Chapter 21 Like and Daddy

Chapter 21: Liking and Daddy

Shen Siwen was left to kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment.

Shen Shiyan didn't pay attention to how long the kneeling would last, but judging by Shen Siwen's expression, it was likely to be a long one.

Shen Wenzhou called Shen Shiyan alone to the study in the main residence for a conversation.

This was his first time coming to Shen Wenzhou's residence. The decor style was completely different from his own small side courtyard, resembling a grand mansion from a bygone era. The furniture was mostly made of expensive wood. From the entrance, almost all the furnishings and displays exhibited a very precise symmetrical arrangement. The lighting was dim and gloomy, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

Since Shen Wenzhou had called for him alone, Shen Shiyan could more or less guess his intention.

With a respectful expression, he didn't sit down. Instead, he gave a slight bow towards Shen Wenzhou seated in the master's chair and spoke proactively, "The cooperation between Xingtu and Yuhe is already a done deal. Tomorrow, Miss Song and I will hold a press conference to clarify the previous media's false statements."

Shen Wenzhou's chest still felt somewhat uncomfortable. He nodded.

"You are capable. I feel very reassured leaving Yuhe in your hands. Your eldest brother needs to lay low for now, but Chonghe cannot be without a leader. Who do you think is suitable?"

Shen Shiyan straightened his posture. Shen Wenzhou's scrutinizing gaze fell upon him, making him feel very uncomfortable.

"Second Brother's work competence is evident to all," Shen Shiyan said without hesitation, offering a suggestion first, but then quickly added a caveat: "But Antu also needs someone to hold the fort, and Second Brother hasn't a deep background in the energy sector. I'm afraid he might be overwhelmed."

What Shen Shiyan didn't say was that Shen Siyu had immense ambition. If Chonghe's shares were to fall into his hands, it would likely be difficult to reclaim them in the future.

Of course, even if he didn't say it, Shen Wenzhou knew.

He didn't respond to Shen Shiyan's words, just nodded slightly, signaling for Shen Shiyan to continue.

"Father called me here, presumably without the intention of taking over Chonghe yourself. If you trust me, you can temporarily grant me acting authority for Chonghe. Later, when Yuhe and Xingtu officially launch the deep-sea oil and gas project, Chonghe will also have a chance to get a piece of the pie in this cooperation."

Shen Shiyan's voice was unhurried as he offered his sincere suggestion.

Soon, he emphasized again, "I am content with being able to return to the main family and manage Yuhe. For Chonghe, I will only act as a proxy. I harbor not the slightest design on its shares."

After expressing his loyalty, Shen Wenzhou was finally satisfied. He called Assistant Li to notify him that after the press conference, Shen Shiyan would act as Chonghe's temporary proxy, managing all affairs.

It wasn't until he returned to the side courtyard that a trace of weariness finally showed between Shen Shiyan's brows.

Shen Ci wasn't asleep yet, practicing calligraphy stroke by stroke.

His handwriting was already beginning to show some of the essence of Shen Shiyan's script, a result of his deliberate study.

Shen Shiyan propped himself on the edge of the chair back and watched for a while, then asked, "Why are you still practicing?"

The person writing then put down the pen, simply tilting his head back to look seriously at Shen Shiyan's face.

After a rather long time, Shen Shiyan, feeling somewhat unnatural from being stared at, gave a light cough to remind him.

Shen Ci was still looking. His peach blossom eyes were beautiful, intense, as if wanting to set Shen Shiyan ablaze. He extended a finger, wanting to poke Shen Shiyan's cheek, but Shen Shiyan dodged.

"Daddy, you're so pretty."

Shen Ci's voice was small. Maybe because he'd been tilting his head back for too long, his neck felt a bit sore, and he reluctantly lowered his head.

For some inexplicable reason, he remembered when they were eating at the buffet in the big mall, just him and Song Qiuchi. He had asked Song Qiuchi why Shen Rong didn't dare to cause trouble for her.

Song Qiuchi had a tiny bit of cream at the corner of her mouth, which was quickly swept away by her tongue. She looked at Shen Ci as if he were an idiot, "My aunt is awesome, that's why."

Shen Ci ignored her look, somewhat dissatisfied, "My daddy is awesome too."

Song Qiuchi said, "Not as awesome as my aunt."

Shen Ci retorted, "Yes, he is."

The two argued for a while without reaching a conclusion on who was more awesome, so they chose to call a truce. Two little heads buried themselves in their plates and began eating.

Song Qiuchi's thinking was a bit jumpy. After a while, she tapped Shen Ci's plate with her fork and said out of the blue, "There might be other reasons too."

Shen Ci was curious, "What reasons?"

Song Qiuchi thought seriously for a moment, then said, "They say Shen Rong likes me."

Shen Ci's brain struggled to process this, and he asked again, "Why?"

Song Qiuchi gave him a look of disdain, "Because I'm pretty, duh."

Shen Ci became indignant again, "My daddy is pretty too."

Song Qiuchi: "..."

She was utterly defeated by Shen Ci, not understanding why he kept comparing his daddy to her, and comparing who was prettier.

"Ouch." Shen Ci's head was lightly knocked by Shen Shiyan's knuckle, bringing him back to the present.

Soon, the things Song Qiuchi had said started running wild in his mind, then were broken down and reassembled into sentences.

Shen Rong likes Song Qiuchi because Song Qiuchi is pretty.

Suddenly, a nerve connected in his brain, as if struck by an electric shock.

Then he thinks Shen Shiyan is pretty, so he likes Shen Shiyan.

Right?

Right, he already really likes his daddy anyway. There's nothing wrong with that.

Right?

Seems not right, because Song Qiuchi isn't Shen Rong's daddy.

He remained dazed for a long time without speaking. Shen Shiyan knocked him again and said, "Time for bed."

Shen Ci let out an "oh." While washing up, Shen Shiyan was running bathwater into the tub. The rushing sound of water couldn't wash away the messy thoughts swirling in Shen Ci's mind.

Holding his toothbrush cup, he turned his head. The corners of his mouth were ringed with white foam. His other hand held the toothbrush he had just taken out of his mouth. He asked indistinctly, "Daddy, do you think I'm pretty?"

Shen Shiyan tested the water temperature with his hand, glanced back at Shen Ci without much expression, and said, "Finish brushing your teeth before talking. It looks stupid."

Shen Ci felt a bit hurt and brushed his teeth with more force.

Shen Shiyan pulled out a face towel to dry his hands, not noticing Shen Ci's change in mood. He just instructed as usual, "I'm going to the study to handle some work. Remember to wear your slippers after your bath."

Shen Ci didn't like wearing slippers at home, always walking around barefoot. Shen Shiyan had told him several times with little effect. Perhaps because he had been relatively gentle lately, it wasn't very effective, so he often reminded him to remember to wear slippers.

However, even after Shen Shiyan had finished communicating with Miss Qi and Song Xianghan about the next day's work, Shen Ci still hadn't come out of the bathroom.

He turned off the computer and went to the bathroom door, from which warm yellow light spilled out. He knocked twice, "Shen Ci."

There was no response. He called out twice more, fearing something might have happened, and pushed the door open and entered.

The bathroom was warm, steam clinging to the mirror and showing only a faint, tall outline of Shen Shiyan. The damp air settled on his cheeks, and through the haze, he could just make out the small figure in the bathtub.

Shen Ci had fallen asleep, nestled within the dense white foam.

Shen Shiyan stood frozen for a moment, then walked over gently, testing the water temperature to find it still warm.

"Shen Ci."

His hand, now covered in foam, patted Shen Ci's slightly flushed little face.

Shen Ci didn't open his eyes, but upon hearing the familiar voice, he stirred slightly and wrapped his arms around Shen Shiyan's arm.