Chu Yan paused slightly, then, after a moment, he gently asked, “Have you been well these years?”
Upon hearing these words, Shen Muchuan felt a sense of irony welling up within him. It was perhaps one of the most laughable jokes he had ever heard in his life.
This person, of all people, was asking him if he’d been well? It was utterly absurd, hypocritical even!
In this proximity, from his angle, he could clearly see a small expanse of the snowy-white nape of Chu Yan’s neck where his perfectly fitted shirt met his skin. It was delicate and elegant, seemingly fragile. The thought of just giving it a light squeeze crossed Shen Muchuan’s mind, causing his body to tense suddenly and a shadow to darken his face.
“Isn’t everything thanks to Mr. Qiao that way? So, what’s the point of such words?”
These past five years, he couldn’t forget for a single day or night how cruel and heartless this person truly was. If not for the intense hatred sustaining him…
Chu Yan fell silent for a moment, his gaze flickering with an indescribable emotion.
Shen Muchuan stared at his face. His eyes contained deep-seated hatred, a numbing pain, and venomous hatred coiled around his heart like a snake, tightening incessantly, almost suffocating.
After a brief yet seemingly endless silence, he spoke up. His tone was akin to chatting and reminiscing with an old acquaintance, and he even chuckled lightly. “But… big brother, the things you took from me all those years ago…”
Chu Yan raised his eyes to look at him.
As he said this, Shen Muchuan looked at him, his tone pausing slightly, a gleam of mockery in his eyes. “Perhaps it’s time to return both the principal and the interest?”
However, Chu Yan just gazed at him in silence. It was as if his response to those words was not surprising at all. His gaze was unwavering, so fixed that it even gave Shen Muchuan an illusion, as if he was… as if he was…
Shen Muchuan felt somewhat absurd. His fingertips trembled uncontrollably.
Yet at the same time, with a slight vibration, the elevator doors “dinged” open.
Seeing the elevator stop, someone waiting at the door started to enter one by one. Shen Muchuan looked at Chu Yan and lifted the corner of his lips slightly, saying lightly, “Well then, big brother, let’s say goodbye for now.”
After saying that, he didn’t glance at Chu Yan again. Without hesitation, he lifted his foot and stepped out of the elevator.
——
Chu Yan exited the hotel, got into his car, and his assistant, Lin Yu, saw him. Lin Yu took a thermos cup from the groove near the driver’s seat and handed it to Chu Yan.
“Weren’t you supposed to finish work? Why haven’t you gone back?” Chu Yan took the cup, took a sip, and then pressed his temples heavily with his hand.
Observing his expression through the rearview mirror, Lin Yu hesitated with concern. “Mr. Qiao, do you need me to go to the pharmacy and get you some hangover medicine?”
During the years he had been with Qiao Yue, Lin Yu always felt he was pushing himself too hard. His health wasn’t great to begin with, and he worked so hard for the company. The first couple of years were manageable, but in recent years, he seemed to be relying on medication almost constantly.
Chu Yan opened his eyes. “No need, just head back.”
The car journey took about twenty minutes, and the car stopped in front of his villa.
Returning home, Chu Yan had just taken a shower, and he didn’t even bother to dry his hair. He lay down on the bed and almost didn’t feel like moving at all.
When Shen Muchuan looked at him just now, his gaze seemed as if he wanted to peel his skin, bone by bone, and then stew him in a pot for soup.
[Host, have you already figured out a plan?] After collaborating through two worlds, System 2333 had developed a great deal of trust in their esteemed host. After all, it was just a kidney… just a kidney…
[I haven’t decided yet… let’s wait and see, first observe what he intends to do.］
Although Chu Yan said so, since the night he saw Shen Muchuan, he hadn’t seen him again. Moreover, there was a project at the company that he was currently occupied with. He was quite busy.
In fact, Chu Yan knew some things about Shen Muchuan’s past few years. He had been developing in the southern regions. The “Chengtian Technology” that President Gao mentioned the other day was a rising star in recent years. As for the current project, it involved government approval to establish a commercial technology park in the southwestern region of the city.
However, the approval process for these kinds of projects with government involvement was quite complex. If the approval doesn’t come through soon, the longer the delay, the greater the losses.
“Mr. Qiao,” Lin Yu said, knocking on the door.
“Lawyer Zhang from XinYi Law Firm wants to see you. Are you available?”
In the lounge, Zhang Zhonglun placed the documents on the coffee table and looked straight at the man in front of him.
Sitting on the sofa, he wore a black suit and a white shirt. His appearance was undeniably striking, with his long and dark eyebrows, well-defined features, and handsome looks. His demeanor exuded elegance, making him appear less like a seasoned businessman and more like an intellectual researcher.
He doesn’t seem like someone capable of doing such things… With the significant favor that the Shen family has done for him, it’s hard to believe he could go to such lengths.
Appearances can be deceiving.
Zhang Zhonglun withdrew his gaze and spoke with a stern tone, “Mr. Qiao, I believe you understand the consequences of these documents being presented in court. Moreover, the will you possess actually holds no legal validity. My client still has feelings for you and is willing to offer you the opportunity to voluntarily transfer 55% of your shares in Zhongcheng Corporation.”
Chu Yan’s expression remained unchanged. He didn’t even furrow his brows, as he replied, “Is this his decision?”
“Yes.”
Chu Yan picked up the documents on the table and glanced at them before raising his eyes and saying calmly, “If this is for a private negotiation, then have him come and discuss it with me.”
The lawyer shook his head, neither confirming nor denying, and spoke in a cold tone, “I apologize, my client is not in B City at the moment. If you cannot accept this proposal… then, we will directly initiate criminal proceedings against you within three days.”
After listening, Chu Yan pondered for a moment and then calmly spoke, “Since private mediation can’t resolve the issue, and if he wants to file a lawsuit…”
At this point, he paused for a moment, as if letting out a faint sigh, and continued in a subdued tone, “Then let’s proceed with the legal process…”
Zhang Zhonglun looked at him in astonishment. He hadn’t expected that this conversation would be so brief. He had originally thought that even if the other party didn’t agree to the condition, they would never consent to legal action. After all, the evidence they held was very comprehensive. As the primary heir of the Shen family and their first priority, if Shen Muchuan were to file a criminal lawsuit, the so-called “will” held by Qiao Yue wouldn’t have undergone notarization and would thus lack any legal validity.
Although the act of forging a will doesn’t inherently constitute a criminal offense, this behavior falls under the category of fraudulently acquiring public or private property, and the amount involved is substantial. If they were to succeed in their lawsuit, the court’s verdict would not be less than three years.
After all, they had grown up together as brothers. Should they really bring such a matter to court?
“Mr. Qiao, are you really not reconsidering?” When he thought about it, this issue was essentially a dispute over family property, but within families of their status, such behavior was greatly magnified.
Chu Yan found it a bit amusing and asked, “What do you think I need to consider?”
Zhang Zhonglun hesitated for a moment, realizing that indeed there wasn’t much to consider.
There was no room for negotiation whatsoever. Shen Muchuan’s intention was clear: either Qiao Yue transferred all the shares or legal action would be taken, subjecting the matter to legal judgment.
While it appeared that there was room for private mediation, in reality, there was none at all.
…
Five days later, the court summons arrived in Chu Yan’s work email, and during this period, true to Shen Muchuan’s words, he hadn’t appeared in person.
The lawsuit had taken effect, and the court scheduled the trial for one month later. During the litigation period, to prevent the defendant from hiding or transferring assets, the procuratorate initiated property preservation, freezing Chu Yan’s personal accounts. Meanwhile, the local public security bureau issued an administrative detention order.
Chu Yan’s appointed lawyer had already submitted an administrative reconsideration, but it would take at least three days for the process to be heard. Therefore, he still had to make a trip to the public security bureau.
[He’s really ruthless. My host, I just checked the laws of this world. If the male lead’s lawsuit succeeds, you might actually have to spend three years in prison. It’s truly terrifying!]
[Hehe—]
Just last night he was in the villa, and today he found himself in detention. Life truly has its ups and downs!
However, what comforted him was that in the afternoon, Shen Muchuan, who had been completely absent for the past half month, finally showed up.
After the staff completed the procedures and registration, they closed the door and left.
Shen Muchuan stood at the doorway, surveying the environment around him. He was surprised to find the conditions to be much harsher than he had expected. Apart from a bunk bed, there was just a table and two chairs.
Heh—
沈慕川’s lips held a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the seated figure of Chu Yan.
He wore a light blue shirt, sitting with impeccable posture that highlighted his slender and upright figure. As Shen Muchuan’s eyes met his, Chu Yan’s expression remained neutral.
Shen Muchuan pulled out the chair opposite with a flourish and sat down, his lips curving slightly as he spoke, “Big brother, how about it? Are you satisfied with this little reunion gift?”
Chu Yan lowered his gaze, his face devoid of any unnecessary expressions, “I have never been your big brother. Don’t call me that anymore.”
His voice was soft but carried an undeniable sense of finality, exuding a coldness that made it clear he wouldn’t entertain any argument.
Shen Muchuan’s expression flickered briefly, and then he smiled with an undertone of meaning, “You’re right, we have no blood relation between us. Indeed, I shouldn’t call you that.”
“In front of others…” Shen Muchuan leaned slightly, placing his palm on the table and moving closer to Chu Yan’s side, his lips almost touching his ear, his warm breath brushing against the side of Chu Yan’s neck as he spoke.
“Between us, in fact, we should have a relationship even more intimate than brothers, don’t you think?”
In an instant, Chu Yan’s body seemed to tense up ever so slightly.
Shen Muchuan continued to gaze at him, his lips curling into a low chuckle. He didn’t miss the sudden tension that coursed through Chu Yan’s body. His eyes then traced down the line of Chu Yan’s neck from the crisp collar of his meticulously fitted shirt, lingering on his delicate Adam’s apple, and following the graceful curve of his jawline…
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