Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Shen Yan chose to wear warm-colored clothes the next day since he had no classes, just to prevent Shu Qianfei from worrying. It would make him appear healthier.

Ever since the school term began, he had been dodging Hu Chengyu at first, and then was framed for reasons unknown. Even though he slept and ate on time, it still took a toll on him.

Suri waited outside the school for a while until Shen Yan appeared.

She got out of the car, about to open the car door for Shen Yan, but he stopped her.

"Suri, a gentleman should do this, don’t you think?" Shen Yan smiled at her.

As part of the fashion circle in G.E, a jewelry company, Suri had seen many beauties in the industry, like stars in the sky. Yet every time she saw the eldest son of her boss, she was struck by his beauty.

When Shen Yan was little, she had taken him to the hospital for an IV drip. He was small, biting his lips, his eyes red from trying not to cry while holding onto her clothes. It was heartbreakingly pitiful.

Because of that, she felt no sense of unattainability looking at his cold, beautiful face now.

Suri didn’t insist and let Shen Yan open the door for her.

She thought that if Shen Yan had a driver’s license, he might even offer to drive.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Shen Yan inquired about Shu Qianfei’s recent well-being.

"The boss is a bit busy, but otherwise, she’s doing well," Suri replied.

Shen Yan knew that Suri had probably been instructed by Shu Qianfei on what not to say.

Suri was absolutely obedient to Shu Qianfei, and without her permission, Shen Yan couldn’t get any information out of her.

He didn’t ask further, to avoid Suri relaying the information, and simply closed his eyes and listened to some light music to rest.

Shu Qianfei was indeed very busy. When Shen Yan arrived at G.E., Shu Qianfei was in a meeting. During the ten-minute break, she continued to listen to reports from her other two assistants. Shen Yan only had a brief greeting with her and didn’t get another chance to talk.

Observing Shu Qianfei at work, Shen Yan noticed her sharp eyes through the rimless glasses, unconcealed by her silver-gray suit. Her slightly curly hair cascaded over her shoulders, the ends tinged with chestnut.

Strict, yet with a touch of intellect.

He couldn’t help but remember how he used to find Shu Qianfei intimidating when she spoke to her subordinates, as if her presence alone could take down anyone.

He found his own imagination amusing.

Shu Qianfei’s eyes occasionally fell on Shen Yan. Initially concerned that he might be bored or upset, she was surprised to see him in a good mood.

Shen Yan thought back to when he was the general manager of G.E. To his subordinates, he likely appeared equally dignified.

He pondered for a moment and found the word fitting.

If he were one of those assistants, he might have been overwhelmed by Shu Qianfei’s detailed inquiries.

Yet, the two assistants responded calmly and systematically, showing their excellent capabilities.

A few minutes later, Shu Qianfei went back into the meeting room. But before that, she asked Shen Yan, "Yan Yan, would you like to sit in on the meeting?"

Shen Yan immediately shook his head. "Mom, I get dizzy in enclosed, dark places for too long. I’ll only slow you down."

Shu Qianfei frowned slightly but didn’t press the issue.

Compared to becoming an excellent businessman, Shen Yan hoped he could always stay healthy.

Only after Shu Qianfei left with her assistant did he let out a sigh of relief.

He feared Shu Qianfei might insist he attend the meeting.

In his past life, after becoming the company’s general manager, he faced endless meetings, big and small.

The thought alone gave him a headache now.

As the chief assistant, Suri had other tasks. Before leaving the office, she handed him a few magazines. "You used to love these. Do you still enjoy them?"

Shen Yan smiled and took them. "Thank you. Beautiful things always catch the eye."

These magazines were among the most influential fashion publications in the country recently, and Shen Yan subscribed to them.

But some things, no matter how often you see them, remain fresh.

The magazine at the bottom was one Shen Yan hadn’t read before, but the name on the cover reminded him that in two years, this magazine would rise to prominence in the fashion world.

Its fame was due to a jewelry design competition it hosted, which featured a very talented designer.

This designer wasn’t new to the scene but was uniquely talented, having been a rising star in the design world a few years ago before vanishing without a trace. His works hadn’t been seen since.

Until he submitted an entry to the competition in magazine La, with a completely different style, and it wasn’t until a year later that the fashion world recognized him once more.

And he only gave interviews to La magazine.

Shen Yan had long admired this designer and immediately became deeply interested in the competition.

This was the first thing he wanted to do after his rebirth, aside from protecting his family and improving his health.

Shen Yan was so engrossed in reading La that he didn’t notice Shu Qianfei’s return.

It was nearing noon, and the sunlight slowly crept to his feet through the glass, casting shadows that made his profile look like a sculpted statue.

He didn’t miss any details, not even the occasional flutter of his long eyelashes, as if they were infused with life.

Perhaps her gaze was too direct, and Shen Yan noticed her presence.

Shu Qianfei withdrew her gaze. "I just got back. Are you hungry? I’ve booked a table at the restaurant downstairs. Shall we go now?"

Shen Yan had eaten a few cookies and had some juice earlier, so he wasn’t really hungry, but he hadn’t forgotten the purpose of his visit.

After Shu Qianfei and Shen Yan left, the two receptionists finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Even though Miss Shu has never been harsh to me, I still feel nervous and a bit scared whenever I see her."

"Who doesn’t? I heard two of our predecessors quit because they couldn’t handle the mental pressure."

"Really? But the company’s benefits are great, and Miss Shu’s son is really handsome. With this salary and his looks, I think I can work here until retirement!"

"I heard it from someone else, but there are also rumors that it’s related to the Shu family..."

When the higher-ups fight, it always affects the lower ranks.

*

Shu Qianfei first ordered two light dishes before passing the menu to Shen Yan.

Shen Yan wasn’t hungry and only added a soup.

Shu Qianfei furrowed her brow slightly. “Are you only having that?”

Shen Yan thought carefully about the dishes that often appeared on the family dinner table and added two more dishes.

Upon hearing this, her face showed a strange expression.

Seeing this, Shen Yan felt a tightness in his chest. “I noticed Aunt Wang always makes these two dishes, so I assumed you liked them. Did I guess wrong?”

Shen Lin or Shen Shubai might also like them.

Shu Qianfei shook her head. “No, you’re right. I just didn’t think…”

Shen Yan wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but he thought he saw a flash of sadness in her eyes.

Before he could look closer, Shu Qianfei had already regained her usual expression.

“Yan Yan, is something bothering you?”

She knew Shen Yan well; if nothing was wrong, he would never actively seek her out.

Shen Yan was impressed by her perceptiveness. He hadn’t done anything, but she had already guessed that something was on his mind.

He cleared his throat lightly. “Mom, the 18th of next month is Xiao Lin’s birthday. He wants us to celebrate it together.”

“Mom, could you come home early that day?”

Shu Qianfei asked, “Is that what you came to tell me?”

While she and Shen Shubai may favor each child differently, they wouldn’t be so biased as to miss one’s birthday.

Shen Yan nodded.

“I’ll have my assistant clear my schedule. It’s such a minor matter; you could have just told me over the phone. There’s no need to come here in person. Your health is more important, understand?” Shu Qianfei picked the best piece of steamed perch, checked for bones, and placed it in Shen Yan’s bowl.

She still treated him like a child.

Shen Yan put the fish in his mouth, savoring the fresh and tender texture as it slid down, like a small fish swimming in his mouth, and he narrowed his eyes.

It’s really good.

Shen Yan silently reminded himself not to get lost in the food; he had something important to discuss!

“This steamed perch tastes great. It’s a shame Xiao Lin isn’t here.”

“Xiao Lin loves eating fish. When we were young, we even fought over a small yellow…”

Clack!

Shu Qianfei dropped her chopsticks, then realized her mistake. Suppressing the emotions rising within her, she picked up her chopsticks again, her tone stiff. “They slipped.”

Shen Yan looked at her with clear eyes, saying nothing.

Shu Qianfei lowered her head and pretended to eat a piece of crispy bamboo shoot, unaware that it was something she disliked.

The crispy bamboo shoots were ordered by Shu Qianfei for Shen Yan, who loved bamboo shoots, especially the fresh and tender ones.

Shen Yan gently rotated the lazy Susan, moving the crisp bamboo shoots away.

"Mom, can I ask why you don’t like Xiao Lin?"

Shen Yan found that asking directly wasn’t as hard as he expected.

Shu Qianfei lowered her eyes and remained silent, her jaw muscle twitching slightly as she chewed.

Shen Yan looked at Shu Qianfei across from him, thinking about giving up.

Shen Yan soon realized something was off; Shu Qianfei was too quiet, and she made no other movements.

She even continued her previous posture, including chewing.

Shen Yan reached out and took her wrist. "Mom?"

When Shu Qianfei looked up, her eyes were bloodshot and red.

Shen Yan’s heart skipped a beat. "Mom, Mom?"

Shu Qianfei suddenly shut her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and when she opened them again, she seemed normal.

Except for the lingering redness in her eyes.

Shu Qianfei put down her chopsticks, supported her forehead with one hand, and forced a bitter smile. "I thought those matters were all in the past, but being reminded of them in front of you, I still can’t fully control myself.

"Yan Yan, give me a bit of time.

"Xiao Lin is not only your brother but also my child. I... I wouldn’t..."

Shu Qianfei wanted to say she wouldn’t have any malice towards Shen Lin, but recalling the years of interaction, she realized she wasn’t in a position to say such things.

The meal ended in silence, and neither of them ate much.

Shen Yan didn’t accompany Shu Qianfei to her company. He reached out and hugged her. "Mom, I’m sorry."

Shu Qianfei, seemingly surprised by Shen Yan’s hug, patted his shoulder. "I’m fine, and the issues between Xiao Lin and me need to be addressed sooner or later.

"Did Xiao Lin ask you to come today?"

Shen Yan paused. "I wanted to come too."

Shu Qianfei knew that what Shen Yan wanted was to understand why she always treated Shen Lin coldly, but in her heart, she secretly believed Shen Yan had come just because he missed her.

Wang Shu drove him back to school.

Even though several days had passed, Shen Yan still asked, "Uncle Wang, how is the baby?"

Wang Shu, seemingly in a good mood, replied with a smile, "Thank you, eldest young master, for your concern. The little one is much better, and the doctor said she can be discharged tomorrow."

Shen Yan murmured, "That’s good..."

A moment later, he asked again, "Uncle Wang, how long have you been driving for the Shen family?"

Wang Shu said, "Oh, it’s been quite a long time. I’ve been driving for the boss since he and Mr. Shen got married.

"It’s been about twenty years, I suppose?"

Shen Yan asked, "Do you know how my parents met?"

Wang Shu's expression stiffened for a moment, and his hearty smile quickly faded.

Wang Shu remained silent for a while before he spoke: "Eldest young master, let me speak from the heart. Don't mention the past anymore, especially not in front of the boss and Mr. Shen.

"It hasn't been easy for them to get to where they are today."

Shen Yan nodded and didn't ask further.

He remembered Shu Qianfei’s expression during the meal earlier—pain mingled with resolve.

It reminded him of Shen Lin from his past life, after the car accident.

At that moment, Shen Lin and Shu Qianfei looked very similar. In fact, Shen Lin most closely resembled Shu Qianfei.

He closed his eyes and thought slowly. As he was about to arrive at school, he sent a message to Shen Lin: I asked Mom, but she didn’t say anything.

Shen Yan: Shen Lin, don’t mention this to Mom.

His tone was resolute.

Perhaps it was the unique intuition between brothers, but even without using emphatic punctuation, Shen Lin could sense Shen Yan's attitude from the text.

Shen Lin didn't reply immediately but replied a few minutes later: Are we just going to give up like this?

Shen Yan glanced at Wang Shu. Some old wounds don’t heal by being ignored.

Besides, after twenty years, despite their lingering feelings for each other, they had let their children become jealous of each other. Doesn’t that show that this ‘old wound’ hasn’t healed on its own but has instead worsened?

Shen Yan: Investigate quietly.

In class, Shen Lin couldn’t help laughing out loud when he read the message.

The math teacher, who was lecturing, threw a piece of chalk at him: "Shen Lin, stand up! What’s so funny about the set I’m explaining?"