Chapter 97 Happy Birthday

Chapter 97: Happy Birthday

In the last month before the exams, both Shen Ci and Zhong Yurong slimmed down a lot.

Shen Shiyan spent a big chunk of his day researching nutritious recipes, but the results weren't great.

Shen Ci basically stayed up until around 1 a.m. every night, and on weekends when he had rare free time, he'd go to the hospital to chat with Zhong Yurong, stroking her wig and reassuring her it looked even prettier than her real hair.

Shen Shiyan felt sorry for him, but he couldn't stop him.

"Go to sleep when we get home," Shen Shiyan said as he drove Shen Ci back, watching the passenger beside him lean against the slightly bumpy glass with eyes closed. "Your chin's getting pointy."

Shen Ci obediently forced his eyes open, but quickly yawned again. Through teary eyes, he watched the streetlights outside turn into halos. "Can't help it. There are too many assignments and tests lately."

"Are you done with work stuff?" Shen Ci wiped his eyes. "I could've just taken a taxi back. Auntie's all alone in the ward."

Shen Shiyan picked up speed a bit. "I'd rather drive you."

He always sidestepped the issue. Hearing this, Shen Ci knew the recent matters about the company's sea area and cooperation hadn't been resolved yet.

He held his hand toward the air vent, letting the cool air hit his palm. "Based on my memory, I should be an adult by now. But going by our actual birthdays, there's still about twenty days left."

The cold air hit his skin, and Shen Ci pulled his hand back, rubbing them together. "So don't always treat me like a kid. I can handle a lot of things on my own."

Shen Shiyan frowned, opened his mouth as if to say something, but he just let out a soft "mm-hmm."

After watching Shen Ci fall asleep, it was already past midnight. Shen Shiyan rubbed his brow and returned to the ward to keep watch.

Recently, most of Chonghe's affairs had been handled by Qi Zizhu. Shen Shiyan had given her considerable authority, and of course, he was generous with her salary and bonuses. Miss Qi's career was thriving, and she enjoyed it.

Zhong Yurong was already asleep, lying on her side, revealing half of her thin face. Shen Shiyan sat down on the accompanying bed, and his phone vibrated several times in a row.

He glanced at Zhong Yurong—she was still and quiet—then lowered the phone's brightness before clicking into the collaboration group between Chonghe and Xingtu.

"Gao Mengying: The new sequel with Aether Energy was signed only by Xingtu. The contact person over there basically hinted that they might not consider Chonghe in the future."

"Gao Mengying: @Shen Shiyan"

"Song Xianghan: You changed the group name pretty fast."

"Song Xianghan: Any specific reason given?"

"Qi Zizhu: During the negotiation, there was a hint. It's because of a new competitor that came out of nowhere, called Jidian Holdings."

"Qi Zizhu: Their quotation is far lower than Chonghe's. It's clearly aimed at this cooperation and at Chonghe."

"Song Xianghan: Can you find out the shareholding?"

Shen Shiyan felt the name was somewhat familiar. After a moment's thought, a scene came to mind: Shen Wenzhou's ward.

The last time he went to visit, Shen Wenzhou had already received a critical illness notice, and his life was in its final countdown.

That day, Assistant Li was also there. As he was leaving, Shen Shiyan heard Li reporting to Shen Wenzhou about a new company's situation, whose name seemed to be Jidian Holdings.

He sensed a whiff of conspiracy.

"Shen Shiyan: Shen Wenzhou."

"Shen Shiyan: Could you please check their current acting chairman, Assistant Qi?"

"Qi Zizhu: Sure."

"Song Xianghan: He's about to die, and he creates a company to compete with himself?"

Shen Shiyan gave a cold, silent smile, slowing down his typing speed.

"Shen Shiyan: If I'm not mistaken, the company should be registered under Shen Siyu's name."

"Song Xianghan: Oh dear, does Shen Wenzhou really think a real estate operator can steal business from an established company like Chonghe?"

Shen Shiyan carefully recalled the details of his last visit. Shen Wenzhou should have already made his will. If his conjecture was correct, with his current identity, he would get at most half of the equity.

"Shen Shiyan: Most likely, Assistant Li from the Shen Group will be assigned to Shen Siyu."

That Assistant Li was also a well-known figure in the business circle, decisive and ruthless. Anyone with pride and ability who passed through his hands would come out the other side severely worn down; otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed by Shen Wenzhou's side for so many years.

The group went quiet for a moment, until Qi Zizhu @Shen Shiyan in the group.

"Qi Zizhu: Mr. Shen, the current shareholders and chairman of Jidian Holdings are not industry insiders, but recently Shen Siyu has been in close contact with some of them."

"Song Xianghan: I'll handle Aether."

Shen Shiyan was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He just replied, "Thanks."

He'd only slept four hours that night. During lunch, Zhong Yurong stroked his hair. "Xiao Shi, haven't you been resting well lately?"

Shen Shiyan didn't want Zhong Yurong, who was in her second round of treatment, to worry, so he forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mom."

Zhong Yurong didn't say anything more. She took a sip of the chicken soup that Shen Shiyan had simmered for hours and gave him a gentle smile.

After a week of running around, Shen Shiyan still failed to win back the deal from Jidian Holdings. Losing such a big business opportunity at once left the entire company depressed, but Shen Shiyan's face showed no sign of worry.

Subsequently, Shen Shiyan held press conferences, landed a slightly smaller company than Aether at a summit, and simultaneously secured several new investment contracts, managing to cut the loss from 100% to 20%.

Even Shen Wenzhou couldn't help but repeatedly praise Shen Shiyan's approach to Assistant Li, even wondering if he'd made the right call.

Only after the market value stabilized did Shen Shiyan breathe a sigh of relief. During this busy period, he and Shen Ci had little contact. He temporarily hired a nutritionist to handle breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home and in the ward. Most of the time, he'd come back to the ward late at night just to grab a few hours of sleep.

Shen Ci was on his best behavior. Things that would have made him throw a fit before, because he felt sorry for Shen Shiyan, all turned into sweet WeChat messages. Shen Shiyan felt a bit guilty about it.

To give everyone more relaxation, Yunxi let out five days before the exam, starting from June 2nd.

Shen Shiyan went to the school to personally ask for leave for Shen Ci, picking him up to celebrate his eighteenth birthday.

When they finally arrived at the ward, there were four people in the car—Song Qiuchi and Chen Bufan came along too.

Zhong Yurong's health had improved. She and Song Xianghan and the others decorated the ward to be dreamy and beautiful. Black and gold balloon letters spelling "Happy Birthday" were stuck on the wall. Fresh flowers, ribbons, cake, and gifts—nothing was missing.

It was rare to have such a complete gathering. Although Shen Sicheng was missing, his birthday gift had been mailed back to China long ago and delivered by Shen Shiyan on his behalf. That evening, he also sent a video to wish his Xiao Ci Baby a happy 18th birthday, and generously sent a red envelope with 88,888 yuan.

During the group photo, Shen Ci wanted to hold up Shen Sicheng's video call screen, but Shen Sicheng flat-out refused and hung up, sending a photo of himself and suggesting Shen Ci Photoshop him in.

Shen Ci was confused. Shen Shiyan explained for him.

"He thinks holding up a photo looks too much like a funeral picture."

The room burst into laughter.

Fortunately, the private ward on the top floor was well soundproofed, so no need to worry about disturbing anyone. Shen Ci celebrated his big day with lots of warmth and laughter.

Since Zhong Yurong was there and they didn't want to disturb her rest, the group dispersed early after sharing the cake.

Shen Ci thrust a large bouquet of eustoma into Zhong Yurong's arms, took out her camera, and took pictures of the slightly shy Zhong Yurong and Shen Shiyan.

"Shen Shiyan!" Shen Ci called out. "Smile a little, don't be so serious; you'll scare Auntie Zhong."

Both people in the frame showed faint smiles.

The crisp sound of the camera shutter froze that moment.

Shen Ci, still in the pose from taking the picture, said happy birthday to Shen Shiyan.

Shen Shiyan, with an arm around Zhong Yurong's shoulder, wore a gentle expression.

"Happy birthday, Shen Ci."

This year, Mom was also there. How wonderful.