Chapter 126: "Happiness"
Shen Xingyu and Mrs. Shen hurried to the hospital, where they found Shen Xingzhuo lying on a bed in the emergency room with a cast on one leg.
The driver who had brought him there wore an expression of overwhelming disaster, unable to hold back his tears.
Upon seeing Shen Xingyu and Mrs. Shen, he rushed to explain, "The light was green at the time. I didn't expect him to suddenly dash out like that, and I wasn't speeding either..."
Shen Xingyu's expression was far from pleasant.
With too many incidents happening at home lately, Shen Xingzhuo's car accident was like pouring oil on the fire.
However, looking at the driver, he still sighed and said, "We'll deal directly with the insurance company."
To their surprise, Shen Xingzhuo spoke up at this moment,
"It's alright, you can go. I'll cover the medical expenses myself."
The driver was even more confused. "This...?"
"I crashed the car myself. It has nothing to do with you. You can go," Shen Xingzhuo said.
As he spoke, Shen Xingzhuo looked radiant.
The accident seemed to have suddenly freed him from his previous state of despair.
Mrs. Shen was somewhat distracted, standing by the bedside.
She didn't look at Shen Xingzhuo nor did she speak to the driver.
Shen Xingyu glanced at the driver but didn't say anything.
The driver hesitated for a long time, unable to figure out the situation, but still left his phone number. "Y-You call me if you need anything."
After the driver left the ward, Shen Xingzhuo didn't even glance at the string of digits before crumpling it and tossing it into the trash bin.
Closing the main door to the ward, Shen Xingyu turned to Shen Xingzhuo with a grim expression. "You crashed the car on purpose? What's going on?"
"Nothing much," Shen Xingzhuo replied, lying on the bed and playing with his phone without looking at the other two. "Alright, you can leave now. If I need help, I'll call a nurse myself."
Watching Shen Xingzhuo's demeanor, Shen Xingyu closed his eyes briefly.
"Shen Xingzhuo, can't you be more mature? Do you still think you're that second young master of the Shen family from before?"
"I'm quite mature now, don't try to manipulate me with your tactics," Shen Xingzhuo countered.
Shen Xingyu's gaze shifted to the leg in a cast belonging to Shen Xingzhuo.
"What do you call this then?" he sneered. "Atoning for your sins?"
Neither brother explicitly stated it, but both were aware of what "atonement" referred to.
Shen Xingzhuo's expression soured instantly. The earlier sense of ease deflated like a punctured balloon.
Shen Xingyu spoke sternly, "That's only because you're still alive. If you were dead, would that driver deserve to be implicated?"
"Stop talking!" Shen Xingzhuo abruptly waved his hand.
The needle on the back of his hand was dislodged, sending translucent medicine and scarlet blood splattering everywhere.
Shen Xingyu's headache returned momentarily.
He sighed but didn't say anything more.
However, Shen Xingzhuo pointed at him and Madam Shen, "That's still better than both of you!"
"I've never hit him! I've never helped the old man deceive and guard against him, knowing full well about the inheritance he has!"
Shen Xingyu lowered his gaze, his fingers clenching the railing of the hospital bed until they turned white before he gently released them.
He didn't say anything in retort.
"And you too! I didn't lose him either!"
Mrs. Shen, who had been in a daze, suddenly snapped back to reality.
Hearing words reminiscent of her memory, she looked up sharply at Shen Xingzhuo.
Once again, she saw the familiar reproach in her son's face.
"Is it all my fault?!"
Mrs. Shen stumbled backward, trembling. "None of you are without fault!"
She pointed at Shen Xingyu, then at Shen Xingzhuo, panting as she spoke:
"How could your brother have gone missing if not for you?"
"Mom, that's enough." Shen Xingyu reached out to pull Mrs. Shen back.
But she waved his hand away.
On the way to the mountains, the argument between her and Shen Hongyuan had erupted because of Shen Xingzhuo.
The last small cake in the car refrigerator was devoured by his younger brother.
Shen Xingzhuo was displeased because he had one less slice than his sibling.
He approached Madam Shen, pestering her to buy more.
Madam Shen, engrossed in her phone, casually appeased him, "You're the older brother, it's alright to let your younger brother have his way sometimes."
Beside them, a four-year-old with chocolate crumbs on the corner of his mouth listened attentively.
He awkwardly fiddled with his fingers, then tugged at Shen Xingzhuo's sleeve, saying, "The cake was so delicious, I couldn't resist. I'm sorry, big brother."
Six-year-old Shen Xingzhuo glanced at him but didn't comment. He merely stated, "I'll go back and buy more."
"Enough, your brother has apologized to you. Look how well-behaved he is? Now look at yourself!"
Madam Shen was getting slightly annoyed by the commotion.
Yet, Shen Xingzhuo burst into tears because of his words:
"Why does Elder Brother have things that I don't, and Younger Brother has things that I don't as well! Only I have nothing!"
Shen Hongyuan happened to step out of the car at this moment and heard the commotion, so he walked over.
He looked terrible, as if he hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time.
Upon seeing Shen Xingzhuo bawling, he immediately scolded, "What are you crying for?!"
Mrs. Shen was also rather troubled. In her opinion, a small cake wasn't a big deal at all.
In a family like theirs, could they not afford a cake?
So she said to Shen Hongyuan, "He wants to eat the cake from the dessert shop we just passed. Husband, why don't you drive back and get some more? That cake was quite delicious."
Unexpectedly, upon finishing her sentence, Shen Hongyuan grabbed Shen Xingzhuo by the neck and threw him back into the RV. "All you know is how to eat!"
Mrs. Shen was startled by his actions and quickly stood up. "Hey, what are you doing? It'll only take half an hour to drive back. If you don't want to go, just let the driver do it. Why are you getting so angry?"
"How did he turn out like this if not because of you? Look at Ranran, she doesn't throw tantrums like this!" Shen Hongyuan scolded.
But when he lowered his gaze to see his youngest son standing by, he paused and shifted his eyes away as if nothing had happened.
Madam Shen was also provoked by his words. "What do you mean by that? Are you crazy, Shen Hongyuan? You were the one who suggested this vacation, yet you're acting all sulky now?"
"Can't you just give me a break? I've already taken you on vacation, what else do you want?"
The couple started bickering again.
Shen Xingyu drew the curtains of the RV shut with his hand.
In his own RV, Shen Xingzhuo was being held and comforted by the nanny. Seemingly hearing the voices of their parents arguing, he cried even louder.
The youngest stood still, looking up alternately at Madam Shen and Shen Hongyuan, at a loss for what to do.
After the argument, Madam Shen stormed back into the RV in a huff to cry.
Shen Hongyuan got into his SUV.
The child was left standing there. After a moment, he slowly returned to the motorhome he shared with his brother.
Inside the motorhome, Shen Xingzhuo was still crying.
The nanny offered him other snacks, but they were snatched away by Shen Xingzhuo and flung aside.
Spotting his younger brother's return, he pointed at the child and yelled, "It's all your fault that I got scolded by Dad!"
"Big brother, don't cry."
The child approached, his own voice quivering as he tried to hold back his sobs. "Next time, I'll let you have the small cake, okay?"
Shen Xingzhuo held back for a moment but eventually couldn't resist. Rubbing his eyes, he burst into tears again.
"I don't want cake! I-I want to go to the amusement park, I want... ice cream!"
Upon hearing the word 'ice cream', the child's reddened eyes lit up.
For they both recalled that just a few days ago, they had visited an amusement park, each holding their own ice cream cone.
There were no arguments, no anger.
Mom and Dad hadn't fought or scolded anyone.
Everyone was happy.
That was the happiest time they'd ever had.
Children didn't understand much else; they believed that replicating that scene would bring back the joy of that day.
Without an amusement park, ice cream would suffice!
And they remembered passing by an ice cream shop just a moment ago.
"Big brother, I'll go find Mom and ask her to buy us ice cream."
The child eagerly hopped out of the car.
He rushed towards the RV where Mrs. Shen was.
The auntie peeped out and, upon seeing him enter, felt reassured and focused on calming down the one inside the vehicle.
"Mom, Mom!"
The child stood in front of the RV, knocking on the door.
However, there was no response from within.
Only sobs could be heard.
The child knocked twice more on the door.
Spotting that the door wasn't properly closed, he lifted his foot to pull the door handle.
But he was too short and couldn't reach it after struggling for a while. He could only use his fingers to pry open a gap in the door and slowly squeeze himself inside.
Inside the RV, a woman was weeping.
The child cuddled up to the woman, hugging her legs and comforting her, "Mommy, don't cry. Let's go get some ice cream. Once we eat it, we'll be happy!"
He even knew the distance and elaborated, "The ice cream shop is really close!"
With his fingers counting, he said, "It's just a one, two, three... five-minute walk! Let's go back and buy some..."
But this remark infuriated Mrs. Shen. "Go back? You want to go back? Can't you both behave more maturely?"
The child was taken aback by the sudden outburst and called out, confused, "Mommy?"
Mrs. Shen broke down. "Can't you just leave me alone for a while? If you want ice cream, go ask your father!"
With a slam, the RV door shut.
Dark clouds blanketed the sky, casting an oppressive gloom.
Shen Xingyu had turned on the lights in his RV, still troubled by a finance case on his computer.
Soon, knocks sounded on the door of his RV.
The weather was so stuffy that he hadn't bothered to close the door.
Shen Xingyu assumed it was the driver, reminding them that it was time to leave.
But when he looked up, he saw only a child's head peering in.
Despite the open door, the child didn't climb in immediately.
He seemed to recall the "order" not to step into Shen Xingyu's study.
From outside, he softly called, "Big Brother."
Upon seeing that Shen Xingyu remained silent, the child slowly climbed the steps inside.
The steps were high, and the child had short legs, so they had to lean on the car door sideways and climb up step by step.
After climbing up, he stood by the doorway, gazing at the youth seated before the computer within, softly uttering:
"Big brother, would you take me to buy some ice cream?"
Shen Xingyu furrowed his brow subconsciously.
Agitation seems contagious, for just now Shen Hongyuan had engaged in a heated argument with Madam Shen.
Currently, Shen Xingzhuo was still weeping.
Shen Xingyu's mood was equally grim.
He couldn't help but say, "Can you stop bothering me?"
The child immediately took a step back.
Shen Xingyu pressed his lips together and added, "Go find Mommy first. I'll accompany you to buy it after I'm done with my work."
"But..."
The child didn't say anything and obediently climbed down the steps to leave.
He wandered for a while on the way.
Then, he still jogged over to the last SUV in the line of vehicles.
Dad's angry appearance was terrifying, even more so than Big Brother's.
The child hesitated for a moment before reaching out to pat the car door.
He patted it ever so gently, as if afraid of waking the monster inside.
He called softly twice, "Daddy? Daddy?"
Yet, the dark SUV remained silently parked in place.
The tinted windows reflected a dark sheen, obscuring the view of what was happening inside.
Looking up for a moment, the child withdrew his hand.
He paced around for a while before heading back towards the RV he shared with his brother.
Shen Xingzhuo was still wailing inside.
A cold and restless atmosphere permeated the convoy.
After walking a short distance, the child paused again.
He lowered his head to search through his small yellow duck backpack, checking the pocket money within.
Gathering courage by clenching his fists, he muttered to himself, "I can buy it myself!"
He lifted his foot and started walking in the direction he remembered the ice cream shop to be.
However, fear eventually caught up with him, making him stop once more.
"Ice cream will make Mommy, Daddy, and Brother not be angry anymore."
The child muttered to himself.
As if those words had given him courage, he counted silently again, "Just five more minutes!"
Eventually, the child lifted his short legs and ran in the opposite direction from the convoy.
Holding onto his small yellow duck backpack, he ran alone on the road for quite a while.
It was a short distance, but it seemed exceptionally long due to his slow pace.
Dark clouds were gathering, and there were few people on the street as rain was about to fall.
Every passerby appeared particularly menacing to the child.
He grew scared, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
It wasn't until he saw the colorful sign of an ice cream shop and the large waffle cone models standing on either side of it that he felt a sense of relief.
"It's ice cream!"
The child's eyes lit up, as if sharing this delightful discovery with an imaginary companion along this brief yet perilous path.
He started running again, reaching the shop and placing both tiny hands on the counter.
Addressing the owner inside, he said, "I want ice cream."
The proprietor, surprised to see such a young child alone, leaned forward and asked, "Little one, are you by yourself? Where are your mom and dad?"
"Mommy and Daddy are just over there," the child pointed in a direction and then nodded, "They're really close!"
Assuming the child was referring to tourists outside the shop, the owner inquired, "How many ice creams do you want, and what flavors?"
The child counted silently:
"One for Mommy, one for Daddy, one for Big Brother, and one for Second Brother."
"Mommy and Daddy like vanilla, Big Brother wants lemon, and Second Brother likes strawberry."
At last, it was done.
Unaware that he had omitted himself, the boy proudly held up four fingers to the vendor, as if he had solved a complex problem: "I'll take four!"
"Four of them... I'll have to pack them nicely then..."
In no time, the child emerged from the shop, carrying four ice creams.
The return journey became a delightful and anticipated one.
The boy ran along the way, yet handled the box with great care, as if cradling a bundle of joy for his family.
The familiar path no longer instilled fear in him.
The child eagerly anticipated the joy on his parents' faces when they received the ice creams.
He even felt a sense of proud accomplishment.
He silently praised himself inwardly: "I'm so amazing!"
Until he returned to the location where the convoy was stationed.
The child stared blankly ahead.
The sky was dark and gloomy.
There were no vehicles in sight, only an empty, unfamiliar stretch of land.
With courage mustered, he embarked on an unfamiliar and perilous journey, painstakingly carrying the most exquisite happiness from his memories with utmost care and effort.
Yet, nobody was waiting for him.
Madam Shen ultimately voiced the words she had been holding back:
"had you not insisted on eating, how would your brother have gone missing?"
"Mother, please don't say anymore!"
The one speaking was Shen Xingyu.
His voice was deep, urgent, with a subtle rasp to it.
His complexion was unnaturally pale.
But Shen Xingzhuo had already heard him.
That very night, Shen Xingzhuo left the hospital despite still having his cast on.
At the airport.
Shen Xingran, wearing a cap and a mask, gazed at the international flight ticket on his phone.
He was strikingly handsome, exuding an air of poise that came from being well taken care of.
Some people at the airport mistook him for a celebrity, stealthily taking pictures of him with their phones.
In the past, Shen Xingran had relished such attention.
Yet now, he was secretly avoiding it all.
Shen Xingran sat in a corner of the departure lounge, lost in thought for a while.
Too many things had happened recently, and they'd unfolded in rapid succession.
The once prosperous Shen family had suddenly stumbled, on the brink of bankruptcy.
They were even entangled in a legal dispute.
Their once harmonious family was now in disarray.
Shen Hongyuan's fake inheritance scandal still made headlines in the media.
Up until now, Shen Xingran couldn't quite grasp the reality of it all.
Even though he had orchestrated these events himself.
Sitting in his chair, Shen Xingran gazed at the airstrip outside.
In his mind, he relived the scene where he fiercely reprimanded Madam Shen, Shen Xingyu, and Shen Xingzhuo at the Shen residence.
In truth, Shen Xingran was somewhat fearful when he returned to the Shen family back then.
He was only nineteen, and despite his extensive experiences, it was his first time doing something like this.
The incredulous expressions of Madam Shen and Shen Xingzhuo were still vivid in Shen Xingran's memory, leaving him somewhat bewildered.
How had things escalated to this point?
Just a year ago, he was still the beloved young master of the Shen family, with Shen Hongyuan indulging and protecting him.
Madam Shen doted on him unconditionally, as did Shen Xingzhuo. Clearly... he had also been attached to Madam Shen.
He truly regarded Shen Xingzhuo as his older brother in every sense of the word.
Yet now, everything seemed utterly ridiculous.
Shen Xingran delved into his memories.
It probably started when Madam Shen learned about the rumors of an "illegitimate child" outside.
Back then, Shen Xingran realized for the first time that Madam Shen's affection for him wasn't unconditional.
Similarly, Shen Xingzhuo had, for some inexplicable reason, begun treating Lu Ran as his younger brother.
The rift between them emerged abruptly and spread.
Then came the day when he overheard Shen Xingyu stating his intention to bring Lu Ran into the Shen Corporation.
And at Shen Xingyu's birthday party, he witnessed the conversation between Lu Ran and Shen Xingyu, overhearing Shen Xingyu's promise to Lu Ran.
Suddenly, Shen Xingran felt a surge of panic.
He always remembered that he was just an orphan with nothing to his name.
Even within the Shen family, there was no one he could truly rely on.
That was why he had to take matters into his own hands.
Capitalizing on Shen Hongyuan's trust, Shen Xingran entered the company during summer vacation, becoming Hongyuan's assistant.
Under Shen Hongyuan's name, he accessed and copied the Shen Corporation's technical data.
Initially, Shen Xingran had no intention of using this information for any purpose.
But as he began interacting with Jin Linuo and heard the terms offered, Shen Xingran's interest gradually grew.
At first, Shen Xingran cautiously negotiated and maneuvered, hoping to reap benefits from the situation.
It wasn't until Jin revealed to him Shen Hongyuan's forgery of the will that things changed.
Fifty percent of the shares under the late Mr. Shen's name, along with the majority of the remaining assets, were rightfully Shen Xingran's.
Upon hearing this news, Shen Xingran didn't react with overwhelming joy.
It was more like a rude awakening for him.
He suddenly realized that perhaps his adoption and the name Shen Xingran were part of a deceit from the very beginning.
Perhaps...
Initially, Shen Hongyuan had adopted him to secure a "Shen Xingran" to inherit Grandpa Shen's estate. Later, due to mistrust in this unrelated orphan, he altered the will.
And he, this "Shen Xingran," was merely Shen Hongyuan's fallback option.
Kept close by, in case the tampering of the will was exposed, there would still be him, this "Shen Xingran," to fall back on.
It turned out that from the start, he was nothing but a complete laughingstock.
Shen Xingran had previously felt a twinge of guilt for his plan to betray the Shen family.
Upon hearing this, his guilt vanished, and he promptly agreed to Jin's conditions.
Regarding this "inheritance," Shen Xingran had thought it through thoroughly.
If luck was on his side, and Lu Ran couldn't prove that he was the "Shen Xingran" mentioned in the will, then of course, he would fight for the inheritance.
By then, the entire Shen Corporation would be his, and with the collaboration with the Lino family, he would firmly establish himself in the industry.
If things didn't go as planned, and the inheritance fell into Lu Ran's hands, Shen Xingran wouldn't suffer any losses either. He could simply take the money and shares offered by the Lino family and escape abroad.
With the Shen family entangled in the inheritance dispute, they wouldn't have the time or energy to pursue him.
By the time the Shen family realized what had happened, he would already be hiding overseas.
Shen Xingran had long prepared for this scenario.
But now, as he stood at the airport, he felt unusually downcast.
Yet, Shen Xingran quickly regained his spirits.
He realized that he was different from Lu Ran.
Lu Ran shared an unbreakable blood tie with the Shen family, but he didn't.
They weren't his real family, so why should he be upset?
Shen Xingran even began to harbor some hope.
He had a substantial amount of money in his possession now, and unlike when he was with the Shens, this money was entirely under his control.
With this money, he could live quite comfortably.
Once the turmoil passed, he might even be able to return home and find his biological parents, experiencing the genuine love of a family.
With such prospects in mind, Shen Xingran felt exceptionally relieved.
He was about to board the plane with his suitcase in hand when a shadow fell across his path.
Two officials stood before him, flashing their IDs.
One of them spoke:
"Good day, you've been summoned to court for the crime of corporate espionage. Due to the severity of the case, it's now a public prosecution, and as of now, your exit from the country has been restricted..."
In the end, Shen Xingran had underestimated Shen Xingyu.
Amidst all the chaos, he had remained cool and collected, gathering evidence to sue both him and the Lino family.
Throughout the entire summer, troubles within the Shen family had unfolded one after another.
Aside from some complications with identity verification, Lu Ran's life had been relatively calm.
With his experiments temporarily concluded, he could finally indulge in some leisure time at home.
Returning from an evening walk with the dog, Lu Ran knelt on the ground, sorting through Big Yellow's leashes and chest harnesses.
Big Yellow sat by, watching him.
Lu Ran rummaged through them and picked out the beige leash adorned with a rabbit toy.
After a moment of contemplation, he tossed it into the trash can beside him.
Addressing Big Yellow, he said, "This one is dirty, so we'll discard it. Daddy will get you a new one."
Big Yellow didn't object, sitting quietly with his round eyes fixed on Lu Ran, seemingly puzzled as to why a seemingly clean leash was deemed dirty.
Lu Ran neatly put away the remaining leashes. As he stood up, he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
Ji Min walked in through the door just in time to witness this scene.
Promptly reaching out, he pulled the person into his embrace.
"What's wrong? Is your knee hurting? Or is it somewhere else?"
Ji Min appeared slightly nervous, his brows tightly knitted together.
Recently, even though Lu Ran hadn't mentioned anything, Ji Min could sense the intermittent tension in Lu Ran's demeanor.
For a good while, Lu Ran was wordlessly held and caressed in his arms.
Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, he explained with a touch of exasperation, "Thank you, I just squatted for too long and my legs went numb."