Chapter 65
Bang!
The teacup in Shen Bowen’s hand crashed to the ground, hot water splashing onto his pants.
His voice trembled with rage. “What… What did you say? Failed? That… woman ran away? You bastards took so much of my money and couldn’t even kill a woman in her fifties? I don’t want my money back—just kill her, you bastards…”
He raged like a mad dog, yelling into the phone, but the person on the other end simply hung up after a brief, cold response.
Shen Bowen, his face pale as death, slumped into the chair.
How could this be? Wu Ying was just an old woman. He had hired underworld thugs and arranged a meeting in such a remote place, yet they had failed.
How could this happen?
“What’s wrong?”
Wang Li, hearing the commotion, pushed open the door and found Shen Bowen trembling on the couch.
She quickly realized what had happened and immediately ran to find her son for advice.
Now, the family’s pillar had become Shen Jiaqi.
After hearing the situation, Shen Jiaqi’s expression didn’t change. “Just find someone else to do it. Even if she knows you want to kill her, she won’t necessarily contact Shen Yan right away to testify. If she testifies, she’ll be jailed too. So, unless it’s absolutely necessary, she probably won’t take that step. For now, she’ll likely just go into hiding. Just pay someone to find her and finish the job, and it’ll be over.”
Wang Li quickly ran back to the study to discuss things with Shen Bowen.
After she left, Shen Jiaqi flipped over the phone on the desk. On the screen was news about Duan Yang.
The holding company under Duan Yang’s name had been sealed, and all his properties, cars, and bank accounts had been frozen. The illegal fundraising case had already been submitted to court, awaiting trial.
There were rumors that Duan Yang had made a scene at the Duan family’s old residence to pressure Duan Songtao into helping him. This had caused Duan Songtao to end up in the hospital. Some people had seen Duan Yang near the hospital, speculating that he still hadn’t given up.
Public opinion about Duan Yang was already at rock bottom, with some internet users suggesting he shouldn’t be jailed at all, but simply shot—much more environmentally friendly.
But that didn’t stop Duan Yang from not giving up.
Just as Shen Jiaqi was reading the article, his phone rang. It was Duan Yang.
Shen Jiaqi stared at the number for a long time before hanging up, a cold smile curling on his lips.
Duan Yang, now that you’re at your wits’ end, you remember me? When you kicked me to the curb just to chase Shen Yan, did you ever think this day would come?
Did you think I was just a dog to be called and dismissed at your whim?
Hmph!
On the other end of the line, Duan Yang stared at the phone in disbelief.
This was the third time.
The first two times he didn’t answer, thinking Shen Jiaqi hadn’t heard. But this time, he had hung up.
Shen Jiaqi had actually hung up on him!
They had been together for nearly five years, and Shen Jiaqi had never dared to hang up on him before.
Heh… Heh…
So, it turns out Shen Jiaqi was just a selfish opportunist, using him for his money. Now that he had fallen from grace, Shen Jiaqi was distancing himself, probably because he was afraid Duan Yang would ask for a loan.
Tch!
With the meager assets of the Shen family, even if they all belonged to him, it wouldn’t be enough to make him want to borrow money. What a joke!
He just… just wanted someone by his side.
And now, Shen Jiaqi had abandoned him in this critical moment. That was simply unforgivable.
At this point, Duan Yang had completely forgotten how he had treated Shen Jiaqi when he was pursuing Shen Yan and trying to spite Su Yunzhe.
When Shen Bowen received the news that Wu Ying had survived, Shen Yan also received the same information and learned that Wu Ying had agreed to testify.
This was because Wu Ying had almost died in the wilderness.
Although Wu Ying was somewhat lazy and greedy, nearly losing her life had genuinely frightened her.
The people who had saved her used both soft and hard tactics to scare her into realizing that her only options were either to testify and send Shen Bowen and Wang Li to prison or risk being killed by the Shen family.
She didn’t want to go to prison, but she feared death even more.
Additionally, her rescuers promised her a large sum of money once she was released from jail. Weighing the pros and cons, she quickly agreed.
With Wu Ying’s agreement to testify, everything became easier.
On the lawyer’s side, Su Yunzhe had been in constant communication. He was much more persuasive than Wu Ying’s saviors—he understood things like his son’s future, which Wu Ying cared about. So, after hearing that Wu Ying would testify, he also gave his approval.
With the two key witnesses in place, Lawyer Zhou had already gathered all the necessary evidence, and everything was ready.
The next day, Shen Yan filed a lawsuit with the court as the victim’s son, accusing Shen Bowen and Wang Li of attempted murder.
When the court summons arrived at the Shen family’s house, Shen Bowen lost his balance and collapsed onto the floor. Wang Li also crumpled, mumbling, “This can’t be, this can’t be. Am I… really going to prison?”
Even Shen Jiaqi, who had been indifferent and cold recently, was stunned.
He naturally didn’t know that Wu Ying had been rescued on the same day they tried to kill her and had already been safely brought to H City that night, settled with no risks.
Thanks to Lawyer Zhou’s connections, the case quickly went to trial. With both the witnesses and material evidence in place, even if Shen Bowen denied everything and Wang Li threw a tantrum in court, they couldn’t escape.
Moreover, Lawyer Zhou was determined to make sure they received a heavy sentence by charging them with attempted murder. This charge alone could lead to a sentence as severe as a murder conviction. Coupled with the tragic death of Wen Xin, even though it couldn’t be directly proven that the drugs were responsible, the judge and jury would be inclined to side with the plaintiff given the long history of Shen Bowen and Wang Li’s mistreatment of Shen Yan. In the end, both Shen Bowen and Wang Li were sentenced to ten years in prison.
A month later, the case was settled. On that rainy day, Shen Yan walked out of the courthouse, holding an umbrella as he stood on the steps, watching as Shen Bowen and Wang Li, handcuffed, were escorted to the car by the law enforcement officers. His heart swelled with a sense of satisfaction.
Good and evil will eventually be repaid. These two had never considered that their efforts to succeed would involve stealing from others, taking people’s properties, and trying to destroy lives. It was unbelievable that they had lived until today, but they had. They truly got away with too much.
“Flowers are bought. Shall we go visit your mother-in-law?” Su Yunzhe walked over and took his hand.
Shen Yan nodded. “Sure. I think… I haven’t visited her yet.”
So, the two of them, after saying goodbye to Lawyer Zhou, got into the car and drove to the Xishan Cemetery.
When they arrived, the rain had stopped, and the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a soft, warm light.
Shen Yan, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, followed the directions from the cemetery staff and found Wen Xin’s gravestone in the middle.
It seemed like it had been a long time since anyone had visited her. The gravestone was somewhat worn, and the photo was dirty.
Shen Yan took out a tissue and gently wiped the photo clean, then softly stroked the worn parts of the gravestone. “Mom, I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you in so long. You’re not mad at me, right? I have some good news to share with you…”
He paused.
He had wanted to tell her about Shen Bowen and Wang Li being sent to prison. Although he knew Wen Xin couldn’t hear him, sometimes it felt better to believe that she could, to let her know that those who had wronged her had finally received their punishment.
But suddenly, he felt it wasn’t necessary.
If Wen Xin really had a spirit, what she would probably care about most was how her only child was doing.
So, he changed his mind. He stepped back and took Su Yunzhe’s hand, their fingers interlocking. Smiling, he said, “I got married. Let me introduce you to my husband, Su Yunzhe. I’m pregnant too, and when the baby is born, I’ll bring them to meet you. Mom, I’m really happy. Thank you!”
Su Yunzhe tightly gripped his hand, looking at the woman on the gravestone. He spoke solemnly, “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Yan Yan.”
When they left the cemetery, the sky had cleared completely. The rain-washed sky was a brilliant blue. Shen Yan leaned against the car window, gazing at the sky, feeling incredibly light and happy.
He had finally done something meaningful, for the sake of the mother in this world.
It felt so good!
Feeling good, he ate a lot at dinner that evening. Qin Mofeng, who had come to mooch food, teased him that he was eating enough for three people.
After eating and drinking to his heart’s content, Shen Yan lounged on the couch, not wanting to move. He absentmindedly responded, “Ah, Ling Ge just called me. He wants to meet me tomorrow for dinner.”
Qin Mofeng immediately deflated, casting a resentful look at him, which made Shen Yan laugh out loud.
Qin Mofeng had resigned from his job to go find work in Ling Sichen’s hometown, planning to become a rural teacher and wait things out.
But then, Ling Sichen had stayed in H City.
Qin Mofeng had to slink back in embarrassment, but what was the point? Ling Sichen didn’t care about him normally, and now he was busy taking care of Duan Songtao and dealing with the Duan family’s affairs. He certainly didn’t have time for him.
Since returning, he hadn’t even seen Ling Sichen once.
However, Ling Sichen wasn’t truly unavailable—he called Shen Yan often, and sometimes they would meet. The truth was, he simply didn’t want to see Qin Mofeng.
So, whenever Qin Mofeng heard Shen Yan mention Ling Sichen, he became filled with grievances and jealousy.
“Stop acting like a jilted lover. Ling Ge really is busy. After Duan Shi was handed over to him, he hired a professional manager, but he still has to understand the basic operations and get familiar with the people. He’s never done this before, so he has to learn step by step. He contacted me because he knew I’ve been busy with my mom’s case. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered with me. Alright, I’m tired, going to bed now. You guys talk.”
Shen Yan had been to court a lot recently, and today, with everything settled, he was happy but also needed some rest. After saying a few words, he waved and went upstairs.
Qin Mofeng didn’t feel comforted by Shen Yan’s words. He still sulked on the couch.
Su Yunzhe kicked him lightly, irritated, “I’m newly married, can’t you show some awareness? Go home!”
Qin Mofeng remained still, sighing dramatically, “You’re really heartless. Am I not your best brother anymore?”
“A brother can’t keep me from spending time with my wife.”
“You only know how to be with your wife. I haven’t even seen my ‘wife’s’ shadow! Old Su, seriously, I’m a bit hopeless. Apart from that one night on New Year’s Eve, when I got drenched outside his door and was kicked out, I haven’t seen him in months. I say… I can’t sleep at night thinking about him. Do you think I’m pathetic?”
Su Yunzhe rubbed his forehead and chuckled. He really couldn’t make fun of Qin Mofeng for being pathetic, considering he had been just the same when Shen Yan had run away.
Well, seeing as they were in the same boat, he might as well give him a little help.
“Duan Shi is looking for a professional manager, but they haven’t found the right candidate yet.” He then kicked Qin Mofeng again. “Can you go now?” After saying that, he didn’t wait for a response and went upstairs to be with his wife.
Qin Mofeng froze for a moment, then suddenly jumped up, shouting, “Old Su, you really are a good brother! I love you!” He quickly rushed out.
