Chapter 21 I thought you left again, that you didn't want me anymore...
During Zhou Yingchen's capital crackdown on Dingsheng Group, an unexpected clue quietly emerged.
Under the combined pressure from the Zhou family and their allies, Dingsheng Group's cash flow is becoming increasingly strained, and internal turmoil is brewing.
In order to protect themselves, some senior executives and associates of Dingsheng have resorted to various covert means.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yingchen's informants discovered that the cash flow of one of Dingsheng's former senior executives was highly unusual.
The amount of money was huge, and its flow was suspicious: it was related to a project account of a small, seemingly unrelated private medical investment company in Haicheng.
Zhou Yingchen stared at the private medical investment company, tapped his knuckles lightly on the table twice, and then instructed, "Chen Xu, give me a detailed list of all of this person's irregular financial transactions over the past year."
"At the same time, investigate the background of this private medical investment company in Haicheng."
"Yes, Mr. Zhou."
Chen Xu agreed and turned to leave the president's office.
Zhou Yingchen leaned back in his chair, gazing at the gray sky outside the window with a deep look in his eyes.
Haicheng, a highly mobile coastal city, is indeed easier to hide a person than ordinary places, and can provide a continuous and inconspicuous medical resource.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shiye also made an important discovery during his investigation of the fishing boat.
During his investigation, the international maritime investigators he hired discovered that one of the rarely used secret communication nodes had briefly intersected with an encrypted signal located in Haicheng.
The timing was within two days of Wen Yu's disappearance.
"Haicheng?"
Zhou Shiye stared at the city name on the information, his brows furrowing slightly.
Haicheng is an international metropolis, quite different from the desolate coastline previously searched.
If Wen Yu was seriously injured but not dead and was taken away, then a city like Haicheng, with its advanced medical resources, convenient transportation, and diverse population, would have been a better place to hide and treat her than a remote fishing village.
"Investigate this thoroughly."
Zhou Shiye roared at his assistant on the other end of the phone, his voice excited and hoarse.
He forcefully suppressed the urge to fly there immediately.
Haicheng is too big; I have no clue what to do.
Flying there would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
·
In the island villa,
Wen Yu's painting skills improved rapidly under Shen Jinhuai's guidance.
She tried to describe the sea outside the window and the flowers in the courtyard.
The painting style is unrefined, yet possesses a keen sensitivity, and the use of color is bold and emotional.
This often surprised and impressed Shen Jinhuai.
"Xiaoyu, before you lost your memory, you must have been a hidden genius."
Shen Jinhuai gazed at Wen Yu's newly completed painting depicting the Rain Courtyard and said.
In the picture, rose petals, knocked down by the rain, stick to the wet bluestone slabs, their colors clear and melancholic, creating a very strong atmosphere.
Wen Yu smiled sheepishly: "I just drew it from my feelings. And..."
Wen Yu paused slightly, then added softly, "It seems that only when I pick up a paintbrush do I feel less empty inside."
"Then keep drawing."
The man's gaze softened, and his voice was gentle: "Do whatever you want."
Wen Yu felt a warm feeling in her heart: "Mmm."
Just then, a piercing cell phone vibration sound rang out.
It's Shen Jinhuai's phone.
He picked up his phone, glanced at the screen, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He quickly smoothed it out, raised his hand to rub the top of Wen Yu's hair, and said softly, "I'll take a work call. You can start drawing first."
Wen Yu nodded, and Shen Jinhuai turned and walked out of the studio.
Once out of Wen Yu's sight, Shen Jinhuai, holding his phone, slowly walked towards the huge viewing window deep inside the study. His gaze fell on the boundless deep blue sea outside the window, and his eyes behind his glasses were icy cold.
The report continued on the other end of the phone: "President Shen, Zhou Shiye's people are heading towards Haicheng. Zhou Yingchen's subsidiary is about to contact the private hospital where Miss Shen was recuperating under the guise of investment investigation."
Upon hearing this, the man's jawline tightened.
In a short while,
"knew."
The man's voice was low, revealing no trace of panic: "Proceed as planned. Conduct a final, thorough cleanup of all visitor records and surveillance footage in the hospital."
"Don't be too deliberate."
“Zhou Yingchen is too cautious. Since he has already suspected Haicheng, being too clean will backfire. Give him an answer that is slightly unusual but can withstand scrutiny, so that he will spend his energy on verification and extensive investigation.”
"As for Zhou Shiye..."
Shen Jinhuai adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses as deep as the night: "Let him investigate, let him run into obstacles. Haicheng is big enough."
Haicheng is big enough; he only needs to ensure that the two Zhou brothers find Wen Yu before she becomes mentally strong enough.
"clear."
After hanging up the phone, Shen Jinhuai stood there for a long time.
The sea breeze howled outside the balcony, blowing the black hair on the man's forehead.
He closed his eyes.
When I opened my eyes again, the coldness in them had completely faded, replaced by a warm and soft glow.
Inside the studio, Wen Yu glanced curiously at the now empty doorway, but without giving it much thought, she continued painting.
But as she painted, Wen Yu found it hard to concentrate.
For so long, Shen Jinhuai has never answered a work call in front of her. Is he in trouble?
Wen Yu simply put down her paintbrush, went downstairs, and waited for Shen Jinhuai outside the study on the first floor.
After standing at the door and listening for a while, Wen Yu heard no sound from inside. She tentatively pushed the door open, but Shen Jinhuai was not inside.
But the paintings on the walls of the study caught Wen Yu's attention.
This is her painting.
Similar to the paintings in the studio on the third floor, they are bright and full of sunlight, yet the brushstrokes are still immature.
"What are you looking at?"
Shen Jinhuai's voice came from behind.
Wen Yu turned around, looked at Shen Jinhuai, then at the painting on the wall, her cheeks slightly flushed.
She pointed to the paintings on the wall: "These, these are all paintings I painted?"
Shen Jinhuai came to Wen Yu's side, followed her gaze to the paintings on the wall, his eyes filled with tenderness: "Yes, these are all paintings you painted before."
He took her hand and led her to one of the paintings depicting a summer garden.
“This painting was done in the summer when you were thirteen, in the courtyard of my old family home. That day you insisted on painting that clump of hydrangeas in full bloom, and as a result, your little face turned red from the sun, and you stubbornly refused to go to the shade.”
Hearing the tenderness in Shen Jinhuai's voice, Wen Yu looked up at the painting, trying to find a trace of familiarity within it, but alas...
"Sorry, I don't remember."
Wen Yu's voice was filled with uncontrollable melancholy.
"It's okay if you don't remember."
Shen Jinhuai gently squeezed Wen Yu's hand: "These paintings are not hung in the study to remind you of anything you've forgotten, but because they are a part of your growth, a very beautiful part."
"Um."
Wen Yu felt a pang of tenderness and nodded.
Being stared at so directly by Shen Jinhuai made her already slightly flushed cheeks burn even hotter.
"Oh, right, I haven't finished my painting yet. I'll go back and finish it first."
Wen Yu lowered her head, turned around, and walked out of the study.
As Shen Jinhuai watched Wen Xu's figure walk up to the second floor and disappear at the top of the stairs, the gentle smile on the man's face slowly faded.
He walked to the bookshelf, his gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged books, and finally landing on an inconspicuous sandalwood box on the top shelf.
The man took the box down, opened it, and inside were a series of paintings.
Chen Jinhuai turned the pages one by one.
The paintings inside are all somber and oppressive.
When he turned to one of the oil paintings depicting the sea before a storm, Shen Jinhuai stopped.
On the canvas, heavy, lead-gray clouds hang low, pressing down on the dark blue, surging sea. The brushstrokes are wild and powerful, conveying a sense of oppressive grandeur before destruction.
The man stared at the painting, his fingers clenching tightly.
After a while, Shen Jinhuai finally put the painting back in its original place.
When he stepped out of the study, the coldness in the man's eyes had completely vanished.
After lunch, Wen Yu wanted to take a walk in the market outside the island.
Having spent so much time on the island, Wen Yu wanted to change her environment and spark some inspiration.
"OK."
Shen Jinhuai took Wen Yu's hand and led her onto the small private plane.
The market was bustling with activity, with vendors selling handicrafts, people painting on the spot, and street musicians playing and singing.
Wen Yu stopped in front of a stall selling antique jewelry and was attracted by a simple silver necklace.
The pendant is a small feather, and it looks very delicate.
"like?"
Shen Jinhuai picked up the necklace and handed it to Wen Yu: "Shall I put it on for you?"
Wen Yu nodded and brushed her hair aside.
But as the cool necklace touched her neck, Wen Yu felt a sudden panic, and her fingertips trembled slightly.
At the same time, a blurry image flashed through her mind: a cold necklace shimmering with a ghostly blue light clung tightly to her skin, suffocating and oppressive, making it hard for her to breathe.
Wen Yu was breathing heavily and her face was pale.
"What's wrong?"
Shen Jinhuai hurriedly supported the swaying Wen Yu.
His gaze swept over the necklace around Wen Yu's neck, his eyes darkened, and he took the necklace off.
"I don't want this necklace."
Wen Yu nodded nervously and hummed in agreement.
Out of the corner of her eye, Wen Yu glanced at the necklace that had been put back in its place. Her mind went blank, but she felt a strange sense of danger.
It's just a necklace, why would it be dangerous?
Before Wen Yu could think further, the man supporting her pointed ahead and suggested, "Xiao Yu, look at that shop over there, why don't we go see if they have the paint you want?"
There are so many paints on the island, but there are always some that Wenyu prefers and uses up quickly.
Buying some more would be fine.
A few minutes later, Wen Yu stood amidst a dazzling array of easels and paints, and her mood finally improved.
But when his gaze swept over a tube of blue paint, his expression faltered for a moment.
This blue is so deep, like the oppressive surface of the sea before a storm.
Wen Yu couldn't explain why, but she felt a strange tightness in her heart.
This feeling is strange.
It's very similar to the oppressive feeling that the necklace gave off earlier.
She used to...
"What's wrong? Don't you like this color?"
Shen Jinhuai's gentle voice rang out from the side.
In his hand was a set of fox fur watercolor pens that she had glanced at a few times earlier.
Wen Yu snapped out of her daze and forced a smile: "No, it's just that this blue color feels a bit heavy."
"Then let's choose something bright and cheerful."
Shen Jinhuai took Wen Yu's hand and led her to another shelf displaying bright paints: "Lemon yellow, iris purple, or the spring pink you liked last time? Xiao Yu, your painting is very sunny, and it deserves the cleanest and most beautiful colors."
Upon hearing these words, it was as if a crack had been cleaved open in the deep bitterness in Wen Yu's heart, allowing bright light to stream in.
She looked up at the man's beautifully sculpted jawline, and her heart melted.
Shen Jinhuai was too good to her.
It was so beautiful that she felt the fragmented images that had flashed through her mind were a desecration of the tranquility before her.
"I'm going to check out the drawing paper over there."
Wen Yu took a deep breath and said softly.
She needed to be alone for a while to sort out her chaotic thoughts.
Shen Jinhuai seemed to have noticed something, nodded, and said gently, "Okay, then I'll drive the car to the intersection. It's hard to park here. Take your time choosing, and come out when you're done. I'll wait for you."
Shen Jinhuai paid a lot of money to ensure that Wen Yu could take whatever she liked with her later.
He carefully put away the watercolor pens he had already bought, gave Wen Yu a few more words of advice on safety, and then turned and left the shop.
Wen Yu, meanwhile, stared absently at the drawing paper, her thoughts wandering.
What was she like before?
Although Shen Jinhuai created a sunny and happy past for her, why did she always feel that something was missing?
And that necklace, the blue paint...
What does that mean to her?
She didn't know how much time had passed until a shop assistant came over to remind her that it was almost closing time, and Wen Yu was surprised to realize that a long time had gone by.
She hurriedly walked out of the shop. The streetlights were already on, and the quaint town streets were bustling with people.
What about Jinhuai?
He said he'd wait at the intersection?
Where is the intersection?
Wen Yu looked around, as if... she was lost.
She panicked and quickly reached into her pocket, but it was empty.
Did you perhaps leave your phone in the car?
Wen Yu stood on the unfamiliar street, looking at the unfamiliar faces coming and going, and felt flustered.
Just then, she saw a strange yet somewhat familiar figure from behind.
The man was a few meters away, dressed in dark gray casual clothes, with his back to her.
The man was upright, yet he inexplicably exuded a strong sense of fatigue.
The man was holding up his phone and talking on it.
Maybe I could borrow his phone?
Wen Yu hesitated, then mustered her courage and took two steps closer to him.
"I told you, the chances are slim. I just came to take a look first."
The man spoke into his phone, his hoarse voice revealing suppressed anxiety: "That's enough. Contact me again if there's any news."
The man's tone was aggressive, carrying an air of menace that warned others to stay away.
Wen Yu paused, her newly mustered courage vanishing completely.
Well, never mind.
She was never good at dealing with people.
What's more, he's a man who sounds extremely upset and is troubled by something important.
Should I bother him at this time and ask to borrow his phone?
He will most likely refuse, and may even be more impatient.
Forget it, I'd better not make a fool of myself.
Wen Yu bit her lip, lowered her head, and gave up the idea of borrowing a phone.
He turned around and quickly walked into a dimly lit alley next to him.
Maybe there's a public phone at the other end of the alley?
Or perhaps we can find our way back?
Behind Wen Yu, Zhou Shiye irritably hung up the phone with Zhou Yingchen.
It was all in vain, nothing at all.
Why is it that even though there was hope, I still have no clue what to do after arriving here?
Zhou Shiye rubbed his throbbing temples, turned around, and prepared to get into the car.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zhou Shiye's gaze froze.
In the distance, the back of a girl in a light apricot-colored long dress could be seen disappearing into the alleyway.
The figure was slender, with long hair reaching her waist...
In an instant, Zhou Shiye's heart tightened.
"Xiaoyu?"
Zhou Shiye shouted the name nervously, his body lunging forward a step faster than his mind could process it.
But the figure disappeared too quickly, as quickly as a fleeting glimpse in his countless hallucinations.
The streetlights were dim, and there were many shadowy figures; perhaps it was just my imagination.
In the past five months, Zhou Shiye has seen too many similar back views.
Each time they chased after him, they were met with even deeper despair.
The surging emotions receded from his eyes like the tide, leaving only endless exhaustion and numbness.
Zhou Shiye withdrew his gaze and gave a self-deprecating twitch at the corner of his mouth.
He didn't chase after them, but instead dragged his heavy steps, got into the car, and drove away.
On the other side,
Wen Yu hadn't walked far in the dimly lit alley when she became disoriented by the complex forks in the road ahead.
Just as they were panicking and at a loss, a blinding headlight came from the alley.
Wen Yu raised her hand to her forehead.
"Xiaoyu".
The car stopped, and Shen Jinhuai pushed open the car door and ran over.
The man's usually meticulously combed hair was disheveled, and his usually gentle face was filled with obvious panic, lingering fear, and relief.
He pulled Wen Yu into a tight embrace, his arms holding her very tightly.
He was afraid that if he let go for even a moment, the person in his arms would disappear.
"You scared me to death."
Shen Jinhuai's voice trembled almost imperceptibly, his warm breath brushing against Wen Yu's ear: "I waited for you at the intersection for so long, but I couldn't see you. I called you, but your phone was in the car. I thought... I thought you left again, that you didn't want me anymore. Xiao Yu, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have waited for you at the intersection, I'm so sorry..."
Wen Yu was embraced by Shen Jinhuai, her cheek pressed against the man's chest, which was pounding with excitement.
The undisguised fear in Shen Jinhuai's words warmed Wen Yu's heart.
Although she didn't understand what Shen Jinhuai meant by "again," she still raised her hand and gently hugged the man back.
Wen Yu patted Shen Jinhuai's broad back reassuringly, her voice gentle: "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I was looking at the drawing paper and forgot the time, so I got lost. It wasn't on purpose, don't be afraid."
Shen Jinhuai buried his face in Wen Yu's neck, breathing in her scent to calm his wildly beating heart.
But the next moment, the man looked up and caught a familiar figure at the alley entrance out of the corner of his eye.
It was Zhou Shiye who had returned despite his unwillingness to give up.
Zhou Shiye was looking around.
Shen Jinhuai's heart sank suddenly.
In a flash, he tightened his arms around Wen Yu, and at the same time turned around, using his shoulders and back to completely block Zhou Shiye's gaze.
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