no memory at all.”

Zhang Ye was stunned. Shen Angu had never mentioned this during police questioning.

Shen Angu said it was a young girl who saved him. Honestly, it was hard to believe. How could a girl have that much strength?

Zhang Ye hesitated: “Should I investigate? She injured her finger. We could check with clinics and hospitals.”

The emotion in Shen Angu’s eyes faded, and his gaze cleared: “No need. I’ll deal with it after I’m discharged.”

* * *

Shen Luan was pulled out of the ward by his mother and went straight downstairs. Honestly, he was too lazy to listen to his grandfather’s scolding. Since he could remember, his grandfather had always been the absolute authority, and only his younger uncle dared to challenge him.

His father, Shen Shaozhou, held only five percent of Yuanxing shares and ran a construction company. In his grandfather’s eyes, he was no more than an employee and had no say.

Although his mother was the eldest daughter-in-law, she felt stifled under the old man because of her husband’s low status.

Since childhood, his mother had told him he was the eldest grandson of the Shen family and that the family’s future depended on him. He had heard it so many times it was like his ears had callused.

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Snake, the game, died again at the start. Shen Luan couldn’t help but curse as he quit the game. His classmate Li Zhengqi called him immediately.

“Having a phone makes a difference—you answer so quickly!” Li Zhengqi teased over the phone. “Don’t forget, on Friday we’re going to Xiutan Peak.”

Shen Luan refused: “I’m not going.”

Li Zhengqi protested: “Why not?”

Shen Luan: “It’s boring.”

Li Zhengqi almost bowed to him: “Give us some face! It’s the last class outing ever! If you don’t go, a lot of girls won’t go either!”

Shen Luan was too tired to argue: “Maybe later.”

Suddenly, Li Zhengqi remembered something and said quickly, “Don’t hang up. The homeroom teacher said Wan Yue isn’t planning to go to Xun University.”

Shen Luan’s heart tensed: “Really?!”

Li Zhengqi: “Of course. Her father called the teacher personally. Wan Yue is going to Jiangke to retake the exam. Jiangke started last year and schools are advertising everywhere, recruiting repeat students. For students like Wan Yue, they even offer a 50,000 yuan bonus!”

Shen Luan frowned: “Xun University isn’t as good as Jing or Hu universities, but it’s decent. Her dad still isn’t satisfied?”

Li Zhengqi scoffed: “He just wants the money!”

Shen Luan instinctively disbelieved it. He remembered Wan Yue’s father was a Chinese teacher at the Experimental Middle School. Her family was scholarly. How could they push their daughter into such a trap for 50,000 yuan?

Knowing Wan Yue had been admitted to Xun University’s Chinese department, he felt happy. Yet the possibility of her retaking the exam cast a shadow over that happiness.

Shen Luan stood under a tree, clutching his phone, lost in thought, when someone called his name from behind.

Shen Shaozhou and Fu Qin came down the stairs, one after the other. Shen Shaozhou’s face looked sour, clearly having been scolded by the patriarch again.

With her husband in a bad mood, Fu Qin didn’t say much. Her hopes for him to succeed had long since faded after years of hardship.

Lowering her expectations of her husband, she transferred all her hopes to their son. Their relationship improved as a result. Besides, the son never disappointed her, always outstanding from a young age, sparing her any worries.

On the way back, Shen Luan told his father he wanted to intern at Yuanxing: “Dad, I have nothing to do for two months this summer. I want to intern in Yuanxing’s finance department.”

Shen Shaozhou was still thinking about what his father had said earlier. He hadn’t expected his son to take the initiative. Meeting his son’s gaze, he nodded instinctively: “Okay. I’ll mention it to your uncle. Let Gao Han take you under his wing.”

Gao Han was the head of Yuanxing’s finance department, well-connected in Xuncheng, with good relationships with many bank presidents. He led Yuanxing’s financing and IPO efforts almost single-handedly.

Fu Qin was both happy and reluctant at her son’s initiative. “Play with your classmates for a few more days first. After the thank-you banquet, you can go to the company.”

The banquet had been delayed these days because of the uncle’s incident.

As the eldest grandson of the Shen family, the patriarch valued him greatly. Fu Qin wanted to take this opportunity to pave a good path for her son.

Shen Luan wasn’t keen on the banquet but couldn’t refuse his mother’s wishes: “Let me know when the hotel is booked. I want to invite my classmates.”