Chapter 40. Xiaoyu has the freedom to choose, we give...

A biting wind was blowing outside the window.

Inside the study, Zhou Yingchen stood alone amidst the mess.

The priceless documents were scattered all over the floor, just like the man's once proud but now shattered control.

After a long while, Zhou Yingchen seemed to have exhausted all his strength and slumped down on the sofa.

Wen Yu's words kept echoing in Zhou Yingchen's mind, every word mocking all his past confidence.

Zhou Yingchen never imagined that he would lose so completely.

It wasn't that they lost to Shen Jinhuai's more meticulous business tactics, but rather to Wen Yu, to her clear-headedness and understanding of what she wanted.

When did Wen Yu become so strong inside?

This uncontrollable powerlessness gradually eroded Zhou Yingchen. He clenched his fists tightly, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

Wait, is it Shen Jinhuai?

Was it Shen Jinhuai who gave Wen Yu freedom, allowing her to be herself as she is now, and to make willful and reckless choices about the future?

If that's really the case...

Meanwhile, in the easternmost bedroom on the second floor.

Shen Jinhuai had just finished an overseas video conference, and his brows showed signs of exhaustion.

He raised his hand to rub his tense temples, took a deep breath, adjusted his facial expression, and then pushed open the balcony door.

As I entered the bedroom, I happened to see Wen Yu walking in from outside.

Shen Jinhuai immediately went to greet her, picked up Wen Yu, and sat down with her on the sofa.

The man buried his face in Wen Yu's soft neck.

It seems that this can dispel the heavy pressure brought about by the Zhou Group's recent wave of decisive and ruthless business offensives.

Zhou Shiye's reckless assistance on the fringes of the law only exacerbated the Shen Group's woes, plunging many projects into difficulties.

"Where did you go?"

Shen Jinhuai tried his best to sound relaxed, but there was an unavoidable hoarseness mixed in.

"I'm going to find Zhou Yingchen."

Wen Yu hugged Shen Jinhuai and rested her cheek on the top of his head.

"Looking for him?"

Shen Jinhuai, who had been relaxing with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

He moved away from Wen Yu's neck, raised his hand to stroke her cheek, and asked in a tense voice, "What's wrong? Did he make things difficult for you?"

At that moment, the screen of Shen Jinhuai's phone, which was placed on the coffee table beside him, lit up silently.

It was a WeChat message, concise and to the point: "President Shen, all business activities by the Zhou family targeting us have ceased. The reason is unknown, and we are urgently investigating."

Shen Jinhuai was taken aback, a look of disbelief flashing across his deep eyes, which was then replaced by a deeper sense of inquiry and vigilance.

Zhou Yingchen actually stopped?

This is completely inconsistent with the man's usual style of eliminating all threats and leaving no room for future trouble.

In the video conference just now, the top leaders were discussing how to deal with the next, even more intense, attack from the Zhou family.

Shen Jinhuai had even prepared for the worst, ready to mobilize all hidden resources and fight the Zhou family to the death.

But now, the other party has suddenly stopped without any warning?

As if thinking of something, Shen Jinhuai looked at Wen Yu in his arms again, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

His prominent Adam's apple bobbed as he tried to ask something, but Wen Yu cupped Shen Jinhuai's face in her hands first.

Feeling the taut curve of the man's jawline, Wen Yu leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth.

Then, looking directly into the man's eyes, a sweet and relieved smile bloomed on her lips: "Shen Jinhuai, I want to go back to school, and I also want to... leave this place."

Even though Zhou Yingchen relinquished control of the Shen Group, Wen Yu still decided to leave the Zhou family's old residence.

After all, she had been here for several months, and the past she had tried to recall through this place was still a blur.

Moreover, Wen Yu is becoming increasingly certain that even with incomplete memories, she can take full responsibility for her choices in the present and future.

She will never regret choosing Shen Jinhuai, never.

Therefore, there is no reason to stay in this suffocating place.

As for the Zhou family's kindness, she will repay them in the future in other ways that they might be able to accept.

As for going to school, although Wen Yu had no specific memories of school life, school was both unfamiliar and distant to her.

But Wen Yu knew she needed to go.

She can't just rely on passion and vague feelings to doodle; she needs systematic and professional training and a broader knowledge base to truly gain a foothold and have her own confidence and future.

"Also, the New Year is just around the corner,"

Having figured all this out, Wen Yu's voice became lighter: "How about we go back to the island for the New Year? Just the two of us."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jinhuai nodded without any hesitation: "Okay."

The man's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and a warm feeling of relief spread across his eyes.

Then, Shen Jinhuai lowered his head and leaned close to Wen Yu's lips, planting a kiss on the girl's sweet smile: "Let's go back to the island for the New Year. After the New Year, I'll accompany you back to school. I'll arrange everything."

"good."

The matter was decided amicably.

Wen Yu hugged Shen Jinhuai and kissed him repeatedly, each time briefly pulling away.

Naturally, I was punished for a whole morning.

Unexpectedly, when Wen Yu expressed her desire to go to school at the dinner table, Zhou Shiye, who had been keeping a gloomy face, couldn't wait to interrupt.

"Going to school is great!"

Zhou Shiye raised his voice and leaned forward: "I happen to have a large penthouse near the Academy of Fine Arts, the one you used to live in, Xiaoyu. It has a great view, top-notch security, and is only a five-minute drive from the school. Xiaoyu, you can just move there. It has everything you need."

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Shiye glanced at Shen Jinhuai with a hint of smugness and provocation, raising his chin slightly: "Don't worry about the reinstatement procedures, Xiaoyu. I'll personally go to your school and talk to the dean's office first thing tomorrow morning. I guarantee I'll get everything sorted out for you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jinhuai's expression remained unchanged.

He took Wen Yu's hand, which was resting under the table, and gently stroked the back of her hand twice before slowly continuing the conversation: "Coincidentally, I also own a property near the art academy. The environment is even more tranquil and elegant, situated by the water, which is perfect for Xiao Yu to focus on her creative work. Moreover,"

Shen Jinhuai raised his clear eyes and looked calmly at Zhou Shiye, whose eyes had turned sinister because of his words: "The reinstatement procedures have already been arranged by my people. There's no need for Attorney Zhou to make another trip."

"you……"

Zhou Shiye was furious. The suppressed anger in his chest suddenly surged up. He clenched his fists under the table, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged. He was about to explode.

At the critical moment,

"Tokino".

At the head of the table, Zhou Yingchen, who had been eating in silence, put down his silver knife and fork.

The man picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth. His gaze swept over Zhou Shiye, who was full of resentment, then over Shen Jinhuai, who had an indifferent expression, and finally landed on Wen Yu, who was frowning.

"Xiaoyu must be used to living in the old house, and it's convenient for the driver to pick her up and drop her off at school."

Zhou Yingchen paused slightly, his deep voice carrying an undeniable force: "Is it alright to stay in the old house? There will be dedicated staff to take care of our daily needs, so we can rest assured."

Hearing Zhou Yingchen say this, Zhou Shiye wanted to refute it.

When he met Zhou Ying's unfathomable eyes again, all the words stuck in his throat.

The almost explosive rage was extinguished, and Zhou Shiye could only purse his lips in resentment and look away.

Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai secretly intertwined their fingers under the table.

After dinner, Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai returned to their room on the second floor together.

After closing the door and shutting out everything outside, Wen Yu let out a breath, her face showing a hint of fatigue.

Even though she was no longer afraid and wanted to choose her own path in the future, for some reason, Wen Yu felt a deep sense of panic every time she was blocked by Zhou Yingchen and Zhou Shiye.

She was so flustered that she didn't want to say anything. Even though she had made up her mind, she didn't want to say anything more, as if it would be meaningless to them.

Shen Jinhuai took in Wen Yu's reaction.

The man stepped forward, embraced Wen Yu, and lowered his head to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Are you afraid to go back to school?

Wen Yu nodded in the man's arms, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, her voice muffled: "A little. After all, it's been a long time since I left, I've forgotten everything, the school, my classmates, and the classes... everything feels so unfamiliar."

"It's okay, I'll go with you. I'll take you to school and pick you up from school."

Shen Jinhuai’s deep voice was calm and gentle, which made people feel at ease: “As for the classes, you are not completely unfamiliar with them. Most of the books you read every day are the same as the books in school. Except that there are no exams, it is not much different from going to school. Most importantly, you are not alone.”

"Really?"

Wen Yu was slightly taken aback.

These books were all chosen for her by Shen Jinhuai.

So, Shen Jinhuai had actually been preparing for her to return to school for a long time?

Were we waiting for her to bring it up herself?

This was something Wen Yu hadn't expected.

Perhaps school life won't be too difficult to adapt to.

Holding Shen Jinhuai in her arms, with his familiar scent surrounding her nose, Wen Yu's deep-seated unease gradually faded away.

Downstairs in the restaurant, Zhou Shiye stared at the tightly closed door on the far east side of the second floor, his eyes gloomy.

The man felt an unvented, burning anger in his chest, making his internal organs feel extremely uncomfortable.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Shiye irritably tugged at his already loosened collar, using so much force that the expensive shirt buttons popped off.

But Zhou Shiye was completely unaware and caught up with Zhou Yingchen, who was heading towards the study on the third floor.

"elder brother,"

Zhou Shiye's tone was sharp, full of incomprehension and resentment: "Why do you insist on letting Xiaoyu continue to live in the old house? What about Mom? If she comes back for the New Year and sees Xiaoyu still there, will she give her a good look? Isn't this just making things difficult for Xiaoyu?"

Zhou Shiye had already handed over all of the law firm's resources and connections to Zhou Yingchen for coordination, in order to join forces against Shen Jinhuai.

But to everyone's surprise, just as the action against the Shen family had begun to show promise and was showing initial results, Zhou Yingchen unilaterally halted all his efforts.

Although Zhou Shiye understood that his elder brother was using a strategic retreat to advance, exchanging the cessation of the attack for Wen Yu to stay temporarily.

Even though he understood, he still felt incredibly frustrated and angry.

In particular, seeing Shen Jinhuai's calm and composed demeanor, as if he had everything under control, made him even angrier.

Zhou Yingchen, who was walking ahead, did not stop or even turn his head.

He went straight up to the third floor, pushed open the study door, and went inside.

Zhou Shiye followed closely behind and slammed the door shut with a "bang".

At this moment, only a desk lamp was on in the study. The dim light outlined the man's tall and upright figure, making him appear half bright and half dark, adding to his unfathomable majesty.

Zhou Yingchen walked to the liquor cabinet and slowly took out a glass and a bottle of whiskey.

He poured two glasses of wine, turned around, and handed one of them to Zhou Shiye, who had followed him.

Zhou Shiye grabbed the bottle and tried to gulp it down, but he was choked by the strong smell of alcohol, coughed, and his eyes became even redder.

He stared at Zhou Yingchen with annoyance.

Zhou Yingchen swirled the liquid in his glass, his voice low and cold: "So, which do you think Xiaoyu would choose now, your apartment or Shen Jinhuai's apartment?"

One sentence, like a bucket of ice water, extinguished all of Zhou Shiye's fiery temper.

Zhou Shiye opened his mouth, but it was as if something was blocking his throat, and he couldn't say a word.

The answer is obvious.

After Wen Yu lost her memory, she completely trusted and attached to Shen Jinhuai, but felt distant and fearful of him and Zhou Yingchen.

If she had to choose, Wen Yu would undoubtedly choose Shen Jinhuai.

Zhou Shiye gripped the wine glass so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Seeing Zhou Shiye's dejected expression, Zhou Yingchen took a sip of wine, the spicy liquid sliding down his throat.

"Then, what about Mom?"

Zhou Shiye then thought of an even more thorny problem, and looked nervously at Zhou Yingchen, his voice hoarse: "We can't just let her stay away on vacation forever, can we? The New Year is coming soon, she'll have to come back sooner or later. When she sees Xiaoyu and Shen Jinhuai, won't she cause a huge uproar?"

Zhou Yingchen put down his wine glass and walked to the large sofa to sit down.

The light from the desk lamp cast a small shadow on the man's straight nose, making his already deep-set features even more three-dimensional and imposing.

Zhou Yingchen raised his eyes, his gaze deep and cold, but his tone was one of complete indifference: "I personally finalized Mother's round-the-world travel plan, which will last at least a year and has only just begun. She will not be returning in the short term."

Then, Zhou Yingchen picked up a document from the coffee table, his tone even more indifferent, "Do what you're supposed to do, and keep a close eye on any other possible moves by the Shen family. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Zhou Shiye was completely speechless.

He realized that his elder brother was not only scheming against Shen Jinhuai, but also against all the possible changes that might occur in the family.

Zhou Shiye tilted his head back and drank the rest of the wine in his glass in one gulp.

The thick liquid burned his throat and chest like fire, but it could not suppress the cold, bone-chilling resentment in his heart.

Then, Zhou Shiye turned around, reeking of alcohol and filled with rage, and slammed the door shut as he left.

·

"What did you say? You're going back to that island for the New Year?"

At the breakfast table that morning, Zhou Shiye gripped his knife and fork tightly, his eyes filled with malice.

"Xiaoyu, are you leaving again?"

Zhou Shiye's voice was hoarse and cracked as he stared intently at Wen Yu opposite him: "Is that lousy island really that good? Shouldn't families be together during the New Year? How many more times are you going to go with him?"

Zhou Shiye simply couldn't bear the thought of Wen Yu disappearing from his sight again.

In particular, this time she explicitly stated that she would be traveling with Shen Jinhuai.

Does this mean that he has been excluded from her world again, and that he may never be able to hold onto Wen Yu?

"Attorney Zhou,"

Shen Jinhuai held Wen Yu's cold hand tightly under the table, raised his eyes, and stared at Zhou Shiye with a calm yet weighty gaze. His tone was indifferent and distant: "Where Xiaoyu wants to spend the New Year and who she wants to spend it with is her freedom. You have no right to interfere."

"free?"

Zhou Shiye laughed in anger, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

He suddenly stood up, pointing at Shen Jinhuai, his fingers trembling with rage: "You fucking talk to me about freedom? You confined Xiaoyu to this isolated, run-down island, cutting her off from all her past, and you call that freedom? Shen Jinhuai, stop pretending to be a good guy, you..."

"Tokino".

In the main seat, Zhou Yingchen, who had been silent all along, reached out and grabbed Zhou Shiye's wrist, which was pointing at Shen Jinhuai, just before Zhou Shiye was about to speak recklessly. The force was so great that Zhou Shiye felt pain, and his cursing stopped abruptly.

Zhou Yingchen slowly raised his eyes, his expression deep and unreadable, and looked down at Wen Yu, who was frowning.

The words were addressed to Zhou Shiye: "Xiaoyu has the freedom to choose, and we will give her that freedom."

"elder brother?"

Zhou Shiye turned to look at Zhou Yingchen in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.

But then, looking into Zhou Yingchen's seemingly all-knowing eyes and then at Wen Yu's calm expression, Zhou Shiye understood.

The reason Wen Yu was willing to stay by Shen Jinhuai's side was because Shen Jinhuai had given her freedom from the very beginning.

Now, in order to prevent her from escaping further and disappearing completely, he and his elder brother are forced to grant her freedom.

This realization drained Zhou Shiye of all his strength.

He glared fiercely at Shen Jinhuai, slammed down his knife and fork, turned around dejectedly and angrily, and left the restaurant.

Just a moment later, Zhou Shiye returned to the restaurant.

The difference was that the man's face no longer showed the previous rage and loss of control; instead, it displayed a cautious, almost humble expression.

Zhou Shiye's voice was much hoarser and lower than before: "If you, you're going to spend the New Year on the island, then after the New Year..."

Zhou Shiye licked his dry lips, his panicked eyes filled with unease and pleading, like a large dog afraid of being abandoned by its owner.

"I'll come pick you up on the second day of the Lunar New Year, okay?"

Even Zhou Shiye himself found the question absurd when he asked it.

Wen Yu and Shen Jinhuai are not married yet, so what's the point of her going back to her parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year?

She should have been spending the New Year at the Zhou family's house.

But……

So Zhou Shiye couldn't care less about anything else.

He needed a specific date, a date when Wen Yu would definitely return.

Otherwise, he was afraid he would completely lose control and do something extreme that would make Wen Yu hate him even more.

Wen Yu looked at Zhou Shiye in silence.

The dark circles under the man's eyes became even more pronounced in the warm lighting of the restaurant. The carefully crafted appeasement on his face had stripped away all its sharpness, leaving only vulnerability and pleading.

Wen Yu's heart softened uncontrollably.

She lowered her eyes, her thick eyelashes concealing the emotions in them.

Zhou Shiye stared intently at Wen Yu, holding his breath, afraid of hearing a word of rejection.

For Zhou Shiye, Wen Yu's brief silence felt like an eternity.

Fortunately, Wen Yu finally looked up.

Meeting Zhou Shiye's almost shattered, pleading gaze, Wen Yu nodded.

"good."

Her voice was soft, revealing little emotion: "I will go back to City A after the New Year."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shiye's tense body relaxed, his dull eyes lit up at a visible speed, and even his voice trembled with a sob: "It's a promise, on the second day of the Lunar New Year, I'll pick you up from the airport, I will definitely pick you up."