Chapter 132: Something Happened, Concerning Shen Xian!

The two stood silently beneath a streetlight. The woman was as beautiful as a sprite in the night; although she wore a mask and sunglasses, Shen Xian recognized her instantly.

The man was tall and handsome, and even from a distance, one could sense an innate nobility about him.

To Shen Xian, they looked... well-matched.

Yes, that was the word: well-matched. They appeared as a pair of celestial lovers.

Shen Xian’s gaze dimmed, bit by bit. He watched them quietly without drawing any closer. They were saying something, but Shen Xian could not hear a single word.

Suddenly, he saw them embrace.

In an instant, a profound sense of sorrow surged into Shen Xian’s eyes. His heart ached, and his breathing grew shallow and labored. Then, he felt his heartbeat falter for a moment.

In pain, he crouched down, clutching his chest. He could no longer bear to watch them, so he turned and walked away.

In the distance, Zhou Wan abruptly shoved Meng Yanzhou away and hissed in a low, sharp voice, "Meng Yanzhou, what are you doing?"

"I already have a man I love. Why must you keep pestering me?"

"You blocked my path, and just now, you forced an embrace upon me. Have you no respect for me at all?"

Meng Yanzhou took a step toward her, exclaiming agitatedly, "I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! Wanwan, I’ve missed you so much. I don’t want to lose you again. Everything in the past was my fault—can you please forgive me?"

But Zhou Wan stepped back, shaking her head as she lowered her gaze. "When you threatened me three years ago, it was already over between us."

They had been classmates since childhood and could be considered childhood sweethearts. However, the Meng family’s industry was based in Nanman, the world’s largest distribution hub for electronic products, with chip technology that ranked among the global elite.

Three years ago, Meng Yanzhou had gone to Nanman to dedicate himself to researching photolithography equipment. Before leaving, he had threatened Zhou Wan, demanding she spend the night with him, or else he would end their relationship.

Although they had never officially dated nor confessed their feelings, Meng Yanzhou knew that Zhou Wan had a favorable impression of him. He had intended to take her virginity before heading to Nanman. At the time, he had said, "If you like me, spend tonight with me; otherwise, let’s never see each other again."

Zhou Wan had a rebellious spirit; how could she endure such a threat? His persona in her heart shattered into dust. She could not imagine that the man she had always thought of as refined and elegant would one day make such a request and threaten her. Moreover, she didn’t even love him—she had merely viewed him as a neighborly older brother, with perhaps a slight fondness at most.

After his image collapsed, she was both heartbroken and angry. It was that very night, while she was dead drunk, that she saw Shen Xian—debonair, graceful, and full of spirit—holding court at a wine reception. She had followed the equally intoxicated Shen Xian into a room and tackled him onto the bed.

Recalling her thoughts, Zhou Wan took off her sunglasses and lowered her eyelids. "Don’t come looking for me again. I’ve found a man I love. He is a good person, he treats me very well, and I love him deeply."

Meng Yanzhou saw the expression on Zhou Wan’s face. When she spoke of that man, a radiance appeared on her face—a glow known as love. His heart ached. Was he truly going to lose this woman forever?

Yet, he didn't want to lose her. He reached out to grab her hand in a frenzy, but she retreated again and again. "Meng Yanzhou, go back. It’s impossible between us. I’m already having his child."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yanzhou’s body shook violently. He stared at Zhou Wan in disbelief. "The rumors are true? You’re over two weeks along?"

Zhou Wan nodded.

Meng Yanzhou closed his eyes in agony. Calculating the time, it was exactly when he had left for Nanman! He looked at Zhou Wan with bitter eyes filled with unwillingness.

Zhou Wan, however, had already put her sunglasses back on, preparing to drive away. Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar figure turning away, leaving behind only a silhouette.

Shen Xian!

Had he seen Meng Yanzhou force that hug upon her? Had he also seen her push him away? How could she explain this?

Panic seized Zhou Wan. Her heart tightened, and she became incredibly nervous. She chased after him, shouting, "Shen Xian, wait for me!"

***

Shen Xian had already flagged down a taxi. Hearing Zhou Wan’s call, he turned his head and gave her a cold, indifferent glance.

Zhou Wan stopped in her tracks. What kind of look was that? It was devoid of emotion—icy, ash-gray, as if all life had flickered out.

Feeling a pang of pain in her own heart, she tried to chase him again, but the taxi had already pulled away.

Meng Yanzhou caught up to her. "Who is that?"

Zhou Wan had no time for him; she pulled open the car door and got in. Meng Yanzhou grabbed the door. "Wanwan, tell me—who is he?"

Zhou Wan looked up abruptly, her face cold and her eyes sharp. She hissed, "Get lost!"

*Get lost...*

Meng Yanzhou froze. Zhou Wan was usually cool and aloof, but she was always polite and composed. When would she ever say the words "get lost"?

If she wasn't completely rattled, incredibly nervous, and deeply attached to that man, why would she tell him to get lost? It seemed that the weight of that man in her heart had reached a terrifying level, causing her to lose all composure.

"Where to?" the taxi driver asked.

Shen Xian sat in the back, took out his phone, and turned it off. "Find a bar a little further away."

"You got it," the driver replied.

Zhou Wan drove out in pursuit, but in the sea of traffic, how could she tell which direction Shen Xian had gone? While waiting at a red light, she pulled out her phone and frantically called Shen Xian.

Powered off.

She tugged at her hair in anxiety and turned the car toward Shen Xian’s home. From afar, she saw the lights on in his apartment and felt a surge of hope. *Did he go home?*

She rushed inside, opened the door, and found it empty. The sense of loss was unimaginable.

She called Ning Cai, who answered quickly. "Are you picking up Qingqing? She’s asleep; let her stay here for the night."

Zhou Wan said, "Okay." Since Ning Cai said that, Shen Xian clearly wasn't with her.

Where could he have gone? *The Postman—yes, check with the Postman.*

Zhou Wan rushed out again, heading for Xiao Yang’s KTV. Xiao Yang’s place was currently at its busiest. Fully disguised, she found Xiao Yang and got straight to the point: "Is Shen Xian here?"

Xiao Yang was stunned but recognized her. "He’s not. Why?"

She hesitated, then told him what had happened that night. Xiao Yang’s expression turned grave. "This is serious." He knew Shen Xian’s past and his emotional vulnerabilities. Shen Xian had finally opened his heart, but if he were hurt again, the damage would be far worse than before.

Xiao Yang tried calling Shen Xian, but the phone remained off. "Let’s go. We’ll check every place he’s likely to be," Xiao Yang said.

The first stop was the barbecue stall they often frequented. Zhou Wan followed behind, her anxiety mounting. He wasn't there.

On the way, Xiao Yang said, "Shen Xian is very sensitive, but his heart is fragile. He cannot withstand even the slightest bit of injury. The incident with Lin Zhixia crushed his dignity into the dirt. After you appeared, I clearly felt him become happier; there were more smiles on his face."

Tears welled in Zhou Wan’s eyes. "He should have let me explain!"

Xiao Yang offered a cynical look. "Then before you met Meng Yanzhou—or rather, when Meng Yanzhou called you—why didn’t you tell Shen Xian in advance? Communication is the most important thing in a relationship."

"A man sees the woman he loves hugging another man in a park late at night. Who could possibly accept that?"

Zhou Wan remained silent, tears streaming from her almond-shaped eyes. Xiao Yang’s words were like a blade piercing her heart.

They searched for most of the night. At 3:00 AM, Xiao Yang said, "Let’s go back for now. He’s probably found a place to heal himself. Explain it to him when he returns."

Zhou Wan looked haggard, but with no other options, she nodded. Back in her room, she heaved a long sigh. After a shower, she lay in bed, unable to sleep. She decided that the moment Shen Xian returned, the first thing she would do was explain everything.

In a small tavern, Shen Xian sat in a corner, ordering a few bottles of beer while watching a televised soccer match. Business was decent, with a few tables occupied, but Shen Xian sat alone, his expression melancholic.

*I have never mistreated anyone. I have always treated everyone with kindness. But why does God make my life so miserable?*

The tragic experiences of his childhood, the trampling of his dignity in his youth, the various false accusations during his school years...

He watched as three or four friends at a nearby table drank and boasted, joking and laughing with arms draped over each other's shoulders. He barely had any friends. There was only Xiao Yang, and perhaps Ning Cai.

Loneliness surged again, enveloping him.

One man, a few bottles of beer, and a few small dishes—Shen Xian sat there until 5:00 AM.

After leaving, he hailed a taxi and headed toward the Nanzhou City Orphanage. After an hour's drive, he arrived at 6:00 AM. Mother Dean was already up, sweeping the courtyard.

The orphanage was divided into two sections: the eastern side was for children, and the western side housed elderly people—the "five-guaranteed" households of orphans and widows. Shen Xian headed toward the children's area.

Hearing footsteps, Mother Dean looked up. Seeing it was Shen Xian, her face brightened with surprise. "Little Shen, you’re here?" She dropped her broom and hurried over to take his hands.

"Mother Dean." Shen Xian held her hands back; they were cold and rough. She was seventy years old, her posture slightly hunched, her face lined with many wrinkles. During his school years, she had helped him immensely; without her, he might have dropped out long ago.

"I received both transfers—the eighty million and the five million you sent yesterday. Here is the expenditure statement." Mother Dean pulled him toward the bulletin board, where his donations were posted, along with detailed records of expenditures.

Although the orphanage received government subsidies, much of the equipment was outdated. "We hired a dozen teachers and replaced the desks, chairs, and old air conditioners. Those were the major expenses," she explained.

Shen Xian wasn't overly concerned with the details. He smiled, "I happened to be passing by and wanted to see you. I’ll be leaving soon."

"Stay for lunch?" she urged.

Shen Xian shook his head. "I have work to attend to. The children are probably still sleeping; I won't disturb them. I’ll come to see you again in a few days."

With that, he walked away, leaving Mother Dean looking after him with lingering affection. *What a wonderful child,* she sighed. *It’s a pity. If he had been born into a wealthy family, he would surely be extraordinary.*

The next morning, Shen Xian returned home. Zhou Wan had barely slept all night. When she heard the sound of the digital lock, she jumped out of bed and rushed toward the door.

Just then, her phone rang—it was Ye Yuning. As she answered, she opened the door to greet Shen Xian.

Ye Yuning’s first words made Zhou Wan tense up instantly: "Wanwan, something has happened—it’s about Shen Xian!"