Chapter 123 - Accusations

The chaos on the scene intensified.

Madame Shen, Shen Xingzhuo, and others became the main targets of media bombardment.

As Shen Hongyuan was being stretchered off the stage, reporters persisted in asking him questions:

"Are you trying to evade responsibility, sir?"

...

This much-anticipated signing ceremony ended in a way that nobody could have predicted. The absurd spectacle quickly swept through the entire business circle.

Lu Ran also learned about the outcome.

He received the news while he was in the laboratory, holding a micropipette in his hand.

With unwavering hands, Lu Ran meticulously transferred samples into test tubes and discarded the pipette tips into the trash bin.

Only then did he lift his gaze to meet Fang Chen, who had rushed into the laboratory.

"Your father didn't sign, did he?" Lu Ran inquired.

Fang Chen shook his head with a pout. "Of course not. My dad was almost livid; I've never seen him so upset before."

He turned to Lu Ran and continued, "You knew about the financial issues at the Shen Corporation, right? That's why you asked me to remind my dad to conduct a thorough investigation?"

Fang Chen couldn't help but express his indignation. "When I mentioned it to my dad, he got angry and told me not to meddle in adult affairs."

"Well, look how close you came to getting into trouble!"

Exiting the laboratory, Lu Ran listened as Fang Chen grumbled on about the situation.

"Didn't the Shens show any reaction?" Lu Ran asked.

Fang Chen had long noticed that when Lu Ran mentioned the Shen family, he never bothered to use their names directly.

He referred to them as "people from the Shen family."

This way of addressing them clearly defined the boundary between himself and the Shen family.

"Fang Chen said, "But this time, my father was genuinely furious. He refused to see anyone."

Lu Ran's lips curved into a faint smile.

By the time they returned to the Ji residence, Ji Min had already finished work and was waiting for him on the living room sofa.

Of course, Ji Min was well aware of such significant events.

Lu Ran even suspected that Ji Min might have been behind those two sensational headlines that couldn't be suppressed. Perhaps there were even people arranged by him at the signing ceremony.

Yet the man didn't say anything. He simply took Lu Ran's backpack and asked, "How was your session with the psychiatrist today?"

Lu Ran fell silent, contemplating how to tactfully convey his thoughts that it had been utterly useless.

Noticing his hesitation, Ji Min sighed and drew the young man into his embrace.

After a moment of deliberation, Ji Min inquired, "Do you want... to go back to the hospital for another checkup?"

Lu Ran promptly stood up, ready to leave. "I don't want to."

Ji Min clicked his tongue, pulling Lu Ran back.

He said, "When you accompanied me during my rehabilitation, you went to the hospital every day without any resistance. Why is it different now?"

"Well, that building you were staying in didn't look like a hospital at all," Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

"And besides, watching you bounce around during rehab was quite entertaining," he added.

"Then, will you go to the hospital? I'll continue my exercises for you when you return?" Ji Min coaxed playfully.

Lu Ran couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you take me for a child? I have no intention of watching you fall!"

With that, Lu Ran made an effort to jump off the man's body.

Ji Min held onto his waist, pulling him back up.

He had quite some strength, and despite Lu Ran flailing about for a while, it was all in vain.

The sensation of having one's waist grasped and lifted like this easily evoked certain inappropriate scenarios.

After struggling for a moment, Lu Ran subsided.

"Are you done fooling around?" Ji Min raised an eyebrow.

"Was it me who was being playful?" Lu Ran narrowed his eyes at him.

Ji Min chuckled softly and fell silent.

After a while, Ji Min remained somewhat concerned. "It can't be good for you to keep enduring this pain."

"It doesn't actually hurt. It's just my mind making me believe it does," Lu Ran comforted him.

Ji Min sighed. "You do have a clear understanding."

Thinking about Lu Ran's aversion to hospitals, he still found it somewhat perplexing.

Yet feeling somewhat helpless, he could only gently pinch the youth's waist, saying,

"Are you scared of hospitals because you had a traumatic experience with injections when you were young?"

Lu Ran paused, then nonchalantly suggested, "Perhaps it's because I spent my previous life lying in a hospital bed until it induced a physiological aversion."

The words struck Ji Min rather unpleasantly, and he reached out to pat the youth, chiding,

"What nonsense are you talking? You shouldn't speak of anything but good fortune."

Lu Ran chuckled and skillfully changed the subject.

Abandoned halfway, the signing ceremony left the Shen family in a state of chaos.

Shen Hongyuan was hospitalized in a coma.

The doctors diagnosed it as a stroke resulting from extreme emotional fluctuations.

Once the internal issues of the company were exposed, an investigation team promptly arrived to scrutinize the situation.

Outside, the media resembled vultures sensing blood, camping outside Shen Corporation and the residential area, fearful of missing any updates.

The hospital required family members to step forward, while the company had to address the public regarding the scandal and stabilize its workforce, who were now shaken by the news.

Moreover, there was the issue of technology leakage to contend with.

Leno Group approached with aggressive intentions.

Amidst all this chaos, Shen Xingyu was utterly overwhelmed.

Three days later, Madam Shen and Shen Xingzhuo rushed to the hospital.

She was bundled up in a hat and scarf, concealing herself thoroughly,

but still, she was recognized by the media when she entered the hospital.

A crowd instantly swarmed towards her.

Mrs. Shen was still wearing that limited edition necklace from an ultra-luxury brand.

On the day of the signing ceremony, this necklace had drawn countless envious glances and praises.

However, at this moment, news of Shen Corporation's financial irregularities had surfaced.

A sharp-eyed journalist spotted the accessory on her and promptly asked,

"Madam, what is your view on the company's financial issues?"

"According to current information, it appears that your husband has made multiple withdrawals under various pretexts. Were you aware of this?"

"Given your frequent purchases of luxury items, could these be related to the funds in question?"

These questions left Madam Shen utterly bewildered.

Upon hearing the last one, she couldn't help but directly confront the journalist who had just spoken, "What do you mean by that?!"

But instead of being intimidated, the journalist became even more enthusiastic due to her response, "Are you saying you were unaware?"

"Does this imply that you acknowledge suspicions of your husband's extramarital affair?"

More questions rained down on her.

Madam Shen found herself unable to defend herself, "No, that's not what I meant!"

She had been living a life of privilege for far too long.

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, she was completely unprepared and unsure how to respond.

Upon arriving at the hospital and witnessing this scene, Shen Xingzhuo couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

Approaching directly, he reached out to slap the camera away from Madam Shen's face.

The sound of the impact added to the chaos in the scene.

After a noisy commotion, Madam Shen and Shen Xingzhuo finally arrived outside Shen Hongyuan's hospital room.

Madam Shen's hat was askew on her head.

Shen Xingzhuo's brows were furrowed, his anger barely contained but with no clear outlet for it.

A while later, the elevator on the floor opened.

Shen Xingyu stepped out.

His suit jacket was draped over his arm, and his shirt was slightly creased.

The well-groomed fringe on his forehead had a few strands that had escaped the hold of the hair gel, now hanging loosely.

Almost three days without sleep had left its mark on Shen Xingyu's face, evident to the naked eye.

He walked slowly and wearily to the hospital room, taking a seat on an iron chair nearby.

Without much ado, Shen Xingyu instructed in a calm and measured tone, "The reporters are swarming the front entrance. Remember to leave through the east gate later; I've arranged a car for you."

"Why can't we just walk out? Are you spoiling these reporters for having a sickness?" Shen Xingzhuo grumbled unhappily.

Seeing her eldest son, Madam Shen couldn't help but complain as if he were her pillar of support, "Do you know what they asked me? They actually asked if my necklace was bought with public funds. I..."

The cacophony of voices rose once more.

Shen Xingyu lifted his hand to press against his forehead, his fingers intertwining deeply into his hair before he released a heavy sigh and withdrew his hand.

He sighed, seemingly trying to calm himself down.

But when he spoke, he still couldn't hold back a trace of suppressed desperation.

He lifted his head and looked at the necklace around Madam Shen's neck, enunciating each word carefully:

"Can I not wear these things when I go out now?"

Madam Shen was startled by his tone and closed her mouth, taking a step back.

She hastily removed the necklace, putting it in her bag, and then couldn't help justifying herself:

"I, I didn't think about these things. Didn't you also not tell me?"

Shen Xingzhuo also reacted instinctively: "Enough, you don't know how hard Mom just had it."

But after speaking, Shen Xingzhuo paused again.

He always unconsciously opposed Shen Xingyu.

Especially in front of their parents.

But now, looking at Shen Xingyu's reaction, Shen Xingzhuo felt that perhaps he shouldn't have said anything.

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened.

A nurse poked her head in and looked at the family with a peculiar gaze. "The patient has regained consciousness."

Only then did the Shen family cease their conversation and file into the room.

On the bed, Shen Hongyuan lay stiffly.

Though he had regained consciousness, it was clear that he had lost the ability to move.

Not to mention his limbs, he couldn't even control his facial features now.

His eyes and mouth twitched strangely, and saliva dripped uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing her husband in such a state, Mrs. Shen was startled. She quickly went to the bedside and held onto Shen Hongyuan's hand.

Shen Hongyuan's arm trembled as he raised it.

But instead, he carelessly waved off Madam Shen's hand.

He fumbled unsteadily for the cup on the bedside table and hurled it forcefully at Shen Xingyu.

However, his movements were clearly restricted now. The cup barely traveled half a meter before it fell to the ground.

Water splashed everywhere.

"You, what's wrong with you? Do you want some water? Why are you throwing things at Xingyu?!"

Madam Shen was terrified and quickly called for the doctor.

The doctor gave a light cough and mentioned that the patient was emotionally unstable. After giving a couple more instructions, he left.

Shen Xingyu hadn't expected Shen Hongyuan to react this way upon seeing him either.

After a moment of stunned silence, he instructed the nurse to clean up the mess.

When only the Shen family members remained in the room, Shen Xingyu closed the door and instructed his assistant to keep watch outside.

Sitting down, he sighed, "Let's talk about recent events."

Shen Hongyuan smashed a glass but eventually calmed down.

Despite his stroke, his mind was still relatively clear.

Shen Xingyu began discussing the company's situation, "Until the investigation results come out, I'll be on temporary leave."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "In a couple of days, someone will likely visit the hospital to inquire about certain matters."

"What matters? He's in this state, and they still need to ask?" Mrs. Shen remarked.

Shen Xingyu felt a headache coming on but pressed on with the main issue at hand,

"The company's data, as well as the recent financial irregularities, were deliberately leaked to the media."

He raised his head, "This kind of information isn't accessible to the average person. Even high-ranking executives wouldn't have simultaneous access to both sets of data."

Up to this point, Shen Xingyu's message was clear as day.

Unexpectedly, the most shocked reaction came from Shen Hongyuan.

With the only limb he could move, he slapped the bed vigorously and slurred, "Impossible!"

Shen Xingzhuo followed suit, albeit a beat slower, finally realizing the implications.

He instinctively said, "He wouldn't do that. Although..."

But halfway through his sentence, Shen Xingzhuo's expression shifted, and he fell silent with a grim look on his face.

Only Madam Shen remained somewhat confused.

She asked, bewildered, "What are you talking about? Did someone from our family leak this information?"

Neither Shen Xingyu nor Shen Xingzhuo responded.

Shen Hongyuan continued to mumble incoherently, "Impossible, he has to rely on the Shen family, he..."

After listening for a while, Madam Shen gradually realized, "You're talking about Ranran?"

She then laughed in disbelief, "How could it be Ranran? I've raised him since he was little. He was still worrying about the company's affairs yesterday, and he's so young. How could he possibly know…?"

Madam Shen froze as she spoke.

Because she remembered that Shen Xingran had requested to intern at the company after summer vacation.

Shen Hongyuan didn't make him start from the bottom but arranged a position as an assistant specifically for him.

Madam Shen felt dizzy and confused.

She continued as if nothing was amiss, "All of you think it's Ranran? How can you brothers think that way about him?"

"Besides… isn't there also Lu Ran! Apart from Ranran and him…"

In her panic, Madam Shen blurted out, "Yes, Lu Ran has been by Ji Min's side lately. Recently, Ranran even mentioned that he's gotten quite close to that young master from the Fang family…"

Upon saying this, Madam Shen suddenly broke down.

"Why aren't you suspecting Lu Ran?!"

The ward fell into a hush.

That was because everyone knew it was impossible for Lu Ran to do such a thing. Even if he managed to obtain some information, he wouldn't have access to precise data.

The latest breakthrough technology was the foundation of the Shen Corporation, and the data was strictly guarded.

Not even Ji Min could have acquired the information so swiftly and passed it on to the Lino family coincidentally.

Apart from the Shens, no one else could have done it.

There was no need to distinguish whether it was Shen Xingran or not, for Shen Xingran hadn't shown up that day.

A few more days passed.

After the turmoil in the Shen family, they fell into a persistent state of decline.

Shen Hongyuan's newly acquired investors, sensing the unfavorable situation, began to demand their owed payments through various means.

Shen Xingyu was running around tirelessly, but to no avail.

As for Shen Xingran, he finally returned to the Shen family home.

This time, he probably realized that there was no point in hiding anything, and there was nothing left to hide.

He decided to confront them head-on, asking Jin Linuo to drive him straight to the entrance of the Shen family residence.

Upon arrival, Shen Xingran and Jin hugged openly before entering the villa.

Shen Xingzhuo stood on the balcony on the second floor, witnessing every move Shen Xingran made.

He rushed down the stairs and arrived just in time to see Shen Xingran enter the living room.

Fixing Shen Xingran with a somber gaze, Shen Xingzhuo asked, "What brings you back here?"

Shen Xingran gave him a faint smile. "I'll just tidy up my belongings."

With that, he sauntered past Shen Xingzhuo and headed upstairs.

After packing some of his things on the third floor, he descended to encounter Shen Xingyu.

Shen Xingyu's expression was relatively calm, but there was an undeniable fatigue lingering in his gaze.

Looking at Shen Xingran, he said,

"I recall that the Shen family owes you nothing."

Shen Xingran had once been terrified of Shen Xingyu because he knew all too well that in Shen Xingyu's eyes, he held no significance.

At best, he was merely a soothing balm for Madam Shen.

Probably, in this elder brother's mind, his only purpose was to provide some occupation for Madam Shen, keeping her from flying off the handle at home all the time.

Thus, Shen Xingran had always diligently fulfilled his "duties."

Now, no longer reliant on the Shen family, Shen Xingran was entirely unshackled.

He sneered at Shen Xingyu and said,

"You know well whether you owe me or not. By your logic, I don't owe the Shen family anything either. Now, we're just engaged in normal business competition."

"Business competition?"

Shen Xingyu glanced at the suitcase in Shen Xingran's hand and said,

"The Shen family raised you. Do you think you deserve to bear the name Shen Xingran after saying something like that?"

Shen Xingran couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm not worthy, then who is? Lu Ran? If you asked Lu Ran to take on the role of Shen Xingran now, do you think he'd be willing?"

Shen Xingyu's gaze darkened.

Shen Xingran looked at Shen Xingyu and said,

"I saw you talking to Lu Ran. As his caring elder brother, you've always been thinking of bringing him back to the Shen family, haven't you?"

"Shen Hongyuan will die sooner or later, and the Shen family will eventually be under your control. Will there still be a place for me then?"

"That's what Lu Ran deserves," Shen Xingyu said in a grave tone.

Shen Xingran scoffed.

He glanced at Shen Xingyu and taunted,

"Stop putting on an act in front of me. Do you really think you're a good elder brother? You were so concerned about Lu Ran, yet when he was missing for over a decade, didn't I see you making any serious effort to find him?"

"Playing both sides, aren't you? Isn't that disgusting?"

"Slap!"

A sharp sound interrupted Shen Xingran's words.

It was Shen Xingzhuo who had suddenly lashed out.

Shen Xingran was slapped to the side.

He reached out to cover his face, straightened up, and slapped Shen Xingzhuo back.

"What right do you have to hit me!"

"I'm your brother!" Shen Xingzhuo roared.

He and Shen Xingran had grown up together since childhood.

No matter within the Shen family or outside, he had always protected Shen Xingran.

Even because Shen Xingran disliked dogs, he had suppressed his own fondness to the point of nearly causing Big Yellow's death.

Despite knowing that Shen Xingran had some bad habits, Shen Xingzhuo had never imagined that Shen Xingran would betray the entire Shen family.

Shen Xingran rolled his eyes.

"You're so eager to be a good elder brother, so shouldn't I help you fulfill that role?"

"Are you talking nonsense?" Shen Xingzhuo was taken aback.

Shen Xingran chuckled.

He glanced at Shen Xingzhuo and then at Shen Xingyu before saying,

"Shen Xingzhuo, since we were young, did you genuinely treat me well? When have I not provoked you by mentioning Shen Xingyu?"

Shen Xingzhuo's expression suddenly turned terrible.

"Stop talking!" he said.

Shen Xingran found his reaction amusing and continued,

"Well, if we're not talking about me, let's discuss Lu Ran. You treat him like a younger brother, yet how could you go to his school and cause trouble just because you suspected he was getting too close to Shen Xingyu?"

Shen Xingzhuo's lips trembled, leaving him speechless.

Looking at his expression, Shen Xingran laughed with immense delight.

He said, "Shen Xingzhuo, you're the worst among the entire Shen family. You can't compete with Shen Xingyu in any other aspect, so you can only desperately try to surpass him when it comes to being an elder brother."

After enjoying the reactions on Shen Xingyu and Shen Xingzhuo's faces, Shen Xingran continued dragging his suitcase towards the door.

Just as he was about to exit the living room, Mrs. Shen's voice suddenly echoed from upstairs.

"What about me?!"

Mrs. Shen looked pale, dressed less elegantly than usual for the first time.

She emerged from her bedroom, dressed simply.

Step by step, she descended the stairs.

Gazing at the foster son she had doted on for over a decade downstairs, Mrs. Shen asked, "Aren't I good enough to you?"

"Whether it's Shen Xingyu or Shen Xingzhuo, haven't I always stood by your side when they had conflicts with you?" Mrs. Shen said with a trembling voice.

She truly doted on Shen Xingran more than any of her biological sons.

She treated him almost like the perfect mother would.

Even when Shen Xingran had spread rumors about Lu Ran being an illegitimate child, causing her great embarrassment, she eventually forgave him.

Looking up at Mrs. Shen upstairs, Shen Xingran paused in his steps.

After a moment of silence, he said, "You have been quite good to me."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shen couldn't help but harbor a glimmer of hope within her.

Then,

Shen Xingran looked at her and said,

"Lu Ran is your biological son. You treat your own flesh and blood like this...

"How can I know what intentions you have behind your actions?"