Chapter 40 Brother Sicheng

Chapter 40: Brother Sicheng

Shen Shiyan did kinda want to win over Shen Sicheng, but he wasn't holding his breath.

Better to have more friends than enemies, especially since they were only a year and a half apart.

But he didn't expect that rock to bring them closer. After almost two weeks of texting on WeChat, Shen Shiyan figured Shen Sicheng wasn't as rebellious as he seemed—he was just a typical college kid, super into his studies and a little sharp-tongued.

Compared to Shen Shiyan, who started working early, Shen Sicheng was all youthful energy and life.

"Daddy, Brother said he'll take me to the skateboarding club tomorrow," Shen Ci poked the driver's seat from behind.

Shen Shiyan thought for a sec and said, "What brother do you have?"

Shen Rong would be lucky not to kill him, let alone drive him to a club.

Shen Ci held up his phone happily: "Brother Sicheng! He told me not to call him uncle, says it makes him feel old."

Shen Shiyan: "..."

He pulled the car over to the side of the road, opened the back door, and asked, "Since when do you listen to Shen Sicheng like that?"

Shen Sicheng really liked this nephew who wasn't related by blood and had been sneaking over to hang out with Shen Ci lately.

"I'm always good, Daddy. Brother Sicheng also said I'm a good kid." Shen Ci smiled, eyes crinkling, then slowly unclipped his seatbelt.

Shen Shiyan handed the skateboard to Shen Ci, who was already out and standing steady. His face blank, he said flatly, "Tell your 'Brother Si-cheng' the club's on winter break starting tomorrow, so no need for him to pick you up or drop you off."

Shen Ci and Shen Sicheng had been getting along like a house on fire lately and totally forgot about the holiday.

"Got it." He went to scratch his head but forgot he had a hat on, awkwardly dropped his hand, gave Shen Shiyan a quick hug, and headed into the club.

After training at noon, Shen Ci skated out. A few steps from Shen Shiyan's car, he slowed, stomped the board's tail with his back toe, and as the board popped up, he caught it cleanly with his palm forward—smooth and fluid.

Today, Shen Shiyan wasn't waiting by the car. Shen Ci knocked on the driver's window.

The window rolled down, revealing Shen Shiyan's handsome face, but he looked kinda pissed.

"Little Ci baby!" Shen Sicheng suddenly popped his head out from behind Shen Shiyan, smiling and waving at Shen Ci.

"Brother Sicheng!" Shen Ci waved back right away, grinning sweetly.

Shen Shiyan tapped the steering wheel twice, his tone as cold as the AC set to sixty degrees in summer: "How about you two just walk back?"

Shen Ci went "Oh, oh" and scrambled into the car.

Shen Sicheng grinned and slapped Shen Shiyan on the shoulder. "Shen Shiyan, you're so petty. Every time I call Shen Ci 'Little Ci baby,' you make that face."

In formal settings, Shen Shiyan called him Third Brother, and Shen Sicheng called him Fourth Brother. In private, they used first names because Shen Sicheng said "Third Brother" and "Fourth Brother" sounded totally stupid.

Shen Shiyan sped up a little and said, "I don't."

Shen Sicheng ignored him, turned to Shen Ci, and asked how practice went.

Shen Ci tilted his head seriously, gesturing with his hands how he almost wiped out practicing a kickflip, which made Shen Sicheng crack up. Then he looked at Shen Shiyan, all regretful, and said, "If only he were my son. Shen Shiyan, did you save the world in a past life? You got such a cute son for free."

Shen Shiyan's face darkened even more. "Ask him if he'd be willing to go with you."

"Your daddy's always making that face. Little Ci baby, don't stick with him; come with me instead." Shen Sicheng's competitive streak kicked in, and if not for the seatbelt, he would have twisted from the center console to the back seat.

Shen Ci blinked, looking a bit troubled, but quickly said in a small voice, "No, Brother Sicheng. My daddy's the best to me."

"Of course, Brother Sicheng is also really good to me!" Shen Ci quickly added.

Shen Sicheng wasn't comforted and looked deeply hurt.

A laugh came from the driver's seat.

The whole way back to the Shen residence was lively.

Shen Wenzhou had been furious at Shen Sicheng last time, but his health wasn't too badly affected. He just lay in bed recuperating all day, stubbornly drinking many herbal tonics.

Today was the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month. They first had to go to the ancestral hall to offer incense, and then kneel and worship during the New Year's Eve vigil to seek the ancestors' blessings.

Tomorrow was New Year's Eve. The entire estate had been cleaned spotless, long oval red lanterns hung, and a couplet by a famous calligrapher was pasted on the main door, creating a festive New Year atmosphere.

Shen Sicheng looked at the couplet and read it aloud from top to bottom: "A lineage of prosperity inherits ancestral grace; a hall of harmony shines upon the family—Eternal glory and prosperity... Tsk, those two good big brothers practically have 'wishing Shen Wenzhou dead' written on their faces, and he's still deceiving himself with this 'family harmony brings prosperity' couplet."

Shen Shiyan said, "At least they only have it written on their faces. You've already spoken it out loud."

"That shows I'm an honest person." He rubbed his finger on the couplet, then dabbed it on Shen Ci's forehead. After pulling away, he looked at the faint red dot between Shen Ci's brows and shook his head. "This couplet isn't good quality—it's fading."

Shen Shiyan: "..."

The extra years Shen Wenzhou had lived were thanks to Shen Sicheng's restraint.

People in Yuncheng placed great importance on the Spring Festival, with many customs, and the Shen mansion was no exception, especially the week before New Year's Eve—sweeping dust and offering sacrifices to the stove, preparing New Year gifts and offerings, pasting couplets and hanging lanterns, honoring ancestors, and so on.

Shen Shiyan had been in the Shen family for a short time but had gained Shen Wenzhou's favor. This year, tasks previously handled by Shen Siwen were all assigned to Shen Shiyan.

After offering incense, the butler came to invite Shen Shiyan to the main residence.

Shen Sicheng automatically took over the task of sending Shen Ci back to the side courtyard. In a good mood, he waved at Shen Shiyan and led Shen Ci away.

Shen Wenzhou rarely saw people while bedridden. His room was filled with the bitter smell of herbal medicine. On the large wooden bed were dark silk-cotton quilts. Shen Wenzhou had lost some weight, his complexion slightly pale.

"Sit." His voice carried a hint of weakness.

The mattress was a custom electric model. Shen Wenzhou pressed a button on the bedside remote, and the head of the bed slowly rose to an angle, allowing him to lean back.

Shen Shiyan sat on a chair by the bed and said, "Dad, you don't seem fully recovered yet. Should we find a few more doctors?"

Shen Wenzhou felt a flicker of comfort in his heart. He shook his head and said, "You're thoughtful. I called your eldest and second brothers this morning, and they only said I'm already well and don't need treatment."

Shen Shiyan replied politely, "Eldest and Second Brothers were just trying to make Dad happy."

Shen Wenzhou coughed twice. "I'm eighty years old. I know what they're thinking. You don't need to speak well of them."

Shen Shiyan changed the subject and asked, "Dad, did you call me today about something at the company?"

"No." Shen Wenzhou stared at Shen Shiyan's young face for a moment. "It's about the will. By seniority, you should call me Grandfather. Although you're an illegitimate child, of lower status, you're still of the Shen bloodline."

Shen Shiyan's hand resting on his leg tightened, but he said nothing.