Shen Chengwei had spent the entire day at the office trying to contain the disaster while hoping was that the news wouldn't reach his father or his meddling sister before he could fix things.
Unfortunately, Shen Meli had found out about the Shencheng Technologies fiasco within hours. The moment Feng Xin was distracted, she went straight to Old Master Shen's room and told him what had happened. She had even exaggerated things, hoping that this would make his father open his eyes to reality and realize how useless her elder brother is.
What she did not realize was that although Old Master sat with a straight back and did not let anyone provide him assistance to move around, his health had deteriorated extremely. This news was like a final straw that immeditly sent him to the hospital ER.
When the call came through to Shen Chengwei's office, he'd had no choice but to abandon everything and rush to the hospital. By the time he arrived, the entire family had already gathered outside the emergency room, waiting for the news.
Yet in a small guestroom located in the farthest corner of the Shen family estate, Shen Yelan sat before a chessboard, completely unbothered by the commotion outside.
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting soft patterns across the room.
Across from her, Sun Lili sat with a black stone held between her fingers. Her brows were furrowed as she thought of her next move. She'd been thinking for a long time before she finally placed the stone on the board.
Shen Yelan, who'd been casually sipping boba tea through a straw, barely glanced at the move before placing her white stone. Sun Lili picked up another black stone and fell back into deep thought.
"I heard the old man won't survive this time," Sun Lili said suddenly, relaying the news that was sent to her from the hospital. Her eyes remained still on the board.
"That old man really chose the wrong time. Shen Chengwei has been under fire from the board members ever since the Shencheng Technologies disaster went public. They even held a meeting without him to discuss a solution. Some of the board members even suggested replacing him, but before they could come to a conclusion, Shen Chengwei stormed into the meeting room. Apparently, the arguments got so heated they had to call security. Everyone thought they were about to start throwing punches. Unfortunately, right when it was getting good, the news about Old Master Shen's hospitalization arrived."
Sun Lili sounded disappointed at the end, as if she was really looking forward to seeing those old men physically fighting. Somewhere in between her report, she had placed her stone on the board.
Shen Yelan twirled the white stone between her fingers, thinking of something. Then, she tsked. "It seems like Shen Chengwei will be keeping his seat for a while longer."
Sun Lili frowned. "After all the mess he's made, shouldn't he be removed immediately?"
"He did make a mess, but don't forget, he's also Old Master Shen's only son. If the old man dies now, all that negative attention will shift and everyone will start focusing on the 'filial son' who's suddenly lost his father." Shen Yelan placed the stone on the board.
"So he plans to use the pity card to get out of this?" Sun Lili scoffed, but then frowned. "But that's not right. Shen Meli is also his daughter."
"But she is a married woman with the Kai family behind her. Those people want to use the Kai family's influence and connections for themselves, but they're also terrified of being swallowed up by them. If they put Shen Meli in the CEO position, they'd essentially be handing control over to the Kai family. They'll never allow that."
"Those idiots. The company is going to be destroyed under Shen Chengwei's leadership." Sun Lili said mockingly.
"That's actually good for us." Shen Yelan placed another stone on the board, then looked at Sun Lili with a small smile. "I don't think I can stay here much longer anyway."
"Oh," Sun Lili eyes lit up when she thought of how she would soon be able to leave. Then she glanced down at the board and her expression fell. "Damn it. I lost again."
She had never won against Shen Yelan, so she was not bothered. Though she was happy that she lasted longer than the last time the two had played. That only meant that her skills had gotten better.
Shen Yelan stood up with her boba tea cup in her hand. She stood by the window with her reflection on the glass. The afternoon light caught her profile, highlighting her pale face and delicate features that made her look so fragile and harmless.
Outside, in the courtyard below, the servants were discreetly preparing funeral items.
Shen Yelan's lips curved slightly.
It seemed like Shen Chengwei had decided that Old Man wouldn't be coming out of that hospital alive. This also gave him the perfect opportunity to shift blame onto Shen Meli and move the attention away from himself. It wouldn't be hard for Shen Chengwei to paint her as the villain, the ungrateful daughter who'd killed her own father.
Shen Yelan knew everything that couple was doing, but she did not stop them. Why would she? She wasn't a good person and she never pretended to be one. And she certainly didn't feel any pity for Old Master Shen.
She felt no sympathy at all.
If anything, she was pleased. The Shen family was tearing itself apart without her having to lift a finger. All she had to do was sit back and watch the show.
This family had pushed the original Shen Yelan to the very edge of despair. They might not be the ones who killed her, but they were not saint either. Revenge was the promise she'd made to that little girl, and it was a promise she fully intended to keep.
Sun Lili was putting away the chessboard when her phone chimed. She glanced at the screen, read the message, and looked up at Shen Yelan's back.
"Boss. Old Master Shen has passed away."
Shen Yelan stared ahead at the vast sky. Far above the estate, a bird circled lazily in the vast expanse of blue sky. Her reflection in the window showed no emotion at all. "I suppose I should prepare something appropriate to wear for the funeral."