Chapter 21 The Heart of the Sun

Chapter 21: The Sun's Heart

The separable and reflexive verbs from his fifteen-year-old German classes were long forgotten by Tan Youming; only the day Shen Zongnian abruptly vanished remained etched in his memory.

As Grandfather Shen lay critically ill, the power struggle within the Shen family reached a fever pitch. Shen Xiaochang made a lethal move against Shen Zongnian.

Haishi (Port City) was ultimately too small, offering no sanctuary. After being repeatedly tracked, located, eavesdropped on, and surveilled, Grandfather Shen and the Tan family decided to send Shen Zongnian abroad for secluded protection until the dust settled.

The operation was confidential. Tan Youming couldn't recall the day of the week; the Shen Zongnian who usually woke him and helped him with his socks simply didn't appear.

One day, then two, everyone around him remained tight-lipped. The young troublemaker, a veritable devil incarnate, threw a tantrum. Eavesdropping on his father and grandfather's conversation, he deduced Shen Zongnian's hiding place and, with swift resolve, enrolled himself in a German class.

Tan Youming, who had never achieved an A in any subject, gritted his teeth and surprisingly excelled at German. However, his plan to sneak abroad to find Shen Zongnian ultimately never came to fruition.

After Grandfather Shen's passing, the Tan family spared no effort to ensure the will remained unaltered.

"Ming Zai BB," Guan Kezhi playfully pinched her son's cheek, "Your little schemes are far too transparent; even someone across the river can hear them clearly."

Yet, she couldn't resist Tan Youming's sweet talk; he had always been adept at charming women since childhood. Guan Kezhi waved her hand dismissively, overriding Tan Zhongshan's objections, and agreed to let him accompany the bodyguards to bring Shen Zongnian back.

Only then did Tan Youming learn that Shen Zongnian wasn't in any German-speaking region at all. Perhaps he had been briefly, but to evade pursuit, he frequently changed his hiding places.

From Cusco, Peru, south of the equator, to Atacama, Shen Zongnian's final stop was Fairbanks.

Less than twenty kilometers from the ice-free port of Murmansk, a sacred land bathed in the aurora.

Fairbanks was perpetually blanketed in snow, with silent glaciers. Tan Youming arrived from the sky like a tropical storm—fierce, powerful, and unstoppable, capable of melting even millennia-old ice.

Years later, Shen Zongnian still remembered that Fairbanks experienced over three hundred days of snowy and foggy weather annually, yet on the day Tan Youming appeared, there was at least half a day of clear skies.

Shen Zongnian, practicing his shooting stance in the snow, wore a stern expression. Tan Youming, with a wide smile and flashing canine teeth, ran towards him like the equatorial sun, embracing him with immense excitement.

"Damn, how did you get so thin?"

"Are they starving you?"

"I'm going straight to Ms. Guan to report Tan Zhongshan for mistreating you!"

Tan Zhongshan had arranged for burly Russians to train Shen Zongnian in combat and marksmanship. Additionally, he faced daily study tasks far more demanding than any school curriculum.

It was less secluded protection and more rigorous, intensive covert training—survival skills, the Shen family's waterway shipping, overseas assets—there was simply too much to learn.

During their year apart, Shen Zongnian grew at a pace Tan Youming couldn't match, and the gloom and ruthlessness of his future self were already beginning to take shape.

But Tan Youming didn't find him unfamiliar, wrapping all four limbs tightly around him.

Shen Zongnian froze completely. So, the sun had a heartbeat.

The sun's heart beat for him.

Shen Zongnian pushed him, but he wouldn't budge. Tan Youming didn't need to look to know his expression. Before Shen Zongnian could frown, he covered his mouth, preempting him: "Alright, no need to scold me. Anyway, I can't take another step now."

Born in the tropics, the delicate flower couldn't withstand the slightest cold. He had been numb from the moment he stepped off the plane.

Shen Zongnian looked down at him expressionlessly. Tan Youming ignored it, automatically moved behind him, climbed onto his back, and declared, "Okay, let's go."

"..."

Shen Zongnian deliberately jostled him.

Tan Youming nearly tumbled off: "Shit—"

Shen Zongnian carried him silently through the snow, his tall figure shielding them from the wind and snow.

Tan Youming wrapped his own scarf around Shen Zongnian's neck from behind. Shen Zongnian immediately frowned and gripped his calf, about to tell him not to move, when he heard Tan Youming lazily say, "Come on, we're in Siberia now. Stop trying to be cool."

Tan Youming, sensitive to the cold, pressed close to Shen Zongnian. His warm breath made Shen Zongnian's ears damp and itchy.

Shen Zongnian impatiently turned his head away. Tan Youming was immediately hit in the face by the wind and snow. He clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, lightly pulling the scarf as if reining in a wild, untamable horse.

Shen Zongnian's expression grew colder, a vein bulging at his temple. His grip on Tan Youming's calf tightened, yet he could never, ever escape the warmth behind him.

Inside, the fireplace blazed. Tan Youming immediately cluttered Shen Zongnian's originally tidy room. He brought a game console, a scarf knitted by Gao Shuhong, and even soup Guan Kezhi had personally made for Shen Zongnian.

Seeing Tan Youming's lips, chapped and peeling from the cold but still moving nonstop, Shen Zongnian poured a glass of hot water and commanded, "Drink it."

Tan Youming had no time for water: "Here, your Takahashi telescope."

An astronomical telescope that cost as much as one of Tan Zhongshan's watches.

Students at Yinghua International Division were required to join at least one club. Zhao Shengge chose the robotics model group, and Shen Zongnian joined the astronomy club.

Tan Youming, on a whim, had planned to lead Zhuo Zhixuan in grandly joining the lion dance team. Due to Zhuo Zhixuan's fierce resistance, the two ultimately ended up in the Wing Chun martial arts club.

This astronomical telescope was a birthday gift from Tan Zhongshan and Guan Kezhi to Shen Zongnian.

"Plenty of stars for you to look at here." Tan Youming pushed open the window, shivering despite the snow having stopped.

Outside was the Nervas River—the only outflow river running through these snowy mountains, kept ice-free by the North Atlantic Current, eventually flowing into the Arctic Ocean at Murmansk.

The river flowed slowly, the sound of water hitting rocks exceptionally quiet in the snow.

The sunlight was equally hushed. Birds pecked at grass seeds and fallen fruit in the snow, golden light falling on their white feathers.

A gust of wind blew, turning Tan Youming's nose bright red.

Shen Zongnian frowned and ordered, "Close the window."

"What's this?"

Shen Zongnian picked up the belongings he had tossed aside one by one, not even looking up: "A souvenir from the roadside."

Tan Youming jumped off the windowsill, ran over, pulled the phone from Shen Zongnian's pocket, and used image recognition to search for the specimen.

The Morpho helena butterfly, native to the Peruvian Amazon basin. Its wings, resembling white waves on a blue sea, earned it the moniker "Goddess of Light."

Shen Zongnian's initial destination was South America. Near the Sun Temple in Cusco, many people sold butterfly specimens to tourists. Shen Zongnian ignored them.

Until a barefoot Indigenous girl stopped him with broken English, stumbling through her sales pitch: "...eternal life..."

Tan Youming's shocked, hurt face suddenly flashed in Shen Zongnian's mind—that afternoon when he learned of Bo Zhu's death.

The little white dog Zhao Shengge had picked up from somewhere, with its very round head.

One day, Tan Youming said he had bought a lot of expensive dog food. Zhao Shengge calmly told him the puppy had already died.

Tan Youming asked in shock what had happened. Zhao Shengge didn't explain much, just kept his head half-down reading, his expression hidden, showing little grief, only quietly informing him he didn't need to buy any more.

Tan Youming was taken aback by his indifference and furiously scolded him for being cold-blooded.

Zhao Shengge accepted it all calmly.

For a long time, the atmosphere among them remained chilly, with Tan Youming even ordering Shen Zongnian not to side with that heartless, cold-blooded monster.

The friendships within this circle were delicate, fragile, and filled with the secrets of prematurely entering the adult world, misunderstandings, and the brutal truths hidden behind interests.

If a puppy couldn’t live long, perhaps a specimen could.

The eternal butterfly had flown from the tropical rainforest into the snowy, isolated mountains. Tan Youming picked up the photo frame, tilting his head to examine it carefully, his eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

He loved all things gorgeous and beautiful, so he naturally said to Shen Zongnian, "I want this." Shen Zongnian was still busy packing up the luggage on the floor and couldn’t be bothered with him.

But Tan Youming knew that meant silent consent.

Though it would be much later before he truly understood that he didn’t need Shen Zongnian’s permission to take anything of his, not limited to butterflies.

Nightlife in the snowy mountains was pretty limited. There was a small observatory near the cabin, reportedly built by a polar expedition team that got lost last century, used for celestial navigation.

The telescope Tan Youming brought came in handy.

High-latitude mountain areas were natural stargazing zones. Even though Shen Zongnian had been in the astronomy club for so long, it was only on this night that he observed the Orion Nebula.

His expression while adjusting the eyepiece parameters was undoubtedly the most at ease he had felt in over a year of uncertain wandering.

But they both knew it was only for this one night.

The aurora and starry river were beautiful, but it was only for this night.

The will taking effect was just the beginning; the real battle would begin after returning home.

Tan Youming was not born with a tendency for melancholy. He placed his hand on Shen Zongnian’s neck to warm it and naturally said, "Stars are everywhere. We can watch them every day when we go back."

Shen Zongnian grabbed his wrist: "Behave."

Tan Youming ignored him and continued, "We can go to Xiaotan Mountain to see them."

Shen Zongnian poured cold water on his idea: "Xiaotan Mountain doesn’t have an observatory." It only had a viewing platform and endless streams of tourists, noisy and annoying.

The young master Tan’s extravagant, foolish demeanor to amuse someone had already begun to show in his youth: "Then I’ll build one for you!"

"..." Shen Zongnian’s heart stirred, believing that the other’s willfulness could indeed make it happen. He pushed him away and said coldly, "Don’t cause trouble."

Tan Youming had more enthusiasm than skill, shivering from the cold but unwilling to end the stargazing until he sneezed several times and was directly dragged back to the room by Shen Zongnian by his collar.

He was frozen numb, lying next to Shen Zongnian, and kicked his thigh urgently: "Open the door, open the door, I’m freezing to death."

Shen Zongnian sneered: "Serves you right."

But as Tan Youming’s feet shifted restlessly on his leg, Shen Zongnian eventually, as before, mercifully lifted his leg to clamp Tan Youming’s feet and let him warm up.

After returning to Haishi, Shen Zongnian quickly immersed himself in more rigorous heir training.

The will specified that until Shen Zongnian came of age, the inheritance he received and the exercise of his power would be managed by the Tan family on his behalf.

Shen Zongnian was very busy, so they never went stargazing again, and Tan Youming’s year and seven months of learning German were naturally forgotten entirely.

However, a group of classmates remained in contact.

Tan Youming chatted briefly with the famous director, smiling, when a call came in from Guan Kezhi.

"He’s driving," Tan Youming laughed and shouted, "Who’s fooling around? Don’t accuse others falsely."

Guan Kezhi said she would return to the island in a few days and asked him and Shen Zongnian to come home for dinner. She had bought many local specialties and wanted to cook for them personally.

Tan Youming hurriedly said: "You’re too kind, Director Guan. You must be tired from these days of fun. Leave these things to the chef; let professionals handle professional matters."

Guan Kezhi saw through him and laughed, scolding him.

Tan Youming laughed too.

Perhaps the sudden news of a friend’s mother possibly being hospitalized made Tan Youming uncomfortable. He chatted with Guan Kezhi about this and that before hanging up.

Tan Youming conveyed the empress dowager’s decree to Shen Zongnian: "We’re going home for dinner on the ninth."

"Director Guan said that after the old man’s birthday celebration this spring, Joey’s engagement banquet will follow—double happiness."

Tan Youming was very concerned about his younger sister’s wedding plans: "Tell Zhong Manqing to free up the time in advance."

Shen Zongnian didn’t seem to be listening, watching the road ahead.

Tan Youming didn’t need his response and continued on his own: "The congratulatory gift needs to be prepared early." He suggested several impressive options, especially fearing that Tan Zuyi might feel slighted.

Though it was a political-business alliance marriage, the elder brother’s blessings and care for his younger sister were sincere.

"Also, Ms. Guan ordered new clothes for both of us and wants us to go home for fittings."

The implication was clear: the Tan family daughter’s engagement banquet wouldn’t be just a simple engagement party but an excellent opportunity for families to introduce their younger generations and foster connections.

Shen Zongnian turned the steering wheel. The Tan family was moving faster than he had expected.

"Stop playing mute," Tan Youming reached past him for a cigarette. He was already annoyed today, and Xie Zhenlin’s matter was somewhat unsettling.

"Don’t block the view," Shen Zongnian pushed him away and said concisely, "I need to fly to Rotterdam mid-month to meet Felipe. I’ll have Zhong Manqing send you the auction catalogs for the month; you choose."

Tan Youming thought it was just about Jianxin’s overseas branch. The Felipe family had always been Jianxin’s top overseas client, with the contract renewal scheduled after the New Year. He thought for a moment: "It’s not that urgent, is it? It would be inappropriate if both older brothers missed the little princess’s lifetime event."

"Meeting Felipe doesn’t require both of us. You can deliver the congratulatory gift later." Besides the Jianxin contract renewal, there was also Huantu’s energy agreement. Shen Zongnian wanted to use the opportunity to conduct the inspection work.

Tan Youming was slightly stunned. His first reaction wasn’t even about missing his younger sister’s engagement banquet. He lit his cigarette and asked: "What do you mean?"

Shen Zongnian stepped on the accelerator and finalized the decision: "I’ll go meet Felipe; you attend the engagement banquet."

Tan Youming was silent for a moment, resting his cigarette hand on the car window, and said calmly: "Then I’ll fly over after the engagement banquet."

Shen Zongnian said: "It will take three months."

"Why?"

Shen Zongnian wasn’t exactly lying: "There’s also the energy project."

Tan Youming thought and said: "Then I’ll move up Pinghai’s project inspection with them for the second half of the year and handle it together. This is easier to coordinate. I can fly back and forth; it’s manageable."

Shen Zongnian gripped the steering wheel tightly, knowing that if he didn’t speak up now, he might never take this step. After a moment of silence, he reminded the other: "Tan Youming, three months, not three days."

Tan Youming understood, and the good temper he had maintained all night finally showed a hint of edge. He retorted sarcastically: "Zhao Shengge went to Los Angeles for three years, and Minglong didn’t collapse."

Tan Youming didn’t mind Shen Zongnian’s coldness, authoritarianism, or unyielding nature. He was easy to negotiate with on everything, except this one bottom line that was untouchable.

At this moment, Shen Zongnian was still unaware that this was actually a manifestation of Tan Youming's mild separation anxiety—a lingering trauma triggered by his abrupt disappearance when Tan Youming was fifteen, a scar from that abrupt, cliff-like separation in their youth that had never truly healed.

This was merely the most ordinary of his countless failed attempts to break away.

As for Tan Youming himself, it would only be on a certain day in the future when Shen Zongnian truly left his side that he would suddenly realize the early signs behind his usual insistence on the other constantly sending location pins.

Shen Zongnian was teetering on the edge of an abyss, unsure how much longer the last shred of decency he clung to could hold out.

He had no morals, no bottom line. Sooner or later, his dark, ugly desires would break free from their cage. Before it became irreparable, Shen Zongnian pulled back from the brink through sheer force of will, speaking with utmost rationality: "I don't recommend it."

Even at this moment, Tan Youming remained amenable. Suppressing his inner anger, he took a drag of his cigarette and let out a low laugh: "Shen Zongnian, what have I done to upset you now?" He had already said he could coordinate.

Shen Zongnian explained calmly, "Nothing, just stating the facts."

"If you leave too, the headquarters would be like a dragon without a head."

What a ridiculous excuse. Anger surged to the top of his head. Tan Youming took a deep breath: "That means you're absolutely determined to fly to Rotterdam yourself?"

Shen Zongnian reasoned with him patiently: "This is the most logical arrangement."

His heart tightened like a flickering streetlamp at night, bright one moment and dim the next. Tan Youming's good temper only lasted when he was in a good mood: "Then pull over."

"..."

Shen Zongnian ignored his tantrum.

The calmer Shen Zongnian remained, the angrier Tan Youming grew. Suddenly unable to control his emotions, he violently yanked the car door handle repeatedly, setting off the Bentley's shrill alarm.

Shen Zongnian snapped, "What are you doing?!"

Leaning slightly forward, cigarette held between two fingers, he pointed provocatively at Shen Zongnian through the car window, through