Chapter 274 First Arrival in Los Angeles
Shen Lihua interrupted sharply: "Who do you think you are! Why—"
"Please hear me out." The lawyer pushed up his glasses, his gaze sharp behind the lenses. "Mr. Shen specifically instructed: 'If I am unable to sign in person for six consecutive months, activate the second will.' Medical records show that he last signed seven months ago."
Shen Mingxuan suddenly jumped up and grabbed the lawyer's tie: "You and the old man are in collusion, right?"
The lawyer remained motionless, calmly pulling the tie back from Shen Mingxuan's hand. "I'm only carrying out the client's wishes. If you have any objections, you can file a lawsuit. However..."
He glanced at the three of them meaningfully, "Mr. Shen also kept a surveillance video that recorded the entire process of your 'signing on behalf of others' over the past six months."
The will in Shen Zhuangming's hand fell to the ground with a clatter, echoing crisply in the silent corridor.
"You old, wicked fox!" Shen Mingxuan exploded first, kicking over the trash can next to him. "You're trying to trick us before you die!"
——"I am Dad's daughter. I have tried my best to cure Dad's illness and prolong his life. Why does Dad treat me like this?"
"How could he be so cruel!"
Shen Lihua's delicate face twisted, and she suddenly rushed towards the lawyer: "How much did you take from that old man? Tell me!"
Her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, almost stabbed the lawyer in the face.
Shen Mingxuan even grabbed the lawyer by the collar and said, "I've never heard of such a thing. You're lying! I'm Grandpa's only grandson. It's impossible for Grandpa to leave me nothing!"
The lawyer took a half step back and was about to speak when a cold male voice suddenly interrupted:
"Three of you, enough is enough."
Everyone turned around and saw a man and a woman standing at the corner of the corridor.
Li Qihan showed his ID and scanned the three people with a sharp gaze. "The Municipal Bureau Criminal Investigation Team is here to investigate the accidental death of Mr. Shen."
Beside him, Xia Lili raised her chin: "Want to fight? We can talk somewhere else."
The three of them froze in place.
Shen Mingxuan slowly lowered his fist, which had been raised in the air. Shen Lihua hurriedly tidied up her messy hair, while Shen Zhuangming forced out a smile uglier than crying: "Comrade police officer, it's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding..."
The lawyer took the opportunity to straighten his lopsided tie and calmly put away the documents. "Since the police are present, I believe the reading of the will can proceed."
He calmly added the remaining terms and, under the watchful eyes of the two police officers, turned and left gracefully.
In the ward, a white cloth gently covered Mr. Shen's peaceful face.
I don’t know if it was an illusion, but there seemed to be an almost invisible, relieved smile at the corner of that old man’s mouth.
When Xia Lili and Li Qihan left, the three members of the Shen family were still clamoring to sue the management of Yunze Park, accusing them of failing to fulfill their obligation to check for safety hazards in the trees.
Xia Lili shook her head secretly.
She had already called the park to warn them, but they were slow to act.
On second thought, if the park management had really surrounded the sycamore tree in time, Mr. Shen might not have been hit. But in that case, the old man would probably continue to be exploited for his surplus value by this group of people.
It seems that all this seems to be God's will.
Xia Lili returned home and gently unfolded the ordinary background painting she had drawn for Mr. Shen. She carefully smoothed the edges of the paper and sent it to a framing shop for careful framing.
She planned to place this painting quietly in front of Mr. Shen's tombstone after he was buried, if she had the chance.
Xia Lili looked at the scroll and fell into deep thought.
This was the first time she felt such powerless melancholy after foreseeing her doom.
In the past, she was always able to use her eyes that could see through the future to avert tragedy at the critical moment.
But this time, she understood the relief hidden in Mr. Shen's cloudy eyes. It was not the fear of death, but the desire for freedom.
The old man's skinny fingers had left a cold touch on her palms. Beneath that weak pulse was beating a soul imprisoned by the hands of her closest relatives.
The accumulation of ninety-eight years finally turned into a body that could not move independently on the hospital bed.
Xia Lili suddenly realized that sometimes death is not misfortune, but the last mercy given by God.
From now on, she will not only save those who want to live, but also protect the final dignity of those who choose to leave peacefully.
*
Yangcheng International Airport Terminal 2
"Passengers on flight CA983X bound for Los Angeles, please note: your flight is about to begin boarding. Please take your belongings and proceed to Gate B12..."
On the airport broadcast, a soft female voice announced boarding information in Chinese and English alternately.
Xia Lili stood outside the security checkpoint, wrapped in an off-white cashmere coat, with a light apricot turtleneck sweater showing at the collar, which made her skin look radiant.
She waved to her parents, and the little bear pendant on her suitcase swayed. "I promise to bring my brother back for the New Year!"
Xia Lintian's eyes were slightly red, but he still pretended to be serious: "If that kid dares not come back, you can say that I gave away all his record collection!"
Chang Yue helped her daughter straighten her scarf and put on a deliberately stern face: "Remember to call me when you arrive - but don't call me if you arrive in the early morning. Your mother's beauty sleep is more important than jet lag."
Xia Lili and Xia Lintian laughed out loud at the same time. Suddenly, she remembered something and blinked, "Oh, Captain Li, Saturday..."
"Oh, don't mention it, we know."
Chang Yue waved her hand. "Their criminal investigation team recently took on a transnational case and has been very busy. I ran into Xiao Luo from their department while buying groceries yesterday. He said Captain Li hasn't been home for two days, so the dinner will definitely have to be postponed."
Xia Lili nodded, feeling inexplicably worried.
13 hours later.
LA International Airport.
After a long flight, Xia Lili finally set foot on the land of Luocheng.
The terminal was crowded with people, blond-haired and blue-eyed foreign tourists hurried past with their luggage, and conversations in various languages were heard one after another.
She looked around curiously.
Flight information from various countries scrolled on the huge electronic screen, rich aroma wafted from the coffee shop, and the air was filled with a strange novelty.
Xia Lili dragged her suitcase out of customs and saw a familiar figure holding a pick-up sign and waving at her.
Mingzhou was wearing a casual suit jacket, a dark grey turtleneck sweater underneath, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose. He exuded a mature and steady aura.
"Lili! This way!"
Mingzhou took her luggage and put a cup of hot cocoa in her hand. "Are you tired after flying for so long?"
"Brother Mingzhou!" Xia Lili's eyes lit up. "I'm not tired. Hehe, I'm in great shape now!"
"Where's my brother? Didn't he say he would pick me up?"
Mingzhou smiled and pushed up his glasses: "Your brother went to the set temporarily, so I came to pick you up first."
"On the set?" Xia Lili tilted her head. "Isn't he just responsible for singing the interlude? Why does he have to go to the set?"
"Well..."
Ming Zhou smiled mysteriously and helped her open the car door. "Your brother was spotted by the director and got a cameo role."
Xia Lili's eyes suddenly lit up: "Can I visit the set?"
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