Jinci Shen’s hand under the hem of his suit clenched into a fist, his voice cold as ice: "Doesn’t he love Bian Yue? How can he just watch?"
Jinci Shen’s question caused Dai Jiangqing to show a disapproving look, disdain unmistakably flickering in his eyes as he spoke slowly, "Mr. Shen, you should know, in this position, so-called love should come after family interests. The young master has done very well."
In Dai Jiangqing’s eyes, Jinci Shen in front of him was only chosen by Shen Shu when there were no other options. Only the young master truly deserved everything of the Shen Family.
He was the true heir, rigorously raised with all the resources of the Shen Family.
Dai Jiangqing detested the violent and bloody tendencies that emanated from Jinci Shen, even now, though he looked elegant and indifferent in his neat attire, Dai Jiangqing knew that he would always be that shady character dressed in dark colors.
He never belonged in the world of high society.
He lived in the deepest darkness.
Everything now was simply because the young master was dead.
Jinci Shen didn’t care about Dai Jiangqing’s views, he already knew the answer.
Thus, the man spoke, his tone so neutral that no emotion could be detected, "You can leave now."
Dai Jiangqing was stunned, not having expected Jinci Shen to actually let him go so easily.
He uncertainly looked at Jinci Shen, and in a surprised low voice asked, "I...I can leave now?"
Jinci Shen did not speak, Dai Jiangqing breathed a sigh of relief, he turned and without hesitation, pushed open the door of the study and quickly left.
Leaving Jinci Shen alone in the dimly lit room.
In fact, the real Jinci Shen knew Bian Yue far earlier than him.
Even Shiheng, who knew Bian Yue and stayed by her side, spent much more time with her than he did.
In Bian Yue’s life, he was once a true bystander.
Watching them repeatedly profess their love for Bian Yue, yet tacitly placing her behind their family interests, their personal ambitions.
Jinci Shen still remembered, the legitimate young master of the Shen Family’s last words written in his diary, ’In this life, my conscience is clear.’
If Bian Yue was standing in front of him right now, could he truly say he was guilt-free?
Complicated emotions filled Jinci Shen’s heart, an intense emotion of pity spreading at the core.
He thought, his beloved Bian Yue, has suffered enough, this glamorous world seems to be terribly awful for her...
Bian Yue, having just left Li Tingmo’s place, barely entered the house when she brushed past an old man.
His steps were too hurried, directly bumping into Bian Yue.
"I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!" the old man’s voice trembled, desolate and full of panic.
Bian Yue didn’t think much, helping the hunched old man, concerned, she asked, "Are you alright?"
This man was none other than Dai Jiangqing who had just come from Jinci Shen’s study.
Dai Jiangqing looked at Bian Yue with shock as she suddenly appeared before him, his eyes fraught with unspeakable astonishment.
But quickly, he composed his expression and left without a word.
Bian Yue puzzledly watched the old man’s retreating figure, wondering about his hurried demeanor.
Frowning, she withdrew her gaze, and saw not far away, Zhaoli Shen leaning against a wall, smiling merrily at her.
"Hey, Bian Yue," Zhaoli Shen raised his eyebrows, teasingly, "Why don’t you watch your step when you walk?"
Bian Yue, however, did not retort, she approached Zhaoli Shen, puzzled, "Who is that old man? I’ve never seen him before. Is he a new butler in the house?"
"An unimportant person," Zhaoli Shen said nonchalantly.
Hearing him say so, Bian Yue nodded, not prying further.
Her mind was currently occupied with the possibility that Bian Shu might still be alive.
This news was utterly unbelievable for Bian Yue.
Distracted, Bian Yue walked toward the hall, Zhaoli Shen watched her departing figure and called out to her, "Bian Yue, do you know what kind of life I used to lead?"
"Ah?" Bian Yue paused, "Why do you suddenly bring this up?"
"I used to be very poor, I am Shen Shu’s illegitimate son, and my mother and I lived in slums overseas. When I was very young, I learned to snatch things from others. Later, Shen Shu found me, and gave what he called compensation, just some money. With this money, I took my mother and left the slums, at 15, I was admitted to an Ivy League University."
In Zhaoli Shen’s calm tone, Bian Yue sensed hardship, "It must have been tough for you at the time?"
"Not really," Zhaoli Shen smiled, under Bian Yue’s surprised gaze, he explained, "This achievement was nothing for Shen Shu, he didn’t even plan to let me return to the country, let alone acknowledge my identity."
Bian Yue understood that what Zhaoli Shen said was true; a mere prestigious university degree was nothing significant for Lixing.
"I was disgruntled, I couldn’t understand how I was lacking. My mother and I had to survive in the crevices yet couldn’t attract this man’s slightest attention. Later, I established a unicorn company in the American Bay Area, and three years later, it went public on Nasdaq. Simultaneously, I returned to China. Bian Yue, you guessed it, I am very young, I’m only 18 this year."
Zhaoli Shen’s delicate features were filled with ironic smiles as he said, "Everyone thinks I am a genius, but I know, Jinci Shen is even more capable than I am, he is truly a deserved genius. When I look at his resume from 18 to 28 years old, I know that I might spend my life catching up to him."
"Bian Yue, I tell you this because I actually should really dislike Jinci Shen, but... he truly is a man with a cool exterior and a warm heart. Deep down, I have already regarded him as family, only he put me, whom even Shen Shu wouldn’t acknowledge, in the core position of Lixing."
Zhaoli Shen looked deeply into Bian Yue, seriously saying, "And him, no matter what others say about him, you must believe, he will never hurt you, he will never do anything to harm you, Bian Yue, he values you more than he values himself."
Bian Yue smiled, looking seriously back at Zhaoli Shen, she slowly said, "I know, I understand what you mean, Zhaoli, I too consider you as a brother, just like Jinci, I’ve never seen you as an outsider."
Zhaoli Shen’s expression relaxed, returning to his casual demeanor.
He chuckled, his tone leisurely again, reverting to his informal self, "Okay, enough of that, I’m not here to be sentimental!"
"I know!" Bian Yue laughed as well.
She smiled broadly, glancing inadvertently to the side, only to see Jinci Shen standing there, unknown since when. As their eyes met, Bian Yue ran towards him with a smile, embracing him tightly, she said, "When I’m away, I always miss you a bit."