Chapter 42

Because of this coincidence, Shen Yan moved into Ling Sicheng’s house.

Ling Sicheng’s family only consisted of his grandfather and grandmother. Although they were elderly, they were both in good health and very hospitable. The neighbors were also friendly and easy to get along with. At first, they were curious about Shen Yan, but once they got to know him, they became very warm and often brought him something delicious to try.

Shen Yan had been living here for a month and felt particularly at ease. He was a very homebody person, and he tried to stay indoors whenever possible. Here, he liked to wander around the village for no particular reason. The environment was very nice as well, with a mountain behind the village that was only about two hundred meters high, nameless and simply referred to by the locals as “Wild Mountain.”

The mountain was full of wild flowers, plants, and birds, and there was a mountain spring that flowed out from a crack in the rocks, winding into a creek. The locals treated it as natural spring water. Shen Yan had tried it—it was sweet and refreshing.

Not far from the village was a large lake, with a wetland park that encircled the lake. The park had different sceneries in every season, and there were also many unique rural inns around. On weekends and holidays, many people from the city came here to visit.

Shen Yan liked to take walks by the lake in the evening, enjoying the breeze. Sometimes, he would even see returning fishing boats, or he would ride a bike around the area. Occasionally, he would run into Ling Sicheng after work, and they would ride further, staying out until dark before heading back.

Ling Sicheng worked at a tutoring center in the town, providing one-on-one tutoring for graduation-year students. His job was much less stressful now, no longer requiring him to work late into the night every day.

On many occasions, Shen Yan almost wanted to tell him that Qin Mofeng had already realized his mistakes and regretted them. He had also become aware of his feelings. But in the end, he held back. He thought it was a matter between Ling Sicheng and Qin Mofeng, and that others should not interfere.

After Shen Yan had lived at Ling Sicheng’s for two months, he signed a publishing contract. His book had performed well, especially the sales after it was available on V (a popular online platform). With several TV dramas on similar themes becoming hits recently, the publisher wanted to capitalize on the trend and planned to publish the parts Shen Yan had already written.

He had also kept in touch with Lawyer Zhou, trying to find evidence that Shen Bowen was responsible for Wen Xin’s death sixteen years ago. But investigating something that happened so long ago proved difficult. Fortunately, Lawyer Zhou had a wide network, and there were some promising leads.

However, finding concrete evidence to convict someone wasn’t easy.

He had initially asked Lawyer Zhou to draft a divorce agreement, hoping to reach out to Duan Yang to see if he would be more willing to divorce now. But that was no longer necessary. Duan Yang would rather leave the entertainment industry than divorce him. Now, with his career in turmoil and out of work, he certainly wouldn’t let go of any possible lifeline, even if it was something as useless as Shen Yan.

So, the divorce agreement was kept hidden away.

He decided it was better to just wait for two years and not complicate things.

Duan Yang was now in a constant state of anger. Everyone around him was subjected to his harsh words and insults. Even Yu Lin was considering resigning.

Although Duan Yang paid well, no amount of money could make up for the lack of respect.

Duan Yang had always been quick-tempered, but now that he had no work, he was on edge every day.

Who could stand it?

Just as Yu Lin was seriously considering resigning, he received a phone call. After hanging up, he felt even more like quitting.

But sticking to his principle of doing his job no matter what, he mustered the courage to go find Duan Yang.

Duan Yang was drinking. Lately, he had taken to drinking alone during the day.

Yu Lin stood by the door, hesitating, but in the end, he didn’t approach.

“Yang Ge, I got a message… the old man… seems to be looking for Ling Sicheng,” Yu Lin said.

Silence.

Duan Yang remained silent.

Yu Lin’s heart skipped a beat, feeling like the calm before the storm.

Sure enough, a moment later, Duan Yang suddenly threw the wine decanter and the corkscrew at Yu Lin’s feet, spilling red wine all over the expensive handmade carpet.

“Damn! He’s still looking for him? I don’t fucking get it. Does he think everyone is better than me? Shen Yan is, Ling Sicheng is, am I not his grandson? Fine, let him look for him. He can just pretend I don’t exist!”

Huh?

Is he really done with it? Has he let go?

Yu Lin was puzzled, but saw that after Duan Yang’s outburst, he grabbed his coat and left.

Yu Lin could only resign himself to following him, as he still hadn’t resigned.

They drove to the Duan family villa.

Yu Lin had figured it out: Duan Yang was just all talk. Wasn’t he trying to win over the old man right now?

When they arrived at the villa gate, they happened to catch Su Yunzhe’s car coming out. Since they were all in their cars, there wasn’t much formality. Su Yunzhe just nodded at them through the window before driving off.

Duan Yang kept his cool in front of Su Yunzhe, but as soon as Su Yunzhe drove away, his face immediately darkened. “It seems like he’s been visiting Grandpa a lot lately.”

Yu Lin was confused. “Really? He used to come visit the old man occasionally too.”

Duan Yang snorted. “Does he ever plan to look for Shen Yan?”

Yu Lin shook his head. “I’m not sure about that. But since Shen Yan went missing, he’s been acting pretty normal. He doesn’t seem angry or heartbroken. Maybe he and Shen Yan were just messing around? Otherwise, how could they have lived together for so long without realizing Shen Yan was a man?”

Duan Yang shot him a glance, his tone sharp. “Are you blind? Su Yunzhe’s gaze was so obvious. You seriously think it was just a joke?”

Yu Lin stopped speaking. Lately, Duan Yang had been like this, impossible to communicate with.

On the other side, right after leaving the Duan family, Su Yunzhe received a call from Qin Mofeng.

“Hey, where are you? Why aren’t you at home on this fine weekend? Don’t tell me you’re hiding in some corner crying. That Yan girl has been gone for two months, it’s about time you moved on. Look at you, you’re so stubborn. You still need me to help you get over it. Same place, let’s have a drink. I’ll tell you the ways of life. Stop obsessing over love and all that. There’s so much more to life waiting for you.”

After all the rambling, Su Yunzhe simply replied with an “Okay” and hung up the phone.

He then drove to the Red Leaf Club, the place Qin Mofeng mentioned.

Qin Mofeng, who always had a silver tongue, met Su Yunzhe and started drinking while speaking, adopting a “I’ve seen through everything” kind of tone to give him life advice.

Su Yunzhe slowly sipped his drink, ignoring his words. During the pauses between Qin Mofeng’s ramblings, Su Yunzhe casually dropped a bombshell: “I know where Ling Sichen is.”

Qin Mofeng, who was ready to keep lecturing, froze. After a long pause, he swallowed the wine in his mouth, scooted closer to Su Yunzhe, and put his arm around his shoulder, grinning like a sycophant. “Old Su, I always said you’re my best bro. You’re still looking out for me, huh? Good bro! So… where is he?”

Gone was the wise, detached persona he’d been trying to put on, now replaced with a desperate and servile demeanor.

Su Yunzhe shook off his arm, casting him a half-smile. “What are you thinking? Aren’t you all about your career now? Didn’t you swear to send all your classmates to top schools before you’re satisfied? You don’t have time for love and all that. Go back and prep your lessons.”

“Old Su, I was wrong! I was just pretending to be tough, like a stubborn old mule. Don’t mind me, don’t mind me. You’ve found him already, so why are you still keeping me in suspense? Tell me already! I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, find that Yan girl for you. It’s absolutely not fair for me to be here with a wife and kids while you’re alone, eating dry bread and soup. I swear!”

Qin Mofeng, shameless as always, had no qualms about asking for a favor after all these years of knowing Su Yunzhe. He had no shame left when it came to Su Yunzhe, and Su Yunzhe could see right through him. It was clear Qin Mofeng was a little too eager, especially since this was about Ling Sichen’s whereabouts.

Su Yunzhe looked at him with disdain. “You want to do that? I wouldn’t let you. I’m not looking for him for you. It’s Grandpa Duan who needs him.”

Qin Mofeng blinked in surprise. “Oh? Then… what’s up? Why do you suddenly dislike Duan Yang?”

Su Yunzhe innocently shrugged. “I’ve always disliked him. Just didn’t bother with it before. But recently… I’ve got time.”

Qin Mofeng stared at him for a while, but couldn’t read anything on Su Yunzhe’s face, so he decided to let it go.

Su Yunzhe wasn’t the type to let things slide if it meant he’d lose out. He was playing his own game.

For Qin Mofeng, the important thing right now was to find Ling Sichen.

“Old Su…” Qin Mofeng suddenly grabbed Su Yunzhe’s arm.

Su Yunzhe shoved him away, but Qin Mofeng tightened his grip, not letting go, acting like a spoiled wife. “Old Su, you can’t do this to me. You left me for that Yan girl, but can’t you let me pursue my own happiness? Tell me, where is our Sichen? If you don’t tell me, I’ll kill myself right here!”

Su Yunzhe was repulsed by him. He yanked his arm free, moving aside just before Qin Mofeng could hug him again. Finally, he casually mentioned a place: Ling Sichen’s hometown.

Qin Mofeng leaped up like he’d discovered treasure, ready to leave immediately. But Su Yunzhe coldly added, “What’s the rush? He probably only hates you now.”

Qin Mofeng deflated instantly, slumping back down to his seat and lighting a cigarette.

Su Yunzhe wasn’t trying to irritate him; he was simply reminding him.

Two months wasn’t a long time, but it wasn’t short either. Although Qin Mofeng regretted and felt guilty, his longing was stronger, which made him forget that he never had an emotional connection with Ling Sichen. And that Ling Sichen had left because, in a way, he had pushed him away.

If he ignored that fact and rushed off in his passion, he’d only end up being doused in cold water.

Qin Mofeng silently finished his cigarette, then stood up. “Old Su, I’m off. I need to figure out how to ask for his forgiveness. I’ve got to go, I can’t stand myself for what I did. Damn it!”

So, Qin Mofeng did not go looking for Ling Sichen for the time being.

However, Ling Sichen still had visitors from H City—Secretary Zhang, who worked for Duan Songtao.

Ling Sichen wasn’t unfamiliar with him, as Duan Songtao had always sent this man to contact him and arrange meetings.

Ling Sichen usually declined these invitations, except for the time when Duan Songtao had a heart attack and was hospitalized. On that occasion, he went to visit him once.

After that, Duan Yang had been causing trouble for him in various ways.

No matter what Ling Sichen said, Duan Yang treated him like a thorn in his side.

Eventually, Ling Sichen got tired of the hassle. With his busy work schedule, whenever the old man tried to reach him, he started avoiding him.

In truth, he hadn’t wanted anything to do with the Duan family, but he didn’t expect that Duan Songtao’s people would track him down here.

“Chen…”

“Secretary Zhang, I’ve told you many times already, I have nothing to do with the Duan family. Can you please stop coming to find me?” Ling Sichen’s tone remained polite and respectful, as always. He was always cordial with everyone, especially elders like Secretary Zhang, and had always spoken to him courteously in the past.

But things were different now. Shen Yan was at his place. If Secretary Zhang saw him and went back to blab about it, it would cause trouble.

So, Ling Sichen was eager to send him away.

Luckily, Shen Yan had been called next door by Old Master Zhou to help with fetching water, or they might have run into each other.

“Young Master Chen, about the things from back then…”

“It’s all in the past!” Ling Sichen quickly interrupted. “Please tell him to forget about it. It wasn’t his fault in the first place, no need for him to take the blame. Secretary Zhang, I’m sorry, my grandparents are old and easily disturbed, so I can’t keep you any longer. Please, take care on your way out!”

Ling Sichen, seeing that Shen Yan would likely be back soon, invoked his grandparents to escort Secretary Zhang out, and Zhang didn’t dare to linger. He took his leave.

As soon as Secretary Zhang left, Shen Yan entered, carrying freshly roasted peanuts from Old Master Zhou, munching as he came in.

“Brother Ling, here…”

Ling Sichen took the peanuts from him and set them aside, then pulled him upstairs. He got straight to the point. “You can’t stay here anymore. The Duan family is looking for me.”

Shen Yan was shocked. “Huh? Duan Yang?”

Ling Sichen replied, “No, they’re looking for me, not you. But they know you, right?”

Shen Yan nodded. “I think so. But…” He glanced at Ling Sichen, and the question he’d been curious about for a while finally slipped out. “What’s your relationship with the Duan family? Last time, Duan Yang was causing trouble for you.”

 

<Previous.........................Next>