Chapter 86: A Blind Date

Shen Xingyu was eight years older than Lu Ran.

The year Lu Ran was born, Shen Xingyu was taken away by Elder Shen.

At that time, Elder Shen was already quite old but was profoundly dissatisfied with his only son, Shen Hongyuan.

Many people speculated that Elder Shen was personally grooming the next generation of heir.

Shen Xingyu didn't understand these matters back then.

All he knew was that his grandfather was strict and rarely smiled at him.

He had to learn so many things, and life seemed to become bitter all at once.

It wasn't until he was ten years old that Shen Xingyu experienced his first failed investment.

Feeling defeated, he cried to Madam Shen, longing to return home.

Mr. Shen made no comment and allowed Shen Xingyu to return home.

However, he took away the two-year-old Lu Ran and the four-year-old Shen Xingzhuo.

Shen Xingyu was only required to visit for lessons every weekend.

It was during those times that Shen Xingyu first felt the weight of his identity and family responsibilities.

He was irritated and found everything displeasing to the eye, especially children.

In Shen Xingyu's eyes, the troublemaking Shen Xingzhuo, who was only in his teens, was nothing but a fool.

Lu Ran wasn't much better off.

What was even more annoying was that the child, for some reason, had an affinity for sticking close to him.

Whenever Shen Xingyu went to the old mansion for his lessons or when Lu Ran returned to the Shen residence, the child would follow him around like a little tail, inexplicably tagging along wherever he went.

Shen Xingyu was taking his lessons in the study.

He would occasionally rush in, pull out a candy from his pocket, and offer it to him, saying, "Big Brother, have some candy!"

In no time, he would come padding over with a cup, exclaiming, "Big Brother, drink some water!"

At times, he would gaze at Shen Xingyu with his sparkling eyes and say, "Big Bro, I... I learned a children's song today."

But Shen Xingyu had no mood for such things.

When he was relatively calm, he would tell the child, "I'm studying now."

The boy would respond with an "oh" and quietly withdraw.

Yet, he didn't leave. Instead, he would secretly peek into the study through the window.

Even Shen Xingzhuo's invitation to play ball couldn't pry him away.

Sometimes, when Shen Xingyu lifted his head from his heavy workload, he would catch sight of a fluffy little head poking out of the window.

Actually, when Shen Xingyu first caught sight of the figure outside the window, he couldn't quite pinpoint his emotions at that moment.

An adolescent of eleven or twelve wasn't capable of distinguishing every subtle feeling.

Shen Xingyu vaguely recalled that, somehow... it wasn't all that bad.

But soon enough, his mood would plummet.

He thought to himself, if he were to flash a smile at this child now, perhaps the child would only become more persistent in bothering him.

So Shen Xingyu put on a cold facade and looked out the window, saying, "What are you doing here? Scram."

This was the better scenario.

There were far worse times.

On another occasion, Shen Xingyu was scolded again.

Upon seeing the child who had approached his legs, he suddenly lost his temper.

Just as Shen Hongyuan scolded him, he bellowed at the bewildered child,

"I told you not to cling to me, can't you just go away!"

His voice boomed.

The child couldn't help but be startled.

He trembled on the spot from the yelling.

But he didn't cry, nor did he call for Grandpa or Mommy to come over.

He merely gave Shen Hongyuan a glance before turning around and running off, his footsteps echoing.

When he had run out of Shen Xingyu's study and reached the corridor,

Shen Xingyu turned to look.

He saw the child gently patting his chest, behaving like a tiny grown-up, softly soothing himself with a muffled voice:

"No worries, no worries..."

"Big Brother Pot is just in a bad mood, just like how Dad is sometimes in a bad mood too..."

In that instant, Shen Xingyu was taken aback.

For some reason, his anger vanished completely.

He felt amused, suddenly finding it a little funny.

The next day, the child he had yelled at acted as if nothing had happened.

They still sent him candy during class as usual.

They would still secretly lean against the window, revealing only their eyes and a fluffy crown of hair.

But one incident led to another.

Once again, Shen Xingyu couldn't hold back.

He pushed open the window and bellowed at the child,

"I've told you not to come near my study, leave me alone. Can't you understand simple instructions?"

This time, the child was genuinely frightened.

Shen Xingyu could clearly see the child's entire fluffy head tremble uncontrollably.

Then, with those obedient black eyes gazing up at him, the child turned and ran away.

From that day on, Shen Xingyu no longer had his little shadow.

The child no longer followed him.

No longer did he rush over to offer candy when Shen Xingyu was frowning during class.

And he no longer trailed behind Shen Xingyu, eagerly recounting the children's songs he had learned that day.

When Shen Xingyu finished his studies and looked up, habitually glancing out the window, he never saw that fluffy little head again.

He approached and pushed the window open, glancing down below.

The lawn was deserted, devoid of any presence.

There were no children stealthily crouching there, looking up at him with a grin on their faces.

Occasionally, when Shen Xingyu returned from school, he would cast a fleeting glance into the yard from afar.

There, the child would be seen playing in the sand with Shen Xingzhuo.

Upon noticing Shen Xingyu's gaze, Shen Xingzhuo would contemptuously make a face at him.

Yet, the child would quietly continue scooping sand into a small bucket with his little shovel.

Sometimes, Shen Xingzhuo would run off to play wildly.

Then, the child would stay by the sandbox, entertaining himself.

Later on, Shen Xingyu realized that the child seemed to have developed a slight fear of him.

Occasionally, when he caught himself gazing at the boy, he couldn't help but hide behind the sofa.

Or take refuge behind an adult.

It seemed to be what Shen Xingyu intended.

But at times, when he saw the child playing hide-and-seek with Shen Xingzhuo in the yard, he would inexplicably feel irritated.

He thought that playing with that fool Shen Xingzhuo all the time would eventually make him just as foolish.

Then, another incident occurred.

Shen Hongyuan took him to meet an important client.

This client had a strong preference for spicy food, so Shen Hongyuan deliberately arranged their meeting at a Sichuan cuisine restaurant.

And he brought Shen Xingyu along.

At first, the atmosphere was jovial and harmonious.

Shen Xingyu enjoyed his hotpot, his experiences surpassing those of his peers in many ways. Occasionally, he would engage in conversation with the client, earning their praise with his remarks.

Shen Hongyuan was also quite pleased.

However, he couldn't resist throwing in a few teasing remarks, saying that his son wasn't sophisticated enough for such occasions.

It wasn't until the server brought out another dish that things took an interesting turn.

It was a plate of spicy rabbit heads. Vegetables were arranged at the bottom as decoration, while four rabbit heads were neatly lined up on top.

Initially, Shen Xingyu didn't recognize what kind of animal it was.

After trying one, his curiosity piqued, and he asked what exactly it was.

The customer across from him informed him that it was rabbit's head.

But Shen Xingyu adored rabbits.

He kept two lop-eared bunnies, and this spring, they had given birth to two little ones.

He tended to this quartet with great care, sometimes even bringing them to school.

He nurtured them meticulously, usually not allowing his younger siblings to touch them.

At that age, Shen Xingyu couldn't comprehend or accept the idea of his beloved creatures becoming food to be consumed.

It repulsed him deeply.

Unable to hold back, he slammed down his chopsticks and exclaimed, "How can anyone eat such a thing!"

As he spoke, he slumped over the table, retching.

By now, Shen Xingyu had forgotten the reaction of the two people sitting at the table back then.

All he could recall was that client casting him a glance and remarking, "A boy being so timid won't do."

Shen Xingyu had no idea how the business deal went.

He only knew that Shen Hongyuan flew into a rage upon returning home.

He made Shen Xingyu kneel as punishment.

Scolded him for being an incompetent good-for-nothing.

And he even had the servants bring out the rabbits Shen Xingyu had been raising.

That scene was etched vividly in Shen Xingyu's memory.

With both hands, Shen Hongyuan lifted the rabbit cage high up before crashing it down onto the lawn in the backyard.

The grass was left in disarray.

The cage was broken, and the four droopy-eared rabbits scattered in all directions across the lawn.

Shen Hongyuan seized the two larger ones and, right before his eyes, mercilessly broke their necks.

Despite his frantic search, he couldn't locate the two smaller bunnies, causing Shen Hongyuan to scream in frustration, virtually turning the entire backyard upside down.

After Shen Hongyuan's explosive rage subsided, tranquility gradually returned to the Shen household.

Shen Xingyu still had to attend his upcoming finance class.

He sat in his small study, awaiting his tutor's arrival.

The waiting was torturous.

Silently, he waited, his mind haunted by the image of the two lop-eared rabbits meeting their demise.

In an unintended glance upward, he noticed a tiny figure standing at the entrance of his study.

At this moment, Shen Xingyu was in a terrible mood.

Regardless of who approached him, he would assume they were there to mock his misery.

Yet there seemed to be an underlying yearning within him, a silent hope that someone might approach, even if just for a moment.

Looking at the child outside the door, Shen Xingyu asked, "What are you here for? Scram!"

The child was still very afraid of him and, upon hearing his roar, instinctively took two steps back.

But after a pause, he returned.

He paused before Shen Xingyu's study door, being very cautious not to step over the threshold into the room.

The child was dressed in light blue plaid overalls.

He stood by the study door, clumsily pulling down the straps of his overalls.

Shen Xingyu was taken aback, unsure of what the child was doing.

Next, the child removed the straps and rolled up the white sweater underneath a few times.

From his belly, he then pulled out two fluffy little bunnies.

He carefully bent down, supporting the two bundles on the ground with his hands.

Then, he stood up and pointed at them on the floor, addressing Shen Xingyu in the room, "Bunny!"

After saying that, he turned around and ran away.

The straps of his overalls were still loose, dangling loosely from his arms.

From then on, the child's relationship with Shen Xingyu didn't improve.

He still hid from him every time they met.

Shen Xingyu vaguely recalled that later, the child came to find him again.

But he was troubled by something and, as usual, chased the child away harshly.

It was during that incident that when he regained his composure, someone told him that the child had gone missing.

...

Over the following decade, amidst his busy schedule of studying and work, Shen Xingyu would occasionally reflect on this.

That child must have been terrified of him.

He must have had no other choice but to approach him that day.

If only he hadn't yelled at him...

Later still, the youth who could be brought to his knees by a plate of spicy rabbit heads, and who would all too readily unleash his temper in shouts at others, had vanished.

Shen Xingyu once believed that he might become someone similar to his father.

Yet, over those long dozen years, he had become what he is now.

Calm and composed, unaffected by emotions, never given to fits of temper.

My mind is consumed with weighing the pros and cons.

Shen Xingyu's gaze gradually focused on the fragments of the rabbit balloon in his hand.

The balloon featured a cartoon rabbit.

The rabbit had long ears and round eyes.

It didn't resemble the four lop-eared rabbits he used to keep at all.

After studying it for a while, Shen Xingyu suddenly became uncertain.

He couldn't clearly recall what those former lop-eared rabbits looked like anymore.

So... it must be just a coincidence.

He himself couldn't even remember.

How could that four-year-old child still recall such details?

It was impossible that... he had forgotten everything else but still vaguely remembered these random things.

For some reason, Shen Xingyu didn't contact Ji Min regarding Lu Ran anymore.

A few days later, it was Shen Hongyuan who initiated the communication.

Probably having learned from Shen Xingyu that Ji Min had no immediate plans to send Lu Ran back to the Shen family, Shen Hongyuan didn't bring up the matter.

His tone was courteous and appropriate as he mentioned that there were certain business events where a Shen family member should be present, and he hoped Lu Ran could attend.

He even specified the location and arranged for a clear schedule of when Lu Ran would return.

Upon receiving this news, Ji Min was somewhat taken aback.

However, he had never intended to completely restrict Lu Ran's contact with the Shen family.

Attending formal events as a member of the Shen family would be beneficial for Lu Ran. Of course, everything would ultimately depend on Lu Ran's decision.

Upon learning this, Lu Ran agreed without hesitation. He had previously stayed at the Shen residence to keep an eye on the Shens and see what they were up to. Of course, he would go now. Shen Hongyuan was also surprised that Ji Min had let him go so easily. Until he saw Lu Ran outside the predetermined restaurant. There was a bodyguard standing on either side of Lu Ran, both towering and imposing figures. Behind Lu Ran, they resembled small mountains. Shen Hongyuan: "…" Lu Ran was also slightly speechless. He turned his head to look behind him and asked, "Brother, are you all going to follow me like this from now on?"

The two bodyguards had long been instructed by Ji Min.

Now, with great experience, they came up with an explanation, "The boss said this is the treatment his ex-boyfriend deserves."

Lu Ran suddenly understood.

He thought to himself, So this is what a tycoon's aura looks like.

Today, Shen Hongyuan didn't seem to have any intention of causing trouble.

He chose to meet outside and even brought along Shen Xingran.

Lu Ran examined him carefully and noticed that Shen Xingran seemed to have even gotten a special hairstyle.

His attire was also meticulously chosen.

Lu Ran wondered who they were meeting this time.

Upon entering the private room reserved by Shen Hongyuan, three familiar figures caught their sight.

One of them even raised his glass towards Lu Ran, the corners of his lips lifting into a seductive smile as he said, "Honey, long time no see."

Lu Ran: "..."

It was the Lino family.

Currently, the Linos were competitors with the Shens, and if one traced their history back another generation, they were sworn enemies.

Now, Shen Hongyuan had actually arranged to meet with the Lino family.

Upon seeing Jin Chao, the eldest son of the Lino family, greet Lu Ran, Shen Hongyuan appeared nonchalant.

On the other hand, Shen Xingran shot Lu Ran a slightly surprised glance, a hint of rivalry flickering in his eyes.

However, he behaved obediently and didn't say much.

As the dinner began, the Lino family on the opposite side was also very courteous.

Shen Hongyuan took the initiative to introduce his two sons.

He chuckled and said, "My youngest son, I believe you've all met him before, so I won't elaborate."

Then, he pointed at Shen Xingran and continued, "This is my adopted son, also studying at Y University..."

Lu Ran shot a glance at Shen Hongyuan, feeling that the situation was somewhat odd.

Soon, Old Lino on the other side began his introductions as well.

"These two are my rascals. The older one seems unreliable, but he's actually very devoted when it comes to someone he has feelings for. The younger one is honest and caring..."

Lu Ran found the situation even stranger.

He excused himself to go to the restroom and called Ji Min.

Before receiving Lu Ran's call, Ji Min had been reviewing a document on his computer.

It was a dossier compiled by his assistant on the young generation from prominent families.

Ji Min clicked to a page featuring the Gu family.

Foremost among the images was Gu Ningqi's arrogant face.

Ji Min frowned and clicked the mouse to turn the page.

Below that was Gu Zhi.

Though he was a generation higher than Gu Ningqi, he was just as foolish.

Butler Chen stood behind Ji Min.

Observing the man's grim expression and his highly critical gaze as he swiftly scanned through the documents, he eventually reached a conclusion: none of them were worthy.

Afterward, Ji Min tossed aside the mouse and gazed out the window, lost in thought.

It wasn't until Lu Ran's call came in that his attention was pulled back.

The young man's voice still carried a vibrant energy.

Connected promptly, he quickly exclaimed, "Oh no, Boss, I have a feeling Shen Hongyuan invited me here for a blind date."

Ji Min: "?"

Ji Min: "!"

In no time, he grasped the situation, his brows knotting tightly as his usual calm tone escalated.

"A blind date? How old are you? Why would you go on a blind date?" the man asked.

Yet, Lu Ran was concerned about another matter, "What if this gets out and affects my job? People might say, 'Ji Min's ex-boyfriend pretends to be chasing after him while secretly going on blind dates behind his back. Clearly, there must be something wrong with Ji Min.'"

The teenager mimicked the gossipy tone perfectly.

However, Ji Min didn't dwell on that, insisting, "Hold on, that's not important right now."