CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 296: BUTTERFLY OF LOVE

Shen Jinci was 21, his critical illness not yet cured, the sunflowers in the sanatorium withered several times in front of him, and everything around him was unspeakably bleak.

He knew he might not make it through, but the Shen Family now needed a new head of the family. Before this matter was sorted out, he couldn’t die.

By chance, he learned that he had a brother whose face was entirely similar to his. They were born on the same day, and now this brother was walking in the darkness of the night, becoming the sharpest dagger of the Underground Kingdom.

Shen Jinci thought that perhaps he could find a better heir for his father Shen Shu.

This year in Xiangjiang was wet with the rainy season, and moisture filled the air.

Shen Jinci returned to his country in silence, telling others he had recovered from his illness.

He fooled everyone, taking large amounts of special medicine each day to ensure he could stay alive and see the sun of the next day.

Sitting in the car, rain formed snaking, endless webs on the window, while his profile was cold and clear, his features deep and picturesque.

The spokesperson for the Shen Family had an exceptionally beautiful appearance, gentle and graceful, with an aura as calm and deep as still water.

His slender fingers pinched a string of Buddhist beads, twirling them quietly.

Such action brought some tranquility to his heart.

When he saw Bian Yue, she was standing at a bus stop, wearing a school uniform, her hair permed into cute, slight curls, her eyes gazing straight at him like a little deer.

Shen Jinci wasn’t the devout type, let alone the kind to be touched by a 14-year-old girl.

He just thought she looked very cute, so he took a couple more glances.

As they passed by each other, Shen Jinci watched her board the bus.

It was just that moment, one Shen Jinci could never forget.

Because she really looked unbelievably happy.

Happiness.

This word was far from Shen Jinci’s life; to put it exactly, he didn’t have the right to happiness.

Standing in his current position, he forgot how to smile genuinely many years ago.

Such joyous smiles were far too eye-catching.

So that day, at the Bian Family’s dinner party, his car stopped in front of the Bian Family’s house. He saw the girl he thought was a one-time encounter, gleaming with smiles next to Bian Kai, who affectionately stroked her hair, their expressions bearing a resemblance.

Perhaps he was looking too intently, the driver in the front row turned around and respectfully said, "Young Master, that’s Mr. Bian’s only daughter, Bian Yue, the ’Yue’ as in ’bright moon.’"

The ’Yue’ of the bright moon, no wonder she’s so beautiful.

Shen Jinci didn’t speak, only feeling extremely relieved in his heart that she had such a background.

This relief, later, as he lay dying, Shen Jinci repeatedly contemplated, and finally determined, was out of sheer luck.

He was certain, a Bian Yue like this would not belong to any ordinary person.

She was destined to become a society lady, wearing luxurious silks and satins, only worrying about how to spend her inexhaustible family wealth.

And what he had was enough for her to squander for a lifetime.

That night at the dinner party, Bian Yue did not appear. Bian Kai drank with the guests while Shen Jinci approached him and asked unassumingly, "Uncle Bian, isn’t your daughter coming down to eat something?"

Bian Kai was very tender and gentle, obviously indulging her, saying, "Let her be, she doesn’t like these social events."

Shen Jinci felt some regret; he really wanted to see that kind of smile again.

But obviously, it was not the right time.

So he changed the subject and talked to Bian Kai about something else.

He was articulate and distinguished, purposely showing his best side, and how could Bian Kai not be pleased? He looked at him with admiration in his eyes.

Shen Jinci’s 21st year, the first time he met Bian Yue, for a long time after, her name would emerge in his life in various forms.

After a meeting, Shen Jinci asked Bian Kai for a small photo of Bian Yue. Bian Kai looked at him with a smile, teasingly saying, "Mr. Shen finds my Little Yue pretty, does he?"

"Bian Family and Lixing’s cooperation requires Miss Bian as a shareholder; we need an appropriate photo for the profile," he said in sincere tones, betraying no hint of ulterior motive.

Bian Kai didn’t think too much of it and handed over the photo.

Bian Yue loved to smile, even her ID photo was brimming with it.

She had an innocent air of someone oblivious to worldly affairs.

Later, that photo stayed in Shen Jinci’s wallet, never taken out again.

When Shen Jinci turned 22, his illness worsened, and he suggested to Shen Shu to hasten the search for their estranged younger brother.

Shen Shu was reluctant to give up the son he had cultivated for many years. He frowned at him, unwilling to accept it, and said, "Is there no other way?"

"If there were another way, I wouldn’t want to give up my life," Shen Jinci shook his head and said calmly, "Dad, I know I won’t live much longer."

Shen Shu found it even harder to accept; that very night, his lifetime of rationality crumbled, his hair turning mostly white.

Shen Jinci, however, didn’t feel much sadness. Everyone must die; it’s just a matter of time.

He only felt a bit of regret, not knowing if he could see Bian Yue turn 16.

He watched her grow up, never intruding, just silently observing.

The girl grew more radiant day by day, but his life had already neared its end.

Shen Jinci had no wish to disturb Bian Yue.

During Xiangjiang’s Spring Festival, Shen Jinci stood downstairs of the Bian Family’s home, watching Bian Yue play with sparklers in the yard under her father Bian Kai’s watch.

Her eyes shined bright as she made a wish, her voice loud, saying, "I hope everyone who loves me stays healthy and safe!"

Shen Jinci didn’t know if he counted as someone who loved her.

He probably did, he thought; he would love Bian Yue a lot if he had a healthy body.

But for now, he only wished for her wishes to come true.

After the Spring Festival, the cooperation between the Bian Family and the Li Family got on track.

Shen Jinci knew there were problems with the cooperation when Shen Shu had already been aware.

The contract he had been hurried to sign by Shen Shu during his illness turned out to be an informed consent form.

That was the first time in many years that he was so enraged with Shen Shu.

In the office, precious porcelain shattered on the floor, he threw the informed consent form on the table, sneering, "Dad, you really play a good game, even calculating against your own son!"

But Shen Shu frowned at him, unable to understand his anger, and responded coldly and indifferently.

Looking at him expressionlessly, every word was rational, "The matter between the Bian Family and the Li Family was already set, the Bian Family falling is only a matter of time, Li Tingmo took the initiative to be friendly and share the Bian Family’s future spoils with the Shen Family, what do you have to disagree with?"

"You are complicit!" Shen Jinci’s hands trembled, "How do you expect me to face Bian Yue like this!"

Shen Shu frowned even more, increasingly puzzled, "Bian Yue? What do you have to explain to a little girl? Besides, when did you two meet?"