CHAPTER 297: CHAPTER 297: WISH FULFILLED

Shen Shu frowned, increasingly puzzled. "Bian Yue? What is there to explain to a young girl like her? Besides, when did you two meet?"

Shen Jinci was at a loss for words and could only say in a deep voice, "Just saw her before."

"If that’s the case, then you should restrain your unreasonable compassion!" Shen Shu said this and suddenly sneered, "Jinci, what’s gotten into you? You used to be more ruthless than me. Is such a trivial matter worth your great anger? In business, haven’t we always done things this way?"

"I just think it’s unnecessary." Shen Jinci looked at Shen Shu, his face even colder. "Shen Family’s current status doesn’t need to resort to such underhanded tactics to gain benefits. Li Tingmo is truly despicable. I have to tell Uncle Bian!"

"Shen Jinci! You’ve really disappointed me! Listen to what you’re saying!" Shen Shu’s face turned ashen as he said coldly, "Telling Bian Kai now will only result in Shen Family being condemned both inside and out! Do you still remember how I’ve taught you since you were little? The interests of the Shen Family come above all else!"

The interests of the Shen Family come above all else.

How could Shen Jinci forget?

He looked at Shen Shu, the oppression in his chest indomitable. After a long time, with unstable breathing, he said, "Have you ever considered what the Bian Family will go through? Bian Yue is still so young!"

His concern was in chaos; he was beside himself and said anything without filter.

If just now Shen Shu was only suspicious, now he was completely certain of the reason for Shen Jinci’s abnormal behavior.

"Do you like Bian Yue?"

"Yes."

"Shen Jinci, don’t you know the state of your own health?" Shen Shu frowned in anger. "Yet you still entertain these romantic notions."

"Father, there’s no need for your reminder. I know my own body. I could die at any moment, so I only like Bian Yue, and I haven’t done anything." He looked at Shen Shu, his voice hoarse, "Please, as your son, I’m begging you, help the Bian Family."

Shen Shu’s frown deepened, the disappointment in his eyes evident and unmasked.

After a long time, he looked at Shen Jinci and said coldly, "Indeed, with your condition, you’re not fit to stay in Xiangjiang. It’s fortunate that I’ve already found your younger brother. You should go abroad and take good care of yourself."

Shen Jinci, by contrast, calmed down and looked at Shen Shu peacefully, "You want to discard me."

"I only need you to go abroad and rest properly! Shen Jinci, you should take care of your own body!" Shen Shu said with a hardened face, "It’s better for everyone if you go abroad now!"

"Father, do you think that if I go abroad now, Li Family’s encirclement of the Bian Family will proceed smoothly without obstacles, is that it?" Blood filled Shen Jinci’s throat; forcibly suppressing the taste of blood, he desperately hoarsely said, "Dad, please, I’m begging you. All these years, whatever you asked me to do, I did. Now I want to exchange those things for a chance at life for Bian Yue, can’t you agree to that?"

"All that you’ve done over the years, as a child of the Shen Family, was your duty to bear. Jinci, you are my pride; you shouldn’t be so sentimental." Shen Shu sighed, looking at his son, in whom he had taken pride. The warmth in his eyes slowly dissipated, and he slowly said, "If I had known you would become like this, I would not have left your younger brother."

Shen Jinci knew that he had become expendable.

What use were the praises and intellect he received in his youth?

Now, he was weak and on the verge of death. He couldn’t save Bian Yue, nor could he even save himself.

That very night, he was sent out of the country by Li Tingmo.

In the sanatorium, his health deteriorated day by day.

His confidant kept him informed about everything in Xiangjiang.

On Bian Yue’s 16th birthday, the banquet was full of distinguished guests. Bian Kai was in high spirits as he entertained for his cherished daughter.

The decline of the Bian Family had not yet shown; everyone was immersed in the beautiful illusion crafted by prosperity, unaware that a massive tsunami was coming to overturn everything.

Shen Jinci was powerless.

He heard that his younger brother had returned to Xiangjiang, ruthless and almost killing Shen Shu.

Shen Jinci thought, his father Shen Shu must be very pleased with this son.

This is the heir he wanted—cold and uncompromising.

Amidst Xiangjiang’s rainy season, the Bian Family was on a complete decline.

Shen Jinci watched the sunlight outside the window, feeling his breath getting weaker and weaker, until he could no longer hold on and slowly closed his eyes.

He was full of apologies, but he couldn’t even tell Bian Yue sorry in person.

His vision darkened, and in his fading consciousness, Shen Jinci saw himself standing at a bus stop where 16-year-old Bian Yue was waiting for the rain to stop. He approached her and said word by word, "My name is Shen Jinci. May I get to know you?"

In the temple, a light breeze caressed the face.

Bian Yue looked at the tightly shut door in front of her, hesitated and said, "Should we just go in?"

"You go in first; I’ll wait for you outside the door." Shen Jinci pinched Bian Yue’s face, speaking softly, "I don’t know about his past. The only thing I know is it’s related to you. I think he would want you to meet him alone."

Bian Yue nodded, smiling, "So I really should go in?"

"Yes."

Bian Yue took a deep breath and walked forward.

Her silhouette fell within Shen Jinci’s gaze, extended into the distance.

Bian Yue pushed open the door and saw an unnamed memorial tablet placed on a wooden stand; there were no other decorations next to it.

It was positioned there so solo, invisible ribbons of melancholy seemed to emanate from it.

Bian Yue stood in front of the tablet; behind her, Shen Jinci stood in the distance, silently watching this scene.

Bian Yue performed the memorial ceremony in front of the tablet according to the ritual.

She didn’t know beforehand that she was going to pay tribute today, so she didn’t bring any offerings. With a shy apology, she smiled and said, "I didn’t know I was coming to pay tribute to you today, and I don’t have anything to give you. May I give you my hair bow instead?"

As she spoke, Bian Yue unfastened the white bow from her hair and placed it on the table.

She smiled and spoke softly, "My husband told me you knew me and... had some feelings for me. I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, I am very grateful for your feelings. My mother told me that souls are light, and a butterfly’s wings could carry one to any place they desire. I hope you can go wherever you want to."

After finishing her words, Bian Yue took one last look at the tablet, nodded with a smile, then walked towards Shen Jinci.

Shen Jinci stood still, his palm ice cold.

He watched Bian Yue approach him, grasping his hand.

She said with a smile, "I’ve done the tribute. Will you go to pay respects to your brother now?"

Shen Jinci smiled, gazing upon Bian Yue’s face, word by word: "Wait for me, I will be quick."