Chapter 109 Your Ancestor Is Back in the Country

At the end of late spring, under a bright sun, the midday air already carried hints of early summer heat. A few locust trees transplanted by Yunjing Mansion’s property management in March now exuded a faint fragrance in late May. Shen Shiyan took a picture of the locust tree as he descended the stairs.

“President Shen.” A knock came at the office door. His new special assistant, Chen Qing, pushed it open and placed a wedding invitation beside him.

“Mr. Lin of Huachen Group, who has been cooperating with Chonghe for three years, is getting married. He wants to invite you to be the witness at his wedding, in two weeks.”

“Witness?” Shen Shiyan’s hand paused as he took the invitation.

“Yes, Mr. Lin’s assistant has come twice already,” Chen Qing said, pulling up the front desk appointment record on his tablet. “It seems the person Mr. Lin is marrying has some connection with you.”

Shen Shiyan glanced at it and frowned. “With me?”

“It’s He Shuang, the daughter of He Ziyao.” Chen Qing hesitated, watching Shen Shiyan’s expression.

Hearing the vaguely familiar name, Shen Shiyan froze for a moment, then his brow relaxed. After half a minute, he said, “Assistant Chen, contact Mr. Lin and arrange a dinner sometime.”

Chen Qing acknowledged and exited the office.

The dinner was quickly set for nine that evening at Yuncheng Restaurant.

“You’re too kind,” Lin Zhangqing said as he entered the private room, holding a dazzling beauty in his arms as if staking his claim. “President Shen, let me introduce you—this is my fiancée, He Shuang.”

“Mr. Lin, Mrs. Lin.” Shen Shiyan stood up and nodded slightly, a polite smile on his face.

He Shuang, a straightforward and generous person, reached out her hand to Shen Shiyan after sitting down. “President Shen, you’re still as handsome as ever…”

Before she could finish, Lin Zhangqing grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his embrace.

“Lin Zhangqing!” He Shuang glared at him in feigned anger. “Can’t you be a little polite?”

Lin Zhangqing didn’t let go, just nodded repeatedly at He Shuang.

“Mr. Lin and Mrs. Lin have such a good relationship.” Shen Shiyan’s gaze was indifferent, and he let out a light laugh.

He Shuang tucked her long wavy hair behind her ear with one hand, pinching Lin Zhangqing’s hand with her nails.

“President Shen, Shuangshuang is still childlike. Please don’t mind her,” Lin Zhangqing said with a forced smile, his hostility obvious. “You must come as the witness at our wedding in two weeks.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Lin. Miss He’s comments during her interview years ago were just jokes.” Shen Shiyan glanced at his phone for the time. “But I’m not old enough to be a witness. You should find someone else for that role.”

Shen Shiyan looked at Lin Zhangqing’s odd expression and quickly added, “I wonder if there’s still a spot open for a groomsman?”

“Groomsman?” He Shuang’s tone was puzzled.

“Absolutely there is,” Lin Zhangqing sealed the deal directly. “Then it’s settled. Two weeks from now, President Shen will be my groomsman.”

“I’ll be sure to send you a generous gift by then.” Shen Shiyan relaxed slightly. “Congratulations on your marriage.”

Lin Zhangqing thanked Shen Shiyan, his expression much improved.

After the meal, Lin Zhangqing had had a bit to drink and wouldn’t let go of He Shuang, holding her in his arms. Shen Shiyan greeted He Shuang and left first.

As he walked out of the private room, he heard He Shuang scolding Lin Zhangqing affectionately.

“I told you I don’t like him. Why did you have to make him the witness…”

Lin Zhangqing whined to her, “Honey, I was just afraid…”

He Shuang gave him a light shove and said meaningfully, “Well, who knows when President Shen will finally get married.”

“It seems Shen Shiyan is about to get married.” Shen Sicheng leaned against the bathroom door, speaking carefully to Shen Ci, who was brushing his teeth. “In one week, Xiao Ci, are you going back?”

The sound of brushing paused for a few seconds. Shen Ci didn’t turn his head, still staring at his own face in the mirror. After a moment, he started moving again, his movements heavier. His voice was muffled: “No time. Not going.”

Shen Sicheng stood there silently for a while.

Shen Ci splashed cold water on his face, wetting the hair on his forehead.

“Brother Sicheng, if you’re going back, please send Auntie Zhong some flowers for me.” Shen Ci grabbed a tissue to dry his face.

Shen Sicheng’s hands tightened, but in the end, he nodded helplessly and said okay.

For three days, Shen Ci showed no signs of anything unusual, until the morning of the fourth day. Shen Ci wore a black casual outfit, tied his hair in a low ponytail, and put on a matching black cap, carrying a small travel suitcase.

“Brother Sicheng.” Shen Ci spoke before Shen Sicheng could. “I’m going back to Yuncheng for a while.”

Shen Sicheng, who was about to leave for a business trip, nearly dropped his phone. “To attend… the wedding?”

Shen Ci shook his head and pulled out his phone to show Shen Sicheng his chat log with Fang Yuexun. “It’s Young Master Fang’s level-70 fan benefit. I’m going back to have a meal with him.”

Shen Sicheng glanced through it. It was true that Fang Yuexun had asked Shen Ci many times before Shen Ci reluctantly agreed. The date of the meal coincided with the day Shen Shiyan was supposed to attend the wedding.

“Mm…” Shen Sicheng hesitated.

“Aren’t you going back to be his groomsman?” Shen Ci put his phone back in his pocket, his tone indifferent. “After all, he doesn’t have many other good friends.”

“I…” Shen Sicheng stared at Shen Ci’s suitcase. “I’ll finish my work in the next couple of days.”

“Alright, Brother Sicheng.” Shen Ci didn’t hesitate, even smiling at Shen Sicheng. “Then take care, Brother Sicheng. I’m off to catch my flight.”

Shen Sicheng wasn’t sure about Shen Ci’s mood. Previously, Shen Ci had maintained a perfectly appropriate distance from Fang Yuexun. Now suddenly agreeing to have a meal with him—and flying specially to do so—gave him strong reason to suspect it was a reaction to Shen Shiyan’s message.

When he came back to himself, Shen Ci had already waved goodbye and closed the door.

Shen Sicheng took out his phone and texted Shen Shiyan.

“Shen Sicheng: Your ancestor is back in the country.”

At that moment, Shen Shiyan was in a meeting. He was speaking about key points when he opened WeChat. The instant he saw the message, his mind went blank. His speech halted mid-sentence, and over a dozen pairs of eyes turned to him.

“…In the next two years, business opportunities will still lie in green transformation and regional layout…” Shen Shiyan turned off his phone and continued the meeting without changing his expression, but his heart was racing.

On the morning before Lin Zhangqing’s wedding, a light, hazy rain fell, shrouding the world in gray mist. Shen Shiyan rolled down the fogged-up car window, letting fresh, cool air with a hint of chill creep into the car.

He had just come from Zhong Yurong’s grave. The photo on the tombstone still showed a gentle smile. What surprised Shen Shiyan a little was that someone had visited Zhong Yurong before him. In front of the rain-soaked grave lay a bouquet of pure white lilies.

“Mm, traffic is a bit heavy. I’ll be there around eleven.” Shen Shiyan held his phone to his ear, talking to his psychologist.

He had originally planned to postpone this month’s therapy session until after Lin Zhangqing’s wedding, but the doctor had a family emergency and would be closing the practice for about a month. The doctor called to ask if Shen Shiyan could come today.

The congested streets gradually cleared. Shen Shiyan’s car moved slowly, as if strolling through the rain.

In the meantime, Shen Shiyan opened a short-video app and clicked on Shen Ci’s profile page. The IP address under the bio had already changed to Yuncheng for nearly two days.