Chapter 51: Exploitation

In the first floor lobby.

Shen Hongyuan was chatting with acquaintances.

His expression wasn't particularly pleasant.

Because the rules of this place were utterly absurd.

His son, Shen Xingyu, was a high-tier member and could enter the second floor.

Yet, as his father, he was confined to staying on the first floor.

Even though it was Shen Xingyu who was now managing the Shen Corporation, such differential treatment still irked Shen Hongyuan.

Not to mention, he had given in to his youngest son's pleading and specially brought Shen Xingran along today.

In the end, when they tried to enter, Shen Xingran, as a non-member, was barred from entry.

Only those with premium membership or above are allowed to bring guests in.

As a result, Shen Xingran could only wait in the car for now.

Shen Hongyuan stood outside the elevator on the second floor.

He didn't want others to perceive that he was attempting to ascend to the second floor only to be turned away, so he held his wine glass, pretending to admire the view from the adjacent window.

Some acquaintances around him were engaged in conversation:

"Didn't someone from the Ji family come today?"

"I heard they're in talks with a foreign company."

Speculations swirled among the crowd.

If there were indeed significant projects at stake, it would be advantageous for most of them.

Even if they couldn't grasp the major opportunities, benefiting from the spillover effects would still be satisfactory.

It was uncertain if he could seize this opportunity.

As the conversation turned to Ji Min, someone inquired,

"Was there a young man accompanying him?"

"Seems like it. I wonder which family's child that is. He looks quite handsome."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongyuan's mind suddenly stirred.

Ji Min...

He wondered what kind of person he was.

There might be a chance to let Xingran have some interaction with him when they had time.

His youngest son was incredibly skilled in socializing.

At that moment, an acquaintance looked at Shen Hongyuan and asked, "Aren't you supposed to bring Ranran today? Why didn't you?"

This statement almost pierced through Shen Hongyuan's nerves.

Of course, he couldn't possibly reveal the truth.

He simply replied, "Children can be fickle. Now they find it too noisy and say they don't want to come."

Upon finishing his response, the person who had inquired earlier leaned even closer.

Using their elbow, they prodded Shen Hongyuan and asked, "What's going on with your wife lately? I heard from my son that you have an illegitimate child out there?"

Gossip within the elite circle was particularly captivating.

As soon as this person spoke, everyone's attention shifted from Ji Min to them.

Even an old friend of Shen Hongyuan chimed in,

"I've heard it's not an illegitimate child. If it's his biological child, how could they end up wandering outside?"

Shen Hongyuan's heart skipped a beat.

Lately, this was not the first time he had been asked such a question.

Madam Shen's public attempt to expose Lu Ran as an "illegitimate child" last time inadvertently divulged his true identity to everyone.

Coupled with Lu Ran's previous outbursts, families present like the Chens and Lins were already well aware of his background.

Gossip spread like wildfire, from one person to ten, and then to a hundred.

The last time Shen Hongyuan went to the company, whispers about the situation had even started circulating within the boardroom.

Any change in the Shen family dynamics was bound to attract significant attention.

Shen Hongyuan's face darkened slightly.

For a fleeting moment, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

He would not tolerate anyone genuinely disrupting the peace and undermining the interests of the Shen family.

It seemed that Lu Ran could no longer be kept around.

He needed to find an opportunity to send him away and keep an eye on him.

Shen Hongyuan's mind was busy crafting an excuse.

Just as he was about to figure out how to deflect the rumors, suddenly...

The waiter standing by the elevator on the second floor grew tense.

Then, with a beep, the elevator came to a halt.

That sound was more effective than anything else.

Those who had been eagerly watching Shen Hongyuan all turned their heads in unison, subtly focusing their attention on the elevator entrance.

Anyone who could ascend to the second floor was of a higher caliber than those on the first.

Regardless of whether they were the most prominent figures or not, it was always better to have the chance to engage in conversation.

Beneath a spectrum of varied gazes, the elevator doors glided open soundlessly.

The person in charge, standing at the outer edge, stepped out first.

He bowed slightly as he waited on the side.

Then, Ji Min's wheelchair emerged gently.

Some still recalled the initial rumors.

They subconsciously looked up at the back of the wheelchair, curious to see who would be the one to push Ji Min's chair.

Judging by the style, perhaps they could cater to that preference.

Yet, the moment their gazes landed, everyone was utterly stunned.

There upon Ji Min's broad and substantial wheelchair, nestled a youth.

The youth was slender, nestled within the broad and towering embrace of Ji Min.

As gentle and docile as a kitten.

He was sound asleep, nestled against Ji Min's chest.

Entirely enveloped in a dark sapphire cashmere throw, only a small portion of his fair, delicate cheek and soft, velvety black hair—framed by its feathery texture—remain visible.

And those with keen eyesight might even discern how the youth's milk-white cheek was pressed against the diamond lapel pin adorning the man's chest.

Roughened half of his cheek to a rosy flush.

Shen Hongyuan also craned his neck to look over.

His gaze froze the moment it landed on the person in Ji Min's embrace.

Lu Ran?

It was actually Lu Ran?

At that moment, Shen Hongyuan couldn't find the words to describe his emotions.

He had long heard that Ji Min had recently been accompanied by a young man not much older.

Seemed like the boy didn't come from an affluent family.

Somehow, it had unexpectedly caught Ji Min's eye.

Unprecedentedly, Ji Min even allowed this young child to touch his wheelchair.

Little did Shen Hongyuan expect, however, that...

This young man turns out to be his own son, who went missing fifteen years ago and was thought to be good for nothing.

Even now, Ji Min's arms were wrapped around Shen Xingran, who was waiting outside in the car.

Shen Hongyuan wouldn't be shocked by anything.

But why was it Lu Ran?

Or rather...

How could it be Lu Ran?

Shen Hongyuan's impression of his son was still frozen in the past.

Half a year ago, Madame Shen had called him impatiently, asking him to take a paternity test.

Shen Hongyuan assumed she was having another bout of paranoia.

Only when he went did he realize that their long-lost son had been found.

Back then, Shen Hongyuan was somewhat astonished.

Such a young child had actually survived the devastating flood years ago.

Shen Hongyuan instinctively sensed a conspiracy afoot.

It's possible that someone was aware of their lost child from years ago and deliberately introduced an orphan into the mix to create confusion.

Regrettably, paternity tests were conducted several times.

Indeed, it was his son.

Shen Hongyuan vividly recalled the day Lu Ran returned to the Shen family.

Standing in the spacious and bright living room of the Shen family, he appeared awkward and out of place.

Fifteen years outside had honed only a demeanor of poverty-induced timidity.

He was good for nothing.

Not half as useful as Shen Xingran, Hongyuan assessed his son with a concise judgment.

He simply ignored it all, venting his displeasure on Lu Ran's perceived shortcomings only when he was in a bad mood.

Until one day, this once-submissive son suddenly transformed.

It even made Shen Hongyuan feel a little apprehensive.

But no matter how much commotion he caused, it was still just trivial family squabbles.

When Shen Hongyuan grew tired of it, he would retreat outside.

Strangely, this child who should have quietly disappeared from the radar began to frequently appear in rumors associated with the Shen family.

First, there was a scene caused right in front of the Shen family's gate.

This incident made it known among the neighboring wealthy circle that an unfamiliar child had moved into the Shen residence.

Following that, rumors about Shen Hongyuan having an illegitimate child, which previously held little substance, escalated wildly.

Eventually, they reached a point where even Shen Xingran himself, the source of the gossip, found it hard to contain.

It wasn't until Madam Shen took the initiative to expose the facade of this so-called "illegitimate son" that things reached this point.

She almost personally revealed Lu Ran's true identity.

And now, this was the situation.

Shen Hongyuan never would have imagined that one day he would encounter Lu Ran under such circumstances, in such a setting.

He watched, his eyes wide open.

Ji Min held Lu Ran in his arms, wheeling him right before Shen Hongyuan.

The wheelchair rolled into the crowd.

The young man who had been sleeping soundly in Ji Min's embrace suddenly stirred.

He lifted his head, dazed.

The thin navy-blue blanket slipped a bit, revealing his entire face.

Shen Hongyuan observed, his son, whom he had never held in high regard.

Emerging from Ji Min's embrace.

Those obediently curved black eyes effortlessly located him amidst the boisterous crowd at the banquet.

The youth sat in Ji Min's embrace.

In front of the entire banquet, he called him, with an air of confusion yet undeniable clarity, "Dad?"

In an instant, all eyes at the banquet honed in on Shen Hongyuan like sharp needles.

There was nowhere for Shen Hongyuan to hide, no way for him to escape.

The well-prepared words on the tip of his tongue suddenly lost their effectiveness.

Ji Min's wheelchair also came to a halt at this moment. He turned his gaze sideways to look at Shen Hongyuan.

"The head of the Shen family is here?" the man said calmly.

Witnessing Ji Min about to speak.

Some observant individuals nearby seized the opportunity to interject themselves into the conversation.

"Old Shen, is this the son you once had, the one who was lost to the outside world?"

"Isn't it time you introduce us all properly?"

Well, if I had known, as an elder, I should have prepared some gifts in advance.

Amidst the hubbub, Shen Hongyuan had become the focal point of the conversation.

Shen Hongyuan's gaze fell upon the man seated in the wheelchair, and the youth nestled within his embrace.

In that instant, a myriad of thoughts swirled within Shen Hongyuan's heart.

In the next moment, his expression shifted, adopting a cordial appearance. He smiled warmly as he announced to those around him:

"This is my youngest son."

"Lost as a child, my family was devastated, and my father even fell ill because of it. We searched for years, and only recently discovered his whereabouts."

"I was planning to introduce him properly at an appropriate occasion and officially welcome him back into the family."

"Who would have thought we'd meet today?"

"But please don't worry, at the latest next month, we'll have a formal introduction to everyone."

Shen Hongyuan is also a seasoned veteran in the business world.

He couldn't resist making a lighthearted remark: "My youngest son has been missing for over a decade. I can't miss out on giving him gifts for all those years!"

He spoke with utmost openness, but someone wasn't willing to give him face.

As the crowd was eager to engage in lively conversation, they heard the youth in the wheelchair timidly inquire, "Daddy, how did you suddenly become willing to bring me home?"

Shen Hongyuan's face froze.

The gaze of the crowd upon him began to brim with suspicion.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lu Ran even nestled closer to Ji Min, his face filled with fear. "Didn't you tell me to get lost and never come back before? Are you going to hit me now that you're taking me home?"

The surroundings fell completely silent.

A group of men stared intently at Shen Hongyuan, examining him.

What did this mean?

Was he not letting his own son enter the house?

The head of the Shen family seemed like an upstanding figure, so why would he hit his child?

Ji Min on the wheelchair also raised an eyebrow at Shen Hongyuan.

Shen Hongyuan's face turned ashen.

But under the gazes of everyone, he looked back at Ji Min in the wheelchair.

He still managed to force a gentle expression. "What are you saying, child? It was inconvenient before, but I'll definitely bring you home now."

Saying that, he walked over to Ji Min's wheelchair once more.

With a face full of concern, he gazed upon the youth nestled in Ji Min's lap and inquired, "How come you're sleeping so soundly? Have you been drinking?"

Looking at Ji Min again, he said, "Mr. Ji, I appreciate your taking care of this child."

This was the first time Shen Hongyuan had addressed Lu Ran in such a fatherly tone.

Despite having pulled a fast one on Shen Hongyuan, Lu Ran found himself lost in thought at the moment.

His focus wasn't on Shen Hongyuan.

He merely caught the sound of the man trailing off, and wriggled slightly, attempting to jump down from the man behind him.

It was only natural for him to follow Shen Hongyuan in leaving.

But the moment he moved,

an arm wrapped around his waist.

With little effort, his arm was merely nestled beneath the blanket, loosely embracing him.

Yet, through the thin layer of the hoodie, Lu Ran could clearly sense the contours of the man's muscular arm and the strength it possessed.

Ji Min's palm was broad.

When his fingers spread apart, they easily covered most of Lu Ran's waist with ease.

Perceiving this subtle yet constraining force, Lu Ran's eyelashes fluttered. Like a quail, he obediently nestled back into the blanket.

"Head of the Shen family," Ji Min's calm voice echoed in Lu Ran's ear, "I'll personally escort your noble son back tonight."

The supervisor standing by felt their heart skip a beat.

No wonder Ji Min said he was treating this young man like a young master.

He truly is a young master.

Shen Hongyuan choked slightly but didn't voice any objections.

After Ji Min made that comment, he carried the person away, leaving behind a chorus of loud discussions.

(Ji Min = Ji Min, Shen Hongyuan = Shen Hongyuan, Hongyuan = Hongyuan)