Shen Zhaonan had nowhere left to retreat.
With a pull of his arm, he dragged Han Shuai in front of him as a shield.
But Han Shuai’s mental fortitude was truly too weak. After meeting the queen’s gaze, he was so terrified that he fainted on the spot.
Even the queen was left speechless by this.
She shifted her gaze away and instructed the minister beside her, “Cease all related activities of the Shen Group within M Country’s borders.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was just enough for everyone present to hear.
This was a cross-border trade sanction against the Shen family!
The crown prince of S Country also received the news and immediately announced his decision on the spot.
A thunderous roar echoed in Shen Zhaonan’s mind, and his expression gradually stiffened.
Even if he didn’t know much about the family’s business, he was aware that his grandfather had been expanding projects overseas and driving growth in recent years.
Among these, M Country and S Country were absolutely the top priorities!
Countless companies in the country were vying for projects in these two nations.
The Shen family was one of them!
If his grandfather found out that all these efforts had been wasted because of him—
It wouldn’t just be about breaking his legs; he’d be expelled from the family registry!
The color drained from Shen Zhaonan’s face, and he didn’t dare to think further.
Just then, his phone rang, showing an incoming call from Shen Yan.
Shen Zhaonan irritably hung up.
But when he caught a glimpse of the stock market chart on his phone’s lock screen, the blood in his entire body seemed to freeze.
The Shen Group’s stock had plummeted, and its market value had evaporated by 1.8 billion!
His vision blurred, and he too collapsed to the ground…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, it was still daytime.
Old Master Shen had just finished his Tai Chi practice and was in a rather good mood.
Seeing this, Shen Qingshan took out a new Tai Chi outfit and seized the opportunity to say, “Dad, An Rou made this for you herself. Why don’t you try it on?”
Old Master Shen didn’t even glance at it. “I’ve said it before—the Shen family has upheld a clean and upright reputation for generations. I won’t allow a woman like An Rou, who meddled in someone else’s marriage, to become the matriarch of the Shen family.”
“And that Shen Yan, at such a young age, is already following in her mother’s footsteps. It’s truly disgraceful!”
“Dad, you’ve misunderstood,” Shen Qingshan couldn’t help but defend his wife and daughter.
“An Rou has a gentle and quiet nature. She wouldn’t even step on an ant.”
“Since we separated, she has never contacted me, which shows that she was genuinely fond of me when we were together—not after the Shen family’s wealth or status!”
“And Yan Yan,” Shen Qingshan spoke with pride about his daughter, “she was raised very well by An Rou.”
“Well, my foot!” Old Master Shen interrupted angrily.
“Getting involved with that boy from the Bo family—doesn’t she know he has a fiancée?” Mentioning this, the old master was quite displeased.
Why did this mother and daughter have such a penchant for meddling in other people’s relationships?
“Dad, that’s all a misunderstanding. Besides, didn’t you say that as long as Zhaonan could debut, you’d stop being prejudiced against Yan Yan’s career?”
Old Master Shen snorted. “If someone like him—tone-deaf, uncoordinated, and failing every subject—can become an idol for countless young boys and girls, then it just proves that the entertainment industry is truly finished!”
Shen Qingshan: “…”
“Anyway, I’ll say this once and for all,” Old Master Shen slammed the table heavily. “As long as I’m alive, this mother and daughter pair don’t even think about entering the Shen family’s door!”
At his age, others were already enjoying their retirement in peace.
But none of his sons or grandsons were anything like him!
The old master was furious!
“You’re just being prejudiced!” Shen Qingshan’s temper flared up as well.
He had been persistently pleading for nearly half a year, yet his father remained unwilling to agree.
Though he was already in his forties, his father still had not an ounce of trust in him!
Even when it came to choosing a wife, his father insisted on interfering!
Outsiders hailed Shen Qingshan as the wealthiest man in Haicheng, unaware that the financial power of the Shen family had always remained firmly in his father’s hands.
Shen Qingshan’s expression darkened. “Dad, whether you agree or not, I am determined to marry An Rou!”
“Moreover, I have always been in charge of the Shen family’s overseas projects. I want to take full control to prove to you that I can stand on my own, both in marriage and in business.”
“I will contact the legal department immediately to draft a contract. From now on, the overseas company will separate from the Shen Group, and I will take full responsibility for its profits and losses.”
The old master scoffed disdainfully. “So, your wings have hardened, and now you want to split the family?”
“Fine, fine, fine!” The old master waved his hand, agreeing to the matter. “Just don’t come crawling back to me when you lose everything, begging me to bail you out!”
“Absolutely not!”
Shen Qingshan declared with unwavering determination!
The overseas projects were strategically focused on Country M and Country S, with a solid foundation already laid in the early stages.
Now was the time to make money—how could there possibly be losses?
Shen Qingshan pushed the door open and strode out of the room with an air of confidence, instructing his assistant to book a flight back to the country.
The heavy wooden door slammed shut, causing the century-old mansion to tremble slightly.
Watching his son’s triumphant and overconfident retreat, Old Master Shen sighed, taking out a pocket watch from his chest. Inside was a photo of his late wife from her youth.
He gently wiped the yellowed photograph, his eyes growing misty.
“Qingshan is bound to cause trouble sooner or later, but I am old now and can no longer control him.”
“When we meet again in the afterlife, my dear Yiying, please don’t blame me for failing to take good care of our Qingshan!”
Meanwhile, Shen Yan was still unaware of the Shen family’s affairs.
After her call to Shen Zhaonan was hung up, she felt a bit puzzled.
She had intended to check online for updates on his progress, but instead, she received a call from her mother first.
Her mother’s voice on the other end of the line was filled with joy. “Yanyan, your father says he’s preparing for the wedding!”
“Did Grandpa agree?” Shen Yan’s eyes lit up.
“Not exactly. Your father confronted the old master, insisting on giving us mother and daughter a proper status! He also proposed taking over the Shen family’s overseas projects, saying he wants to prove to the old master that he can’t go wrong with projects or people.”
Shen Yan frowned.
“Why is Dad in such a hurry? Didn’t he say we should take it slow?”
Shen Yan knew that the Shen family’s wealth was firmly in the old master’s hands.
Now that he had clashed with Grandpa, wouldn’t all their years of effort go to waste?
An Rou chirped happily, “Silly girl, times have changed!”
“In the past, I endured humiliation because the old master was in charge! But now, he’s halfway into his coffin—how could he possibly control your father?”
“Besides, the old master only has one son! Who else would he leave this vast family fortune to if not your father?”
Hearing her mother’s words, Shen Yan felt somewhat reassured.
After hanging up, Shen Yan made another call to her agent.
“Lei Jie, you mentioned a variety show called ‘The Heir’s Romance’ before, right? I’d like to participate.”
The agent knew a bit about Shen Yan’s situation and understood immediately.
“That’s wonderful! I’ll contact the director right away!”
“Our Yanyan will soon be the Shen family’s young lady. Good scripts and directors will be at your disposal—it’s finally time for your hardships to pay off!”
“By the way, this variety show is a simulated marriage observation program. Have you chosen your ‘other half’ yet?”
“Yes, I have someone in mind.” Shen Yan’s voice carried a hint of sweetness.
“Bo Mingze.”
The agent paused for a moment. “…But I heard Bo Mingze seems to have a fiancée. I’m worried it might not look good for you, especially since there are already some rumors going around, saying you… you’re the other woman.”
“It’s fine.” Shen Yan smiled slightly. “Isn’t there a saying? The bigger the waves, the more valuable the fish.”
Celebrities aren’t afraid of being controversial; they’re afraid of having no attention.
The Bo and Qin families only have a verbal engagement, with no evidence.
Besides, my father had some reservations about me participating in a live-streamed variety show. Now that he sees me being slandered by netizens, he’ll only feel more protective and will accompany me on the show to support me, letting everyone know that I am the daughter of Haicheng’s wealthiest man.