Chapter 33
Lawyer Zhou had already left.
Shen Yan told him he wanted to stay a bit longer, but he ended up sitting there until nightfall.
The avalanche of information that afternoon was overwhelming; he needed time to process it all.
He realized he had no memories of the original Shen Yan’s mother, not even her name. Perhaps it had never been mentioned in the original story.
Her name was Wen Xin—“gentle warmth,” a name that evoked softness and charm.
Shen Yan imagined her as a serene, graceful woman with a kind demeanor.
Lawyer Zhou had described her as someone who loved reading, especially foreign classics, watching old movies, and enjoying tea. Even when she stayed home, she dressed beautifully, applied delicate makeup, and prepared afternoon tea with care. She was refined, yet simple in her ways.
It was only today that Shen Yan learned Wen Xin had died in a car accident sixteen years ago.
Reportedly, she had been returning home alone late at night, driving along a treacherous mountain road, when her car collided with an oncoming truck. The crash had destroyed the car and claimed her life.
According to Lawyer Zhou, she was already lifeless when found.
The police had conducted an investigation and ruled it an accident.
Ultimately, it was Duan Bowen who identified the body and arranged the funeral. What followed, Shen Yan already knew—stepmother Wang Li moved in, bringing with her a son the same age as the original Shen Yan.
When Shen Yan had read that part of the original story, he had briefly wondered if the death of the original Shen Yan’s mother might not have been an accident.
But since the narrative didn’t delve further into it, he hadn’t given it much thought.
Now, sixteen years later, Wen Xin’s old friend Lawyer Zhou had voiced his doubts.
“So, Uncle Zhou, you suspect that the car accident was deliberate?” Shen Yan asked.
“The car accident itself seems to have been a coincidence. What truly raised my suspicions wasn’t the crash but this.” Lawyer Zhou handed Shen Yan another document folder. “I found this in the apartment she used to stay in when visiting Heyang. After her accident, the apartment was left vacant. I rarely had time to go there. Recently, when Duan Bowen approached me demanding the deeds to the seven buildings, I decided it was time to hand everything over to you. So I hired someone to clean the place, and that’s when I discovered these papers scattered messily on the coffee table, covered in a thick layer of dust.”
A divorce agreement?
Shen Yan opened the folder and pulled out the contents. The first few pages were handwritten—neatly penned divorce papers.
The document briefly outlined post-divorce responsibilities and financial arrangements, emphasizing that the wife was willing to forgo everything as long as she could have custody of their child. The agreement bore Wen Xin’s signature as the wife but left the husband’s signature blank. The date: July 11, 2003.
Shen Yan stared at the simple divorce agreement in a daze before turning the page.
The following pages were a chaotic mix of disjointed notes:
“Next Wednesday is Yan Yan’s birthday. He said he wants to start learning tennis this year. I’ll get him a tennis racket as a gift. I mustn’t forget!!!”
“I think I saw my mother on the street today. She looked so young and beautiful.”
“Should I get my hair done? When was the last time I went?”
The notes seemed to be random thoughts, and Shen Yan couldn’t decipher their significance until he reached the last page.
“I’m definitely sick!
I went to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor said I’ve been taking medications for mental illness for a long time. Overdosing on these drugs can cause severe mental confusion and hallucinations in healthy individuals.
The doctor said I’ve been overdosing for quite some time, but I’ve never taken such medication.
The doctor suggested I stay in the hospital for observation, saying my condition is serious and could lead to an accident. I think so too.
But Duan Bowen has been pressuring me. If I don’t go home tonight, he’ll definitely take it out on Yan Yan.
I’ll wait a few days. After I go home, I’ll return to the hospital for a proper check-up.”
The final entry was dated July 14, 2003—the day Wen Xin died in the car accident, never getting the chance to see her son again.
Shen Yan finally understood what the scattered notes on the previous pages represented.
They were traces of her daily life, her thoughts, and her fears—signs of a woman struggling to hold on in an environment fraught with unseen dangers.
This wasn’t just a random accident. Something far more sinister had been hidden for sixteen years.
Wen Xin must have realized that her memory was becoming disoriented, that she couldn’t distinguish between reality and hallucinations, so she started writing things down to keep track. That way, when she was clear-headed, she could recognize the signs of her mental decline.
Later, Lawyer Zhou told Shen Yan that before Shen Bowen had met Wen Xin, he was already involved with Wang Li. They had been in a relationship for years, and both families were preparing for their marriage. But then, by chance, Shen Bowen met Wen Xin.
He was drawn to her youth, beauty, and wealth, so he began courting her.
At that time, Shen Bowen presented himself as a hardworking, pragmatic, and honest man. Wen Xin believed him, and they married. She even used her own money to support his business ventures.
Shen Bowen tried his hand at entrepreneurship multiple times, but each time ended in failure, nearly bankrupting Wen Xin’s family. It wasn’t until later that he achieved modest success.
During the early years, when he relied heavily on Wen Xin, he treated her with utmost deference. But secretly, he never cut ties with Wang Li. This was probably why Shen Jiaqi was the same age as the original Shen Yan.
Eventually, Shen Bowen probably realized that he had drained all of Wen Xin’s wealth and was no longer as dependent on her. He started treating her differently.
Wen Xin must have discovered the truth eventually, which led her to consider divorce.
However, Shen Bowen would never agree to that. A divorce would mean Wen Xin could claim half of the assets—assets that, while originally hers, had already been seized by him and Wang Li. He wouldn’t let go of a single penny.
In their eyes, it was better for her to “die” than to divorce. That way, everything would be settled.
So they drugged Wen Xin.
The car accident that night might have been an accident, but who knows if Wen Xin experienced hallucinations at the time? Even if not, from the last message she left, it was clear that Shen Bowen had been using Shen Yan to threaten her.
Perhaps after Wen Xin uncovered the truth and brought up divorce, Shen Bowen began using that threat.
He didn’t want the divorce but was afraid Wen Xin would directly file for it. After all, she had a friend like Lawyer Zhou. He knew exactly where her weak spot was—her son. Using Shen Yan as leverage, he could coerce her into staying.
That’s why Wen Xin, despite knowing she needed hospitalization, rushed back that night.
What if she had stayed in Heyang that night? Would she have survived?
She had already realized something was wrong with her mind, so she would have been more cautious.
So, that night, she should have stayed away.
But for her son…
Shen Yan rubbed his temples forcefully, feeling his eyes growing sore.
He recalled his encounter with Shen Bowen earlier that afternoon. He had been so polite. Now, Shen Yan’s regret was suffocating.
Scum!
Although all of this was mere conjecture, he and Lawyer Zhou shared the same perspective, and their deductions were likely right.
That meant Shen Bowen was a murderer!
Lawyer Zhou had promised to keep investigating, and he was certain they would find evidence. Shen Yan should be careful, as Shen Bowen was a man who would do anything for money.
When Shen Yan left the teahouse, it was already past eight.
The place wasn’t too far from his home, but he felt mentally drained and wanted some fresh air. So, he took his time walking back.
Earlier that afternoon, he had considered just walking away.
Why should he get involved with all of this? It wasn’t his problem. He must have been out of his mind to care.
But now…
By the time he returned home, it was almost nine.
He couldn’t explain why he felt so exhausted. The moment he entered, he collapsed onto the sofa, completely drained and unwilling to move.
Closing his eyes, his mind was flooded with images of Wen Xin’s handwriting—how she had written that she would give up everything for custody of her child, how she had reminded herself to buy him a tennis racket…
Gradually, an image of a gentle, tender woman began to take shape in his mind. She smiled at him, speaking softly.
Shen Yan quickly jumped to his feet and rushed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face.
But his eyes still burned with a sharp, aching sensation.
He wasn’t the original Shen Yan, but at that moment, it felt like all the suppressed sadness of the afternoon was threatening to overwhelm him.
Knock knock knock!
Someone was at the door.
He ignored it.
Who could be looking for him at this time? Must have knocked on the wrong door.
Then his phone rang—it was Su Yunzhe’s name.
Shen Yan glanced at the door instinctively. Su Yunzhe?
Almost instinctively, he rushed over and reached for the door handle, only to suddenly remember he was wearing a wig and men’s clothing.
He quickly withdrew his hand and answered the phone, trying to keep his voice steady, “Mr. Su, did you need something?”
“You’re not home?” Su Yunzhe asked.
Shen Yan looked at the door and thought, As expected, he must have seen the lights on downstairs. How could he lie and say I’m not home?
But more than that, he didn’t want to lie. He didn’t want to be alone right now.
“Yes, I’m here. But I’m not really in a good place at the moment. Could you wait outside for a bit?” he said softly.
“Sure,” Su Yunzhe agreed.
Shen Yan quickly ended the call, rushed to the bedroom to remove his wig, and hid it under the bed. He changed clothes, took a few deep breaths to steady himself, and only after he felt calm did he walk over and open the door.
Su Yunzhe was standing outside, holding a bag.
Shen Yan let him in and asked, “What’s that?”
Su Yunzhe waved the bag in front of him. “I brought you some freshly made jianbing guozi (Chinese pancake rolls) from the corner shop. They’re still hot. Want some?”
Shen Yan realized he hadn’t eaten dinner yet.
Originally, he had no appetite and hadn’t planned to eat, but now, seeing the hot jianbing guozi, he suddenly felt hungry. He smiled at Su Yunzhe and nodded, “Yes, I haven’t had dinner. I’m starving now.”
Su Yunzhe handed him the bag and started changing his shoes at the entrance. “Why didn’t you have dinner?”
“Trying to lose weight,” Shen Yan casually replied as he grabbed the bag and ran to sit at the table, ready to eat.
Su Yunzhe had not only bought the jianbing guozi, but also some other snacks that Shen Yan usually bought when passing by. They were all things he liked, which hit the spot.
After changing his shoes, Su Yunzhe walked over and sat down across from him. “Aren’t you the type who can eat whatever you want without gaining weight? Why bother dieting?”
Shen Yan froze for a moment, then gave a wry smile. “Actually, I’m just lazy and want to skip a meal if I can. By the way, what brings you here, Mr. Su?”
“Just passing by,” Su Yunzhe replied smoothly, not a hint of hesitation as he lied.
Shen Yan glanced at him and replied, “Lucky for me! Otherwise, I’d have to starve until morning.”
And be alone, possibly ending up crying for no reason.
But at least, now that he was eating, with someone talking to him, he felt less miserable.
However, in Su Yunzhe’s eyes, things weren’t so simple.
He had already sensed that something was off with Shen Yan during lunch. Shen Yan had been unwilling to talk, and Su Yunzhe didn’t press him, but his worry had grown. So, after his work was done in the evening, he came over.
To his surprise, Shen Yan looked even worse than he had earlier in the day.
Though Shen Yan was trying hard to smile at him, that expression was more worrying than no smile at all.
“I’m so full!” Shen Yan finally finished the jianbing guozi, his face lighting up with satisfaction. “Thank you, Mr. Su. You’ve really come through for me. I was feeling so…”
Before he could finish, Su Yunzhe stood up, walked around the table, and sat down beside him, his deep eyes filled with concern and care that seemed about to spill over. “What happened? If something’s wrong, you can talk to me.”
Su Yunzhe had wanted to ask as soon as he entered, but he had hesitated when he saw Shen Yan still had the appetite to eat. He didn’t want to interrupt.
But now, he couldn’t hold back anymore. He couldn’t stand watching Shen Yan force a smile.
Shen Yan’s pent-up sadness and anger had been slightly alleviated by Su Yunzhe’s presence, but now, Su Yunzhe seemed to be adding fuel to the fire.
“Su Yunzhe…” Shen Yan looked at him, his voice shaky. “Can I borrow your shoulder for a moment?”
Su Yunzhe froze, and before he could respond, Shen Yan leaned into him, pressing his forehead against his shoulder. Warm, salty tears fell from his eyes, which had been aching the entire night, and his voice was thick with emotion. “I heard something today… My mother’s death wasn’t an accident… it was murder!”
