Chapter 34: Illegitimate Child

Ji Min: "..."

He lowered his eyelids, discreetly counting the bags in Lu Ran's hands.

There were at least ten.

And that was after he had already made a trip upstairs to deliver some.

Ji Min slowly withdrew his gaze, no longer paying attention.

Yet, the paper bag hanging by his knee swayed once more.

From the slow descent of a paper bag's handle from someone's arm, only to be laboriously lifted back up.

The gesture was so exaggerated that it almost collided with Ji Min's face.

Ji Min's gaze followed the paper bag, drifting onto the somewhat slender arms of the youth.

Pausing for a moment, he still asked softly, "Didn't you receive funding from the Shen family? Why are you still doing these things?"

He fell silent.

With a soft "ding," the elevator arrived at the floor.

The elevator doors slide open.

The youth beside him carried the pile of paper bags, their contents rustling loudly as he strode outwards.

Pushing his way out of the elevator, he paused in his steps, turning to look back at him.

Those obediently curved black eyes stared at him with an intensity that seemed to prowl.

"Certainly, it's about enduring hardships and harboring secret intentions,"

Ji Min furrowed his brow.

These were the words he spoke that day.

The youth fully turned around.

Not only was there no embarrassment from being scolded, but he looked at him with a justified and unapologetic attitude.

Zhang Yang said, "You've also mentioned that those things don't belong to me."

"Neither this nor that belongs to me. There are countless treasures in this world, yet someone always stamps me as unworthy."

With a glitter in his eyes, Lu Ran declared, "If I were to truly accept my fate, then there wouldn't be a point in living. So what if it doesn't belong to me? Does that mean I'm not allowed to fight for it?"

Ji Min was left dumbfounded for quite some time.

It had been many years since anyone had spoken to him in this tone, with this attitude.

Yet, he insisted on speaking with an unjustified and irrational argument.

By the time he regained his composure.

The young lad had already darted away with the paper bag in hand.

Due to his prolonged stupor, the elevator doors closed gently but firmly.

They trapped Ji Min, who was about to exit, right in the middle.

Ji Min was furious, feeling a pang in his heart and a sense of frustration.

He had already given Lu Ran the chance to soar independently.

Lu Ran was determined to involve himself with the Shen family, defying all objections.

He had no habit of rescuing fools.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason,

The flame that just now flickered in the depths of the youth's eyes seemed etched indelibly into his mind.

By the time the elevator came to a halt once more, it was at a different floor.

As Ji Min emerged, he caught a glimpse through the window.

Just in time to see Lu Ran finish his delivery and exit the building with a few remaining paper bags in hand.

The young man's gaze was downcast as he ventured into the biting cold.

No trace of the flamboyance he had displayed earlier could be detected.

After a fleeting moment, Ji Min maneuvered his wheelchair away.

With the Spring Festival approaching, high-end luxury brands began taking reservations for their new seasonal collections.

Mrs. Shen, who had been melancholic for quite some time, regained her radiance. She took Shen Xingran along and arranged a gathering with other wealthy ladies at the mall for some leisurely shopping.

Amidst these idle ladies, praises were bestowed upon Mrs. Shen as she emerged from the fitting room.

"You really don't look like you've given birth to three sons."

"Indeed, with such a figure, anything looks good on you."

Mrs. Shen wore a subtle smile as she picked out a few new items for Shen Xingran to try on.

"Ah, why haven't we seen Mrs. Zhang lately?"

Mrs. Shen's ears perked up discreetly.

Given that the Shen and Zhang families held similar statuses, Mrs. Shen couldn't help but compare herself with Mrs. Zhang.

The surrounding wealthy ladies, who revolved around the Shens, knew what she wanted to hear:

"Well, she's been busy organizing the annual company event, running around like a headless chicken. We have it so much easier, don't we?"

"I doubt she even has time for shopping or spa treatments, does she?"

"Working herself like an ordinary employee, and yet her son doesn't amount to much, does he?"

Mrs. Shen suppressed the curve of her lips, a hint of pride gleaming in her eyes as she watched Shen Xingran emerge from the fitting room.

At that moment, someone was mentioned and they appeared.

As she turned her head, she saw Mrs. Zhang strolling past the store with her bag, accompanied by a few foreign clients.

Mrs. Zhang spoke fluent Portuguese, leaving everyone in the shop momentarily stunned.

Mrs. Shen's pleasant mood for the day dissipated by half.

She looked down at the clothes on Shen Xingran, pretending not to see Mrs. Zhang.

To her surprise, upon spotting an acquaintance, Mrs. Zhang entered the store to greet them proactively.

Recalling that she was wearing a limited edition new coat, Mrs. Shen held her head high and greeted Mrs. Zhang cordially, "It's been a while since we last met. There are many new designs in stock, would you like to give them a try?"

However, Mrs. Zhang glanced at her outfit without any sign of admiration. She merely smiled faintly and said, "The brand has already delivered them to my home."

Mrs. Shen: "..."

The atmosphere in the shop dampened significantly after Mrs. Zhang left.

Amid casual conversation, a recognizable figure passed by outside.

Someone with sharp eyes nudged their companion and whispered, "Isn't that Mrs. Hu?"

This comment drew everyone's attention.

"Mrs. Hu? Hasn't she been absent for quite some time?"

"No way, why does she look so haggard? Nobody should be out in this state!"

"I heard there have been issues with her family's business..."

Mrs. Hu, outside the shop, drew closer.

Once identical to these affluent ladies, she now appeared worn and weary, her attire no longer as impeccable as before.

Even a few strands of white hair were visible at the corners of her temples.

Someone deliberately called out, "Mrs. Hu!"

Upon hearing the voice, Mrs. Hu instinctively looked inside the store.

Seeing the vast disparity between herself and these wealthy ladies, a hint of awkwardness flickered across her face.

She didn't enter the store.

Instead, she smiled uneasily and lowered her head, passing by.

But as she reached the other side of the glass door, she lifted her gaze to see Madam Shen emerging from the fitting room.

The sight of the radiant Madam Shen halted Mrs. Hu's steps.

The embarrassment and discomfort on her face froze, gradually giving way to an uncontainable anger and resentment.

In the next instant, she burst in without any regard for decorum.

The chattering ladies and the clerks were caught off guard as she reached out and grabbed Madam Shen's hair.

"Ah! What are you doing?!" Madam Shen shrieked in surprise.

"What am I doing? I'm hitting you, that's what!"

Everyone else in the store was dumbfounded, taking several seconds before they rushed over.

Mrs. Hu attacked Madam Shen frenziedly.

Amidst the chaos, people desperately tried to intervene, pulling at hair and tugging at clothes.

The responsible clerk hurried to fetch the manager.

The manager, in turn, promptly called for security.

By the time the security guards arrived and pulled them apart, things had escalated.

Mrs. Shen and Mrs. Hu both had disheveled hair and flushed faces, their meticulously applied makeup ruined like a ghost's.

"You crazy woman, how dare you barge in and attack someone!"

Supported as she sat down, Mrs. Shen was fuming.

Mrs. Hu reached out to slap her across the face.

Unable to land the blow due to being held back, she spat in disdain, "Pah! You ask why I'm hitting you? Your son and his illegitimate son are duking it out, dragging our Hu family into this mess. Am I not allowed to hit you?"

"How could our Hu family possibly be targeted by the Ji family and end up in such a state if it weren't for the Shen family?"

Mrs. Shen didn't catch a single word of what followed.

Her mind was consumed by the term Mrs. Hu had used—illegitimate son.

The wealthy ladies around them, trying to mediate the conflict, instantly wore expressions of intrigue.

"An illegitimate son?" Mrs. Shen found it preposterous, and she laughed through her anger. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"You didn't know?" Mrs. Hu looked at her and suddenly burst into mocking laughter. "Hahahaha, the whole city knows that Shen Hongyuan has an illegitimate child fighting for the family fortune, yet you claim to be clueless?"

Mrs. Shen's expression froze completely.

Mrs. Hu spat out another barb, "Ask your son if you're truly ignorant. He instructed my son to deal with that illegitimate child, which led to my son accidentally crossing paths with the Ji family."

With that, Mrs. Hu wriggled free from the security guards behind her.

She stood up, tidied her hair, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left.

Madam Shen stood there, dumbfounded, feeling a burning sensation on her cheeks.

It was unclear whether it was due to Mrs. Hu's scratch or the irritation caused by the term "illegitimate child."

It seemed preposterous to her—when on earth did Shen Hongyuan have an illegitimate child?

Yet, another voice in his mind was suspicious, wondering if Shen Hongyuan had indeed been absent from home for a period of time.

Even now, he would often be away on business for over a month at a time...

Madam Shen suppressed her mounting panic.

She reminded herself that there were still outsiders present and forced a smile. "This woman must be delirious, talking nonsense."

The people around her echoed in agreement, "Exactly, exactly."

"My Hongyuan is incredibly devoted to our family. How could he possibly have an affair and father a child out of wedlock?" Madam Shen tried to convince herself.

She turned to seek validation from her companions, only to inadvertently lock eyes with one of the ladies beside her.

To her surprise, not a single one dared to meet her gaze directly. Each of them averted their eyes slightly, looking rather guilt-stricken.

The absurdity in Madam Shen's heart intensified.

Fear crept over her bit by bit.

She could no longer remain seated.

It felt like everyone around him was looking at him with either pity or anticipation for a spectacle.

At that moment, Shen Xingran, who had stepped out of the shop to chat with a friend, returned.

Upon seeing the situation inside, he was momentarily stunned. He quickly approached Madam Shen, "Mom, what happened?"

Madam Shen looked at Shen Xingran and managed a difficult smile.

She had lost all interest in shopping. After exchanging a few polite words, she took Shen Xingran's hand and left.

Shen Xingran was completely clueless about the situation.

He only noticed that his mother seemed distracted during their return journey.

Back home, Madam Shen took a bath and lit some scented candles, hoping for a nap to properly rest.

But even in bed, she tossed and turned, unable to find any sleep.

Could it be that... Shen Hongyuan really...

If they've reached the point of disputing inheritance, it implies that the illegitimate child is already quite grown up.

Could it be that this has been going on for many years...

At the thought, Madam Shen felt a sudden darkness cloud her vision.

She was enraged by Shen Hongyuan's betrayal.

The mere idea that outsiders might have been looking at her like a fool all these years made Madam Shen furious enough to spit blood.

But then, Madam Shen tried to console herself.

Perhaps it was just Mrs. Hu's nonsense. She couldn't let that crazy woman deceive her.

Madam Shen calmed down, opened the safe, and prepared to examine the gift from Shen Hongyuan.

But then she suddenly remembered that this year, Shen Hongyuan hadn't even come home for their wedding anniversary.

For several years in a row, he'd had his assistant deliver the gifts.

She tossed and turned the entire afternoon.

By evening,

Madam Shen had mostly regained her composure, dismissing Mrs. Hu's words from her mind.

A light snow began to fall outside.

Shen Xingran had just returned from outdoors, with a few snowflakes nestled in her hair.

"Look at you, how careless! What if you catch a cold?"

Madam Shen hurried to greet her.

She took the towel from the maid's hand, gently wiping the snow off Shen Xingran's hair.

Then, she promptly instructed the maid to prepare some ginger tea.

In no time, the maid brought over steaming ginger tea and a freshly cooked dessert.

Mrs. Shen removed Shen Xingran's scarf and led him to sit down. "Quick, have something warm."

"Mom, you should eat too."

Shen Xingran held a spoonful up to his mother's lips.

Mrs. Shen felt a warmth in her heart.

Yet, amidst this tender moment, as she gazed at her most beloved youngest son, Mrs. Shen's mind was suddenly flooded with Mrs. Hu's words:

"Go ask your own son!"

Mrs. Shen averted her gaze slightly and managed a smile. "Eat on your own."

Shen Xingran began to enjoy his dessert earnestly.

Mrs. Shen composed herself.

She accepted the servant's offer of a cup of black tea and sipped it gently.

After a moment, she casually inquired, "Xingran, have you noticed anything about your father lately?"

"Wh-what?" Shen Xingran looked up, confused.

"It's just that..." Mrs. Shen felt frustrated, unable to articulate her concerns.

Eventually, she mustered the courage, closing her eyes as she asked, "Have you heard any rumors that Father has been involved with someone else outside our home?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingran chuckled. "Mom, you're letting your imagination run wild again."

Mrs. Shen had been going through menopause recently and often found herself questioning things excessively.

Shen Xingran was accustomed to this behavior, though it slightly irritated her. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure and reassured her mother warmly, "Father loves you the most. Besides, he's too busy to have time for anything else."

Mrs. Shen's heart instantly settled back into its place.

She gently touched her chest and sighed, "Ah, it seems I was just overthinking."

Saying this, she touched the dessert bowl in front of Shen Xingran and called out to the servant, "This one has gone cold. Take it away and replace it with a fresh bowl."

Madam Shen apologized, "It's all nonsense spread by people outside."

"What have you heard this time?" Shen Xingran smiled as he engaged her in casual conversation.

Madam Shen: "They actually said that your father has an illegitimate child outside."

Shen Xingran's hand holding the spoon froze in mid-air.

"Click."

The smooth, delicate white porcelain soup spoon clinked against the earthenware pot, producing a slightly jarring sound.

Madam Shen directed her gaze towards Shen Xingran.

Shen Xingran's expression was caught in the act before he could mask it.

The relaxed smile on Madam Shen's face gradually froze.

Shen Xingran hastily composed himself.

He stirred the porcelain spoon in the soup jar, but his nervousness betrayed him as it produced a slight clinking noise.

Shen Xingran decided to put down the spoon and looked at Madam Shen. "Mom, all this talk about a love child is just gossip. People outside really know how to spread rumors."

Absolutely not, he thought to himself. He couldn't let Madam Shen know that the rumor originated from him.

Madam Shen was unaware of Shen Xingran's thoughts.

But she noticed his evasive gaze.

Her heart plummeted.

"Are you... really sure?" Madam Shen asked.

With unwavering conviction, Shen Xingran replied, "How could there be? Mother, don't overthink it. Have you been having trouble sleeping and feeling overly anxious lately?"

As she listened to Shen Xingran's solicitous words, Madam Shen's heart plummeted like a descent into an icy cellar.

In that instant, Madam Shen truly felt the chill in her heart.

He had always doted on Shen Xingran so much.

Yet, Shen Xingran had concealed the truth from him for Shen Hongyuan!

Up until now, she refused to divulge the reality!

She had devoted so much effort to running this household.

She had invested so much in each of her children, even sacrificing her own career.

And yet, at this point, not a single person stood by her side?

Mrs. Shen forced a smile.

She feigned belief and, after exchanging a couple of words, she left the table to ascend the stairs.

After her departure,

Shen Xingran first clenched the spoon in his hand.

Then, unable to resist, he threw it away.

He felt a bit uneasy, unsure of how to react.

In any case, he must not let Mrs. Shen believe this rumor, nor could he let her discover his involvement.

Otherwise, how would Mrs. Shen perceive him?

Shen Xingran rose from his seat and paced around the living room.

He then ascended to the third floor.

Only after ensuring the door was securely shut did she take out her phone and call Shen Xingzhuo.

Shen Xingzhuo wasn't in the country at this time.

Due to financial issues with his studio, he had turned to Shen Hongyuan for help but was scolded and sent away.

As a result, he went abroad to secure an investment.

It took quite some time for the international call to connect.

The moment Shen Xingzhuo's voice came through, Shen Xingran's sobs erupted, "Brother! Help me, please!"

"If Mom calls you to ask..."

Shen Xingran's prediction was spot on.

After returning to her room, Madam Shen hesitated for a while before dialing her second son's number.

She went straight to the point, "Shen Xingzhuo, I want you to tell me the truth. Does Father have any illegitimate children?"

Shen Xingzhuo, who took the call from Shen Xingran, echoed the same response.

He firmly denied it, insisting that there was absolutely no such thing.

It was merely her overthinking.

If she hadn't just witnessed Shen Xingran's expression...

If Shen Xingzhuo had shown a hint of doubt instead of the confident tone he shared with Shen Xingran...

Mrs. Shen might have entertained the possibility a little more.

But now, after hearing Shen Xingzhuo's reply,

Mrs. Shen became utterly convinced of one thing.

It was all over.

Shen Hongyuan truly had an illegitimate child outside!

She was at least the same age as Shen Xingran.

And the entire family knew about it!

Only she was kept in the dark.

Was this still her home? Were these still her son and her kin?

After Shen Xingran's call with Shen Xingzhuo, she remained deeply uneasy.

It wasn't until she received a reply from Shen Xingzhuo that she felt slightly relieved.

Regardless, as long as the rumor didn't implicate him, everything would be fine.

The next day.

Shen Xingran came down from upstairs.

She paid particular attention to Madam Shen's expression.

Mrs. Shen was seated on the sofa, a fashionable magazine within her reach. A few paper bags were scattered around her. Clearly, she had just returned from a shopping trip.

"Mom, what did you buy this time?" Shen Xingran approached with a smile.

Mrs. Shen looked up and took out a box from one of the paper bags. "It's the latest necklace from H, there are only ten of them in the entire city."

Her tone was as casual as ever, which put Shen Xingran's anxious heart at ease.

"Mom, let me help you put it on," Shen Xingran leaned in, picked up the necklace from the box, and placed it around her mother's neck. "Mom! You look stunning."

Mrs. Shen held up a mirror to admire herself.

Then, she nonchalantly picked up another box, which contained a white ceramic wristwatch.

"Mom saw this watch while shopping and thought it would suit you well. Put it on quickly."

Madam Shen often bought things for him, so Shen Xingran was accustomed to it.

He tried on the watch and was about to take it off.

Madam Shen said, "Just wear it, it looks great on you."

Not wanting to upset her at that moment, Shen Xingran left it on his wrist.

He had classes that day and, after having something to eat, he returned to school.

Once Shen Xingran left the Shen residence, Madam Shen's smiling expression slightly darkened.

She opened her phone and tapped on an app.

The GPS location displayed on the screen indicated Shen Xingran's whereabouts.

After completing these tasks.

Madam Shen delved into the paper bag once more.

What she pulled out was not a receipt but a slip of paper with an address written on it.

Madam Shen remained unperturbed.

She changed into a discreet outfit, eschewing the family driver and instead hailed a taxi to the location indicated on the note.

The address was secluded, leading her to a private detective's studio.

With a hat and mask on, Madam Shen entered the establishment in a secretive manner.

She approached a desk and sat down, unceremoniously tossing a stack of cash onto the table.

The chief in charge immediately became enthusiastic:

"Madam, how may I assist you?"

Madam Shen spoke softly yet sternly, "Investigate my husband's illegitimate child for me."

"This child should be around the same age as my son and is acquainted with both of my sons..."

Lu Ran was preoccupied with part-time jobs, oblivious to the turmoil within the Shen family.

But on the rare occasions when he returned home at night, he couldn't help but sense the tension in the air, as was the case today.

He led Big Yellow back home and had just stepped into the living room when he heard what sounded like an argument inside.

Shen Hongyuan asked in confusion, "Why has there been such a large, unaccounted-for expenditure recently?"

Madam Shen, who had employed a private investigator with that sum, sneered, "Perhaps you should ask yourself that question?"

Shen Hongyuan looked utterly perplexed, "Why are you being so sarcastic?"

Madam Shen's voice rose abruptly, "You dare to ask? Don't you have any idea what you've been up to outside?"

Shen Hongyuan truly had no idea.

He was still unaware that an affair accusation had already been placed on his head.

At this moment, he even laughed as he consoled Madam Shen, "What's wrong with you recently? Who provoked you? Money is meant to be spent, it's not worth getting so upset over..."

"Hmph."

Seeing his reaction, Madam Shen became even more certain, "I think you're feeling guilty, aren't you?"

Shen Hongyuan was taken aback, "Guilty about what?"

"Think for yourself!"

As Lu Ran wiped Big Yellow's paws, he listened to the argument inside: "You're cold, heartless, and unreasonable!"

"What's going on with these two?" Lu Ran muttered to Big Yellow.

Big Yellow didn't understand but simply gave him a silly grin.

"Never mind."

Lu Ran, the illegitimate son, pondered and concluded that whatever was happening had nothing to do with him.

Thus, he calmly returned to his room with Big Yellow in tow.

The next day, he took Big Yellow for a stroll.

As usual, he dropped the dog off at the security booth of the orphanage.

But this time, he found that it wasn't the familiar security uncle manning the booth, but a slightly younger, unfamiliar face.

Upon seeing Lu Ran, the young guard promptly raised his hand to stop him. "Who are you? What brings you here? You need to register first."

"Hey, why did you bring a dog?"

Lu Ran, still holding onto Big Yellow, was taken aback and asked, "Where's Uncle Li?"

"Old Li has fallen ill and taken some time off. Given his age, his children are planning to expedite his retirement."

"Oh, thank you."

Lu Ran didn't put the newly appointed security guard in a difficult position.

Leaving Big Yellow at the security booth was originally an act of compassion from Uncle Li, the previous guard.

Now that Uncle Li was no longer there, it was naturally not appropriate to leave Big Yellow behind.

Lu Ran led Big Yellow back to the roadside.

The dog sat beside him.

Standing at a distance that was neither too near nor too far from the orphanage's entrance, Lu Ran gazed quietly at the "home" where he had lived for over a decade.

Golden-red hues of dawn emerged, enveloping the quiet and solitary orphanage.

The nascent sun resembled a child's scribbled red paper, hanging serenely in the corner of an eastern rooftop.

Lu Ran felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

Director Lu was no longer around.

Now, Uncle Li had also retired.

In the past, Lu Ran always felt that the orphanage wasn't his home; he needed to find his own.

But now, he inexplicably felt a sense of losing his home.

The orphanage's wake-up bell rang.

Standing outside, Lu Ran could see figures slowly moving about in the corridors inside.

He gradually retracted his gaze, bent down, and called out to Big Yellow, who was equally absorbed, "Let's go."

Lu Ran had arranged temporary foster care for Big Yellow.

He would continue working at the coffee shop.

During his leisure moments, he scoured his phone for part-time jobs.

Unable to stay at the orphanage, Big Yellow's foster care fees constituted another expense.

Moreover, Big Yellow was an elderly dog, which meant the costs would be even higher.

The crucial point was that Lu Ran didn't feel entirely at ease leaving Big Yellow in a regular pet store.

As evening approached, many employees from the Ji Corporation returned for their meals.

Amidst his busy schedule, Lu Ran managed to catch snippets of the Ji Corporation gossip.

The central figure in the discussion was still the low-pressure devil boss.

But this time, it was clearly admiration and praise being expressed.

"That contract has been signed!"

"Wow, that project manager is incredibly tough to deal with. My professor's team has been at loggerheads with them for half a month, but they're still dragging their feet and trying to get more benefits."

"But the chairman just had to step in and say one sentence, and they signed the deal?"

"Dang, the chairman's charm really is unparalleled!"

As the conversation went on, it inevitably returned to a familiar subject.

"Sigh, it's a shame that the chairman has mobility issues..."

Lu Ran withdrew his attention, focusing on diligently cleaning the table nearby.

Disability seemed to have become an inseparable part of Ji Min's identity.

When he had a bad temper, people would attribute it to his disability. If he excelled at work, others would remark, "Too bad he's disabled."

No matter how they spun it, the topic always circled back to his disability.

Lu Ran tidied up the remnants from the previous customer's table.

Upon hearing the doorbell chime, he instinctively looked up and said, "Welcome! May I ask what you'd like to order?"

There was no response for a while.

As he lifted his gaze, he found Shen Xingzhuo, someone he hadn't seen in ages, staring at him with a grim expression.

At the sight of Shen Xingzhuo, Lu Ran's eyes lit up.

His dark irises shimmered with the gleam of seeing a wad of cash.

It was as if a pillow had been offered just as he was about to doze off.

Right when he needed money, a big pushover had appeared.

Triple wages – wasn't that within his grasp now?

"Welcome!"

Lu Ran called out again, this time not out of reflex, but from genuine emotion.

His howl was so heartfelt that even Shen Xingzhuo's stern expression softened slightly.

Looking into Lu Ran's eyes, which shone with the warmth of seeing a long-lost relative, Shen Xingzhuo felt both unfamiliar and slightly awkward. Normally, when Lu Ran saw him, he either ignored Shen Xingzhuo as if he didn't exist or irked him relentlessly.

Shen Xingzhuo hadn't anticipated such enthusiasm from Lu Ran upon his return from abroad.

He huffed, momentarily forgetting his annoyance at discovering Lu Ran working here.

He found a seat for himself, maintaining an aloof demeanor, though inwardly, he felt a bit giddy.

There you have it.

Indeed, it seemed that not seeing him for a while would still stir up longing.

Shen Xingzhuo made an effort to appear composed.

Lu Ran approached eagerly with the menu in hand, "May the guest please order."

He enunciated the word "guest" with particular clarity.

Intent on witnessing the rage that Shen Xingzhuo had previously held back.

But Shen Xingzhuo was still lost in thought at the moment.

His mind automatically replaced the word "guest" with "brother".

Thus, he picked up the menu with a clear conscience.

Lu Ran: "..."

He cast a glance at Shen Xingzhuo.

Shen Xingzhuo was attentively studying the menu.

Lu Ran pondered earnestly, trying to pinpoint what was amiss.

Nothing seemed to click in his mind.

He simply reached out and covered the menu in front of Shen Xingzhuo.

Shen Xingzhuo looked up at him in confusion.

Lu Ran returned a professional smile, subtly hinting, "I'm working here."

Yes, working.

Working indeed!

Their eyes met.

Something beautiful shattered with a resounding "crack."

Shen Xingzhuo's face fell. "Lu Ran, what do you take me for?"

Lu Ran answered earnestly, "A fool."

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

With great effort, Lu Ran tried to persuade him, "This time, I'll lower the price. No need for triple pay, just double my usual wage!"

Shen Xingzhuo took a deep breath. "Dream on. Do you know who you're dealing with?"

Lu Ran lowered his gaze and studied him intently for a moment.

Satisfied that Shen Xingzhuo had no intention of paying, he turned away decisively. "Oh, it's an e-menu, just order for yourself."

Shen Xingzhuo: "..."

He slowly retracted his hand that was reaching for his phone.

The dinner crowd gradually dispersed.

Lu Ran was about to finish his shift, but Shen Xingzhuo still hadn't placed an order.

Just as he was about to inquire, the door swung open and another person rushed in.

Chen Sheng waved at Shen Xingzhuo, "Brother Zhuo! Quick, don't wait, the car's fixed!"

In the midst of their conversation, he noticed Lu Ran, "Oh, Brother Lu! You're off work? Want to join us after?"

In the back kitchen, Little Wang, who was secretly playing games, heard the commotion.

Assuming it was one of Lu Ran's friends looking for him, he said hastily, "There's no one else here, I'll manage. Go have fun."

Lu Ran didn't immediately agree. Instead, he turned to Chen Sheng and specifically asked, "Who's treating?"

Reminded of his previous hefty bill, Shen Xingzhuo chimed in, "Who's paying?"

Chen Sheng felt awkward under their questioning.

Recalling his mistake last time, he promptly pledged, "I am, definitely me!"

Only then did Lu Ran change his clothes and join the meal as a guest.

Chen Sheng had chosen an outdoor barbecue club for this treat.

This time, he was more thoughtful and invited only those who were quite familiar with Lu Ran.

By "very familiar," he meant those who had witnessed Lu Ran's intense battles with Lin Yi and Zhang Lin.

These people shared a common trait.

They all held Lu Ran in great "reverence and caution," thus avoiding foolishly provoking him.

Otherwise, Lu Ran might just demonstrate his strength by pressing someone onto the grill.

Moreover...

The outdoor barbecue club happened to be next to a horse ranch.

One misstep, and they might find themselves in close proximity to animal feces.

With this in mind, Chen Sheng felt that today's dinner gathering could indeed be likened to a feast with hidden intentions, much like a banquet from the story of Banquet at Hongmen.

He sincerely hoped nothing untoward would happen.

Amitabha Buddha, he prayed.

Though saying so, Chen Sheng was inherently incredibly curious by nature.

moments after alighting from the vehicle, he couldn't resist crouching beside Lu Ran to tactfully probe for information.

"Brother Lu, what's the deal between you and Zhang Lin?" Chen Sheng inquired.

As he spoke, he offered a skewer of freshly grilled meat.

"What deal? Didn't you witness it the other day?"

Lu Ran took the skewer but found it undercooked, so he placed it back on the grill for further cooking.

It was liberally sprinkled with chili peppers.

Just looking at it made Chen Sheng's stomach ache.

"It wasn't that day."

Whispering, Chen Sheng leaned in and asked, "But it was that day! How did Zhang Lin and the Ji family member end up being found in your room?"

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't expected the details of that day to have spread so clearly.

"What else could it be? Wouldn't it be clearer if you asked the two people involved?" Lu Ran said.

Chen Sheng almost bowed to him. "Do you think I dare?"

Shen Xingzhuo walked over from the side, having overheard their conversation. He frowned and asked, "Did Zhang Lin come to cause you trouble?"

Lu Ran looked at him, only then remembering that this guy hadn't been there that day.

He found it somewhat regrettable and added some dramatic flair, "It happened during your father's, the Shen family's patriarch's, fiftieth birthday celebration."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingzhuo's gaze darkened.

He frowned but didn't speak, only reaching out to snatch the skewers Chen Sheng had just cooked and stuffing one that he had prepared into Lu Ran's hand.

With a mocking tone, he said, "You dare to eat something an idiot grilled?"

Chen Sheng was displeased. "Hey! Brother Zhuo, who are you talking about?"

Lu Ran patted him soothingly, dividing the skewer Shen Xingzhuo had given him and offering one to Chen Sheng.

Touched, Chen Sheng exclaimed, "Brother Lu, you're such a kind soul!"

Lu Ran watched him eat with a gentle expression.

Then, he asked, "Is it safe? Your stomach won't hurt after eating it, right?"

"..."

Gratitude shimmered in Chen Sheng's eyes, slowly receding like a retreating tear.

So he was being used as a poison tester?

Shen Xingzhuo caught wind of it and bellowed, "Lu Ran!"

Lu Ran ignored him, focusing solely on his meal.

Chen Sheng's group was idle, with nothing to do.

Affluent young men had various means of entertainment, such as drinking, chatting, and boasting.

There was even a golf course not far away, where they could engage in friendly competitions while talking.

In addition to his background, Shen Xingzhuo was evidently adept at the art of indulgence and leisure activities, ranking among the best.

Outshining everyone in every aspect.

Lu Ran wasn't particularly interested.

He only found the crowd foolish, wasting perfectly cooked food like it was nothing.

So, he sat in a corner, quietly eating like a hamster.

Shen Xingzhuo returned after playing his game.

He saw a pile of skewers in front of Lu Ran.

Yet, Lu Ran's stomach didn't budge even a bit.

It was hard to believe that such a slender figure could consume so much.

When Shen Xingzhuo grew tired from playing, he pulled a chair aside and sat down.

On the adjacent lawn, someone had brought a Border Collie, playing with a frisbee.

The Border Collie had a black and white coat.

From behind, it looked like an entirely black dog.

Shen Xingzhuo watched for a while.

He turned to look at Lu Ran and suddenly asked a question he had wanted to inquire about for a long time:

"Why... did you raise that yellow dog? It's so small and yet you named it Big Yellow."

Lu Ran was also watching Border Collie play with the Frisbee.

Hearing this question, he paused for a moment before rubbing his chin and saying, "Yeah, I think the black one looks a bit more handsome."

The youth seemed to have uttered those words on autopilot.

His eyes, now devoid of any recollection, were utterly blank, as if shrouded by a thick veil of fog.

It was as if in his subconscious.

He remembered his desire to raise a black dog.

Yet, when he encountered a little yellow puppy, a vague recollection surfaced of someone liking it, someone very close and significant to him.

Acting on his own accord, he bestowed upon the puppy a name that resonated from his memories.

As if by doing so, it would bring him closer to the concealed home in his recollections during his wanderings.

Shen Xingzhuo's throat constricted abruptly.

It felt as if a massive hand was ruthlessly throttling him, leaving him voiceless.

His eyes welled up with tears, yet he lacked even the strength to lift a hand to press against them.

Shen Xingzhuo felt his heart about to burst from the constriction.

He took a deep breath, attempting to force out some sound.

His voice emerged like a shrill whistle from a damaged instrument, jarring to the ears.

Lu Ran found this rather peculiar and turned to look at him.

Shen Xingzhuo barely had time to turn away before Lu Ran could catch sight of him.

For some unexplained reason, he didn't dare meet Lu Ran's gaze at that moment.

"What's wrong with you?" Lu Ran asked from behind.

Seemingly not having heard his response, Lu Ran continued, "Did you eat something bad? There's a restroom nearby; don't soil the floor."

At this, Shen Xingzhuo couldn't help but chuckle again.

Struggling with these contrasting emotions, his nose and eyes nearly overflowed with snot and tears.

"Ew, how disgusting."

Shen Xingzhuo turned his head to see Lu Ran looking at him with disdain.

Those eyes now perfectly matched the soft, gooey black orbs in his dreams, filled with reliance, trust, and obedience.

The owner of those eyes had grown up, but the curvature at the corners of his eyes still resembled his childhood self.

Yet, the way those eyes looked at him had utterly changed.

Shen Xingzhuo went to a nearby faucet to wash his face, also taking the time to recompose himself.

He returned to Lu Ran's side and asked, "I heard you signed a sponsorship contract with the Shen family?"

Lu Ran nodded.

He had no idea what was on Shen Xingzhuo's mind.

Still, he maintained a certain level of caution towards Shen Xingzhuo.

Just like with Ji Min.

On the day of the sponsorship event, Ji Min had offered to send him abroad for studies.

In that instant, no one knew how thrilled Lu Ran had been.

In his previous life, he had dreamed of escaping the Shen family one day.

No more living in constant fear, no more being overshadowed by the Shen family's influence.

Yet, despite his excitement, the caution within him still prevailed.

Ji Min knew Shen Xingyu.

It was likely that Shen Xingyu had suggested the study abroad opportunity.

Shen Xingyu was an enigmatic person.

Unlike others in the book who orbited around the protagonist, Shen Xingran, like satellites.

What truly mattered to Shen Xingyu was the "Shen family."

In Shen Xingyu's eyes, Lu Ran was merely a disruptive element endangering the stability of the "Shen family" and tarnishing its reputation.

Someone who needed to be tightly controlled.

If that were the case, agreeing to study abroad would only be walking into a trap for Lu Ran.

Thus, he turned down Ji Min's offer.

It was a painful and regretful decision, but there was no other choice.

He dared not trust anyone.

If even his own blood relatives couldn't be trusted,

how could he possibly extend trust to others?

"I wasn't aware of that back then."

Shen Xingzhuo continued discussing the sponsorship contract, "If I had known..."

"Wow! This place is huge!"

A familiar voice echoed.

Lu Ran lifted his head and frowned upon recognizing the newcomer.

Chen Sheng also heard the voice and instantly turned pale.

Good grief.

Why did something always go wrong whenever he organized an event?

Two individuals had sneaked in.

One was Lin Yi, and the other was Shen Xingran.

The Coke in Chen Sheng's hand nearly flew out.

He called over a few close friends to form a human barrier, attempting to shield Lin Yi and Shen Xingran from each other's view.

"Xiao Yi, Ran Ran, why are you here?"

"Oh dear, we're playing rather roughly here, it might not be convenient... How about we arrange a private session for you two another day?"

The more they tried to block, the more Lin Yi's princely temper flared up.

"Why are you stopping me?"

Understanding the subtle message behind Chen Sheng and his friends' words, Shen Xingran also felt displeased.

No matter where he went before, he was always welcomed.

Why were they trying to chase him away this time?

Chen Sheng quickly put on a smile. "It's just that it's not very convenient, you see..."

Lu Ran was not someone who would flare up easily unless provoked.

All they needed to do was stop Lin Yi from going forward.

However, Lin Yi exerted force and pushed them aside.

Chen Sheng was inwardly groaning in misery.

He thought to himself, You insist on going in, then it's your own misfortune!

Initially, Lin Yi assumed that they were up to some shady business.

But as she pushed through the crowd, she caught sight of someone from afar that made her tremble with a primal fear—sitting by the grill.

"Lu! Lu Ran!"

The terrifying memory of being pinned down in a squat toilet resurfaced.

Lin Yi instinctively wanted to flee.

Taking a couple of steps back, he then felt it was too humiliating and managed to stop himself.

He grabbed Shen Xingran and, gathering his courage, pointed at Lu Ran and Shen Xingzhuo beside him.

"Shen Xingzhuo! You're actually still playing with this illegitimate son of the Shen family?"

"Don't you have any conscience?"

The mention of "illegitimate son" caught Lu Ran's attention.

At the same time,

Madam Shen was looking at the seven or eight messages on her phone:

"Madam! The illegitimate son you were looking for has been found."

"He's currently at the XXX Outdoor BBQ Club!"