Chapter 565: Chapter 565: 565: United Hearts, United Crisis

“Move aside!”

Shen Chi gave a cold glance and pushed past him, heading straight into the villa along the steps.

The servant dared not stop him any longer. Although he didn’t see Shen Chi often, he had heard that Shen Chi had a bad temper.

The villa was Western-style, with a strong Western flavor throughout.

Expensive oil paintings adorned the walls, the interior railings were gilded with a layer of dazzling gold, and there was even a vintage gramophone on the table…

Shen Chi didn’t have time to look at these things as he headed straight to the second-floor balcony, where he caught sight of his father’s back.

Shen Cexian sat in a wheelchair, a cane beside him. In just a few years, his hair had turned mostly white, and his figure appeared old and forlorn.

But what surprised Shen Chi was that his mother—Zhou Ran—was also there.

Time seemed to have left no trace on Zhou Ran’s appearance; she was still beautiful, with a slender figure and black hair.

She stood by Shen Cexian’s side, standing the entire time.

No one spoke; the afterglow of the sunset cast an orange halo over them.

“Aran, thank you for keeping me company for half the day,” Shen Cexian said.

“I just had a whim, missing the scenery here,” Zhou Ran replied with the same pride in her tone.

Shen Cexian smiled helplessly and slowly said, “The scenery here doesn’t change often. Will you not come again in the future?”

“Depends on my mood. If I’m happy, I might come over.”

Shen Cexian stopped talking, resting his hands on the wheelchair and quietly observing the scenery before him.

Zhou Ran stood by his side, also silently taking in everything before her.

From the balcony, one could see a majestic mountain in the distance. Above the mountain, the contours of the landscape blended with the sky, wreathed in cold, green smoke and mist, the vegetation lush and verdant.

The magnificent mountain seemed to connect with the sky, and occasionally flocks of wild geese flew over, their cries echoing loudly.

The height of the mountain blocked the view; closer was an endless stretch of grassland. The grass was lush and green, emitting a faint fragrance, refreshing to the soul.

There was no human activity on the grassland, just a few dogs or a couple of cats passing by. There were also some white rabbits that hopped by from time to time.

The scene before them created a picturesque and idyllic atmosphere, like a vision of “picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern hedge, leisurely beholding the southern hills.”

Shen Chi’s eyes sharpened, his dark pupils suddenly constricting. He quietly positioned himself not far behind them.

Neither Zhou Ran nor Shen Cexian was aware of Shen Chi’s presence; the two stood in silence.

A pair of red ‘double happiness’ knots hung on the wall to the left of Zhou Ran, swaying with the breeze that flowed in through the window.

Double happiness knots, double happiness ordeals.

Shen Chi couldn’t remember the last time his parents had stood together.

Since he had any memory, his parents rarely spoke to each other; both were hot-tempered and neither would concede to the other.

Each had been proud for most of their lives, and yet, in their twilight years, they could still stand side by side.

The scene before him was exceedingly harmonious.

It’s just a pity that he wasn’t here to view the scenery.

“Stay tonight, I will make some dishes,” Shen Cexian said, his tone carrying a plea.

“With your health, can you still cook?” Zhou Ran retorted, none too kindly.

Shen Cexian grimaced with a wry smile—indeed.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After a long silence, Shen Cexian spoke again: “Aran, that photo I gave you five years ago, do you still have it?”

That photo of them with Xu Mengxi—Shen Cexian still didn’t know why Zhou Ran wanted to take it back home.

“I lost it,” Zhou Ran said flatly.

“Oh…” Shen Cexian sounded somewhat disappointed.

It was their only photo together, but if it was lost, then it was lost—thirty years old, keeping it would only serve to deepen sorrow.

“Aran, could you help me go down for a walk?” Shen Cexian’s tone was equally begging.

No matter if she agreed or not, he was already standing up from the wheelchair.

His health was not good, and he stood unsteadily. Zhou Ran hurriedly lowered her crossed arms to support him!

“If you can’t walk, don’t force yourself,” Zhou Ran chided.

“Yes, yes,” Shen Cexian admitted his mistake like a child.

Zhou Ran supported him until he steadied, then gingerly helped him turn around.

But the moment they turned, they both froze—Shen Chi was there!

“Achi…” Zhou Ran called his name.

Both were taken aback, and Shen Cexian was even more surprised.

Shen Chi, who would never come here on his own initiative, had actually shown up today!

“Achi, why are you here?” Shen Cexian stepped forward.

“Nothing much, just have a few questions to ask,” Shen Chi said calmly, all the sharpness hidden in his eyes.

Zhou Ran and Shen Cexian looked at each other. Both were smart people, and each had their own understanding.

This time, Shen Chi’s arrival boded ill.

Zhou Ran once again helped Shen Cexian to sit down and slowly wheeled him to where Shen Chi was.

“I discovered some videos on Chaomu’s phone,” Shen Chi said slowly.

As he spoke, he observed their expressions and, indeed, he saw a flicker of change in their eyes.

“What are you trying to say?” Shen Cexian asked.

“According to my investigation, these videos came from you, Father.”

“Is that so? I’m not aware of it,” Shen Cexian denied.

“Don’t be hasty in denying it,” Shen Chi said. “Later, I questioned the Shen Family’s servants. On that day, someone took Chaomu away. Moreover, since that day, Chaomu has been very low-spirited. Of course, I haven’t seen it myself, but I trust what I’ve heard.”

“So what if it’s true, what does it have to do with your father?” Zhou Ran queried.

“Digging deeper, the person who sent that message was indeed one of your subordinates, Father. So, during those days I was away, you took Chaomu away. I came today wanting to know what you told Chaomu.”

Shen Chi’s tone was stern, his gaze icy.

Shen Cexian was composed, not flustered by Shen Chi’s direct accusation.

After all, he was a man who had been through decades in the business world, unafraid in the face of danger.

Shen Chi knew his father wasn’t Jian Sisi, who would still lie in the face of conclusive evidence.

As expected, Shen Cexian, leaning on the wheelchair, said casually, “What if it is true?”

“What did you tell Chaomu?!” Shen Chi’s face changed.

“You should be able to guess, shouldn’t you?” Shen Cexian looked at Shen Chi.

His son, whom he had raised with one hand, was now, for the sake of a woman, accusing him face to face!

Shen Cexian’s expression remained grim, while Zhou Ran standing beside him also had an unpleasant face.

She hadn’t expected Shen Chi to personally come over for Xu Chaomu!

“Yes, to tell her to leave me, Shen Chi, correct?” Shen Chi stated.

“More or less,” Shen Cexian no longer denied.

His son was clever; even without his words, Shen Chi could guess.

“With your methods, there must be more than that!” Shen Chi’s voice was deep and forceful!

He didn’t believe that Shen Cexian, in his absence from the Shen Family, just brought Xu Chaomu over for a talk.

“Achi, don’t forget one thing—Shen Group is the Shen Family’s enterprise. Now, Xu Chaomu has returned to C City carrying another man’s child. You might be able to tolerate this disgrace, but I, Shen Cexian, cannot!”