Chapter Forty-Five: The Shen Family on the Brink of Bankruptcy

Shen Qingli entered the room holding a cup, the warmth radiating from it seemed to seep into her heart, just like the person who had handed her the hot water. She had looked carefully—there was genuine concern in those phoenix eyes, not a hint of pretense.

Yet, recalling what her mother had said in the illusionary realm, she concealed the complexity in her gaze, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and placed the cup by her bedside. The jade pendant her mother mentioned had been brought back; it was pure white, intricately carved with koi fish, its ornate patterns evoking a sense of elegance. The moment it touched her skin, it warmed, and even an ordinary person could tell it was a precious piece.

She gently stroked the jade, tentatively guiding a thread of spiritual energy into it. Remembering what had been said in the illusion, Shen Qingli tried to summon the system in her mind.

"System, are you there?"

No response—the silence in her mind was absolute.

She understood: this was the method described for blocking demonic spirits from prying into thoughts.

Murmuring, she said, "So it truly works?"

Holding the jade, she discovered that the spiritual energy she had infused was slowly returning, nourishing her body. Surprise flickered across her eyes—could this jade actually nurture her? It truly was a remarkable object!

After about five minutes, she heard a confused and anxious voice in her mind, belonging to Cai Cai.

[Host, are you there?]

She replied calmly, “I’m here. What’s wrong?”

The system, Cai Cai, audibly sighed with relief, muttering in her mind.

[I kept calling you just now and got no response. It really scared me!]

Shen Qingli thought to herself that the pendant’s shielding effect seemed fleeting—it lasted barely five minutes before failing. Still, she maintained her composure and answered, “Perhaps I simply didn’t hear you. Today’s been exhausting; there’s just too much to deal with.”

Cai Cai didn’t dwell on it, noticing the jade in her hand and asking curiously.

[Is that the jade pendant from the box today?]

Shen Qingli nonchalantly slipped the pendant into her bag and answered offhandedly, “Mm, just a keepsake left by the original owner’s mother.”

Cai Cai, seeing how tired she was, decided not to disturb her further, retreating quietly into her mind.

Shen Qingli lay down without changing, forcing her eyes shut, though her thoughts drifted elsewhere. The experiment with the pendant had confirmed its shielding abilities, just as described in the illusion, but she hadn’t placed full trust in everything said there.

Just as she didn’t trust Xie Jinchuan now, nor fully believe the words of her mother in the illusionary realm, who seemed to act for her sake.

What’s more, Xie Jinchuan’s recent kindness didn’t feel contrived.

Xie Jinchuan’s approach, her mother’s advice—both events felt too coincidental. Until she could clarify things, she wouldn’t trust either side.

Everything still needed careful investigation.

With her mind drifting, she slipped into sleep.

Meanwhile, things were far from peaceful at the Shen family. As Shen’s father continued undergoing investigation, Xie Jinchuan began consolidating Shen’s subsidiary companies.

The Shen family’s business had never been particularly successful. Over the years, Shen’s father had been scheming, neglecting proper development in favor of shady dealings, leaving Shen Group little more than an empty shell, riddled with rot.

On the surface, the accounts seemed fine, but under scrutiny, they couldn’t withstand examination.

Xie Jinchuan had little trouble—Shen Group was already teetering on the brink, like a crumbling edifice.

In the Lu Group’s office, Secretary Zhao handed Xie Jinchuan a document and reported, “Mr. Xie, these are all Shen Group’s current accounts. Their stock is plummeting; it’ll only be a few days before bankruptcy.”

He finished his report and looked up at the man seated before him.

Clad in a tailored black suit, Xie Jinchuan’s presence was composed and noble. His slender fingers traced the paper, exuding a subtle sense of dominion over life and death.

Secretary Zhao’s palms grew damp, recalling rumors from below and unsure whether to speak.

Shen Group was Madam’s family business—was Mr. Xie really going to disregard her feelings and drive them to ruin?

Lost in thought, he was startled by a low voice from Xie Jinchuan in front of him, “What is it? Speak!”

Secretary Zhao jumped, looked up, and saw Xie Jinchuan’s eyes barely flicker as he continued reading the report. Zhao couldn’t convince himself he’d imagined the words; swallowing nervously, he replied, “Madam’s father is clamoring to see you.”

After a pause, the man before him remained silent, and Zhao grew tense, until he heard the response from above: “Prepare the car. Let’s go see him.”

Relieved, Secretary Zhao hurried off to make arrangements.

Northern Detention Center, City A.

Shen’s father sat in the interrogation room, his mind scattered, hands cuffed and resting on his knees. He tapped the table anxiously, his demeanor unchanged since learning Xie Jinchuan agreed to meet him.

Suddenly, the door clicked open.

Shen’s father glanced toward the window. A group escorted a man toward the room.

The leader, deferential, opened the interrogation room door and addressed the man, “Mr. Xie, please take your time.”

He then thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

Shen’s father, who had stolen a glance earlier, now kept his head bowed low, like a frightened quail.

He listened to the sound of leather shoes striking the floor, each click echoing as if pressing against his throat, invisible hands raising his heart and constricting his breath.

The noble man took a seat, legs casually crossed, leaning against the interrogation room’s shabby chair, yet he seemed to be enthroned.

“You wanted to see me?”

Shen’s father raised his eyes to Xie Jinchuan, not daring to waste words, and stated his purpose directly: “Mr. Xie, I beg you to show mercy to Shen Group! Don’t let it go bankrupt, please! Just leave me enough assets to emigrate—I'll give the rest to Little Li!”

He pleaded, bitterness on his tongue, regret weighing heavily in his heart—never had he imagined his life’s work would end this way.

If only he’d treated Shen Qingli better; he’d backed the wrong horse!

Now he gambled, betting on Shen Qingli’s significance to Xie Jinchuan, hoping it might change his mind.

A long silence ensued, and just as Shen’s father’s hope faded, believing Xie Jinchuan would refuse, a cool voice broke the stillness.

“Alright.”

Xie Jinchuan agreed to Shen’s father’s request, but it was calculated.

Though enraged by Shen Jingrong’s actions, it would be easy enough to crush Shen Group now, yet it was better to preserve the enterprise and gift it to Shen Qingli, allowing it to fulfill its greatest potential.

After all, everything belonged to Shen Qingli by right; he was only helping her reclaim what was rightfully hers.