Shen Chi Yan looked coldly at Shen Zheng Hao, as if he had never known the man before.
When the words "Li Jun Shen is my son" came from Shen Zheng Hao's mouth, his face was filled with pride and satisfaction.
Shen Chi Yan could never have dreamed that in his lifetime, he would suddenly have a so-called elder brother. It was both ridiculous and tragic.
Seeing Shen Chi Yan's grim expression, Shen Zheng Hao patted his shoulder. "A Yan, I only found out later that Jun Shen is my son. I know Jun Shen has invested in the new railway project of Ding Sheng Group. I hope you brothers can work together..."
Before Shen Zheng Hao could finish, Shen Chi Yan interrupted him with a cold laugh. "Work together? You can't even claim to be my father now. Do you really think I would acknowledge him as my elder brother?"
"A Yan..."
"Don't call me that! You're not worthy!"
Shen Chi Yan didn't understand where Shen Zheng Hao got the nerve to say these words. He had abandoned his wife and child for his first love. Now he returned, not only without any remorse, but with the audacity to bring back a son for him to acknowledge as his elder brother.
Hmph... what a scoundrel!
Shen Chi Yan cast a chilling glance at the two men. Fearing he might lose control and resort to violence if he stayed any longer, he left the private room in anger.
"A Yan..."
Shen Zheng Hao hadn't expected Shen Chi Yan's reaction to be so strong. As he was about to chase after him, Li Jun Shen said calmly, "Anyone in my position would find this hard to accept. Mr. Shen's reaction is understandable."
Shen Zheng Hao felt guilty towards Li Jun Shen. When he was with Ji Luo Fei, they were deeply in love.
It was Ji Luo Fei who proposed the breakup, saying they were from different social strata and she didn't want to drag him down. Moreover, the old lady insisted he marry Gu Zhi Yan. Heartbroken by Ji Luo Fei's unilateral decision to break up, and pressured by his mother, he eventually chose Gu Zhi Yan.
But he never loved Gu Zhi Yan. Later, he accidentally learned that Ji Luo Fei was single, so he resolutely divorced Gu Zhi Yan and went to find Ji Luo Fei. It was then that he discovered Ji Luo Fei had given birth to his son.
Shen Zheng Hao regretted it deeply. If he had known earlier that Ji Luo Fei was carrying his child, he would never have broken up with her, no matter what.
He had caused them to wander outside for so many years.
However, he was greatly relieved that Li Jun Shen had forged his own path through his efforts, achieving success in his career. He was indeed his son.
But since he was his son, he had to acknowledge him and bring him back to the family. He was determined to find a way to compensate for all he had owed to them, mother and son.
"Jun Shen, you and your mother have suffered a lot over the years, but don't worry, I won't let you be wronged again."
Li Jun Shen pushed up his glasses and smiled faintly. "It hasn't been too difficult, but I grew up relying on my mother, and I've never experienced the feeling of a large family together."
Shen Zheng Hao patted Li Jun Shen's shoulder with concern. "My child, you've truly suffered. Although I've left the Shen family, you are my son, and I will take you back to the Shen family."
"That's probably not a good idea. Judging by Mr. Shen's attitude today, the Shen family probably won't welcome me!"
"How can that be? Don't worry, even if the old lady doesn't like me, she can't dislike you..."
Li Jun Shen narrowed his eyes, saying nothing further, letting Shen Zheng Hao display his fatherly affection.
...
When Shen Chi Yan returned home, the house was brightly decorated and lively.
Usually, as long as Song Qi Nian was present, Shen Chi Yan would not come, or he would at most greet the old lady and elders and leave without even having the New Year's Eve dinner.
This was the first time he felt that home could be such a warm place.
"Fifth Brother, Happy New Year, give us the red envelopes!"
Upon seeing Shen Chi Yan, Shen Ke Qin and Shen Huan Ling immediately rushed up to him, holding out their hands.
It was the New Year, and Shen Chi Yan didn't want anyone to know about Shen Zheng Hao and Li Jun Shen's matters. He suppressed his emotions and smiled slightly. "Received via WeChat."
Shen Huan Ling and Shen Ke Qin immediately opened their phones and, seeing the amount Shen Chi Yan had sent, grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you, Fifth Brother."
"Go play by yourselves."
After sending away the red envelope seekers, Shen Chi Yan went to find Song Qi Nian.
Song Qi Nian was chatting with Gu Zhi Yan. Ever since Gu Zhi Yan acted in "Miss Julie," she would communicate with Song Qi Nian using sign language whenever her hands were free. This had brought them closer.
"Oh, the busy person is back?"
Gu Zhi Yan teased Shen Chi Yan with a smile upon seeing him.
Song Qi Nian smiled at Shen Chi Yan. The moment he saw her smile, all his anger seemed to vanish, and his heart softened. He walked over and sat next to Song Qi Nian, then smiled at Gu Zhi Yan. "Ask Qi Qi, who is the real busy person in our family?"
"Nian Nian, you tell us."
The pressure suddenly fell on Song Qi Nian. Her beautiful eyes darted between Shen Chi Yan and Gu Zhi Yan, and she signed very seriously, "You are both quite busy."
Gu Zhi Yan laughed. "Did you hear that? Nian Nian is blaming us for not spending enough time with her."
Hearing this, Song Qi Nian was about to sign an explanation when Shen Chi Yan gently held her hand and agreed with Gu Zhi Yan. "Yes, so we both must spend more time with her in the future. Especially you, you're not young anymore, and you've won most of the awards you can. There's no need to work so hard. Enjoying your twilight years is what you should be doing."
Song Qi Nian saw that Shen Chi Yan was concerned about Gu Zhi Yan and wanted her to stop working so hard, which was why he mentioned spending time with her. She nodded in agreement.
Gu Zhi Yan could see Shen Chi Yan's good intentions. She was indeed getting old, and felt increasingly tired lately. However, she still had two more films to shoot. Once those were completed, she could finally rest.
"Wow, I didn't expect our aloof and proud Mr. Shen to be so caring. Nian Nian, this is all your credit. Back in the day, I never heard him care about me."
Shen Chi Yan chuckled. "Caring? You're overthinking it. I'm just afraid that if you act in too many films, your fans will get tired of seeing you. It's time for them to rest their eyes and see the new generation of film empresses."
Having spent more time with Shen Chi Yan, Song Qi Nian understood him better: he was a person who said one thing and meant another, outwardly tough but inwardly soft-hearted.
"Third Aunt, Sister-in-law, it's time for the New Year's Eve dinner."
The New Year's Eve dinner was ready, and the whole family sat down at a long table.
The old lady sat in the center, with Shen Zheng Cheng and Shen Zheng Ming on either side. The others were seated according to their seniority in the family.
The atmosphere at the table was solemn and formal. The old lady did not pick up her chopsticks, and no one else did either.
"In the new year, I hope our family will be harmonious, healthy, and peaceful."
"Mom, Happy New Year!"
"Grandma, Happy New Year!"
Everyone raised their glasses together to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Shen Chi Yan looked at the dazzling array of dishes on the table and quietly asked Song Qi Nian, "I heard that each of the younger generation made a dish today. Did you make one?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head and signed softly, "They wouldn't let me into the kitchen, worrying that oil would splash on me. How could I be that clumsy?"
Shen Chi Yan couldn't help but chuckle. He saw through it but didn't expose it. "They just don't want your beautiful hands to be soiled by cooking. Come, eat more!"
Song Qi Nian was indeed hungry. After eating a little, she realized Shen Chi Yan's mood was off. She put down her chopsticks and signed softly, "What's wrong? Did something trouble you?"