Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Back then, when He Zheng died tragically abroad, Old Master He sent people to find Xie Yinong in order to uncover the truth.

Unexpectedly, she turned traitor and even found someone to impersonate Xie Ning to swindle money from the He family.

However, that person did indeed uncover the truth about He Zheng's death and began planning this scheme from that day on, which is why Yi Yi’s story was a mix of truth and lies.

Xie Yinong was a war correspondent who was chased by both sides after photographing government officials meeting with rebels.

He Zheng died innocently in this conflict.

After seeing the news, Xie Yinong fell seriously ill, but her maternal instincts made her endure, unlike what Yi Yi had said about her dying.

While working as a journalist, Xie Yinong met a journalist from M country. With his help, she secretly took her daughter to M country.

This is also why the people sent by Old Master He never managed to find their whereabouts.

After years of effort, Xie Yinong finally published the photos, causing an uproar in public opinion.

Although she had revealed the truth and avenged He Zheng, Xie Yinong felt no relief, burdened by guilt at all times.

Every year, on He Zheng's anniversary and the twins' birthday, Xie Yinong would buy tickets back home.

Once, she even boarded the plane with Xie Ning, but the moment they stepped on board, she experienced intense reactions like dizziness, ringing in her ears, and tremors.

Only after getting off the plane with Xie Ning did those feelings disappear.

Xie Yinong dared not return home, fearing the old man's questioning about why she was alive while his son had died, and also afraid of seeing He Yanting's eyes filled with hatred and resentment.

When Xie Ning grew up, Xie Yinong told her everything.

If Xie Ning wanted to return home to recognize her family or even stay there, Xie Yinong would not stop her.

In fact, even if Xie Yinong hadn’t confessed, Xie Ning had already sensed something from the clues and chose to stay to accompany her mother, knowing that if she left, Xie Yinong might do something foolish.

Though staying in M country, Xie Ning kept an eye on the He family.

Xie Yinong passed away from liver cancer six months ago, and Xie Ning kept her ashes at home.

It wasn't until He Yanting got into trouble that Xie Ning decided to return with the ashes, wanting to bury her parents together and end the grudges of the previous generation.

Hearing Xie Ning's request, He Ranjie showed a troubled expression.

The old man could accept his granddaughter, but agreeing to bury Xie Yinong with He Zheng was unlikely.

In his eyes, He Zheng's death was inseparable from Xie Yinong, whom he had hated for many years.

Before He Ranjie could speak, Zhou Zitan interjected, "That's out of the question. How can my uncle be buried with her?"

He almost said it was Xie Yinong who had caused He Zheng's death.

Xie Ning was not angry, "This should depend on the person's wishes."

Shen Tingzhou, the only outsider present, had been silent but couldn't help raising his head upon hearing this.

Whose wishes?

"Whose wishes?"

Even Xiao Zhou asked, puzzled.

Xie Ning smiled lightly, "Of course, my father's wishes."

Shen Tingzhou, Zhou Zitan, and He Ranjie all looked at her in shock.

Xie Ning explained, "What I mean is, since my father was willing to go abroad to find us, it shows he had let go of the past and forgiven my mother for her mistakes."

Zhou Zitan countered, "Uncle might have just gotten over an argument. If someone deceived me like that, I wouldn't forgive them, especially if they ended up causing my death."

Shen Tingzhou: Xiao Zhou, the biggest fan of the He family!

Xie Ning pondered, "That possibility isn't ruled out. Since you all disagree..."

Thinking she was going to give up, Shen Tingzhou heard Xie Ning say, "Then I'll find a time tonight to pry open my father's grave."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Zhou Zitan: ...

He Ranjie: ...

Seeing their stunned faces, Xie Ning smiled sweetly, "I'm just joking; I wouldn't do that."

Shen Tingzhou didn’t think she was joking; she seemed quite serious.

He Ranjie forced a smile, "Don't worry, I'll try to persuade your grandfather. Maybe he'll agree."

Or else wait for the grave to be dug up.

Xie Ning showed two dimples, "Thank you, Auntie. Mom always said you were kind, and you really are."

He Ranjie gave a fake smile.

Taking advantage of Xie Ning's diverted gaze, Zhou Zitan quickly whispered to He Ranjie, "Mom, should I watch Uncle's grave tonight?"

Shen Tingzhou, who could hear Zhou Zitan's whisper from two meters away: ... Xiao Zhou, you can whisper a bit louder.

Xie Ning, who was closer and heard everything clearly, reassured Zhou Zitan, "There's no need to look. I won't go now."

Zhou Zitan responded with an "Oh" and pulled his head back.

Looking at Xie Ning's sweet smile on her doll-like face, Shen Tingzhou finally agreed with Xu Xun's words—

What kind of good person could someone who always smiles be?

You smilers!

-

After the real and fake heiresses were exchanged, Old Master He dealt with the instigator of this incident with swift and decisive action.

Although Yi Yi was the fake heiress, the old master admired her spirit of sacrifice for the family because he too had a strong sense of family honor. So, he did not retaliate against Yi Yi.

If Old Master He admired Yi Yi, then he was very satisfied with Xie Ning.

Xie Ning was so much like the He family that he intended to groom her to take over the company. If she agreed to join the company, Xie Yinong could be buried alongside He Zheng.

For the sake of the living, he was willing to let go of the past regarding the dead.

Xie Ning had returned this time simply to acknowledge her kinship, never expecting such a heavy burden to be placed upon her.

Xie Ning did not immediately agree to the old master's offer.

The old master did not pressure her, giving her ample time to consider it while also sending people to watch over He Zheng's grave, clearly fearing that his son's tomb might be desecrated.

Zhou Zitan liked Xie Ning very much. Although they had differences over Xie Yinong, as long as they didn't talk about that, he was a little puppy who listened to his sister.

Zhou Zitan thought, his sister was beautiful and kind-hearted—how could she not be better than that fake 'Yinyin'?

If Shen Tingzhou could fall for Yiyi, why wouldn't he like his sister?

So he started to actively matchmake Shen Tingzhou and Xie Ning, inviting them to a popular couple-themed restaurant for dinner.

The restaurant was decorated in a bubblegum pink theme, and most diners were young couples. However, there were also friends like Shen Tingzhou and Yi Yi who came for fun.

Unlike Shen Tingzhou and Yi Yi, Xie Ning was not naive and quickly noticed Zhou Zitan's intentions.

Xie Ning took a sip of cherry wine and said, "By the way, I haven't told you, have I? I'm gay, I like girls."

Her coming out was quite unexpected.

But since three out of the four employers Shen Tingzhou served were gay, he quickly digested the news.

Zhou Zitan looked at Xie Ning, stunned for several seconds.

The table fell silent due to the absence of this usually lively person.

In this silence, a man's light laughter came from behind their booth, "What gay? She just hasn't had a boyfriend yet, doesn't know what men are like."

Shen Tingzhou frowned.

Not only because of the man's offensive comment but also because he had kicked a metal plate hard enough to break his leg.

Zhou Zitan, who had been momentarily stunned, instinctively activated his protective mechanism and turned into a fierce dog, rising to confront the man behind the booth.

Zhou Zitan glared menacingly, "What the hell did you say!"

Shen Tingzhou's reflexes, honed by Qin Shiyao, kicked in just as Zhou Zitan was about to punch the man, stopping him in time.

"Calm down, you're still on probation!"

Xie Ning chimed in, "Yes, you're still on probation for attempted murder, you can't get into trouble."

Hearing the words "attempted murder," the man's pupils dilated.

Xie Ning walked over, "Let me handle this. I'm not from here anyway."

Seeing a petite, delicate, and harmless-looking girl approach, the man's initial shock subsided.

Until she rolled up her sleeve, revealing a bracelet made of human teeth.

He had played with similar bracelets before, but wore only fakes, never daring to wear the real thing.

Xie Ning said to Zhou Zitan, "Little brother, let go."

Zhou Zitan immediately obeyed and released the man, making way for Xie Ning.

Xie Ning approached the man, showing two small dimples, "I'll give you two choices: either drink this bowl of spicy tripe soup, and I'll pretend I didn't hear anything, or I'll knock out all your teeth and make another bracelet."

Shen Tingzhou expected the man to continue his taunts and be taught a lesson by Xie Ning's iron fist, eventually yielding.

But instead, he immediately knelt.

Amid curious gazes, the man closed his eyes, picked up the steaming bowl of spicy tripe soup, and began drinking.

Shen Tingzhou exclaimed, "Wait, what...?"

A restaurant server approached to inquire, and Xie Ning innocently said, "I was just joking; he wanted to drink it himself."

The man paused, looking over.

Xie Ning glanced at him, and he recoiled as if stung, immediately lowering his head to continue drinking, his face turning red from the heat, his lips blistering. His female companion left in disgust.

The server tried to persuade him, but the man ignored him, finishing the entire bowl of soup before hastily settling the bill and leaving.

Due to this incident, Shen Tingzhou noticed that the surrounding conversations had quietened considerably.

Xie Ning seemed oblivious, focusing on her meal.

Shen Tingzhou: "Indeed, strong people change others to make themselves comfortable."

-

Three days after that meal, Zhou Zitan called Shen Tingzhou to say goodbye.

Zhou Zitan said energetically, "I'm going to the temple to pray for my brother."

But this isn't why you're calling at five in the morning!

When Shen Tingzhou asked carefully, he found out that Zhou Zitan wasn't just going to one temple; he planned to visit every temple in the country.

Shen Tingzhou finally woke up, "Why the sudden interest in mysticism? You didn't believe in it before, did you?"

Zhou Zitan: "It was my sister who said it works."

...He knew it couldn't have been Zhou Zitan's idea.

Shen Tingzhou couldn't help but ask, "Did you offend your sister these past two days?"

Zhou Zitan was puzzled, "No, I didn't."

Shen Tingzhou: "...Think again."

Zhou Zitan: "I really didn't. I've been busy finding known lesbians and even created a group of two hundred people for my sister to choose from. How could I have time to offend her?"

Shen Tingzhou's silence felt like an eternity.

No wonder Xie Ning wanted to get rid of Zhou Zitan. If it were him, he'd send Xiao Zhou to Mars.

Two hundred lesbians—like you're setting up a harem for your sister.

What could Shen Tingzhou say? He could only wish Zhou Zitan success.

Zhou Zitan, encouraged by Shen Tingzhou, felt greatly comforted, "Thank you, Doctor Shen. I'll pray sincerely."

Shen Tingzhou: "...Good luck."

Zhou Zitan: "Mm-hmm."

-

On Friday, Xu Xun invited Shen Tingzhou to neuter the orange cat.

After breakfast, Shen Tingzhou drove to Xu Xun's house. Passing under an overpass, he noticed a crowd gathered below, which caught his attention.

Usually, such a gathering means someone has jumped into the river.

Thinking about it, Shen Tingzhou changed lanes and got off the bridge to check the situation. If someone had indeed jumped, they would need professional medical care.

Upon asking around, he confirmed that someone had indeed jumped into the river.

Many kind-hearted people had jumped in to save them, so Shen Tingzhou stayed on the riverbank waiting.

Soon, a strong man dragged a unconscious long-haired girl ashore, and the people nearby helped lift her up.

Shen Tingzhou quickly approached, "I'm a doctor. Let's lay her down first."

Several people helped place the girl on a flat surface, realizing she was quite tall, no wonder several people struggled to carry her.

"Really thin, really tall."

"Is she a model?"

"She's pretty, but looks a bit like a man."

She's not like a man; she is a man.

Shen Tingzhou initially assumed she was a girl due to her long black hair, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a beautiful man with feminine features.

From his attire to his demeanor, he seemed to come from a good family background, not someone likely to attempt suicide.

But Shen Tingzhou didn't have time to think about it and started performing CPR.

After half a minute of chest compressions, the unconscious person spat out some river water and opened their eyes slightly.

Just as Shen Tingzhou was about to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, a handsome young man pushed through the crowd and approached.

Seeing the person on the ground, he exclaimed in shock, "Sir."

Shen Tingzhou's ears tingled from the dramatic tremor in his voice.

The young man smoothly kneeled beside the man on the ground, opened his mouth, and began performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Shen Tingzhou then noticed the young man was wearing white gloves, dressed in a suit, with perfectly combed hair, and a handkerchief in his pocket.

A sense of familiarity washed over him.

This outfit...

Familiar, very familiar, it felt too familiar.

The young man seemed trained in first aid, alternating between mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, doing it flawlessly.

Seeing his skilled technique, Shen Tingzhou felt relieved and left.

After Shen Tingzhou left, the semi-conscious man raised his hand, and the young man immediately held it.

The man tried to pull away but lacked strength, so he let the young man hold it.

-

Shen Tingzhou returned to his car. Although he had been delayed, he had left early today.

Arriving at Xu Xun's house, Shen Tingzhou saw the Steward tending to the flowers in the front yard.

White gloves, black suit, hair perfectly in place, handkerchief.

The case is solved—the young man is dressed just like the Steward!

The Steward looked up and greeted him with a smile, "Doctor Shen, you're here?"

Shen Tingzhou walked over and asked, "Need any help?"

"No need." After saying this, the Steward turned to call inside, "Young Master, come out to greet your guest."

Everything was said correctly, but why did Shen Tingzhou feel so awkward?

Shortly after, Xu Xun emerged carrying a cat cage. As soon as he approached Shen Tingzhou, his expression changed slightly, "What's that smell on you?"

Shen Tingzhou's first reaction was— "I didn't pet any stray cats outside."

"It's not a cat." Xu Xun circled around Shen Tingzhou, sniffing like a drug-sniffing dog.

Shen Tingzhou felt uncomfortable and stiffened, craning his neck backward, "Then... what is it?"

Xu Xun said, "Perfume."

He also mentioned a tongue-twisting brand or scent, but the scholarly Xiao Shen couldn't understand his pronunciation.

The Steward, who understood, put down the spray bottle, "Doctor Shen, who did you meet today?"

From leaving home to arriving at the Xu residence, Shen Tingzhou had only encountered someone under the bridge.

Thus, Shen Tingzhou told Xu Xun and the Steward about the person jumping into the river.

The Steward continued watering the plants, "That shouldn't be it. That person wouldn't choose to jump into the river even if they were committing suicide. They would probably buy a bunch of white roses, lay them around, and then slit their wrists, letting their blood stain the roses red. Only then would their death have ceremony and beauty."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

How... eccentric... no, how dramatic and intense a way to die.

Xu Xun sneered dismissively.

"However—" Shen Tingzhou suddenly remembered, "there was a young man beside him who was dressed exactly like you, Steward."

Now, not only Xu Xun but also the Steward sneered, performing the same action in perfect synchronization—

First, they lifted their chins, showing an air of pride, then they sneered in disdain.

Seeing the Steward make such an expression for the first time, Shen Tingzhou: ?

Xu Xun said coldly, "Looks like he's back."

The Steward echoed coldly, "Probably because he couldn't adapt to the local climate and vomited upon returning."

Shen Tingzhou: ... You really know how to throw shade.

Driven by curiosity, Shen Tingzhou asked, "Do you know this person?"

Xu Xun avoided the topic, "We should go; our appointment time is approaching."

The Steward added, "Go early, return early."

Seeing they didn't want to talk about it, Shen Tingzhou swallowed his curiosity.

Anyone who could make both of them so tight-lipped must be...

"Not important."

Surprised, Shen Tingzhou turned to look at Xu Xun beside him. It seemed Xu Xun knew what he was thinking and said, "He's not important to you, just a relative of mine."

Noticing Xu Xun's willingness to talk, Shen Tingzhou followed up, "A troublesome relative? I see the Steward doesn't like him either."

Xu Xun explained, "He just doesn't get along with Sangyan's father."

Shen Tingzhou was confused, "Sangyan is the one who couldn't adapt and vomited?"

Xu Xun: "No, it's the young man wearing white gloves."

Shen Tingzhou: "Oh."

So it was a feud between two black-suited servants.

-

The neutered orange cat stuck out its tongue, lying silently on the floor, tears unshed.

Shen Tingzhou quietly observed it from the side. Seeing it didn't exhibit any extreme behavior, he left it alone, giving it time to process the situation.

Watching Shen Tingzhou poke the cat's fur while keeping an eye on its movements, Xu Xun suddenly asked, "Why do you like cats so much?"

Without hesitation, Shen Tingzhou replied, "Because they're cute."

Xu Xun: "Anything else?"

Shen Tingzhou: "Because they're fluffy and feel nice to touch."

Xu Xun: "Anything else?"

Shen Tingzhou: "Because their meows sound lovely."

Xu Xun clicked his tongue, and Shen Tingzhou immediately became cautious, asking, "What's wrong?"

Xu Xun, with a flat face, said, "It sounds like you like them only for their external qualities."

Shen Tingzhou admitted his shallowness. He liked external things, and because of these external qualities, he felt that as long as it was a cat, it could do anything.

After all, he wasn't looking for a friend or partner who needed to have the same values as him.

Isn't it true that cats can do whatever they want as long as they're pretty?

Shen Tingzhou's warm eyes reflected Xu Xun, "What about you, do you have something you like?"

Xu Xun nodded, "Yes, but I can't say."

Shen Tingzhou became interested, "Why? Is it a very niche hobby?"

Xu Xun shook his head and kneaded the loose fur brushed off the cat into a small ball, "The Steward said if I told you, you'd be scared away."

Shen Tingzhou was silent for a few seconds before showing a bit of caution, "You... like lying in coffins?"

That time, it really gave him a fright.

Xu Xun: ...

-

After Zhou Zitan left, Shen Tingzhou would receive calls or messages from him every day.

Every time he got a talisman, Zhou Zitan would show off to Shen Tingzhou.

Apart from getting one for He Yanting, he also got them for He Ranjie, Old Master He, Xie Ning, and Shen Tingzhou.

In just a week, Zhou Zitan had visited over thirty temples, becoming a special forces soldier in the world of temple visits.

Praying to Buddha and dabbling in mysticism is better than him getting involved with criminal law.

So no matter what bizarre things Zhou Zitan sent him for blessings, Shen Tingzhou supported him.

During dinner today, Zhou Zitan had already called once, so Shen Tingzhou didn't expect another call right before bed.

Worried something might have happened to Zhou Zitan during his trip, Shen Tingzhou answered immediately.

This call seemed to have been made accidentally by Zhou Zitan. After Shen Tingzhou answered, there was no response on the other end, only static noise.

Finally, the phone was thrown away, apparently landing on the ground, but the sound became clearer.

Shen Tingzhou heard Zhou Zitan say—

"That night, you were lucky I didn't kill you. I didn't expect you to dare come back today. If I don't finish you off tonight, I'll..."

That night?

Shen Tingzhou immediately understood that Zhou Zitan had found the person who had bumped into him that night.

Given Xiao Zhou's character, this could lead to a fatal situation. Shen Tingzhou felt his scalp tingle, then heard his fiery voice again.

"Stop taking off my pants, get lost."

Zhou Zitan had always been good at fighting, but hearing his exasperated tone suggested he was being pinned down...

What was going on here?

Shen Tingzhou kept calling his name, trying to reach him, but it seemed a fight had broken out. He heard Zhou Zitan's curses and the sound of fabric rubbing together.

Along with these two sounds, there was a low, muffled male voice.

Shen Tingzhou found this voice familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.