Chapter 6
It was said that the thug “Shen Jiyun” was dead.
Having offended the influential son of the Overseas International School, Wang Chaolin, Shen Jiyun was retaliated against, stabbed multiple times, and his body was abandoned on a street corner.
When “Shen Yuzhe,” the “younger brother,” arrived at the scene, it was already surrounded by layers of people, and he broke through the crowd and police line to identify the body. Not even the police could stop him.
After confirming the identity, “Shen Yuzhe” knelt down with his “brother’s” corpse and wailed in grief, tearing his heart apart. Those who heard were filled with heartache.
The prime suspect, Wang Chaolin, was taken away by the police from the school for investigation. His crying at being taken away was even more heart-wrenching than “Shen Yuzhe’s.” He sobbed, “I didn’t do it, I didn’t do it, I want to find my dad…”
But no one had sympathy, and no one believed him.
Not too long ago, Wang Chaolin had publicly chopped off another thug’s arm, and that incident was still fresh in everyone’s memory.
“Is there no law left? He dares to kill now! Just because he has power, he thinks he can take lives recklessly? Look at the child who died, so young, it’s so pitiful…”
“That’s right! Who exactly is this surname Wang’s father? Dig up his information, and let’s see if this brat will still dare to act recklessly with his father’s influence!”
…
Even his classmates watched the scene from the sidelines, observing without taking action. It appeared that this person’s notorious reputation had spread far and wide, and every onlooker was filled with righteous anger.
On that day, Shen Jiyun received an unfamiliar call.
“Is this Shen Yuzhe’s younger brother?”
Shen Jiyun was taken aback, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Who’s this?”
“I’m He Minghao, his friend, um, also his future classmate… Here’s the thing, your brother sent me a text three days ago, asking me to call and tell you that if he hasn’t returned home yet, don’t wait for him. He wants you to focus on your studies.”
“…”
“Hey, are you listening?”
Shen Jiyun gripped the phone, his eyes stinging, tears welling up.
When he woke up sober that day and realized his clothes had disappeared along with Shen Yuzhe, he knew his younger brother had done something foolish.
For three days and three nights, Shen Jiyun had searched for his brother’s trace outside, but he was well aware of Wang Chaolin’s background. That brat could only summon some thugs for revenge against Shen Jiyun at most; he wouldn’t dare to kill. At that time, he still believed his brother wouldn’t end up in a dire situation.
For three days, sleepless and with the worst scenarios in his mind, Shen Jiyun hadn’t cried. When he saw his brother’s lifeless body with his own eyes, he didn’t cry either. He just felt an unreal pain.
But at this moment, upon hearing Shen Yuzhe’s message relayed by a classmate, Shen Jiyun shed tears.
He convulsed all over, trembling, crying like a child who had been wronged.
“Are you… okay?” He Minghao detected something and asked worriedly.
Shen Jiyun’s voice turned husky as he forced out a “I’m fine,” then lost control of his emotions and ended the call.
He covered his face, hunched his shoulders, slowly crouched down, and let out a heart-rending wail.
In the following period, Shen Jiyun, in the guise of “Shen Yuzhe,” participated in the investigation into “Shen Jiyun’s” death.
Just like the car accident that took his parents three years ago, all the legal procedures were followed for Shen Jiyun’s case. However, due to the lack of direct evidence and Wang Chaolin’s refusal to admit to the murder, the suspect was acquitted, and the case was closed.
However, because it was proven that Wang Chaolin had hired thugs to harm Shen Jiyun, he was convicted of intentional injury, combined with his prior criminal record, and the coincidence of him recently turning 18, he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Furthermore, it was said that Wang Chaolin’s government official father was deeply implicated as well. Seizing the opportunity, his political rivals exposed his wrongdoings, leading to his removal from office.
Three months later, everything settled down.
Shen Jiyun returned home in a daze, staring at the silent house, unsure of what to do next.
His parents, his younger brother, they were all gone. What meaning did his life have now?
Even if he found the murderer who killed them, who could he tell? Who could he share his happiness with?
Just as he was on the brink of despair, someone knocked on the door of the Shen household.
Shen Jiyun slowly realized what was happening, propped up his exhausted body, and walked to the door. “Who’s there?”
No one answered.
Frowning, Shen Jiyun cautiously opened the door, finding no one outside. Instead, he noticed a piece of paper lying on the ground, folded into the shape of a hexagram.
After a brief scan of his surroundings, he crouched down, picked it up, and returned to the house.
Unfolding the paper, he saw only two sentences, a total of nine words:
“He’s not dead.
Don’t go to the dark web anymore.”
Shen Jiyun stared at those nine words, almost as if he was about to pop his eyes out, gazing at them for a full five minutes.
He’s not dead.
He’s not dead…
“Haha…” clutching the note, his eyes reddening, he suddenly burst into tears and laughter…
He didn’t know who had sent him this note, nor whether the person who passed on the message was friend or foe.
He seemed to have figured out something, yet he was utterly clueless.
But that was fine. Knowing that his brother hadn’t died was enough!
Just this alone was enough to make Shen Jiyun feel like he was coming back to life, his eyes flickering with newfound vitality.
Right on time, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
When Shen Yuzhe left, he didn’t take his phone. This phone had been carried around by Shen Jiyun day and night. Sometimes, he would hold it and sit for a whole day, imagining that his brother was still around, and that he was the one who had died.
Driven to madness, he would even send messages to himself from Shen Yuzhe’s phone to his own, seeking momentary solace and redemption.
At this moment, upon hearing the sound of a text message, Shen Jiyun immediately took out his phone to check.
As expected, it was He Minghao again…
Shen Yuzhe was introverted, and he had become even more silent after their parents’ death. So, he didn’t have many close friends. During this period, occasionally his classmates and friends would message him, mostly offering condolences or saying hello. But now that things had quieted down, those messages had become few and far between. Only He Minghao would reach out to him every now and then.
Perhaps because He Minghao was the last person Shen Yuzhe communicated with before he left, Shen Jiyun was more tolerant and polite towards him. He often impersonated Shen Yuzhe to reply to him.
“Hey, school is starting soon. When are you coming to the capital? Have you booked your train ticket? Do you want me to pick you up at the station?” He Minghao asked.
Shen Jiyun paused for a moment, remembering that his brother had asked He Minghao to convey a message to him. His eyes welled up with tears again.
He tightly gripped the piece of paper, as if he had made a decision. He put down his phone and began rummaging through the textbooks that Shen Yuzhe had brought back from school.
A few days later, carrying his brother’s identification and a box full of textbooks, Shen Jiyun set off on the road to the National University of the Capital.
One year later.
Country B.
Lights illuminated a luxurious skyscraper located in the most bustling part of the city.
Champagne, fine wine, various exquisite foods and pastries adorned the long table. Elites and billionaires from various sectors gathered together, enjoying a private party held once a quarter.
Stock market tycoons discussed the latest political situation with politicians. Businessmen consulted scientists about promising scientific and technological advancements. Celebrities talked about luxury cars, beautiful women, and entertainment gossip. Everyone raised their glasses, exchanging toasts and laughter.
As the night drew closer to midnight, someone couldn’t contain their excitement. “Evan, shouldn’t we proceed with the most exciting performance of the night?”
Evan Hewlett, the owner of the mansion hosting the party, was 52 years old, with silver hair at his temples. His slightly plump face carried a genial but shrewd smile.
He checked the time and chuckled, “Dennis, you’re too eager. We still have twenty minutes until midnight.”
Dennis, the one who spoke, complained, “I had an important appointment earlier today. I refused a beauty just to come here for this exciting show… I’ve consumed a bellyful of alcohol and gone to the restroom multiple times. If we keep waiting, I’ll get drunk. Can’t you start the show a bit earlier for my sake?”
Evan burst into hearty laughter, evidently pleased with Dennis’ indirect flattery.
When one has reached their level in life, they must possess things that ordinary people can’t see or afford to satisfy their vanity.
There were familiar old friends present, as well as newcomers from the business world. Some people, anticipating something, joined Dennis in urging Evan to start the show earlier. Meanwhile, others looked confused, wondering, “What exciting performance?”
Seeing that everyone was hooked, Evan put down his wine glass and clapped his hands. “Alright, my dear guests, since you’re all so eager, let’s begin the final celebration of the evening. However, for those who are watching this performance for the first time, I still need to go over a few requirements.”
Everyone held their breath and listened attentively.
“First, during the upcoming performance, I require everyone to turn off their phones and refrain from taking photos. Second, under no circumstances should you mention what you witness here tonight to any ordinary person. Even if you can’t help but share your amazement and joy, please don’t use my name.” Evan winked playfully.
Laughter filled the room. Evan, positioning others as “ordinary people,” naturally elevated the guests to a “noble” status. Everyone enjoyed this play on words, growing increasingly curious about the mysterious performance to come.
Evan continued, “If those troublesome organizations trace this back to any of our friends here, I’ll find out who leaked the secret. By then, your reputation within the circle might not be so great.”
Dennis urged, “Evan, we’ve come this far together. Naturally, we’re people of integrity who won’t spread it around. Such a performance is a privilege that only a few people have the right to witness…”
The crowd nodded in agreement, showing their sincerity.
Evan nodded in satisfaction, clapping his hands and instructing the maids to prepare.
Before long, two maids pushed out a table with wheels from the adjacent game room. On the table sat a completely transparent acrylic box, about two square meters in size and half a meter in height.
The crowd gathered around, and as the table drew closer, they finally saw what was inside the box: several beautifully designed villas complete with gardens, squares, and lawns… intricately crafted to look lifelike, resembling a miniaturized residential area.
One person among them was an architect, who chuckled upon seeing it. “What’s so special about this? It’s just a model of a building.”
Dennis, the one who had spoken earlier, stared at the box with excitement and interjected, “Oh no, you’ll see once we look inside!”
Evan walked over to the table with a smile, lifting the lid of the acrylic box, which had small air holes for ventilation. He called out to the inside, “Children, don’t be shy. The performance for tonight has begun. Come out and make the guests happy.”
The architect, upon hearing this, nervously turned his gaze toward the “models.”
After a few seconds, the door of one of the houses opened, and a tiny head popped out from inside.
“Oh my goodness!” A female celebrity among the guests immediately covered her mouth in disbelief.
It was a miniature figure only seven to eight centimeters tall. This little figure had chestnut-colored long hair and wore a beautiful lace dress. She timidly walked out from the villa and stood on the lawn.
She lifted her dress slightly, suppressing her trembling, and courteously bowed to the giants towering over her head.
