Chapter 51
Bai Shaolin was a junior classmate Shen Hanyang met while studying abroad. Although both were typical wealthy students at Ivy League schools, compared to Shen Hanyang's legendary academic success, Bai Shaolin was a typical spendthrift who relied on donations to get a degree. He was practically invisible in class, but more enthusiastic than anyone else at parties, spending money like water, and acting cynically—every cell in his body exuded the style of a spoiled brat. Because their families had business dealings, he surprisingly became friends with Shen Hanyang. Perhaps Shen Hanyang was a breath of fresh air in his chaotic life; this spendthrift who was good at associating with like-minded scoundrels genuinely admired Shen Hanyang.
After graduation, Bai Shaolin had no interest in building a career and squandered his family's money on yachts, airplanes, and sports cars, living a dissolute life.
A few days ago, he finally extended his reach back to his homeland. The first thing he did upon returning was to meet up with Shen Hanyang for a long chat. But the chat turned into a lot of talking by Bai Shaolin. They drank heartily, but halfway through, he suddenly remembered his toothache and how he'd taken cephalosporin during the day…
The dinner was thus interrupted. Shen Hanyang first forced her to vomit, and then she was taken to the hospital for a stomach lavage.
At the hospital, Bai Shaolin was still being unruly, calling Shen Hanyang "Brother" repeatedly. His face was flushed from drinking, and he whispered in Shen Hanyang's ear in what he thought was a low voice, but which could be heard clearly within a five-meter radius, "Brother, I've thrown up everything, no need for a stomach pump. By the way, there's a high-end club in the South District, the owner is my childhood friend. Let's go relax tonight. I haven't had sex in months, I'm craving women like crazy!"
Shen Hanyang stared at his phone with an icy expression, ignoring everything.
Bai Shaolin didn't give up and continued to persuade, "Brother, don't look down on clubs, the girls there are all... hiccup... super young! Brother, don't you like schoolgirls? That... Wu... Wu... Wu Yanying?"
"When will you ever be able to behave properly?" Shen Hanyang asked impatiently.
"Hey bro, what's there to keep secret from me? I can tell no woman can get close to you, except for that Xiao Wu. The way you look at her is gentler than with everyone else. Everyone has a few unique hobbies. I know, the 'raising-a-child' type..."
Bai Shaolin's slurred speech kept clattering between his teeth. Shen Hanyang couldn't stand the strong smell of alcohol emanating from him and shoved his head: "Haven't you gone crazy enough yet? If your dad finds out, you'll be in big trouble."
"Brother, only heaven, earth, you, and I know, and we won't tell anyone. How could the old man know? Brother, I, I..." Before he could finish speaking, his body trembled violently, and he vomited again.
The stench filled the emergency room instantly.
Bai Shaolin used Shen Hanyang's arm as a toilet seat, vomiting uncontrollably while holding him. Shen Hanyang took a deep breath, his temper completely gone.
After vomiting thoroughly, Bai Shaolin was wheeled away for a stomach pump. Shen Hanyang took off his filthy coat, but couldn't find a place to throw it away. Remembering there was a large trash can in the restroom, he headed towards the emergency room. As he turned, a figure flashed past the doorway. His eyes lit up, and he quickly caught up, but outside the emergency room, there were only a few unfamiliar faces.
After his stomach was pumped, Bai Shaolin started acting up again. He was shouting and singing in the emergency room. If this guy were sent back to the Bai family like this, and it got back to Old Master Bai's ears, the old man would definitely have a heart attack on the spot.
Shen Hanyang took out his phone and made two calls. Soon after, his driver and assistant arrived in a hurry.
The driver and his assistant were trying to get the completely drunk Bai Shaolin into the car. But this guy, who usually looked thin and frail, possessed incredible strength when drunk, harder to handle than a pig during the Lunar New Year. Finally, while going down the steps, he broke free of the driver and assistant and fell flat on his back.
Then they heard him let out a pig-like scream; he had twisted his ankle. With no other option, the group returned to the emergency room. The doctor, seeing Bai Shaolin's return, wore a look of utter dismay… The radiology department took an X-ray; it was a tear fracture. They applied ointment, put on a brace… After all that work, it was almost dawn.
Having suffered a severe setback, Bai Shaolin finally lost all his vigor. He slumped down like a salted plum, letting people stuff him into Chen Hanyang's car and drive towards Binjiang Jiuli.
As the car started, Shen Hanyang glanced absentmindedly out the window and saw a middle-aged woman leading a little girl, seemingly waiting for a bus. The woman looked tired and worried. The little girl was wearing an adult's coat, her neck hunched, half her face buried in the collar. Shen Hanyang tried to get a better look, but the car had already turned around and entered the opposite lane. Shen Hanyang turned back, his gaze still following them.
The driver asked, "Mr. Shen, should we stop?"
Just then, Shen Hanyang saw a taxi stop in front of them. The door opened and closed, and the two disappeared off the roadside. The taxi whirred and drove off in the opposite direction.
Upon arriving at Binjiang Jiuli, Shen Hanyang handed Bai Shaolin over to the steward and servants, and then returned to Tanchen Mansion.
It had been a chaotic night, and his stomach was a little sore. He went back to his bedroom, took a shower, swallowed some pills, and lay down to try and sleep. But as soon as he closed his eyes, he remembered the two people he'd seen by the roadside. He tossed and turned a few times, then sat up. He thought he'd been in bed for two hours, but when he checked the time, it had only been less than twenty minutes.
He turned on his computer and glanced at the construction progress of Huanyu Technology's new building in the Future Industrial Park. Assistant Hao had sent it to him the day before yesterday, and he had just had time to look at it.
Among a pile of on-site records was a photo of Vice President Liang inspecting the raw material warehouse. The person in charge was showing Vice President Liang the inventory records. Behind Vice President Liang, a man with a sleazy appearance and a crooked hard hat was grinning smugly at the screen.
Shen Hanyang stared coldly at the person on the screen and let out a cold snort.
Wu Yanying took a long leave of absence from school and has been staying at the Tan Chen Mansion. Secretary Gao repeatedly explained to Shen Hanyang with a forced smile that Wu Yanying suffers from adolescent depression and needs to see a psychologist weekly. She added that she had tried several psychologists, but this one was more compatible, and she wanted to continue seeing him for a while. She also mentioned Wu Yanying's pitiful background, her family's preference for sons over daughters, and the lack of family warmth, suggesting that she had already shown signs of mental health issues… She went on and on, seemingly expressing apology for Wu Yanying's prolonged stay at the Shen family home, yet also feeling somewhat obligated, or even justified. Shen Hanyang never said much, showing no impatience or concern. Secretary Gao knew that because of her past relationship with Shen Hanyang, he wouldn't easily offend her. But her worries never subsided. Especially after witnessing Shen Hanyang openly pursuing Yan Qing in the cafeteria on the first floor of the Huanyu Hotel, she had a bad feeling.
However, people are most adept at denying reality and deceiving themselves. Sometimes, they even cloak this self-deception in a veneer of what they believe to be cleverness, when in reality they are simply burying their heads in the sand in a different guise. Secretary Gao's way of ignoring reality was to simultaneously encourage Wu Yanying, urging her to work harder, while also giving her warnings and scaring her with unfounded rumors. Wu Yanying was left feeling anxious and uneasy; the slightest hint of anything concerning Shen Hanyang would put her on edge, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Lately, she noticed that Shen Hanyang had become much more silent than before, seemingly lacking interest in anything. To show her concern, she tried various methods, sometimes making warm soups, sometimes baking snacks, but his reactions were always lukewarm. Once, she tried to engage him in conversation, talking about Secretary Gao and his grandfather, and reminiscing about her past in her hometown, Xiangyu Village. She firmly believed that Shen Hanyang, though cold on the outside, was warm on the inside, a sentimental person, and that talking about these things would surely awaken the softer part of his heart. But he only pinched his brow, looking very tired. She repeatedly pressed him to tell her what was troubling him, and he simply smiled.
Wu Yanying felt as if a certain person was a Damocles' sword hanging over her head, the steel wire of which seemed about to snap but never quite did, causing her sleepless nights and uneasy meals. So, during a conversation one day, she suddenly mentioned, "It's been a long time since I've seen Teacher Yan come to teach Jiaming."
His eyes never betrayed his inner emotions, but when she mentioned Yan Qing's name, a hint of melancholy flashed in his habitually silent eyes. In that instant, she discerned the reason for his inner turmoil. The thing she had suspected and worried about had finally happened. Unable to suppress her inner turmoil, she immediately wore her displeasure on her face.
The long-suppressed worries, jealousy, and frustration fermented into a surge of anger at this moment. She was about to ask the question she had wanted to ask for a long time, but he spoke first: "I'm going to Binjiang Jiuli today. Some friends are having a party there. They're all young people. Are you interested?"
This was the first time Shen Hanyang had invited her into his life. Yes, their previous interactions, though seemingly numerous and close, were all one-sided. Shen Hanyang provided her with financial support, while she unilaterally gave him affections without a clear response. He had never truly opened his heart or soul to her.
Wu Yanying was overwhelmed with gratitude, and all her worries were immediately forgotten. She was so excited that she forgot herself and followed Shen Hanyang into the car without any suspicion.
The driver silently drove forward through the rain and fallen leaves, with Wu Yanying and Shen Hanyang sitting in the back. Inside and outside the car were two different worlds; those outside were filled with the dishevelment of seeking shelter from the storm and resentment towards the bad weather, while those inside seemed perfectly detached from human suffering. A small smile played on Wu Yanying's lips, while Shen Hanyang's eyes reflected the graying sky. They were like passengers in different cars, one heading towards revelry, the other towards eternal farewell.
Ever since Bai Shaolin moved into Binjiang Jiuli, this once quiet villa has become his personal disco. He spends his days calling on friends for revelry, partying every night. His limp doesn't hinder his performance at all. If it weren't for Shen Hanyang's occasional reprimands, the group would have ripped the roof off.
That day, he once again gathered a group of playboys to have a party at the house.
Shen Hanyang pushed open the door, and the first thing he smelled was a strong cigar odor. He fanned himself to clear the pungent air from his nose. Looking closer, he saw that the living room had been completely transformed. Groups of men and women dressed in flamboyant attire were playing dice and cards, a scene of debauchery and revelry, making it seem like he had entered a nightclub.
The music was deafening, and no one noticed the arrival of the two extra people. It was Bai Shaolin who spotted them first.
"Brother Chen!" Bai Shaolin, who had difficulty moving around, occupied the largest sofa by himself. The coffee table was thoughtfully moved closer to him, so he could reach for the wine without having to move.
Shen Hanyang walked over and looked at his bandaged right leg. "Are you feeling better?"
Bai Shaolin shook his head and pointed to the cane beside him: "Without that thing, you can only stand on one leg like a golden rooster."
Shen Hanyang turned around and introduced Bai Shaolin to Wu Yanying: "Bai Shaolin is my junior."
Bai Shaolin greeted her with fiery enthusiasm: "Hello, Little Sister Wu!"
Wu Yanying's face looked like it was covered in blush, and she replied shyly, "Hello."
Bai Shaolin glanced at Shen Hanyang, his expression meaningful: "She's a good little sister. Brother Shen, are you really willing to bring such a well-behaved sister into a den of wolves like ours?"
Shen Hanyang sneered: "You are wolves, so what am I?"
Bai Shaolin patted his forehead: "If you can't think of words, then don't speak! I'll punish myself with one!"
He grabbed his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. After finishing, Bai Shaolin's interest grew even stronger: "Hey, little Wu, since you have friends here, how about I introduce you to them?"
Shen Hanyang glanced at his mummy-like legs and said, "Let's just introduce it here."
Bai Shaolin thought it made sense. He was too lazy to get up with his cane and introduce everyone. So he pointed to a few people and said, "This one in white is Jia Ruofei, his family is in real estate. The one next to him with the braid is Shi Zhenli, his family is in medical equipment. The one playing games is Wang Yu, his family is...unspeakable. Oh, and that one over there, the 1.9-meter giant, Xue Jingyuan, his father is the chairman of Hengda Group."
Alright, the four great families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue are all here.
Shen Hanyang glanced at Wu Yanying indifferently: "Would you like to get to know them?"
As Bai Shaolin introduced the various figures, Wu Yanying listened attentively. The sons of various business owners and chairmen—the impressive titles were dazzling and overwhelming. Everyone here was beyond her reach, and her feelings were complex—excitement, nervousness, and helplessness. Like a newcomer to a casino, she was empty-handed, her only chip being her "relationship" with Shen Hanyang. Blushing, she said, "I'm afraid I don't understand anything..."
Bai Shaolin waved his hand and patted his chest to assure everyone: "These are all your brothers. Don't worry, with us brothers protecting you, you're the little princess of the whole place!"
Wu Yanying was secretly delighted.
There were more than twice as many girls as boys present, all heavily made up and fashionably dressed, a veritable sea of beauties at first glance. However, Wu Yanying automatically labeled them as "streetwise," "superficial," and "ignorant." Her mind raced through images of these girls: they must be trying to climb the social ladder, but would only reap fleeting, one-night stands. In contrast, she herself—with her innocent, pure-looking face, and having diligently studied makeup and styling over the years, precisely defining her personal style—could confidently say to herself, "I'm much more sophisticated." Thus, facing this group of ordinary women, she regained her self-assurance. None of them were as special as her, lacked her combined elegance and beauty, or had her "connections." Being close to Bai Shaolin, she felt she had practically integrated into his group, believing herself to be one of them.
Bai Shaolin was very outgoing and had already greeted his brothers and sisters, who then surrounded Wu Yanying. A girl handed Wu Yanying a glass of wine, and the others quickly became acquainted with her as well.
During this time, a girl tried to curry favor with Shen Hanyang, but Bai Shaolin shut her down with a single look.
No matter how much he misbehaved, he was still going to finish off his brother Shen. The dust of the world couldn't taint him, nor could the excitement of crowds melt him. This man was like a solitary iceberg, isolated from the world. Only the tip of the iceberg was visible above the water; beneath lay an unsolvable, extreme cold.
Shen Hanyang then gave Bai Shaolin another instruction: "Don't go too far."
Bai Shaolin understood what he meant, and his expression became more serious: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Shen Hanyang walked upstairs alone. At the corner of the stairs, he glanced down and saw a group of guests making a ruckus. He then returned to his bedroom and closed the door.
Inside the living room, isolated from the cold sunlight, a lively gathering was underway. Several young men took turns chatting with Wu Yanying, and her female companions quickly became friends with her as well. What they all shared was an ease and confidence in social situations, regardless of their social status. Xue Jingyuan inquired about her studies and offered advice on her future career. Wang Yu's female companion discussed relationships with her, recommending "best friend" tips on managing husbands. Jia Ruofei even invited her to his next birthday party. In short, everyone seemed genuinely sincere, treating her as one of their own. Wu Yanying was momentarily dizzy, vaguely believing she had suddenly risen to become a member of this opulent social class.
She was getting a little tired of playing and had drunk a bit too much when she realized that Shen Hanyang was not there.
Bai Shaolin yawned, pointed to the ceiling, and offered a friendly reminder: "Brother Chen is upstairs."
Reeking of alcohol, Wu Yanying forgot to check the time and rashly knocked on the door of Shen Hanyang's bedroom.
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