AMBTICBPIB Chapter 26

 

Chu Yi stood by the window, watching Shen Jin’s car drive out of the courtyard and disappear from sight. Remembering Shen Jin’s hurried expression earlier, Chu Yi couldn’t help but wonder if he was alright.

As he turned around, he noticed Uncle Wen watching him. Feeling a little embarrassed, Chu Yi scratched his head.

While Shen Jin was talking to Uncle Wen, Chu Yi had been in the kitchen sticking magnets on the refrigerator, so he hadn’t heard their conversation. He didn’t know what had happened, but he was worried about Shen Jin—worried that accompanying him to the oceanarium had made Shen Jin late for something important.

From their first meeting, Butler Wen had thought Chu Yi was a good kid. After spending so much time with him, he liked the boy even more. Chu Yi was pure and kind, and Butler Wen could see that his concern for Shen Jin was genuine.

So he told Chu Yi about Shen Chunhan’s situation.

Chu Yi was shocked.

*So it’s that serious?*

No wonder Shen Jin had looked so grave on the way here. Back at the Chu Family, Chu Yi had already known that Shen Chunhan and Shen Jin were like oil and water, and that Shen Chunhan had been badmouthing Shen Jin behind his back.

Shen Chunhan had suddenly fallen into a vegetative state, leaving Shen Jin to face countless challenges. Yet, Chu Yi never expected Shen Jin to prioritize bringing him home first.

Chu Yi was unpacking the souvenirs he’d bought at the Oceanarium, carefully setting aside a penguin plushie. This was a gift he’d chosen for Shen Jin; he hadn’t just bought something for Uncle Wen, but for Shen Jin as well.

Since Shen Jin wasn’t home yet, Chu Yi placed the plushie in the cabinet, planning to give it to him when he returned.

Chu Yi gazed at the plushie, its adorable expression making him like it even more. He tapped the plushie’s head with his finger, hoping Shen Jin would like it too.

At the oceanarium, Shen Jin had shown little reaction to the animals, seeming uninterested. He was clearly just keeping Chu Yi company, and Chu Yi felt bad that he’d had to spend the whole day with him, probably bored out of his mind.

In that instant, a thought flashed through Chu Yi’s mind.

At the penguin exhibit, he had directly called Shen Jin by his name.

Chu Yi carefully recalled the moment. He had indeed called Shen Jin by his name and even held his hand.

He then considered Shen Jin’s reaction at the time. Shen Jin hadn’t seemed angry.

After the penguin exhibit, Chu Yi had been calling Shen Jin by his first name without realizing it.

He recalled how Shen Jin had seemed slightly displeased when Chu Yi addressed him as “Mr. Shen” during dinner. Could it be that Shen Jin didn’t like being called that?

Chu Yi shook his head, wondering why he couldn’t stop thinking about Shen Jin.

By the time Chu Yi went to bed, Shen Jin still hadn’t returned. He probably wouldn’t be back tonight.

Although Uncle Wen had assured him not to worry, Chu Yi sensed that even Uncle Wen was concerned.

Lying in bed, Chu Yi checked his phone. There were no news reports about the Shen Family online, suggesting that only a select few knew about the situation.

From the way Shen Jin had looked when he left, Chu Yi knew he would be very busy for the foreseeable future, just like when Chu Yi had first come to the Shen Family. During that time, Shen Jin had often stayed out late.

Chu Yi opened WeChat and stared at Shen Jin’s name. He typed a few letters in the chat box, then quickly deleted them, unsure what to say. Besides, Shen Jin was likely too busy to check his messages right now.

Chu Yi reasoned that since Shen Jin wouldn’t have time to check his messages, it wouldn’t hurt to send one. It wouldn’t bother him.

He sent a two-word message to Shen Jin:

Good luck.

Chu Yi wasn’t sure why he’d sent it. He figured it was because Shen Jin had spent the whole day with him at the Oceanarium. Shen Jin was a good person.

Just as Chu Yi was about to put his phone down and go to sleep, it vibrated.

Shen Jin: Mm.

Chu Yi couldn’t believe it. Shen Jin had replied almost immediately.

The next day, Chu Yi didn’t see Shen Jin. He hadn’t returned after all.

Chu Yi went about his day as usual, unaware of the uproar online regarding the Shen Family. The media was buzzing with reports of Shen Chunhan’s vegetative state and the scramble for succession among the family’s heirs. Such a high-society drama was clearly the kind of sensational news the public devoured—the more bizarre and melodramatic, the better.

Every day after school, Chu Yi would first check the courtyard for Shen Jin’s car. If it wasn’t there, Shen Jin hadn’t returned yet.

Before going to bed each night, Chu Yi would listen for any sounds outside the door, but it remained quiet. Shen Jin hadn’t returned.

Butler Wen had also been distracted these past few days, clearly worried about Shen Jin.

One day, as Chu Yi stepped out of the school gate, a car pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, revealing a somewhat unfamiliar face. The man looked at Chu Yi and said impatiently, “Stop right there. I have some questions for you.”

Chu Yi hesitated for a moment, then stood beside the car.

The man in the car was Chu Chengxu.

Chu Chengxu cut straight to the chase: “What exactly has been happening at the Shen Family these past few days? What has Shen Jin been up to?”

Chu Yi blinked. “What’s been happening at the Shen Family?”

Chu Chengxu scrutinized Chu Yi’s expression, but saw nothing unusual.

He frowned, yet a sliver of belief crept in. “You really don’t know anything?”

Chu Yi replied, “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. All I do is go to class every day, so I have no idea what you mean by ‘what’s been happening.'”

The Shen Group had been in constant turmoil these past few days. One rumor was that Shen Chunhan had fallen down the stairs and was now in a vegetative state.

Another piece of news was that Shen Jin had seemingly seized control of the entire Shen Group overnight, becoming its sole and undisputed ruler. No one dared to object.

The past few days had been a chaotic whirlwind of rumors, with everyone speculating wildly but no one possessing genuine insider information. Chu Chengxu worried that his joint project with Shen Chunhan would be jeopardized. The Chu Family had invested significant resources into the venture, and its failure would spell their financial ruin.

Chu Chengxu paused, realizing he was grasping at straws. How could Chu Yi possibly know anything? Shen Jin clearly despised him.

This realization ignited his anger. “What use are you? You know nothing! You’re utterly useless!”

Chu Yi felt no attachment to the Chu Family, and even less for Chu Chengxu. To him, Chu Chengxu was a complete stranger. But being suddenly berated by a stranger left Chu Yi bewildered. He swallowed his hurt, but his eyes still reddened.

Seeing the redness in Chu Yi’s eyes, Chu Chengxu grew even more agitated. “Don’t cry in front of me. It’s so annoying.”

Chu Yi bit his lip and retorted, “I didn’t want to stand here and talk to you. You’re the one who made me stay.”

Chu Yi’s voice trembled slightly, but he managed to get the words out.

Taken aback by Chu Yi’s defiance, Chu Chengxu’s brow furrowed even deeper. He had always disliked Chu Yi. “What did you say? Say that again! Who taught you to speak to me like that?!”

Chu Yi opened his mouth to reply, but a familiar voice called from behind him, “Chu Yi, come here.”

A tall, dark figure stood nearby, his straight black coat accentuating his imposing stature. It was Shen Jin, whom Chu Yi hadn’t seen in days.

He stood there like a cold, biting wind.

Yet seeing Shen Jin at this moment filled Chu Yi with warmth. He hurried over, his face lighting up with surprise. “When did you get here?”

Shen Jin had been busy with company matters these past few days. What was he doing suddenly appearing at their school gate?

Chu Yi glanced at him. After not seeing him for several days, Shen Jin seemed somewhat haggard, with faint dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating he hadn’t been resting well.

However, his gaze lacked the heavy intensity it had when they last parted. Chu Yi thought he must have resolved all his affairs.

Shen Jin was slightly taken aback. When Chu Yi saw him, his genuine joy and surprise were evident. It seemed he wasn’t as afraid of him anymore.

Shen Jin nodded. “I just arrived.”

He had just arrived when he witnessed Chu Chengxu scolding Chu Yi. Seeing Chu Yi’s reddened eyes, Shen Jin’s gaze suddenly deepened.

Chu Chengxu hadn’t expected to see Shen Jin here. Now that Shen Jin was the head of the Shen Corporation, maintaining good relations with him was crucial. Chu Chengxu immediately stepped out of his car, a forced smile plastered on his face. “Mr. Shen.”

He took only one step forward before freezing stiffly. A single glance from Shen Jin froze the smile on Chu Chengxu’s face.

Everyone said Shen Jin was terrifying, and they weren’t wrong. His gaze sent chills down Chu Chengxu’s spine. He couldn’t understand why Chu Yi would burst into tears at just a word from him, yet show no fear of the formidable Shen Jin.

Shen Jin draped an arm around Chu Yi’s shoulders and guided him to his car.

Once inside, Chu Yi pushed thoughts of Chu Chengxu to the back of his mind and asked with concern, “Are you coming home with me?”

“Mm-hmm,” Shen Jin replied.

“Then you won’t be leaving again?” Chu Yi asked. He was thinking that if Shen Jin still planned to leave, he could go home on his own and wouldn’t need Shen Jin to take him.

Misinterpreting Chu Yi’s words as a desire for him to stay, Shen Jin’s gaze softened. “I won’t be leaving again.”

Chu Yi’s face lit up with a genuine smile.

Seeing Chu Yi’s smile, Shen Jin suddenly felt the exhaustion of the past few days vanish completely.

Shen Chunhan had fallen into a vegetative state, destined to spend the rest of his life bedridden.

A man who valued money and power above all else, Shen Chunhan had refused to relinquish his authority to Shen Jin. He had meticulously planned to cripple Shen Jin, forcing him to surrender his position.

That day, Shen Chunhan was in high spirits and drank several extra glasses of wine. He was unsteady on his feet as he climbed the stairs. Butler Wen tried to assist him, but Shen Chunhan, confident in his alcohol tolerance, pushed the butler aside, insisting on ascending the stairs alone.

“I’m not so old that I need help climbing stairs. Get out of my way.”

Yet Shen Chunhan had to admit to himself that he was aging. His physical condition was no longer as robust as in his youth, and the alcohol had dulled his senses.

Midway up the stairs, Shen Chunhan lost his footing and tumbled down, his head striking the hard floor with a sickening thud. He lost consciousness instantly.

Butler Wen, terrified, rushed the unconscious Shen Chunhan to the hospital. After thorough examinations by multiple leading medical institutions, the unanimous conclusion was grim: Shen Chunhan would never regain consciousness.

Were it not for the villa’s surveillance footage, Butler Wen would have been unable to defend himself against accusations. As he gazed at Shen Chunhan lying motionless on the hospital bed, breathing but utterly unresponsive, the butler understood with chilling clarity that Shen Chunhan had suffered a complete and irreversible defeat.

In recent days, Shen Jin had been busy handling various matters, including purging Shen Chunhan’s loyalists. The Shen Corporation was now completely under Shen Jin’s control.

Having witnessed so much suspicion and fear in the past few days, he was surprised to find Chu Yi genuinely happy to see him upon his return, unwilling to let him leave again.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Chu Yi cheerfully called out, “Uncle Wen, we’re back!”

Butler Wen was astonished to see Shen Jin and Chu Yi returning together. He asked Shen Jin, “How did you come back together? Has everything been resolved?”

Shen Jin nodded.

“That’s good,” Butler Wen replied, relieved. He had been worried about Shen Jin these past few days. “You’ve lost weight. Make sure to eat well and take care of yourself.”

After changing into fresh clothes in his room, Shen Jin heard a knock at the door.

When he opened it, Chu Yi stood there, clutching a penguin plushie. “I bought this for you the other day,” Chu Yi said. “Now I can finally give it to you.”

Shen Jin raised an eyebrow slightly. He remembered Chu Yi spending a long time carefully selecting this particular plushie. So it had been a gift for him all along.

His heart softened as he accepted the plushie from Chu Yi. “Thank you.”

Seeing him accept it, Chu Yi beamed. “I was worried you wouldn’t like it.”

“It’s very cute,” Shen Jin replied.