Unexpectedly, before Monday's morning reading class even started, Teacher Ma called Ye Linchen, Feng Linlin, and Lin Xiaojuan to her office.
As soon as they entered, Shen Zhiyuan stepped forward and asked anxiously, "Three students, did you see Shen Yanlin yesterday?"
Feng Linlin rolled her eyes in annoyance as she recalled the words he had hurled at her that day.
"We haven't seen Shen Yanlin since that day you threw a tantrum at Xiao Chen's house! You're not trying to extort money from us, are you?"
Teacher Ma broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this and quickly stopped her: "Linlin, how can you talk like that!"
Shen Zhiyuan did not take Feng Linlin's attitude to heart.
He sighed, his face revealing his anxiety.
"Xiao Yan ran away from home and we haven't heard from him all day. I'm worried... Have you really not seen him?"
Ye Linchen looked at him quietly for a moment, then spoke softly.
“I ran into him yesterday. He’s fine. You don’t need to worry.”
Shen Zhiyuan's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "Where did you see him? Where did he go?"
Ye Linchen didn't answer, but instead asked, "Uncle Shen, why don't you let Shen Yanlin learn to paint?"
"Learn to paint?" Shen Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly seemed to realize something and became excited, "Learn to paint?! What nonsense!"
"He's never said any of these things before! Did you guys encourage him to neglect his duties?"
"You had no idea he liked to draw?" Ye Linchen sneered. "I only met him at the beginning of this semester, just a week ago, and I already knew he had been learning to draw since he was little. How could you, his father, not know?"
"But you, as the biological father, know nothing about your son's interests. Instead of reflecting on your own actions, you keep blaming others. Is this how you act as a father? Is this how you care about your son?"
"You don't understand him, you don't respect him. Are you really doing this for his own good, or are you just enjoying the feeling of controlling him?"
Shen Zhiyuan blushed deeply at Ye Linchen's words and was speechless for a long time.
He truly felt indebted to his son, Shen Yanlin.
Because of work, I haven't been able to be by his side for many years. Every time we meet, we either argue or have a cold war.
But he always felt that Shen Yanlin was too rebellious, and never thought that it was his own problem.
Could it be that he really made a mistake this time?
Feng Linlin chimed in, "Uncle Shen, last time we met you called us disreputable, and this time you're blaming us for instigating your son. What will you slander us for next?"
Lin Xiaojuan added sarcastically, "That's right. You ask us for help, and if you don't like what we say, you start cursing. No wonder Shen Yanlin doesn't want to be close to you! If I were you, I wouldn't want to either!"
Teacher Ma saw that Shen Zhiyuan's face was ashen and quickly stopped the three of them.
"How dare you speak to your elders like that? Is this how you were taught at school? Do you even know where Shen Yanlin is? If you do, then confess right now!"
Ye Linchen did indeed know Shen Yanlin's whereabouts.
He paged her after he found the guesthouse last night.
But given Shen Zhiyuan's current attitude, she couldn't say it.
If I were to say it out loud, it would harm Shen Yanlin!
She said naturally, "I don't know. When he left yesterday, he didn't say where he was going. He just took his schoolbag."
Shen Zhiyuan wanted to ask more questions, but Ye Linchen didn't give him the chance and turned to leave.
Feng Lingling and Lin Xiaojuan followed her away.
Shen Zhiyuan stood up helplessly and said wearily to Teacher Ma, "Teacher Ma, please keep an eye on things for me. If you have any news about Shen Yanlin, please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you."
Teacher Ma saw him out and assured him, "Don't worry, I'll talk to them later. I'll let you know as soon as Shen Yanlin shows up."
"Thank you, Teacher Ma."
After leaving the school, Shen Zhiyuan searched everywhere without stopping, but after a whole day, he still couldn't find Shen Yanlin.
He dragged his heavy steps back to the Shen family home, where he saw his eldest brother sitting in the living room.
"Zhiyuan, how is it? Any news about Xiaoyan?" Uncle Shen stood up and asked.
Shen Zhiyuan shook his head, unable to conceal the anxiety between his brows.
"No, I've searched everywhere he could have gone, but I still can't find him. This child has never left home before, and I don't know where he spent the night last night. How can I not worry about him!"
He plopped down on the sofa, covered his face with his hands, and sighed deeply.
"Don't worry too much, Xiao Yan is a smart child, she'll be alright. I've already sent the guards out to look for her, we'll have news soon."
"I hope so."
Shen Zhiyuan hasn't eaten a single bite of food since last night. His stomach is empty, and he has no appetite at all.
My mind is filled with images of Shen Yanlin, all alone and helpless outside.
The eldest brother of the Shen family poured him a glass of water and handed it to him.
"Drink some water first, don't make yourself sick. Xiaoyan's mother would be heartbroken if she knew you were like this."
Hearing his elder brother mention his deceased wife, Shen Zhiyuan felt even more guilty.
When his wife was seriously ill, he was participating in a classified research project, completely isolated from the outside world.
When he received the news that his wife was seriously ill and rushed back, she had already been buried.
His son looked at him as if he were an enemy, and no longer wanted to be close to him.
This incident became a lifelong regret and a constant source of pain for him.
If something else happens to his son, he really doesn't know how he will go on living.
Shen Zhiyuan took the water glass, mechanically took a sip, and stared blankly ahead.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar.
A guard rushed in: "Report! Shen Yanlin has been found! He's at the guesthouse in the west of the city!"
Shen Zhiyuan suddenly stood up: "The West City Guesthouse? Where is it? Take me there quickly!"
"The person has been brought back."
Shen Yanlin followed reluctantly into the room.
Overjoyed, Shen Zhiyuan quickly stepped forward, his voice choked with emotion: "Xiao Yan, you scared your father to death!"
He was about to hug Shen Yanlin when he said that.
Shen Yanlin pushed him away forcefully, his face full of impatience.
"Let me go! So what if you bring me back? I won't go to the army! Don't even think about locking me up! Unless you break my legs!"
Uncle Shen quickly stepped forward and advised, "Xiao Yan, don't be like this. Your father is just concerned about you."
"I don't need it!"
Shen Zhiyuan felt a sharp pain in his heart as he looked at his son, who resembled his wife so much.
He softened his tone and said, "Xiao Yan, let's have a good talk."
Uncle Shen chimed in, "Yes, you should have a good talk with your father. What can't be said between father and son? Stop arguing."
He pulled the reluctant Shen Yanlin into the study, and then winked at Shen Zhiyuan.
Shen Zhiyuan composed himself and followed them inside.
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