Chapter 201: Each With Their Own Thoughts

Chapter 201: Ulterior Motives

Shen Qisheng issued the summons that same day, and Feng Hong arrived quickly.

He sat before the screen, legs crossed, his hands resting on the armrests.

"That waste of space Lu Changgeng is dead, but I've reached an agreement with the Chu family."

"Old Master Chu himself gave the final word. The profits are divided into three shares—one for Shen, one for Feng, one for Chu. As for the Xi family... that old codger Xi Yi is still hesitating."

Shen Qisheng leaned back in his wheelchair, his murky eyes shifting about.

"There's no rush with Xi Yi. He's a coward. Once we succeed, he'll come knocking on his own."

"Right now, the most important thing is—are all the materials still intact?"

"They are. All of Shen Qingci's data, from birth to adulthood, is completely preserved. His genes are the most perfect I've seen in all these years. As long as we get a live sample and extract active cells, our research can move on to the next phase."

"A live sample."

Shen Qisheng repeated the phrase, the corners of his mouth slowly curled back, revealing sparse, yellowed teeth.

"A live sample—I want it alive. It must not damage the foundation. It must not affect gene activity. It must be alive. ALIVE!"

He said it three times, each repetition more forceful than the last, as if he was afraid Feng Hong wouldn't understand.

Feng Hong nodded.

"It's already been arranged. The Chu family will send people to coordinate with our men. But Lu Lin is keeping too close a watch on him. We need to find an opportunity when Shen Qingci is alone."

-

Meanwhile, at the old Shen residence.

Shen Qingci got out of the car, leaning on his cane, and walked steadily through the main gate.

This was Shen Qingci's first time back since leaving the Shen family. He stared at the building—unchanged, still this seemingly glorious yet hellish prison.

Shen Suili had spent a full forty-two years in this place.

Shen Qingci followed a guide to a secluded courtyard.

Shen Suili sat behind a curtain.

A thin gauze curtain hung from a rosewood beam, dividing inside from outside, two separate worlds.

Behind the curtain, the figure was indistinct, face unclear. Only the outline of a gaunt frame reclining in a chair.

The air was thick with the smell of medicine: bitter and heavy, mingling with the scent of sandalwood, making your throat tighten.

Shen Qingci stood before the curtain and got straight to the point.

"I want to be the head of the Shen family."

A moment of silence from behind the curtain, then a gentle, calm voice: "Alright."

Having received the affirmative answer, Shen Qingci sat down in the chair opposite the curtain. The two of them, separated by only a thin gauze curtain, talked for a long time.

They discussed everything from the current business layout of the Shen Group to the personnel arrangements of its various subsidiaries, from several major projects in progress to the strategic plan for the next three years.

Shen Suili spoke in great detail, itemizing everything clearly—as if he were settling his final affairs.

Shen Qingci listened, occasionally asking a question, his expression always cold.

They talked about many things, but never about the past.

Until Shen Suili started coughing. Someone stepped forward to gently pat his back. After a moment, the coughing gradually subsided.

Shen Qingci looked at the figure behind the curtain, stood up, and said flatly.

"I'm leaving."

"Alright."

He turned, leaning on his cane, walking at a steady pace toward the door.

Shen Suili's voice came from behind him, so soft it seemed almost like a murmur to himself.

He said, "I have no regrets."

Shen Qingci's footsteps faltered for an instant.

He stood at the doorway, one leg already raised across the threshold, and replied:

"I never blamed you. I just wanted an answer."

"Now I have it."

That very day, the Shen family issued a public statement.

-

Shen Suili formally recognized Shen Qing as his adopted younger brother. Effective immediately, Shen Qing officially became the young master of the Shen family.

From now on, the Shen family and the Shen Group would be fully entrusted to his management.

The document was sealed with the Shen family's official insignia, the red ink pad standing out starkly on the paper.

When the news broke, the area outside the Qingye Group headquarters was packed with reporters.

Lin Wei stood on the steps, facing the forest of cameras and microphones, her voice steady: "Mr. Shen is in a meeting and cannot be interviewed at this time. If there are further updates, we will release them through official channels."

The dark clouds had pressed down on the city for half a month.

-

It was like the sky had been covered with a gray cloth, not a trace of blue ever showing through.

The air was heavy, suffocating, a tightness pressing on his chest.

Many people complained about the weather, but Shen Qingci seemed unaffected.

Every day, he appeared in the office with a blank expression, handling documents, holding meetings, signing contracts—no different from usual.

The only difference was that the once-clingy little dog had started leaving early and coming home late.

Sometimes, when Shen Qingci woke up, the spot beside him was already cold. But every morning, a fresh bouquet of irises appeared on his desk—deep purple petals dotted with dewdrops, arranged in a clear vase, set exactly where Shen Qingci always liked it.

Shen Qingci would look at the bouquet and sometimes reach out to gently touch a petal with his fingertip.

The dewdrops clung to his fingertips, cool and damp.

Another ten days passed. Still, no one made a move. No accidents. Not a single rustle in the grass.

-

Shen Qingci leaned back against the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping the top of his cane, a slight frown on his face.

He figured those old geezers would crack any day, but after half a month of waiting, there was still no movement at all.

The trap he'd set was wide open, but the prey lingered at the forest’s edge, refusing to step in.

What he didn't realize was that over this half-month, Lu Lin had personally uprooted seventeen moles.

Before they could even get close to Shen Qingci, they were taken out silently.

Clean, swift, leaving no trace behind.

Lu Lin had built an impenetrable wall around Shen Qingci.

No one could get in—not even a fly.

Shen Qingci had no idea about any of this.

All he knew was that those people were absolute cowards.

Old, foolish, and full of pipe dreams.

His phone rang.

Shen Qingci glanced down at the caller ID: Feng Yuetian.

He answered, and Feng Yuetian’s voice came through, pitched low, like he was being sneaky.

“A Ci, be careful lately.”

Shen Qingci didn’t respond, waiting for him to continue.

“I heard from Chu Yinzhan that the Chu and Feng families have a partnership. I saw files on you in my sister’s room.”

“I suspect they want to dissect you for research, since you came back from the dead…”

He trailed off, then did an abrupt one-eighty.

“Don’t blame my sister. Even though she’s the head of the family, the real power is still with my grandfather. She’s definitely on your side—after all, you're her dream guy. She snuck me into her room to look at the files and told me to warn you.”

Shen Qingci held the phone, his gaze fixed on the gray sky outside the window. After a few seconds of silence, “Got it,” he said flatly.

On the other end, Feng Yuetian added, “Stay safe. I’ll call you if there’s any news.” Then he hung up.

Shen Qingci put down the phone, leaned back in his chair, and tapped the top of his cane once.

With a head like his, Feng Yuetian was way too dangerous to leave around the Feng family. He’d have to figure out a way to get him out of there.