Shen Feiyi, the eldest son of the Shen family, passed away from a myocardial infarction at the age of thirty-two.
The Shen family was plunged into deep sorrow.
The memorial service following the funeral was scheduled for today.
The entire day had been gloomy, and by dusk, it finally began to rain.
Inside the old family villa, the original red sandalwood furniture in the front hall had been moved out, replaced by a uniform array of plain white silk.
Flowers were piled in front of the altar. In the center was a photograph of Shen Feiyi wearing a custom English suit, his smile just right.
The air was thick with the scent of flowers mixed with incense.
Wen Su, busy receiving guests, had been walking back and forth all morning. Today’s attendees were all from the political and business circles; some were familiar faces, while others she had only seen on television.
Outside, the rain grew dense.
A guest accidentally spilled his drink, and Wen Su stepped forward to express her concern. She noticed a large damp patch on his black shirt.
“President Wang, please wait a moment. I’ll go upstairs and get a spare set of clothes for you.”
President Wang looked at this virtuous second mistress and said politely and gratefully, “Thank you for the trouble, Second Mistress.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Wen Su glanced around. She had seen her husband, Shen Fei’an, just a moment ago, but he had suddenly vanished.
She thought that perhaps Shen Fei’an also couldn’t accept his elder brother’s sudden passing; to outsiders, the brothers’ relationship had always seemed very good.
Wen Su hurried upstairs to the third room on the third floor, where some spare clothes were kept.
Compared to the bustle of the first floor, the third floor was much quieter.
Stepping softly on the carpet, Wen Su was about to push the door open.
Suddenly, the sound of a woman’s suppressed sobbing came from inside.
Hearing the voice, Wen Su’s heart tightened; it was her sister-in-law, Lu Qingyun.
Having suddenly lost the husband who adored her, she must have been unable to bear the blow, leading her to hide here and cry.
Wen Su had always been on good terms with her sister-in-law and felt the need to go in and comfort her.
“Fei’an, did you know that Grandma is sending me abroad after the memorial service?”
“She won’t allow an outsider like me to be in charge of the company’s key projects anymore. She wants to kick me out of the core circle.”
“Fei’an, I don’t want to go. Help me…”
Wen Su’s outstretched hand instantly recoiled.
A moment later, her husband Shen Fei’an’s low voice came from the room: “How can I help you? If you don’t want to go abroad, I can plead with Grandma.”
“I want a child,” Lu Qingyun’s voice rang out.
Then came the slight sound of fabric rubbing together.
“Fei’an, give me a child, okay?”
Wen Su was stunned by these words. How could Lu Qingyun make such a request?
“Qingyun, calm down.”
“Fei’an, are you still blaming me for choosing your brother back then?”
The man said nothing, remaining silent.
“It was Grandma’s arrangement. I had no choice. That night…”
Lu Qingyun’s trembling sobs started again. “When I woke up, I found Big Brother sleeping beside me. Fei’an, you’ve always known that my heart…”
“Enough, don’t say these things anymore.”
“Then, have you agreed?” Lu Qingyun’s voice carried a hint of joy. “I knew you wouldn’t heartlessly watch me be sent abroad.”
“Qingyun, even if Big Brother is gone, I will protect you and keep you in the Shen family. Don’t worry about that.”
Lu Qingyun sobbed softly, “If I don’t give birth to a child of the Shen family, in what capacity can I stay? Fei’an, Su Su said that Siqing’s congenital heart condition is bad. She wants to take care of that child for the rest of her life and won’t have any more children.”
Shen Fei’an was silent for a moment before saying, “She never said that to me.”
Lu Qingyun’s voice was filled with sorrow. “Su Su told me in private. Fei’an, Siqing’s illness is for life. I can give you a healthy child.”
There was a moment of silence in the room. Then came the sound of an intimate kiss. “Fei’an, this is the greatest wish of my life. Fulfill it for me… okay?”
Outside the door, Wen Su’s whole body was frozen. She couldn’t listen any longer.
She turned and walked downstairs.
By the stairs, she saw her four-year-old daughter, Shen Siqing, skipping around, exchanging candy with several children of the same age.
“Mommy…” Shen Siqing walked over happily and hugged one of her legs. “Mommy, I’m playing games with the older brothers and sisters. I’m having so much fun!”
Looking at her daughter’s innocent little face, Wen Su’s heart ached unbearably.
Wen Su knelt down and wiped the candy crumbs from the corner of her daughter’s mouth.
Shen Siqing’s small hand immediately pulled two pieces of chocolate from her pocket and stuffed them into Wen Su’s hand. “Mommy, eat this.”
Wen Su’s throat tightened as her cool fingertips took the chocolates from her daughter’s hand.
In the distance, the emcee’s voice announced for the honored guests to move to the memorial hall.
Wen Su snapped out of her daze and stroked her daughter’s hair. “Qingqing, be good. Go find Aunt Zhang and let her take you to get something to eat. Mommy still has to host the guests.”
“Okay!” Shen Siqing nodded obediently and skipped away.
Wen Su stood up, her fingers gripping the stair railing, and took a deep breath.
It turned out that the marital harmony, brotherly love, and close relationship with her sister-in-law that she had believed in all these years were all fake.
Wen Su walked slowly downstairs. When guests came over to greet her, she was forced to put on a proper smile again.
“President Wang, I’m terribly sorry. I couldn’t find the spare clothes right away. I’ve asked a servant to bring you a new towel and a trench coat. Please make do with those for now so you don’t catch a cold.”
President Wang offered a polite word of thanks.
The memorial service began.
The funeral music swirled in low tones. As the younger brother of the deceased, Shen Fei’an gave a speech on behalf of the family.
Wen Su looked up at the man on the stage. He was in a black suit, standing tall, his handsome face filled with sorrow.
This man, who had shared a bed with her for six years, seemed to be shrouded in a fog; she could no longer see him clearly.
She tilted her head to look at Lu Qingyun on the other side. In a long black dress with a plain white flower at her temple, her pretty face was as pale as paper, her eyes red and swollen. She was supported by two friends, looking so fragile that she seemed ready to faint at any moment.
Wen Su remembered how well Lu Qingyun had treated her in the past, and her stomach churned.
As the memorial service drew to a close, the rain outside eased, and the guests began to disperse.
After seeing off several important guests, Shen Fei’an rubbed his brow and walked over to Wen Su. “You must be exhausted, being busy from morning until now.”
As he spoke in his low voice, he reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Almost instinctively, Wen Su tilted her head away ever so slightly.
Shen Fei’an’s handsome face froze for a moment, his hand lingering in mid-air.
Wen Su said, “I am a little tired. I’ll take Qingqing back first. She still needs to take her medicine tonight. You stay and accompany Grandma for a while longer.”
On the car ride back, her four-year-old daughter fell asleep in Wen Su’s arms. Children don’t understand parting; even in sleep, there was a satisfied smile at the corner of her mouth.
The lights of the skyscrapers flashed past the window. Wen Su closed her eyes, and her heart suddenly felt empty.
It turned out that tenderness could be so cheap, and deep affection could be so hypocritical.
She knew that from today on, some things could never go back to the way they were.
Her fingers lightly brushed against her daughter’s cute little face, and she leaned down to give her a kiss.
Not long after Shen Siqing was born, she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. This was a huge blow to the entire family.
Fortunately, as the child grew older, surgery could be arranged. However, during this growth process, she required meticulous care from her parents, with special attention needed for her diet and activities.
What happened tonight had dealt a heavy blow to Wen Su’s heart.
She could no longer be the Mrs. Shen who only knew how to manage the household and be gentle and considerate.
For her daughter’s future and for herself, she had to find out what role her husband was playing in this drama of brotherly love.
That night, Shen Fei’an stayed at the old mansion. Shortly after eleven, he called back to check in with Wen Su.
“Su Su, there are still a few honored guests staying at the old mansion. I need to stay here with them. You and our daughter should get some rest early.”