CHAPTER 291: CHAPTER 291: CRYSTAL COFFIN (4)_1

He inadvertently appeared before Wanyou, then gradually created opportunities, letting her slowly fall for his charms. He even drove her to the point of eventually turning against Shen Yuan, making the old man face the loss of his only granddaughter. He accomplished everything he set out to do.

From the moment Shen Cheng appeared before Wanyou, he perfectly played the type of man she found attractive. He acted with remarkable conviction, ensnaring her deeply within the dream he wove, all while being covertly aided by Wanqian.

She succumbed bit by bit, sinking deeper and deeper. She loved him to her core. And at the time of her infatuation, wasn’t he, too, falling for her? But the blood feud spanning three generations stood in the way. Recalling the horrific sight of his parents jumping to their deaths before his very eyes, his softening heart hardened once more.

Using Wanyou, Shen Cheng successfully infiltrated the Nong Family, gradually acquiring a majority of the shares. Shen Yuan knew Shen Cheng’s intention in approaching Wanyou and was also aware that Wanqian was not a member of the Shen Family. However, he remained silent, watching Wanyou desperately yearn for a sense of kinship.

By the time Shen Yuan decided to speak up, Wanyou was already deeply in love with Shen Cheng. Regardless of what Shen Yuan said, Wanyou refused to believe him. Such is the sorrow of a woman, fresh out of school and ensnared by love.

At that time, love had clouded Wanyou’s judgment. Within a mere six months, she married Shen Cheng and successfully brought him into the company.

Once Shen Cheng joined the company, he immediately began to scheme. The poison he administered gradually took a toll on Wanyou’s body. Shen Cheng knew Wanyou was his cousin. But for the sake of revenge, he hardened his heart and married her. Yet, Shen Cheng retained a shred of humanity by ensuring Wanyou did not conceive—an abhorrent, bone-chilling tactic.

In the hospital, at the company, and even within their home, everyone was under Shen Cheng and Wanqian’s influence. Wanyou’s body grew progressively weaker, and she eventually relinquished all control of the company’s affairs to Shen Cheng.

As for visiting the Shen Family estate, Wanyou rarely went back due to repeated arguments with Shen Yuan. She was at odds with him, and he, in turn, harbored similar resentment towards her.

Before bed, she would drink a glass of milk, unknowingly tainted. In fact, everything she ate or drank was secretly drugged. Once Wanyou fell asleep, Shen Cheng and Wanqian would brazenly carry on their affair right in front of her.

Then came the incident on the yacht. Shen Qian could wait no longer. Seeing Shen Cheng’s hesitation, she orchestrated a setup for Wanyou. Shen Qian started a fire, forcing Wanyou into a compromising situation with another man, ensuring Shen Cheng would catch them in the act. Afterwards, for a business deal worth hundreds of millions, Shen Cheng sent Wanyou into another man’s bed.

After being viciously beaten by Wanqian that day, the poison within Wanyou took full effect. Even before the legendary "Third Young Master" could appear, Wanyou had already fallen gravely ill.

Later, Shen Cheng and Wanqian continued their affair in secret. They also spread damaging rumors about Wanqian, claiming she had embezzled funds, fled, and ultimately perished in a fire on the yacht. Meanwhile, Shen Yuan was preparing to take action against Shen Cheng. He had already made arrangements and was merely waiting for the right moment to give the command. Everything was in place to bring Shen Cheng down and settle matters once and for all. However, Shen Yuan then witnessed certain events and was intentionally provoked by Shen Cheng.

Upon hearing that Shen Cheng was Shen Po’s grandson and that he was supposedly avenging his grandfather by reclaiming what was rightfully his, Shen Yuan suffered a fatal heart attack on the spot. He died, effectively at the hands of Shen Cheng and Wanqian.

Shen Po had witnessed Shen Cheng’s impassioned declarations on television and online. By the time he found Shen Cheng and understood the catastrophe he needed to prevent, it was already too late. Everything had transpired; it was all irreversible.

Shen Po watched helplessly as Shen Yuan died before his very eyes, his own eyes wide open in an unseeing stare, an eternal, silent accusation. This accusation was leveled against Shen Po. Though Shen Po had no true blood ties to the Shen Family, it was because of Shen Cheng that the family was now shattered and its lineage severed.

In the void, Shangguan You listened as Shen Po and Shen Cheng recounted these events, tears streaming unceasingly down her face. Shen Cheng and Wanqian had mercilessly driven her grandfather to his death, leaving him unable to rest in peace. Shen Cheng must die! Wanqian must die! And Shen Po... he too deserves death!

The grudges of one generation, avenged by the next. Is this the "enemy" Shen Cheng spoke of? A woman who schemed her way to the position of Shen Family matriarch—does such a person even deserve to be considered part of the Shen Family?

Does Shen Cheng even deserve the surname Shen? Shangguan You’s hands clenched into tight fists. She forced herself to remain calm, her lips pressed so firmly together they were a pale, bloodless line.

"I am very curious. That foolish woman you poisoned and schemed against—did she die in the end? And where did that Crystal Coffin come from?"

An aged voice suddenly broke the tense atmosphere in the room, causing Zhuge Yang and the others to stiffen. They heard the voice but saw no one. Could he truly be hidden underground? they wondered. Still, the fact that he had finally spoken was a positive sign. Shangguan You suppressed the stabbing pain in her heart. She began to speak, each word deliberate, I am that foolish woman, the most gullible, idiotic woman in the entire world.

"Shen Po, please continue," Zhuge Yang urged, a slight lift to his brow. "It seems His Lordship in the shadows isn’t the only one interested. I, too, am quite curious."

"It seems there truly are fools in this world willing to sacrifice a lifetime for love. Shen Cheng, you should consider yourself fortunate. You had a woman who was willing to love you unconditionally, to trust you without a single doubt."

"That’s right, Chengcheng. Where else would you find such a woman? I’ve told you countless times: I am not a member of the Shen Family, and the Shen Family are not our enemies. Whether you believe it or not, that is the unalterable truth."

Shen Po sighed deeply. He gazed at the Crystal Coffin before him, his thoughts drifting to the couple from a few months prior. He couldn’t help but shake his head. Chengcheng, you will regret this one day.

"No matter what you say, I refuse to believe it!" Shen Cheng cried out, losing control. "I am Shen Cheng! I bear the Shen surname! Everything I am doing now is simply to reclaim what is rightfully mine! Wanyou was foolish, naive, and trusted me unconditionally—all of her own accord! She has only herself to blame for her current predicament! Everything I’ve done has been for revenge, for my deceased parents! I am not wrong! The Shen Family is wrong! They stole everything that belonged to us!"

Recalling Wanyou’s radiant smile, the sweet way she used to call his name while nestled in his arms, Shen Cheng’s heart clenched with an inexplicable, sharp pain. These self-deceiving justifications could only convince himself. But Shen Po had arrived too late. By then, everything had already transpired. Nothing could be undone.